God divided the kingdom into two parts: Judah & Israel.
The kingdom remained divided and they fought against one another.
One king died and another replaced him and most often those kings did evil as described in the following:
I Kings 14
23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree.
24 And there were also sodomites (homosexuals) in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
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The divided kingdom of Judah and Israel continued for many generations.
6 ... Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And HE said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in HIS own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when HE had spoken these things, while they beheld, HE was taken up; and a cloud received HIM out of their sight.
After the crucifixion of Jesus, and before Jesus was ascended into heaven, the disciples asked Jesus:
Acts 1
7 And HE said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in HIS own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when HE had spoken these things, while they beheld, HE was taken up; and a cloud received HIM out of their sight.
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From heaven, Jesus established the New Testament church and gave HIS ministers to the church.
Ephesians 4
8 Wherefore HE saith, When HE ascended up on high, HE led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (5 ministry offices)
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into HIM in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
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Paul is an example of one of these New Testament apostles/teachers which was called by Jesus after Jesus was taken into heaven.
Acts 26 (Paul tells king Agrippa his story)
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
(Notice
Jesus called Saul by name. There were others traveling with Saul and
while they heard a voice and saw a bright light, they were not called
nor put into the ministry by Jesus. It was the call of Jesus on Paul's
life. Paul was put into the ministry by the will of God working in the
offices of apostle and teacher. 2 Timothy 1:11)
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord?
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord?
And HE said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in ME.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
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