| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"" |
| Date: |
01 Apr 2007 11:55:17 PM |
| Object: |
Apostleship |
APOSTLESHIP
by Warren Doud
The word "apostle" is apostolos in the Greek, meaning "an
ambassador; one who is sent; a delegated authority." The word was
used for high-ranking naval officers in classical Greek times.
An apostle of Jesus Christ was the highest ranking official in
the local churches, 1 Cor. 12:28.
Apostles of Jesus Christ were appointed by God the Father for the
purpose of establishing churches and spreading new truth, Eph.
3:1-10.
There were both the spiritual gift and office of apostleship. The
spiritual gift was the divine enabling to function as an apostle,
Eph. 4:11, 1 Cor. 28,29. The office of apostleship was the
authority to function as an apostle, Rom. 1.5, ACTS 1:25, Gal.
2:8.
Some of the uses of apostolos outside of the Bible are:
+ In the classical Greek period (4th and 5th centuries B.C.),
apostolos was used by Lysias and Demosthenes to refer to the
commander of a naval expedition. When the Athenians went to
war, there was a number of men qualified to command the
fleet. One of these was elected by lot and sent to the fleet
to command it. He was called apostolos.
+ During the Hellenistic period (323 B.C. and following)
apostolos was used to refer to a person commissioned and
authorized by one of the gods.
+ In the Papyri of the koine period apostolos was used to
refer to a civil agent sent to transact official business.
Two Classes of Apostle in the New Testament:
+ The apostles of Jesus Christ to Israel, Luke 6:12-16. These
were appointed by Jesus Christ according to the will of God
the Father. These men were authorized to announce to Israel
that their Messiah was present; and they were endowed with
miraculous powers, Luke 9:1,2.
+ The apostles of Jesus Christ to the Church. These included
the eleven disciples (Acts 1:26), Paul (Rom. 1:1, etc.),
James the brother of Christ (Gal. 2:19), Barnabas (Acts
14:14), Timothy and Silas (1 Thess. 2:6,7 cf. 1:1)
The Qualifications of an Apostle:
+ An apostle had to have the spiritual gift of apostleship.
The gift was provided by Jesus Christ after His ascension
into Heaven, Eph. 4:8-11. The gift was imparted by the Holy
Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, 1 Cor. 12:11; Acts 2.
+ The apostle received his gift and office by the sovereign
decision of God the Father, 1 Cor. 1:1; 12:18; Eph. 1:1;
Col. 1:1.
+ The apostle had to have been an eyewitness of the
resurrected Lord, Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1.
The Credentials of an Apostle:
+ An apostle was endowed with miraculous powers of miracles,
Heb. 2:4; 2 Cor. 12:12.
+ An apostle had success in evangelism, 1 Cor. 9:2; 2 Cor.
3:1-3; Gal. 2:7-9.
+ An apostle had the capacity to suffer patiently, 2 Cor.
12:12.
The Functions of an Apostle:
+ Apostles received and communicated new revelation, Eph.
3:2-6.
+ Apostles communicated the gospel effectively and people
accepted Christ in response to their preaching, 1 Cor. 9:1;
Gal. 2:7-9.
+ Apostles helped organize local churches and appointed
officers, Acts 14:23; Tit. 1:5.
+ Apostles trained new believers in doctrine, 1 Thess. 1:5 to
2:12.
+ Apostles had the authority to administer discipline to
believers, Acts 5:1-10; 1 Tim. 1:20; 1 Cor. 4:21; 2 Cor.
13:2.
+ The apostle had authority over all local churches because he
was the channel of New Testament revelation. Since the time
of the apostles, no one has been given authority over more
than one local church.
+ The apostle Paul was the most Grace-oriented apostle. He
realized that he was the least deserving to be an apostle,
1 Cor. 15:9. He was the most productive because of Grace,
1 Cor. 15:10.
There were false apostles who communicated false information,
2 Cor. 11:13; Rev. 2:2.
.
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