Being Apostolic In the Modern World 12

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Being Apostolic In The Modern World

To be an apostle (apostolos) is to be an  ambassador for Christ, to
bring the message of Jesus Christ to the world.  The twelve disciples
are refered to as apostles for they are called by Jesus to participate
in his ministry and proclaim his message (Lk 6:13; Mt 10:2).  The
apostles were very well qualified for this task.  The twelve were with 
Jesus from the very beginning of his ministry and the risen Lord had
appeared to them (Lk 24:36ff; Ac 1:3).  Before his  ascension into
heaven Jesus had promised them the Holy Spirit and commanded them to
evangelize the world.  This promise was fulfilled  on the day of
Pentecost and the Spirit anointed them to be the authoritative witnesses
to Jesus Christ as they fulfilled the great commission (Ac 2).

Paul was an extraordinary apostle.  For emphasis Luke presents the
calling and conversion of Paul three different times in the book of Acts
(9:1-19; 22:1-21; 26:2-18).   The Lord  reveals to Annaias that Paul is
his  chosen instrument  to carry his name before Gentiles, Kings, and
the people of Israel (Ac 9:15).  During the Damascus road experience 
the risen Lord calls Paul to be an apostle. "I have appeared to you to
appoint you as a  servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me
and what I will show you.  I will rescue you from your own people and
from the Gentiles.  I am sending (apostello) you to them to open their
eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan
to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among
those who are sanctified by faith in me"  (Ac 26:16-18).  In the
aftermath of the  Damascus road experience Paul  is once again called by
the risen Lord to be an apostle.  "Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will
send (exapostello) you far away to the Gentiles' " (Ac 22:21).   While
Paul was not with Jesus during his earthly ministry, he was a witness to
the risen Lord Jesus.  Like the other apostles Paul was called to be a
witness to Jesus Christ and continue his ministry.  "But when God, who
set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased to reveal
his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not
consult with any man, nor did I go to Jerusalem to see those who were
apostles before I was, but I immediately went into Arabia and later
returned to Damascus"  (Gal 1:15-17).   The calling of God made Paul an
Apostle.

The apostles were messengers ordained by Jesus Christ.  This ordination
is the decision and choice of God.  "Paul, an apostle-sent not from men
nor by man, but from Jesus Christ"  (Gal 1:1).  As  apostles they are
not bound by the judgments of man.  "I care very little if I am judged
by you or by any human court (1Co 4:3).  The have been sent by the risen
Lord Jesus Christ as his authorized representatives.  Their power and
authority comes from Jesus.  The apostles are not spiritual supermen. 
They represent Christ as "sheep among wolves",  totally dependent upon
the Holy Spirit for their message (Mt 10:16,19,20).  "But we have this
treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from
God and not from us" (2Co 4:7).  Apart from Jesus Christ the Apostles
can do nothing! (Jn 15:5).

The apostles are Christ's representatives upon the earth.  Those who
hear the apostles hear Christ.  Those who reject the apostles reject
Christ.  "He who receives you receives me" (Mt 10:40).  They do not
preach their own message but the message of Christ.  (2Co 2:17; 4:2). 
Their words and work are those of God.  "We are therefore Christ's
ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us" (2Co
5:20).  "When you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you
accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of
God, which is at work in you who believe" (1Th 2:13).  The apostles are
to be received just like Jesus Christ (Gal 4:14).  They are servants of
God and ministers of  Jesus Christ  (1Th 3:2; Rm 15:15).  Their message
and ministry is to be characterized by the power of the Holy Spirit. 
"Because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with
power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction" (1Th 1:5).  

The apostles proclaim the gospel and establish the Church (2Co 10:13-16;
13:10).  They also have authority to order the life of the Church. Paul
is not hesitant to give specific instructions for handling disputes
between Christians, marriage, divorce, eating food offered to idols, 
Christian worship, the gifts of the Spirit, preaching, and offerings
(1Co 6:1-11; 7:1-39; 8:1-13; 10:14-33, 11:2-34; 12; 13; 14:1-40;
16:1-4).  The apostles are placed in a position of authority and
leadership in the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ.