Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God…
Summary: As we begin our study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the first question that comes to mind has to do with being an apostle. Who is an apostle, and what do they do?
Paul, also known as Saul, was a man devoted to God his entire life. He was also a man who understood the importance of words. Paul’s letters are a treasure of faith, reason, and words. Understanding the meanings of words is key to understanding Paul’s message and, on a larger scale, understanding God’s message.
Paul begins his letter by claiming that he is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” The two questions that come to mind are:
(1) What is an “apostle?” and
(2) What kind of apostle is Paul?
Checking my online dictionary, I find that the first definition of the word is “each of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ.” The usage here is capitalized, “Apostle.”
This definition fits with my general understanding of the word. But, there are questions. Technically, the twelve chief disciples of Jesus included Judas until he betrayed Jesus. Then there were eleven. In Acts 1: 12-26 we see the disciples casting lots to replace Judas, and Matthias is chosen. So then there were twelve again.
Sort of…
Sometime later, we see Saul, who has been persecuting the Christians, visited by Jesus (Acts 9: 1-6). The visit leaves Saul shocked and blinded. He is completely transformed by the event, and from that point on he begins his own apostleship of Jesus. From then on we see Paul (Saul’s Greek name) referring to himself as an “apostle of Christ Jesus” as in this letter.
So are there twelve or thirteen Apostles? And what is an apostle anyway?
The online dictionary notes that the word “apostle” originated from the “Old English apostol, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek apostolos ‘messenger,’ from apostellein ‘send forth.’”
A gentleman named Rick Renner has an online ministry and has posted an article citing “Lives of the Apostles of Jesus Christ” by Francis Bacon (New Haven: L. H. Young, 1836) as his source. He notes that in Roman times an apostle was someone who led a mission to uncivilized parts of the world and teaches them how to be civilized. This would then lead to the colonization of the people, and they would become part of Rome.
It appears that Jesus might have chosen to use the word “apostle” because an apostle’s mission is to do the same thing. The only difference is that instead of colonizing for Rome, an apostle of Jesus Christ is colonizing for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Did Jesus choose Paul to replace Judas? We won’t know this until we get to heaven. Until then, there are many other things to focus on while we are on earth. One thing we can be sure of, Paul was an apostle of the first order. He was hand-picked by Jesus! He filled the commission required by all apostles, which is to bring people into the Kingdom of God and teach them how to be citizens of that kingdom.
This letter to the Ephesians is a follow-up from Paul to the believers in Ephesus. As we listen in, we get to learn from God’s personal messenger to the early churches.
Application: Pay attention to Paul’s letters to the early church. They are very instructive!
Food for Thought: Are apostles still needed today and if so, why?
Apostles, as I understand and use the term, refers to those who were specifically called out by Christ who had personally met the risen Lord and were witnesses of His life on this earth. They also were utilized by the Holy Spirit to write down God’s revealed word, just as the prophets were.
So in that sense, no, there are not Apostles today. We have God’s completed word.
But certainly we who are in Christ have all been called to be His witnesses and make disciples of all peoples. This is the mission and task given to the church. We have all been sent out to do that. Matthew 28: 19; Acts 1: 8; 2 Corinthians 5: 14 – 21.
Rich
Thank you! In the strict sense of the word I agree. There is no need to add to God’s written Word. In the functional sense of the word (small “a”) anyone who models Christian life for others is an apostle. The question then becomes is this one of those words with multiple meanings and applications?
I think it is wise to factor in that there are many abuses by people who call themselves modern day apostles. They don’t mean that everyone who is a believer is an apostle. They mean that they are unique and everyone has to listen to them because they speak for God.
I completely agree! In 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 Paul bemoans Satan’s “deceitful workers.” On the other hand, I am reminded of 1 John 4: 18. As Luther once pointed out, the Gospel is like a drunk man riding a horse. He is always in danger of falling off of one side or the other. 🙂
I am not sure how 1 John 4: 18 applies, but I will take your word for it 😊.
Are apostles still needed today and if so, why?
Original Greek for Apostle, Apostolos….. a messenger, one sent on a mission, an apostle.
This word is used to describe Jesus’ disciples, sent after His ascension as well as a few others who were also called apostles. The word translated messenger is the same Greek word for “apostles.”. Jesus was an Apostle, or “sent one” in the sense that He was sent to the earth by God the Father.
Some say Apostles are all who were witness’ to the resurrected Christ. Some say the Apostles were all appointed by Jesus and still others say they were given the gift of apostleship by the Holy Spirit.
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. All this should give us a hint.
Acts 4:33
Scripture is clear that Jesus chose a select group of men to be His apostles. Which would later include Paul.
Acts 26:15-18
We then read of more apostles being added to this group as we move through the Bible.
1.) Paul listed James on the same level as Peter and the other apostles. Galatians 1:19, 2:9. Acts 15:13, 19
2.) Paul writes of Barnabas as being an apostle.
Acts 14:14
3.) Paul writes of Silas and Timothy as being Apostles.
1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2:6-7, 1 Corinthians 15:7, Acts 15:22
4.) Andronicus and Junias may have been Apostles.
Romans 16:7
5.) Apollos may have been an Apostle,
1 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Corinthians 4:9-10
6.) Jesus is declared an Apostle.
Hebrews 3:1
Does God send messengers today?? I certainly believe He does. All believers are humble messengers, empowered and sent by the Holy Spirit, to communicate God’s message to those brought to us as we utilize the specific gift, gifts He has given us.
Why else would we be here?
Ron,
Thank you for your list of Scripture references! I linked them here.
I was thinking about this today and remembering that some people use the term ‘apostle’ rather freely to describe believers who are leaders in the church. I also understand the reticence to use the term casually because of its association with the origins of Scripture.
One of the reasons I work at unearthing the meaning(s) of words is that I have become convinced that Satan knows all of the meanings — and, he uses his knowledge to divide us! I have talked about the meaning of “to die” (Genesis 2, 3) many times. He deceived Eve by slyly substituting one meaning of the word for another. Where God meant we would die spiritually (Genesis 2: 16-17) the serpent said she would not “die” meaning physically (Genesis 3:4). Both statements were true if taken in their proper context. The serpent played on Eve’s ignorance of spiritual life and she fell for the deception.
My hope is that we don’t fall for the same trick! “Apostle” (capital “A”) and “apostle” (lower case “a”) are the same word but are used differently, or at least that is how it appears to me. Hopefully I’m not falling for another one of Satan’s tricks myself!
No I don’t believe you are. I could only look up the meaning of the original Greek, then I had a duce of a time trying to search and copy the use of the word, I did not do well on my upper and lower case. In my mind Jesus is the only Apostle ” Messenger ” , while we humans are apostles ” messengers. ”
The NIV Hebrews reads, Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
I would think He should be upper case.
Botton line servants of God are messengers of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The message is not ours, we simply submit to our Lords desires and allow Him to work through us.
I have about 100 questions as a result of these responses. But I won’t ask them. I think we are touching the surface of this issue. But it is one that should probably not be left at a surface issue. The ground is shaky here at best.