… an apostle of Christ Jesus …
Summary: Paul begins by telling us who he is and, more importantly, who he represents.
Paul opens his letter by identifying himself as an apostle.
The word “apostle” tells us a lot about Paul, but to fully understand what this means, it helps to know a bit about the one who made him an apostle.
When Jesus walked the earth as a man, he often proclaimed the “Kingdom of God.” Mark’s Gospel records Jesus’ message in a way that is simple and easy to remember.
“The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
While he lived as a man, there was debate about whether or not Jesus was a king. Pilate, the official representative of Rome, interviewed Jesus personally. He discussed this topic with Jesus and the angry mob who had brought Jesus to him. His verdict still stands today: Jesus is a king. (John 19:19)
Of course, Jesus’ life did not end that day on the cross when he was crucified. It is true that he died, but it is also true that he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Is he less of a king in heaven? Not according to the Bible (1 Timothy 6:15, Revelation 17:14, 19:16).
When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “your kingdom come, your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). So how is that supposed to happen?
It happens the same way any other government would expand its kingdom. Kings send out special ambassadors known as “apostles.” The Greek word “apóstolos” describes someone sent out to educate the people about how the king wanted them to live. Jesus also sends out apostles.
Some in church circles like to argue whether the word apostle should be written with a big “A” or a little one. Others disagree about who qualifies as an apostle and whether or not they were limited to the early days of the church.
For the purposes of our conversation here, let’s assume that Jesus does not want us to argue about these things. Jesus wants his church to reflect God’s love in the world (Matthew 22:37-40). For this reason, we will use the word “apóstolos” as the Greeks did.
Jesus sends people out to expand the kingdom of God. These people are called by God to a life of hard work and suffering for the Gospel. What sets Paul apart as special is that before he was called to be an apostle, he devoted his life to cleansing the earth from the scourge of Christianity. He was smart, well-trained, highly educated, and absolutely dedicated to what he believed God wanted him to do — until God got his attention and put him on the right path.
Application: If we believe in Jesus, there is a little apostle in all of us.
Food for Thought: How does thinking of ourselves as apostles change how we live our lives on earth?
How does thinking of ourselves as apostles change how we live our lives on earth?
Believers have different roles, all are necessary to the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:11, And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
1 Corinthians 12:12, For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
Romans 12:4-5 “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” .
Thank you, Ron!
Interesting thought. Your words make me wonder if there are parts of the body of Christ who don’t have any responsibility to act as an apostle.
My understanding of “apostle” is very much like what you have written; “someone sent out.”
I think sometimes folks get hung up on the part of being “sent out.” I think sometimes folks think that means being called to ministry in a more formal sense. But if we lay aside titles and think about what it means to be “sent out” as Christ was sent, we realize that becoming more like Christ means to be separated from the world by truth, but also sent out into it to proclaim it.
John 17:14-18 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
Just as Christ is sent by God, we are sent by Christ. In a very real sense, God comes to us through Christ, and Christ comes to us, and to others through us, so that God can come to others through us. We all become of one mind, one Spirit.
John 17:20-23 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Thinking of ourselves as apostles sent out to share the love of Christ, the love of God, changes our mindset from thinking of our commission as a great work in the terms of greatness that man understands, and thinking of the simplicity of sharing love, which is simple and something all believers are empowered to do. The world does not understand the love of God, but we do, because we have been redeemed by Christ in love.
John 17:25-26 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
How does thinking of ourselves as apostles change how we live our lives on earth?
When I was in the military, stationed in South Korea, there was a propensity for folks to conduct themselves in an “on-duty/off-duty” lifestyle. Which meant for a lot of folks, who were separated from their families, that they spent a lot of their “off-duty” time inebriated. The leadership on the base were constantly struggling to get folks to understand that our “calling” (mission) required everyone to be ready at any moment.
Thinking of ourselves as apostles changes how we live our lives on earth because we recognize that we are already deployed into the world, and we must be ready at any moment. That the very nature of how we conduct ourselves in everything will potentially relay the love of Christ. It also places us in a constant state of vigilance, just as the enemy roams around looking for someone to devour, we should also be looking for someone to share the love of Christ.
Thank you, Chris.
Very well said! I appreciate your point that we are in “a constant state of vigilance,” too.