|
002 What Is an Apostle?
|
|
Topic Started: Mar 28 2015, 07:20 AM (92 Views)
|
|
ASpencer
|
Mar 28 2015, 07:20 AM
Post #1
|
|
Administrator
- Posts:
- 7
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
It looks like, then, there is fairly unanimous interest in the question of what an apostle is. Let's go ahead and make that our first topic for discussion. I think it will probably be easier if we organize our discussion by starting a new topic for each question, so that is what I am doing here.
|
|
|
| |
|
ASpencer
|
Mar 28 2015, 07:24 AM
Post #2
|
|
Administrator
- Posts:
- 7
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
Let me post Daniel's thoughts from the other topic thread so that we have them here:
- Quote:
-
I briefly went through every use of the word "apostle" in the NT. I didn't go through all the uses of the verb apostolo or the other noun translated "apostleship". That would also be helpful. Here are some characteristics of an apostle and other things I noted:
1. One of “the twelve” chosen by Jesus 2. Given authority over demons and diseases 3. They performed signs and wonders 4. Sent out in pairs to preach from city to city 5. A witness of Jesus' entire earthly ministry (Acts 1:21-26) 6. They were teachers and leaders of the church 7. They were witnesses of Jesus' resurrection 8. Laid their hands on the first deacons (Acts 6:6) 9. Imparted the Spirit by laying on of apostles hands (Acts 8:14) 10. Similar to OT prophets. Foundation of God's household. (Luke 11:49, Eph. 2:20) 11. “one who is sent” in John 13:16 12. Paul and Barnabas are called “apostles” (Acts 14:4,14, 1 Cor. 9:6) 13. Romans 16:7 – debatable verse – are Andronicus and Junia apostles? Doubtful 14. The apostles were persecuted heavily (1 Cor. 4:9-13) 15. Paul saw Jesus (1 Cor. 9:1) 16. Saved souls and/or churches planted are proof of apostleship (1 Cor. 9:2) 17. Apostles were highest rank in the church (1 Cor. 12:28) 18. 1 Cor 15:5-8 seems to indicate more than 12 apostles at time of resurrection 19. 2 Cor 8:23 seems to indicate that Titus, Timothy and Paul's other fellow workers were apostles as well. 20. 2 Cor. 11:13 – Why would they pretend to be apostles if there were only 12 + Paul and Barn? 21. Paul says sings, wonders, and miracles are signs of a true apostle (2 Cor. 12:12) 22. James, the Lord's brother, was an apostle (Gal. 1:19) 23. God revealed things to them directly (Gal. 1, Eph. 3:5) 24. Epaphroditus is called an apostle of the church of Philippi (Phil. 2:25) 25. Jesus is the apostle of our confession (Heb. 3:1) 26. Rev. 21:14 shows that the 12 apostles are distinct from the rest.
In conclusion, it seems clear that the 12 are a distinct group in some ways, but that at least Paul, Barnabas, and James (Jesus' brother) had pretty much equal authority and giftedness. A lot is made of Paul and Barnabas as apostles to the Gentiles. James seems to be a main figure in Jerusalem. Paul's helpers are also called apostles, but this may be in a different sense. Perhaps they were apostles of the churches while the 15 men above received their apostleship directly from God Himself. "Ambassador" seems to capture the idea of apostleship. It's someone who is sent out on a mission from one party to another with a message.
I'm curious to hear ya'lls thoughts on all this. We can still look at other questions if ya'll want. I'm not trying to choose for us. I've been wanting to look at this issue for a little while though.
|
|
|
| |
|
Jeff
|
Apr 1 2015, 06:26 PM
Post #3
|
|
- Posts:
- 2
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #3
- Joined:
- Mar 16, 2015
|
I have typically heard the word apostle used with the 12, but I think my first area of study will be those instances where someone outside the 12 was referred to as an apostle. Understanding these instances seems to me to be important in dealing with this question because I don't feel like I understand how broad the term apostle might be. I'll try to do some work on the question this weekend.
|
|
|
| |
|
dkspencer3
|
Apr 3 2015, 03:32 PM
Post #4
|
|
- Posts:
- 13
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #2
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
As I look through these verses again, I think the idea of doing something "in someone else's name" may be a crucial part of what it means to be an apostle. I also think Matt. 10 and Luke 9-10 are crucial to understanding what an apostle is. As I think about these things, the English word "ambassador" seems to be the most direct equivalent we have in our language to get at the meaning of the word. This word may in fact fit the context of every time the word is used in the NT.
|
|
|
| |
|
dkspencer3
|
Apr 3 2015, 03:39 PM
Post #5
|
|
- Posts:
- 13
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #2
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
Matt 10:5 uses the verb form "apostello" when it says that Jesus sent the twelve out to preach from city to city. And in Matt. 5:40-42, Jesus tells them that however the people treat them is how they are treating Jesus (ambassador language).
|
|
|
| |
|
dkspencer3
|
Apr 3 2015, 03:41 PM
Post #6
|
|
- Posts:
- 13
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #2
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
Also, Matt. 10:2 is the first usage of the word "apostle" in the NT so I think Matt. 10 is a pretty key place to start when understanding the meaning of the word in its NT context.
|
|
|
| |
|
dkspencer3
|
Apr 3 2015, 05:03 PM
Post #7
|
|
- Posts:
- 13
- Group:
- Members
- Member
- #2
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
Best I can tell, there were some who were "apostles of Jesus Christ" because they were commissioned directly by Jesus himself - either personally or through a supernatural vision such as Paul's on the road to Damascus. Then there are others who are called "apostles of the churches" - Epaphroditus, Titus, and others whose names are not given. These are called "apostles of the churches" because they were appointed by the churches to carry out an apostolic role (ambassadorial role) on behalf of the churches (2 Cor. 8:23, Phil. 2:25). In Gal. 1:1, Paul makes a point of the fact that he is an apostle "not from men or the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ". So it would seem that no one today could be "an apostle of Jesus Christ" in the same sense as Paul and the twelve. Or if they were, it would have to be through a supernatural revelation and accompanied by signs, wonders, and a gospel message in accordance with Scripture. I've never met one yet.
But as for the second sense, it seems that there is great need in the church today for "apostles of the churches". I think the gifting is close to what we would call "missionary" or "evangelist" or "church planter". They are people who come from one church but travel and represent one church to other churches. They also start new churches and strengthen weaker churches. They have a big-picture concern for the body of Christ as a whole - not just for one congregation or even one city. They have a desire to unite the body of Christ across geographic, national, and cultural barriers. They are preachers and teachers. They must endure hardship and be very zealous for the Lord.
|
|
|
| |
|
ASpencer
|
Apr 12 2015, 02:42 PM
Post #8
|
|
Administrator
- Posts:
- 7
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
Here are a few of my thoughts about the meaning of the word:
- The word has a general meaning that can be applied to various situations. We have different examples/contexts for the word's use in the NT. The most common and obvious is to refer to the 12 disciples whom Jesus chose and named as apostles, but other contexts also make use of the term in a different sense. How strictly should we define the meaning of the term? We should probably allow for various uses, but also clearly recognize the distinction between those uses.
- It seems to me that the 12 disciples named as apostles served as the foundational leaders of the church after the ascension of Christ. That body was distinct and had a clear authority to lead the church. I think it is fair to say that this body of apostles was not perpetual. The fact that a successor for Judas Iscariot was chosen might at first seem to indicate otherwise, but the very qualifications outlined at that time seem to rule out the possibility that the body could continue in perpetuity. The new apostle had to have been with Jesus during the whole of His earthly ministry. This episode also illustrates an important point that the other 11 apostles did not have the authority to choose the 12th, but left that explicitly to divine revelation through the form of lots. The specifically called upon the Lord to make the matter known. The 12 apostles had been hand selected by Christ, and the 12th needed to be as well.
- I think that another category of apostles could be referred to by the phrase used by Paul, "apostles of the Gentiles." This is what Paul called himself (Romans 11:13;1 Tim 2:7), and it seems to me that his missionary companions who receive the title of apostle as well (Barnabas - Acts 14:4,14; possibly others) do so on the basis of their being representatives of the Christ in proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul makes the distinction between those entrusted with the Gospel to the Jews (namely, Peter) and those entrusted with it to the Gentiles (namely, Paul) and ties "apostleship" to this distinction (Gal.2:7-9). The 12 are promised to sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30). Without having to strictly separate the ministry of the 12 from the Gentiles, it seems still importantly true that the 12 were focused on the Jews while the "apostles of the Gentiles" focused on the nations. This was probably especially true during the earliest years of the church.
- Jesus Himself is also called an "Apostle" (Hebrews 3:1).
- Those who were appointed by the churches to carry monies to the poor in Jerusalem were called "apostles of the churches" (2 Cor 8:23; NASB: "messengers of the churches"). I feel that this reference is helpful in teaching us a couple of things about apostleship:
- A clear and official appointment is necessary for apostleship. This is clear in the appointing of the 12, it is emphasized in the replacement of Judas, Paul is always insisting that He was truly and authoritatively made an apostle by Jesus Himself (and his being set apart for missionary work along with Barnabas also received a very special treatment in Acts as being from the Holy Spirit, Acts 13), and these "apostles of the churches" also were officially appointed. So, too, was Jesus Himself appointed. The term "Christ" ("Anointed One") reflects this same idea of being divinely appointed for a task.
- A distinction is to be made between those who are "apostles of Jesus Christ" and those who are "apostles of the churches." The church has authority to select men to represent her in an official capacity, and that authority is certainly valid and real, but it is to be distinguished from the authority of those chosen directly by Jesus Christ through revelation. This raises the question to me of whether there are today apostles of Jesus Christ (divinely appointed by revelation) or only apostles of the churches.
- It seems to me that apostleship is tied to a sending for a task in and authoritative, representational way. The 12 were sent to preach. The apostles of the Gentiles were sent to preach. The apostles of the churches were sent on a task of compassionate aid. Jesus was appointed and sent into the world by the Father for a very specific purpose. This is somewhat in distinction with such an office as the pastorate, which is not a sending off for a task, but a staying with the flock to exercise oversight. Further, the naming of the 12 as apostles is recorded in connection with their being sent out on a temporary ministry journey (Matthew 10, Mark 6), and they actually are very rarely called apostles throughout the four Gospels (once in Matthew; once in Mark; none in John; and half a dozen times in Luke, which might be partly explained by the fact that it ties in to the book of Acts). The title "apostles" seems to be felt to be more appropriately used after the ascension of Christ and the subsequent sending of the 12 to represent the absent Christ. The term is used very frequently in Acts (though interestingly very sparingly once Paul and his journeys become the focus, though that might mainly be simply because Paul himself is named by name as an individual rather than with plurals referring to a group of apostles).
- The authority relationship between these groups of apostles is interesting and enlightening:
- The 12 were given great and explicit authority by Jesus.
- Paul's authority can directly from God, a fact that he felt very strongly about, but he still was willing to submit his gospel to the evaluation of the 12 as the authoritative judges for the broader church. At the same time, though, it seems that he never would have submitted even to them had his conviction about the truth of the gospel been contradicted by their judgment. He submitted it for the sake of others, with confidence that the truth would be upheld through the process.
- Paul didn't hesitate to confront an erring member of the 12 (Peter).
- Peter chooses to refer to himself in humble terms as a "fellow elder" (1 Peter 5:1) and emphasizes the important of not exercising authority in the manner of "lording it over" the flock.
- The validity of Paul's authority as an apostle was often called into question. This seems to be possible because it was an invisible calling from Christ that served as the basis for his apostleship. There were also false apostles who sought to be accepted as true and authoritative apostles. Once again, this seems only to be possible because the foundation of it goes back to a divine calling from God that cannot be seen.
- The "proof" of apostolic authority, therefore, rested on signs and the testimony of one's life. Paul refers to "signs of a true apostle" (2 Cor 12:12) and is often appealing to the testimony of his own ministry amongst those to whom he writes. He even tells the Corinthians: "It to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you" (1 Cor 9:2). Even though apostleship carries with it a weight of authority, it is far better and wiser to establish that authority on the basis of respect for the clear grace of God in one's life and ministry. Paul explicitly sets aside his apostolic rights among the churches at time because he does not want to be a burden. This is very instructive to us as concerns the use of authority.
I won't promise that this is all the thoughts I will share (hopefully not, I think, though that might contradict your hopes...), but it at least gets a few of my key thoughts out there for consideration.
|
|
|
| |
|
ASpencer
|
Apr 12 2015, 02:53 PM
Post #9
|
|
Administrator
- Posts:
- 7
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
OK, so let me pre-warn you. I can tend to go on a bit too long in things. That was especially true of me not too many years ago (I might be getting a little better by now).
To give you a taste of what you might have had to suffer through if you had let me in on this study group back then, I am attaching a doc I found with my study on this question a few years ago. Don't feel bad if you don't read it all. I haven't done so again either. I skimmed it briefly, saw some things that shaped my thoughts that I just shared, saw some things I am not so sure I would say today, and decided I would just put it up here for fun. It may or may not be useful.
- Attached to this post:
What_is_an_apostle.docx (63.66 KB)
|
|
|
| |
|
ASpencer
|
Apr 12 2015, 02:54 PM
Post #10
|
|
Administrator
- Posts:
- 7
- Group:
- Admins
- Member
- #1
- Joined:
- Mar 6, 2015
|
- dkspencer3
- Apr 3 2015, 03:32 PM
As I look through these verses again, I think the idea of doing something "in someone else's name" may be a crucial part of what it means to be an apostle. I also think Matt. 10 and Luke 9-10 are crucial to understanding what an apostle is. As I think about these things, the English word "ambassador" seems to be the most direct equivalent we have in our language to get at the meaning of the word. This word may in fact fit the context of every time the word is used in the NT. I think this is very much correct, Daniel, focusing on the fact that there is a representational element at the heart of the word.
|
|
|
| |
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
|