Ephesians 4:11-15 gives the intention of the church and the different offices of ministry God gave to accomplish that goal.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:11-15)
The word Apostle is a transliteration or English adaptation of a Greek word meaning a delegate, and ambassador, or commissioner. Many today claim to be apostles although they may insist they are not Apostles with a capital “A”. In Acts 1:15-20 Peter described the necessity of selecting another apostle take Judas’ place after his betrayal and death.
“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.” (Acts 1:15-20)
According to Psalms, another was to be given Judas’ place. Peter then went on to describe the necessary qualifications in Acts 1:21-22.
“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
It had to be someone who had been taught by Christ and could witness to his resurrection. Two other men met those requirements, and Acts 1:26 declares, “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Though they counted him as one of them, there is no indication God considered him as such.
In Romans 1:1Paul introduces himself as, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” In Galatians 1:17, he describes the time he spent being taught of the Lord in Arabia. In I Corinthians 15:8 he describes his seeing the resurrected Christ as the final qualification. “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” No living person today can meet these requirements, and scripture does not distinguish between an apostle with a “a“ and one with a “A“. Every American traveling abroad represents America, but only those officially designated as such have the authority of an ambassador. In the same way only those designated by God are apostles.
To describe the role of the apostles, Paul uses the construction of a building in I Corinthians 3:10-11 as an illustration. “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” He uses the same illustration again in Ephesians 2:20-21 describing Christians, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”
The Old Testament prophets had laid out the building, like a surveyor’s crew, but the apostles had constructed the actual foundation on which all the rest of the building would depend. Once the foundation was complete, their services were no longer needed, so no new apostles were selected.
The word Apostle is a transliteration or English adaptation of a Greek word meaning a delegate, and ambassador, or commissioner. Many today claim to be apostles although they may insist they are not Apostles with a capital “A”. In Acts 1:15-20 Peter described the necessity of selecting another apostle take Judas’ place after his betrayal and death.
“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.” (Acts 1:15-20)
According to Psalms, another was to be given Judas’ place. Peter then went on to describe the necessary qualifications in Acts 1:21-22.
“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
It had to be someone who had been taught by Christ and could witness to his resurrection. Two other men met those requirements, and Acts 1:26 declares, “And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Though they counted him as one of them, there is no indication God considered him as such.
In Romans 1:1Paul introduces himself as, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” In Galatians 1:17, he describes the time he spent being taught of the Lord in Arabia. In I Corinthians 15:8 he describes his seeing the resurrected Christ as the final qualification. “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” No living person today can meet these requirements, and scripture does not distinguish between an apostle with a “a“ and one with a “A“. Every American traveling abroad represents America, but only those officially designated as such have the authority of an ambassador. In the same way only those designated by God are apostles.
To describe the role of the apostles, Paul uses the construction of a building in I Corinthians 3:10-11 as an illustration. “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” He uses the same illustration again in Ephesians 2:20-21 describing Christians, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:”
The Old Testament prophets had laid out the building, like a surveyor’s crew, but the apostles had constructed the actual foundation on which all the rest of the building would depend. Once the foundation was complete, their services were no longer needed, so no new apostles were selected.
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