The Mission of the Apostle

 The missionary is defined as a person sent by a church into an area to carry on evangelism or other activities.  They generally have a mission or a calling; hence the designation “missionary.”  The word does not occur in the Bible as such, although missions are defined by the context of sending for a task.

   A word for “sent ones” does exist in the Bible.  It is the word apostle, and it is derived from the Greek word for sent, a fact is easily established by a word study. Most Christians understand the reference to the Twelve Apostles whom Jesus chose.  Acts 15:4 separates those apostles from church elders.  “And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.”  Some today think that the term apostle was reserved for the first century church because it only refers to those who have seen Jesus (see Acts 1:21). 

     However when Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11 “Christ gave indeed the apostles; and the prophets; and the evangelists; and the pastors and teachers” was he referring to the Twelve only?  I do not think so for the following reasons. 

1] Jesus referred to God sending apostles who were killed by the Jewish leaders. “Therefore also said the wisdom of God, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute’ (Luke 11:49);” 2] Paul and Barnabas are called apostles (Acts 14:14); and 3] A warning about false apostles means they were unknown. 2Cor 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ & Rev 2:2 thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars. 

When the church identifies a person who goes around preaching the gospel to the lost, that person is called an “evangelist” or a “missionary” but when that person is sent by God to do the work, he is Biblically an apostle.

 

Paul states that apostles are such a) because of the will of God (2Tim 1:1, Col 1:1  Eph 1:1 2Cor 1:1); b) by commandment from God (1Tim 1:1, );  c) through the means of Jesus Christ (Gal 1:1); d) because they obtained the precious faith (2Pet 1:1, Titus 1:1); and e)   because they are called (Rom 1:1,  1Cor 1:1).  As an apostle, Paul was sent to take the gospel to other regions and to establish “missions” that become churches.

Apostles exhibit God-power as confirmations of their preaching. 2Cor 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. And as gifts to the body, they give themselves for the church. 1Cor 4:9-10  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

But, why are apostles given to the church?  They are given to show the regular believer how to view the “lost” and how to “carry the gospel” as each believer goes about their daily lives.  Then any believer can “transform into an apostle” whenever God wishes to minister in that manner.  If Paul can state he was “ordained a preacher, and an apostle, … a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity”(1Tim 2:7), should not others exhibit multiple abilities in the Lord?  If we Christians are to be like Jesus, then the example of the apostle should encourage us to be willing to do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13).  In that way we become like Christ, and isn’t that the goal?    AMEN

Comments

[Michael Teems]

I have been studying this for some time and I know we have discussed this at great lengths but this is one of those paradigm changes we may never see. It has been in error for so long it will take a dead, broken and teachable son who wants to change to implement it [and they are few and very far between who really want to change]. They have their own kingdom of their accomplishments and a few golden calves [( my position of power and money) 1kings12:25-33] that hinder them.

How did the Apostles sidestep the pitfalls of today?

I think sending the apostles and disciples out in twos did several things. They were in agreement against evil and encouraged each other. They had common obedience in their orders and mission. They were accountable to each other not to sin, not to lord over or usurp others. They stayed humble and didn't build their own kingdoms to feed their own egos. And they guarded against being a hireling.

Some of the disciples of Paul had trouble with following some of the others who were building kingdoms. [1 Corinth 11: 18-19 division and strife] They were not practicing the things above. In looking back, not doing the things above may have caused the co-dependency and contributed to some being tripped up in pride.

This next statement is tough and I'm not sure how to put this but I cannot find any better way to say it. Apostles who were true apostles of any kind didn't have a church in their personal homes. I think it stopped them from building kingdoms and lording or usurping authority over others. Peters remarks in 1Peter 5.3 reflect that, after being sifted by Satan after claiming to be the greatest in the Kingdom, I believe they participated and spent short seasons of intense times, corresponded and even sent others “gifts” to help minister, train, and perfect the saints [as needed by the Holy Spirit who was directing every thing]. Little ones with good intentions sometime can cause mature ones to stumble and evenfall by bragging about how good this or that they are doing is and not realizing the damage they are doing to them by puffing up their egos. We must learn to separate the righteous from the profane to truly become “hios” sons.

Could the above be how the church at Ephesus tested the apostles? Rev 2:2b and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

[Richard]

Well said MT(1). Two-by-two ministry does have safety. Ministers must learn to defer to others. It helps keep egos in check. RWB