Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God."
Text: Ephesians 1:1
A DEEPER APPRECIATION OF THE MINISTRY OF AN “APOSTLE”
There are a number of ways in which we may appreciate the concept of apostleship.
1. The Lexical Meaning
The word “apostle” simply describes someone who has received a special commission. The significance of the word does not fully rest on its lexical roots. Its significance lay in the way in which it was utilized in New Testament literature.
2. The Original Twelve Apostles
Jesus had a good number of followers, called “disciples”. (The essence of the word “disciple” means “a learner”). The Gospel writer, Luke, noted that there was a large group of Seventy Disciples who were sent out by Jesus to minister. However, there was a special group of twelve men whom He appointed as His apostles.
“And when He called His twelve disciples to Him,
He gave them power over unclean spirits,
to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and
all kinds of disease.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:
first, Simon, who is called Peter…
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them…”
MATTHEW 10:1-2A, 5A
The following things may be noted concerning the calling of an apostle:-
a) He was called by the Lord Jesus personally.
b) He received his commission as an apostle from none other than the Lord Jesus.
c) In his apostolic commission he has been granted “power” (literally “authority”).
d) These disciples were now addressed as “apostles”.
e) They were distinguished from the other disciples.
f) Their ministries were patterned after that of the Lord Jesus.
3. Replacement of Judas Iscariot
Judas ended up betraying his Master! But, before too long the apostle Peter addressed the problem. Guided by the Scriptures, working with careful constraints, and in the spirit of humble prayer, the Jerusalem Church elected Matthias to take the place of Judas (Cf. Acts 1:15-26)
“Matthias… was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
Acts 1:26