Daily Devotions
1 Timothy
"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ..."
Text: 1 Timothy 1:1
APOSTLESHIP IN THE NEW TESTAMENT PERIOD
The original group of apostles of the Lord Jesus had no difficulty in being accepted as people who were especially sent out to represent Him. What were apostles?
1. This was a newly created order of servants of God.
2. In the past the people who represented the Lord were made up of:-
a) Priests
b) Prophets
c) Kings
3. Apostles were:-
a) Personally called by the Lord Jesus (Mark 3:13-19).
b) Carefully instructed by the Lord.
c) Especially empowered:
i) They had power to heal.
ii) They had authority over demons.
d) They were sent out to:
i) Proclaim the kingdom of God (Mark 3:14).
ii) Become fishers of men (Mark 1:17).
iii) Teach (Matthew 28:20).
iv) Baptise (Mathew 28:19-20).
THE APOSTLE PAUL
Paul was not one of the original apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before he came to salvation in Christ he was a wicked persecutor of the church! How did he become an apostle of the Lord Jesus?
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God
our Saviour and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope.”
1 Timothy 1:1
1. “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God”
a) He became an apostle only because of a divine decree by God.
b) This commandment came from none other than God the Father.
2. An Apostle par excellence
Paul went on to become an excellent apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ! He became a great founder of churches, a strong defender of the faith, a prolific writer, a very insightful theologian, a great pastor and a wonderful father and mentor of outstanding proteges.