“I Was Appointed a Preacher and an Apostle”

by Mitchell Tan
August 26, 2016

GOD’S DESIRE FOR ALL TO BE SAVED

God does not wish that anyone should perish but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). What great love is being expressed in this amazing thought!

GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION

In order for man to be saved, the Lord God initiated a grand plan of salvation. He mercifully sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to be a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:6). And those who believe in the gospel of the Lord Jesus should not perish but have eternal life in Him.

GOD’S MEANS FOR PEOPLE TO BE SAVED

What are the means by which people can come to be saved? The Lord God will raise up and appoint humble servants to do this work of reaching lost souls. One of them who had done outstandingly well was the apostle Paul.

“For which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle … a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth”
1 Timothy 2:7

Paul wrote of how the Lord graciously called him and appointed him to bring the gospel to the world. He was counted faithful by the Lord and was specially put into the ministry (1 Timothy 1:12). There are three aspects to Paul’s gracious appointment.

1. A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL

Paul was given the spiritual gift of preaching. He became a great preacher of the word of truth and he went throughout the Roman world to preach Christ and Him being crucified.

2. AN APOSTLE OF THE LORD

Paul was also appointed an apostle of the Lord. He was specially sent by the Lord to be His servant and messenger. With this appointment, there came great authority and power from the Holy Spirit. Paul established himself as an excellent apostle of Christ as he faced opposition and false teachings.

3. A TEACHER OF THE GENTILES

His scope of ministry was to focus on reaching the Gentiles. He was also given the gift of teaching and taught the brethren in the ways of the Lord. He was deeply committed to instructing the Gentile brethren the good doctrine and to follow it. This work was done with much faith in Christ and according to the truth.

GOD RAISING UP SERVANTS OF GOD AT BETHANY

As we celebrate our 40 + 3 Church anniversary, we thank God for this privilege of being created for His glory and that we can be witnesses of the Lord Jesus. Let’s thank God for Pastor Charles and the other pastors who have been called to be preachers and teachers of the truth. Let’s also thank God for those who have sought to share the knowledge of the truth with others that they may be saved through faith. As we enter our 44th year of ministry, let’s seek to learn and grow in faith that we may rise up to be servants of God. Let’s proclaim the gospel that more may come to the saving knowledge of the truth.

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