There are those who claim the call of an apostle is not a call of God today upon a believer or relegate it to a general call. This smacks of the same sentiment as when people claim that tongues are not a gift for today or the need for prophecy has passed into antiquity. There is nothing more devious of Satan to convince believers that God could not possibly call them into a particular role or ministry because it is not relevant for today and thus never seek or participate in their rightful place in the Body of Christ. I believe that God has called me to be an apostle and preacher, and I relish this call with humility and thanksgiving.
When I was growing up in the church, I was taught that apostleship is confined only to the first 12 disciples chosen by Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals this is simply not true. The Bible makes a distinction concerning the original 12 apostles for ease of understanding so we know who is being referred to instead of listing all 12 names every time, but this does not mean God does not call today to the role of apostle. There are no biblical "classes" or distinctions between those called to the role of an apostle, one who is sent. In the New Testament, the word "apostle(s)" is used over 70 times, and all with the exact definition save one (2 Cor. 11:13) where Paul says there is such a thing as a "pseudo-apostle." Such a one would be Judas Iscariot, who God called as an apostle but he chose apostasy and betrayed Jesus. The definition of "apostle" is "an ambassador, he who is sent." Did you know that Jesus is called an Apostle? Hebrews 3:1 says, "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus..." Jesus was sent by His Father to seek and save the lost.
The most common argument I have heard against modern apostleship is that the call must be given personally by the physical person of Jesus Christ. Some claim that since biblical canon is closed, apostolic authority is no longer justified or needed today. Jesus put no such limitation on this calling. Paul says by the "will of God" and "command of God" and "call of God" he is an apostle. He does not say that He is an apostle on the grounds of hearing an audible voice from God or the touch of Christ's hand. Jesus has appeared to me personally, saving and calling me into the ministry. I have not touched His physical body with my hands, but His blood has cleansed and redeemed my soul. The Holy Spirit has filled my heart with His fullness through baptism. Ephes. 4:11 states, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers..." People do not doubt that evangelists, pastors, and teachers are called by God today, but hedge on apostles and prophets. Paul says in 1 Tim. 2:6-7 of Christ, "who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, [7] for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." God still appoints people in this capacity today.
The scripture is clear in referring to other people in scripture by the same title as apostle. After Judas killed himself, the remaining eleven nominated people as his replacement and by lot Mathias was chosen (Acts 1:23-26). Later in the book, Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man in Lystra and the people intended to sacrifice unto them. Acts 14:14 says, "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude..." Luke, the writer of this epistle, affirmed the apostleship of Barnabas and Paul through his profession. At the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul includes this interesting note in Romans 16:7: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." This means either that these were highly regarded by the 12 apostles, or that Andronicus and Junia had the calling of apostleship upon their lives, perhaps even as Gentile believers. The latter interpretation is the strongest in light of other evidence.
By the grace of God I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:9-10) and certainly am not trying to "make a name" for myself. If I claim to have been called by God as a teacher, few would notice. Yet if I claim to answer the call of apostle, eyebrows go up: "Who does this guy think he is?" Men have a habit of glorifying self or other men. If you believe the call to apostleship is glorious for the flesh, you may have forgotten 1 Cor. 4:9-13: "For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ's sake...We are weak...we are dishonoured! [11] To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. [12] And we labour, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; [13] being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off-scouring of all things until now." This is the price to answer the call to apostleship. If anyone wants to assume this role for themselves outside the will or call of God, I beg you reconsider!
God's word to me is "You will preach, and you will be sent." The fact remains that God has appointed different roles in the body of Christ and one specific calling is apostleship. 1 Cor. 12:28-30 states, "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" The answer to these rhetorical questions is no: all are not apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healers, and so on. But the truth remains that some are called to each office for the edification of the Body of Christ and the glory of God. God is my witness and Judge, and He alone created me, knows me, saved me, and called me into the work of the ministry by His grace.
Please heed the words of 2 Peter 1:10-11: "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; [11] for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Refuse to be satisfied with election alone, but be obedient to the call that God has placed upon your life. Let God be true and every man a liar. Trust Him with your life, surrender to Him, and remain committed entirely to His use and service.
When I was growing up in the church, I was taught that apostleship is confined only to the first 12 disciples chosen by Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals this is simply not true. The Bible makes a distinction concerning the original 12 apostles for ease of understanding so we know who is being referred to instead of listing all 12 names every time, but this does not mean God does not call today to the role of apostle. There are no biblical "classes" or distinctions between those called to the role of an apostle, one who is sent. In the New Testament, the word "apostle(s)" is used over 70 times, and all with the exact definition save one (2 Cor. 11:13) where Paul says there is such a thing as a "pseudo-apostle." Such a one would be Judas Iscariot, who God called as an apostle but he chose apostasy and betrayed Jesus. The definition of "apostle" is "an ambassador, he who is sent." Did you know that Jesus is called an Apostle? Hebrews 3:1 says, "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus..." Jesus was sent by His Father to seek and save the lost.
The most common argument I have heard against modern apostleship is that the call must be given personally by the physical person of Jesus Christ. Some claim that since biblical canon is closed, apostolic authority is no longer justified or needed today. Jesus put no such limitation on this calling. Paul says by the "will of God" and "command of God" and "call of God" he is an apostle. He does not say that He is an apostle on the grounds of hearing an audible voice from God or the touch of Christ's hand. Jesus has appeared to me personally, saving and calling me into the ministry. I have not touched His physical body with my hands, but His blood has cleansed and redeemed my soul. The Holy Spirit has filled my heart with His fullness through baptism. Ephes. 4:11 states, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers..." People do not doubt that evangelists, pastors, and teachers are called by God today, but hedge on apostles and prophets. Paul says in 1 Tim. 2:6-7 of Christ, "who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, [7] for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle--I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying--a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." God still appoints people in this capacity today.
The scripture is clear in referring to other people in scripture by the same title as apostle. After Judas killed himself, the remaining eleven nominated people as his replacement and by lot Mathias was chosen (Acts 1:23-26). Later in the book, Paul and Barnabas healed a crippled man in Lystra and the people intended to sacrifice unto them. Acts 14:14 says, "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude..." Luke, the writer of this epistle, affirmed the apostleship of Barnabas and Paul through his profession. At the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul includes this interesting note in Romans 16:7: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." This means either that these were highly regarded by the 12 apostles, or that Andronicus and Junia had the calling of apostleship upon their lives, perhaps even as Gentile believers. The latter interpretation is the strongest in light of other evidence.
By the grace of God I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:9-10) and certainly am not trying to "make a name" for myself. If I claim to have been called by God as a teacher, few would notice. Yet if I claim to answer the call of apostle, eyebrows go up: "Who does this guy think he is?" Men have a habit of glorifying self or other men. If you believe the call to apostleship is glorious for the flesh, you may have forgotten 1 Cor. 4:9-13: "For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ's sake...We are weak...we are dishonoured! [11] To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. [12] And we labour, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; [13] being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off-scouring of all things until now." This is the price to answer the call to apostleship. If anyone wants to assume this role for themselves outside the will or call of God, I beg you reconsider!
God's word to me is "You will preach, and you will be sent." The fact remains that God has appointed different roles in the body of Christ and one specific calling is apostleship. 1 Cor. 12:28-30 states, "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" The answer to these rhetorical questions is no: all are not apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, healers, and so on. But the truth remains that some are called to each office for the edification of the Body of Christ and the glory of God. God is my witness and Judge, and He alone created me, knows me, saved me, and called me into the work of the ministry by His grace.
Please heed the words of 2 Peter 1:10-11: "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; [11] for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Refuse to be satisfied with election alone, but be obedient to the call that God has placed upon your life. Let God be true and every man a liar. Trust Him with your life, surrender to Him, and remain committed entirely to His use and service.
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