Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy, our brother. Col. 1:1
Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
Paul introduces himself as "an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God." By stating this, Paul emphasizes that his authority and calling as an apostle come directly from Jesus Christ and were not self-appointed or conferred upon him by any human authority.
In today's world, it is not uncommon to encounter people who claim to have apostolic authority. However, it is important to distinguish between what humans consider apostolic authority and the biblical definition of it. The Bible provides specific requirements for apostles, including a direct encounter with Jesus Christ, a commission from Him, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. It is important to note that an individual cannot appoint themselves as an apostle, and apostleship is not the same as leading a religious movement or denomination.
In the Bible, an apostle is someone sent by Jesus Christ to be His representative and messenger. The word "apostle" comes from the Greek word "apostolos," which means "one who is sent." Jesus chose apostles to be His witnesses and to spread His message to the world.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ did the commissioning of the apostles, but others witnessed it. Matthew 10:1-4, we read that Jesus "called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." These twelve were the apostles, and Jesus commissioned them for ministry. Similarly, in Luke 6:12-16, we read that Jesus "went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles." Again, we see that Jesus personally chose and commissioned the twelve apostles.
In Acts 1:21-26, we read that the apostles decided to appoint a replacement after Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and killed himself. They chose two men but then prayed and asked God to show them which one to choose. Verse 26 says, "Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles." This passage shows that the apostles recognized the importance of being commissioned by Jesus and sought to maintain that standard even when appointing new apostles.
From a biblical perspective, there are specific criteria that one must meet to be considered an apostle. First, one must have had a direct encounter with Jesus Christ, either during His earthly ministry or after His resurrection. Second, one must have been commissioned by Jesus to carry out a specific mission or task. Third, one must have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out that mission.
When it comes to gaining authority as an apostle, it cannot be self-proclaimed or earned. It is a calling and commissioning that comes directly from Jesus Christ. The Bible records that Jesus personally chose and commissioned His twelve apostles (Mark 3:13-19). Later, the Apostle Paul was commissioned by Jesus through a direct encounter on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19).
There is a contrast between how the apostles were appointed in the Bible and how people claim to be apostles today. In the Bible, the apostles were personally called and commissioned by Jesus Christ, often with the confirmation of others who witnessed the commissioning. However, today there is no clear, objective standard for an apostolic appointment, and many people who claim to be apostles lack the biblical credentials required for apostolic ministry.
From a biblical perspective, an apostle is not appointed by man, nor is an apostle one of authority or leadership over a denomination or movement. However, today, many claims to be apostles without meeting these biblical qualifications. Some may claim to have had a supernatural encounter with Jesus, but there is no way to verify such claims. Others may be appointed by human leaders or assume the title for themselves.
Timothy, our brother
In Colossians 1:1, Paul mentions Timothy as his "brother," emphasizing the familial nature of the Christian community. This relational structure was a defining characteristic of the early church, where members were bound together by their shared faith and personal connections rather than by formal denominational or organizational structures.
Understanding the biblical qualifications and requirements for apostleship is crucial in interpreting and understanding the authority and message of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Paul's apostolic authority, derived from his direct encounter with Jesus Christ and his commissioning by Him, lends weight and credibility to his message and teachings.
Why does this information matter?
As a personal application, we must understand the biblical qualifications and requirements for the apostleship to discern and recognize true apostolic authority. We must seek to align our beliefs and teachings with the message of the Bible, which provides a clear standard for apostleship.
Furthermore, as Christian community members, we should also emphasize the familial nature of our relationships. We should seek to connect with and support one another, building relationships based on shared faith and personal connections.
Let us also strive to remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives, allowing Him to empower us to carry out the mission that God has called us to. We should seek to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, recognizing that it is only through Him that we can fulfill our purpose and carry out His mission for us.
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