'Unlocking the Power of Apostleship: A Guide for Christian Leaders'

Apostleship

An apostle is someone who is sent on a mission or with a message by God. They are accountable to their Sender and carry the authority of their Sender. The term "apostleship" refers to the office or role that an apostle holds.

Jesus Christ as the Apostle

Jesus Christ Himself holds the title of "Apostle." This is one of His descriptive titles mentioned in Hebrews 3:1. Jesus was sent to earth by the Heavenly Father with God's authoritative message, which He faithfully delivered during His time on earth. He personally selected twelve men from His followers and gave them the responsibility of receiving and spreading His message after He returned to heaven.

The Twelve Apostles

The chosen and sent ones, known as the apostles, were selected by Jesus during His earthly ministry. However, Jesus did not explain the specific criteria He used to choose them. One of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Jesus and later died in despair. Thus, when Jesus ascended to heaven, there were only eleven apostles remaining.

Filling Judas' Place

After Jesus' ascension, the remaining apostles, along with other believers, gathered in Jerusalem to pray. There were about 120 people in this group. Simon Peter addressed the group and pointed out that according to Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8, Judas' place among the apostles needed to be filled. Peter proposed choosing a new apostle and set specific qualifications for candidates.

To be considered for the apostleship, candidates needed to have been with Jesus throughout His entire three-year ministry. They needed to have witnessed His baptism, heard His teachings, seen His miracles, witnessed His crucifixion and resurrection, and observed Him interacting with the disciples after His resurrection. These firsthand experiences were essential for verifying the truth of the gospel message they were to teach.

The group nominated two individuals who met these qualifications: Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias. To determine which one would fill the vacant apostleship, the disciples cast lots, a method commonly used at that time to discern God's will. The lot fell to Matthias, and he became the twelfth apostle.

The Witness of the Apostles

The apostles played a crucial role in bearing witness to their personal observations of Jesus. They testified to everything Jesus did, including His ministry in the country of the Jews and Jerusalem. They declared that Jesus was killed by hanging Him on a tree, but God raised Him from the dead on the third day, and He appeared to many people.

Paul as an Apostle

Saul, who later changed his name to Paul, was initially a persecutor of Christians. However, during a journey to Damascus, he had a life-changing encounter with the resurrected Jesus, resulting in his conversion. Jesus Himself appointed Paul as His chosen instrument to carry His name before the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel.

After his conversion, Paul spent time in Arabia, where he received instruction from Christ. The other apostles recognized Paul's appointment by Jesus and his unique role as an apostle to the Gentiles. Paul went on to write over half of the books in the New Testament.

The Role of Apostleship

In two of his Epistles, Paul identifies apostleship as the first office that Jesus appointed for the service of His churches. The work of apostleship was secondary only to that of Christ Himself and involved laying the foundation of the Church. Eyewitness authority behind their preaching was crucial during this foundational period.

The apostles' foundational work allowed for the building of the Church after their deaths. While there were others referred to as "apostles" in the early church, they held a limited sense of the title. These individuals were appointed, authorized, and sent by churches on special errands but did not possess all the qualifications of apostleship that the original twelve and Paul did.

Why This Matters

Understanding the concept of apostleship is essential for comprehending the early development of the Church and the role of the apostles in spreading the gospel message. It demonstrates the significance of eyewitness testimony in establishing the truth of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Think About It

Consider how the qualifications for apostleship highlight the importance of firsthand experience and personal witness. How does this emphasis on eyewitnesses strengthen the credibility of the gospel message?