Some people today love to describe themselves as apostles. Is this an appropriate use of the word or a mere ego trip?
The word apostle comes from the Greek word απόστολος (apostolos). The Friberg Greek Lexicon gives a broad definition as one who is sent on a mission, a commissioned representative of a congregation, a messenger for God, a person who has the special task of founding and establishing churches. The UBS Greek Dictionary also describes an apostle broadly as a messenger. The Louw-Nida Lexicon gives a very narrow definition of a special messenger, generally restricted to the immediate followers of Jesus, or extended to some others like Paul or other early Christians active in proclaiming the Gospel.
In summary then, the word apostle has two meanings, the broader meaning of a messenger and the narrow meaning of an early Apostle restricted to those directly linked to Jesus Christ. For most of Church history the word apostle has lost its generalized meaning, except in some cases where for instance the word is translated into Latin by the word missio, from which we get the word missionary. However, the word as used in the original Greek did not carry the restricted meaning of only 12 apostles, but was a more generalized term meaning anyone who was an envoy or missionary.
Because for most of Church history, the word has been restricted to the 12 Apostles, some Christians are repulsed by those who call themselves apostles today, finding it to be a revolting practice. Thus, many churches use culturally more appropriate terms to avoid any controversy, such as missionary, envoy, delegate, messenger, church planter, church founder, etc. Some churches which use the word apostle frequently when describing modern men, recognize this dilemma and so call contemporary church leaders apostles with a small "a" reserving the capital "A" for the 12 Apostles.
While it is not linguistically wrong for people to take the ancient Greek meaning and call themselves apostles today, it does miss the important fact that languages change through time, and calling oneself an apostle today is for many people implying that the speaker is making himself equal to the original 12 Apostles. This is a gross and unnecessary offense to many (1 Corinthians 10:32; 2 Corinthians 6:3). There are other terms which can be used.
We also need to be cautious because we are warned that there are many false apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13). How can we tell the genuine from the fake? We can begin by asking ourselves a couple of questions. Do they stick to the trunk of the tree by focusing on the essentials of Christianity? Do they focus on gimmicks and questionable doctrines?
Honesty Check
We must admit that even though tradition has used the word apostle exclusively for the disciples of Jesus, it did have a broader meaning in the Greek culture of the day. Therefore, in the original sense, it is perfectly legitimate to call missionaries, church planters, envoys, popes and other church leaders apostles. Those who use the word without cultural sensitivity must admit that they are often on an ego trip, status conscious, causing unnecessary offense and that another word might be better. |
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