|
| Are there Really Apostles Today? |
|
| |
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. |
|
| To add a comment to "Are there Really Apostles Today?" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| May 10, 2008 |
 |
|
|
There is only one Apostle that we need to be focused on. If you focus wisely on this one within , you can discard the rest of the usual man teachers and organizers of the construction of God.
Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Kw |
|
|
| May 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
Thanks guys for your interest! I have a theology book in my office which agrees with Paul, that there were actually more than 12 apostles recorded in the New Testament. Kingdomwit... you are right, we really only need to focus on the one Apostle, Jesus.
Biblically the word apostle was not a title, as in the Apostle Paul, but an adjective as in Paul, an apostle. It's like Jim the mechanic going around town with a new title the Mechanic Jim. It just was not how things were. But, egos have taken over and we love titles.
As for me, I'm humble and proud of it. LOL. So, I prefer the title: the Grand Reverential Poohbah and Apostle of Correct Theological Intimations. If you don't like titles, you can just call me by my first name. My first name is Mr. |
|
|
| May 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Great one Bro! |
|
|
| May 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
| I agree with KingdomWit, and believe this passage also should be remembered: Philippians 2 , especially verses 5-7. Blessings in Jesus, LM |
|
|
| May 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
| LOL. Thanks Mr. Paul. Don't you just love the grandiose and overinflated titles we give ourselves! LOL. |
|
|
| May 11, 2008 |
|
|
|
Grant,
People who think that only the twelve were ever considered apostles have not studied the subject. 1 Cor. 15 talks about Jesus appearing to the 12 then to ALL THE APOSTLES. According to the apostle John, James, the brother of Jesus, was an unbeliever prior to the crucifixion but afterward, James road his Brother's coattails to the highest office in the church of Jerusalem and there became "the chiefest apostle".
Barnabas and Silas were referred to as apostles. Jude, James' and Jesus' brother, was not so designated as far as we can tell.
Most of the twelve never wrote anything that survived the ages yet the theologies that have survived are based on doctrines held by two men who never really walked with Jesus. The two theologies are James' theology of works righteousness and Paul's theology of faith righteousness. Because they are mutually exclusive, one of these competing theologies is at the heart of ever denomination and church in the world today. Try as we might, we cannot serve two masters neither can we resolve the difference between these opposing theologies.
True to form, God has set before us a choice: life and death, blessing and cursing - faith righteousness or works righteousness.
But I digress...
Rob |
|
|
| May 11, 2008 |
|
|
|
Maybe that God has placed before us a choice is a third doctrine huh?
Also why is the Word of God limited to a few men's writings. Did God stop inspiring his Word?
If Mechanic Jim was qualified back in yesterday's world why can't Mechanic Jimbo be inspired today.
Kw |
|
|
| May 11, 2008 |
|
|
|
KW,
Mechanic Jimbo is inspired today but if his teachings contradict what's already been revealed then, in effect, he's saying, "God is different today than He was yesterday".
One can give a "good word" to someone else. Prophecies were never limited to "major doctrinal pronouncements".
Or so it seems to me,
Rob |
|
|
| May 11, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Mainstream theologians consider Paul and James to be two sides of the same coin, one balancing out the other. Even Luther, who for a time took James out of the Bible, eventually put it back. There is only a contradiction in the eyes of those who do not understand how to harmonize the two. |
|
|
| May 11, 2008 |
|
|
|
Oh. Okay. |
|
|
Follow this blog
