Apostle "One Sent Forth"

Throughout the New Testament, we read of the apostles. We see their works, who they were, and what their role. Some have the misconception there are apostles here today. Is this true? There are many things to consider about an apostle and we want to examine those for a few moments.




Sent By Christ



The Disciples of Christ were followers. They followed during His time here. They witnessed the message Christ preached about his kingdom being at hand (Mark 1:15). The need for a change in life and it was found through Christ.

However, there was an even closer group of individuals that followed Christ. Christ named each as His closer follower (Mark 3:13-19). These were ones that Christ would have continue to deliver the message throughout the world (Mark 16:15-16).

Paul as we know also was one that encountered by Christ (Acts 9:1-19). He was sent to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21). Christ had work for Paul to do. The rest of apostles were of the Jewish background. Thus, it would be very difficult during this time for them to help many of the Gentiles. This was the advantage Paul especially. He could relate to the Gentiles. This is how he was useful to Christ (Acts 9:15-16). Apostles were ones that were sent by Christ (John 20:21) Paul included (I Corinthians 9:1).



Can a Disciple be an Apostle?



A disciple is a follower of one. As a Christians we are followers of Christ (I Peter 2:18-25). Christ left us a perfect example to follow. However, can a disciple be an apostle? The answer is yes! The apostles were followers of Christ. Peter, Andrew, James, and John all apostles were first called to be disciples. The rest were under this same understanding. They were all disciples before we know them as apostles. Why would Christ pick apostles if they were not disciples?

Now let us look at the reversal of this question: Is a disciple an apostle? No. Not all disciples were and are apostles. However, those that were mentioned being close to Christ and handpicked by Christ were apostles but first disciples. Apostles were able to do some things that disciples could not do. They were able to perform miracles for instance. This was to be done for proof that the apostles were close to Christ. They were specifically chosen by Christ and had this great power to do deliver the message (Luke 24:46-49) again Paul included in this.

We are Disciples of Christ we have taken on the name of Christ by becoming a Christian (I Peter 2:9). We are special individuals chosen of God. However, we cannot perform miracles, can we? Have we personally come in contact the way the apostles have? Many claim they have, however, as we can see shortly after one makes this proclamation the ability to perform signs, wonders, and miracles are not there. We cannot be apostles however; we can and will be disciples through our obedience to God.



The Work of an Apostle



Jesus gives the Great Commission to the apostles to “go and preach the gospel” to “everyone” baptizing them in “the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” beginning in “Jerusalem” (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:46-49).

However, they also had more understanding of things. Jesus gave them the “keys” to open the doors of the kingdom that Christ built upon. He speaks to Peter while establishing this and giving Peter and the apostles theses keys (Matthew 1618-19). These keys were speaking of the gospel that the apostles were commissioned to preach. We can see this carried out on the day of Pentecost where those who believed and were baptized continued in the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42). This was done not by their own authority but by Christ!

We can see that the apostles can also be known as ambassadors or messengers. They were delivering the message of Christ to everyone: those who knew who Christ was and those who did not know who Christ was. This is the great power of the gospel that was delivered for all men everywhere (Romans 1:16).

There is a difference today between the work of a preacher and an apostle. The apostle delivered the message hence the word messenger. As an evangelist or a preacher, we already have the message. The word has been preserved down to this day for us however; the apostles first delivered it. We today are more of a preserver of the word.

Hence this is what Jesus says in his sermon on the mount that we are salt (Matthew 5:13). Not only is salt used to make things taste better but it is also used a preserving agent. We are to preserve the message. This is why we are also warned to not add or take away from (Revelation 22:18-19). It is not our duty to bring a new message. The new message has already been delivered and accomplished by the apostles.

Jesus called his disciples and named all of them. They were different from a disciple however; they were still followers of Christ. They had a more significant work to be done and commissioned by Christ than a disciple. They were given special powers to be able to give proof they were of God to establish the new message. Let us be mindful and thankful of the dedication they showed to Christ to continue to spread the gospel.

Daniel Sanders