Apostles
Would you rather listen than read? Listen here.
Apostle Paul
My online community is starting a series on Romans and learning more of this man we know of as Paul the apostle. Romans is a powerful book, and I would love to share this journey with each of you. Learn more about this study here. You could not meet a better group of ladies than you will in this group.
Reading through the “Bible In A Year” last year, I felt a new connection to Paul. Throughout the gospels, when someone came to Jesus and asked for healing, they received it. But Paul dealt with a “thorn in his flesh” 1 Corinthians 12:1.
Many scholars debate what this thorn was, but I think it had to do with his eyes. We know at his conversion experience he saw a bright light and could not see for days. God sent Ananias to Paul to pray for healing over his eyes and he could see again.
My Grace Is Sufficient For You
We don’t know how well he regained his eyesight. Several places in scripture he mentions trouble seeing. He also mentions Luke traveling with him as his doctor. Whether it was his eyes or something else, the Lord said, “my grace is sufficient for you.”
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
In my moments of desperation and praying for healing, I remembered Paul. Throughout his life he struggled, but God still used him in powerful ways and that gave me more hope than one can imagine.
Paul ~ Saul
Now I want to pause her for a moment before moving on. As you read, you may notice Paul is referred to by both Paul and Saul. I have heard many people say that God changed his name from Saul to Paul. Not so. God changes some names in the Bible, but regarding Paul, it is based on who was speaking.
Paul is the Greek version of his name, and Saul is the Hebrew version. When speaking with Jewish peers, they called him Saul. When with Gentiles, he was called Paul. Notice next time you read through the Bible that whenever God changed a name, the person was never addressed by the old name again. In Paul’s case, the use goes back and forth between the two versions.
Paul, A Called Apostle
Now onto the main point of this post. Romans opens with an introduction telling us Paul is a called apostle. Let’s dive in and see what this means, and can people today also be apostles?
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”
Romans 1:1
Disciple – a student. To follow under someone else.
Apostle – A messenger, sent by someone else to share a message.
The twelve followers of Jesus began as disciples, following Jesus, studying under Him, and learning everything He did. Then Jesus sent them out to do all the things He had done.
“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
Matthew 10:1 NIV
In the next verse, they are called apostles. As we see here, we don’t choose to become apostles. It is a called position. Jesus sent them to share a message, to drive out demons and heal the sick.
“One chosen and sent with a special commission as a fully authorized representative of the sender.”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones defines an apostle
What does the Bible say about the credentials of an apostle?
Called By Jesus
An apostle must be called by Jesus. We know the original twelve were physically with Jesus and He chose them to be His disciples and ultimately His apostles. So how did Paul get chosen?
Remember Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus? I encourage you to read Acts 9:1-17. Paul had a supernatural encounter with Jesus. From that moment on, Paul had an intimate relationship with Jesus. You can further read him tell of this calling in Acts 26:12-18.
Apostles Are Given Authority To Work Miracles
“I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.”
2 Corinthians 12:12 NIV
Paul tells us in his letter to the Corinthians that he persevered to perform miracles.
Apostles Can Give Gifts To Others By Laying Hands On Them
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
2 Timothy 1:6 NIV
I read this as the gift is already in us. God knew from our creation what He would call us to do. When we submit ourselves to His authority and allow others to pray for us with the laying on of hands, it ignites the gifts within us.
You will notice, Paul never took credit for what he preached or the miracles he performed. This is so important to remember in any calling. It is only through God that we do what He calls us to do.
We Are All Called For A Specific Purpose
We are all called to be disciples and to make disciples. Where we go from there is up to God. I believe some of us He will call to be apostles. He will call some of us to be teachers, some to be pastors, and so on.
No matter what He calls us to do, we should always be a disciple, learning more so we can fulfill our callings better. We should also continue discipling to encourage one another in our callings. When we live in the calling God designed for us, there is no limit to what He can do through us.
For several years during my time as a college professor, I was blessed to teach a course called “The Vocation of Service.” It was a joy to help students learn what “calling” means and to facilitate their process of exploring and reflecting on their calling. Your message is so meaningful for me as I remember my own process of focusing on my calling. Thank you, Jen.