| Questions on Ephesians, Part 2: What is "The Authority of an Apostle"? |
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| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, October 23 2006 00:00 |
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We continue this week to answer some questions submitted by one of our readers: “Also, in reading Paul's letters, we have sensed that he had a great deal of authority over the churches in his day and was more than "just" an evangelist and writer. Can you give us any insight as to Apostolic authority, and did the others have this as well?” The whole question of authority in the church has unfortunately been one of contention and division among Christians through the years. The Roman church asserts that not only did apostles have great authority over the churches, but that bishops continue to exercise their authority. Others believe that the authority of apostles is bound to us through the written Scriptures, while others believe that God periodically raises up leaders with apostolic authority. Indeed the subscriber is correct in saying that Paul’s authority in the church far excelled being evangelist and writer. He speaks with the legitimacy of Christ himself. Jesus told his apostles in Matt. 18:18 that whatever they bound on earth would have been bound in heaven. Paul teaches that the church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). Apostles revealed the word, planted and organized churches, and set forth rules of discipline and orderly Christian life in the earliest days. The ongoing guidance and operation of the church after their time is ultimately in the hands of the Holy Spirit as He exercises this authority through the written word, the established church leadership (Eph. 4:11-13), and his personal indwelling and guidance. It is important to note that the role of apostle, far from being that of an exalted potentate who receives honor, was more of a bond slave. Paul describes apostles as the off-scouring of the earth, 1 Cor 4:9-13: “ For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” Whatever authority Paul had, he used it to the glory of God and the service of Christ and His church. He and the other apostles present a worthy example for all leaders of the church to emulate. It is never authority as an end, never authority to exalt pride or allow one to go on a “power-trip”, but authority to serve and to bless. |
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