Paul's Apostleship: A Testament of Grace and Authority
Summary
In our exploration of the Apostle Paul's identity and calling, we delve into the profound nature of his apostleship and its implications for us today. Paul, captivated by the love of Christ, was not merely a private individual writing letters but a servant of Jesus Christ with a divine commission. His apostleship was not self-appointed or derived from human authority but was a direct calling from Jesus Christ himself. This calling was essential to establish his authority and the authenticity of his message, especially in the face of opposition and skepticism regarding his apostolic credentials.
The term "apostle" is not just a title but a designation of a unique and special office. It signifies one who is chosen and sent with a special commission as the fully authorized representative of the sender, in this case, Jesus Christ. This role is marked by specific qualifications, such as having witnessed the risen Lord, being called directly by Him, and possessing the authority to perform miracles, impart spiritual gifts, and establish doctrine. These characteristics underscore the divine authority and responsibility entrusted to apostles.
Paul's apostleship is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace. Once a persecutor of the church, Paul was chosen by Christ to be an apostle, demonstrating that God's grace can redeem and repurpose even the most unlikely individuals for His purposes. This narrative challenges us to recognize the authority of the apostolic writings in the New Testament, as they are divinely inspired and carry the weight of Christ's own authority.
As we reflect on Paul's calling, we are reminded of the importance of being captivated by Christ's love and living as His representatives in the world. Our relationship with Christ should be evident in our lives, compelling us to live for Him and share His message with others.
Key Takeaways:
- The Apostle Paul was not self-appointed but called by Jesus Christ, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of his apostleship. This calling underscores the importance of recognizing the authority of apostolic writings in the New Testament. [41:09]
- An apostle is a chosen and sent representative with a special commission, possessing authority to perform miracles, impart spiritual gifts, and establish doctrine. This highlights the unique role and responsibility of apostles in the early church. [27:58]
- Paul's transformation from a persecutor to an apostle illustrates the power of God's grace to redeem and repurpose individuals for His purposes, challenging us to trust in God's ability to use us despite our past. [42:01]
- The authority of the apostles is affirmed by their ability to witness the risen Lord, perform signs and wonders, and establish church order and doctrine, demonstrating the divine backing of their mission. [32:46]
- Our lives should reflect our relationship with Christ, being captivated by His love and living as His representatives, sharing His message with authenticity and authority. [48:02]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[17:57] - Captivated by Christ's Love
[18:13] - Servant of Jesus Christ
[19:08] - Called to be an Apostle
[20:21] - Understanding Apostleship
[22:14] - The Special Office of an Apostle
[23:02] - Disciples vs. Apostles
[24:15] - The Chosen Twelve
[25:31] - Definition of an Apostle
[27:07] - Authority and Mission
[29:22] - Marks of an Apostle
[31:02] - Witness to the Resurrection
[32:46] - Signs and Wonders
[34:30] - Apostolic Authority
[37:31] - Divine Inspiration of Apostolic Writings
[41:09] - Paul's Divine Calling
[42:01] - Transformation by Grace
[48:02] - Living as Christ's Representatives
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 10:1-2
2. Luke 6:12-13
3. 1 Corinthians 9:1
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "apostle" signify according to the sermon, and how does it differ from being a disciple? ([23:39])
2. How does Paul defend his apostleship in the face of skepticism and opposition? ([21:58])
3. What are the qualifications mentioned in the sermon that define an apostle? ([29:35])
4. How does the sermon describe the transformation of Paul from a persecutor to an apostle? ([42:01])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it significant that Paul emphasizes his calling as an apostle was not from men but directly from Jesus Christ? How does this impact the authority of his writings? ([41:09])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the role of an apostle is unique and carries divine authority? How does this understanding affect the way we view the New Testament writings? ([37:31])
3. How does Paul's transformation illustrate the power of God's grace, and what does this imply about God's ability to use individuals despite their past? ([42:01])
4. What does it mean to be captivated by Christ's love, and how should this be evident in the life of a believer? ([48:02])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to a specific task or role. How did you discern that calling, and what steps did you take to follow it?
2. How can you ensure that your life reflects your relationship with Christ, living as His representative in your daily interactions? ([48:02])
3. Consider the authority of the apostolic writings in the New Testament. How does recognizing their divine inspiration influence your approach to reading and applying Scripture in your life? ([37:31])
4. Paul's life was transformed by God's grace. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust in God's ability to redeem and repurpose you for His purposes? ([42:01])
5. How can you cultivate a deeper love for Christ that compels you to share His message with others authentically and authoritatively? ([48:02])
6. Identify a past mistake or failure. How can you allow God's grace to transform that experience into a testimony of His power and love?
7. What practical steps can you take this week to live more intentionally as a representative of Christ in your community?
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Calling and Authority
Paul's apostleship was not self-appointed but was a direct calling from Jesus Christ, emphasizing the divine origin and authority of his mission. This calling was crucial in establishing his authority and the authenticity of his message, especially when faced with opposition and skepticism regarding his apostolic credentials. The recognition of this divine calling underscores the importance of acknowledging the authority of apostolic writings in the New Testament, as they are divinely inspired and carry the weight of Christ's own authority. Understanding this helps believers appreciate the foundational role of apostles in the early church and the enduring impact of their teachings. [41:09]
Galatians 1:11-12 (ESV): "For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your understanding and appreciation of the apostolic writings in the New Testament, recognizing their divine authority in your daily life?
Day 2: The Unique Role of Apostles
An apostle is a chosen and sent representative with a special commission, possessing the authority to perform miracles, impart spiritual gifts, and establish doctrine. This highlights the unique role and responsibility of apostles in the early church. Their authority was affirmed by their ability to witness the risen Lord, perform signs and wonders, and establish church order and doctrine, demonstrating the divine backing of their mission. This understanding invites believers to reflect on the foundational role of apostles and the significance of their contributions to the Christian faith. [27:58]
2 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV): "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works."
Reflection: How can you honor the legacy of the apostles in your own faith journey, recognizing the unique role they played in establishing the church and its teachings?
Day 3: Transformation by Grace
Paul's transformation from a persecutor to an apostle illustrates the power of God's grace to redeem and repurpose individuals for His purposes. This narrative challenges believers to trust in God's ability to use them despite their past. The story of Paul's conversion is a testament to the transformative power of God's grace, showing that even the most unlikely individuals can be called to serve His purposes. This encourages believers to embrace their own potential for transformation and service in God's kingdom. [42:01]
1 Timothy 1:15-16 (ESV): "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a transformative way. How can you allow that grace to continue to shape your life and purpose today?
Day 4: Witnessing the Risen Lord
The authority of the apostles is affirmed by their ability to witness the risen Lord, perform signs and wonders, and establish church order and doctrine. This demonstrates the divine backing of their mission and the authenticity of their message. Believers are encouraged to recognize the significance of the apostles' witness to the resurrection and the impact it has on the foundation of the Christian faith. This understanding invites believers to reflect on the power of the resurrection and its implications for their own lives. [32:46]
Acts 4:33 (ESV): "And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all."
Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection influence your faith and daily life? In what ways can you bear witness to the power of the resurrection in your own context?
Day 5: Living as Christ's Representatives
Our lives should reflect our relationship with Christ, being captivated by His love and living as His representatives, sharing His message with authenticity and authority. This calls believers to embody the love of Christ in their daily interactions and to be intentional in sharing His message with others. The transformative power of Christ's love compels believers to live in a way that reflects His character and mission, serving as His ambassadors in the world. [48:02]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you represent Christ in your daily interactions, allowing His love to shine through you to those around you?
Quotes
He really was writing as the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ in other words, he's not a private individual writing a private letter to some people in whom he's interested or whom he or of whom he has heard no he's writing in a very special way he is as a matter of fact a servant of Jesus Christ. [00:18:25]
There were some people who were not very ready to accept the Apostle as an apostle and to acknowledge Him as an apostle he had opponents he suffered bitter persecution no man was ever more maligned than this Apostle Paul there were people who said that he was not an apostle because he never accompanied the Lord Jesus Christ in the days of his flesh. [00:21:02]
Apostle what is it well it's an official title it is a very special title this is something again that has often been disputed but it seems to me to be essential that we should regard this term as a designation indicating a very special and peculiar office now let me substantiate what I'm saying let me show you how special it is. [00:22:27]
An apostle is one Chosen and sent with a special commission as the fully authorized representative of the sender he is one I say who is chosen and sent with a special commission as the fully authorized representative of the sender now I'm giving you there in that definition not only what seems to me to be quite inevitable as a definition from a study of the New Testament. [00:27:46]
No man could be an apostle unless he had seen the Risen Lord he had to be a witness to the resurrection now there are two statements which prove that Beyond any doubt in the scriptures the first is in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles and you remember there we have the apostles a part from Judas who had committed suicide meeting in the upper room. [00:29:35]
Truly he says the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience in signs and wonders and mighty Deeds how can you deny your disp that I'm an apostle says Paul truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you and the signs were the Miracles and the Marvels and the mighty Deeds that then is another Mark of an apostle. [00:32:42]
These Apostles claimed that they spoke with authority from God they said they spoke as Christ's representatives and that people must listen to them not as men but as men who were speaking from God Paul reminds the Thessalonians he says when you listen to me you didn't listen to the word of of men but as it is indeed and in truth the word of God. [00:34:30]
Peter is saying there that the writings of this Apostle Paul are scriptures he says they're like the other scriptures by which he means the Old Testament scriptures he gives an authority to the Epistles of Paul which is equal with the authority of the Old Testament scriptures that's one Apostle describing the authority of a brother Apostle. [00:36:39]
We must remember that the words of these Apostles either they spoken words as recorded in the book of Acts or their written words in these various Epistles have a Divine Authority they were authorized by God to to write them they were commissioned by the Lord Jesus Christ they were LED and guided by the Holy Spirit the New Testament Epistles are uniquely and divinely inspired. [00:37:31]
Paul an apostle yes he says don't make any mistake about it not self-appointed I'm not setting myself up as an apostle like some of these other false teachers are but I've not even been appointed by the other Apostles or by any men not by not of men neither by men but by Jesus Jesus Christ called a chosen man chosen by The Sovereign Act of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:41:09]
He chooses is here a man who had not been with him in the days of his flesh who wasn't one of that Circle of the 12 who hadn't heard the teaching and who hadn't seen many of the Miracles who wasn't with them at the crucifixion who wasn't with them when he came into the upper room after his resurrection he wasn't there he was an outsider then and for years after that. [00:42:01]
We magnify thy Grace for we realize that it is the same grace alone that could have saved us and brought us into thy family and amongst thy people we acknowledge gladly therefore that we are debts to Mercy alone and of Covenant Mercy we sing Lord receive our humble prayers and Grant that as we meet men and women that the most obvious thing about us may ever be our relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:47:40]
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