Ministries, Charisms, Fruits – 1 Apostles

The term apostolos in Greek is one that denotes a “sent one,” a messenger who comes with a message from another. But the word is applied in a particular way when it speaks of those who are “Apostles of Christ”. It refers to those who have received the gift of apostleship, personally chosen and sent by Christ Himself to bear witness to Him to people in a personal way. In this sense, all Christians may be said to be apostles, but the gift of Apostleship was one given only to a few.

Paul repeatedly identifies himself as an Apostle. In the First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul defends his apostleship, showing that he has the various qualities of an Apostle: “have I not seen the Lord,” he asks (1 Cor 9:1). A personal encounter with the Risen Lord was a criterion for the appointment of Judas’ replacement, as we read in Acts of the Apostles 1:21-22. When we read of the commissioning of the Apostles in Matthew’s Gospel, we learn that Jesus also gave them power to perform miracles in His name. In the same letter, Paul also claims this as a mark of the authenticity of his Apostleship: “truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (1 Cor 12:12).

When constructing an ecclesiology, Paul places the Apostles in a position of unique honour. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, they are listed as “first” in importance. This is in keeping with the prophecy made by the Lord when we read of the commissioning of the Apostles in Luke. Here the Lord says that in the coming Kingdom, they will “sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:29-30). In the Book of Revelation their names are on the twelve foundation stones of the New Jerusalem.

Those who were granted the gift of Apostleship hold a prime place of honour in the new life we have in Christ. As the personal messengers of Christ, they share in his ministry of preaching and healing. In their ministry, conducted with the anointing of the Holy Spirit, they are the foundations of the Church.