WHO ARE APOSTLES?

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 13, 1859

WHO ARE APOSTLES?

NoT long since I was very much surprised to hear some one advance the idea that there were more than twelve apostles spoken of in the New Testament, besides Paul, "the apostle to the Gentiles." And later still my astonishment was more increased to hear one of our preachers say that he could show at least seventeen persons in the New Testament who were called apostles. This last remark led me to think and study some on the point, and I now believe that there were, perhaps, scores in the days of "the twelve" who were regarded, in some sense, as apostles; and further, that the apostleship is a gift to be perpetuated in the church till the close of the age; and very probably there are those in 1859, who, according to the New Testament acceptation of the term, are apostles of the Lord.

The word apostle, in Greek, is apostolos, (from

apostello, to send off, or send forth,) and is defined by Greenfield's Greek Lexicon to mean, "One sent with commands, or a message, messenger, apostle." This signification would not restrict the apostleship to "the twelve," nor yet to their times.

The first use of the word differing from the commonly received view of it, is in Acts xiv, 14. A notable miracle had just been wrought among the heathens at Lystra, and the priests of Jupiter, thinking the gods had come down, brought oxen and garlands to the gates of the city, and would have done sacrifice unto the people; "which when the apostles, Paul and Barnabas, heard of, they rent their clothes," and restrained their ignorant adoration. Here we have it in plain language, that two besides the twelve, Paul and Barnabas, were apostles.

Again, in 2 Cor. viii, 23, we have more testimony according with the above. Paul says to his Corinthian brethren, "Whether any do inquire of Titus he is my partner, and fellow helper concerning you; or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers (Greek, apostoloi, apostles) of the churches, and the glory of Christ." Here are several, at least, whom Paul regarded as apostles—Titus and those he calls "our brethren." It is worthy of remark here that the word messengers, is translated legates in the Syriac, (the word it always uses for apostles,) and apostles by the Rheimish Testament, and Macknight's and Sawyer's translations.

A similar testimony is found in the apostle Paul's letter to the Phillipians. Chap. ii, 25. He says, while speaking of some church affairs relating especially to them, "I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger (Greek, apostolou, apostle) and he that ministered to my wants." Here is one more, which we may with the greatest freedom, enter on the list of apostles; and as this is only a casual reference to the fact, we may safely infer how much further this catalogue might be swelled.

One more instance agreeing with the above, and we are done. In John xiii, while Jesus was giving the ordinance for washing feet, he made the following statement: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent (Greek, apostolos, the apostle) greater than he that sent him." Verse 16.

Here, to me, is an important truth clearly stated. Just so long as it is a fact that "the servant is not greater than his Lord," just so long it is the Master's will that we should show our love by washing feet, and just so long the calling and gift of apostleship will be perpetuated in the christian church. In the last two scriptures quoted, the word apostolos is rendered by the same versions as in 2 Cor. viii, 23, which fact we have referred to above. We might, we think, extend this kind of testimony further, but we close by just remarking that our Saviour is called an apostle; [Heb. iii, 1.] others are called "false apostles," [2 Cor. xi, 13.] and the IVth chapter of Ephesians is presumptive evidence alone that this gift is coextensive with the gospel age. It reads, "He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers, for the pefecing of the saints, and for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith; and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." How long were these gifts to continue? Till we all come in the unity of the faith—till we all become perfect men in Christ. Has the church ever come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ? No. Then will not all these gifts come in requisition before we are fitted for the perfect state? Yes.

O Lord, develop all the gifts of thy one Spirit, just how and when, as it may please thee. G. W. A.