“The Marks Of A True Apostle” Dr. Randall S. Neal 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

Introduction: The Office Of Apostle Explained.

(1) There Is A Difference Between An In The Early Church And A Spiritual Gift.

• There were offices in the church: apostle, pastor, deacon, and possibly elder.

• By definition, “a church officer is someone who is recognized by the church as having the right and responsibility to perform certain for the whole church… and typically they were installed or ordained to their office.” (Wayne Grudem)

• By contrast a spiritual gift is a divine endowment or ability given to a Christian by God to fulfill their individual ministry in the church.

(2) The Word “Apostle” (Apostolos) is used 80 times in the New Testament With Two Definitions:

• The word apostle is used in a couple of instances as a , such as Epaphroditus in Philippian 2:25, or similarly in :23 to refer to those who accompanied Paul with the famine offering.

• Most of the time the word apostle is used in the New Testament to refer to the unique of apostleship that only comprised 12 to 15 people in the early church.

(3) Paul narrowly defined the Office of Apostle as a special and unique office for the Apostolic period of A.D. 30-100.

• No major leader of the post-apostolic church ever took upon themselves the special title and office of apostle: Athanasius, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Whitefield.

• The following points makes clear that the Office of Apostle ended in the first century, but the word “apostle” broadly may refer to those who are sent to do God’s work.

I. The First Mark Of A True Apostle Is One Who Had The Resurrected Christ With His Own Eyes. (2 Cor. 12:11) “For in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.”

1. While Some Feel Paul Is Alluding To The False Apostles Sarcastically, It Is More Probable That He Is Referring To The Original Plus a Few More.

• The eleven disciples. • James the half-brother of . • Barnabas. • . • Possibly a few more like Jude.

2. Paul Clearly Claimed That His True Office Of Apostleship Was Based On His Experience On The In Which He Had Seen Jesus. (Acts 9:1-20)

• Paul told the Corinthians, “Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord.” (1 Cor. 9:1)

3. Paul Also Saw The Resurrected Lord At Least Three Other Times. (Acts 18:9-10; 22:17-21; 23:11)

4. Peter Affirmed To Cornelius That “Apostles” Were “Witnesses of all the things Jesus did… and the resurrection.” (Acts 10:39-41)

II. The Second Mark Of A True Apostle Is One Who Was As An Apostle By Jesus Christ. (2 Cor. 1:1) “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.”

1. The Apostles Were Specially By God To Their Unique Office.

• “He is a chosen instrument of mine.” (Acts 9:15) • “Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 1:1) • “God… set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace.” (Gal. 1:15)

2. The Word “Appointed” Is Used in 1 Tim. 2:7 To Mean “One Who Is Divinely .” “For this reason I was appointed a preacher and an apostle.”

• The Greek word means “to put or place.”

3. Personally Appointed The Original Twelve And Made A Point Of Saying, “You did not choose me but I have chosen you and appointed you.” (Luke 6:13; John 15:16)

4. Paul Made It Clear That His Apostolic Appointment Was Not From . (Gal. 1:1) “Paul, an apostle, not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ.”

III. The Third Mark Of A True Apostle Is One Who Was Inspired By God To Speak Or Pen The Of God. (2 Cor. 12:12a) “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance.”

1. Collectively, The Apostles Were Responsible For Writing By Inspiration Of The Holy Spirit, The Entire .

• Not all the apostles wrote the New Testament Books.

• All of the New Testament was written either by an apostle or one under the oversight of the apostles as a close associate.

2. Jesus Said To The Apostles, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26; 16:13)

3. Paul Said In 1 Cor. 4:13 “Which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Holy Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.”

4. Paul Would Say In His That “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Tim. 3:16)

IV. The Fourth Mark Of A True Apostle Was The Manifestation Of Supernatural . (2 Cor. 12:12b) “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you… in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.”

1. One Purpose Of Apostolic Miracles Was To Authenticate The Message Of The Gospel Through . (2 Cor. 12:12) “Signs”

2. Another Purpose Of Apostolic Miracles Was To Authenticate The Messengers Of The Gospel Through . (2 Cor. 12:12)

“Wonders”

3. The Final Purpose Of Apostolic Miracles Was To Authenticate The Gospel Through The Mighty Of God. (2 Cor. 12:12) “Mighty deeds”

Conclusion: The Qualifications And Roles Of The Apostles In The Early Church Made Them Very Unique And Yet Relatable To Our Own Lives. (2 Cor. 12:13)

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