Did we skip Paul again? Not really, just delayed it a bit. Here we go…
In Acts 9 we read Luke’s account of Saul’s conversion. Jesus appeared to Saul as the persecuting entourage arrived on the outskirts of Damascus. Blindness and presumably 3 days of time alone with himself and God settled in. Down in about the 1oth verse of that chapter Jesus came in a vision to a disciple (not one of the 12) named Ananias. In the 15th verse, Jesus told Ananias that Saul was chosen. Renamed Paul, he became a powerhouse in the church and a big problem in Damascus. The Jews took up their odd, murderous solution, but over the wall and away went Paul. From Galatians 1 we see that he went to Arabia and was taught by Christ.
It was also clear from a study of Luke’s writings in Acts that Paul was accepted by the normal-born Apostles. Further stamping his life as God-chosen, God-approved was that men and women would receive the Holy Spirit when Paul laid his hands on them and prayed for them. Not only so, but also were supporting this were other events in his life. A review of the Ephesian ministry shows that pieces of Paul’s garments could be carried to the sick and they would be healed. Paul himself did not even have to be present.
That being said, the Bible does not have rigid rules for who is called an apostle but seems to use the word in a couple of senses. The first is that of one who fits into the three categories I mentioned above. The second is more of a messenger or agent. The list below includes those the scriptures have in some way or another labeled as apostles:
- Andronicus and Junius – Romans 16:7 (though depending upon the interpretation might drop off this list)
- Barnabas – Acts 14
- Apollos – 1 Corinthians 4:6-9 (the phrase of verse 9 supports this)
- Timothy – 1 Thessalonians (book identified as including Timothy in the authorship and in chapter 2:6 the language indicates that he was considered an apostle)
- Silas – (same as with Timothy)
- Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25)
Much more could be said on this subject with references to the 79-81 times the word is used, but I think we can get the gist of what Paul means from these paragraphs. When he says he is an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God he is placing himself squarely in that higher tier, God-directed office.
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