Series: Unwrapping Your Spiritual Gift
#10: The Gifts of Spiritual Roles – Apostle/Missionary
John 20:19-23 and 2 Corinthians 5:17b-20 (NLT)
By John Gill ~ August 13, 2023

You probably have heard the old joke: “What are epistles?” “That’s easy – they are the wives of the apostles!”

We may think it’s funny that some people don’t know the meaning of the word, “epistle.” But, what if I asked you, “What are apostles?” What would you say? We think we know the answer - or do we? Does the word apostle mean just the original 12 disciples? Is there a difference between an “apostle” and a “disciple?” Do we have apostles today, or did they stop in the 1st century? Is there such a thing as “the spiritual gift of apostleship?” What does the word “apostle” mean, anyway?

When you get right down to it, we don't know as much about apostles as we thought! But we need to, because, according to scripture the gift of “apostleship” is one of the gifts the Holy Spirit grants to certain believers. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul lists some of the gifts, and he names “apostle” first. He writes, “The gifts [Christ’s Spirit] gave were that some would be apostles…”Some of you here this morning may have this gift – and not even know it! If God has given you this gift, we'd better try to understand it, don’t you think?

Few of us would claim to have this gift. To do so seems presumptuous, even arrogant. Why is that? It's probably because we would hesitate to put ourselves on the same level with the original 12. But I think the real reason we don't claim this gift is that we misunderstand it.

It's understandable that we may be bewildered by the term. That's because the New Testament uses the word “apostle” in various contexts. The word “apostle” literally means “one who is sent out,” but the scriptures use the term in at least four different ways. So, you have a good excuse if you are confused. What are those variations?

1. The most obvious way the Bible uses the term “apostle” is to apply the term to the original Disciples (minus Judas, of course, and adding Paul and other leaders in the Book of Acts). These are the “Apostles of Christ,” eyewitnesses to the historic Jesus or those who had experienced the risen Christ. These Apostles were considered to be the overseers of the churches. The original Apostles were a unique select group, of course. Obviously, none are still alive. But even today we still have “overseers of the churches.” Today, we would call them “bishops” and others in positions of authority over groups of congregations. These are the leaders of the church who are concerned with the Big Picture of the church. They are the “Apostles of Christ” today.

2. Another way the word “apostle” is used in scripture refers to those sent out on errands by the early church. They are “Apostles of the Church.” In Philippians (2:25), Paul uses the word in this way: “Still, I think it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and coworker and fellow soldier, your apostle and minister…” In our day, we might call these “apostles” “missionaries.” As I said, the Greek word “apostle” means “one sent out.” In Latin the term is “missio” - from which we get the word missionary.

3. Thirdly, in the broadest sense, all Christians are “apostles,” because all Christians are sent out. We are all, both you and I, part of the apostolic mission of the church. We have been commissioned by Christ to be his “apostles.” In John 20:21-22, the risen Christ says this to his Apostles, and through God's word to us: “’As the Father has sent Me, so I send you.’ When He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.” As those who have put their trust in Jesus and have received the life-giving Breath of Christ, we ALL are commissioned and sent out into the world.

4. The final way the Bible uses the term “apostle” is as one of the “Gifts of Spiritual Roles” within the church. (As you may have noticed in the title of our message today, we have completed the Gifts of Spiritual Qualities, and now are considering the Spiritual Gifts that appoint us various functions or roles in the life of the church.) While all of us share in the apostolic mission of Christ as those “sent out,” the Holy Spirit appoints certain believers in each generation to the special role of serving as an “Apostle” in their day. Paul says this clearly when he writes in Ephesians 4:11, “The gifts [Christ’s Spirit] gave were that some would be apostles…”

With so many different ways the scripture uses the word, “apostle,” it's no wonder we're confused.

So how do you know if you have this gift? One definition of the gift of apostleship I came across is this: “The gift to assume and exercise general leadership over a number of churches with an extraordinary authority in spiritual matters that is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those churches; messenger of Jesus Christ.”

You know, I don't like that definition. It may be true, but it's too narrow. It doesn't reflect the various ways the word is used in the New Testament. Some with this gift may indeed attain that kind of status, but most will exercise their gift of apostleship without much fanfare or recognition.

I've come up with a definition I like better, based on the life and ministry of Paul. Try this definition on for size: “Those with the gift to be an apostle are first called by Christ to be a disciple, and then are commissioned and sent out by Christ for a specific purpose, and invested by Christ with his authority to be his ambassadors in the world.” With this definition, apostles could certainly be a bishop or missionary - but could just-as-well be a layperson in a local church.

Basing my definition on the life of the apostle Paul, I believe there are four characteristics that makeup the gift of apostleship:

1. First, we must be called by Christ. It is impossible to choose to become an “apostle.” Apostles are chosen by God.

It reminds me of something wise older pastors tell young people considering the ministry: “Don't be a preacher if you can help it! If you can do anything else and be happy, do that!” Now, they don’t give that advice because they personally regret becoming a pastor. They are wise enough to know that, unless God calls you, you could never fulfill the role. Those who are called to be apostles have heard the voice of Christ in their hearts and have said “yes.” The original 12 disciples heard Jesus say their name, then the words “follow me.” And they followed.

And the risen Christ continues to call apostles to represent him. It's just as Paul wrote in the opening of his letter to the Romans, referring to his own conversion on the Damascus Road, “This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.” Paul was not seeking the “call of Christ,” Christ dramatically appeared to him and informed him that he would be one of his Apostles, and Paul's life was forever changed. Have you ever heard the call of Christ on your life?

As you know from my previous sermons, I had no intention of being a pastor. My father was a pastor, as was my uncle and my cousin. I had promised myself I would do anything BUT become a preacher. I tried to be a teacher, and then a church musician, but God kept calling my name. Eventually I surrendered to the voice of Christ, and MY life was changed forever.

I wonder if any of you can identify with this? Is it possible that you may have heard the quiet call of Christ in your heart? Have you wrestled with a calling on your life, but have resisted? Maybe it's time to answer the call.

2. So, the first characteristic of apostleship is that we have been called by Christ. The second characteristic is this: apostles have first been called to be disciples.

Once you have heard and answered the call of Christ, you must become a disciple. The word disciple literally means “learner.” None of the apostles in the Bible became apostles without first becoming disciples. That's why in the Gospels, these special followers of Jesus are referred to as Disciples, not Apostles. But after Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit fell upon them, they are described as Apostles. Pentecost was their graduation exercise. They progressed from being “ones who were learning” to “ones who were sent out.” Even Paul, who had not been a Disciple and who was not present at Pentecost had to go through a learning stage. After his Damascus Road conversion, Paul didn’t just set out on his missionary journeys. No, he retreated into seclusion (for several years?), where he engaged in prayer, reflection and instruction before he claimed the title “Apostle,” and launched out on his missionary journeys (retreated to Arabia, Galatians 1:13-17).

Before we can lead, we must be led. Before we can teach, we must be taught. In several places in the scriptures, there are warnings about false prophets and teacher, those who claim the title, “Apostle,” prematurely, who are not yet mature in their faith. They can do great damage to the body of Christ. We must use great care in selecting who in the church is allowed to teach or preach. As I mentioned recently in a sermon, our United Methodist Church requires a great deal of education and preparation in order to be ordained, and therefore entrusted with leading a congregation.

Someone who is a new believer may have a great deal of enthusiasm, and may be eager to teach what little he or she has learned, but he or she must not be allowed to teach others, lest he or she mislead people in the Truth. New believers do have a necessary role in proclaiming the gospel, but that is in sharing their own testimony of what God has done for them in Christ (as Paul did immediately following his blinding-light encounter with Christ – Acts 9:20-21). But those entrusted with teaching must be knowledgeable and mature in their faith.

If you suspect that you have the gift of apostleship, you need to answer this question: “Have you submitted to the discipline of being a learner?” That's often hard for apostle-types to do. Apostles feel called to lead, not to learn. And yet, in order to be an effective apostle for Christ we must first sit at Jesus’s feet, and become a disciple.

Here at Tomoka UMC, we have many opportunities for you to learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. We offer Sunday school after worship, except during the Summer. But, beginning the first Sunday of September, at approximately 10:45 in the education wing behind me, Pastor Bob Williams we'll be leading our Adult Bible Study each Sunday, and I hope you will make it a point to join that class.

We also have our Wednesday women's Bible study that will begin on September 6th at 10:00 a.m. in the education wing. Jean Brown will be leading a study of Adam Hamilton's excellent book, Making Sense of the Bible. Why not join that class? (sign up in the Narthex)

And of course, beginning Wednesday evening, September 20, I will begin leading the overview of the entire Bible in 24 weeks, using the curriculum, Disciple: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study. We already have 18 signed up, but you would be welcome, as well! (sign up in the Narthex)

Whether or not you believe you may have the gift of Apostleship, any of these learning opportunities would enrich your spiritual life!

3. The third characteristic of apostleship is that we have been commissioned and sent out.

As I said, as disciples we all have been called to serve Christ in some way. But, those with the Gift of Apostleship have discovered their mission. They are not just called to be a disciple, they are commissioned for ministry.

In the Book of Acts (13:47) Paul says this: “The Lord gave us this command when He said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’” Paul know his mission! What a joy it is to know what God has commissioned you to do! As Mark Twain is quoted as saying, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.”

Have you discovered your “why?” – your purpose in God's plan? Have you identified what ministry Christ has appointed you to? This is the main reason we are focusing on discovering your spiritual gifts: first to discover how God has gifted you; and then, what it is that God wants you to do for him.

It does very little good for the Kingdom if all Christians respond to the call, become a disciple, but then leave it at that.

You know, I think I mentioned recently that I was in school for a long time - 21 years straight, including 9 years of college and Graduate School. I was ready to get out and start my career. But what do you think about people who stay in school all their lives? We call them professional students. We may describe them as Aimless? Confused? Lazy? Fearful? I'm sure my family was beginning to think that I was going to be a professional student!

You don't go to school to stay in school all your life. You go to school to learn how to do something with what you have learned. That may seem obvious. But the truth is that most people in churches are content to stay permanent learners - And many church members don't even put forth that much effort! Students are supposed to graduate and be sent out into the world to make a difference. Disciples must graduate, as well, if they are going to fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

Have you graduated as a Christian? Have you discovered why God has placed you here? Do you know that you have been commissioned for ministry – and what that role might be? If so, are you living that out?

4. So, apostles have been chosen by God, are called to be disciples, then commissioned and set out. The final characteristic is this: As Apostles, we have been invested with Christ's authority – we are his ambassadors.

This is what separates apostles from those who simply are called to ministry: all apostles have been called to be disciples but not all disciples are called to be apostles. Those with the spiritual gift of the apostle have been invested with the authority of Christ, and then that authority is recognized by the church.

When I was ordained a United Methodist minister, Bishop Hunt laid his hands on me, and said, “Take thou authority to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments in the congregation.” At that moment, I was vested with the authority of the denomination. But that doesn't mean that I'm “an apostle.” “Apostle” is not an office or ordination of the church, which can be bestowed on you by a ceremony. Apostleship is a gift of the Holy Spirit. People with the gift, whether they are lay or clergy, are recognized as being persons who have been anointed by Christ’s Spirit – and for that, they are automatically respected and honored. Their advice is sought-after, and people naturally defer to their leadership.

People with this gift are recognized as ambassadors of Christ. This is what Paul wrote in second Corinthians chapter 5: “God has given us this task of reconciling people to him… And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation… So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.” (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

You know, the role of the ambassador is an interesting thing: when our nation sends an ambassador to a foreign country, that person speaks on behalf of the President of the United States. When he or she goes to an event, he or she stands in for the president. When an ambassador signs a document, he or she acts with the authority of the president. The ambassador seems powerful. But any power he or she has is derived from the one who he or she represents. But should the ambassador misrepresent the president, the president would fire that ambassador. Then he or she would have no status at all.

If you have been gifted as an apostle, you will speak with boldness on Christ’s behalf just as the first apostles did. You will stand-in for Christ when injustice calls for taking a courageous position. And you will act with the authority of Christ in giving direction and taking leadership in the church.

So in one sense, all Christians are apostles. We all are called. We all are to be disciples. We all are to be sent out in ministry. And we all have been granted some measure of Christ’s authority. The Great Commission that Jesus said as he ascended to heaven makes this clear. “Go into all the world...” was not addressed only to THE Apostles - but to ALL apostles - to you and to me!

While this is true for all of us, some of us have been gifted with the gift of apostleship, to step forward in leadership and give oversight of God's church. Could it be that you have the gift to be an apostle?

Don't be too quick to answer “no!” Sometimes others are able to see gifts in us that we cannot see in ourselves. Over the years, in several churches I have served, I have taught Disciple Bible Study, the study I'll be leading starting in September. Always the highlight of the course is the next to the last session of that long study, which focuses on identifying our spiritual gifts. In that session, those who have been together in class with one another for many many weeks are invited to name the spiritual gifts they perceive in their fellow classmates. It is always a moving experience of affirmation.

In one of my churches, a brand new Christian signed up for the class. His name is Bob Kemp. Bob was quiet and shy, but an eager learner. He had grown tremendously in is faith through the course. When it was his turn to hear from his fellow Bible study students, many of his classmates said they perceived that he had been gifted with apostleship! He was surprised, and humbled.

After I had left that congregation to serve a new church, I learned that Bob had been asked by his church to serve as their “Lay Leader!” He had responded to God’s commissioning to serve as an apostle in giving oversight to his church!

This is why I am convinced that, even today, apostleship is one of the most important gifts God gives to his church - because the church needs Apostolic leadership today, more than ever! This world is an increasingly dangerous place, and sadly, the church is not up to the challenge - unless those with the gift of apostle answer God's call!

And so, if you have the gift of apostleship, use it! Or as Paul put it in his first letter to his young protégé, Timothy: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you.” (1 Tim. 4:14)

© 2023 by John B. Gill, III