Sermon Tone Analysis

Jesus Christ as an apostle

This is the only place where the word “apostle” is used of Jesus Christ, though many passages refer to him as “sent”; Jesus Christ, as God’s “sent one”, sets the standard and pattern for all who are likewise “sent” (i.e., for all apostolic ministry).

See also ; ; ;

The twelve apostles called by Jesus Christ

Their appointment

Their number

“the Twelve” is frequently used to designate these specially chosen disciples.

The number twelve evokes the twelve tribes of Israel.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;

Their commissioning by the risen Christ

The replacement for Judas

See also The symbolic number (twelve) is thus preserved.

The qualifications for being an apostle

Paul as an apostle

His self-designation

See also ; ;

His commissioning by Jesus Christ

Although not one of the Twelve, Paul saw the risen Christ and was directly commissioned by him, sent especially to the Gentiles; ;

Paul’s apostleship and the church

In Paul’s case the sense of title or office and the ministry and function virtually coincide.

He is an apostle both because he has seen and been commissioned by the risen Christ and because he functioned as an apostle by founding churches.

Other apostles

Barnabas

Here “apostles” may refer to their ministry as missionary evangelists or to their role as “sent” by the church at Antioch:

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James, the Lord’s brother

The most natural meaning of the words is that James is an apostle.

This interpretation is confirmed by other references to James; ;

Andronicus and Junias

Silas

“Apostles” of the churches

“representatives” is the translation here for “apostles”; “messenger” is the translation here for “apostle”

False apostles

Paul ironically refers to his opponents as “super-apostles”; ; ;