To better understand the context of the current post, please read the previous ones here:
- Apostles in the New Testament – Part 1
- Apostles in the New Testament – Part 2
- Apostles in the New Testament – Part 3
Messengers Of The Churches #
One school of thought views the so-called “messenger of the churches” as a subordinate position to apostles. We often refer to them as “assembly/church apostles.” Investigate this matter, shall we?
These individuals are messengers or apostles of the church sent by the more renowned apostles, or the churches themselves acknowledged their authority and accepted their vocation. This is a non-technical meaning of the term “apostle.”
This particular group of brothers was referred to as apostles. However, they were called apostles of the assemblies/churches.
2 Corinthians 8:23 — whether about Titus my partner and towards you fellow-worker, whether our brethren, apostles of assemblies, glory of Christ;
Though the Greek word is “apostolos,” the most common translations of the Bible state “messengers,” “representatives,” “delegates,” or simply “are sent.” The phrase “apostles of the assemblies” is one that I find accurate.
Titus – A Brother and Apostle #
According to Titus, he may be one of the “our brothers” mentioned in the preceding verse.
2 Corinthians 8:22 — And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.
Paul sent Titus to Corinth with full authority to fortify and manage the church’s response to the apostle’s exhortation.
1 Corinthians 16:10-11 — Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I am too. So then, let no one treat him with contempt. But send him on his way in peace so that he may come to me. For I am expecting him with the brothers.
He designated elders in Crete because he received Paul’s authorization and power to do so.
Titus 1:5-9 — The reason I left you in Crete was to set in order the remaining matters and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.
Epaphroditus – Apostle to the Philippians #
Philippians 2:25 states that Epaphroditus served as an apostle to the Philippians.
Philippians 2:25 — But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger (Apostolos) and minister to me in my need. (brackets mine)
Many versions include “messenger” (KJV, NKJV, NAS, NIV, NLT, ESV, NET), “sent” (NCV, CEV), and “sending” (MSG), even though the Greek word for apostle is “Apostolos.”
The fact that Epaphroditus was sent to this specific church is another reason I think it’s a good idea for him to be an apostle there.
To warmly greet Apollos, the church at Ephesus sent him to Achaia with a letter. They dispatched him or bestowed upon him a commission. Additionally, Paul sent Timothy to Ephesus to strengthen the church there, and he did so by sending two letters (1st and 2nd Timothy) that included Paul’s legal authority.
Pricilla and Aquila #
It is probable that Pricilla and Aquila, a husband and wife pair, are included in this group since they travelled and exercised power when they taught Apollos, although it is not clear if they were apostles.
Acts 18:2 — There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome. Paul approached them,
Acts 18:18 — Paul, after staying many more days in Corinth, said farewell to the brothers and sailed away to Syria accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because he had made a vow.
Acts 18:26 — He began to speak out fearlessly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.
Although Paul referred to them as his co-workers, he distinguished between them and the apostles.
Romans 16:3 — Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus
Romans 16:7 — Greet Andronicus and Junia, my compatriots and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
Rather than establishing new churches, it appeared that they were accommodating them.
1 Corinthians 16:19 — The churches in the province of Asia send greetings to you. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, with the church that meets in their house.
More likely, they worked in business, taught, and served in some capacity as shepherds or pastors. However, it is possible that they were apostles of a church, and as a result, they may be classified as belonging to the group that came before.
John Mark #
Barnabas, John Mark’s cousin, believed in him and went with him to Cyprus, which was Barnabas’s home island.
John Mark travelled with Paul and Barnabas and assisted in the planting of churches in a new area.
Acts 12:25 — So Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem when they had completed their mission, bringing along with them John Mark.
However, John Mark eventually abandoned them. Through his association with Peter, he wrote the gospel based on the teachings given by the apostle. Later, he arrived in Rome. Is it possible that John Mark was a missionary and an apostle? To be sure, and if this is the case, then the definition extends rather far.
During the time that he travelled with Paul, Luke served as a missionary; thus, does this make him eligible to be considered an apostle on some level? Or was he only a spectator and recorder of the event? If we interpret him as an apostle, the definition of the term becomes quite broad.
In Luke 11:49, Jesus announced that God’s wisdom had chosen to send prophets and apostles to the ancient Israelites.
Luke 11:49 — For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’
This context refers to “messengers” or ambassadors, not the twelve apostles or any other apostles.
Throughout this section, it is easy to see why Paul has such a broad meaning, which is not defined in a manner that is exact and neat enough for interpreters who are more restricted today.
According to Paul’s writing, God appointed the first apostles to serve in the church. It would seem that this context is not limited to the twelve, but is more general.
1 Corinthians 12:28 — And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, and different kinds of tongues.
Stay tuned.
Blessings,
Shaliach.
