To better understand the context of the current post, please read the previous ones here:

1. Apostles in the New Testament – Part 1
2. Apostles in the New Testament – Part 2
3. Apostles in the New Testament – Part 3

Lord Jesus – a sign of apostleship #

1 Corinthians 9:1 — Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?

This shows that seeing the Lord is a mark of the apostle, even if he merely asks a series of questions to display his authority. This is in contrast to the requirements that everyone must see the Lord to be an apostle.

However, it is important to remember that the mere fact that someone asserts that he has seen the Lord in a dream or vision does not necessarily mean that he is now an apostle. It is necessary to consider other factors, as shown by the remarks that came before and after this one.

Apostles – Establishing Churches? #

Paul addressed a question that may be considered contentious in the same passage, which was,

1 Corinthians 9:2 — If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign of my apostleship in the Lord.

Some super-apostles claimed authority during Paul’s time, and it was intended for him to assume a secondary position to them.

1 Corinthians 3:10 — According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds.

2 Corinthians 11:5 — For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Paul said that even though he may not have been an apostle to other churches (like Rome), he was undoubtedly an apostle to the Corinthians. This is because he was the first person to establish a church. (Acts 18:1-18)

1 Corinthians 9:2 — If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the confirming sign of my apostleship in the Lord.

Because of this, we understand one of the prerequisites for becoming an apostle is to build churches in new areas (but not limited to this). This is at the very least needed in the modern world.

Romans 15:20 — And in this way I desire to preach where Christ has not been named, so as not to build on another person’s foundation,

Thus, in the churches of today, missionaries can assert that they have some type of apostolic status; nevertheless, it is important to note that this is not the case always.

Stay tuned.

Blessings,

Shaliach.