A Gift for Today...continued

Ministry Gifts - Apostle

The word "apostollos" has a significant meaning. It is "APO STOLOS" and is derived from "apo stello". "Stelloe" means an expedition, a voyage, a journey, and "stello" means to despatch on an expedition, to set out on a journey. "Apo" means away from, so that "apostello" means to send forth or away, on some mission or expedition and the "apostollos" is the one so sent.

In New Testament times their ministry was primarily a travelling one, going into virgin territory preaching and teaching the gospel, confirmed by signs and wonders, and founding churches. See 1 Cor.3:10 and Rom.15:20.

They also did a constructing work, laying structural foundations, seeking to care for, confirm and set in order the churches they had established. They also had a 'spiritual authority' on behalf of these churches. (See 2 Cor.7:12 and 11:28, Acts 14:22?23). Yet the apostles did not rule the church. They did not choose the seven (Acts 6). They certainly laid hands on them (v6). The Council at Jerusalem consisted of a large number of elders as well as apostles (Acts 15:6). Church government is a distinct gift normally exercised by local elders.

Apostles did not end with the twelve, for Paul is the most prominent apostle of the New Testament, plus other apostles are mentioned, see Acts 14:4, 14, Gal.1: 19, 1 Thess.1: 1, 2:6, Romans 16:7.

There are still many communities today untouched by the gospel so the need for apostles remains. Also there are many places where there used to be thriving churches that are now in decay and disarray there apostles are needed for the work of re building.

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