When you are asked what you do, how do you respond? I am a consultant… I am a salesman... I am in IT… I am a doctor... I am a lawyer…
The apostles were a special group. They were described by Peter in Acts 1:21 – 22 (here @ Bible Gateway), as men who accompanied them all the time they were with Jesus. Peter may not have been entirely correct with that as Paul did not fit that definition, Jesus came to him directly after the resurrection and ascension. Regardless they were special and few.
How did they view themselves? Was the title apostle quick on their lips? Based on the picture we have of Peter in the Scripture, he would be one that we might think would use that title first. Check 2 Peter 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway). That is not the term, or job description, with which he leads, rather he calls himself a bond-servant.
Paul uses the same designation in Romans 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway); Philippians 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway); and Titus 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway). James echoes Peter and Paul in James 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway).
Look at Deuteronomy 15:16 – 17 (here @ Bible Gateway). There we have the law of the bond-servant. It is voluntary, it is a lifelong commitment, it is based on the love of the servant for the master, and the reality that the master is very good to the servant.
These men, two of which are designated apostles lead with bond-servant to describe their “job descriptions”.
We are told to imitate them. So that should raise several questions for us:
How did they view themselves? Was the title apostle quick on their lips? Based on the picture we have of Peter in the Scripture, he would be one that we might think would use that title first. Check 2 Peter 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway). That is not the term, or job description, with which he leads, rather he calls himself a bond-servant.
Paul uses the same designation in Romans 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway); Philippians 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway); and Titus 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway). James echoes Peter and Paul in James 1:1 (here @ Bible Gateway).
Look at Deuteronomy 15:16 – 17 (here @ Bible Gateway). There we have the law of the bond-servant. It is voluntary, it is a lifelong commitment, it is based on the love of the servant for the master, and the reality that the master is very good to the servant.
These men, two of which are designated apostles lead with bond-servant to describe their “job descriptions”.
We are told to imitate them. So that should raise several questions for us:
- Why do I do what I do in my church?
- Why do I share Christ with people?
- Why do I study His Word?
- Why do I join in fellowship with other men?
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