What does "an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God" imply about divine authority? Definition Of Key Terms Apostle (Greek apostolos): an authorized, sent‐out delegate who carries the full authority of the one who commissions him. Christ Jesus: the incarnate Son, risen Lord, and eternal Second Person of the Godhead. Will of God (thelēma Theou): God’s sovereign intention, plan, and decree that cannot be thwarted (Isaiah 46:9-10; Daniel 4:35). Historical Background Of Paul’S Commission Acts 9 records Jesus’ post-resurrection appearance to Saul of Tarsus. The risen Christ chooses, calls, and instructs Paul directly, fulfilling Jesus’ earlier promise: “he is a chosen instrument of Mine” (Acts 9:15). Archaeological confirmation of Paul’s historical milieu includes the Delphi Gallio Inscription (c. AD 51-52) that synchronizes Acts 18, anchoring Paul’s ministry in a verifiable timeline less than twenty years from the resurrection. Manuscripts such as P46 (c. AD 175-200) already preserve the superscription of Ephesians with Paul’s apostolic self-designation, showing the title was not a later embellishment. Old Testament Precedent For Divine Appointment Prophetic authority always rests on God’s initiative: • Moses: “I will send you” (Exodus 3:10). • Jeremiah: “Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). Paul’s formula “apostle…by the will of God” consciously echoes this precedent, signaling equal divine commissioning. Apostolic Credentials Confirmed By Miracles Hebrews 2:3-4 teaches God authenticated apostles “by signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.” Luke documents that standard for Paul: blindness restored (Acts 13), cripples healed (Acts 14), extraordinary healings through handkerchiefs (Acts 19). Contemporary medical case studies of instantaneous, well-documented healings in Jesus’ name (for example, the 1978 ophthalmologic report of retina restoration in Itumbiara, Brazil) show God continues to validate the gospel message in continuity with apostolic precedent. Theological Implications Of “By The Will Of God” 1. Origin: Authority is external, not self-generated. 2. Inerrancy: Because the message originates in God’s will, the teaching is without error (2 Timothy 3:16). 3. Canon: Books bearing apostolic authority form the New Testament. Peter affirms this: “our beloved brother Paul…his letters…the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15-16). 4. Universality: Paul’s charge extends beyond local context; God’s will transcends culture and era, binding every generation. Divine Authority And Church Governance Ephesians proceeds to outline ecclesiology (4:11-16) based on Christ-given offices. Apostolic foundation (2:20) is nonrepeatable; subsequent offices submit to the apostolic word recorded in Scripture. Thus pastoral, prophetic, and evangelistic ministries today operate ministerially, never magisterially. Philosophical And Behavioral Ramifications Human autonomy bows to revealed authority. Behavioral science recognizes “locus of control” theory; Scripture redirects ultimate control externally to God’s sovereign will, producing humility and dependence that empirically correlates with lower anxiety and higher purpose (see longitudinal studies on intrinsic religiosity by Koenig 2012). Common Objections Answered • “Paul invented Christianity.” Earliest creedal material (1 Corinthians 15:3-7) predates Paul’s writing and was received from others, demonstrating continuity rather than invention. • “Visionary experiences are subjective.” Paul’s experience was corroborated by companions (Acts 9:7), followed by objective miracles, fulfilled prophecy (Acts 27 shipwreck), and consistent doctrinal unity with the Jerusalem apostles (Galatians 2:9). • “Authority requires later church ratification.” The church recognized, not created, apostolic authority—much as astronomers discover, not decree, planetary orbits. Practical Application For Believers And Seekers Recognizing Paul’s divine commissioning invites trust in the gospel he preaches: salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Submission to Scripture is not blind credulity but rational response to authenticated authority. Accepting that authority leads to worship, obedience, and confident proclamation. Conclusion: Divine Authority Encapsulated “An apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” compresses the doctrine that ultimate authority in Christian faith is God’s sovereign initiative, historically verified, manuscript-preserved, miracle-attested, theologically coherent, and experientially transformative. Therefore, to read Ephesians is to hear the voice of God speaking through His chosen envoy, demanding both faith and obedience today. |
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