How does Ephesians 1:1 connect with other New Testament teachings on apostleship? “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:” Paul’s Self-Identification Mirrors a Consistent NT Pattern • Galatians 1:1—“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father…” • 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Colossians 1:1—each letter opens with the same formula, underscoring that his authority is divine, not self-appointed. • Acts 9:15—Jesus calls Paul “My chosen instrument,” anchoring Paul’s claim in direct revelation. “Apostle” Defined and Affirmed • Luke 6:13—Jesus “called His disciples and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles.” • Acts 1:21-22—criteria: eyewitness of the risen Christ and direct commissioning. • 1 Corinthians 9:1—Paul defends apostleship: “Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” • 2 Corinthians 12:12—“The marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed…” showing God’s validation. “By the Will of God”: Divine Initiative, Not Human Ambition • Romans 1:1—“called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.” • 1 Timothy 1:1—“by the command of God our Savior.” • Acts 13:2—“Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” - In every case, God’s will precedes human response, emphasizing sovereign choice. “Of Christ Jesus”: Christ-Centered Commission • John 20:21—“As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” Apostles are extensions of Christ’s mission. • 2 Corinthians 5:20—“We are therefore ambassadors for Christ,” linking apostleship with representation of Christ’s authority. • Hebrews 3:1—calls Jesus “the apostle… whom we confess,” rooting all lesser apostleships in His supreme sending. Apostles as Foundation of the Church • Ephesians 2:20—church “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.” • Revelation 21:14—New Jerusalem’s wall has “twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” - Paul joins this foundational group (1 Corinthians 15:8-10), so his opening claim in Ephesians carries weight for all believers. Purpose: Serving “the Saints… the Faithful” • Titus 1:1—“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect.” • 2 Corinthians 10:8—authority given “for building you up, not for tearing you down.” - Apostolic authority exists to strengthen, instruct, and safeguard the church. Unified New Testament Witness Ephesians 1:1 does not stand alone; it harmonizes with every major apostolic reference: 1. Divine calling (Acts 9; Galatians 1) 2. Christ-centered mission (John 20; 2 Corinthians 5) 3. Foundational role for the church (Ephesians 2; Revelation 21) 4. Service-oriented authority (2 Corinthians 10; Titus 1) Takeaway When Paul says he is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,” he aligns perfectly with the New Testament portrait of apostleship: divinely initiated, Christ-commissioned, authenticated by eyewitness experience and supernatural gifting, and exercised for the spiritual good of the saints. |
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