Ephesians 4:11 (part 1) - Apostles

4:11

After musing on Psalm 68:18 Paul returns to the immediately practical aspects, delineating various ministries within the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Apostles, prophets and teachers are mentioned in 1 Cor 12:28 as well. The term apostle literally means one who was sent out, but had a narrower meaning. Its narrowest meaning is to refer the twelve (or eleven after Judas) along with Paul. They had been with Jesus and and encountered the risen Christ. Paul was different. He had not been with Jesus and had only encountered the risen Christ after His ascension. Paul recognised this difference when he referred to himself as one “abnormally born” (1 Cor 15:8), and as being the least of all the apostles (1 Cor 15:9). In a way it was fitting that this should be the case for the apostle to the Gentiles, for we do not have all the heritage that the Jews have, we are grafted in branches (Rom 11:17). However, the term apostle is also used in a wider sense in the New Testament. Today there are some parts of the church that bandy the term about far too freely. In this list of ministries it is important to note the opening words of the verse “Christ gave ..” As with everything in Ephesians, it all leads back to the Lord, and everything emanates from Him. Whatever role we have in His church, it is one that ultimately comes from Christ. So what are we to make of the term apostles here? Here is my suggestion. Primarily it refers to the founding apostles of the church. God used them to establish the foundational teachings on which the church is built. For the most part there will not be apostles, but it is possible that from time to time God might raise up someone with a foundational ministry of some sort. Let me give an example of what I mean. There are many Christians who do work amongst Muslims. This is very difficult, sometimes very costly, work, and the progress is vital, but slow and steady. Suppose God raised someone up through whom He started having a really dramatic impact upon a Muslim community, with vast numbers turning to Christ. Such a person might legitimately be called an “apostle”. This would in no way be to denigrate the quiet, persistent faithful work of all the others who have spent many years working among Muslims, and such a person would be humble, dedicated to Christ, faithful to the Bible, and would almost certainly pay a great price.