ROMANS UNWRAPPED 5

     "Paul called to be an apostle"  (or better rendered a called apostle).

It is important to understand the words of Holy Scripture, else we miss out on the force of the Divine communication.

We have seen Paul's Conversion, his Commitment, now we look at his Calling.   When Paul uses this title, he is asserting his authority on all believers.   Out of thirteen epistles that he wrote,  nine of them are introduced with his apostleship.   The exceptions are Phillippians, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians, and Philemon.   In all the others he required to assert his authority.   The word apostle  -  apostolos - literally means "one who is sent".   It carries the idea of one specially chosen for an important task.   In Greek culture it is used as follows:

a)   a naval ship sent on an expedition
b)   an ambassador sent to a foreign country
c)   a special envoy on a particular mission

The idea behind the word is that the one who is sent, carries all the authority and dignity of those who send them.   In essence, Paul is saying "I carry all the authority of God."

Ephesians Ch 1 v 1

"Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God."

Acts Ch 26 v 17

"Delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles unto whom I now send thee."

Acts Ch 13 v 2

"Separate me Barnabus & Saul for the work where unto I have called them."

Called, and sent, by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, his mission, his teachings, his instructions, carrying all the authority of the tri-une God.   This was necessary because not everyone accepted Paul as authoritative in spiritual matters and it is necessary today because his ancient authority is questioned.  

Whilst time has moved on, and the world has changed the undying teachings of the apostle of Jesus Christ still stand today.   We do well to mark how Paul asserts this fact in his writings.

Romans Ch 16 v 16               -    "The churches of Christ salute you."
1st Corinthians Ch 1 v 2        -    "To the church of God which is at Corinth  -  with all that in every      place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their and ours,"

1st Corinthians Ch  4 v 17      -    "As I teach everywhere in every church."
1st Corinthians Ch  7 v 17      -    "And so ordain I in all churches."
1st Corinthians Ch 11 v 16    -     "We have no such custom neither the churches of God."
1st Corinthians Ch 14 v 33    -     "As in all churches of the saints."
1st Corinthians Ch 14 v 34    -     "Let your women keep silent in the churches."
1st Corinthians Ch 16 v 1      -     "As I have given order to the churches at Galatia even so do ye."
1st Corinthians Ch 16 v 19    -     "The churches of Asia salute you."
Galatians Ch 1 v 1-2              -     "Paul an apostle   -    unto the churches of Galatia
Galatians Ch 1 v 21               -     "The churches of Judea which were in Christ."

Putting all that together there is an unmistakable conclusion that Paul's teaching, from the tri-une God is to all churches in all generations whether it be Paul, Peter, James, John or any of the other New Testament writers their words are authoritative in the realm of the gospel, personal holiness, church order for all believers, for all time.

Tomorrow we will consider Paul's consecration to the service of God.