THE CONCEPT OF THE APOSTLES IN FILM AND SCRIPTURE, part 2

This post continues to look at the word apostle and how it has been used in modern movies as well as some modern-day people calling themselves an apostle. This post will focus on how the word is used in a “narrow” sense, then the next one will provide a broad sense as well as how Paul’s apostleship has been disputed.

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The Narrow and Broad

In the technical and narrow sense, an apostle fits a very strict definition: one of the Twelve chosen by Christ and an eyewitness of the resurrection (Mark 3:13; Acts 1:22-24).[1] Matthias also fits in this category as he was later chosen to replace Judas. While much debated and will be discussed later, Paul fits into this category even though he did not meet Christ personally until after Christ’s resurrection and ascension into heaven. Apostle is also used in a more general sense of other men in the early church: Barnabas (Acts 14:4), Silas and Timothy (1 Thess 2:6) and a few other outstanding leaders (Rom. 16:7; 2 Cor. 8:23; Phil 2:25).[2] These apostles were called “representatives,” or more literally “messengers,” of the churches (2 Cor 8:23), whereas the thirteen were apostles of Jesus Christ (Gal 1:1; 1 Pet 1:1). This latter group had the gift of apostleship but not the apostolic “office” as did the Twelve, Matthias, and Paul.[3] Apostles in both groups were authenticated by the mark of an apostle (Acts 2:22, 43; Heb 2:4) which were “signs and wonders and miracles” (2 Cor 12:12), but neither group was self-perpetuating.[4] As the apostles died out, it appears that the gift of apostle disappeared.[5] The attention must now be turned to the specifics of these categories and what makes up each one.

Apostle in the Narrow Sense

As Peter was speaking to the group in Acts 1, he applied Psalms 69 and 109 to the apostle’s situation. Psalm 69:25 speaks of removal of psalmist’s enemy, and Psalm 109:8 mentions the replacement of an enemy by someone else. Peter regarded these Scriptural references as eventually speaking of Judas the traitor.[6] It was the death of Judas and not his defection that caused Peter to ask the disciples to choose another to replace him. Peter laid out two basic qualifiers for this position. First, he had to be one who had witnessed the entire ministry of Jesus from the time of His baptism by John to the ascension. A figure of speech, called a zeugma, is used in this section that refers to a list that covers the A to Z of something to express the entirety of it.[7] The replacement will have a complete experience of Jesus’ ministry and teaching, from A (baptism of John) to the Z (ascension).[8] This means the replacement had to be someone who had seen, heard, and witnessed the miracles and teachings of Jesus like the other apostles.[9]

The second qualification was to be an eyewitness to Jesus’ resurrection. The resurrection is the key event to give testimony to, but this witness must be from someone who also has knowledge of what Jesus did on earth as well as the results of the resurrection, His numerous appearances, and subsequently the ascension.[10] “The continuity of exposure to Jesus is central to the special role of the witness and underscores the credibility of the eyewitness tradition the apostles produced.”[11] While they were primarily witnesses to Jesus, they were eyewitnesses who could share his teaching and confirm his resurrection and ascension.[12]

As Christ had performed many signs, miracles, and wonders, so too did the apostles performing many signs and wonders authenticating the truth of their position (Acts 4:30; 5:12; 6:8; 8:6, 13; 14:3; 15:12).[13] It was a unique and irreplaceable office (Eph 2:20; Rev 21:14) that shows its singular and foundational role for the church. There could be no apostolic succession because there would be no one with these eyewitness qualifications. Luke 22:28-30 appears to be at the root of this belief where it speaks of the apostles’ unique role of sitting in the kingdom and judging the twelve tribes of Israel.[14] The continuity with Israel necessitates the restoration of the full number to twelve. Because the church is built on the foundation of these Twelve, their number had to be complete before the coming of the Spirit and the birth of the church.[15] It was necessary to replace Judas because he abandon his position and vacated his place of promise, referred to in Matthew 19:28.[16] His betrayal, not his death, forfeited his place in the circle of Twelve.[17] However, when James was later killed (Acts 12:2), no replacement was chosen for him and He was still considered an apostle after his death.[18]

It seems that the apostles were more numerous that the Twelve, but were all distinguished by seeing the resurrected Christ (1 Cor 9:1) which made Paul the last of their company.[19] The exact number is not known, except that there were more than twelve in the core group as seen in creedal references Paul makes to “all of the apostles” and “the rest of the apostles” (1 Cor 9:5; 15:7). This wider group of apostles took their character from their name: they were sent by Christ to go to others (Acts 1:8).[20] The names of some are known, but not all the apostles. James is linked with “all the apostles” (1 Cor 15:7; cf Gal 1:19), suggesting that, while James was not counted among the Twelve, he was the most honored among the apostles. Because James was the brother of Jesus, this may have given him that high status, but some argue that the brothers of Jesus would be thought of as apostles (1 Cor 9:5).[21] John is clearly thought to be an apostle as well (Gal 2:7-9). The link between Barnabas and Paul also suggests that Barnabas is to be regarded as an apostle (1 Cor 9:6; Acts 14:4). The only others named as apostles in the writings of Paul are his relatives Andronicus and Junia (Rom 16:7).[22]

Paul has a high view of apostles. As founders of churches apostles are pre-eminent person in early Christianity.[23] Paul declares, “God has appointed apostles first in the church” (1 Cor 12:28; cf. Eph 2:20; 4:11). Moreover, theirs was a prophetic, revelatory ministry, illuminating the meaning of Christ and the gospel. Paul claims that he and the other apostles enjoyed the revelation of God through the Spirit to understand the mysteries of the gospel (Eph 3:1-9; cf. 1 Cor 2:6-16).[24] Apostles made known this revelation both verbally and in their writings (Rom 16:25-26; 1 Cor 2:13; Eph 3:3-4). Apostles were those who carried the gospel message with God’s authority.[25] “Apostle” means “one sent as an authoritative delegate.” Before exploring the broad definition of an apostle, the controversy over Paul’s apostleship must first be examined.

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[1] Max Anders, “Galatians-Colossians,” in Holman New Testament Commentary, vol. 8 (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 161.

[2] Max Anders, “Galatians-Colossians,” in Holman New Testament Commentary, vol. 8 (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 161.

[3] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 635.

[4] Max Anders, “Galatians-Colossians,” in Holman New Testament Commentary, vol. 8 (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 162.

[5] Max Anders, “Galatians-Colossians,” in Holman New Testament Commentary, vol. 8 (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 161.

[6] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Nelson, 1999), 1366.

[7] Darrel L. Bock, “Acts,” in Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), 87.

[8] Darrel L. Bock, “Acts,” in Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), 87.

[9] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Nelson, 1999), 1366.

[10] Darrel L. Bock, “Acts,” in Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), 87-88.

[11] Darrel L. Bock, “Acts,” in Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), 88.

[12] John B. Polhill, “Acts,” in The New American Commentary, vol. 26. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 93.

[13] Stanley D. Toussaint, “Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 360.

[14] Darrel L. Bock, “Acts,” in Baker Exegetical Commentary of the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), 88.

[15] John B. Polhill, “Acts,” in The New American Commentary, vol. 26. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 94.

[16] Stanley D. Toussaint, “Acts,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 356.

[17] John B. Polhill, “Acts,” in The New American Commentary, vol. 26. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 93.

[18] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Nelson, 1999), 1366.

[19] David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 542.

[20] P. W. Barnett, “Apostle,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, eds. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 48.

[21] P. W. Barnett, “Apostle,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, eds. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 48.

[22] P. W. Barnett, “Apostle,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, eds. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 48.

[23] P. W. Barnett, “Apostle,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, eds. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 48.

[24] P. W. Barnett, “Apostle,” in Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, eds. Gerald F. Hawthorne, Ralph P. Martin, and Daniel G. Reid (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 48.

[25] Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, eds. John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 635.