Will of God Appoints Paul - 07/14/2024

In introducing himself to the Ephesians, Paul identifies himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God” (Ephesians 1:1). There are several points that need to be mentioned about this “title” that Paul gives to himself. Paul is saying that he did not appoint himself as an apostle, but that he was appointed to be an apostle by the will of God.

In the days of Paul, the word “apostle” was not necessarily a religious word. It could mean a delegate or a messenger, but added information had to be given to understand who this “apostle” was representing. In the New Testament, it applied to the twelve men Jesus appointed from among His followers to be His special delegates or messengers to the world. Paul, in other writings, claims to have the same authority as these original twelve men.

In Ephesians, Paul indicates that God appointed him to be an apostle. Therefore, the things Paul wrote would be the message God wanted people to hear. This would apply both to when Paul spoke on behalf of God, as well as when Paul wrote what God wanted him to write. In other words, Paul’s writings are authoritative and not his opinion. It is not “what Paul thought God was saying”, but rather “what God was saying.”

As a delegate, messenger, or ambassador of Christ Jesus, Paul is stating that he is speaking on the behalf of Jesus. Paul is not delivering his own message, but rather is delivering the message of Christ Jesus.

Reading through the book of Ephesians, we must remember that Paul is describing how God brought the church into existence, why He brought it into existence, and how He wants this church to function. By Paul having this authority to write God’s message, and by him writing out God’s message, then after reading this letter and understanding this letter, then we can have the knowledge God gave to Paul about the church God planned before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 3:3-7).

One of the conclusions that must be reached is that the church in our world today should look the same as the church in the day of Paul. There was only one church in the days of Paul, and because Paul taught the same thing in all the churches, they looked the same. It should be the so today.

Christians today should recognize the importance of the will of God appointing Paul to be an apostle. We should acknowledge the authority God gave Paul to speak for God. When we are studying Paul’s writings, and properly applying them to our lives, then we will be living God’s way. - cgm

Scriptural quotations from the NASB1995.