(view Part 1)
Reading 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 we
discover that Paul’s greeting is loaded with golden nuggets--and we are just
getting started. So far, we’ve explored the three worlds of Paul (Paul the Jew,
Paul the Greek and Paul the Roman). Now let’s take a close look at Paul the
Apostle. This is where we find him faithful.
Paul, the
man of many worlds was prepared by God to be a bridge, carrying the gospel to
many cultures. We examine his apostleship because this is one issue Paul
defends in this letter. There were questions about what this means, so he
answers them.
“Apostle” means more than simply “sent one” (not “pempo,”
but “apostolos”). In common day-to-day use the word describes a vessel
outfitted for a specific expedition. It is related to “Admiral”, one armed with
orders, the spearhead of logistics. More isolated uses reveal the word applied
to an ambassador, a delegate, messenger--one sent off on commission to be
someone’s representative. Specifically we understand the word to describe
believers with a specific criteria, commissioned for specific function. One must
be:
- Chosen
by God. Most of 2 Corinthians is Paul’s defense concerning his
apostleship, contrasting his ministry against false apostles who had
invaded the Corinthian church. Nearly every letter of Paul’s opens with the
statement that he was an apostle because he had been chosen for that role by
God.
- Witness
to the resurrection. Be a good Bible student and discover Acts 1:16-26, (note 21-22)
and Acts 10:38-41.
- Appointed
by Jesus. Notice how Paul roots his Apostleship as “of Jesus Christ by
the will of God.” Jesus is The Head of The Church. Apostleship is not
an office gained by promotion or accomplishment or by completing levels of
training but by divine appointment. Consider Acts 1:24 and 20:24. Paul knew God set him apart for a
special purpose. He was not a self-made man. Jesus is also the foundation
of The Church, the very hinge on which all life turns and it is from Jesus’
perspective from which Paul saw God’s purpose in every detail of his own
life, and in the life of the church.
What is
God doing in your life?
a) Do you
believe God knows what He’s doing?
b) Do you
believe God when He says His will is that all come to repentance--that He has a
heart for the lost?
c) Do you
believe Jesus has a plan for His Church: to legislate Kingdom business on earth and lock down the business of hell?
d) Do you
believe that the Holy Spirit equips Christ’s followers with spiritual gifts,
tools to use within the Church?
e) Do you
believe that God connects His heart with His plan for the church to use His
tools in such a way that His Church is built among the nations?
If you
affirm these things, the next question you need to answer is: “How does my life
show that I believe God?”
a) If I
believe He knows what He is doing, He is accomplishing His purpose in my life.
If He does not know what He is doing, then He is not God.
b) If I
believe God when He says His will is that all come to repentance, then I myself
have turned from sin by faith in Christ and encourage others to do the
same.
c) If I
believe Jesus has a plan for His Church, I do Kingdom business on earth and lock down the business of hell.
d) If I
believe the Spirit equips Christ’s followers with spiritual gifts, I am using
my gifts for the building of the body.
e) If I
believe God has a heart for the nations, I fulfill the Great Commission by
giving and going.
God
created us, directs our lives and does not expect His children to do His work
without supply. We tend to act like atheists (one who has no invisible means of
support) but Paul will remind us later that we are not sufficient in ourselves
“but our sufficiency [is] from God”(2 Cor 3:5). “And He
said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that
the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor 12:9)
