The Kingdom Heart and Task of an Apostle (Part 1)

Today there is a resurgence in some Protestant circles about the position and ministry of apostles. In some current Protestant circles today that emphasize the charismata (“spiritual gifts”) heavily one will find teaching asserting that the “five-fold” ministry of the Church needs to be restored. They will cite Ephesians 4:11: “He himself granted that some are apostle, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, . . . ” (NRSVue)

Some sociologists and historians who study Christianity in the modern period have designated this movement as part of the “third wave” of charismatic renewal movements in the Western world. I am all for people exercising the charismata, and for churches to have a genuine openness to the work of the Holy Spirit. But this movement needs to be noted because it unfortunately had deviated from biblical teaching and the historic practice of the Church. Thus I want to address this matter of the position and task of the apostle. And given that today is the feast day of the apostle Bartholomew, it seems like an ideal time to do so.

The gift of apostleship is vitally important for us to understand—that of the earliest circle among the disciples of our Lord and the gift of apostleship in the subsequent generations. I want to explore what I have called the “heart of the apostle” and the “task of an apostle.” And then I want to offer some reflections on how we might think rightly about apostolic ministry, based on Luke 22:24-30 and 1 Corinthians 4:1-21.

Comments on Text: Luke 22:24-30

The original band of that inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, the most famous of whom were the 12, had what we modern people would call “ego” complexes. They knew that this Jesus who had called them to be his disciples was the Messiah, and thus they had concluded that if they were loyal to him he would then reward them. They would be “great”—they would be famous and be given positions of prominence and authority over others.

In all this they were not mistaken: These were reasonable conclusions to draw. But were they were not perceiving rightly was in their notions of “greatness” in God’s Kingdom would entail. They had a very fleshly, all too human notion of greatness—if they were loyal and obedient then they would be able to rule over others. Now, they would do this rightly and fairly and justly but nevertheless they would be get positions of authority and to exercise power over others. This is what they wanted and expected to get in the end.

And this is why they were arguing amongst themselves as to “which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” (v.24). For that was the most important thing to them!

Our Lord cuts straight to the center of their error: He points out that they were thinking merely as the non-Jewish people about their political leaders. This will not do in the Kingdom! This is not how God’s Kingdom operates. Rather than assuming they would be granted titles and authority to act upon others, to operate over them, they should see themselves as the greatest of servants.

“But not so with you; rather, the greatest among you must become like the youngest and the leader like one who serves.” (v.26)

In the ancient world this made no sense: For the older were the “natural” rulers and the socially elite, wealthy and “well-bred” were assumed to have a natural right to rule everyone else. That was assumed as “natural” and “normal”—as much as the sun rises and disappears again each day. Our references this notion (see v.27).

But that is not the example he left for them: “But I am among you [all] as one who serves.” (v.27) They are to re-learn what true greatness is in light of their Masters’ example to them.

Now then, after correcting their error and arrogance and presumption the Lord does tell them that they will be granted authority in God’s Kingdom—provided they continue to stand by him with loyalty in his trials and through their own trials to come. (See vv.28-30)

So then, what constitutes being a disciple and an apostle? What is the prerequisite for being granted the ministry of an apostle?

Namely, humility. For no one who is presumptuous or arrogant can actually live as our Lord lived with humility before God. To choose to cultivate “greatness” through being a servant to others first and foremost demonstrates that such a person is not haughty or presumptuous or seeking to exercise power over others. 

Now a humble person may actually be in a position of authority, making decisions on behalf of others, providing leadership, teaching or preaching; but that person will do so not out of ambition to wield power over others for his or her own sake. No, such person’s will want to do so for the sake of their Master, and in conformity with his will and in his own way of relating and loving and speaking.

Thus the Lord’s point here to these men who would go on to be appointed as the first of his apostles, and with the task of spiritual authority and leadership, was to emphasize not the position which God would grant them, or the particular form of authority they may have in Kingdom, but on the right “heart-attitude” one must have to be an apostle in the Kingdom of God at all!