Words of Grace for January 4

Romans 1:1-2 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy ScripturesWhen God knocked Paul off his horse in Acts 9, he not only called him out of darkness into the kingdom of his marvelous light, but He also called him to a specific ministry. He called him to be an apostle. Specifically, an apostle is one that Jesus Himself chose to be with Him and to be a witness of His resurrection. Shortly after Paul’s conversion, he was taught by Christ all that he would need to fulfill his mission.

More generally, though, an apostle is an ambassador. It is “one who is sent on behalf of another.” Paul fulfilled both the specific and the generic meaning of this term. And while none of us can be apostles in the specific sense of the word, we are all sent on behalf of Christ to witness to others His death and resurrection.

This is what the Great Commission is all about. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” This command, given to the disciples has been passed down to each succeeding generation as the mission of the church, and, therefore, the mission of every individual believer.

In 2 Corinthians 5, Paul says that we are ambassadors for Christ, pleading on His behalf with people to be reconciled with God. This is our calling. Just as Paul was a called apostle, each one of us is a called ambassador for Christ, to a world that desparately needs to hear the gospel.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

1. Read Acts 1:21-26. According to this passage (specifically the end of verse 22, what was the purpose of the apostles? How did Paul fit this purpose (refer back to Acts 9)

2. “Apostle” comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “one who is sent on behalf of another.” It was often used of ambassadors. On who’s behalf was Paul sent? For help, look up 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:1, 2 Timothy 1:1, and Titus 1:1. How can each of us be better ambassadors for Christ to our family, neighbors and friends? (Parents - a good thing to do at this point is to ask your children what their last name is and how their actions and words make people feel about your family. Then relate this to how when we become a Christians, we take the name of Christ.)

Children’s Catechism Question
Q - Who made you?
A - God made me.

Adult Catechism Question
Q - Who is the first and best of beings?
A - God is the first and best of beings.

Hymn
Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise