ONE WHO HAS SEEN; ONE WHO IS SENT

ROMANS 1:1

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God

(Romans 1:1).

Right at the beginning of the Book of Romans Paul makes the dramatic announcement that he is called to be an apostle. His audience understood, as contemporary believers sometimes do not, that in making this claim Paul was announcing that he met the requirements which would qualify him to be an apostle.

Qualifications of an apostle

An apostle was literally “one who is sent,” and he was sent with the authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus commissioned the apostles and transferred His authority to them. An apostle had to be a disciple of Jesus and an eyewitness of His resurrection.

As you might imagine, a controversy arose when Paul claimed to be an apostle, because he had not been a disciple and had not known Jesus until after the Ascension. Even though Paul’s call was dramatic and extraordinary, he could not begin his ministry until he was first received and endorsed by the rest of the Twelve, whose credentials were not in any way in question.

Corroboration no longer possible

It is theoretically possible for someone today to make the claim that God has called him directly and immediately to be an apostle. Joseph Smith did and started Mormonism. But it is impossible for that person to meet the biblical requirements for an apostle and to have his claim substantiated, corroborated, and confirmed by other apostles.

The apostles have all passed from the historical scene. Just as the prophets were the agents of revelation in the Old Testament, so the apostles were God’s spokesmen in the New Testament. Three times in the Book of Acts Paul refers to his call. Immediately and invisibly he was directly called by Christ. He was set apart to preach the gospel of God. It is that gospel which Paul sets before us in this magnificent epistle.

CORAM DEO

Though no one today has been an eyewitness of the Resurrection in the sense that the New Testament apostles were, we have all been commanded to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel. Through the Great Commission Christ has sent us into all the world. How obedient are you to faithfully witness to the work of God in your life?

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