The Significance of the Gospel Part Two

In part one we noticed how Paul’s identity is that he is a bondservant, but his calling is to be an apostle.
But just what is an apostle? There were twelve apostles of the Lamb whom Jesus chose and these men had the responsibility to set the foundation of the gospel for the church for all ages.
Judas was not meant to do this as he was chosen for the purpose of betraying Christ and God knew a replacement would be made to fill his spot. Understanding this ties into understanding what Paul speaks in Romans 9 when says Pharoah's purpose was to be a vessel of destruction so that God might demonstrate His power and glory.  Judas was not a mistake Christ made, Jesus said it himself when addressing the twelve, "have I not chosen you and yet one of you has a devil?"  Judas was part of the plan and it was meant that his replacement would come at a later time. 

In the upper room before Pentecost the other apostles cast lots to choose Matthias as the one to fill the vacant spot created by Judas but that was man’s answer. That method fell under Old Covenant solutions and it was all they knew at the time, the Holy Spirit had not yet come to them.  Mathias served but there is no further mention of him. 

We later discover that a man named Saul a pharisee determined to destroy the church is knocked of his horse by Jesus and without being asked his permission Jesus makes him a bondservant and  an apostle.  Jesus renamed Saul as Paul and Paul received the same kind of apostolic call as did the other eleven and so I conclude that Paul filled the vacant spot left by Judas. Only Jesus can choose an apostle of the Lamb in such a manner. He’s the one who calls men into these ministries to the church. A man cannot appoint himself or be appointed by other men. Christ calls a man and he is then recognized by other men as his calling becomes evident to all.  There will always only be twelve apostles of the Lamb but even in the New Testament we discover many other apostles working and serving the church.

By the way not all the churches recognized Paul as an apostle. The various churches related to apostles for various reasons primarily on the basis of relationship.  If the relationship was in error it was usually based on emotion or pragmatic notions such as the amount of power a man seemed to demonstrate.  If he had power they didn't care much about his doctrine.  Paul called these men in a duragatory sense "super apostles." 

But to those in Rome Paul has no quibble with stating his apostleship. I firmly believe Paul is an apostle of the Lamb responsible for establishing the foundational doctrines of the church for all ages.  Personally I believe any and all apostles should have a fathers heart towards the church and care about doctrine seeing they are menat to raise leaders in the church who care about doctrine.

I say all that to point out something I think is of great importance here. Imagine having the burden of establishing the churches on you. Imagine that you are responsible for establishing them in the truth that they need to embrace for all time. I believe this was Paul's burden.

2Corinthians 11:28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.

Churches didn't exist to serve Paul, Paul existed to serve the churches.  He genuinely cared for the churches.  His devotion and attention were not based on offerings or appreciation.  It was based in the same love that motivated Christ.  This was a love rooted in being a bondservant, being called to be an apostle and being seperated unto the gospel.