an essential “apostolic”…
Acts 2.42: They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching…
Apostolic… Every Christian fellowship arrogates or aspires to be apostolic. But what does it mean to be apostolic? Simply defined, an apostolic church is one that continues to devote herself to the apostles’ teaching… The New Testament highlights four areas of concentration that together comprise the core of an “essential apostolic.”
First and foremost it was teaching about Jesus. This teaching was designed to answer the obvious questions that would have sprung to the minds of seekers and new believers then—and now. Who was this Jesus whom they had come to trust? What did He teach? Why did He die? How sure could you be about the resurrection? Where was He now? What about the future? This apostolic framework of understanding has been passed down to us through the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Second, it was a message about fulfillment. This is where Peter’s Pentecost address begins: “This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel” (Acts 2.16). By “this,” he meant the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy embodied in the gift of tongues, the radiant joy and praise on the streets, and the awareness of God’s presence that had overtaken them. Healings, prophetic gifts, and fearless evangelism that recognized no human distinction or cultural taboo were to follow. This all sprung from the sense of fulfillment that marked the infant church. All the disparate strands of truth in Judaism and pagan philosophies had reached their culmination in the Man from Nazareth, whom God had made both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2.22, 36).
These first Christians confronted Jews and Gentiles alike with composure and confidence. They did not pander or capitulate to the pluralism and syncretism all around them because they had been set free by nothing less than the Truth incarnate. Their confidence surged from the recognition that they were living in times of fulfillment. The Old Testament is no longer merely words on a scroll. It is a living truth that they know and experience being fulfilled in Jesus and seared upon their consciousness by the Holy Spirit. Their understanding is clearly this: all truth, all promise, all hopes, and all love find their fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. This is what forms the basis from which they can face the many “isms” that they were daily confronted by.
Third, it was an expectation that concerned the new life in Christ and the ethical imperatives it involved. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, there is the sequence:
Put off the old nature (Col. 3.9)
Put on the old new (Col. 3.10)
Be subject (Col 3.18)
Watch and pray (Col 4.2)
Stand (Col 4.12)
This may look like an arbitrary selection until you begin to notice a similar pattern elsewhere. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has much the same pattern:
Put off (Eph. 4.22)
Put on (Eph 4.24)
Be subject (Eph. 5.22)
Stand (Eph. 6.11)
Watch and pray (Eph 6.18)
Peter’s first letter has a similar sequence:
You are born again (1Pet. 1.2)
Put off (1Pet. 2.1)
Worship (1Pet 2.4-9)
Be subject (1Peter 2.13- 5.9)
Watch and pray (1 Pet 4.7)
Resist (1Pet. 5.8-9)
Or take the letter written by James:
Starts with new birth (James 1.18)
Put off (James 1.21)
Be subject (James 4.7)
Resist the devil (James 4.7)
Pray (James 5.16)
An essential “apostolic” called those first Christians (and us) to live the reality of a radically transforming new life in Jesus that was marked by an equally radical new lifestyle. This lifestyle fostered surrender and submission, victorious resistance to evil, and a recognition of the power and assurance that comes through prayer.
Finally, it was a commitment to raise up and send women and men to be heralds of Jesus and His Kingdom. Every community will engage with this differently. But an essential apostolic practice involves more than just giving money—that is called “generosity,” and we should always celebrate the posture of a generous heart. However, an essential “apostolic” involves “giving” people… sending our best to “bring the Kingdom of Jesus” into the midst of countries and communities who have not yet received Him.
Dear ones, our world needs
An apostolic message—the absolute truth of Jesus: his life, death, resurrection, and ongoing rule today.
Apostolic messengers—called ones who are convinced that what people truly long for can be fulfilled in Jesus.
Apostolic mentors— loved ones who can model with compassion, openness, and devotion the realities of new life in Jesus.
Apostolic senders - people who collaborate to raise up, resource, and release “goers” who will herald Jesus - His person, presence, power, and promise — and plant new life-giving communities.
I pray that this Resurrection season finds you with a resident passion to be authentically apostolic…
