our apostleship

Paul's Extended Ministry

Paul’s apostleship, as laid out in chapter titled 'Paul an apostle', was an office with ministry geared in particular to the Gentiles.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

I speak to you Gentiles
inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles
I magnify mine office

Though the Roman Gentile recipients, of this epistle, didn’t fall under an office title of an apostle, their inherited ministry and commission was an extension of Paul’s apostleship.

Romans 1:5-6 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

By whom we have received grace and apostleship
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ

Paul’s apostleship and ministry wasn’t an extension of the commissioned Twelve’s, in respect to their understanding of an outreach to Gentiles after the return of Christ, in entering the earthly kingdom (Mt 28:19,20). The ministry of Paul and salvation of a select group of Gentiles, during the Acts period, caught the Apostles off guard which was a subject of tension during that period (Acts 15).

Gentiles, within the scriptures, fall under several categories and it is essential to make distinction between these categories. Those distinctions are dealt with in the chapters titled "Gentiles", "the uncircumcision", "uncircumcision justified through faith" and "fullness of the Gentiles". Here it will simply be pointed out that the Gentiles, addressed in Romans fall, under the same classification as other Gentiles that Paul addresses in his pre-prison and mid-Acts period epistles.

Israel wasn’t responding to the kingdom gospel, as hoped by the Apostles and witnessed God opening a door of opportunity to Gentiles through an unexpected source. God's move was not to only provoke the Jew to jealously, but at same time offer salvation to Gentiles.

Acts 13:41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

I work a work in your days
a work which ye shall in no wise believe
though a man declare it unto you

Romans 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid
but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles
for to provoke them to jealousy

If Paul's ministry isn't an extension of the Twelves', and his epistles don't necessarily elaborate on the Apostles' doctrine, as communicated by the Lord, then what and where are our marching orders? Remember, Paul's ways in Christ wasn't necessary the Apostles' ways presented 'in Christ'... "For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church." 1 Corinthians 4:17 We're going to work our way backwards, in determining our great commission, for in this age we live. By process of elimination, we're going to first rule out what isn't, before dealing with what is.

Able Ministers of the New Testament

Neither the Old Covenant (Mosaic Covenant) or the New Covenant was made with Gentiles. If we, as Gentiles, aren't under the New Covenant, then what is the motivating factor behind our service? Before answering this question, in still eliminating that which isn't applicable for today, we'll deal with the false accusation, of newer versions, claiming that Paul was a minister of Israel's New Covenant...

Question is... are we able ministers of the new testament or competent ministers of a new covenant?

2 Corinthians 3:6 (KJB) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant

Covenants & Their Components

In the Old Testament, we read of several covenants that contain components within each. These would be the Noahic Covenant, the Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant.

Following is a list of these covenants with tokens or components thereof:

Noahic Covenant

God made a covenant with Noah and to the earth that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood. The token of that covenant was and remains a rainbow.

Genesis 9:12-13 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

This is the token of the covenant
I do set my bow in the cloud
it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth

Abrahamic Covenant of Circumcision

God made a covenant with Abraham that concerned a seed and land. That covenant was followed with a token of that covenant, being circumcision.

Genesis 17:7-11 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin
it shall be a token of the covenant
betwixt me and you

Mosaic Covenant

As the Abrahamic Covenant covenanted for a people and land, the Mosaic Covenant covenanted for righteousness and privilege to remain in that land free of bondage and persecution. Components that made up that covenant are listed below:

Exodus 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.

the book of the covenant

Exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

the blood of the covenant

Exodus 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

the tables the words of the covenant
the ten commandments

Leviticus 2:13 And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

the salt of the covenant

Numbers 10:33 And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days' journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.

the ark of the covenant

Deuteronomy 29:1 These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which he made with them in Horeb.

words of the covenant

Deuteronomy 29:21 And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:

curses of the covenant

Testament Versus Covenant

Where & How Found in the KJB

Now, we must discern between a ‘testament’ and a ‘covenant’ and usage of each term in a KJB.

Our bibles are broken down into two sections. The first being the Old Testament made up of 39 books and the other, the New Testament of 27 books.

The word ‘testament’ isn’t found in the Old Testament within our bibles. The word ‘covenant’ is found 254 times in the Old Testament. The word ‘testament’ is found thirteen (13) times in the King James Bible, whereas the word ‘covenant’ is found eighteen (18) times.

When the word ‘testament’ is used in the New Testament, there’s always an inference or reference to the Mosaic Covenant, even when used in contrast. The words ‘old’ and ‘first’ are found three (3) times.

2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

the reading of the old testament

Hebrews 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

he is the mediator of the new testament
that by means of death
for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament

Hebrews 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

the first testament

Just as there were components of the first/old testament, same is true with the new testament.

Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

my blood of the new testament

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

able ministers of the new testament
not of the letter
but of the spirit
for the letter killeth
but the spirit giveth life

Blood & Death of a Testator

In a KJB, a testament requires the blood and death of a testator, as was evidenced in the covenant covenanted with Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, which covenanted for righteousness.

This is beautifully detailed in Hebrews 9, where we’ll precisely break down verses 15 – 22. Along with this breakdown, it will be clearly demonstrated that the usage of the term testament, in both the old and new, shows an aspect within each the Old and New Covenants, but not the covenants themselves!

Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

if the blood of bulls and of goats
and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean
sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh

Hebrews 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

How much more shall the blood of Christ
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament
that by means of death

Hebrews 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

For where a testament is
there must also of necessity be the death of the testator

Hebrews 9:17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

a testament is of force after men are dead
otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth

Hebrews 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

neither the first testament
was dedicated without blood

Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law
he took the blood of calves and of goats
with water
and scarlet wool, and hyssop
and sprinkled both the book
and all the people

Hebrews 9:20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

Saying, This is the blood of the testament
which God hath enjoined unto you

Hebrews 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

he sprinkled with blood
both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

almost all things are by the law
purged with blood
and without shedding of blood is no remission

Are We Under the New Covenant Today?

A testament, in of itself, has its own identity and purpose and cannot be made synonymous as being a covenant. A testament plays an essential role within each the Old and New Covenants. Translation of ‘testament’, in a KJB, whereas other versions use ‘covenant’, distinguishes a part from the whole. Equating a component of something as being the whole of something else creates confusion and false teaching! If the New Covenant is going to be established with Israel, after the return of Israel’s Messiah, then what claim are churches making that have the word ‘Covenant’ in their name? Covenant or replacement theology substitutes the church today for promises made to Israel, after Israel had been set aside.

Are we to believe that the condition of Hebrews 8:11, exists today in the church?

Hebrews 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

they shall not teach every man his neighbor
and every man his brother
saying, Know the Lord
for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest

I think not! What about what the reader thinks?

Just as the Mosaic Covenant was made with Israel, when entering the Promised Land, so the New Covenant will be made with future Israel when prophesied events come to past and the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants are realized in the kingdom of heaven.

Two Vital Elements Today of the New Covenant

Blood & Spirit

There are two elements of the New Testament, found within the New Covenant, which Paul ministered that are vital to the salvation message today and they are the blood and spirit.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

being now justified by his blood

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

ye have not received the spirit of bondage
ye have received the Spirit of adoption

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament
not of the letter, but of the spirit
for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life

testament versus covenant A

Are we under New Covenant

Noahic Covenant A

Token of Circumcision C

Mosaic Covenant Components B

Our Ministry and Great Commission

A Ransom for All to be Testified in Due time

Though Peter opened the kingdom gates for Cornelius in Acts 10, it was Paul who declared that Christ died for all (Jew and Gentile), to be testified in due time through preaching committed to him. This truth can only be fully grasped as the reader comes to understanding between preaching according to prophecy, from that of mystery and to discern between hopes and callings.

1 Timothy 2:5-7 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle
a teacher of the Gentiles

Where does that leave us today? If Paul isn't an extension of the Twelve Apostle's commission to fulfill a ‘Great Commission’, then… what is our ministry and commission?

The Romans' Reasonable Responsibility

Israel’s fall during the Acts period and door of opportunity for salvation to the Gentile, through Paul, brought on obligations to these Gentiles.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice
holy
acceptable unto God
which is your reasonable service
And be not conformed to this world

Sacrifices, holiness, righteousness and non-conformity to the world are themes all found within the Old and New Covenant teachings of Moses and Jesus. With Israel having had and now was dropping the ball again, these responsibilities were falling upon Gentiles, who have found mercy being converted through grace, outside of covenanted promises made directly to the Jew.

Romans 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

as ye in times past have not believed God
yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief

The Church's Great Commission Today

Ambassadors for Christ

Within the same context of Paul’s statement of being made able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit (2Co 3:6), Paul sets forth a ‘great commission’ for this day.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself
not imputing their trespasses unto them
hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ
as though God did beseech you by us
we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ
and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ
in them that are saved, and in them that perish
To the one we are the savour of death unto death
and to the other the savour of life unto life

Today, there is no greater responsibility for the church, as a whole, or for individual believers in Christ, than understanding that we’re here ‘in Christ’s stead’, as ambassadors being a saviour to both those that are saved and to them that perish.

A New Lineage of Godliness

The righteousness of God, under the Mosaic Covenant, was the law given in commandments, statutes, judgments, ordinances, etc. Moses passed the responsibility upon parents to teach their children the law in order to live out God's righteousness. Though prophets were typically the spokesman for the LORD in the OT, it was the responsibility of priests, judges and kings to enforce the law.

Jesus delegated the New Covenant commandments into the hands of the Apostles, that in turn became the Apostle’s doctrine entrusted to the early Jewish Christian church.

With Israel being set aside during the Acts period and the emergence of Paul, as the apostle to the Gentiles, a new lineage of godliness was being put in place. The kingdom gospel began to fizzle out along with God beginning to save not only Gentiles by grace, but also a remnant of Israel by grace without works (Rom 11:5-6). With the delay of the return of Christ, now becoming more inevitable, a line of instruction had to be put in place as how to reflect righteousness and godliness, during a period of time in which obedience, to the Mosaic commandments, was no longer a basis for such.

The following diagram reflects this lineage of godliness:

Church's Great Commission A

Lineage of Godliness B

Lineage of Godliness

1 Tim 3:14-16

1 Timothy 3:14-16 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

But if I tarry long
that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God
which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth

The Risen Christ

Acts 26:12-18

Paul

Tit 1:1-3

1Tim 1:16; 6:3

Paul's Appointees

Timothy

2Tim 1:6

2Tim 4:5

Titus

Tit 1:5

Appointee's Appointees

Elders & Deacons

1Tim 1:3 & chap's. 3&5

Tit 1:5-9

The Household of God

(1Tim 3:15; Tit 2:1)

Aged Men

Tit 2:2; 1Tim 2:8; 5:1, 8

Young Men

Tit 2:6-8

Aged Women

Tit 2:3; 1Tim 2:9-15; 5:2-7, 9-13

Paul's Helpers

Aquila & Priscilla

Acts 18:24-28

Apollos

Apostles

Peter

2Pet 1:1-12

'established in the present truth'

2Pet 3:9-18

'wisdom & epistles of Paul'

'grow in grace & knowledge'

Acts Jewish Christians

Grace believers

Sound Doctrine

1Tim 1:3; charge some that they teach no other doctrine

1Tim 1:10-11; sound doctrine... which was committed to my trust

1Tim 4:6; of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained

1Tim 4:16; unto the doctrine... shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee

1Tim 5:17; Let the elders that rule well... who labour in the word and doctrine

1Tim 6:1; that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed

2Tim 1:13; Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me

2Tim 3:10; But thou hast fully known my doctrine

2Tim 3:16; All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine

2Tim 4:2; Preach the word... exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine

Tit 1:9; may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince

Tit 2:1; But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine

Tit 2:7; shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine...

Tit 2:10; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things

Warnings!

1Tim 4:1-3; For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine

2Tim 3:1-7; Having a form of godliness... never able to come to the knowledge of the truth

2Tim 4:1-4; the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine

Young Women

Tit 2:4-5; 1Tim 5:14

Why Paul and Not Peter?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. However, sound doctrine under one dispensation is not necessary sound doctrine under another. If church elders, deacons, elderly men, younger men, elderly women and younger women, want sound doctrine written specifically for them in instruction for righteousness and godliness, they will find it within the epistles written by God’s appointed apostle to the Gentiles, for within this dispensation of the grace of God.

In closing this chapter, a question will be asked, of the serious student of the word of God, relating to Paul as our appointed apostle for instruction to be passed along. Why wasn't it Peter, who is considered a founding apostle of the church, given the responsibility of communicating the doctrine contained within the Pauline epistles? In other words... why didn't God just have Peter write the book of Romans? Didn't Peter open the kingdom gates to the household of Cornelius?

If Peter’s proposed ‘great commission’ timeline included Gentiles, as interpreted by most in Matthew 28:18-20, why then wasn’t Peter committed with the in depth Pauline sound doctrinal truths, relating to the church today? When the Lord Jesus opened the Apostle's understanding, as to His death and resurrection (Luke 24:45-53), it was in view of prophetic fulfillment in still carrying out the kingdom offer to Israel!

Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith

The effectiveness of Paul’s apostleship can only be reflected today by those men, women and children who are obedient to ‘the faith’, as ascribed by their apostle.

Why not Peter?

Paul an apostle

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