1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
I believe that a community of faith is well served by shared meanings of words; that certain levels of understanding and agreement on key words contributes to that community’s corporate identity. It is difficult to have a meaningful dialogue when a word may have multiple definitions.
The word from today’s passage that begs for a common understanding is “apostle”. This word definitely has diverse meanings. I would like to try and stand in the middle and act as an interpreter. Half my friends come from the charismatic tributaries of Christianity. The other half do not. These two camps have significant problems talking to each other. Their joint strategy to maintain unity seems to be; maintain distance. Both camps confess the scriptures are inspired and authoritative but charismatics tend to look to the Holy Spirit more as Person with an active voice, not just the author and Interpreter of scripture. This issue is like the continental divide within Christianity. Two great rivers flowing in opposite directions.
My bible-only (or bible-mostly) friends look to this passage as one that adds clarity to their understanding of the word “apostle”. The scripture informs them that this type of apostle; 1) suffered mistreatment, 2) delivered the gospel amidst persecution, 3) always leveraged character above (and as evidence of) title, 4) His method was to live among and relate to believers on their level so that he could be an example, 5) His heart motivation was to see them walk in a manner “worthy” of God’s kingdom and glory, 6) His orientation to them was as a “mother” and as a “father”, tenderly and affectionately encouraging, exhorting, and imploring them with the word of God until It became a part of them. This is not an exhaustive list of apostolic attributes but it contributes to their understanding, as, I believe, it should.
The more charismatic side of my family has looked at the greek definition of that word and seen that it means; “one who is sent away; an emissary”. As those within particular tributaries have observed the giftings of certain individuals and watched their progress in their gift, they have honored those persons with the title of “apostle” (of that task they are called to). It can be confusing but I don’t believe it has to be divisive.
The passage today is using the word “apostle” as one with appointed and earned spiritual authority in the daily functioning Body of Christ. On the other hand, this more recent use of the title is referring more to a special “missional” apostle with a unique task that does not carry “governmental – ruling authority within the local Body.
If you come across a person with this title don’t run away. Just see if they are “fatherly” and “motherly”; determine if they are “connected” to and invested in the health of the Body. If they are, perhaps this is an apostle of the 1 Thessalonian 2 variety. If the person is living out a specific calling (or mission) and has been given that title (within the culture of their tributary) then honor is due them. They have proven themselves worthy of that title in that context.
I could imagine that if the original apostles were present (especially Paul) they might humbly suggest that no one use any titles to leverage (or lord) authority over another unless it was a large issue requiring the tried and true wisdom gained by walking close to the Spirit and the Word.
Father, one day all the tributaries and streams will merge and flow into an ocean of common understandings. We will then know as we have been known. Until that time may we be known to each other and by the world, by our love. And Lord, call them anything You want, but please raise up the fathers and the mothers. Amen.