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| In Tyndale's ‘Prologue to Romans’ he writes: “For as much as this epistle is the principle and most excellent part of the New Testament, and most pure Evangelism, that is to say glad tidings and that we call gospel, and also a light and a way in unto the whole scripture, I think it meet that every Christian man not only know it by rote and without the book, but also exercise himself therein evermore continually, as with the daily bread of the soul”. Luther's preface to the same book is very similar - it is, after all, possible that the two men may have met each other and, if so, it is probable that this epistle would have been the subject of much of their conversation!
The excellence of Romans is demonstrated even in the first six verses of chapter one, and it is the passage which we shall consider under the theme enunciated in the title above, bearing in mind the definition of an apostle as 'one who is sent by God.' Our consideration of this topic may conveniently be divided under the following headings:
The Apostle of the Gentiles (v1)
The Apostles of Old (v2)
The Apostles of our Profession (vv3 – 6 & Heb. 3 v 1)
The Apostle to the Gentiles (v 1)
This is, of course, Paul himself, the writer of the letter. Galatians 2 v 7 makes it plain that, whilst the main ministry of Peter was towards the Jewish people, Paul's commission was primarily Gentile orientated, even though he never lost his love for his own people (Rom. 9 v 3). And did he not testify before the crowd at Jerusalem that the Lord Himself had given the apostolic mandate “I will send thee from hence unto the Gentiles”. (Acts 22 v 21) Not that he glorified in this Divine appointment, for it is to be noted that he describes himself not firstly as an apostle, but as a servant i.e. a slave or bondman. It was en route to Rome, when his ship was in danger of being sunk with all hands, that Paul encouraged the crew by declaring that "there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve”. (Acts 27 v 23) Like a royal ambassador, he was sent, not to perform his own self-appointed task, but to be a representative of, and messenger for, his Sovereign. It was for this purpose that he was called, even as Moses was called to be a deliverer (Ex. 3 v 14), and Jeremiah to be a prophet (jet. 1 w 5-7). The Holy Spirit Himself confirmed this calling, probably through one of the prophets at Antioch, saying: “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” and this is re-emphasised in a subsequent verse "They, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost" (Acts 13 w 1- 4). A study of the life of Paul, as recorded in Scripture, will surely demonstrate that he conscientiously and consistently fulfilled his vocation until the day of his ultimate offering (2 Tim. 4 w 6 -7). May each one of us be as faithful as was "the apostle of the Gentiles" (Rom. 11 v 13) - whatever our individual callings may be - preacher, elder, deacon, help or “door-keeper in the house of the Lord" - for "one is your Master, even Christ" (Matt. 23 v 10).
The Apostles of Old ( v 2)
This verse speaks of the Prophets by whom God had prepared the way for the revelation of the Gospel, preached originally by Jesus Christ and subsequently by His followers. These prophets were surely as much apostles as their New Testament counterparts, for they too were sent by God. Gesenius* states "The prophet spoke words which he had divinely received and he was the messenger of God". Isaiah is a prime example. After his vision of the "lord ..high and lifted up" and his being cleansed from sin, he heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?"To this he responded ‘Here am I; send me’; after which he was given the commission "Go and tell this people". Truly Isaiah was a prophet, an Old Testament apostle, sent by God. (Is. 6) Moses, although strictly speaking not one of the prophets, is nevertheless equated with them ( Luke 24 v 27) and, like them, received a direct command from God: “I AM hath sent me unto you" (Ex. 3 v 14). Ezekiel also was clearly authorised by God, who spoke to him thus: "I send thee to the children of Israel" (Ezek. 2 v 3).
These instances, and others, demonstrate that both prophets and apostles were indeed Divinely appointed emissaries, accredited by the LORD Himself. Their ministries did, of course, differ in some ways: The apostles' task was that of preaching to the unconverted in a pioneer situation, founding churches which would later be transferred to the care of pastors, teachers, elders and deacons. The prophets, on the other hand, were concerned with the encouragement, rebuking and instructing of God's people Israel. Their utterances to the `unconverted' i.e. the heathen nations, were, in contrast to the message of salvation proclaimed by the apostles, words of condemnation in most instances. Apostles and prophets were sent by God. But is this not true also of every Christian believer? Even as the unknown disciple, Ananias, was sent to minister to Saul (Acts 9), so may every follower of the Lord, however humble their calling, know that they are "ambassadors for Christ" in this present evil world" (Gal. 1 v 4).
Finally, we consider Him of whom the prophets wrote, and of whom the apostles testified:
The Apostle of our Profession (vv3-6 & Heb.3v1)
None other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who was sent forth by God (Gal. 4 v 4) His Father (John 6 v 44). In verse 3 we see His humanity His ancestry – “made of the seed of David”. We do not, in every case, know much about the genealogies of many of the prophets and apostles, but in respect of the Great Apostle we are left in no doubt. Of Him the prophet writes (Is. 11 v 1): "There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse (David's father), and a Branch shall grow out of his roots”. And as Matthew and Luke both testify Jesus was indeed a direct descendant of Israel's second king, and the fulfilment of Nathan's prophecy: "Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever" (2 Sam. 7 v 16).
Then, in the next verse, we are confronted with His deity, for the Son of Man is also the Son of God.
God the Father testified to this truth (Matt. 3 v 17): "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”.
Jesus claimed it when He uttered those majestic words (John 8 v 58): "Before Abraham was, I am”. The angel announced it to Mary (Luke 1 v 35): "That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God".
Men confessed it e.g. the Ethiopian (Acts 8) said: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”.
Even the devils at Gergesenes acknowledged (Matt. 8 v 29): “Jesus, thou Son of God”.
And surely the greatest proof of His Divine nature is found in this fourth verse: "Declared to be the Son of God..... by the resurrection from the dead”.
Some years ago there was a false teacher who styled himself "Father Divine". Unfortunately for his followers, he died and, needless to say, did not emulate the miracle of the resurrection! Only the Son of God could declare with authority: `I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen” (Rev. 1 v 18)
Finally, in verses 5-6> His sovereignty is proclaimed. He is Sovereign in:- The call to service: "By whom we have received grace and apostleship"
The call to salvation: "obedience to the faith".
The call to all men: "among all nations" - not only to the Jews".
The call to be saints:"called of Jesus Christ" cf.lCor. lv 2 "Sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”.
The Apostle of our profession was truly "God manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3 v 16) and ever shall be Lord of all. We thank God for the witness of the prophets and of the apostles but, above all, render praise to the greatest Prophet and Apostle of all - to Him who is the “Author and Finisher of our faith”.
D.I. Johnson
* Gesenius: Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. |
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