October 28, 2007 / Volume 11, Issue 43
The Apostles Of Christ
Part 7
This is the final week of our survey of the twelve apostles who walked with Jesus during the years of His earthly ministry. In previous weeks, we have looked at those who were chosen by the Lord at the beginning of His earthly ministry. However, there are two additional men who were called by Jesus to be apostles, Matthias and Saul of Tarsus. We consider them today.
MATTHIAS
After the Lord's ascension, but prior to the outpouring of the Spirit upon the apostles, Peter addressed those gathered in Jerusalem, indicating that one must be chosen to take the place of Judas among the apostles (Acts 1:15-22). Two were selected, a man named Joseph, and another named Matthias (Acts 1:23). Having prayed and cast their lots, it was revealed to the disciples that Matthias should be "...numbered with the eleven apostles." (Acts 1:24-26).
We know no personal details about Matthias. The only mention of him in Scripture is found in the text mentioned above. That said, some important characteristics are attributed to the one who would replace Judas. Notice, Matthias:
- accompanied them throughout the Lord's ministry (v 21);
- commissioned to be a witness with them (v 22).
SAUL OF TARSUS
When we first meet Saul of Tarsus, he is an enemy of Christ. He had consented to the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1), and watched over the garments of those who were casting stones to kill him (Acts 7:58). Luke reports that "...he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison." (Acts 8:3)
Saul's pursual of those who served Christ bordered on obsession. Not content to persecute the disciples at Jerusalem, he sought permission from the high priest to pursue those who were in Damascus also (Acts 9:1-2). However, meeting the Lord on the way there (Acts 9:3-6), Saul's life would be changed. Coming to Damascus, Saul learned the gospel through the teaching of Ananias (Acts 9:13-17; 22:15-16), and became a disciple of Christ himself. With the exception of chapters 10-11, the remainder of the book of Acts follows the preaching activity of Saul of Tarsus, thereafter known as Paul.
Paul, "...a chosen vessel..." of the Lord's (Acts 9:15) would eventually travel on three missionary journeys, establishing several churches. Also, he would write epistles to various churches and individuals. The Scriptures mention a fourth trip of Paul, though it was not on his own accord. Arrested in Jerusalem, circumstances worked such that he eventually came before the emperor in Rome. From the record of 1 & 2 Timothy, it seems that Paul was released from custody for a time, before being rearrested, and eventually put to death.
These two apostles were not of the original number selected, but when added by the Lord, they were equal to the rest. Matthias, like most of the apostles, worked in the shadows, no record of his labours. Paul on the other hand, had more recorded of him and by him than any other apostle. Popularity is neither here nor there, faithfulness is essential. These apostles, along with all the rest, except Judas, served until death faithfully. May we do likewise as God's servants today.
Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
When did Jehoash become king of Israel? Was it at least 40 years after Joash became king (2 Kings 13:1) or in the 37th year of Joash's reign (2 Kings 13:10)? Is there a contradiction?
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