Role of Apostles in Establishing Church Governance
The apostles played a crucial role in establishing church governance, as evident in the New Testament accounts. Jesus Christ chose twelve apostles to be with him and to be sent forth to preach the gospel [1]. These apostles were entrusted with the organization of the early Christian church and the dissemination of Jesus' teachings [1, 2].
The apostles' role in church governance is highlighted in Acts 15:6, where they gathered with other church leaders to discuss important issues [3]. The apostles were also instrumental in establishing order and structure within the church. According to 1 Corinthians 12:28, God appointed apostles, prophets, and teachers within the church, with apostles being the first mentioned [4, 5].
The apostles' authority was not limited to their role as missionary evangelists; they also played a key role in establishing and guiding local churches. In Acts 14:23, the apostles ordained elders in every church, demonstrating their involvement in the governance of local congregations [18]. This pattern of apostolic oversight is also reflected in the writings of the apostles, such as in Ephesians 2:20, where the church is described as being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets [17].
Different Christian traditions have understood the role of apostles in church governance in various ways. Some, like the Presbyterian tradition, emphasize the importance of apostolic succession and the role of church leaders in maintaining continuity with the apostolic era [10, 19]. Others, such as the Baptist/Reformed tradition, focus on the apostles' role in establishing local churches and guiding their development [11, 18].
The New Testament also highlights the apostles' role in promoting unity within the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, the apostle Paul uses the metaphor of the body to describe the church, emphasizing the importance of diverse members working together in harmony [9, 14, 15]. This emphasis on unity is also reflected in Ephesians 4:11, where the risen Christ is said to have given gifts to the church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers [19].
The apostles' legacy continues to shape church governance today. While the specific roles and structures established by the apostles have evolved over time, their emphasis on unity, order, and the importance of church leadership remains a cornerstone of Christian tradition [12, 13, 16].
In the early Christian church, the apostles were seen as authoritative figures, guiding the development of the church and providing a foundation for its governance. As the church continues to evolve, understanding the role of the apostles in establishing church governance remains essential for appreciating the complexities of Christian tradition and practice. The apostles' role in shaping the early church's structure and promoting unity within it continues to influence Christian thought and practice today [6, 7, 8].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb. 3:1; John 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Matt. 10:1-5; Mark 3:14; 6:7; Luke 6:13; 9:1). We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Acts (1:13). No two of these lists”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — (one sent forth), in the New Testament originally the official name of those twelve of the disciples whom Jesus chose to send forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the course of his ministry on earth. The word also appears to have been used in a non-official sense to designate a much wider circle of Christian messengers and teachers See (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philemon 2:25) It is only of those who were officially designated apostles that we treat in the article. Their names are given in (Matthew 10:2-4) and Christ's charge to them in the r”
- Acts “Acts 15:6 (BBE) — And the Apostles and the rulers of the church came together and gave thought to the question.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 12:28 — And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 12:28 (LITV) — And God placed some in the church: firstly apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; then works of power; then gifts of healing, helps, governings, kinds of languages.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Acts Of The Apostles — the fifth book in the New testament and the second treatise by the author of the third Gospel, traditionally known as Luke. The book commences with an inscription to one Theophilus, who was probably a man of birth and station. The readers were evidently intended to be the members of the Christian Church, whether Jews or Gentiles; for its contents are such as are of the utmost consequence to the whole Church. They are the fulfillment of the promise of the Father by the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the results of that outpouring by the dispersi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Apostles, The — Christ pre-eminently called "The Apostle" -- Heb 3:1. Ordained by Christ -- Mr 3:14; Joh 15:16. Received their title from Christ -- Lu 6:13. Called by God. -- 1Co 1:1; 12:28; Ga 1:1,15,16. Christ. -- Mt 10:1; Mr 3:13; Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. The Holy Spirit. -- Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. Were unlearned men -- Ac 4:13. Selected from obscure stations -- Mt 4:18. Sent first to the house of Israel -- Mt 10:5,6; Lu 24:47; Ac 13:46. Sent to preach the gospel to all nations -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15; 2Ti 1:11. Christ always present with -- Mt 28:20. Warned against a timid p”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:20: 2:20 Apostles are missionary evangelists commissioned by God. • Here, the prophets appear to be New Testament prophets, not Old Testament ones (see 3:5; 4:11; see also 1 Cor 12:10, 28-29; 14:1-5, 22-24, 29-32, 39; cp. Acts 13:1; 19:6; 21:9-10). In both the Old Testament and New Testament, prophets are not primarily predictors of the future but are empowered to speak a message from God (see 1 Cor 12:10). • The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (or on the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets)—that is, on their faithful wit”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 14:23: And when they had ordained them elders in every church,.... As soon as ever any number of disciples were made, or souls were converted to Christ in any place, they were at once formed, by the apostles, into a church state; and as the gifts, as well as the grace of the Holy Ghost, attended the ministry of the word, so among those that were converted, there were some that were honoured with ministerial gifts, qualifying them to preach the Gospel, and take upon them the care of the churches: these the apostles directed the churches to look out from among themselves, as in”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:11: Greek, emphatical. "Himself" by His supreme power. "It is HE that gave," &c. gave some, apostles--Translate, "some to be apostles, and some to be prophets," &c. The men who filled the office, no less than the office itself, were a divine gift [EADIE]. Ministers did not give themselves. Compare with the list here, Co1 12:10, Co1 12:28. As the apostles, prophets, and evangelists were special and extraordinary ministers, so "pastors and teachers" are the ordinary stated ministers of a particular flock, including, probably, the bishops, presbyters, an”