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Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (9 of 15)

Focus Text: 2 Corinthians 5.18-20

Paul wrote, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5.18-20).

The descriptor which Paul applied to himself in the focus text is the word ambassador. This appellation is certainly one of great moment! Note that he said, “…We are ambassadors of Christ.” This distinction would be rivaled by no other! To be an ambassador of Christ involves significant responsibilities and liabilities. Paul rejoiced over such an honor and shouldered the responsibilities with great dignity. But, just what does it mean to be an ambassador of Christ? Does He have ambassadors today in the sense that Paul was an ambassador?

Just for the record, the word ambassador is used only two times in the New Testament, in the focus text and in Ephesians 6.20 where Paul declared himself to be “…an ambassador in chains.” In considering what Paul meant, one would need to note the fact that Paul included himself in the class of ambassadors, but he did not include all believers in that class; some believers were ambassadors and some were not. An ambassador, by definition, speaks and acts with the authority of one greater than himself. It should also be noted that an ambassador only possesses authority in the realm granted by the person for whom he speaks. In the world of politics and governments, it is commonly understood that the authority of an ambassador is limited to the country and specific matters in which and to which he is commissioned to speak. What does all this mean? Simply this, Paul was a spokesperson for Christ in as much as he spoke by direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He spoke with the authority of Christ and he also wrote with that same authority in producing what we recognize today as Holy Scriptures.

In the sense that Paul, Peter, John, James, Luke, and others were ambassadors of Christ, no man is an ambassador today. These inspired prophets had the authority to bind and loose in as mush as they spoke for Deity (see Matthew 16.19 & 18.18). The Lord Jesus Christ promised to guide these men into all truth (see John 16.13) and He kept His promise! Had the promise not been made and fulfilled, and had all truth not been revealed, we would yet need an ambassador in the sense that Paul was an ambassador. However, in as much as all truth has been revealed through the pages of the Holy Bible, the need for men to speak in the place of God (i.e. with His explicit authority) no longer exists.

As believers, we have a responsibility to live in a way that the world can see Christ living in us, but we are not ambassadors in the sense of the focus text; we do not speak for Christ; He speaks for Himself through His book! Live for Christ but make no claims which are not supported by Scripture! It is quite enough that we are God’s children and Jesus is our elder brother!

Questions:

1. How many times is the word ambassador(s) used in the New Testament? What author used it?

2. What is an ambassador? From whom does he derive authority? Is his authority limited? If yes, by whom?

3. Who promised to guide the apostles into all truth? Did He fulfill His promise?

4. How can we know with certainty the will of God today? Must we seek out an ambassador of Christ to know His will in our lives?

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Longing For God