Definition Of Apostle

Vatican today – June, 30, 2011

CLOSE SPIRITUAL UNION WITH ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

VATICAN CITY, 28 JUN 2011 (VIS) – This morning in the Vatican, in a traditional meeting for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul Apostles, Benedict XVI received a delegation sent by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. The Church of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople traditionally exchange visits for the feasts of their respective patrons.

The delegation, which delivered a message to the Holy Father on behalf of the Patriarch, was made up of His Eminence Emmanuel (Adenakis), metropolitan of France and director of the office of the Orthodox Church to the European Union; His Eminence Athenagoras (Yves Peckstadt), bishop of Sinope and auxiliary of the metropolitan of Belgium, and Archimandrite Maxime Pothos, vicar general of the metropolitan of Switzerland.

“Your participation in this our feast day, like the presence of our own representatives in Constantinople for the Feast of the Apostle Andrew, is an expression of the friendship and the authentic fraternity which unites the Church of Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, bonds which are solidly rooted in the faith received from the witness of the Apostles”, said the Pope in his remarks to the delegation. “The spiritual intimacy we experience each time we meet causes me profound joy and a sense of gratitude towards God. At the same time, however, the incomplete communion which already binds us must grow until it becomes full visible unity.

“We are carefully following the progress of the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches”, he added. “From a purely human perspective, one could get the impression that theological dialogue proceeds with difficulty. The truth is that its rhythm is linked to the complexity of the questions under discussion, which require extraordinary efforts of scholarship, of reflection, of mutual openness. We are called to continue this journey together in charity, asking the Holy Spirit to give us light and inspiration, in the certainty that He wishes to lead us to the complete fulfilment of Christ’s will: that all should be one”.

“In a historical context of violence, indifference and selfishness, many men and women of our time feel lost. Yet, with our shared witness of the truth of the Gospel, we can help mankind of our time to rediscover the path that leads to truth. The search for truth always coincides with the search for justice and peace, and it is with great joy that I note the prodigious efforts that His Holiness Bartholomew makes in this area”, said the Holy Father.

Disciple or Apostle, what is the difference? (Acts 1:21-26) | New ...

Have you ever wondered what the difference between a disciple and an apostle is?  Today  we will look at the difference between the two.

First we must look at what a disciple is.  The Apostles were called disciples before they were called Apostles.  Bill Bright from Campus Crusade for Christ had a great definition of a disciple.  Mr. Bright says that, “A disciple is one who loves God, our Lord Jesus Christ, with all his heart, soul, and mind, and tries to become more and more like him through a life of faith and obedience.”  Another description of a disciple is a student of Jesus. You and I could be called disciples of Jesus.

In the passage today we see the qualifications of an apostle.  Peter stood up and reminded the people about the tragedy of Judas.  Right after he reminded them of Judas, he makes a motion that someone fill the vacancy left by Judas.  Peter then told them of the qualifications of an Apostle.

1)Must have followed Jesus from the time of John’s baptism.

2)They must have seen the resurrected Jesus and His ascension.

What about the Apostle Paul?  He did not serve in the ministry of Jesus from the time of John’s baptism until the time of the ascension?  The list above was the qualifications to replace Judas as one of the original twelve.  If we look at Romans 1:1 we can see the definition the Apostle Paul gives us.  “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God”

If we look at the definition given in Romans it is one who is separated for the gospel of God.  Some believe the difference between a disciple and an apostle is the disciple is one who is a student of the Lord and tries to be more like Christ and an apostle is someone who is set apart to spread the Gospel (Missionary).  Some others believe that an apostle is someone who has seen Jesus in person.

We need not to get caught up in titles.  We should all be disciples of Jesus and doing the work of an evangelist.  With whichever definition you feel most comfortable with, we must agree you have to be a disciple before an apostle.

Justus and Matthias are the two candidates up for the replacement of Judas.  We do not know much of Justus and Matthias, but they must have been two well qualified individuals.  They must have beens so close that Peter and the people there that day had to cast lots.  The lots were cast for Matthias.  The casting of lots was used to determine the will of God before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost.  Since the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost there is not a need to cast lots to find the will of God any longer.  He reveals it to us through scripture and the Holy Spirit.

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