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A Model for Fruitful Ministry (1/25/26)
In this letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul refers to himself and the rest of his team as “apostles” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). The New Testament word is apŏstŏlŏs, a word that means “delegate” or “representative.” They came on behalf of Jesus Christ.
I got curious about how languages other than English had translated apŏstŏlŏs. In Spanish, it is apóstol. That word is usually translated “chief disciple.” In French, it is apôtres, a word often rendered “advocate for a cause.” The Russian word is anoctophbl, which some folks have said means “enthusiast.” In German, this verse uses apostel; one way to translate that is “someone who is sent out.” The Chinese word shĭtũ is sometimes said to mean “follower” or “protégé.”
Each of these translations opens up an emphasis on what an apostle is and what an apostle does. One way that encourages me is to realize that apostles of Jesus Christ have one thing in common; that one thing is Jesus Christ. That means that the ways in which we express that relationship with Christ will vary from time and place and person. We are gifted in different ways and express our relationships with Jesus Christ in differing ways.
Acts 17:1-9 tells of a visit Paul and Silas made to Thessalonica. It did not go well. Some of the leaders of the town accused Paul and Silas as coming to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They meant that as an insult and a legal charge against Paul and Silas, but I cannot help but wonder if we Christians might actually have a calling to turn the world upside down. The world’s values are not the values of Jesus Christ. In a Sunday School class I attended we got into a major discussion, comparing “profit” and “prophet.” The world judges by profit; the Gospel judges by prophet.
I met some values in this focal text. There is value in expressing thanks for the richness of our community relationships. There is value in letting others know how much they mean to you. There is value in renewing contacts that have nourished us. There is value in letting others know of the spiritual gifts we see in them. No wonder Paul wanted to go back to Thessalonica!
What would Paul write to your congregation?
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By NC Conference of The UMCIn this letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul refers to himself and the rest of his team as “apostles” (1 Thessalonians 2:7). The New Testament word is apŏstŏlŏs, a word that means “delegate” or “representative.” They came on behalf of Jesus Christ.
I got curious about how languages other than English had translated apŏstŏlŏs. In Spanish, it is apóstol. That word is usually translated “chief disciple.” In French, it is apôtres, a word often rendered “advocate for a cause.” The Russian word is anoctophbl, which some folks have said means “enthusiast.” In German, this verse uses apostel; one way to translate that is “someone who is sent out.” The Chinese word shĭtũ is sometimes said to mean “follower” or “protégé.”
Each of these translations opens up an emphasis on what an apostle is and what an apostle does. One way that encourages me is to realize that apostles of Jesus Christ have one thing in common; that one thing is Jesus Christ. That means that the ways in which we express that relationship with Christ will vary from time and place and person. We are gifted in different ways and express our relationships with Jesus Christ in differing ways.
Acts 17:1-9 tells of a visit Paul and Silas made to Thessalonica. It did not go well. Some of the leaders of the town accused Paul and Silas as coming to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They meant that as an insult and a legal charge against Paul and Silas, but I cannot help but wonder if we Christians might actually have a calling to turn the world upside down. The world’s values are not the values of Jesus Christ. In a Sunday School class I attended we got into a major discussion, comparing “profit” and “prophet.” The world judges by profit; the Gospel judges by prophet.
I met some values in this focal text. There is value in expressing thanks for the richness of our community relationships. There is value in letting others know how much they mean to you. There is value in renewing contacts that have nourished us. There is value in letting others know of the spiritual gifts we see in them. No wonder Paul wanted to go back to Thessalonica!
What would Paul write to your congregation?