In the New Testament, Paul started out his first letter to Timothy by saying he was appointed to be an apostle by the command of his Lord. Here are his exact words: "This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 1:1). Since the word "apostle" means "one who is sent," Paul's assigned job was to carry out the instructions of the One who sent him—God Himself.