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God's Sovereignty in Apostolic Ministry Calling and Appointment

God's sovereignty in the calling and appointment of individuals to apostolic ministry is a recurring theme in biblical texts and theological interpretation. This divine initiative is understood as foundational to the legitimacy and authority of those who serve in such capacities [1, 6].

The term "apostle" originally referred to the twelve disciples whom Jesus specifically chose and sent forth to preach the gospel and remain with him during his earthly ministry [4]. However, the term also appears to have been used in a broader, non-official sense for other Christian messengers and teachers [4]. The calling of these individuals is consistently presented as originating from God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit [6]. For instance, Paul identifies himself as "called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God" [15]. Similarly, ministers are described as "called by God" and "commissioned by Christ" [1].

The concept of "calling" in a general sense refers to a profession or vocation [3]. In a spiritual context, it encompasses God's designation of individuals for special offices, such as the apostles, and his invitation to accept his grace [5]. This divine call is not merely an external summons but an internal and effectual one, leading to grace and future glory [13]. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, explains that this calling is an "effectual call by special grace" [13]. The apostle Paul emphasizes the irrevocability of God's gifts and calling, indicating its enduring nature [9].

The selection of the apostles by Christ illustrates this sovereign choice. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, notes that Christ "goes up into a mountain" to pray before choosing the twelve apostles, highlighting the solemnity and divine origin of their appointment [10]. He further states that "it is Christ's work to put men into the ministry," and those he calls, he also qualifies [14]. This perspective underscores that human agency does not initiate this calling; rather, it is a divine act.

The election of individuals to office, honor, and privilege is a broader biblical concept, exemplified by figures like Abraham, Jacob, David, and Solomon, who were chosen by God for their respective roles [2]. This principle extends to the apostles, who were specifically chosen for their unique ministry [2]. The apostle Paul received "grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith" [8]. This demonstrates a specific divine purpose in his appointment.

Ministers, including apostles, are seen as servants of God, chosen and ordained by Him [12]. They are described as "ambassadors for Christ," "ministers of Christ," and "stewards of the mysteries of God" [1]. Their authority is derived from God and is intended for edification [1]. The ability to minister effectively is also attributed to God's provision, as stated in 1 Peter 4:11: "If any man minister, let him do it as of the abilitie which God ministreth, that God in al things may be glorified through Iesus Christ" [7]. This passage reinforces the idea that even the capacity to fulfill the calling is divinely supplied.

The calling of apostles is often linked to God's broader plan of election. John Gill connects the calling of individuals to election, stating that "from election the apostle proceeds to calling, the fruit and evidence of it" [11]. This suggests that the specific calling to apostolic ministry is an outworking of God's eternal purpose. The ultimate goal of this divine appointment is the glory of God through Jesus Christ [7].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ministers — Called by God -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4. Qualified by God -- Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6. Commissioned by Christ -- Mt 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2,4. Have authority from God -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Authority of, is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Separated to the gospel -- Ro 1:1. Entrusted with the gospel -- 1Th 2:4. Described as Ambassadors for Christ. -- 2Co 5:20. Ministers of Christ. -- 1Co 4:1. Stewards of the mysteries of God. -- 1Co 4:1. Defenders of the faith. -- Php 1:7. The servants of Christ's people. -- 2Co 4:5. Specially protected by God -- ”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Calling — A profession, or as we usually say, a vocation (1 Cor. 7:20). The "hope of your calling" in Eph. 4:4 is the hope resulting from your being called into the kingdom of God.”
  4. 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”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Call — (1.) To cry for help, hence to pray (Gen. 4:26). Thus men are said to "call upon the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:21; 7:59; 9:14; Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 1:2). (2.) God calls with respect to men when he designates them to some special office (Ex. 31:2; Isa. 22:20; Acts 13:2), and when he invites them to accept his offered grace (Matt. 9:13; 11:28; 22:4). In the message of the gospel his call is addressed to all men, to Jews and Gentiles alike (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rom. 9:24, 25). But this universal call is not inseparably connected with salvation, although it leav”
  6. 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”
  7. I Peter “I Peter 4:11 (Geneva1599) — If any man speake, let him speake as the wordes of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the abilitie which God ministreth, that God in al things may be glorified through Iesus Christ, to whome is prayse and dominion for euer, and euer, Amen.”
  8. Romans “Romans 1:5 (BSB) — Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.”
  9. Romans “Romans 11:29 (NASB) — for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
  10. Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 3:13: In these verses, we have, I. The choice Christ made of the twelve apostles to be his constant followers and attendants, and to be sent abroad as there was occasion, to preach the gospel. Observe, 1. The introduction to this call or promotion of disciples; He goes up into a mountain, and his errand thither was to pray. Ministers must be set apart with solemn prayer for the pouring out of the Spirit upon them; though Christ had authority to confer the gifts of the Holy Ghost, yet, to set us an example, he prayed for them. 2. The rule he went by in his choice, and that”
  11. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 9:23: Even us whom he hath called,.... From election the apostle proceeds to calling, the fruit and evidence of it, taking the same method he did in Rom 8:30, with a view to treat of the call of the Gentiles, of which he afterwards gives proof from prophecy; whence it appears to be according to divine predestination, upon which prophecy is founded; for God foretells that such a thing will be, because he has foreordained it shall be. These words are explanative of the former, and show who the vessels of mercy are; they are such whom God calls by his grace. Election may be kn”
  12. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 22:3: And sent forth his servants,.... The ministers of the Gospel, who are the servants of the most high God, of his choosing and ordaining, of his calling and sending, and of his qualifying and employing, and who voluntarily and cheerfully serve him; and may intend John the Baptist, and the twelve apostles of Christ, who were sent to call them that were bidden to the wedding; "those that were called", as in Sa1 9:13 by whom are meant the Jews, who were the "bidden", or "called ones"; called of God, and therefore styled "Israel my called" Isa 48:12 and by the Targum int”
  13. 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:10: Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence,.... To exercise the afore mentioned graces, and to perform the above duties, since this is the way to make your calling and election sure; by calling is not meant a call to any office in the church, nor an external call, either by the voice of nature, or by the ministry of the word; but an internal and effectual call by special grace, to grace here, and glory hereafter; instead of "calling", the Alexandrian copy reads, "comfort": and by "election" is meant, not a national, nor church election, but a particular and per”
  14. 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 1:12: Here the apostle, I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him into the ministry. Observe, 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the ministry, Act 26:16, Act 26:17. God condemned the false prophets among the Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer 23:21. Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church. 2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls he qualifies. ”
  15. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: 3 Homily I. 1 Cor. i. 1–3 Paul, called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, with all that call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, their Lord and ours: Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [1.] See how immediately, from the very beginning, he casts down their pride, and dashes to the ground all their fond imagination, in that he speaks”
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