Topic: Book of Romans
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name… (Romans 1:5 KJV)
We cannot just receive the grace and apostleship without producing obedience based on faith. Romans 5:1-5 tell us, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
The definition of faith is a belief in or confident attitude toward God, involving commitment to His will for one’s life. It is more than just believing. James tells us that if we have faith without action is considered as dead (cf. 2:20). In the same way, we have to take action to receive grace and apostleship. As we studied earlier in this series, Paul didn’t deserve to be called apostle, but God choose him to be missionary to reach to Gentiles for His sake. Even though he went through many hardships to spread the gospel to the Gentile nations, Paul obeyed God and took actions to do his assignment.
We cannot build the church without purpose. Nor can we be in apostleship without reasoning. Jesus gave us the Great Commission with purpose—purpose for us to reach other people into relationship with God. If we are called as children of God, then we have to obey God’s Words. There is no shortcut to receive the title of apostleship. And there is no greater office seat when we would become apostles or pastors. The five-fold ministry is not about taking charge over the ministries, but take lead to help the other brothers and sisters in the church.
Pastors, teachers, prophets, deacons, and evangelists are not separated from their church members. They have to follow the Great Commission as the rest of members. They have to take action to activate their faiths. If we want to live for God, we all need to obey Him and take action to do according to His will.
