New Series – 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 1:1

1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthians by identifying himself and establishing his credentials.  Paul establishes himself in a way to be modeled by every believer, writing of three distinguishing marks describing how he should be viewed by the world:

 

1.  “Paul, called as an apostle…” |   Paul has been invited, or appointed (called | kleetos) as an ambassador of the Gospel / an officially sanctioned delegate (apostle | apostolos).

 

1. “…of Jesus Christ…”  |  This is a description of Paul’s calling.  Paul has been invited or appointed to be an officially sanctioned ambassador/messenger of Jesus Christ.

 

1. “…by the will of God,” |  The will (theleematos) means the choice, desire or pleasure or God.  Literally, “by God’s choosing”.

 

Paul also mentions that he is with Sosthenes, a former ruler of the synagogue at Corinth that had become a believer under Paul’s teachings.  This mention of Sosthenes, lends more weight to Paul’s words because of the lasting relationship with a former religious leader from the town to which he’s writing.

 

As believers we are divinely called.  Part of our Christian credentials include this calling. No one becomes a believer in Christ as Lord and Savior unless called by God.

 

John 6:44

44 “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.

           

Every saved person has been called by God’s pleasure or desire to represent Jesus Christ on this earth during their physical lifetime.  Oh, how often we shake off our responsibilities as ambassadors for Christ by the lifestyles we lead or the omission of our testimonies!  The One that we have been appointed to represent is deserving of our best efforts and our exhausting energies.  Christian identification and legitimacy does not come from who our mouths say we are, but rather from the demonstration of a life representing Jesus Christ. We have church rolls bursting with those that profess to be Christians, but show no legitimacy of credentials in their actions.  Imagine if each one that professes Christ as Savior truly made Him Lord as well.  What a revival that would erupt!  What an insurgence of new believers that would fill our pews and how our altars would be stained with the tears of repentance! 

 

Application/Challenge:  As a believer, are your credentials established and if so are you legitimizing that position with a lifestyle indicative of the One that you represent?  Today, let us examine our Christian credentials and hold the document of our salvation and calling up to the light of Truth.  Will we be the ambassador for Jesus Christ that through His will God has called us to be?