Apostles & Prophets: Their Roles in the Past, the Present, and the Last DaysSample

Apostle: An Admiral on Assignment

The ancient Greek word apostolos — the New Testament word for an apostle — was used in a maritime sense to picture a highly powered admiral and his specialized crew who were sent off with all the cargo and belongings needed to sustain them and to establish a civilization where it had been nonexistent. That admiral — called the apostle — along with his specialized crew, set sail to virgin lands where they disembarked and settled down to establish life as they believed it should be.

Once on land after they disembarked, the admiral — apostolos —became the team’s on-the-ground, onsite leader, who then led the entire crew as they established and constructed a new community that had never existed before. These specially trained crews were dispatched under the leadership of their apostle to spread their culture and influence across the world.

Due to the nature of the apostolos or apostle’s assignment, it was impossible for him to travel alone or to attempt to do this job by himself. So again, we see that this man who was initially an admiral of a specialized fleet of ships then became a high-powered leader once on the ground, leading the establishing of a new colony and civilization.

The daunting task before him was so huge that he found it necessary to work side by side with an apostolic crew. It required him to think as a team leader and to depend on his fellow team members and associates to help him in constructing the new colony. Once on land, the admiral — that is, the apostolos — along with his apostolic team immediately surveyed the new location to identify challenges, difficulties, and whatever advantages they could find there.

Once this first step concluded, they began the difficult process of transforming a strange land. It required commitment to the task, endurance to withstand opposition, and stamina to brave the obstacles as they began the process of replicating life as they believed it should be.

Questions to Discuss:

Does this maritime illustration give you insight into the actual operational purpose of an apostle? Can an apostle do his work alone or is it necessary to have others called alongside to assist him in fulfilling his assignment?