Being an Apostolic Church – Colossians 1:1,2

Why do we have churches that describe themselves as apostolic, or church of Christ, or with unusual names like Beaver Lick, I Am That I Am, Flippin Church of God, Boring United Methodist, Half Way Baptist, Little Hope Baptist, Greater Macedonia Fire Baptized Holiness Church of God of the Americas, Run For Your Life International Chapel, Original Church of God, Undenominational Holiness Church, TheSketch, Objective Church, Propulsion Church, Churchopia and Churchopolis? Too often the name is motivated by the belief that our church alone is carrying the torch of truth.

But whether the name is in our church name or not, all of us must be apostolic churches. Right?

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:1-2, ESV)

As far as we know, Paul never visited Colossae. We infer this from his comments in this letter that he “heard of their faith” (1:4), that their teacher was Epaphras (1:7), and that he had not seen them “face to face” (2:1). Nevertheless, he speaks authoritatively to them as their apostle, indicating that not only did he reserve this right as the apostle to the Gentiles but that as the mentor of Epaphras he was indirectly the Colossians’ mentor as well.

The apostles were the authorized transmitters of the teachings of Jesus and of the events, and interpretation of the events, of his life. We are apostolic Christians if we follow and obey the teachings of Jesus through the apostles. This is why the church gave such attention to ascertaining exactly what were and what were not the authentic writings of the apostles. Peter in his second letter tells us that Paul’s writings were considered Scripture and we may presume that his were as well. They were the Scriptures of the new covenant era even as the Old Testament was for the era prior to the coming of the new covenant. The New Testament Scriptures were for the impartation of truth concerning the new covenant that Messiah Jesus implemented by his death and resurrection.

So it is important for us to be “apostolic” Christians and follow the teaching of Peter, Matthew, Mark, John, members of the original 12, and those who directly knew Jesus (James and Jude) or, like Paul, were given visions of him and designated apostles beyond the 12. Paul includes Timothy in his greeting, not because Timothy was an apostle, but because he was recognized as Paul’s associate and may have been the one who did the actual writing as Paul dictated this letter to him.

As in all but one of his letters (Galatians) Paul blesses the recipients with grace and peace from God. “Grace” was the common greeting among Greeks, “Shalom” or “peace” that among Jews. In some ways they are synonymous, a wishing of God’s blessing that brings wholeness and spiritual prosperity, but each unique in emphasis, the one, grace, speaking of God’s unmerited favor as demonstrated in the forgiveness we received in Jesus Christ, and in the other, shalom, speaking of the peace with God that comes from receiving such forgiveness.

Paul addresses all the “saints” (holy ones, holy positionally because we are holy in Christ) and “faithful” believers, one and the same group in Paul’s mind and constituting the church in that city. Paul understood that there could be members of this church, or better, those who identified themselves as part of this local church, who were not genuine believers. Jesus had told parables about how unbelievers would be drawn to believers and mix with them and be sifted out during the final judgment (Matthew 13:36-43). Unbelievers may also be sifted out as their doctrine or behavior identifies them as false brothers and sisters (1 John speaks of this).

This letter will be highlighting true doctrine and practice in contrast to false teaching. It may have a sifting effect in our lives. Are we apostolic Christians?