Twelve is a significant number in the Bible. There were 12 tribes of Israel, and Jesus chose 12 disciples. He even chose 12 knowing there would be one who was a betrayer. So I imagine all the times Christ looked him in the eye, giving him every chance to follow and believe instead of choosing what he knew Judus would choose. Because, oh, the mercy of God.
With the significance of the number, it’s easy to see that the remaining disciples felt incomplete. The new covenant people needed to start with the same symbolism. So they prayed and chose a new disciple by casting lots.
I once heard a preacher say that the disciples chose Matthias, but God choose Paul. So who really was the final apostle? Or is the position still open?
Most of the time, I appreciate Paul’s sarcastic tone. Like when he says he is “in no way inferior to the so-called super apostles.” Irreverence intended. In fact, people might not have respected Paul because of his humility, weak eyes, or thorn in the flesh—instead preferring men who crown each other with awards and boast of their own credentials.
God is no respecter of persons. But humankind sure loves to elevate and diminish our fellow sojourners.
I’ve been ruminating about how we disregard some and ordain others, so this idea of the 12th apostle came to mind. When I searched out details, I discovered an article which argues that even though the Matthias isn’t mentioned again in the New Testament, neither are of most of the other disciples. Additionally, Matthias died as a martyr—just as most of the other disciples. So I laughed at myself, realizing I further proved my point by giving Paul more credence as the 12th disciple just because he got more airtime.
I’m reading Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster with my prayer partners and the writer says, “The history of religion is the story of an almost desperate scramble to have a king, mediator, a priest, a pastor, a go-between.” Don’t you love that language? I can picture the desperate scramble of humans fumbling on their hands and knees groping for a go-between, instead of God.
Foster says the reason is that interaction with God changes you. The Israelites wanted Moses to speak to God as a mediator, “lest they die,” so that they could “maintain religious respectability without the attendant risks.”
Attendant risks of change
You’ve probably heard it said that our church is not a proper body if it is one mouth and many ears. For decades, modern western Christianity has wanted to go about life the same as unbelievers, knowing one slice of the pie (our rightness before God) is taken care of by the pastor on our payroll. Then we can show up and enjoy a tidbit. Check. Just chose the right pastor.
“They can be saved, but they can’t be ordained.”
When someone told me this, part of my brain shut down and I lost reasoning faculties. So, I didn’t get the chance to clarify if he meant someone sleeping with his girlfriend was more ordainable than someone who wasn’t attracted to girls. Neither did I ask him, ordained for what? Teaching, hospitality, administration, prophecy, the role of elder?
It’s one thing to go to seminary so you can frame Goldleaf paper with several signatures of elite humans, and another to go so you might grope for God. So don’t defer undue reverence to the pulpit. Just the double portion due, and material needs.
For a time, I gave rides to a woman without a car. Someone at the Bible study discovered and applauded me for taking care of her. But she also mentioned that I should get authorized by the church as a mentor. Then, I could really do her some good. I didn’t bother to go into details that I received as much as I gave from this woman of God. But, I thought it was interesting that people even want minor acts of sharing to be confined under the banner of the corporation.
If you’re called by the unconfinable Spirit of God, you’re ordained in the truest sense. And, Believer, you are called by God.
There is a downside to acting autonomously, or living in a vacuum. You can create a kind of Petri dish where skewed doctrines thrive. But it isn’t like mega churches don’t go askew, hand-in-hand, following the piper and light show.
I am not opposed to coming under the covering of a brick and mortar church. But what does it mean if you have a specific call on your life? It means you follow God, not man.
One reason to have a proper church hierarchy in the large gatherings is to avoid chaos. I am sure you can think of other reasons. Add them to the comments.
But we can’t let just anyone who says they come in the name of God to place themselves in authority. In Acts 18:24-28, Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, so after some of his doctrine was corrected by a husband and wife team, the brethren sent him with letters of reference.
It matters who writes the letter
My mom remembers hearing an itinerant preacher as a girl. In retrospect, Jim Jones gave her the creeps. But I’m sure he had letters and phone calls preceding him which said, “You have got to hear this guy,” signed by someone important. He rode the wave of public endorsement at some point. You know, before he murdered his followers.
It’s easy to get frustrated with the way our modern church body operates. But instead of severing ourselves from the heart and life-flow, we need to ask what part we are and who ordains us.
And for what?
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)