Resurrection and Apostleship

Preamble

It is interesting that in the New Testament apostleship is in some way associated with the resurrection of Jesus.  This is yet another clue as to the significance of the resurrection for the early church.

Acts 1:21-22

When the replacement for Judas was sought it is stated that the candidate is to have "accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us--one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection."  This might not be that significant since the reference might be just to the entirety of Jesus ministry from beginning to end (ascension).  However, the resurrection is explicitly mentioned and since the ascension is known by Luke (Lk. 24:51, Acts 1:9), the evidence points to the conclusion that the resurrection is not to be just a marker for the end of Jesus' earthly ministry.  Anyway, to see the ascension of Jesus is to have seen the resurrected Jesus.  Notice also that the death of Jesus is not mentioned.  Of course this can be explained by the simple fact that not many actually saw Jesus' crucifixion.  But, Luke tends to summarize Jesus' earthly sojourn using the word "suffering", which though includes his death, is not restricted to his death (see especially 18:31-33).  Therefore, the death of Jesus is not singled out as an event which qualifies for apostleship.

1 Corinthians 9:1

Paul defends himself by asking, "Am I not free?  Am I not an apostle?  Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?"  It has been pointed out that "Jesus our Lord" is really a t.t. for the risen Jesus.  The implication is that since Paul has seen the risen Jesus he can claim a special status in the Christian community.  This is brought out clearly in the next passage.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Paul summarizes the gospel and then lists all the witnesses to the resurrection:

• Cephas
• the twelve
• over 500 brothers
• James
• all the apostles
• Paul

Paul states that he is the last one to see the risen Jesus and is therefore the least of the apostles.  The implication is that seeing the risen Jesus is part of what it means to be an apostle.

Theological Upshot

It is important that apostleship is connected to being a witness of Jesus' resurrection.  I think the reason for this is a clue to the importance of the resurrection in early Christianity.  Being a witness to the resurrected Jesus is important because the resurrection of Jesus is part and parcel to the gospel message!  This is proven in Acts and in the letters of Paul.