KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 1:1 KJV” Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;”

Apostle Paul introduces himself by the mandate he has from God. He says he is an apostle of Jesus Christ. The word apostle is the Greek word ‘apostolus’, which means one delegated to fulfil a mission. It also means a messenger or one sent forth with orders. Paul did not send himself. In Acts of the Apostles 26:16,17, the Lord said the following to himAct 26:16 KJV” But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things. Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;” In the preceding verses, the Lord appeared to Paul and instructed him to take the gospel to the gentile world. This task was keenly executed by him to the letter. Rom 15:19 KJV “Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” Speaking about the journey from Jerusalem to Illyricum can be compared to traversing the whole of Africa, for example, from Cairo in Egypt to Cape Town in South Africa. Although not every one of us may have the same apostolic mandate as Paul had, every Christian has been commissioned to go to his world and share the good news with all that we encounter.

Secondly, he said he is an apostle through the command of God our Saviour. Please take note of the fact that God is called our Saviour. In Titus 1:3, the apostle Paul reflects on the fact that God is our saviour. Tit 1:3 KJV” But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;” The bible clearly establishes that our lord Jesus is our saviour. Mat 1:21 KJV” And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”.The name of the Lord Jesus means Jehovah is saviour. This statement clearly reveals that Jesus and God the Father are one. Let’s consider a prophecy of Isaiah concerning Jesus, which states the following: Isa 9:6 KJV” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. From this verse, we see that the Lord Jesus is called the everlasting Father. This statement reveals that the father is one with the son. The Lord Jesus is the creator of the Universe.

Apostle Paul refers to our Lord Jesus as our hope. This statement refers to the ultimate return of our Lord Jesus. This is our hope, and our activities must be done in the light of His coming 1Jn 3:3 KJV “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” Paul reminds Timothy that he’s got to maintain the hope of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This consciousness would make you serve diligently and uprightly as well.

THOUGHT: JESUS IS GOD AND YOU MUST LIVE IN EXPECTATION OF HIS RETURN

FURTHER STUDIES

1Ti 3:16 KJV “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Act 1:11 KJV” Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”