How to respond to this post from a JW about Jesus being the "apostle"?

[MH84]

A while ago, a JW posted this statement about Jesus being referred to as an “apostle” (Heb 3:1):

Why was the word “apostle” appropriate to use for the group of men Jesus selected? What meaning did it have? Why was the same word used for Jesus?

Here’s why:

The Greek word a·po′sto·los is derived from the common verb a·po·stel′lo, meaning simply “send forth (or off).” (Mt 10:5; Mr 11:3) Its basic sense is clearly illustrated in Jesus’ statement: “A slave is not greater than his master, nor is one that is sent forth [a·po′sto·los] greater than the one that sent him.” (Joh 13:16) In this sense the word also applies to Christ Jesus as “the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Heb 3:1; compare Mt 10:40; 15:24; Lu 4:18,*43; 9:48; 10:16; Joh 3:17; 5:36,*38; 6:29,*57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; 17:3, 8, 18, 21-25; 20:21.) Jesus was sent forth by God as his appointed and commissioned representative.

While there were maybe a couple of responses to the above, I don’t think anyone responded to his statement comprehensively.

So, why is this statement wrong? Is he wrong? Do you feel comfortable with calling Jesus, “our Apostle”?

I have to admit I either couldnt remember reading this verse or I didnt pay attention to it. It was a bit alarming to read. Here is the verse:

NIV
**Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

NKJ
Hebrews 3:Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

RSV
1 Therefore, holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.**

www.crosswalk.com

These are some definitions of “apostle” found at dictionary.reference.com/browse/apostle:

1. any of the early followers of Jesus who carried the Christian message into the world.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) any of the original 12 disciples called by Jesus to preach the gospel: Simon Peter, the brothers James and John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas Iscariot.
3. the first or the best-known Christian missionary in any region or country.
4. Eastern Church. one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.
5. the title of the highest ecclesiastical official in certain Protestant sects.
6. (among the Jews of the Christian epoch) a title borne by persons sent on foreign missions.
7. a pioneer of any reform movement.

 

[MarkBrown]

I find nothing alarming about Holy Scripture calling Jesus, in one verse, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.

apostolos means emissary, sent one. One sent whose word has the authority of the one who sent him. Jesus was sent to save His people from their sins. The word has multiple meanings. Again as with the issue of deacon and WO, what is the content of scripture. This is a problem using one verse to try and prove a point. This is what the JW is trying to do and is playing upon fears and ignorance of the meanings (note more than one meaning) of the word.

The writer of Hebrews calling Jesus Apostle does not take away from His divinity. The rest of Hebrews confirms that. There is a section inStrongs Concordance of the Bible which deals with all the meanings of apostle, who was called apostle and the difference in calling Peter an Apostle and Junias an apostle (Romans 16:7). In 2 Cor 8:23 two unnamed brethern are called messangers (apostolos in greek) meaning sent ones of the churches.

This verse does not help the JW in his or her attempt to discredit the divinity of Jesus. Arianism was wrong then and it is wrong now. sic the little old grandmothers on him…they’ll straighten him out. As my grandmother use to tell me when I was a child and acted horribly…“boy, you got the devil in you…I love you so much I hav’ta beat that devil out of you for your own sake”.

 

[MH84]

I myself can’t recall any Christian saying that Jesus is the “apostle” of God. Obviously, the early Christians did not have a problem with it…

Its interesting especially when we consider that the Gospel of John was written after Hebrews, considering that John contains the highest Christology of all the New Testament.

 

[MH84]

Can Jesus be called “apostle”?

 

[Rbt_Southwell]

We can call Him the Way, the Vine, the Good Shepherd, the Door, the Bridegroom, the Vineyard owner, the Word, and especially, our Lord and King.

So, who cares if we call him “apostle”?

Do we have to BUILD a bogus sect around it, like the JWs???

Robert