Grace

In Christian theology, "grace" is understood as the unmerited favor and love of God toward humanity. It is a foundational concept in the Bible, emphasizing that salvation and blessings are gifts from God, not earned by human effort. The Apostle Paul frequently discusses grace in his epistles, highlighting its centrality to the Christian faith.

The Berean Standard Bible captures this essence in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Here, grace is depicted as the divine means by which salvation is imparted, underscoring that it is a gift, not a reward for human deeds.

Grace is also seen as the sustaining power for the believer's life. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts the Lord's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." This passage illustrates that grace is not only the starting point of the Christian journey but also the sustaining force that empowers believers to endure trials and weaknesses.

Apostleship

Apostleship refers to the office and mission of an apostle, a term derived from the Greek "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." In the New Testament, apostles are those who are commissioned by Christ to spread the Gospel and establish the Church. The original apostles were the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus, with Paul later recognized as an apostle to the Gentiles.

Romans 1:5 states, "Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith." This verse highlights the dual gift of grace and apostleship, indicating that the authority and mission of an apostle are rooted in divine grace. Apostleship is not a self-appointed role but a divine calling, empowered by God's grace to fulfill the Great Commission.

The role of an apostle involves preaching, teaching, and establishing church doctrine. In Ephesians 4:11-12 , Paul writes, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." This passage underscores the apostolic function as foundational to the Church's growth and edification.

In summary, grace and apostleship are intertwined in the New Testament, with grace being the divine empowerment that enables the apostles to fulfill their mission. The apostles, through their unique calling, serve as instruments of God's grace, spreading the message of salvation and establishing the early Church.