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THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
2 Corinthians 12:11-13
Mark 16:14-18
 
“… in signs, and wonders,
and mighty deeds.”
 
THE SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE
 
To throw shade at the Apostle Paul, his opponents claimed that he was behind the rest of the Apostles, possibly because he became an Apostle later than the others. If the Corinthian church followed him, they would be inferior to the other churches.
 
To counter this, the Apostle pointed out how he was able to perform the signs of the Apostles by the power of God. As seen in yesterday’s devotion, these signs (sēmeion) were supernatural acts done in the power of God to point to implications greater than the events itself.
 
In Mark 16:14-18, Jesus told the Apostles that signs would accompany them as they served the Lord. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18). These were given by the Lord to authentic their unique Apostolic ministry. Thus, we can also say that these were signs belonging or accompanying an Apostle.
 
Just like the other Apostles, Paul was also able to perform these miraculous signs by the power of God. One good example is the record in Acts 19:11-12 of Paul’s ministry in Asia, where he was teaching two years in the school of Tyrannus. “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:11-12).
 
The Corinthian church was thus not inferior by following the faithful leadership of the Apostle Paul. If it was in any way inferior, it would be that it had not supported Paul in his missionary endeavours (Paul refused remuneration from them), while others were enthusiastic in their support. The Corinthian church must learn to “judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).
 
THOUGHT: Beware of the modern Charismatic movement.
PRAYER: Father, help me to follow the faith of true servants of Christ.

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