PERFECTION

PERDITION

OR

`There is most caution in considering; most attention in regarding. Consideration is employed for practical

purposes; reflection for matters of speculation' (Crabb).

The scope of the consideration enjoined in Hebrews 3:1 may be estimated by the other occurrence of the same

`Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works' (Heb. 10:24).

This consideration embraces the apostle, the High Priest, and one another in its embrace, the Redeemer and the

redeemed, the Captain and His followers, and is far removed from mere curiosity and academic interest. In Hebrews

7:4 the apostle directs our attention to Melchisedec saying:

`Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils'.

Here the attention is turned from the true High Priest Himself to His most exalted type, Melchisedec. Again our

attention is drawn to Christ, this time as the Author, the Captain, as the word is translated in chapter 2, and the

Finisher and Perfecter, the Beginning and the Ending, and related to the race set before Him, the endurance of the

cross, the Overcomer.

`Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds'

(Heb. 12:3).

And lastly we read `The end'.

`Considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever' (Heb. 13:7,8).

The object of consideration in Hebrews 3:1 is Christ in His two great offices (1) The Apostle, (2) The High

Priest of their profession. It comes as something of a surprise to many to discover that Christ is THE Apostle, and

while we have referred to this before, it will be well for us to get a clear idea of the import of the term.

Apostle. The word has come straight from the Greek into the English language, but it is not, except for this

adoption, an English word. Its meaning must be sought in the original language of the New Testament, where it is

found under the form apostolos. This word is used both in the Greek version of the Old Testament, the Septuagint

(a translation generally indicated by the sign LXX, and so designated in our pages), and in classical or common

Greek used outside the Scriptures.

In classical Greek apostolos meant `a messenger, ambassador or envoy' and, in later usage, `the commander of a

naval force'. This rather limited meaning of the word is further seen in the use of stolos, `a fleet ready for sea, a

naval squadron or expedition'. In the LXX apostolos occurs in 1 Kings 14:6 in the phrase, `I am sent to thee with

heavy tidings', where `sent' translates the Hebrew shalach, which immediately connects with such missions as that

of Joseph (Gen. 37:13), Moses (Exod. 3:14), and Isaiah (Isa. 6:8); and generally with the bearing of `tidings',

whether of deliverance or judgment. The composition of the word is simple. Apo is a preposition, and, like nearly

all prepositions, carries with it a sense of motion, direction or rest. In this case the translation `from' indicates

origin, motion and direction. Stello is the verb `to send', and so an apostle is one `sent from another'.

Apostello the verb is used of the `sending forth' of the twelve (Matt. 10:5); of John the Baptist (Mark 1:2; John

1:6); of preachers generally (Rom. 10:15); of angels (Heb. 1:14); and of Paul (Acts 26:17). There is, however, one

other occasion where apostello and apostolos are used, that gives all subsequent apostles and messengers their true

and only authority. Both words are used of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is pre-eminently `The Sent One' (1 John

4:9,10,14); He is pre-eminently `The Apostle'.

`Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus' (Heb. 3:1).

Here therefore is revealed the character of the solemn office denoted by the title `apostle'. Here Paul's insistence

on the use of the word `me' in 2 Timothy 2:2 is carried back to another and higher use of the pronoun, `He that

receiveth you receiveth ME' (Matt. 10:40) and, through Him, to the ultimate source of all authority, God Himself.

In the very opening of His public ministry, the Saviour spoke of the apostolic character of His mission: