Something was said in church the other day that prompted this posting. I thought I would look up both words in Merriam-Webster online dictionary as neither word is found in the KJV Bible. First the word apathetic. According to the dictionary the word apathetic means;
"Having or showing little or no feeling or emotion: SPIRITLESS
Having little or no interest or concern: INDIFFERENT"
The word apostolic means;
"of or relating to an apostle
of, relating to, or conforming to the teaching of the New Testament apostles
of or relating to a succession of spiritual authority from the apostles held (as by Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and Eastern Orthodox) to be perpetuated by successive ordinations of bishops and to be necessary for valid sacraments and orders"
There are however passages of scripture that allude to these terms. One that alludes to apathetic is found in Zephaniah 1:12 which says, "And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil." So the question seems to be are we apostolic or apathetic?
I am apostolic. In the second part of the definition to be truly apostolic one must do things "relating to, or conforming to the teaching of the New Testament apostles." On the first recorded day of the church when asked by his Jewish listeners, the Apostle Peter said in Acts 2:37-40, "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Peter told his listeners that the promise was to them, to their children, "...and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." He didn't stop there but went on to testify and exhort them to save themselves from an untoward generation.
The third part of the definition does not fit the first two. While it may be true to say that the Roman Catholic church and others may be able to claim apostolic succession, they are far removed from, "conforming to the teaching of the New Testament apostles." To be truly apostolic one must conform to their teaching. To be otherwise would be to become apathetic, no matter the passion with which a message is preached. I am so glad that I have repented of my sins and in apostolic fashion, been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for their remission. And I have received the Holy Ghost just as the apostles did on the Day of Pentecost. (See Acts 2:1-4) Are you apostolic or apathetic?
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