THE SUPER APOSTLES

As everyone knows, "the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). However, sometimes there are comments about false preachers infiltrated the church to financially exploit the faithful. This, however, is not just a problem of today. In the church of Corinth, for example, false preachers appeared for this purpose. The Apostle Paul called them, ironically, υπερλιαν αποστολων, that is, "super-apostles" (2 Corinthians 11.5; 12.11).

This fact brings to mind the thought of what reasons lead a person to desire a leading role in the Church of Christ. Of course, this desire comes from the inner feeling of a divine call to consecrated life. However, not all of preachers carry this call in their hearts, nor all of them are qualified for the priesthood. Paul, writing to Timothy, listed a series of requirements that constitute the profile of someone who aspires to this function. Among them is that of not being fond of to money (3.1-7).

However, it is a fact that certain leaders within the Church do not behave as real "servants of the word" (Luke 1: 2). Sometimes the desire to stand out, to have power, to control others, and to get financial gain may be the real motives that led such people to become religious leaders. In this regard, Paul, writing to the Philippians, stated that "it is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry ... out of selfish ambition, not sincerely". But, as a pragmatic man he was, he said: "the important thing is that ... whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached" (Philippians 1: 15-18).

However, it is necessary consider what James said: "not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly" (3.1). This question of the non-sincere exercise of the priesthood goes back even to the Old Testament times. God, speaking through the prophet Jeremiah, said, "Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? ... I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘the LORD declares’. Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, declare the LORD. They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yes I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least, declares the Lord" (23: 29-32).

These facts shame Christians and denigrate the image of the Church. But it must be said that priests, those who serve God have the right to receive their livelihood from the Church. This is how God planned (Leviticus 7: 28-36, Numbers 18: 8-20 and 1 Corinthians 9: 7-14). As has been said, "the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel”. The Apostle Paul, when he was preaching the gospel at Corinth, received no sustenance from the Christians there. However, he said it was sustained by offerings from other churches, especially from Macedonia (2Co 11,8,9,12).

Antônio Maia – M.Div.

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