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EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 200+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
In a world often marked by uncertainty, one constant prevails – the enduring nature of the Christian faith. This resilience is anchored in the dedication and perseverance of the early apostles, the key figures of the Christian story who served as guardians of the faith. Their fidelity to the teachings of Jesus Christ, their devotion to spreading the Gospel, and their willingness to endure persecution demonstrate a level of commitment that has been central to Christianity since its inception in the first century C.E.
The apostles’ primary role as guardians of the faith stemmed from their direct interaction with Jesus Christ, a point that carries immense weight in the Christian tradition. The New Testament, particularly the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, provide primary accounts of the apostles’ experiences with Christ and their subsequent ministries (1). These accounts reveal how the apostles received the teachings of Christ firsthand, shaping their understanding of the faith and their role within it.
“Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV). These words of Jesus, often referred to as the Great Commission, have reverberated throughout the centuries, shaping the apostolic and Christian understanding of their divine mandate.
The apostles, guided by the Holy Spirit, were given the task of preserving and propagating the teachings of Christ, a point underscored in the New Testament. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26 ESV). Through their personal experiences with Jesus and their Spirit-led discernment, the apostles were equipped to serve as reliable stewards of the Christian faith.
Critics may question the credibility of the apostles due to perceived contradictions in the Gospels. However, in scholarly circles, such contradictions are viewed as variations in perspective rather than factual inaccuracies (2). After all, eyewitness accounts often contain slight variations due to the different perspectives and focal points of the observers. This concept, known as testimonial variance, supports the overall credibility of the apostolic witness and its subsequent preservation of the faith.
The apostles’ role as guardians of the faith extended beyond merely preserving Christ’s teachings; it also involved actively disseminating these teachings throughout the known world. From the apostle Paul’s missionary journeys across the Roman Empire to Peter’s foundational role in establishing the church in Jerusalem, the apostles demonstrated a consistent commitment to evangelism (3). This mission led them to face hardship, persecution, and even death, yet they remained unwavering in their dedication to their faith.
This early apostolic ministry also involved defending the faith against early heretical teachings. A prime example is found in Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. He admonishes the Galatian church for being led astray by a different gospel, one which distorts the grace of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7 ESV). The apostles’ role in defending the faith highlights their guardianship’s dynamic nature, which encompassed not only preservation and propagation but also protection of the faith’s integrity.
In conclusion, the apostles’ role as guardians of the faith is a multifaceted testament to their commitment, courage, and conviction. As first-hand recipients of Christ’s teachings, Spirit-led stewards, dedicated evangelists, and defenders against heresy, the apostles left an indelible mark on Christianity. Their role as guardians of the faith remains a testament to the power of their witness and the enduring strength of the faith they served.
In addition to preserving and propagating the faith, the apostles also played a critical role in safeguarding it against false teachers and teachings. The New Testament, especially the Epistles, is replete with examples of apostles warning and instructing the early Church on how to discern and combat these distortions of the Christian message.
One of the most pronounced instances of this guardianship can be found in Paul’s letters. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul cautions him about false teachers and their dangerous doctrines: “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3 ESV). Here, Paul establishes a direct link between guardianship and the defense of orthodox Christian teachings.
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul warns against those who preach a “different Jesus” or a “different gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:4 ESV). He exhorts the Corinthians to stand firm in their faith and not be led astray by these erroneous teachings.
Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians offers another prime example. Concerned about the Galatian Christians who were being led astray by a distorted gospel, Paul admonishes them and confronts the false teachers. He writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7 ESV).
The apostle Peter also voiced similar concerns. In his second letter, he cautions the early Church about false teachers who “secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1 ESV). Like Paul, Peter emphasizes the importance of staying true to the teachings received from Christ and his apostles.
The apostle John, in his first epistle, gives a clear litmus test to identify false teachers: “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God” (1 John 4:2-3 ESV). This criterion, among others, helped early Christians discern truth from falsehood, safeguarding the integrity of the faith.
It is clear, then, that the apostles played a significant role in guarding against false teachers and teachings, helping establish the doctrinal integrity of Christianity. Their stern warnings, clear instruction, and steadfast devotion to Christ’s teachings were critical to preserving the faith in its earliest days, reflecting their crucial role as guardians of the faith.
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