I greet you most warmly with the Scripture from Romans 1:3-7:

“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord […] By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The apostle Paul set the goal for his ministry right in the beginning of his letter. By preaching the unparalleled gospel of Jesus Christ he wanted and had to attain what the Saviour died for. He, the Son of God, was obedient unto the death on the cross; He finished redemption. His obedience stood against the disobedience of the first Adam. He removed all harm and in Him mankind was reconciled to God.

By his direct calling, Paul was chosen to be an apostle. His task was to proclaim the gospel of God as it had been promised by the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. True believers are also called, separated and they are the people sanctified to the Lord. They are the beloved of God, called and ordained of God to be saints, sanctified to God for a special purpose. They manifest the true obedience of faith depending on the Word of God. They recognize messengers sent by God, receive the message and obtain what God has promised.

God’s ambassador must necessarily proclaim a message received from God. Whoever is placed into apostleship must have a calling as the first apostles of the Lord and agree with the apostolic doctrine and practice. It still holds today what the Lord said then: “… as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21) and also “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me…” (John 13:20) In Hebrews 13 we read about such people: “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” (verse 7) The faith of all sent by God was exemplary because they believed what God had spoken to them through His Word and promised therein. The same applies to all true believers in all periods. They believe God and the Word of God.

In the next verse we find the well-known words: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” How extraordinary it is that He is not subject to any change, variation or time, and remains the same forever. His gospel is the everlasting message of salvation, reliably preached at the end of times to all people on the earth (Rev 14:6). At the same time, the admonition to prove everything still holds. “Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace…” (Heb 13:9)