The Apostolic Mind

In Philippians 2:5-8, we are taught by the Apostle Paul, to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” The profoundness of this statement cannot be overstated. And with that profound statement the Apostle Paul gives us a view into the apostolic mind. That’s what I’d like to talk about in this blog post.

What is the apostolic mind? It is a mind set “on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2. Further described, it is “the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16. What is the mind of Christ that is revealed in, by, and through scripture? According to scripture, it is a mind that has access to all the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3. In other words, it’s a mind that has access to a vast treasure beyond comprehension by mankind. Quite literally, it’s the mind of God. And what becomes plainly obvious through the writings of the Apostle Paul is, he didn’t think it wrong to seek knowledge or wisdom beyond natural knowledge and wisdom. In fact, he believed and wrote that we have access to the infinite knowledge and wisdom of God.

In a nutshell, that is the apostolic mind. It’s a mind that believes we can know the unknowable, discern the undiscernable, divine the wisdom of the ages, and access the very thoughts of God Himself. That’s the mind Jesus had when He walked the earth. He saw, heard, and knew what the Father was doing, saying, and thinking. Again, profound. We can see that in how people reacted to Him: “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?” Mark 6:2, ESV. From there, we see how Jesus approached the things he faced with that wisdom.

Let’s explore the apostolic mind in Christ Jesus, as revealed in Mark 6-9. First, Jesus states plainly, “A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” Mark 6:4. Then, He ordains and sends out His Apostles in pairs, two by two. Then, others, unsure of who He is, think He’s Elijah, John the Baptist, or some other prophet. Herod is convinced Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead. Jesus, on the other hand, is sure of Himself; He knows who He is. The apostolic mind doesn’t question itself. Rather, it demonstrates itself. And that’s what Jesus did; He demonstrated the apostolic mind.

How did Jesus demonstrate the apostolic mind? When facing five thousand hungry men, He fed them. When He was facing separation from His Apostles, He walked on the sea, even passing them. When He was surrounded by those who were sick, He walked by them so they could touch “the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.” Mark 6:56. When facing Pharisaical tradition, He used the scriptures to confront their tradition. And He dealt with the root issues mankind faces: “That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:21-23.

The apostolic mind doesn’t get sidetracked by side issues. No! It deals with core issues, root problems not fruit problems. It recognizes that sin is the root issue for all the evil we face in this world. Further, it recognizes the only solution available to solve the core issue of sin — the cross. Jesus said to them and says to us, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8:34. The apostolic mind recognizes the efficacy of the cross. The apostolic mind recognizes the power of the cross. As the Apostle Paul said, “the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18, NASB.

The apostolic mind is rooted and grounded in the work of the cross. The life of self denial is the set standard; it is the plumbline of apostolic ministry. Every apostle, like the Apostle Paul, will be rooted and grounded — founded — in the message of the cross: “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”, 1 Corinthians 2:2, and “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me”. Galatians 2:20. Those scriptures become a living, breathing, vital reality, a gateway into the apostolic life, where the life of the living Christ flows through the life of an apostle. That life can only be reached through the apostolic mind.

Yes, the apostolic mind is the mind of eternity; it’s rooted and grounded in the cross, and, as such, it displays the power of the resurrection. That’s the missing ingredient in the Church today; it’s the life-giving element foreshadowed in the communion — our common union with Christ. As Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5. And here, nothing means nothing. Without connection to Him, there’s no life. None. And the apostolic mind recognizes and completely depends on that living and life-giving reality.

That’s the mindset we need today, a mind that’s rooted and grounded in Christ — “the Apostle and High Priest of our profession”. Hebrews 3:1. We need His mind and heart to live the apostolic life and walk in the apostolic mind — the mind of Christ, the mind of the Spirit, the mind of God. That’s the apostolic mindet and mind we need today.

May God grant us the apostolic grace to walk in it.

Let us pray!

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