What Does It Mean To Be An Ambassador For Christ?

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2Co 5:20 KJV)

What does it mean to be an Ambassador for Christ?  We often like to say that we are Ambassadors for the kingdom, representing our Messiah while we wait for his return.  First we must get an understanding before we can proceed with proper wisdom.

  • What is an Ambassador?
  • What are the requirements of an ambassador?
  • What are the duties of an Ambassador?

Let’s take a look into what is mean to be an Ambassador and all that is required to do so.

What is an Ambassador?

This definition is from Wikipedia:

An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a highest ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state, or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.[1] The word is also often used more liberally for persons who are known, without national appointment, to represent certain professions, activities and fields of endeavor.

 

In its most common use, the term usually applies to the ranking government representative stationed in a foreign capital. The host country typically allows the ambassador control of specific territory called an embassy, whose territory, staff, and vehicles are generally afforded diplomatic immunity in the host country. The equivalent to an Ambassador exchanged among members of the Commonwealth of Nations are known as High Commissioners. The “ambassadors” of the Holy See are known as Papal or Apostolic Nuncios.

 

As formally defined and recognized at the Congress of Vienna (1815), ambassadors were originally regarded as personal representatives of their country’s chief executive rather than of the whole country, and their rank entitled them to meet personally with the head of state of the host country. Since 1945, all nations have been recognized as equals, and ambassadors or their equivalents are sent to all countries with which diplomatic relations are maintained. Before the development of modern communications, ambassadors were entrusted with extensive powers.

What are the requirements of an ambassador?

I found this from Every Day Life:

Educational Requirements

The basic educational requirements of an ambassador include a bachelor’s degree in politics, history or international relations. You should supplement these studies with undergraduate and postgraduate fellowships, and conferences centering on foreign policy matters. A broad spectrum of knowledge on your country and the rest of the world is a vital quality for an ambassador. This information comes in handy during discussions, conferences, and negotiations with diplomats from across the world. The Council on American Ambassadors offers undergraduate fellowships on international relations.

 

Communication Skills

Proper communication skills include both written and spoken language. For an ambassador it relates to imparting relevant information to your country and other diplomatic forums. Good communication skills assist you to properly convey your country’s position on an issue and influence discussions to reflect positively on your country. Literary proficiency in more than one language is an essential tool. In addition to easing communications with other diplomats, it promotes a kind of conviviality, especially during sensitive discussions. Karl Gruber – the Austrian Foreign Minister and Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Spain, Switzerland, and West Germany – applauds efficient communication skills as the distinguishing factor between inferior and superior ambassadors.

 

Initiative and Leadership Qualities

The responsibilities of an ambassador include the management of FSOs and other employees in foreign agencies in the United States. This post requires you to properly coordinate and direct others in the course of their duties. You need to exercise excellent leadership qualities in the application of good judgment in foreign interrelations with other leaders. This determines the results of any decisions affecting your country.

 

What are the duties of an ambassador?

Here is what Quora says:

You can generally break an ambassador’s duties down in to 3 main categories:

 

1) Diplomatic – Being the top-ranking representative of their own country to the host country in which they’re stationed; conducting regotiations with the host government on behalf of their own government; representing their state in meetings and delivering messages on behalf of their own government to the host government; receiving messages and communications from the host government for relay back to their own government; being the spokesperson for their own government and its policies in the host country.

 

2) Ceremonial – Representing their own government to the people of the host nation at public events in that host country and being the most visible symbol of their own country, within the host country and to its public.

 

3) Administrative – Being the top ranking official within the embassy at which they’re posted, overseeing operations at the embassy and of other diplomats and staff members.  They’d often be assisted in this role by other officials at the post who would actually handle, in greater detail and more directly, such internal embassy duties but it is the ambassador who is officially the chief of the mission and top-ranking embassy official.

Ambassador in the Bible

I find two main works in the Hebrew and one in the Greek for the English word Ambassador:

04397 מַלְאָךְ mal’ak {mal-awk’}

Meaning:  1) messenger, representative 1a) messenger 1b) angel 1c) the theophanic angel

Origin:  from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; TWOT – 1068a; n m

Usage:  AV – angel 111, messenger 98, ambassadors 4, variant 1; 214

 

06735 צִיר tsiyr {tseer}

Meaning:  1) envoy, messenger 2) pivot of door, hinge 3) pang, distress

Origin:  from 06696; TWOT – 1913a,1914a,1914b; n m

Usage:  AV – ambassador 4, pang 3, messenger 2, pains 1, hinge 1, sorrow 1; 12

Here are a few interesting uses from the Old Testament.

A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. (Pro 13:17 KJV)

Interestingly enough, both words are used in this verse from Proverbs and gives us a strong warning.  A wicked messenger brings on disaster is how the NAB translate it.

That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled! (Isa 18:2 KJV)

Again, both Hebrew words are used in this verse from Isaiah, one translated as ambassador and the other as a messenger.  It would seem that an Ambassador is also a messenger, taking the message of Woe to the land which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia.

4243 πρεσβεύω presbeuo {pres-byoo’-o}

Meaning:  1) to be older, prior by birth or in age 2) to be an ambassador, act as an ambassador

Origin:  from the base of 4245; TDNT – 6:681,931; v

Usage:  AV – ambassador 2; 2

Here are a few interesting uses from the New Testament.

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Eph 6:20 KJV)

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. (2Co 5:20 KJV)

What are we to DO as Ambassadors for Messiah (Christ)?

As an official representative of the government of the Kingdom of Heaven, we are two fully, truthfully and effectively represent the directives of the sovereign king.  We should be studying the instruction manual (Bible), perfecting our communication skills, and follow the ceremonial requirements of our kingdom.  We should live our lives apart from those who’s country we live in, but not totally away from them.  When we are in the public with in the foreign country, we should look, act and reflect the presence and values of our king.

This is what Jesus (Yeshua) meant when he said they are in the world but not of the world.  As an Ambassador we are in the foreign country but not of the foreign country.

What are we NOT to do as Ambassadors for Messiah (Christ)?

As an Ambassador there are things we are not to be a part of in the land where we are sent.  A true Ambassador does not get involved in the day to day operations of the country they are located.   They don’t take part in their cultural celebrations, politics, and disputes within the land assigned to.  Your allegiance is not pledged to another country or another flag since you are in that country but not of that country.  An Ambassador’s first allegiance is to the one who sent them.  As an Ambassador you have a special mission to fully and honestly represent your home kingdom.

 

4 Replies to “What Does It Mean To Be An Ambassador For Christ?”

    • Dan Bibb Post author

      Thank you for your comment and I fully agree. Here is why I am laughing to myself about this comment… I just finished with this weeks article on “What Spirit is Influencing You?” regarding that very subject. It is so important to use all the tools God has given us in the context for which they are given. We worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Without the Holy Spirit who leads us in all truth, our worship would be in vain.

      Reply
      • Miss B

        At times, the Holy Spirit is silent. When he is silent, I trust that our decisions should stem from protecting our relationship with Jesus. Anything that would jeopardise this is not good enough. I would like to read your blog on “What Spirit is Influencing You?”. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

        Reply
        • Dan Bibb Post author

          Something to consider is sometimes silence screams very loudly. I have lived by the principle “when in doubt, don’t” and that has guided me well. We are told to wait upon the LORD (YHVH from Hebrew) and that is what I do.

          The “What Spirit is Influencing You” article is scheduled to post at 9:45 am EST. I would be very interested on hearing any feed back you can offer. I like the scripture about iron sharpening iron.

          Reply

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