As Paul awaited trial before the Roman Emperor, he told the Ephesians he was "an ambassador in chains" (Eph. 6:20). He also spoke of himself and the rest of the apostles as ambassadors for Christ. "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). The apostles were spokesmen for Christ, urging sinful men to be reconciled to God through the gospel.

By definition, an ambassador is "the highest diplomatic representative that one sovereign power or state sends officially to another." As such, the ambassador is granted the authority to speak for and act on behalf of the person or government which he represents.

The English word "ambassador" comes from the Latin word ambactus which means "servant." In the New Testament, "ambassador" is translated from the Greek word presbeuo which refers to one who is older and experienced, but the word also means to act as a representative.

Through the years, I have heard a number of brethren refer to themselves and other Christians as "ambassadors for Christ." While it is true that Christians are to let their light shine and represent Christ in this world of darkness, we are not ambassadors in the sense that the apostles were ambassadors. Ambassadors are specifically chosen by rulers and sent with authority to complete their mission. The apostles were chosen by Christ (Luke 6:13). They were granted authority by Christ (Matt. 18:18). They were sent by Christ on a specific mission (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; John 17:18). The apostles were recognized as being spokesmen for Christ (1 Cor. 14:37), speaking those things that were given to them through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 16:12-13).

Not all citizens of a nation are official ambassadors of that nation. All Christians are citizens of the Kingdom of God, but this does not qualify us as ambassadors. We do not possess the authority which was granted to the apostles. It is enough that we are children of God, reflecting the light of God's word by allowing Christ to live in us. We do not need to take upon ourselves a term that was given to the apostles in order to accomplish this worthy task.