The term "Apostolical" pertains to the apostles, their teachings, practices, and the authority they held in the early Christian church. The apostles were the primary disciples of Jesus Christ, chosen and commissioned by Him to spread the Gospel and establish the church. The concept of being "Apostolical" is deeply rooted in the New Testament and is foundational to understanding the early church's structure and doctrine.

Apostolic Authority and Commission

The apostles were granted unique authority by Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus commissions the apostles with the Great Commission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). This commission underscores the apostolic role in teaching and baptizing, establishing the church's mission to evangelize the world.

Apostolic Teaching and Doctrine

The teachings of the apostles are considered foundational to Christian doctrine. The early church "devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). This verse highlights the centrality of apostolic teaching in the life of the early Christian community. The apostles' teachings were based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, which guided them into all truth (John 16:13).

Apostolic Succession and Church Leadership

The concept of apostolic succession is significant in maintaining the continuity of the church's teaching and authority. The apostles appointed elders and leaders in the church to carry on their work. Paul instructs Titus, "The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you" (Titus 1:5). This practice ensured that the teachings and authority of the apostles were preserved and passed down through generations.

Apostolic Signs and Miracles

The apostles were also endowed with the ability to perform signs and miracles, which authenticated their message and demonstrated the power of God. In Acts, it is recorded, "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people" (Acts 5:12). These miraculous acts served to confirm the divine origin of their message and the presence of the Holy Spirit working through them.

Apostolic Writings

The New Testament contains several writings attributed to the apostles, including the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, and the Revelation. These writings are considered inspired Scripture and are authoritative for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). The apostolic writings provide doctrinal instruction, ethical guidance, and eschatological hope for believers.

Apostolic Unity and Fellowship

The apostles emphasized the importance of unity and fellowship within the body of Christ. Paul writes to the Ephesians, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). The apostolic vision for the church was one of a unified body, working together in love and truth to fulfill the mission of Christ.

In summary, the term "Apostolical" encompasses the authority, teachings, practices, and legacy of the apostles as foundational to the Christian faith and the early church. Their role in establishing the church and spreading the Gospel continues to influence Christian doctrine and practice today.1. (a.) Pertaining to an apostle, or to the apostles, their times, or their peculiar spirit; as, an Apostolical mission; the apostolic age.

2. (a.) According to the doctrines of the apostles; delivered or taught by the apostles; as, apostolic faith or practice.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to the pope or the papacy; papal.

APOSTOLICAL COUNCIL

ap-os-tol'-i-kal koun'-sil: The assembly of the apostles and elders held in Jerusalem (49 A.D.), an account of which is given in Acts 15.

APOSTOLICAL CHURCH ORDINANCES

See DIDACHE.

APOSTOLICAL CONSTITUTIONS

See DIDACHE.

The Apostolical Canons.
... The Apostolical Canons. Introduction. ... (This last volume, together with the "Preface
to the Notes on the Apostolical Canons" has been reprinted in Vol. XII. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the apostolical canons.htm

The Truth is to be Found Nowhere Else but in the Catholic Church ...
... Against Heresies: Book III Chapter IV."The truth is to be found nowhere else but
in the Catholic Church, the sole depository of apostolical doctrine. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/against heresies/chapter iv the truth is to.htm

part v.
... even Liberius, Bishop of Rome, but extended [1622] their fury even to those parts;
they respected not his bishopric, because it was an Apostolical throne; they ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part v.htm

Forasmuch As, Either from Necessity, or through the Urgency of ...
... For the apostolical saying is clear, "Not a novice; lest, being lifted up with pride,
he fall into condemnation and the snare of the devil." But if, as time ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon ii forasmuch as either.htm

Epistle Lvii. From John, Bishop of Ravenna to Pope Gregory .
... My most reverend fellow-servant Castorius, notary of your Apostolical See, has
delivered to me my Lord's epistle, compounded of honey and of venom; which has ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lvii from john bishop.htm

Excursus on the Worship of the Early Church.
... obtained. Moreover the first two are thought to throw much light upon the
age and construction of the Apostolical Constitutions. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/excursus on the worship of.htm

General Council of Nic??a.
... At this period many individuals were richly endowed with apostolical gifts; and
many, like the holy apostle, bore in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus ...
/.../chapter vi general council of nicaea.htm

Introductory Notice to Constitutions of the Holy Apostles.
... There has always existed a great diversity of opinion as to the author and date
of the Apostolical Constitutions Earlier writers were inclined to assign them ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/introductory notice to constitutions of.htm

Introduction
... of Jesus Christ, who is our hope, through our rising again to Him, [728] which also
I salute in its fulness, [729] and in the apostolical character, [730] and ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the trallians/introduction.htm

No one Shall Find Fault with us for Observing the Fourth Day of ...
... Conformably to the sixty-fourth Apostolical canon, which decrees that we are not
to fast on the Sabbath, with one exception, the great Sabbath; and to the sixty ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xv no one shall.htm

Apostolical
... 1. (a.) Pertaining to an apostle, or to the apostles, their times, or their peculiar
spirit; as, an Apostolical mission; the apostolic age. ...APOSTOLICAL COUNCIL. ...
/a/apostolical.htm - 7k

Manasses (1 Occurrence)
... Tobit, etc., 208) dates the Prayer in the 4th or 5th century AD, because, in his
opinion, its author is the same as that of the Apostolical Constitutions which ...
/m/manasses.htm - 19k

Apostolic (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Alt. of Apostolical. 2. (n.) A member of one of certain ascetic sects which
at various times professed to imitate the practice of the apostles. Int. ...
/a/apostolic.htm - 17k

Prayer (406 Occurrences)
... Tobit, etc., 208) dates the Prayer in the 4th or 5th century AD, because, in his
opinion, its author is the same as that of the Apostolical Constitutions which ...
/p/prayer.htm - 80k

Ordinances (119 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia APOSTOLICAL CHURCH ORDINANCES. See DIDACHE. HEAVEN,
ORDINANCES OF. See ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 1; II, 13. ORDINANCES OF HEAVEN. ...
/o/ordinances.htm - 37k

Linus (1 Occurrence)
... Among the mythical characters in Apostolical Constitutions, vii, 46 occurs Linos
ho Klaudias, who is declared to have been ordained by Paul as the first bishop ...
/l/linus.htm - 9k

Gaius (5 Occurrences)
... them that are brethren and strangers withal" (3 John 1:5, 6). He has been identified
by some with the Gaius mentioned in the Apostolical Constitutions (VII, 46 ...
/g/gaius.htm - 10k

Fourth (87 Occurrences)
... original. (1) Some fragments of the Greek can be traced, as 5:35 in Clement
of Alexandria and 8:23 in the Apostolical Constitutions. ...
/f/fourth.htm - 43k

Mercy (467 Occurrences)
... (3) In the New Testament "mercy" (eleos, usually the Septuagint translation of checedh)
is associated with "grace" (charis) in the apostolical greetings and ...
/m/mercy.htm - 43k

Merciful (53 Occurrences)
... (3) In the New Testament "mercy" (eleos, usually the Septuagint translation of checedh)
is associated with "grace" (charis) in the apostolical greetings and ...
/m/merciful.htm - 28k

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