Topical Encyclopedia The term "apostle" is derived from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." In the New Testament, this title is specifically attributed to the twelve disciples whom Jesus Christ personally selected and commissioned to spread His teachings and establish the early Church. The role and title of an apostle are foundational to the Christian faith, as these individuals were entrusted with the authority to preach the Gospel and bear witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Selection and Commissioning by Christ The selection of the apostles is a significant event in the Gospels, underscoring the divine authority and purpose behind their mission. In the Gospel of Luke, it is recorded that Jesus spent an entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve from among His disciples: "When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles" (Luke 6:13). This deliberate act of choosing and designating them as apostles highlights the intentionality and divine guidance in their appointment. The Twelve Apostles The names of the twelve apostles are consistently listed in the Synoptic Gospels and the Book of Acts, though with slight variations in order and naming conventions. They are: Simon Peter, James the son of Zebedee, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus (also known as Judas, son of James), Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13). Role and Authority The apostles were given unique authority by Christ to perform miracles, cast out demons, and heal the sick as a testament to the divine power of the Gospel. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus sends out the twelve with specific instructions: "As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give" (Matthew 10:7-8). This commission underscores their role as emissaries of Christ, empowered to continue His work on earth. Witnesses to the Resurrection A defining characteristic of an apostle was being a witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Acts, Peter emphasizes this qualification when seeking a replacement for Judas Iscariot: "Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us... For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection" (Acts 1:21-22). This requirement highlights the apostles' role as primary witnesses to the central event of the Christian faith. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles Though not one of the original twelve, Paul is recognized as an apostle due to his unique encounter with the risen Christ and his subsequent commission to preach to the Gentiles. In his letters, Paul frequently defends his apostleship, asserting that it was not conferred by human authority but directly by Jesus Christ: "Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead" (Galatians 1:1). Paul's apostleship underscores the expansion of the Gospel beyond the Jewish community to the entire world. Legacy and Succession The apostles laid the foundation for the early Church, establishing communities of believers and appointing leaders to continue their work. Their teachings, preserved in the New Testament, remain central to Christian doctrine and practice. The apostolic foundation is further emphasized in Ephesians: "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20). This passage highlights the enduring significance of the apostles' role in the Church's history and theology. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 6:13And when it was day, he called to him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Teaching of the Apostles. Heretics not Being Christians, but Rather Perverters of Christ's ... The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ... First and Second Appearances of the Risen Christ. The Resurrection ... Four Discourses against the Arians. The Four Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, Thirteen Epistles of ... Thoughts Upon the Imitation of Christ. Concerning those who Come in the Name of Christ the Terrible Signs ... The Second Epistle to the Corinthians the Creator the Father of ... Resources Does the Bible record the death of the apostles? How did each of the apostles die? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the super-apostles Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 11:5? | GotQuestions.org What are the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Apostles: A Title Distinguishing the Twelve Disciples Apostles: Authority of Commission of, Above Apostles: Duties of Commission of, Above, Apostles: Fail to Comprehend the Nature and Mission of Jesus Apostles: Miraculous Power Given To Apostles: Moral State of, Before Pentecost Apostles: Slow to Receive Jesus, As Messiah The Apostles were Hated by the World The Apostles were not of the World The Apostles were Unlearned Men The Apostles: Called by Christ The Apostles: Called by The Holy Spirit The Apostles: Christ Always Present With The Apostles: Christ Pre-Eminently Called "The Apostle" The Apostles: Empowered to Work Miracles The Apostles: Equal Authority Given to Each of The Apostles: Guided by the Spirit Into all Truth The Apostles: Humility Urged Upon The Apostles: Instructed by the Spirit to Answer Adversaries The Apostles: Mutual Love Urged Upon The Apostles: Ordained by Christ The Apostles: Persecutions and Sufferings of The Apostles: Received Their Title from Christ The Apostles: Saw Christ in the Flesh The Apostles: Selected from Obscure Stations The Apostles: Self-Denial Urged Upon The Apostles: Sent First to the House of Israel The Apostles: Sent to Preach the Gospel to all Nations The Apostles: Specially Devoted to the office of the Ministry The Apostles: The Holy Spirit Given To The Apostles: Warned Against a Timid Profession of Christ The Apostles: Witnesses of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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