The term "apostle" is derived from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out" or "messenger." In the New Testament, apostles are primarily recognized as the foundational leaders of the early Christian Church, chosen and commissioned by Jesus Christ Himself. The role of an apostle is both unique and authoritative, serving as a direct representative of Christ's teachings and mission.

The Twelve Apostles

The most prominent group of apostles consists of the Twelve, personally selected by Jesus during His earthly ministry. These individuals were called to be His closest followers and were entrusted with spreading the Gospel after His resurrection and ascension. The names of the Twelve Apostles are listed in several passages, including Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:13-16. They include Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who was later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26).

Role and Authority

Apostles were endowed with unique authority to teach, perform miracles, and establish churches. In Matthew 10:1, Jesus "called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness." This authority was a testament to their divine commissioning and served as validation of their message.

The apostolic role also included the responsibility of laying the doctrinal foundation of the Church. Ephesians 2:20 describes the Church as "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." The apostles' teachings, as recorded in the New Testament, continue to serve as the doctrinal basis for Christian faith and practice.

Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles

In addition to the original Twelve, Paul is recognized as an apostle, though he was not part of the initial group. His apostleship is affirmed in several of his epistles, where he often introduces himself as "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God" (e.g., 2 Corinthians 1:1). Paul's unique calling as the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13) was marked by his dramatic conversion and subsequent missionary journeys, during which he established numerous churches and authored a significant portion of the New Testament.

Other Apostolic Figures

The New Testament also mentions other individuals who are referred to as apostles, though not part of the Twelve. Barnabas is called an apostle in Acts 14:14, and James, the brother of Jesus, is considered an apostolic figure due to his leadership role in the Jerusalem church (Galatians 1:19). These instances suggest that the term "apostle" was sometimes used more broadly to describe those who were sent out with a specific mission or authority within the early Church.

Qualifications and Characteristics

The qualifications for apostleship included having witnessed the resurrected Christ and being directly commissioned by Him. In Acts 1:21-22, Peter outlines these criteria 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 was living among us, beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

Apostles were characterized by their unwavering commitment to Christ and His mission, often enduring persecution and hardship. Their lives exemplified the call to self-sacrifice and dedication to the spread of the Gospel, as seen in Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 of the trials he faced for the sake of Christ.

Legacy and Impact

The apostles' legacy is profound, as they were instrumental in the establishment and expansion of the early Church. Their teachings, preserved in the New Testament, continue to guide and shape Christian doctrine and practice. The apostolic foundation remains a cornerstone of the Church's identity, emphasizing the continuity of faith from the time of Christ to the present.Luke 6:13
And 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

Ephesians 4:11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 18:20
Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... the Truth in this regard, that he fully answers all the titles and names which he ...
messengers sent by him, as prophets of old, apostles and ministers of late ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm

Episcopalians.
... appointed, and the manner in which ministers are invested ... Vicars, Curates, Archdeacons,
and such like names, being not ... these are in truth but titles of office ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/episcopalians.htm

The Catholic System.
... burst forth, and were striving under various names to tear ... problems which now occupied
the attention of its leading ministers. ... [568:2] These titles cannot now ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the catholic system.htm

Gospel Missions
... two still remaining, precious and treasured names; we love ... himself as one of his
peculiar titles, for he ... There should be fixed ministers and pastors, but those ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/gospel missions.htm

The Struggler;
... any such Christians and doctrines; their names and doctrines ... The epistle is writ
by two ministers, Mr. Wilson ... not charge the following running-titles upon our ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the struggler.htm

English Version of the Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... that 'in the books of the Kings, the names and books ... although they be set out with
goodly titles, as though ... Word of God, do say that all ministers, truly called ...
/.../english version of the second.htm

The Origin of the Gospels.
... Their titles do not warrant this assertion ... Luke thirty-eight; only two of the
intermediate names in the ... they had heard it from eyewitnesses and ministers of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter ix the origin of.htm

Articles of Religion.
... Of Homilies."The second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have ... them
to be read in Churches by the Ministers, diligently and ... Of the Names of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/articles of religion.htm

A Look into the Hebrew Bible.
... the Bible are now known by intelligent ministers of which ... that is to say we find
the names in our ... of which we have no other knowledge; their titles quoted upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter i a look into.htm

Motives to the Oversight of the Flock
... but the appendage of the work Is it names and honor ... and his Church, and never think
of titles and reputation ... The ministers of England, I am sure, may know this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 3 motives to.htm

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