Definition and Role of an Apostle in Scripture
The term "apostle" (Greek: apostolos) literally means "one sent forth" or a "messenger" [2]. While it can refer to any messenger [1, 4], in the New Testament, it primarily designates a specific group of individuals chosen by Jesus Christ for a unique role in the early church [2]. Jesus himself is called "the Apostle" in Hebrews 3:1, signifying his role as the one sent by the Father [1, 3].
The most prominent use of the term refers to the twelve disciples whom Jesus personally selected and commissioned [1, 2]. These individuals were given authority to organize the church and disseminate the gospel [1]. Their names are listed in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16, Luke 6:14, and Acts 1:13 [1]. These apostles were ordained by Christ (Mark 3:14; John 15:16) and received their title directly from him (Luke 6:13) [3]. Their primary role was to be witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, fulfilling Scripture (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8) [8]. They were initially sent to the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6) but later commissioned to preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15) [3].
Beyond the original twelve, the term "apostle" is also applied to others, most notably Paul, who identifies himself as "an Apostle by the selection of God" (Romans 1:1 BBE) [5]. Paul emphasizes that he was ordained an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles (1 Timothy 2:7 KJV) [7]. He received his commission and doctrine directly from Christ, with the power to perform miracles to confirm his mission [9]. The New Testament also uses "apostle" in a broader, non-official sense for other Christian messengers and teachers (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25) [2].
Apostles, along with prophets, are described as the foundation upon which the church is built (Ephesians 2:20) [10]. This foundation refers to their faithful witness and the message they proclaimed [10]. While evangelists are described as missionary preachers who carry the gospel to new places, they do not possess the same authority as an apostle or the responsibility of pastoral supervision [6]. The calling of an apostle is understood as being from God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1, 15-16; Acts 20:24; Romans 1:5) [3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb. 3:1; John 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Matt. 10:1-5; Mark 3:14; 6:7; Luke 6:13; 9:1). We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Acts (1:13). No two of these lists”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — (one sent forth), in the New Testament originally the official name of those twelve of the disciples whom Jesus chose to send forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the course of his ministry on earth. The word also appears to have been used in a non-official sense to designate a much wider circle of Christian messengers and teachers See (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philemon 2:25) It is only of those who were officially designated apostles that we treat in the article. Their names are given in (Matthew 10:2-4) and Christ's charge to them in the r”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Apostles, The — Christ pre-eminently called "The Apostle" -- Heb 3:1. Ordained by Christ -- Mr 3:14; Joh 15:16. Received their title from Christ -- Lu 6:13. Called by God. -- 1Co 1:1; 12:28; Ga 1:1,15,16. Christ. -- Mt 10:1; Mr 3:13; Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. The Holy Spirit. -- Ac 20:24; Ro 1:5. Were unlearned men -- Ac 4:13. Selected from obscure stations -- Mt 4:18. Sent first to the house of Israel -- Mt 10:5,6; Lu 24:47; Ac 13:46. Sent to preach the gospel to all nations -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15; 2Ti 1:11. Christ always present with -- Mt 28:20. Warned against a timid p”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Messenger — (Heb. mal'ak, Gr. angelos), an angel, a messenger who runs on foot, the bearer of despatches (Job 1:14; 1 Sam. 11:7; 2 Chr. 36:22); swift of foot (2 Kings 9:18).”
- Romans “Romans 1:1 (BBE) — Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, an Apostle by the selection of God, given authority as a preacher of the good news,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Evangelist — A "publisher of glad tidings;" a missionary preacher of the gospel (Eph. 4:11). This title is applied to Philip (Acts 21:8), who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word (8:4, 40). Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists had neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of the flock. They were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. The writers of the four Gospels are known as”
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 2:7 — Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 24:48: 24:48 The primary role of the apostles in the book of Acts was to be witnesses to the fulfillment of Scripture in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus (see Acts 1:8).”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 1:1: Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ,.... The apostle puts his name to this epistle, by which he was known in the Gentile world, as he usually does in all his epistles; and styles himself "an apostle", as he was, having seen Christ in person, and received his commission, doctrine, and qualifications immediately from him, with a power of doing miracles to confirm the truth of his mission. This he chose to make mention of, partly because the false teachers everywhere insinuated that he was not an apostle; and partly to give the greater sanction and authority, and command”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:20: 2:20 Apostles are missionary evangelists commissioned by God. • Here, the prophets appear to be New Testament prophets, not Old Testament ones (see 3:5; 4:11; see also 1 Cor 12:10, 28-29; 14:1-5, 22-24, 29-32, 39; cp. Acts 13:1; 19:6; 21:9-10). In both the Old Testament and New Testament, prophets are not primarily predictors of the future but are empowered to speak a message from God (see 1 Cor 12:10). • The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (or on the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets)—that is, on their faithful wit”