Apostles

The term "apostle" originates from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." In the New Testament, apostles are primarily the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ to be His closest followers and to carry forth His teachings. The role of an apostle is foundational to the establishment of the early Church, as they were entrusted with spreading the Gospel and establishing Christian communities.

The original twelve apostles are listed in the Gospels: Simon Peter, Andrew, James the son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who was later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26). The apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, is also recognized as an apostle due to his encounter with the risen Christ and his significant contribution to the New Testament and the spread of Christianity (Galatians 1:1).

Apostles were given authority by Christ to perform miracles, preach the Gospel, and establish doctrine. 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." The apostles were also witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus, a key qualification for their role (Acts 1:22).

The apostolic ministry was marked by suffering and sacrifice, as seen in the life of Paul, who endured persecution and hardship for the sake of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). The apostles laid the foundation of the Church, with Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

Elders

Elders, or "presbyters," are leaders within the Christian community who are responsible for teaching, shepherding, and overseeing the congregation. The role of an elder is rooted in the Jewish tradition of community leadership and is adapted in the New Testament to serve the needs of the early Church.

The qualifications for elders are outlined in the pastoral epistles. In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul describes an elder as "above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach," among other virtues. Similarly, Titus 1:6-9 emphasizes the importance of moral integrity and sound doctrine for those serving as elders.

Elders are tasked with shepherding the flock, as Peter exhorts in 1 Peter 5:1-3: "As a fellow elder and witness of Christ’s sufferings, as well as a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."

The early Church practiced a plurality of elders in each congregation, as seen in Acts 14:23, where Paul and Barnabas "appointed elders for them in each church." This model provided accountability and shared leadership, ensuring that the spiritual and practical needs of the community were met.

Elders also played a crucial role in decision-making and maintaining doctrinal purity. In Acts 15, the apostles and elders convened in Jerusalem to address the issue of Gentile circumcision, demonstrating the collaborative nature of church leadership.

In summary, apostles and elders are distinct yet complementary roles within the early Church, each serving to advance the mission of the Gospel and nurture the body of Christ.