Apostleship

The term "apostle" originates from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." In the New Testament, apostleship refers to the office and function of those chosen and commissioned by Jesus Christ to spread the Gospel and establish the early Church. The Twelve Apostles, also known as the Twelve Disciples, were personally selected by Jesus during His earthly ministry. They were Simon Peter, James and John (sons of Zebedee), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who was later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26).

The role of an apostle was foundational to the Church, as described in Ephesians 2:20, "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." Apostles were entrusted with the authority to teach, perform miracles, and establish church doctrine. They were witnesses to the resurrection of Christ, as emphasized in Acts 1:22, "beginning from John's baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, is also recognized as an apostle, though he was not one of the original Twelve. His apostleship was unique, as he was called by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). Paul refers to himself as an apostle in several of his epistles, asserting his authority and mission to the Gentiles, as seen in Romans 1:1, "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."

Mission

The mission of the apostles was to fulfill the Great Commission, as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20: "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." This mission was not limited to the apostles alone but extended to all believers, as the Church is called to be a witness to the world.

The Book of Acts chronicles the early Church's mission, highlighting the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), preached boldly, performed miracles, and established churches across the Roman Empire. Their mission was characterized by perseverance in the face of persecution, as seen in Acts 5:41-42, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."

The mission of the apostles laid the groundwork for the global spread of Christianity. Their teachings, preserved in the New Testament, continue to guide the Church in its mission today. The apostolic mission underscores the importance of evangelism, discipleship, and the establishment of local churches as the body of Christ on earth.