An apostle is one who is "sent" by Jesus Christ. The word is used to refer especially to the inner circle of Christ's twelve disciples, but is also used specifically to refer to Paul, who was commissioned as an apostle by the risen Christ. The term is also applied more loosely to certain other leading Christians in the NT period.

Hebrews 3:1

Jesus Christ as an apostle

John 20:21

This is the only place where the word "apostle" is used of Jesus Christ, though many passages refer to him as "sent"

See also

Matthew 10:40

Jesus Christ, as God's "sent one", sets the standard and pattern for all who are likewise "sent" (i.e., for all apostolic ministry).

Mark 9:37
John 5:23-24; 12:44-45
Mark 3:13-19

The twelve apostles called by Jesus Christ

Their appointment

pp Mt 10:1-4

John 6:70

pp Lk 6:12-16

Their number

See also

Matthew 19:28; 20:17

"the Twelve" is frequently used to designate these specially chosen disciples. The number twelve evokes the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mark 11:11
Luke 8:1
Acts 6:2
1 Corinthians 15:5
Revelation 21:14
Matthew 28:18-20

Their commissioning by the risen Christ

See also

Acts 1:15-26

The replacement for Judas

Acts 1:21-22

The symbolic number (twelve) is thus preserved.

The qualifications for being an apostle

Galatians 1:1

Paul as an apostle

See also

His self-designation

Romans 1:1
1 Corinthians 1:1
1 Timothy 2:7
Acts 26:12-18

His commissioning by Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 15:3-10
Galatians 2:8

Although not one of the Twelve, Paul saw the risen Christ and was directly commissioned by him, sent especially to the Gentiles

1 Corinthians 9:1-2

Paul's apostleship and the church

In Paul's case the sense of title or office and the ministry and function virtually coincide. He is an apostle both because he has seen and been commissioned by the risen Christ and because he functioned as an apostle by founding churches.

Other apostles

Acts 14:4,14

Barnabas

Here "apostles" may refer to their ministry as missionary evangelists or to their role as "sent" by the church at Antioch:

1 Corinthians 15:7

James, the Lord's brother

Galatians 1:19; 2:9

The most natural meaning of the words is that James is an apostle. This interpretation is confirmed by other references to James

Romans 16:7

Andronicus and Junias

1 Thessalonians 2:6

Silas

2 Corinthians 8:23

"Apostles" of the churches

Philippians 2:25

"representatives" is the translation here for "apostles"

"messenger" is the translation here for "apostle"

2 Corinthians 11:5

False apostles

2 Corinthians 11:13; 12:11
Revelation 2:2

Paul ironically refers to his opponents as "super-apostles"

See also

2057 Christ, obedience
2327 Christ as servant
2339 Christ, example of
5110 Paul, teaching of
5115 Peter, preacher & teacher
7203 ark, Noah's
7630 Twelve, the
7703 apologetics
7739 missionaries