Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7707 apostles, designation of

7707 apostles, designation of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7700 Leadership and the people of God » 7706 apostles » 7707 apostles, designation of

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.

Jesus Christ as an apostle

Hebrews 3:1 This is the only place where the word “apostle” is used of Jesus Christ, though many passages refer to him as “sent” ; John 20:21 Jesus Christ, as God's “sent one”, sets the standard and pattern for all who are likewise “sent” (i.e., for all apostolic ministry). See also Matthew 10:40; Mark 9:37; John 5:23-24; John 12:44-45

The twelve apostles called by Jesus Christ

Their appointment

Mark 3:13-19 pp Matthew 10:1-4 pp Luke 6:12-16

Their number

John 6:70 “the Twelve” is frequently used to designate these specially chosen disciples. The number twelve evokes the twelve tribes of Israel. See also Matthew 19:28; Matthew 20:17; Mark 11:11; Luke 8:1; Acts 6:2; 1 Corinthians 15:5; Revelation 21:14

Their commissioning by the risen Christ

Matthew 28:18-20

The replacement for Judas

See also Acts 1:15-26 The symbolic number (twelve) is thus preserved.

The qualifications for being an apostle

Acts 1:21-22

Paul as an apostle

His self-designation

Galatians 1:1 See also Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Timothy 2:7

His commissioning by Jesus Christ

Acts 26:12-18 Although not one of the Twelve, Paul saw the risen Christ and was directly commissioned by him, sent especially to the Gentiles; 1 Corinthians 15:3-10; Galatians 2:8

Paul's apostleship and the church

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 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

Barnabas

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

Acts 14:4,14

James, the Lord's brother

1 Corinthians 15:7 The most natural meaning of the words is that James is an apostle. This interpretation is confirmed by other references to James; Galatians 1:19; Galatians 2:9

Andronicus and Junias

Romans 16:7

Silas

1 Thessalonians 2:6

“Apostles” of the churches

2 Corinthians 8:23 “representatives” is the translation here for “apostles”; Philippians 2:25 “messenger” is the translation here for “apostle”

False apostles

2 Corinthians 11:5 Paul ironically refers to his opponents as “super-apostles”; 2 Corinthians 11:13; Corinthians 12:11; Revelation 2:2