Apostles

The term "apostle" is derived 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 spread His teachings. The role of an apostle was foundational in the establishment of the early Church, as they were entrusted with the authority to preach the Gospel, perform miracles, and establish church doctrine.

The Twelve Apostles are listed in several passages, including Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:13-16. They include Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who was later replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26).

The apostolic ministry was marked by a unique authority given by Christ. In Matthew 10:1, it is written, "Jesus called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness." This authority was not only for miraculous works but also for laying the doctrinal foundation of the Church, as seen in Ephesians 2:20: "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone."

Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus, is also recognized as an apostle, though he was not one of the original twelve. His apostleship is affirmed in passages such as Galatians 1:1, where he states, "Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead." Paul's missionary journeys and epistles were instrumental in spreading Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

Prophets

Prophets in the Bible are individuals called by God to deliver His messages to the people. The role of a prophet is both to foretell future events and to forth-tell, or proclaim, God's truth. Prophets were active throughout the Old Testament and continued into the New Testament era.

In the Old Testament, prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel played significant roles in guiding the Israelites, warning them of impending judgment, and offering hope of future restoration. The prophetic books contain a wealth of divine revelation, including messianic prophecies that point to Jesus Christ.

The New Testament also acknowledges the role of prophets within the early Church. In Acts 11:27-28, we read about prophets like Agabus, who predicted a severe famine. The gift of prophecy is mentioned as a spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12:10 and 14:1, where believers are encouraged to "eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy."

Prophets in the New Testament era were vital for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church (1 Corinthians 14:3). They worked alongside apostles to build up the body of Christ, as noted in Ephesians 4:11-12: "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ."

The relationship between apostles and prophets is foundational to the Church's structure and mission. Both roles were essential in the early Church for the dissemination of the Gospel and the establishment of Christian doctrine. As Ephesians 2:20 highlights, the Church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." This underscores the divine authority and inspiration behind their ministries, which continue to influence Christian faith and practice today.