Topical Bible: Titles and Names of Christ: Apostle

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Topical Encyclopedia

The title "Apostle" as applied to Christ is a profound designation that underscores His divine mission and authority. The term "apostle" comes from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent" or "a messenger." In the New Testament, this title is explicitly attributed to Jesus Christ in the book of Hebrews: "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess" (Hebrews 3:1).

Christ as the Sent One

The title "Apostle" emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate "Sent One" from God. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus frequently speaks of being sent by the Father. In John 20:21, Jesus says, "As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you" . This statement not only affirms His role as the one sent by God but also establishes the pattern for the apostles He would send out into the world.

Divine Mission and Authority

As the Apostle, Christ embodies the perfect fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. His mission was divinely ordained, and He carried it out with absolute authority. In John 6:38, Jesus declares, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me" . This submission to the Father's will highlights His role as the faithful Apostle, committed to accomplishing the purpose for which He was sent.

The High Priest and Apostle

The dual role of Christ as both Apostle and High Priest, as mentioned in Hebrews 3:1, is significant. As the Apostle, He is the messenger of God's covenant, bringing the good news of salvation. As the High Priest, He mediates between God and humanity, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. This dual role underscores the completeness of His work and His unique position in the divine plan of salvation.

The Foundation of the Church

Christ's apostolic mission laid the foundation for the Church. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul writes that the Church is "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone" . As the chief Apostle, Jesus is the cornerstone, the essential element upon which the entire structure of the Church is built. His teachings, life, death, and resurrection form the basis of Christian faith and practice.

Reflection in the Apostolic Ministry

The apostles chosen by Christ were sent out to continue His work, reflecting His mission and authority. In Mark 3:14, it is recorded that Jesus "appointed twelve, whom He named apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach" . These apostles were entrusted with the message of the Gospel, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and tasked with establishing the early Church. Their ministry was a direct extension of Christ's apostolic mission.

In summary, the title "Apostle" as applied to Christ encapsulates His role as the divinely sent messenger and the foundation of the Christian faith. His mission, authority, and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan are central to understanding His work and the establishment of the Church.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 3:1
Why, holy brothers, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Various Names and Titles
... V. On the Various Names and Titles. ... church, knowledge of the spirit and history of
the Scriptures; in the apostle: men, love your wives as Christ has loved ...
/.../eucherius/the formulae of st eucherius of lyons/v on the various names.htm

He Produces Testimonies to the Same Doctrine from the Apostle Paul ...
... names given to the Lord, or to make a difference of Person owing to variety of titles.
You cannot say: Christ was born of Mary, but God was not; for an Apostle ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter iv he produces testimonies.htm

More Particularly, in what Respect Christ is Called the Truth.
... He is the Truth in this regard, that he fully answers all the titles and names which
he ... 3. There is no salvation by any thing mixed in with Christ, as the ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xi more particularly in.htm

That Worthy Name.
... Only Christ can give joy and comfort, peace and rest to the hearts of those ... Just
for a few moments think of some of the familiar titles and names of that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/that worthy name.htm

Proof of the Catholic Sense of the Word Son. Power, Word or Reason ...
... but if He be less than the names, yet He ... and of the generation from the Father these
titles are tokens ... And again, There is one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter iv proof of the catholic.htm

Verbal Inspiration
... Such titles are the Most High, the Almighty, the God of ... same is true in connection
with the names of our ... some passages He is referred to as Christ, in others ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter thirteen verbal inspiration .htm

To Bishop Timotheus.
... and "Lord of all creation"; and that the names "Jesus Christ ... however, He was never
called either Christ or Jesus. ... He is called also by the titles which are ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxxx to bishop timotheus.htm

The Historical Books of the New Testament, Meaning Thereby the ...
... of the New Testament, to their authority, and to the titles which they ... use at all
of Christian writings, forged with the names of Christ's apostle, or their ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section i the historical books.htm

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... And He is called by two names, Jesus Christ; Jesus ... the inspired Prophet Moses conferred
these two titles on two ... Jews allow, but not further that He is Christ. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

Then Returning to the Words of Peter, "God Made Him Lord and ...
... being a servant, to be King from being a subject, to be Christ from being ... n. 6):
but he here probably means no more than that names or titles which properly ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 then returning to.htm