Who were the apostles?
Introduction. Just as with most subjects, there are numerous mistaken ideas about the apostles. The word "apostle" is from the Greek apostolos. Apostolos is a compound word meaning, apo, from, and stello, to send. Hence, "apostle" literally identifies one who was sent.
There were certain disciples known as apostles. The first time "apostle" appears is in Matthew 10: 2. Luke tells us Jesus "called unto him his disciples and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles" (Luke 6: 13). Their names are listed (Matt. 10: 2-4). All the apostles, including Matthias and Paul who were chosen later, were divinely selected. On occasion, "apostle" is simply used of one sent without reference to the twelve (14 in all) apostles (Heb. 3: 1, Acts 14: 14). All the apostles were male.
The apostles had special powers. The apostles had miraculous power during the limited commission (Matt. 10: 6-23). Later, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit (Luke 24: 49, Acts 1: 5-8, 2: 1-13). Not only did they posses all the gifts (1 Cor. 12: 8-10), but they could pass on the ability to work miracles (Acts 8: 13-18). The apostles needed these abilities to confirm their preaching in the absence of the New Testament (cf. Mk. 16:20, Heb. 2: 3,4). To these men the whole truth was revealed (John 14: 26, 16:13). To be an apostle, one had to meet certain qualifications (Acts 1: 21,22, see 1 Cor. 15: 4-9 for the case of Paul).
The apostles had special roles. The apostleship was important in establishing the infant church and in revealing God's truth (cf. Acts 2: 42, Eph. 2:20). Most of the New Testament was written by the inspirited apostles. The apostles had the task of only preaching the truth (Gal 1: 6-9). The scriptures refer to "false apostles" (2 Cor. 11: 3). The work of the apostles continues through the New Testament (cf. Jude 3).
There were certain disciples known as apostles. The first time "apostle" appears is in Matthew 10: 2. Luke tells us Jesus "called unto him his disciples and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles" (Luke 6: 13). Their names are listed (Matt. 10: 2-4). All the apostles, including Matthias and Paul who were chosen later, were divinely selected. On occasion, "apostle" is simply used of one sent without reference to the twelve (14 in all) apostles (Heb. 3: 1, Acts 14: 14). All the apostles were male.
The apostles had special powers. The apostles had miraculous power during the limited commission (Matt. 10: 6-23). Later, they were baptized in the Holy Spirit (Luke 24: 49, Acts 1: 5-8, 2: 1-13). Not only did they posses all the gifts (1 Cor. 12: 8-10), but they could pass on the ability to work miracles (Acts 8: 13-18). The apostles needed these abilities to confirm their preaching in the absence of the New Testament (cf. Mk. 16:20, Heb. 2: 3,4). To these men the whole truth was revealed (John 14: 26, 16:13). To be an apostle, one had to meet certain qualifications (Acts 1: 21,22, see 1 Cor. 15: 4-9 for the case of Paul).
The apostles had special roles. The apostleship was important in establishing the infant church and in revealing God's truth (cf. Acts 2: 42, Eph. 2:20). Most of the New Testament was written by the inspirited apostles. The apostles had the task of only preaching the truth (Gal 1: 6-9). The scriptures refer to "false apostles" (2 Cor. 11: 3). The work of the apostles continues through the New Testament (cf. Jude 3).