Apostle Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Alternate meaning: See Apostle (Mormonism)The Christian Apostles were Jewish men who were "sent forth" (as indicated by the Greek word apostolos), by Jesus to preach Christianity to both Jews and Gentiles, across the world.
- "He called unto him his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles." — Gospel of Luke vi. 13.
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2 The 12th apostle 3 Additional apostles 4 Later Christianizing apostles |
The original twelve apostles
According to the Gospels of Mark (3:16-19) and Matthew (10:2-4), the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ near the beginning of his ministry were:
- Simon Peter
- Andrew
- James and John, the sons of Zebedee
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Matthew (sometimes identified with Levi, son of Alphaeus)
- Thomas, also known as Judas Thomas Didymus ("the twin")
- James son of Alphaeus
- Thaddaeus-Jude Thaddaeus- (called in some manuscripts of Matthew Lebbaeus)
- Simon the Canaanite (called in Luke and Acts "Simon the Zealot")
- Judas Iscariot
The Gospel of John, unlike the Synoptic Gospels, does not offer a list of apostles, nor does the author even state their number. However, the following apostles appear in the fourth gospel: Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, Thomas, Judas "not Judas Iscariot", Judas Iscariot, the 'Beloved Disciple' (usually thought to be John himself), and "the sons of Zebedee (James and John)".
The 12th apostle
Judas Iscariot having betrayed Christ, and then in guilt hanged himself before Christ's resurrection (in one Gospel account), the apostles were then eleven in number. According to Acts 1:23-26, between the ascension of Christ, and the day of Pentecost, the remaining apostles selected a twelfth apostle by casting lots. The lot fell upon Matthias, who then became the last of the "twelve apostles."
In his writings, Paul also described himself as an apostle (e.g. Romans 1:1 and other letters); specifically he referred to himself as 'the Apostle to the Gentiles' (Romans 11:13). He also described some of his companions as apostles (Romans 16:7).
The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews refers to Jesus as the first apostle of the Christian confession.
In Acts 14:14, Barnabas is called an apostle.
James the brother of Jesus is also called an apostle in the Bible.
Some Eastern Orthodox saints are given the title specific to the Eastern rites "equal-to-the-apostles". The myrrh-bearing women, who went to anoint Christ's body and first learned of his resurrection, are sometimes called the "apostles to the apostles" because they were sent by Jesus to tell the apostles of his resurrection.
Many Charismatic churches consider apostleship to be a gift of the Holy Spirit still given today (based on 1 Corinthians 12:28). The gift is associated with church leadership or church planting.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that the authority of the original twelve apostles is a distinguishing characteristic of true Christianity, and its chief leadership body is called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
This is an Article on Apostle. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Apostle Additional apostles
Later Christianizing apostles
A number of successful pioneering missionaries are known as "Apostles". In this sense, in the traditional list below, the "apostle" first brought Christianity (or Arianism in the case of Ulfilas and the Goths) to a land. Or it may apply to the truly influential Christianizer, such as Patrick's mission to Ireland, where a few struggling Christian communities did already exist. The Wikipedia reader will soon think of more of the culture heroes. "Apostles"
See also Disciple, Apostolic Fathers, apostolic succession, New Testament