In the New Testament, the word apostle is translated from the Greek word apostolos. This term referred to “one who was sent forth with orders” (Thayer). A more detailed description would be one who is prepared or equipped and then sent off with a special commission.
The word apostle is used in a generic sense when referring to anyone who is sent from a place for a purpose. Acts 14:14 refers to Barnabas and Paul as apostles. These two men were apostles of the church in Antioch from which they had been sent on their preaching journey (Acts 13:1-3). Even Jesus is referred to as an apostle in the fact that He was sent from heaven by the Father. “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus” (Heb. 3:1).
When we hear the word apostle, we usually think of the twelve men who followed Jesus and carried out His great commission. “Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him” (Matt. 10:2-4). Matthias took the place of Judas Iscariot before the apostles began their work (Acts 1:26), and Paul was later made an apostle to the Gentiles (1 Cor. 15:8-9; Rom. 15:16; Gal. 2:8-9).
Consider some facts about these men who served as the Lord’s apostles.
1. These men were chosen, called, and sent forth by the Lord. Jesus took great care in selecting these men. “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles” (Luke 6:12-13). They did not appoint themselves to this office, nor were they appointed by a church council. In defending his apostleship, Paul declares that he was made an apostle “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead” (Gal. 1:1).
2. They were qualified for their tasks by Jesus and were eye and ear witnesses of His words and deeds, specifically His resurrection from the dead. After carefully selecting these men, Jesus gave them the training they would need to carry out their task. “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14, emphasis mine – HR). Because of this carefully planned detail, John could later declare, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life” (1 John 1:1, emphasis mine - HR). No one else could make such a claim. These men were chosen and privileged to especially become eyewitnesses of our Lord’s resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:22; 2:32).
3. They were given a special measure of the Holy Spirit. The unique nature of their work required a unique measure of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were eyewitnesses of the Lord’s deeds and teachings, but human minds are limited and fallible. Therefore, these men would need a Helper. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). He would guide them into all truth (16:13).
This special measure of the Holy Spirit (not shared with any other believer) would empower them to do their work. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Not only were they able to perform miracles, but they alone were also the means by which believers received the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-19; Rom. 1:11).
This measure of the Holy Spirit did not overpower the apostles and remove their human limitations or imperfections. The apostle Peter committed the sin of hypocrisy in Antioch (Gal. 2:11-14) and Paul had to discipline himself to keep from being disqualified (1 Cor. 9:24-27).
4. The Lord confirmed their work with signs and miracles. The apostles were not abandoned when the Lord ascended into heaven. “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (Mark 16:20). Paul was aided in his preaching by “mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ” (Rom. 15:19). Paul reminded the Corinthians of the work he had done among them: “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds” (2 Cor. 12:12). By contrast, those who claimed to exercise the power of apostles were proven to be impostors (Acts 19:13-17).
5. Their authority was not restricted to a local congregation. The authority of elders is limited to the local congregation of which they are members. “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers…” (1 Pet. 5:2, emphasis mine – HR). The apostles were given the keys to the kingdom (Matt. 16:19; 18:18). They alone carried the authority of Jesus Christ everywhere in their teaching, their work, and their writing. Their authority was to be respected across the brotherhood.
Christians are disciples of Jesus. He is our Lord, Savior, and King. The apostles were men. They are not to be worshiped (Acts 10:25-26). However, we must respect the role they played in bringing us to our salvation. Every one of us are believers because of their efforts (John 17:20). Like the first believers, we must continue steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), following their examples, obeying their commands, and heeding their warnings.