What is an Apostle in the Bible?
In the Bible, an apostle is a person sent on a mission, particularly one of Jesus' twelve closest disciples, chosen to spread his teachings. The term "apostle" comes from the Greek word apostolos, meaning "one who is sent out." In a broader sense, apostles are individuals commissioned by Jesus to be his messengers and representatives.
Notable apostles include the original twelve disciples, Paul (who was later called by Jesus after his resurrection), and other early church leaders who were foundational in spreading Christianity.
What is an Apostle Today?
Today, the term "apostle" can have different meanings depending on the Christian tradition. In some churches, an apostle refers to a leader with a special calling to pioneer new missions, plant churches, or oversee multiple congregations. This role often involves teaching, mentoring, and spreading the faith, much like the apostles in the early church.
However, in most mainstream denominations, the term is reserved for the original apostles in the Bible, with no contemporary equivalent. Some modern Christian movements use the title for spiritual leaders with significant influence and authority.
Apostle vs. Disciple
The terms "apostle" and "disciple" are sometimes used interchangeably because twelve of the people who followed Christ went on to become His apostles. Despite their common usage, the names are not precise synonyms. The Bible defines a disciple as someone who joined the company of Jesus' rabbinic education and became a "learner." Even though they were disciples, not every disciple became an apostle.
The office of an apostle was unique in the New Testament church. The definition of an apostle is "one who is sent." On the other hand, an apostle was more than just a messenger in theory. He was sent with a commission that gave him the power to speak for and on behalf of the One who sent him. Jesus is the primary apostle in the New Testament. He was sent by the Father, and the Father gave Him the authority to speak. Denying Jesus would be denying the Father, who sent Him.
Similarly, Christ personally summoned and commissioned the Apostles, giving them authority to speak on His behalf. Rejecting the authority of the apostles was equal to rejecting the authority of Christ, who sent them.
How Many Disciples Did Jesus Have?
Jesus Christ picked twelve main disciples during his earthly ministry, giving them instructions and a mission to proclaim the Kingdom of God.
Who Were The 12 Apostles?
The twelve apostles were:
- Peter (also known as Simon)
- James (son of Zebedee)
- John (James' brother)
- Andrew (Peter's brother)
- Philip
- Bartholomew (also known as Nathanael)
- Matthew (the tax collector)
- Thomas
- James (son of Alphaeus)
- Thaddeus (also known as Judas, son of James, or Lebbaeus)
- Simon the Zealot
- Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed Jesus and was replaced by Matthias in Acts 1:26)
When Did The Disciples Become Apostles
There was a significant change in the duties and responsibilities of Jesus' followers when they went from being disciples to being apostles. It represented a revolutionary shift from committed students to capable speakers and organizers in the emerging Christian movement. This shift was more than just a title change; it was a turning point in Christian history that shaped the course of the early church and established the groundwork for its long legacy.
The disciples of Jesus were devoted to studying under their great master, internalizing his teachings, and sharing the good news of his ministry of transformation. They followed Jesus, absorbing his teachings and living up to his values. But their purpose and mission were elevated significantly when they became apostles. It signified a commissioning, giving them the authority to travel and share Jesus' teachings with everyone.
The transition of the disciples into apostles occurred before Jesus' crucifixion. Specifically, Jesus sent them out on their mission during his ministry, as described in passages like Matthew 10 and Luke 6. This commissioning took place while Jesus was still alive, prior to his death and resurrection.
How Did The 12 Disciples Die?
The Bible does not state how all 12 disciples of Jesus died, and the accounts of historians vary. The traditional belief is that the apostles’ deaths were as follows:
- Peter: Crucified upside down in Rome.
- James (son of Zebedee): Beheaded in Jerusalem.
- John: Died of old age in Ephesus.
- Andrew: Crucified on an X-shaped cross.
- Philip: Crucified or martyred in Hierapolis.
- Bartholomew: Flayed and beheaded.
- Matthew: Martyred, possibly in Ethiopia.
- Thomas: Speared in India.
- James (son of Alphaeus): Possibly stoned to death.
- Thaddeus: Martyred, possibly in Persia.
- Simon the Zealot: Martyred, possibly in Persia.
- Judas Iscariot: Committed suicide, replaced by Matthias.
What Apostle Betrayed Jesus?
Biblical scene showing Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss (Hulton Archive/Getty)
Judas Iscariot is famously known for betraying Jesus Christ, an act that set in motion the events leading to Jesus's arrest, crucifixion, and eventual resurrection, which are central to Christian faith. Despite his crucial role, much about Judas remains a mystery.
According to the Bible, Judas was one of the twelve apostles, and his surname, "Iscariot," might suggest he was from the town of Kerioth in southern Judea, making him distinct from Jesus' other disciples, who were mainly from Galilee. Some speculate that this geographic difference may have contributed to his role as an outsider among the apostles.
Judas's motivations for betraying Jesus are debated. According to the Gospels of John and Luke, Satan influenced him, suggesting a spiritual battle rather than mere greed, although the Gospel of Matthew notes that Judas accepted 30 pieces of silver for his betrayal. There are also theories that Judas might have been disillusioned by Jesus’ lack of political action against the Romans or that he saw Jesus as a threat to the Jewish people if a rebellion occurred.
Following the betrayal, Judas met a tragic end. The Gospel of Matthew describes him feeling deep remorse and hanging himself, while the Book of Acts provides a different account, describing a gruesome death in a field where his body burst open.
Judas’s betrayal made his name synonymous with treachery throughout history, influencing art, literature, and religious thought. However, perspectives on Judas have shifted over time. The discovery of the Gospel of Judas in 2006, a Gnostic text, presented an alternate view, portraying Judas as a favored disciple who helped fulfill Jesus's destiny.
Though controversial and not widely accepted as historically accurate, it highlights the complexity of Judas’s character and raises questions about his true motivations. Ultimately, without Judas's actions, the crucifixion and resurrection—key components of Christian salvation—would not have occurred.
Qualifications of an Apostle
An apostle is a person whom God has dispatched on a mission or bearing a message. An apostle has the authority of his Sender and is answerable to him. An apostle's office is called an apostleship.
An "apostleship" is something that Jesus Christ himself possesses. "Apostle" is one of His descriptive titles, which He wears (Hebrews 3:1). He dutifully carried out the official message that God had sent to earth, as stated in John 17:1–5.
Twelve men were individually chosen by Jesus from among His multitude of followers to hold the office of apostles, a unique responsibility to receive and disseminate His message after His return to heaven (John 17:6–20; Matthew 10:1–4; Mark 3:14–15). His apostles were these people He sent and selected. Jesus withheld the criterion He used to choose them from them while He was training them.
Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus to His adversaries, was one of the twelve. Judas hung himself out of guilt (Matthew 27:5). As a result, Jesus only left eleven apostles behind when He ascended to heaven.
A few days later, Jesus' mother, His brothers, and other believers were in Jerusalem praying with the surviving apostles. About 120 people made up the group (Acts 1:12–26). Speaking to the group, Simon Peter said that Psalm 69:25 foretold Judas' departure and Psalm 109:8 indicated that the defector's position among the apostles would be filled. Someone else has to take on the role of apostle.
Peter established the requirements and suggested selecting a new apostle. Not every person is qualified to be an apostle. It was required of candidates that they had been with Jesus for the entire three years that He was with them. In other words, for the Heavenly Father to approve of Jesus' person and work, he had to have witnessed Jesus' baptism. To witness Jesus' healings and other miracles, he had to be present and hear His teachings that would change his life. He had to have seen Jesus die on the cross and rise from the dead, and he had to have seen Jesus dine, stroll, and chat with the disciples once more. These were the essential events in Jesus' life, the core of the teachings they were to impart, and firsthand accounts were necessary to confirm the veracity of the good news.
Two individuals who fulfilled these requirements were put forth for apostleship by the Jerusalem prayer group: Matthias and Joseph Barsabbas. The disciples then beseeched God to lead them in determining which person should hold the position. They used a customary way of determining God's will, casting lots, which gave God the flexibility to express His choice. Matthias was given the task and went on to become the twelfth apostle.
Judas’ Replacement as an Apostle
There are certain discrepancies in various branches of Christianity regarding who truly replaced Judas after his death. Here is what some Reddit users shared about that:
@MrWolfman29: “Interesting to me that Catholics count St. Matthias among the 12 while the Eastern Orthodox count St. Paul among the 12 and depict him in the iconography of the 12 Apostles.”
@Trunky_Coastal_Kid: “It's what the Church has held to be true in her tradition. Iconography of Christ with the 12 apostles depicts Paul within that group rather than Matthias.”
@existanbullu: “I can’t say I’m sure I’m right, but it seems to me that the election of Matthias is the model for how we get more bishops, of which there are not just twelve. Peter’s error, if that’s what it was, wasn’t to choose a replacement for Judas, but to assume that only one would replace him. When, in fact, not just Matthias, but also Barsabas, and Paul, and so on were to become apostles…”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the concept of an apostle has been integral to the foundation and spread of Christianity.
From the original twelve chosen by Jesus to modern interpretations of apostleship, the role has always been one of great responsibility and spiritual authority. Understanding the significance of apostles helps us appreciate their impact on the early church and their lasting influence on the faith today. As Christianity continues to evolve, the legacy of these key figures remains central to its history and teachings.
