Reference: Apostle
American
A messenger or envoy. The term is applied to Jesus Christ, who was God's envoy to save the world, Heb 3:1; though, more commonly, the title is given to persons who were envoys commissioned by the Savior himself.
The apostles of Jesus Christ were his chief disciples, whom he invested with authority, filled with his Spirit, entrusted particularly with his doctrines and services, and chose to raise the edifice of his church. They were twelve in number, answering to the twelve tribes. Mt 19:28, and were plain, unlearned men, chosen from the common people. After their calling and charge, Mt 10:5-42, they attended their divine Master, witnessing his works, imbibing his spirit, and gradually learning the facts and doctrines of the gospel. After his resurrection, he sent them into all the world, commissioned to preach, to baptize, to work miracles, etc. See Joh 15:27; 1Co 9:1; 15:8; 2Co 12:12; 1Th 2:13. The names of the twelve are, Simon Peter; Andrew, his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, called also "the greater;" John, his brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew, or Levi; Simon the Canaanite; Lebbeus, surnamed Thaddeus, also called Judas or Jude; James, "the less," the son of Alphaeus; and Judas Iscariot, Mt 10:2-4; Mr 3:16; Lu 6:14. The last betrayed his Master, and then hanged himself, and Matthias was chosen in his place, Ac 1:15-26. In the Acts of the Apostles are recorded the self-sacrificing toils and sufferings of these Christlike men, who did that which was "right in the sight of God" from love to their Lord; and gave themselves wholly to their work, with a zeal, love, and faith Christ delighted to honor-teaching us that apostolic graces alone can secure apostolic successes.
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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 who was surnamed Thaddaeus, read more. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, having ordered them, saying, Go not into a way of the Gentiles, and enter not into a city of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And while going, preach, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has come near. Heal those who are feeble, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely ye received, freely give. Acquire no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for the road, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor staffs, for the workman is worthy of his provision. And into whatever city or village ye may enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide until ye go forth. And while entering into the house, salute it. And if indeed the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you, nor hear your words, while departing that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves. Become ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues, and ye will be brought to governors and even kings because of me, for a witness to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, be not anxious how or what ye should speak, for it will be given you in that hour what ye will speak. For ye are not who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking in you. And a brother will deliver up a brother to death, and a father a child. And children will rise up against parents, and condemn them to death. And ye will be hated by all men because of my name, but he who endures to the end, this man will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the other, for truly I say to you, ye will, no, not have completed the cities of Israel, until the Son of man comes. A pupil is not above his teacher, nor a bondman above his lord. It is enough for the pupil that he becomes like his teacher, and the bondman like his lord. If they have called the house-ruler Beelzebub, how much more those of his household. Fear them not therefore, for there is nothing covered, that will not be revealed, and hid, that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light, and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops. And be not afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall on the ground independent of your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, ye are of worth more than many sparrows. Therefore every man, whoever will profess in me before men, I also will profess in him before my Father in the heavens. But whoever would deny me before men, I also will deny him before my Father in the heavens. Think not that I came to spread peace on the earth. I came not to spread peace, but a sword. For I came to divide a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's foes, are those of his own household. He who loves father or mother above me is not worthy of me, and he who loves son or daughter above me is not worthy of me. And he who does not take his cross and follow behind me, is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life because of me will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever may give to drink one of these little ones merely a cold cup in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you he will, no, not lose his reward.
And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man will sit on the throne of his glory, ye also will sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
And ye also testify, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
And in those days, Peter, having stood up in the midst of the disciples (and there was a multitude of names at the same place, about a hundred twenty), he said Men, brothers, it was necessary for this Scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus, read more. because he was numbered with us, and received a share of this ministry. (Indeed therefore this man obtained a field from the reward of his unrighteousness, and having become headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling at Jerusalem, so as to call that field in their own dialect, Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation become desolate, and let no man be dwelling in it, and, Let another take his office. It is necessary therefore, of the men who accompanied us during all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection. And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And having prayed, they said, Thou, Lord, knowing the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas transgressed to go to his own place. And they gave their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Because of which, holy brothers, companions of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our affirmation, Jesus Christ,
Easton
a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb 3:1; Joh 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Mt 10:1-5; Mr 3:14; 6:7; Lu 6:13; 9:1). We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Mt 10:2-4; Mr 3:16; Lu 6:14), and one in the Acts (Ac 1:13). No two of these lists, however, perfectly coincide.
Our Lord gave them the "keys of the kingdom," and by the gift of his Spirit fitted them to be the founders and governors of his church (Joh 14:16-17,26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15). To them, as representing his church, he gave the commission to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mt 28:18-20). After his ascension he communicated to them, according to his promise, supernatural gifts to qualify them for the discharge of their duties (Ac 2:4; 1Co 2:16,7,10,13; 2Co 5:20; 1Co 11:2). Judas Iscariot, one of "the twelve," fell by transgression, and Matthias was substituted in his place (Ac 1:21). Saul of Tarsus was afterwards added to their number (Ac 9:3-20; 20:4; 26:15-18; 1Ti 1:12; 2:7; 2Ti 1:11).
Luke has given some account of Peter, John, and the two Jameses (Ac 12:2,17; 15:13; 21:18), but beyond this we know nothing from authentic history of the rest of the original twelve. After the martyrdom of James the Greater (Ac 12:2), James the Less usually resided at Jerusalem, while Paul, "the apostle of the uncircumcision," usually travelled as a missionary among the Gentiles (Ga 2:8). It was characteristic of the apostles and necessary (1) that they should have seen the Lord, and been able to testify of him and of his resurrection from personal knowledge (Joh 15:27; Ac 1:21-22; 1Co 9:1; Ac 22:14-15). (2.) They must have been immediately called to that office by Christ (Lu 6:13; Ga 1:1). (3.) It was essential that they should be infallibly inspired, and thus secured against all error and mistake in their public teaching, whether by word or by writing (Joh 14:26; 16:13; 1Th 2:13).
(4.) Another qualification was the power of working miracles (Mr 16:20; Ac 2:43; 1Co 12:8-11). The apostles therefore could have had no successors. They are the only authoritative teachers of the Christian doctrines. The office of an apostle ceased with its first holders.
In 2Co 8:23 and Php 2:25 the word "messenger" is the rendering of the same Greek word, elsewhere rendered "apostle."
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And having called in his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, so as to cast them out, and to heal every sickness and every disease. 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,
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 who was surnamed Thaddaeus,
Philip, and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector, James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus who was surnamed Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, having ordered them, saying, Go not into a way of the Gentiles, and enter not into a city of the Samaritans,
And Jesus having come, he spoke to them, saying, All authority in heaven and on earth was given to me. After going, make ye disciples of all the nations, immersing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, read more. teaching them to observe all things, as many as I commanded you. And lo, I am with you all the days, until the end of the age. Truly.
And he appointed twelve men, so that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
And he summons the twelve, and began to send them forth in pairs. And he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
And those men, having gone forth, they preached everywhere, the Lord working jointly, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Truly.
And when it became day, he called his disciples, and chose twelve from them, whom he also named apostles:
And when it became day, he called his disciples, and chose twelve from them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
And having summoned the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all demons, and to heal diseases.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another helper, so that he may dwell with you into the age, the Spirit of truth, which the world cannot receive, because it does not see nor know it. But ye know it, because it dwells with you, and will be in you.
But the helper, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
But the helper, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
But when the helper comes whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. And ye also testify, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
And ye also testify, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Nevertheless I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I depart, for if I do not depart, the helper will not come to you. But whenever I go, I will send him to you. And having come, he will convict the world about sin, and about justice, and about judgment. read more. About sin because they truly did not believe in me, and about justice because I go to the Father, and ye see me no more, and about judgment because the ruler of this world has been judged. I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now. However when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but as many things as he may hear, he will speak. And he will report to you the things that are coming.
However when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but as many things as he may hear, he will speak. And he will report to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me because he will receive from me, and will report to you. read more. All things, as many as the Father has are mine. Because of this I said that he takes from me, and will report to you.
Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.
And when they came in, they went up into the upper floor where they were lodging, including, Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Juda
It is necessary therefore, of the men who accompanied us during all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,
It is necessary therefore, of the men who accompanied us during all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
And they were all filled of Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to declare.
And fear developed in every soul. And many wonders and signs occurred through the apostles.
And on going, it came to pass for him to approach Damascus. And suddenly there shone around him a light out of heaven. And after falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do thou persecute me? read more. And he said, Who are thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecute. But arise, and enter into the city, and it will be told thee what thou must do. And the men who traveled with him had stopped, speechless, indeed hearing the voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the ground. And when his eyes were opened, he saw no man. But they brought him into Damascus, leading him by the hand. And he was three days not seeing, and did not eat or drink. Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus, named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold me, Lord. And the Lord said to him, After rising, go into the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas, a man named Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And he saw in a vision a man named Ananias who came in and laid a hand on him, so that he might receive sight. But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many evil things he did to thy sanctified at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name. But the Lord said to him, Go, because this man is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before Gentiles and kings, and sons of Israel. For I will give him a glimpse of how many things it is necessary for him to suffer for my name. And Ananias departed and entered into the house. And having laid hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord, he who appeared to thee on the road on which thou came, has sent me so that thou may receive sight, and be filled of Hol And straightaway there fell from his eyes, like scales, and he looked up. And immediately after rising up, he was immersed. And having received nourishment, he was strengthened. And Saul became with the disciples in Damascus some days. And straightaway he proclaimed the Christ in the synagogues, that this man is the Son of God.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
But after motioning to them with the hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison. And he said, Report these things to James, and to the brothers. And having departed, he went to a different pl
And after they were quiet, James answered, saying, Men, brothers, hear me.
And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater a Berean, and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius a Derbean, and Timothy, and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
And he said, The God of our fathers appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous man, and to hear a voice from his mouth, because thou will be a witness for him to all men of the things that thou have seen and heard.
And I said, Who are thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecute. But arise, and stand upon thy feet, for I appeared to thee for this, to appoint thee an assistant and a witness both of things that thou saw, and of the things that I will make visible to thee, read more. delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send thee, to open their eyes to turn about from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, for them to receive remission of sins and a lot among those who have been sanctified by faith in me.
whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a glory of Christ.
Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead),
(for he who was working in Peter for the apostleship for men of circumcision was also working in me for the Gentiles),
But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and co-workman and fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,
rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as ye were taught, abounding in it with thankfulness.
And ye are men who have been made full in him, who is the head of every principal office and position of authority.
And you, being dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you he made alive together with him, having forgiven us all the transgressions,
Let not any man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths,
who must be muzzled, men who subvert whole houses, teaching things that they ought not, for sake of ugly profit. A certain man of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy bellies.
Concerning all things presenting thyself a pattern of good works in the doctrine: incorruption, dignity, incorruptibility,
Because of which, holy brothers, companions of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our affirmation, Jesus Christ,
Fausets
("one sent forth".) The official name of the twelve whom Jesus sent forth to preach, and who also were with Him throughout His earthly ministry. Peter states the qualifications before the election of Judas' successor (Ac 1:21), namely, that he should have companied with the followers of Jesus "all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, beginning from the baptism of John unto the day that He was taken up, to be a witness with the others of His resurrection." So the Lord, "Ye are they that have continued with Me in My temptations" (Lu 22:28). The Holy Spirit was specially promised to bring all things to their remembrance whatever Jesus had said, to guide them into all truth, and to enable them to testify of Jesus with power to all lands (Joh 14:26; 15:26-27; 16:13-14). They were some of them fishermen, one a tax collector, and most of them unlearned.
Though called before, they did not permanently follow Him until their call as apostles. All were on a level (Mt 20:20-27; Mr 9:34-36). Yet three stood in especial nearness to Him, Peter, James, and John; they alone witnessed the raising of Jairus' daughter, the transfiguration, and the agony in Gethsemane. An order grounded on moral considerations is traceable in the enumeration of the rest: Judas, the traitor, in all the lists stands last. The disciples surrounded Jesus in wider and still wider expanding circles: nearest Him Peter, James, and. John; then the other nine; then the Seventy; then the disciples in general. But the "mystery" was revealed to all alike (Mt 10:27). Four catalogues are extant: Matthew's (Matthew 10), Mark's (Mr 3:16), Luke's (Lu 6:14) in the Gospel, and Luke's in Ac 1:13.
In all four the apostles are grouped in three classes, four in each. Philip heads the second division, i.e. is fifth; James the son of Alpheus heads the third, i.e. is ninth. Andrew follows Peter on the ground of brotherhood in Matthew and Luke; in Mark and Acts James and John, on the ground of greater nearness to Jesus, precede Andrew. In the second division Matthew modestly puts himself after Thomas; Mark and Luke give him his rightful place before Thomas. Thomas, after his doubts were removed (Joh 20:28), having attained distinguished faith, is promoted above Bartholomew (or Nathanael) and Matthew in Acts. In Matt, hew and Mark Thaddaeus (or Lebbaeus) precedes Simon Zelotes (Hebrew "Canaanite," i.e. one of the sect the Zealots). But in Luke and Acts Simon Zelotes precedes Jude (Thaddaeus) the brother of James. John gives no catalogue, but writing later takes it for granted (Re 21:14,19-20).
In the first division stand Peter and John, New Testament writers, in the second Matthew, in the third James and Jude. The Zealot stood once the last except the traitor, but subsequently became raised; bigotry is not always the best preparation for subsequent high standing in faith. Jesus sent them in pairs: a good plan for securing brotherly sympathy and cooperation. Their early mission in Jesus' lifetime, to preach repentance and perform miracles in Jesus' name, was restricted to Israel, to prepare the way for the subsequent gospel preaching to the Jews first, on and after Pentecost (Ac 3:25). They were slow to apprehend the spiritual nature of His kingdom, and His crucifixion and resurrection as the necessary preliminary to it. Even after His resurrection seven of them returned to their fishing; and it was only by Christ's renewed call that they were led' to remain together at Jerusalem, waiting for the promised Comforter (John 21; Ac 1:4).
From the day of the Pentecostal effusion of the Holy Spirit they became new men, witnessing with power of the resurrection of Jesus, as Jesus had promised (Lu 24:45,49; Ac 1:8,22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 13:31). The first period of the apostles' working extends down to Ac 11:18. Excepting the transition period (Acts 8-10) when, at Stephen's martyrdom, the gospel was extended to Samaria and. to the Ethiopian eunuch by Philip, Jerusalem is its center, and Peter' the prominent figure, who opened the kingdom of heaven (according to Jesus' promise to him, Mt 16:18-19) to the Jews and also to the Gentiles (Acts 2; 10). The second period begins with the extension of the kingdom to idolatrous Gentiles. (Ac 11:19-26).
Antioch, in concert with Jerusalem, is now the center, and Paul the prominent figure, in concert with the other apostles. Though the ideal number always remained twelve (Re 21:14), answering to the twelve tribes of Israel, yet just as there were in fact thirteen tribes when Joseph's two sons were made separate tribal heads, so Paul's calling made thirteen actual apostles. He possessed the two characteristics of an Apostle; he had" seen the Lord," so as to be an eye witness of His resurrection, and he had the power which none but an Apostle had, of conferring spiritual gifts (1Co 9:1-2; 2Co 12:12; Ro 1:11; 15:18-19). This period ends with Ac 13:1-5, when Barnabas and Saul were separated by the Holy Spirit unto missionary work. Here the third apostolic period begins, in which the twelve disappear, and Paul alone stands forth, the Apostle of the Gentiles; so that at the close of Acts, which leaves him evangelizing in Rome, the metropolis of the world, churches from Jerusalem unto Illyricum had been founded through him.
Apostle is used in a vaguer sense of "messengers of the churches" (2Co 8:23; Php 2:25). But the term belongs in its stricter sense to the twelve alone; they alone were apostles of Christ. Their distinctive note is, they were commissioned immediately by Jesus Himself. They alone were chosen by Christ Himself, independently of the churches. So even Matthias (Ac 1:24). So Paul (Ga 1:1-12; Ro 1:1; 1Co 15:9-10). Their exclusive office was to found the Christian church; so their official existence was of Christ, and prior to the churches they collectively and severally founded. They acted with a divine authority to bind and loose things (Mt 18:18), and to remit or retain sins of persons (Joh 20:21-23), which they exercised by the authoritative ministry of the word. Their infallibility, of which their miracles were the credentials, marked them as extraordinary, not permanent, ministers.
Paul requires the Corinthians to acknowledge that the things which he wrote were the Lord's commandments (1Co 14:37). The office was not local; but "the care of all the churches." They were to the whole what particular elders were, to parts of the church (1Pe 5:1; 2Jo 1:1). Apostles therefore could have strictly no successors. John, while superintending the whole, was especially connected with the churches of Asia Minor, Paul with the W., Peter with Babylon. The bishops in that age coexisted with, and did not succeed officially, the apostles. James seems specially to have had a presidency in Jerusalem (Ac 15:19; 21:18).
Once the Lord Himself is so designated, "the Apostle of our profession" (Heb 3:1); the, Ambassador sent from the Father (Joh 20:21). As Apostle He pleads God's cause with us; as" High Priest," our cause with God. Appropriate in writing to Hebrew, since the Hebrew high priest sent delegates ("apostles") to collect the temple tribute from Jews in foreign countries, just as Christ is the Father's Delegate to claim the Father's due from His subjects in this world far off from Him (Mt 21:37).
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Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of LORD, that LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of LORD, that LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light, and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light, and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the housetops.
And I also say to thee, that thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
And I also say to thee, that thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever thou may bind on earth will be what is bound in the heavens, and whatever thou may loose on the earth will be what is loosed in the heavens.
And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever thou may bind on earth will be what is bound in the heavens, and whatever thou may loose on the earth will be what is loosed in the heavens.
Truly I say to you, however many things ye may bind on the earth will be things that are bound in heaven, and however many things ye may loose on the earth will be things that that are loosed in heaven.
Truly I say to you, however many things ye may bind on the earth will be things that are bound in heaven, and however many things ye may loose on the earth will be things that that are loosed in heaven.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, worshiping, and asking something from him.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, worshiping, and asking something from him. And he said to her, What do thou want? She says to him, Speak that these my two sons may sit, one at thy right hand and one at thy left hand in thy kingdom.
And he said to her, What do thou want? She says to him, Speak that these my two sons may sit, one at thy right hand and one at thy left hand in thy kingdom. But having answered, Jesus said, Ye know not what ye are asking. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am going to drink, or to be immersed the immersion that I am immersed? They say to him, We are able.
But having answered, Jesus said, Ye know not what ye are asking. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am going to drink, or to be immersed the immersion that I am immersed? They say to him, We are able. And he says to them, Ye will indeed drink my cup, and ye will be immersed the immersion that I am immersed. But to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but to whom it has been prepared by my Father.
And he says to them, Ye will indeed drink my cup, and ye will be immersed the immersion that I am immersed. But to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but to whom it has been prepared by my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were indignant about the two brothers.
And when the ten heard it, they were indignant about the two brothers. But having summoned them, Jesus said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord over them, and their eminent men have power over them.
But having summoned them, Jesus said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord over them, and their eminent men have power over them. But it shall not be so among you. Rather whoever wants to become great among you, he shall be your helper,
But it shall not be so among you. Rather whoever wants to become great among you, he shall be your helper, and whoever wants be first among you shall be your bondman.
and whoever wants be first among you shall be your bondman.
But finally he sent to them his son, saying, They will be made ashamed by my son.
But finally he sent to them his son, saying, They will be made ashamed by my son.
But they were silent, for on the way they discussed among each other, who is greater.
But they were silent, for on the way they discussed among each other, who is greater. And having sat down, he called the twelve, and he says to them, If any man wants to be first, he will be last of all, and helper of all.
And having sat down, he called the twelve, and he says to them, If any man wants to be first, he will be last of all, and helper of all. And having taken a child, he set it in the midst of them. And after embracing it, he said to them,
And having taken a child, he set it in the midst of them. And after embracing it, he said to them,
Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
But ye are those who have continued with me in my trials.
But ye are those who have continued with me in my trials.
Then he opened their mind to understand the scriptures.
Then he opened their mind to understand the scriptures.
And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you. But stay ye in the city until ye are clothed with power from on high.
And behold, I send forth the promise of my Father upon you. But stay ye in the city until ye are clothed with power from on high.
But the helper, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
But the helper, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.
But when the helper comes whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me.
But when the helper comes whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. And ye also testify, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
And ye also testify, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
However when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but as many things as he may hear, he will speak. And he will report to you the things that are coming.
However when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but as many things as he may hear, he will speak. And he will report to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me because he will receive from me, and will report to you.
He will glorify me because he will receive from me, and will report to you.
Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.
Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.
Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.
Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you. And after saying this, he breathed on them, and says to them, Receive ye Holy Spirit.
And after saying this, he breathed on them, and says to them, Receive ye Holy Spirit. If ye forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If ye retain of any, they are retained.
If ye forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If ye retain of any, they are retained.
Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.
Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.
And being assembled together, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, Which, he said, ye heard from me.
And being assembled together, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, Which, he said, ye heard from me.
But ye will receive the power of the Holy Spirit that comes upon you. And ye will be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as of the extremity of the earth.
But ye will receive the power of the Holy Spirit that comes upon you. And ye will be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as of the extremity of the earth.
And when they came in, they went up into the upper floor where they were lodging, including, Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Juda
And when they came in, they went up into the upper floor where they were lodging, including, Peter and James and John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Juda
It is necessary therefore, of the men who accompanied us during all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,
It is necessary therefore, of the men who accompanied us during all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
And having prayed, they said, Thou, Lord, knowing the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou have chosen
And having prayed, they said, Thou, Lord, knowing the hearts of all men, show which one of these two thou have chosen
This Jesus, God raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
This Jesus, God raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
And ye killed the Pathfinder of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And ye killed the Pathfinder of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
Ye are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant that God made for our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in thy seed all the patriarchies of the earth will be blessed.
Ye are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant that God made for our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in thy seed all the patriarchies of the earth will be blessed.
And we are his witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.
And we are his witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.
And when they heard these things, they relaxed and glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.
And when they heard these things, they relaxed and glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life. Indeed therefore those who were scattered abroad from the persecution that occurred against Stephen passed through as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews only.
Indeed therefore those who were scattered abroad from the persecution that occurred against Stephen passed through as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews only. And some of them were men, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who, having come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching good-news, the Lord Jesus.
And some of them were men, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who, having come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching good-news, the Lord Jesus. And the hand of Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
And the hand of Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. And the word about them was heard in the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they dispatched Barnabas to pass through as far as Antioch,
And the word about them was heard in the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they dispatched Barnabas to pass through as far as Antioch, who, having arrived, and having seen the grace of God, rejoiced. And he encouraged all, with purpose of heart, to remain in the Lord.
who, having arrived, and having seen the grace of God, rejoiced. And he encouraged all, with purpose of heart, to remain in the Lord. Because he was a good man, and full of Holy Spirit and of faith. And a considerable multitude was added to the Lord.
Because he was a good man, and full of Holy Spirit and of faith. And a considerable multitude was added to the Lord. And Barnabus departed to Tarsus to seek Saul,
And Barnabus departed to Tarsus to seek Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass a whole year for them to be assembled in the congregation, and to teach a considerable multitude, and to call the disciples Christians, first at Antioch.
and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass a whole year for them to be assembled in the congregation, and to teach a considerable multitude, and to call the disciples Christians, first at Antioch.
Now there were some men from the congregation that was in Antioch, prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen reared with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were some men from the congregation that was in Antioch, prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen reared with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were serving the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate to me now Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them.
And while they were serving the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate to me now Barnabas and Saul for the work that I have called them. Then, having fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Then, having fasted and prayed and laid hands on them, they sent them away. Indeed therefore these men, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed for Cyprus.
Indeed therefore these men, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed for Cyprus. And after becoming in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John for a helper.
And after becoming in Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they also had John for a helper.
who was seen for more days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are witnesses of him to the people.
who was seen for more days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are witnesses of him to the people.
Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles who are turning to God,
Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles who are turning to God,
And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
Paul, a bondman of Jesus Christ, a called apostle separated for the good-news of God
Paul, a bondman of Jesus Christ, a called apostle separated for the good-news of God
For I long to see you, so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, in order to establish you,
For I long to see you, so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, in order to establish you,
For I will not dare to speak anything of which Christ did not accomplish through me for the obedience of Gentiles, by word and work,
For I will not dare to speak anything of which Christ did not accomplish through me for the obedience of Gentiles, by word and work, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of a spirit of God, so that for me, from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum, to fully preach the good-news of Christ.
in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of a spirit of God, so that for me, from Jerusalem and all around as far as Illyricum, to fully preach the good-news of Christ.
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are ye not my work in Lord?
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are ye not my work in Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you, for ye are the seal of my apostleship in Lord.
If I am not an apostle to others, yet at least I am to you, for ye are the seal of my apostleship in Lord.
If any man presumes to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge what I write to you, that they are commandments of Lord.
If any man presumes to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge what I write to you, that they are commandments of Lord.
whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a glory of Christ.
whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a glory of Christ.
Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead),
Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead), and all the brothers with me, to the congregations of Galatia:
and all the brothers with me, to the congregations of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ
Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ who gave himself for our sins, so that he might rescue us, according to the will of our God and Father, out of the evil age that has come,
who gave himself for our sins, so that he might rescue us, according to the will of our God and Father, out of the evil age that has come, to whom is the glory into the ages of the ages. Truly.
to whom is the glory into the ages of the ages. Truly. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him who called you in the grace of Christ to another good-news,
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him who called you in the grace of Christ to another good-news, which is not another, except there are some who confuse you, and who want to pervert the good-news of the Christ.
which is not another, except there are some who confuse you, and who want to pervert the good-news of the Christ. But even if we, or an agent from heaven, should preach a good-news to you contrary to what we preached to you, let him be accursed.
But even if we, or an agent from heaven, should preach a good-news to you contrary to what we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, I now also say again, if any man preaches a good-news to you contrary to what ye received, let him be accursed.
As we have said before, I now also say again, if any man preaches a good-news to you contrary to what ye received, let him be accursed. For do I now trust men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I were still pleasing men I would not be a bondman of Christ.
For do I now trust men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I were still pleasing men I would not be a bondman of Christ. For I make known to you, brothers, the good-news that was preached by me, that it is not according to man.
For I make known to you, brothers, the good-news that was preached by me, that it is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it was through revelation of Jesus Christ.
For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it was through revelation of Jesus Christ.
But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and co-workman and fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,
But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and co-workman and fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,
Because of which, holy brothers, companions of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our affirmation, Jesus Christ,
Because of which, holy brothers, companions of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our affirmation, Jesus Christ,
I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory going be revealed, exhort the elders among you:
I, a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, and a partaker of the glory going be revealed, exhort the elders among you:
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the foundations of the wall of the city adorned with every precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second, sapphire, the third, chalcedony, the fourth, emerald,
And the foundations of the wall of the city adorned with every precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second, sapphire, the third, chalcedony, the fourth, emerald, the fifth, sardonyx, the sixth, sardius, the seventh, chrysolite, the eighth, beryl, the ninth, topaz, the tenth, chrysoprase, the eleventh, jacinth, the twelfth, amethyst.
the fifth, sardonyx, the sixth, sardius, the seventh, chrysolite, the eighth, beryl, the ninth, topaz, the tenth, chrysoprase, the eleventh, jacinth, the twelfth, amethyst.
Morish
The Greek word ????????? signifies 'a messenger,' 'one sent,' and is used in this sense for any messenger in 2Co 8:23; Php 2:25; and as 'one sent' in Joh 13:16. It is also used in a much higher and more emphatic sense, implying a divine commission in the one sent, first of the Lord Himself and then of the twelve disciples whom He chose to be with Him during the time of His ministry here. The Lord in His prayer in Joh 17:18 said, "As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." He was the Sent One, and in Heb 3:1 it is written "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Jesus."* They were to consider this One who had been faithful, and who was superior to Moses, to the Aaronic priests, and to angels, and was in the glory. The ordering of a dispensation depended on the apostolic office as divinely appointed.
* The word 'Christ' is omitted by the Editors.
APOSTLES, THE TWELVE. The Lord appointed these "that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out demons," and also to carry out the various commissions given by Christ on earth. It will be seen by the lists that follow that Lebbaeus, Thaddaeus and Judas are the same person; and that Simon the Canaanite (Cananaean) and Simon Zelotes are the same; Peter is also called Simon; and Matthew is called Levi.
Mt 10:2-4. Mr 3:16-19. Lu 6:14-16. Ac 1:18.
1 Peter and 1 Peter. 1 Simon. 1 Peter.
2 Andrew. 3 James. 2 Andrew. 3 James.
3 James and 4 John. 3 James. 4 John.
4 John. 2 Andrew. 4 John. 2 Andrew.
5 Philip and 5 Philip. 5 Philip. 5 Philip.
6 Bartholomew. 6 Bartholomew. 6 Bartholomew. 7 Thomas.
7 Thomas and 8 Matthew. 8 Matthew. 6 Bartholomew.
8 Matthew. 7 Thomas. 7 Thomas. 8 Matthew.
9 James and 9 James. 9 James. 9 James.
10 Lebbaeus. 10 Thaddaeus. 11 Simon Zelotes. 11 Simon Z.
11 Simon the Cana- 11 Simon C. 10 Judas. 10 Judas.
naean and 12 Judas 1. 12 Judas I.
12 Judas Iscariot.
Peter is always named first; he with James and John was with the Lord on the mount of transfiguration and also with the Lord at other times, though no one apostle had authority over the others: they were all brethren and the Lord was their Master. Judas Iscariot is always named last. In Matthew the word 'and' divides the twelve into pairs, perhaps corresponding to their being sent out two and two to preach. Bartholomew and Simon Zelotes are not mentioned after their appointment except in Acts 1.
When the Lord sent the twelve out to preach He bade them take nothing with them, for the workman was worthy of his food: and on their return they confessed that they had lacked nothing. Their mission was with authority as the sent ones of the Lord; sicknesses were healed and demons cast out; and if any city refused to receive them it should be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgement than for that city. Mt 10:5-15.
They received a new mission from the Lord as risen: see Luke 24; John 20. And before the ascension the apostles were bidden to tarry at Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. This was bestowed at the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. They are also viewed first among the gifts with which the church was endowed by the Head of the body when He ascended up on high. Eph 4:8-11. These gifts were for "the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." The mystery hitherto hid in God was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, namely, that the Gentiles should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus. Eph. 3. Paul was the special vessel to make known this grace. His apostleship occupies a peculiar place, he having been called by the Lord from heaven, and being charged with the gospel of the glory. See PAUL.
On the death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias, an early disciple, was chosen in his place, for there must be (irrespective of Paul, who, as we have seen, held a unique place) twelve apostles as witnesses of His resurrection, Ac 1:22; Re 21:14 as there must still be twelve tribes of Israel. Jas 1:1; Re 21:12. At the conference of the church in Jerusalem respecting the Gentiles 'the apostles' took a prominent part, with the elders. Acts 15. How many apostles remained at Jerusalem is not recorded: we do not read of 'the twelve' after Acts 6. Tradition gives the various places where they laboured, which may be found under each of their names. Scripture is silent on the subject, in order that the new order of things committed to Paul might become prominent, as the older things connected with Judaism vanished away: cf. 2Pe 3:15-16.
There were no successors to the apostles: to be apostles they must have 'seen the Lord.' Ac 1:21-22; 1Co 9:1; Re 2:2. The foundation of the church was laid, and apostolic work being complete the apostles passed away, there remain however, in the goodness of God, such gifts as are needed "till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Eph 4:12-13.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
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 who was surnamed Thaddaeus, read more. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent forth, having ordered them, saying, Go not into a way of the Gentiles, and enter not into a city of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And while going, preach, saying, The kingdom of the heavens has come near. Heal those who are feeble, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely ye received, freely give. Acquire no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for the road, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor staffs, for the workman is worthy of his provision. And into whatever city or village ye may enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and there abide until ye go forth. And while entering into the house, salute it. And if indeed the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you, nor hear your words, while departing that house or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.
And he added to Simon the name Peter; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, and he added to them the name Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder; read more. and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. And they come to a house.
Simon, whom he also named Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, read more. Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a bondman is not greater than his lord, nor is an apostle greater than he who sent him.
Just as thou sent me into the world, so also I sent them into the world.
(Indeed therefore this man obtained a field from the reward of his unrighteousness, and having become headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
It is necessary therefore, of the men who accompanied us during all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a glory of Christ.
Therefore he says, Having ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. And what is the ascended, except that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? read more. He who descended is also the same man who ascended high above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers for the perfecting of the sanctified, for the work of ministry, for edification of the body of the Christ. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a standard of stature of the fullness of the Christ.
But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and co-workman and fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,
Because of which, holy brothers, companions of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our affirmation, Jesus Christ,
James, a bondman of God and of Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion, greeting.
And consider the longsuffering of our Lord, salvation, just as also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him, as also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist, as also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
I know thy works, and thy toil, and thy perseverance, and that thou cannot tolerate evil, and thou examined those who say themselves to be apostles, and are not, and found them false.
which has a great and high wall having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve agents, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel:
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Smith
(one sent forth), in the New Testament originally the official name of those twelve of the disciples whom Jesus chose to send forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the course of his ministry on earth. The word also appears to have been used in a non-official sense to designate a much wider circle of Christian messengers and teachers See
It is only of those who were officially designated apostles that we treat in the article. Their names are given in
and Christ's charge to them in the rest of the chapter. Their office.-- (1) The original qualification of an apostle, as stated by St. Peter on the occasion of electing a successor to the traitor Judas, was that he should have been personally acquainted with the whole ministerial course of our Lord from his baptism by John till the day when he was taken up into heaven. (2) They were chosen by Christ himself (3) They had the power of working miracles. (4) They were inspired.
Joh 16:13
(5) Their world seems to have been pre-eminently that of founding the churches and upholding them by supernatural power specially bestowed for that purpose. (6) The office ceased, a matter of course, with its first holders-all continuation of it, from the very condition of its existence (cf.
), being impossible. Early history and training.--The apostles were from the lower ranks of life, simple and uneducated; some of them were related to Jesus according to the flesh; some had previously been disciples of John the Baptist. Our Lord chose them early in his public career They seem to have been all on an equality, both during and after the ministry of Christ on earth. Early in our Lord's ministry he sent them out two and two to preach repentance and to perform miracles in his name Matt 10; Luke 9. They accompanied him in his journey, saw his wonderful works, heard his discourses addressed to the people, and made inquiries of him on religious matters. They recognized him as the Christ of God,
Mt 16:16; Lu 9:20
and described to him supernatural power
Lu 9:54
but in the recognition of the spiritual teaching and mission of Christ they made very low progress, held back as they were by weakness of apprehension and by national prejudices. Even at the removal of our Lord from the earth they were yet weak in their knowledge,
Lu 24:21; Joh 16:12
though he had for so long been carefully preparing and instructing them. On the feast of Pentecost, ten days after our Lord's ascension, the Holy Spirit came down on the assembled church, Acts 2; and from that time the apostles became altogether different men, giving witness with power of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus, as he had declared they should.
Lu 24:48; Ac 1:8,22; 2:32; 3:15; 5:32; 13:31
Later labors and history.--First of all the mother-church at Jerusalem grew up under their hands, Acts 3-7, and their superior dignity and power were universally acknowledged by the rulers and the people.
ff. Their first mission out of Jerusalem was to Samaria
where the Lord himself had, during his ministry, sown the seed of the gospel. Here ends the first period of the apostles' agency, during which its centre is Jerusalem and the prominent figure is that of St. Peter. The centre of the second period of the apostolic agency is Antioch, where a church soon was built up, consisting of Jews and Gentiles; and the central figure of this and of the subsequent period is St. Paul. The third apostolic period is marked by the almost entire disappearance of the twelve from the sacred narrative and the exclusive agency of St. Paul, the great apostle of the Gentiles. Of the missionary work of the rest of the twelve we know absolutely nothing from the sacred narrative.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
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 who was surnamed Thaddaeus, read more. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
And Simon Peter having answered, said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And he said to them, But ye, who say ye that I am? And having answered, Peter said, The Christ of God.
But we hoped that he is the man who is going to redeem Israel. But even with all these things, it brings this third day today from which time these things happened.
And ye are witnesses of these things.
I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now. However when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but as many things as he may hear, he will speak. And he will report to you the things that are coming.
But ye will receive the power of the Holy Spirit that comes upon you. And ye will be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as of the extremity of the earth.
having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
This Jesus, God raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
And ye killed the Pathfinder of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders happened among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
And we are his witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.
who was seen for more days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are witnesses of him to the people.
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are ye not my work in Lord?
whether on behalf of Titus my partner and co-workman for you, or our brothers, apostles of congregations, a glory of Christ.
Watsons
APOSTLE, ?????????, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, commissioned by him to preach his Gospel, and propagate it to all parts of the earth. The word originally signifies a person delegated or sent; from ?????????, mitto; in which sense it occurs in Herodotus, and other profane authors. Hence, in the New Testament, the term is applied to divers sorts of delegates; and to the twelve disciples by way of eminence. They were limited to the number twelve, in allusion to the twelve tribes of Israel. See Mt 19:28; Lu 22:30; Re 21:12-14; and compare Ex 24:4; De 1:23; and Jos 4:2-3. Accordingly care was taken, on the death of Judas, to choose another, to make up the number, Ac 1:21-22,26. Of the first selection and commission of the twelve Apostles, we have an account, Lu 6:13, &c.; Mt 10:1, &c. Having chosen and constituted twelve persons, under the name of Apostles, our blessed Lord determined that for some time they should be continually with him, not only to attend upon his public ministry, but to enjoy the benefit of his private conversation, that he might furnish them the better for the great work in which they were to be employed; and that, at length, after suitable preparation, he might, with greater advantage, send them abroad to preach his Gospel, and thus make way for his own visits to some more distant parts, where he had not yet been; and to enable them more effectually to do this, he endowed them with the power of working miracles, of curing diseases, and casting out demons. About the commencement of the third year of his ministry, according to the common account of its duration, he sent them out two by two, that they might be assistants to each other in their work; and commanded them to restrict their teaching and services to the people of Israel, and to avoid going to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans, to declare the approach of the kingdom of heaven, and the establishment of the Gospel dispensation; to exercise the miraculous powers with which they had been endowed gratuitously; and to depend for their subsistence on the providence of God, and on the donations of those to whom they ministered. Their names were, Simon Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the greater, the son of Zebedee; and John his brother, who was the beloved disciple; Philip of Bethsaida; Bartholomew; Thomas, called Didymus, as having a twin brother; Matthew or Levi, who had been a publican; James, the son of Alpheus, called James the less; Lebbeus, surnamed Thaddeus, and who was also called Judas or Jude, the brother of James; Simon, the Canaanite, so called, as some have thought, because he was a native of Cana, or, as Dr. Hammond thinks, from the Hebrew ???, signifying the same with Zelotes, or the Zelot, a name given to him on account of his having before professed a distinguishing zeal for the law; and Judas Iscariot, or a man of Carioth, Jos 15:25, who afterward betrayed him, and then laid violent hands on himself. Of these, Simon, Andrew, James the greater, and John, were fishermen; Matthew, and James the son of Alpheus, were publicans; and the other six were probably fishermen, though their occupation is not distinctly specified.
After the resurrection of our Saviour, and not long before his ascension, the place of Judas the traitor was supplied by Matthias, supposed by some to have been Nathaniel of Galilee, to whom our Lord had given the distinguishing character of an "Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile;" and the twelve Apostles, whose number was now completed, received a new commission, of a more extensive nature than the first, to preach the Gospel to all nations, and to be witnesses of Christ, not only in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, but unto the uttermost parts of the earth; and they were qualified for the execution of their office by a plenteous effusion of miraculous powers and spiritual gifts, and particularly the gift of tongues. In consequence of this commission, they preached first to the Jews, then to the Samaritans, and afterward to the idolatrous Gentiles. Their signal success at Jerusalem, where they opened their commission, alarmed the Jewish sanhedrim, before which Peter and John were summoned, and from which they received a strict charge never more to teach, publicly or privately, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The noble reply and subsequent conduct of the Apostles are well known. This court of the Jews was so awed and incensed, as to plot the death of the twelve Apostles, as the only effectual measure for preventing the farther spread of Christianity. Gamaliel interposed, by his prudent and moderate counsel; and his speech had so good an effect upon the sanhedrim, that, instead of putting Peter and John to death, they scourged them, renewed their charge and threats, and then dismissed them. The Apostles, however, were not discouraged nor restrained; they counted it an honour to suffer such indignities, in token of their affection to their Master, and zeal in his cause; and they persisted in preaching daily in the courts of the temple, and in other places, that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised and long expected Messiah. Their doctrine spread, and the number of converts in Jerusalem still increased. During the violent persecution that raged at Jerusalem, soon after the martyrdom of St. Stephen, several of the leading men among the Christians were dispersed; some of them travelled through the regions of Judea and Samaria, and others to Damascus, Phoenicia, the Island of Cyprus, and various parts of Syria; but the twelve Apostles remained, with undaunted firmness, at Jerusalem, avowing their attachment to the persecuted interest of Christ, and consulting how they might best provide for the emergencies of the church, in its infant and oppressed state.
When the Apostles, during their abode at Jerusalem, heard that many of the Samaritans had embraced the Gospel, Peter and John were deputed to confer upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit; for to the Apostles belonged the prerogative of conferring upon others spiritual gifts and miraculous powers. In their return to Jerusalem, from the city of Samaria, they preached the Gospel in many Samaritan villages. The manner of its being sent to Ethiopia, by the conversion of the eunuch who was chief treasurer to Candace, queen of the country, is related in Ac 8:26, &c. After the Christian religion had been planted in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and sent into Ethiopia, one of the uttermost parts of the earth, Ac 1:8; and after it had been preached about eight years to the Jews only, God, in his wise and merciful providence, disposed things for the preaching of it among the Gentiles. Caesarea was the scene in which the Apostle Peter was to open his commission for this purpose; and Cornelius, one of the devout Gentiles, and a man distinguished by his piety and charity, was the first proselyte to Christianity. After Peter had laid the foundation of a Christian church among the devout Gentiles, others imitated his example, and a great number of persons of this description embraced the Christian faith, more especially at Antioch, where the disciples, whom their enemies had hitherto called Galileans, Nazarenes, and other names of reproach, and who, among themselves, had been called "disciples," "believers," "the church," "the saints," and "brethren," were denominated, probably not without a divine direction, Christians.
When Christianity had been preached for about eight years among the Jews only, and for about three years more among the Jews and devout Gentiles, the next stage of its progress was to the idolatrous Gentiles, in the year of Christ 44, and the fourth year of the emperor Claudius. Barnabas and Saul were selected for this purpose, and constituted in an extraordinary manner Apostles of the Gentiles, or uncircumcision. Barnabas was probably an elder of the first rank; he had seen Christ in the flesh, had been an eye witness of his being alive again after his crucifixion, and had received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, as being one of the hundred and twenty. Saul also, since his conversion had preached as a superior prophet, about seven years to the Jews only, and about two
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Moses wrote all the words of LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar below the mount, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
And the thing pleased me well. And I took twelve men of you, one man for every tribe.
Take for you twelve men out of the people, a man out of every tribe, and command ye them, saying, Take for you here out of the midst of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging-place where ye shall
And having called in his twelve disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, so as to cast them out, and to heal every sickness and every disease.
And Jesus said to them, Truly I say to you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man will sit on the throne of his glory, ye also will sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And when it became day, he called his disciples, and chose twelve from them, whom he also named apostles:
that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
But ye will receive the power of the Holy Spirit that comes upon you. And ye will be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as of the extremity of the earth.
It is necessary therefore, of the men who accompanied us during all the time during which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, having begun from the immersion of John to the day that he was taken up from us, for one of these to become a witness with us of his resurrection.
And they gave their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
And an agent of Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desolate region.
And it came to pass, my having returned to Jerusalem and while I prayed in the temple, for me to became in a trance.
But arise, and stand upon thy feet, for I appeared to thee for this, to appoint thee an assistant and a witness both of things that thou saw, and of the things that I will make visible to thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send thee, read more. to open their eyes to turn about from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, for them to receive remission of sins and a lot among those who have been sanctified by faith in me. Whereupon, king Agrippa, I did not become disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declaring first to those at Damascus and then at Jerusalem, and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, to repent and return to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners who are notable men among the apostles, who also became in Christ before me.
But I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and co-workman and fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need,
which has a great and high wall having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve agents, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel: from the east, three gates, and from the north, three gates, and from the south, three gates, and from the west, three gates. read more. And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.