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; the first is Simon, who is called Peter, then Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the son of Alpheus, and Labbeus, whose sirname was Thaddeus, Simon the zelot, read more. and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Jesus made these twelve his missionaries, and gave them these instructions, don't go any where among the Gentiles, nor enter into any city of the Samaritans. but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. and wherever ye go, make this proclamation: the kingdom of heaven is nigh. heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: what ye have received gratis, give gratis. Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass in your purses: nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staves: for the workman deserves his maintenance. whatever city or town ye enter into, find out some house of repute, and there lodge till ye leave that place. As soon as ye enter into any house, salute the family. if the family be worthy, your benediction shall have its effect; but if it be not worthy, it shall only redound to your own advantage. if they should not receive you, nor mind your instructions: when ye depart out of that house, or city, shake off the pagan dust from your feet. I declare unto you, the people of Sodom and Gomorrha shall find less severity in the day of judgment, than that city. By your mission you will be expos'd like sheep in the midst of wolves: be then as circumspect as serpents, and as inoffensive as doves: be upon your guard with such men, for they will deliver you up to their tribunals, and scourge you in their synagogues. and ye shall be brought before governors and kings upon my account, to bear testimony of me to them and the rest of the Gentiles. but when they take you. into custody, be not sollicitous, how or what ye shall speak, for at the very instant you shall be inspir'd what to say. for it is not properly you that speak, but the spirit of your father that speaketh by you. then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against their parents, and be the instruments of their death. and ye shall be hated by all the world for professing my name: but he that perseveres unto the end, shall escape. Then if they persecute you in one city, fly to another: for I assure you, before you have preach'd thro' all the cities of the Jews, the son of man will come. the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. if the disciple fare as well as his master, and the servant as his lord, is not that sufficient? if they style the master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they call his domestics so. fear them not therefore: for there is nothing hid that shall not be revealed; or secret that shall not be made known. what I tell you in private, declare it in publick: and what is whisper'd in the ear, proclaim from the battlements of the house. fear not those who can only kill the body, but cannot hurt the soul: rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? yet not one of them shall lose its life independently of your father, by whom the very hairs of your head are all numbred: lay aside then your fears, ye are of a superior rank to those animals. Whosoever therefore shall own me before men, him will I own likewise before my father who is in heaven. but whosoever shall renounce me before men, him will I also renounce before my father who is in heaven. don't imagine that I am come to bring peace upon the earth: I came not to bring peace, but war. my coming will occasion discord between the son and his father, between the daughter and her mother, between the daughter in law and her mother in law: even a man's own domestics shall prove his foes. he that loveth father or mother more than me, is unworthy of me: he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is unworthy of me. and he that does not take his cross, and so follow after me, is unworthy of me. he that would preserve his life, shall lose it: and he that exposeth his life for my sake, shall save it. He that receives you, receives me; and he that receives me, receives him that sent me. he that receives a prophet in quality of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receives a just man, as such, shall receive the reward of the just. and whoever shall give only a cup of cold water to the meanest of you, considering him as my disciple, shall most assuredly be far from losing his reward.
Jesus reply'd, I declare unto you, that in the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye that have followed me shall likewise sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
these were Simon, whom he sirnam'd Peter, James the son of Zebedee,
(to whom he gave the name of Peter) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
At that time the disciples being assembled, to the number of about an hundred and twenty, Peter rose up in the midst of them, and said, men and brethren, the prediction which the holy ghost made, by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was guide to those that seiz'd Jesus, must have been accomplished. read more. he was of our number, and shared in the functions of this ministry. but after he had purchased a field with the reward of his iniquity, he fell down, his belly burst, and all his bowels gushed out: a fact so generally known to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that they called the field in their tongue, Aceldema, that is to say, the field of blood. for it is written in the book of psalms, "let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein:" and "let another take possession of his charge." wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us, from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection. accordingly they presented two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was sirnamed Justus, and Matthias. and they prayed, saying, "thou Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show us which of these two thou hast chosen, that he may be admitted to this apostolick ministry which Judas abandoned, to go to his own place." and having drawn lots; the lot fell upon Matthias, who was added to the eleven apostles.
Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;
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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Jesus having called his twelve disciples, he gave them power to cast out unclean spirits, and to heal diseases and disorders of every kind. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; the first is Simon, who is called Peter, then Andrew his brother,
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; the first is Simon, who is called Peter, then Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the son of Alpheus, and Labbeus, whose sirname was Thaddeus, Simon the zelot,
James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the son of Alpheus, and Labbeus, whose sirname was Thaddeus, Simon the zelot, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Jesus made these twelve his missionaries, and gave them these instructions, don't go any where among the Gentiles, nor enter into any city of the Samaritans.
and Jesus came, and said to them, all power has been given me in heaven and in earth. go and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: read more. teaching them to observe every thing which I have enjoin'd you: and be assured I shall be always with you to the end of the world.
then he chose twelve of them to be near his person, and afterwards to be gospel-missionaries.
these were Simon, whom he sirnam'd Peter, James the son of Zebedee,
Now having called the twelve, he sent them out by two and two, giving them power to exorcize spirits:
as for the disciples, they went and preached the gospel in all parts: the Lord co-operating with them, and confirming their doctrine by the miracles that accompany'd it.
when it was day, he called his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom he stiled missionarys: Simon,
when it was day, he called his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom he stiled missionarys: Simon, (to whom he gave the name of Peter) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
After this he assembled the twelve apostles, and gave them authority over all sorts of demons, and the power of curing all diseases:
and I will pray the father, and he shall give you another advocate, to abide with you for ever; even the spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees nor knows him: but ye shall know him, for he shall dwell with you, and shall be in you.
but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send for my sake, he will explain every thing to you, and make you remember, all that I have told you.
but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send for my sake, he will explain every thing to you, and make you remember, all that I have told you.
but when the advocate is come, whom I will send to you from the father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the father, he shall testify of me. and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I do not go away, the advocate will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. and when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, of justice, of judgment: read more. of sin, because they believ'd not on me; of justice, because I shall be with my father, and ye shall see me no more expos'd: of judgment, because the prince of this world is condemn'd. I have yet many things to tell you, but ye cannot bear them now; but when he, the spirit of truth shall come, he will inform you of all those truths: for he will not speak from himself; but the information he shall receive will he communicate: and acquaint you with what is to come.
but when he, the spirit of truth shall come, he will inform you of all those truths: for he will not speak from himself; but the information he shall receive will he communicate: and acquaint you with what is to come. he shall glorify me: for he will commuincate to you, the information, which I shall give him. read more. all that the father has is mine: that is the reason of my saying, "he shall communicate to you the information that I shall give him."
then said Jesus to them again, "peace be with you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you."
When they were arrived there, they went up into an upper room, where Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zelot, and Judas the brother of James used to resort,
wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us,
wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us, from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak in different languages, as the spirit gave them utterance.
and all the people were allarm'd at the many prodigies and miracles which were done by the apostles.
As he was on his journey, and near Damascus, on a sudden, a light from heaven surrounded him, and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? read more. and he said, who art thou, Lord? and the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: [it is hard for thee to kick against the goad. Then trembling with the fright Saul said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and the Lord said to him,] but rise, and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do. the mean while the men who accompany'd him, remain'd astonish'd, hearing a voice, but seeing no one. at length Saul rose from the ground; and when he opened his eyes, he could not see: so that they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus, where he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, to whom the Lord said in a vision, Ananias! and he said, Lord, here I am. and the Lord said unto him, arise, and go to the street called Straight, and enquire at the house of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus: for he is there at prayer. (at that very instant Saul saw in a vision the said Ananias come in, and put his hand on him, to restore his sight.) then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many that this man has done a world of mischief to thy saints at Jerusalem: he is now here, and is impower'd by the chief priests, to imprison all that make profession of thy name. go, said the Lord to him: for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the children of Israel. for I will make him see how much he must suffer for my name. Ananias therefore departed, and being arrived at the house, he put his hands on Saul, and said, brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to you on your journey hither, hath sent me, that you might obtain your sight, and be filled with the holy spirit. immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he recover'd his sight; upon which he instantly arose, and was baptized. and when he had taken some food, he was refresh'd. after which Saul staid some time with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he maintained in the synagogues, that Jesus was the son of God.
he caus'd James the brother of John to be beheaded.
he caus'd James the brother of John to be beheaded.
but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair. after which he departed and went to another place.
After they had done speaking, James assum'd the discourse, and said, my brethren, give me your attention.
Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, Gaius of Derby and Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus both Asiatics, all accompanied him to Asia,
the next day Paul went with us to James, where all the pastors assembled.
then he said, the God of our fathers has singled you out to be acquainted with his will, to see the just one, and to hear the words of his mouth: that you might testify to all men, what you have seen and heard.
I answer'd, who art thou, Lord? he said, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. but rise upright upon thy feet: for I have appear'd to thee in order to establish you my minister in testifying both what you have seen, and what I shall hereafter show to you, read more. by delivering you from this people, and from the Gentiles to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me."
now as to Titus, he is my collegue, and assists me in your affairs: as to our brethren, they are the deputies of the churches, and the glory of the christian profession.
Paul an apostle (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the father who raised him from the dead) and all the brethren,
(for he that had wrought powerfully in Peter with respect to his apostleship among the Jews, had also wrought powerfully in me upon account of the Gentiles:) and when James,
however I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus my brother, my collegue in the ministry, and my fellow-soldier, whom you had sent to supply my wants:
being firmly attach'd to, and founded upon him: establishing yourselves in the faith you have been taught, and being thankful for the improvement you make therein.
and ye are filled by him, who is the chief of all principality and power:
Even you, who were in a dying sinful state, and were uncircumcised Gentiles, has God raised to life, as he did Christ, having pardoned all your sins:
Let no man therefore condemn you for meats or drinks, or in respect of feasts, or new moons, or sabbaths:
who ought to be curb'd, who pervert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for sordid lucre. one of their own prophets said, "the Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies."
In all things show yourself a pattern of virtue: in teaching shewing uncorruptness,
Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;
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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
what I tell you in private, declare it in publick: and what is whisper'd in the ear, proclaim from the battlements of the house.
what I tell you in private, declare it in publick: and what is whisper'd in the ear, proclaim from the battlements of the house.
and I tell thee likewise, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will hereafter build my church: and death shall not prevail against it.
and I tell thee likewise, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will hereafter build my church: and death shall not prevail against it. and I will give you the keys of the gospel-kingdom: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
and I will give you the keys of the gospel-kingdom: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
I declare unto you, "whatever things ye disallow on earth, are disallow'd by heaven: and whatever ye authorize on earth, are authoriz'd by heaven."
I declare unto you, "whatever things ye disallow on earth, are disallow'd by heaven: and whatever ye authorize on earth, are authoriz'd by heaven."
Then the mother of Zebedee's children, with her two sons, came and threw herself at his feet, desiring a favour of him.
Then the mother of Zebedee's children, with her two sons, came and threw herself at his feet, desiring a favour of him. and he said to her, what would you have? grant, said she, when you are upon the throne, that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left.
and he said to her, what would you have? grant, said she, when you are upon the throne, that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left. but Jesus answered them, ye know not what ye ask. can ye bear to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we can.
but Jesus answered them, ye know not what ye ask. can ye bear to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? they said to him, we can. he replied, ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, I cannot grant to any but those whom my father has destin'd thereto.
he replied, ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, I cannot grant to any but those whom my father has destin'd thereto. upon hearing this, the other ten disciples were moved with indignation against the two brothers.
upon hearing this, the other ten disciples were moved with indignation against the two brothers. but Jesus calling them to him, said, ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise arbitrary dominion over them, and they that are great exercise their authority.
but Jesus calling them to him, said, ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise arbitrary dominion over them, and they that are great exercise their authority. but it must not be so among you: on the contrary, whoever would rise among you, let him be your minister.
but it must not be so among you: on the contrary, whoever would rise among you, let him be your minister. and whoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant.
and whoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant.
but last of all, he sent his son, saying, they will reverence my son.
but last of all, he sent his son, saying, they will reverence my son.
these were Simon, whom he sirnam'd Peter, James the son of Zebedee,
these were Simon, whom he sirnam'd Peter, James the son of Zebedee,
at which they were silent, for upon the road they had disputed about precedency.
at which they were silent, for upon the road they had disputed about precedency. then sitting down, he address'd himself to the twelve, saying, he that would be the first, must be the last of all, and the servant of all.
then sitting down, he address'd himself to the twelve, saying, he that would be the first, must be the last of all, and the servant of all. then taking a little child, he set him down before them; and embracing him in his arms, he said to them,
then taking a little child, he set him down before them; and embracing him in his arms, he said to them,
(to whom he gave the name of Peter) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
(to whom he gave the name of Peter) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
but since you did not abandon me in my trials,
but since you did not abandon me in my trials,
then he open'd their minds to make them understand the scriptures, and said to them,
then he open'd their minds to make them understand the scriptures, and said to them,
and I am going to send you what my father has promis'd you. but continue in the city of Jerusalem, until you shall be endued with power from on high.
and I am going to send you what my father has promis'd you. but continue in the city of Jerusalem, until you shall be endued with power from on high.
but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send for my sake, he will explain every thing to you, and make you remember, all that I have told you.
but the advocate, the holy spirit, whom the father will send for my sake, he will explain every thing to you, and make you remember, all that I have told you.
but when the advocate is come, whom I will send to you from the father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the father, he shall testify of me.
but when the advocate is come, whom I will send to you from the father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the father, he shall testify of me. and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
but when he, the spirit of truth shall come, he will inform you of all those truths: for he will not speak from himself; but the information he shall receive will he communicate: and acquaint you with what is to come.
but when he, the spirit of truth shall come, he will inform you of all those truths: for he will not speak from himself; but the information he shall receive will he communicate: and acquaint you with what is to come. he shall glorify me: for he will commuincate to you, the information, which I shall give him.
he shall glorify me: for he will commuincate to you, the information, which I shall give him.
then said Jesus to them again, "peace be with you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you."
then said Jesus to them again, "peace be with you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you."
then said Jesus to them again, "peace be with you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you."
then said Jesus to them again, "peace be with you: as my father hath sent me, even so send I you." and when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "receive ye the holy spirit.
and when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, "receive ye the holy spirit. whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye leave unpardoned, they are lest unpardoned."
whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye leave unpardoned, they are lest unpardoned."
Thomas answered, and said to him, my Lord and my God!
Thomas answered, and said to him, my Lord and my God!
being with them when they were assembled, he order'd they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the father had promis'd, which, said he, I mention'd.
being with them when they were assembled, he order'd they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the father had promis'd, which, said he, I mention'd.
but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth.
but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth.
When they were arrived there, they went up into an upper room, where Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zelot, and Judas the brother of James used to resort,
When they were arrived there, they went up into an upper room, where Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zelot, and Judas the brother of James used to resort,
wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us,
wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us, from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
saying, "thou Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show us which of these two thou hast chosen,
saying, "thou Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show us which of these two thou hast chosen,
'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses.
'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses.
but killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
but killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, when he said to Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed in your posterity."
ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, when he said to Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed in your posterity."
and we are his witnesses in what we say, and so is the holy spirit, whom God hath given to those that obey him.
and we are his witnesses in what we say, and so is the holy spirit, whom God hath given to those that obey him.
Having heard this, they were appeas'd, and glorified God, saying, God has then granted salvation likewise to the gentiles, on the terms of their repentance.
Having heard this, they were appeas'd, and glorified God, saying, God has then granted salvation likewise to the gentiles, on the terms of their repentance. In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only.
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only. some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus.
some of them were of Cyprus and Cyrene, and upon their arrival at Antioch they address'd themselves to the Greeks, and preach'd to them the Lord Jesus. and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts.
and as the divine assistance accompany'd them, a great number of persons believed and became converts. Of this the church at Jerusalem being appriz'd, they order'd Barnabas to go to Antioch;
Of this the church at Jerusalem being appriz'd, they order'd Barnabas to go to Antioch; who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession:
who upon his arrival there, was glad to see such effects of the divine grace, and exhorted them all to remain firmly attach'd to the christian profession: for he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith: so that many converts were added to the church.
for he was a good man, and full of the holy spirit and of faith: so that many converts were added to the church. at length Barnabas departed to Tarsus in quest of Saul, and having found him, he conducted him to Antioch:
at length Barnabas departed to Tarsus in quest of Saul, and having found him, he conducted him to Antioch: where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians.
where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy spirit said to them, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have destin'd them.
as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy spirit said to them, separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have destin'd them. accordingly, after having fasted and prayed they gave them imposition of hands, and dismiss'd them.
accordingly, after having fasted and prayed they gave them imposition of hands, and dismiss'd them. being thus appointed missionarys by the holy spirit, they went to Seleucia, where they embark'd for Cyprus.
being thus appointed missionarys by the holy spirit, they went to Seleucia, where they embark'd for Cyprus. when they were arrived at Salamis, they preach'd the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and had John for their assistant.
when they were arrived at Salamis, they preach'd the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and had John for their assistant.
and for many days he was seen by those, who had accompany'd him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and they are now his witnesses to the people.
and for many days he was seen by those, who had accompany'd him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and they are now his witnesses to the people.
wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them,
wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them,
the next day Paul went with us to James, where all the pastors assembled.
the next day Paul went with us to James, where all the pastors assembled.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, chosen to declare the gospel dispensation,
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, chosen to declare the gospel dispensation,
for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, in order to establish you:
for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, in order to establish you:
for I will not offer to mention any thing, but what Christ has wrought by me, to make the Gentiles christians, both in profession and practice:
for I will not offer to mention any thing, but what Christ has wrought by me, to make the Gentiles christians, both in profession and practice: by virtue of the miracles and prodigies wrought by the power of the divine spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and the neighbouring country, quite to Illyricum,
by virtue of the miracles and prodigies wrought by the power of the divine spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and the neighbouring country, quite to Illyricum,
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour?
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour? if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for your being christians is the proof of my apostleship.
if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for your being christians is the proof of my apostleship.
if any one pretends to be a prophet, or to spiritual gifts, let him be assured that the rules which I have here prescrib'd, are the commandments of the Lord.
if any one pretends to be a prophet, or to spiritual gifts, let him be assured that the rules which I have here prescrib'd, are the commandments of the Lord.
now as to Titus, he is my collegue, and assists me in your affairs: as to our brethren, they are the deputies of the churches, and the glory of the christian profession.
now as to Titus, he is my collegue, and assists me in your affairs: as to our brethren, they are the deputies of the churches, and the glory of the christian profession.
Paul an apostle (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the father who raised him from the dead) and all the brethren,
Paul an apostle (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the father who raised him from the dead) and all the brethren, who are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: grace be to you, and peace from God the father,
who are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: grace be to you, and peace from God the father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ: who gave himself for our sins,
and from our Lord Jesus Christ: who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from the vices of this present age, according to the will of God, even our father: to
that he might deliver us from the vices of this present age, according to the will of God, even our father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. amen. I wonder you have so soon deserted unto another gospel,
whom be glory for ever and ever. amen. I wonder you have so soon deserted unto another gospel, from me, who called you by the grace of Christ; this can be
from me, who called you by the grace of Christ; this can be owing to nothing but your being practised upon by some, who would overturn the gospel of Christ.
owing to nothing but your being practised upon by some, who would overturn the gospel of Christ. but tho' I, or an angel from heaven should preach any thing to you for gospel, different from the gospel I have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
but tho' I, or an angel from heaven should preach any thing to you for gospel, different from the gospel I have preached unto you, let him be accursed. as I said before, so say I now again, if any one preach any other thing to you for gospel, than what you have received, let him be accursed.
as I said before, so say I now again, if any one preach any other thing to you for gospel, than what you have received, let him be accursed. for do I now act in obedience to men, or to God? or do I seek to please men? if I had hitherto pleased men, I should not have been the servant of Christ.
for do I now act in obedience to men, or to God? or do I seek to please men? if I had hitherto pleased men, I should not have been the servant of Christ. I certify to you, brethren, that the gospel, which has been preached by me, is not the result of human artifice:
I certify to you, brethren, that the gospel, which has been preached by me, is not the result of human artifice: for I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
for I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
however I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus my brother, my collegue in the ministry, and my fellow-soldier, whom you had sent to supply my wants:
however I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus my brother, my collegue in the ministry, and my fellow-soldier, whom you had sent to supply my wants:
Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;
Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;
I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest;
I address myself to you pastors, as being a pastor myself, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to partake of the glory, that shall hereafter be made manifest;
the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.
the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.
the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.
the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.
the foundations of the citywall were embellished with all manner of precious stones. the first foundation was of jasper; the second, of sapphire; the third, of chalcedony; the fourth, of an emerald;
the foundations of the citywall were embellished with all manner of precious stones. the first foundation was of jasper; the second, of sapphire; the third, of chalcedony; the fourth, of an emerald; the fifth, of sardonyx; the sixth, of sardius; the seventh, of chrysolite; the eighth, of beryl; the ninth, of a topaz; the tenth, of a chrysoprasus; the elventh, of a jacinth; the twelfth, of an amethyst.
the fifth, of sardonyx; the sixth, of sardius; the seventh, of chrysolite; the eighth, of beryl; the ninth, of a topaz; the tenth, of a chrysoprasus; the elventh, of a jacinth; the twelfth, of an 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; the first is Simon, who is called Peter, then Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the son of Alpheus, and Labbeus, whose sirname was Thaddeus, Simon the zelot, read more. and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Jesus made these twelve his missionaries, and gave them these instructions, don't go any where among the Gentiles, nor enter into any city of the Samaritans. but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. and wherever ye go, make this proclamation: the kingdom of heaven is nigh. heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: what ye have received gratis, give gratis. Provide neither gold nor silver, nor brass in your purses: nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staves: for the workman deserves his maintenance. whatever city or town ye enter into, find out some house of repute, and there lodge till ye leave that place. As soon as ye enter into any house, salute the family. if the family be worthy, your benediction shall have its effect; but if it be not worthy, it shall only redound to your own advantage. if they should not receive you, nor mind your instructions: when ye depart out of that house, or city, shake off the pagan dust from your feet. I declare unto you, the people of Sodom and Gomorrha shall find less severity in the day of judgment, than that city.
these were Simon, whom he sirnam'd Peter, James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, (whom he had named Boanerges, that is to say, sons of thunder.) read more. Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, Thaddeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
(to whom he gave the name of Peter) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon surnamed the Zelot, read more. Jude the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, who prov'd the traitor.
I declare unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither he that is sent, greater than he that sent him.
as thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
but after he had purchased a field with the reward of his iniquity, he fell down, his belly burst, and all his bowels gushed out:
wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us, from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
now as to Titus, he is my collegue, and assists me in your affairs: as to our brethren, they are the deputies of the churches, and the glory of the christian profession.
wherefore 'tis said, " when he ascended up on high, he made a number of captives, and gave gifts to men." now his having ascended, what does it mean, but that he had descended into the lower parts of the earth? read more. he that descended, is the same too that ascended far above all heavens, to perfect all things. It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ: till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ:
however I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus my brother, my collegue in the ministry, and my fellow-soldier, whom you had sent to supply my wants:
Wherefore, christian brethren, you who are called to an heavenly inheritance, consider the apostle and high priest of the faith we profess, even Christ Jesus;
James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the TWELVE TRIBES dispers'd thro' the world, sends greeting.
that the patience of our Lord is for your advantage: as our dear brother Paul, according to the information he receiv'd, has writ to you, as it were in all his epistles, where he takes notice of these things: in which there are some passages that are difficult to understand, which the illiterate, and unstable wrest, as they do the rest of the scriptures, to their own ruin.
I know thy works, thy labour, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear those who are evil: thou hast tried those who say they are apostles, but are not; and hast found them lyars:
her walls were large and high; the gates were twelve; and at the gates twelve angels, with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel inscrib'd thereon.
the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the 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; the first is Simon, who is called Peter, then Andrew his brother, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the son of Alpheus, and Labbeus, whose sirname was Thaddeus, Simon the zelot, read more. and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Simon Peter made answer, thou art Christ the son of the living God.
but who, said he, do you think I am? Peter answered, you are the Messiah of God.
though we expected he would have been the Messiah, that was to deliver Israel: and besides all this, it is now three days since these things were done.
you are witnesses of these things.
I have yet many things to tell you, but ye cannot bear them now; but when he, the spirit of truth shall come, he will inform you of all those truths: for he will not speak from himself; but the information he shall receive will he communicate: and acquaint you with what is to come.
but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth.
from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
'tis this Jesus whom God hath raised up, of which we all are witnesses.
but killed the prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
Thus were many signs and wonders wrought among the people, by the apostles, who us'd to meet in Solomon's porch with great unanimity:
and we are his witnesses in what we say, and so is the holy spirit, whom God hath given to those that obey him.
and for many days he was seen by those, who had accompany'd him from Galilee to Jerusalem: and they are now his witnesses to the people.
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour?
now as to Titus, he is my collegue, and assists me in your affairs: as to our brethren, they are the deputies of the churches, and the glory of the christian profession.
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
Jesus having called his twelve disciples, he gave them power to cast out unclean spirits, and to heal diseases and disorders of every kind.
Jesus reply'd, I declare unto you, that in the new age, when the son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye that have followed me shall likewise sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
when it was day, he called his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom he stiled missionarys: Simon,
that you may eat and drink at my table, in my kingdom, and seated on thrones may judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
but ye shall receive the influence of the holy spirit, which will descend upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the remotest part of the earth.
wherefore of those who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus convers'd among us, from his baptism by John, to the day of his assumption, we should chuse one to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
and having drawn lots; the lot fell upon Matthias, who was added to the eleven apostles.
Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, arise, and go toward the south, by the way that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza, in the desart.
at length being return'd to Jerusalem, one day as I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance.
but rise upright upon thy feet: for I have appear'd to thee in order to establish you my minister in testifying both what you have seen, and what I shall hereafter show to you, by delivering you from this people, and from the Gentiles to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, read more. and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and partake of the inheritance of the saints, by believing on me." this heavenly vision, king Agrippa, I presently obey'd: first I warn'd the people of Damascus, of Jerusalem, of all Judea, and then the Gentiles, to repent, and turn to God, by acting suitably to their repentance.
salute Andronicus and Junias my relations, and fellow-prisoners, who are distinguish'd among the apostles,
however I thought it necessary to send you Epaphroditus my brother, my collegue in the ministry, and my fellow-soldier, whom you had sent to supply my wants:
her walls were large and high; the gates were twelve; and at the gates twelve angels, with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel inscrib'd thereon. on the east were three gates; on the north, three gates; on the south, three gates; and three gates on the west. read more. the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.