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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The names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon which is called also Peter, and 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 Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus; read more. Simon of Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him. These twelve did Jesus send, and commanded them, saying, "Go not into the ways that lead to the Gentiles, and in to the cities of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Go and preach, saying that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out the devils: Freely ye have received, freely give again. Possess not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your girdles, nor yet scrip towards your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet a staff: for the workman is worthy to have his meat. Into whatsoever city, or town ye shall come, enquire who is worthy in it, and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute the same. And if the house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it: but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you again. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor will hear your preaching, when ye depart out of that house, or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say unto you, it shall be easier for the land of Sodom, and Gomorra, in the day of judgment, than for that city. "Behold, I send you forth as sheep among wolves: Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and innocent as doves. Beware of men: for they shall deliver you up to the councils, and shall scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought to the head rulers and kings for my sake, in witness to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought, how, or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you even in that same hour, what ye shall say. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of your father which speaketh in you. The brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son: and the children shall arise against their fathers, and mothers, and shall put them to death, and ye shall be hated of all men, for my name: but he that shall endureth unto the end, shall be saved. When they persecute you in one city, fly into another: I tell you for a truth, ye shall not finish all the cities of Israel, till the son of man be come. The disciple is not above his Master, nor yet the servant above his Lord. It is enough for the disciple to be as his Master is, and that the servant be as his Lord is. If they have called the Lord of the house Beelzebub: how much more shall they call them of his household so? Fear them not therefore: there is nothing so close, that shall not be opened; and nothing so secret, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye on the housetops. And fear ye not them which kill the body, and be not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body into hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And none of them doth light on the ground, without your father. And now are all the hairs of your heads numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall knowledge me before men, him will I knowledge also before my father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my father which is in heaven. Think not, that I am come to send peace into the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law: And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth his father or mother more than me, is not meet for me: and he that loveth his son or daughter more than me, is not meet for me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth me, is not meet for me. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it. He that receiveth you, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man, shall receive the reward of a righteous man. And whosoever shall give unto one of these little ones, to drink a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, I tell you of a truth, he shall not lose his reward."
Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say to you, When the son of man shall sit in the seat of his majesty, ye which follow me in the second generation shall sit also upon twelve seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
Simon, whom also he named Peter: and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew;
And ye shall bear witness also, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples and said - the number of names that were together, were about a hundred and twenty - "Ye men and brethren, this scripture must have needs been fulfilled which the holy ghost, through the mouth of David, spake before of Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus: read more. For he was now numbered with us and had obtained fellowship in this ministration. And the same hath now possessed a plot of ground with the reward of iniquity. And when he was hanged, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it is known unto all the inhabiters of Jerusalem. Insomuch that that field is called in their mother tongue, Akeldama, that is to say the blood field. It is written in the book of psalms, 'His habitation be void, and no man be dwelling therein,' and, 'His bishoprick let another take.' Wherefore of these men which have companied with us - all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among us, beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection." And they appointed two: Joseph called Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, saying, "Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether thou hast chosen of these two, that the one may take the room of this ministration, and apostleship from the which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell on Mathias. And he was counted with the eleven apostles.
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the celestial callings, consider the Ambassador and High Priest of our profession, 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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And he called his twelve disciples unto him, and gave them power over all unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sicknesses, and all manner of diseases. The names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon which is called also Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
The names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon which is called also Peter, and 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 Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus;
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus; Simon of Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him.
Simon of Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him. These twelve did Jesus send, and commanded them, saying, "Go not into the ways that lead to the Gentiles, and in to the cities of the Samaritans enter ye not:
And Jesus came, and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven, and in earth. Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and the son and the holy ghost; read more. teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I commanded you. And lo, I am with you always even until the end of the world."
And he ordained the twelve that they should be with him, and that he might send them to preach.
And he called the twelve, and began to send them, two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
And they went forth, and preached everywhere. And the Lord wrought with them; And confirmed the word with miracles that followed.
And as soon as it was day, he called his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, which also he called his apostles.
And as soon as it was day, he called his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, which also he called his apostles. Simon, whom also he named Peter: and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew;
Then called he the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and that they might heal diseases.
and I will pray the father: and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you ever, which is the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive; because the world seeth him not, neither knoweth him. But ye know him. For he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
"But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, which is the spirit of truth which proceedeth of the father, he shall testify of me. And ye shall bear witness also, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
And ye shall bear witness also, 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 go not away, that comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will rebuke the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. read more. Of sin, because they believe not on me: Of righteousness, because I go to my father, and ye shall see me no more: And of judgment, because the chief ruler of this world is judged already. I have yet many things to say unto you, But ye cannot bear them away now. Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show unto you. read more. All things that the father hath are mine. Therefore said I unto you that he shall take of mine and show unto you.
Then Jesus said unto them again, "Peace be with you. As my father sent me, even so send I you."
And when they were come in, they went up into a parlour, where abode both Peter and James, John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zealotes, and Judas James' son.
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us - all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among us,
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us - all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among us, beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection."
and they were all filled with the holy ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, even as the spirit gave them utterance.
And fear came over every soul. And many wonders and signs were showed by the apostles.
But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" read more. And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick." And he, both trembling and astonished, said, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou shalt do." The men which journeyed with him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, I am here Lord." And the Lord said to him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of the city of Tarsus. For behold, he prayeth; And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him; And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "Lord I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name." The Lord said unto him, "Go thy ways: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the gentiles, and kings and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Ananias went his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the holy ghost." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight, and arose and was baptised. And received meat and was comforted. Then was Saul a certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was 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:
And he beckoned unto them with the hand to hold their peace, and told them by what means the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go show these things unto James and to the brethren." And he departed and went into another place.
And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren hearken unto me;
There accompanied him into Asia, Sopater of Beroea: And of Thessalonica, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy: And out of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
And on the morrow, Paul went in with us unto James. And all the elders came together.
And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard.
And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: But rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose: to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, read more. delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.'
hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.
Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and by God the father which raised him from death,
For he that was mighty in Peter in the apostleship over the circumcision, the same was mighty in me among the gentiles -
I supposed it necessary to send brother Epaphroditus unto you, my companion in labour and fellow soldier, your apostle, and my minister at my needs.
and steadfast in the faith, as ye have learned: and therein be plenteous in giving thanks.
and ye are complete in him, which is the head of all rule and power.
And ye which were dead in sin through the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened with him and hath forgiven us all our trespasses
Let no man therefore trouble your consciences about meat and drink: or for a piece of a holy day, as the holy day of the new moon, or of the Sabbath day:
whose mouths must be stopped, which pervert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, because of filthy lucre. One being of themselves, which was a poet of their own said, "The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and slow bellies."
Above all things, show thyself an example of good works with uncorrupt doctrine, with honesty,
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the celestial callings, consider the Ambassador and High Priest of our profession, 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).
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After the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
After the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye on the housetops.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye on the housetops.
And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter. And upon this rock, I will build my congregation: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter. And upon this rock, I will build my congregation: and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou bindest upon earth, it shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou loosest on earth, it shall be loosed in heaven."
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou bindest upon earth, it shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou loosest on earth, it shall be loosed in heaven."
Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever ye loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever ye loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, "What wilt thou have?" She said unto him, "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy kingdom."
And he said unto her, "What wilt thou have?" She said unto him, "Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand in thy kingdom." Jesus answered, and said, "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? And to be baptised with the baptism, that I shall be baptised with?" They answered to him, "That we are."
Jesus answered, and said, "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of? And to be baptised with the baptism, that I shall be baptised with?" They answered to him, "That we are." And he said unto them, "Ye shall drink of my cup, and shall be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give you: but to them for whom it is prepared of my father."
And he said unto them, "Ye shall drink of my cup, and shall be baptised with the baptism that I shall be baptised with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give you: but to them for whom it is prepared of my father." And when the ten heard this, they disdained at the two brethren.
And when the ten heard this, they disdained at the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, "Ye know that the Lords of the gentiles have domination over them. And they that are great exercise power over them.
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, "Ye know that the Lords of the gentiles have domination over them. And they that are great exercise power over them. It shall not be so among you: But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister,
It shall not be so among you: But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief, let him be your servant.
But last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying, 'They will fear my son.'
But last of all, he sent unto them his own son, saying, 'They will fear my son.'
And they held their peace: for by the way they reasoned among themselves, who should be the chiefest.
And they held their peace: for by the way they reasoned among themselves, who should be the chiefest. And he sat down, and called the twelve unto him, and said to them, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant unto all."
And he sat down, and called the twelve unto him, and said to them, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant unto all." And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them, and took him in his arms and said unto them,
And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them, and took him in his arms and said unto them,
Simon, whom also he named Peter: and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew;
Simon, whom also he named Peter: and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew;
Ye are they which have bidden with me in my temptations.
Ye are they which have bidden with me in my temptations.
Then opened he their wits, that they might understand the scriptures,
Then opened he their wits, that they might understand the scriptures,
And behold, I will send the promise of my father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
And behold, I will send the promise of my father upon you. But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
But that comforter, which is the holy ghost - whom my father will send in my name - he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.
"But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, which is the spirit of truth which proceedeth of the father, he shall testify of me.
"But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, which is the spirit of truth which proceedeth of the father, he shall testify of me. And ye shall bear witness also, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
And ye shall bear witness also, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show unto you.
He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show unto you.
Then Jesus said unto them again, "Peace be with you. As my father sent me, even so send I you."
Then Jesus said unto them again, "Peace be with you. As my father sent me, even so send I you."
Then Jesus said unto them again, "Peace be with you. As my father sent me, even so send I you."
Then Jesus said unto them again, "Peace be with you. As my father sent me, even so send I you." And when he had said that, he breathed on them, and said unto them, "Receive the holy ghost.
And when he had said that, he breathed on them, and said unto them, "Receive the holy ghost. Whosoever's sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: And whosoever's sins ye retain, they are retained."
Whosoever's sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: And whosoever's sins ye retain, they are retained."
Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord, and my God."
Thomas answered and said unto him, "My Lord, and my God."
and gathered them together, and commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but to "Wait for the promise of the father, whereof ye have heard of me.
and gathered them together, and commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but to "Wait for the promise of the father, whereof ye have heard of me.
but ye shall receive power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry, and in Samaria, and even unto the world's end."
but ye shall receive power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry, and in Samaria, and even unto the world's end."
And when they were come in, they went up into a parlour, where abode both Peter and James, John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zealotes, and Judas James' son.
And when they were come in, they went up into a parlour, where abode both Peter and James, John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zealotes, and Judas James' son.
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us - all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among us,
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us - all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among us, beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection."
beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection."
And they prayed, saying, "Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether thou hast chosen of these two,
And they prayed, saying, "Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether thou hast chosen of these two,
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
and killed the Lord of life whom God hath raised from death, of the which we are witnesses:
and killed the Lord of life whom God hath raised from death, of the which we are witnesses:
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant, which God hath made unto our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'Even in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.'
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant, which God hath made unto our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'Even in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.'
And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
When they heard this, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."
When they heard this, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." They which were scattered abroad through the affliction that arose about Stephen, walked throughout till they came unto Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no man, but unto the Jews only.
They which were scattered abroad through the affliction that arose about Stephen, walked throughout till they came unto Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no man, but unto the Jews only. Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come into Antioch, spake unto the Greeks, and preached the Lord Jesus.
Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which when they were come into Antioch, spake unto the Greeks, and preached the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord. Tidings of these things came unto the ears of the congregation, which was in Jerusalem; And they sent forth Barnabas that he should go unto Antioch.
Tidings of these things came unto the ears of the congregation, which was in Jerusalem; And they sent forth Barnabas that he should go unto Antioch. Which when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad: and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would continually cleave unto the Lord.
Which when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad: and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would continually cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the holy ghost and of faith. And much people was added unto the Lord.
For he was a good man, and full of the holy ghost and of faith. And much people was added unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul,
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it chanced that a whole year they had their conversation with the congregation there, and taught much people insomuch that the disciples of Antioch were the first that were called Christian.
and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it chanced that a whole year they had their conversation with the congregation there, and taught much people insomuch that the disciples of Antioch were the first that were called Christian.
There were at Antioch, in the congregation, certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas and Symeon called Niger; And Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's nurse-fellow, and Saul.
There were at Antioch, in the congregation, certain prophets and teachers: as Barnabas and Symeon called Niger; And Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's nurse-fellow, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted; The holy ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them."
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted; The holy ghost said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them." Then fasted they and prayed, and put their hands on them, and let them go.
Then fasted they and prayed, and put their hands on them, and let them go. And they, after they were sent of the holy ghost, came unto Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
And they, after they were sent of the holy ghost, came unto Seleucia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were come to Salamis, they showed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to their minister.
And when they were come to Salamis, they showed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to their minister.
and he was seen many days of them, which came with him from Galilee to Jerusalem which are his witnesses unto the people.
and he was seen many days of them, which came with him from Galilee to Jerusalem which are his witnesses unto the people.
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the gentiles are turned to God:
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the gentiles are turned to God:
And on the morrow, Paul went in with us unto James. And all the elders came together.
And on the morrow, Paul went in with us unto James. And all the elders came together.
Paul, the servant of Jesus Christ, called unto the office to be an apostle, put apart to preach the Gospel of God,
Paul, the servant of Jesus Christ, called unto the office to be an apostle, put apart to preach the Gospel of God,
For I long to see you, that I might bestow among you some spiritual gift, to strengthen you withal.
For I long to see you, that I might bestow among you some spiritual gift, to strengthen you withal.
For I dare not speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the gentiles obedient, with word and deed,
For I dare not speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the gentiles obedient, with word and deed, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the spirit of God: so that from Jerusalem and the coasts round about, unto Illyricum, I have filled all countries with glad tidings of Christ.
in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the spirit of God: so that from Jerusalem and the coasts round about, unto Illyricum, I have filled all countries with glad tidings of Christ.
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet am I unto you. For the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
If I be not an apostle unto others, yet am I unto you. For the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
If any man think himself a prophet, either spiritual: let him understand what things I write unto you. For they are the commandments of the Lord.
If any man think himself a prophet, either spiritual: let him understand what things I write unto you. For they are the commandments of the Lord.
hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.
hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.
Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and by God the father which raised him from death,
Paul an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and by God the father which raised him from death, and all the brethren which are with me. Unto the congregations of Galatia.
and all the brethren which are with me. Unto the congregations of Galatia. Grace be with you and peace from God the father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Grace be with you and peace from God the father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, which gave himself for our sins, to deliver us from this present evil world, through the will of God our father,
which gave himself for our sins, to deliver us from this present evil world, through the will of God our father, to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen.
to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon turned from him that called you in the grace of Christ, unto another gospel:
I marvel that ye are so soon turned from him that called you in the grace of Christ, unto another gospel: which is nothing else, but that there be some which trouble you, and intend to pervert the gospel of Christ.
which is nothing else, but that there be some which trouble you, and intend to pervert the gospel of Christ. Nevertheless, though we ourselves, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, hold him as accursed.
Nevertheless, though we ourselves, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, hold him as accursed. As I said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other thing unto you, than that ye have received, hold him accursed.
As I said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other thing unto you, than that ye have received, hold him accursed. Preach I man's doctrine or God's? Other go I about to please men? If I studied to please men, I were not the servant of Christ.
Preach I man's doctrine or God's? Other go I about to please men? If I studied to please men, I were not the servant of Christ. I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me, was not after the manner of men,
I certify you brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me, was not after the manner of men, neither received I it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
neither received I it of man, neither was I taught it: but received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
I supposed it necessary to send brother Epaphroditus unto you, my companion in labour and fellow soldier, your apostle, and my minister at my needs.
I supposed it necessary to send brother Epaphroditus unto you, my companion in labour and fellow soldier, your apostle, and my minister at my needs.
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the celestial callings, consider the Ambassador and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the celestial callings, consider the Ambassador and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
The elders which are among you I exhort, which am also an elder and a witness of the afflictions of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be opened:
The elders which are among you I exhort, which am also an elder and a witness of the afflictions of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be opened:
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.
and the foundations of the wall of the city was garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third a chalcedony, the fourth an emerald:
and the foundations of the wall of the city was garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third a chalcedony, the fourth an emerald: the fifth sardonyx: the sixth sardius: the seventh chrysolite: the eighth beryl: the ninth a topaz: the tenth a chrysoprasus: the eleventh a jacinth: the twelfth an amethyst.
the fifth sardonyx: the sixth sardius: the seventh chrysolite: the eighth beryl: the ninth a topaz: the tenth a chrysoprasus: the eleventh a jacinth: the twelfth 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
The names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon which is called also Peter, and 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 Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus; read more. Simon of Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him. These twelve did Jesus send, and commanded them, saying, "Go not into the ways that lead to the Gentiles, and in to the cities of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Go and preach, saying that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out the devils: Freely ye have received, freely give again. Possess not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your girdles, nor yet scrip towards your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet a staff: for the workman is worthy to have his meat. Into whatsoever city, or town ye shall come, enquire who is worthy in it, and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute the same. And if the house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it: but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you again. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor will hear your preaching, when ye depart out of that house, or that city, shake off the dust of your feet. Truly I say unto you, it shall be easier for the land of Sodom, and Gomorra, in the day of judgment, than for that city.
And he gave Simon to name, Peter. And he called James the son of Zebedee, and John, James' brother, and gave them Boanerges to name, which is to say, the 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 of Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, which same also betrayed him.
Simon, whom also he named Peter: and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon called Zealotes, read more. and Judas James' son, and Judas Iscariot, which same was the traitor.
Verily, verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his master; Neither the messenger greater than he that sent him.
As thou didst sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world;
And the same hath now possessed a plot of ground with the reward of iniquity. And when he was hanged, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us - all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among us, beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection."
beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection."
hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.
Wherefore he saith, "He is gone up on high, and hath led captivity captive, and hath given gifts unto men." That he ascended: what meaneth it, but that he also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth? read more. He that descended, is even the same also that ascended up, even above all heavens, to fulfill all things. And the very same, made some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Shepherds, some Teachers: that the saints might have all things necessary to work and minister withal, to the edifying of the body of Christ, till we, everyone - in the unity of faith, and knowledge of the son of God - grow up unto a perfect man, after the measure of age which is of the fullness of Christ:
I supposed it necessary to send brother Epaphroditus unto you, my companion in labour and fellow soldier, your apostle, and my minister at my needs.
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the celestial callings, consider the Ambassador and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
James, the servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sendeth greeting to the twelve tribes which are scattered here and there.
And suppose that the long suffering of the Lord is salvation, even as our dearly beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given unto him, wrote to you, yea, almost in every epistle, speaking of such things: among which are many things hard to be understood: which they that are unlearned and unstable pervert, as they do other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not forbear them which are evil: and examinedst them which say they are apostles, and are not: and hast found them liars.
and had walls great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels: and names written, which are the twelve tribes of Israel:
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.
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.
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The names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon which is called also Peter, and 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 Lebbeus, otherwise called Thaddeus; read more. Simon of Canaan, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him.
Simon Peter answered, and said, "Thou art Christ, the son of the living God."
And he said unto them, "Who say ye that I am?" Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ of God."
But we trusted, that it should have been he that should have delivered Israel. And as touching all these things, today is even the third day, that they were done.
And ye are witnesses of these things.
I have yet many things to say unto you, But ye cannot bear them away now. Howbeit, when he is once come - I mean the spirit of truth - he will lead you into all truth. He shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come.
but ye shall receive power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry, and in Samaria, and even unto the world's end."
beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection."
This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
and killed the Lord of life whom God hath raised from death, of the which we are witnesses:
By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders showed among the people. And they were all together with one accord in Solomon's porch.
And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him."
and he was seen many days of them, which came with him from Galilee to Jerusalem which are his witnesses unto the people.
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?
hath caused me this to do: partly for Titus' sake - which is my fellow, and helper as concerning you - partly because of others which are our brethren, and the messengers of the congregations, and the glory of Christ.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits, Amen. {Here ends the Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle unto Philemon, Sent from Rome by Onesimus, a servant.}
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
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Then Moses wrote all the words of the LORD and rose up early and made an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars according to the number of the twelve tribes of Israel,
And the saying pleased me well, and I took twelve men of you; of every tribe, one.
"Take you twelve men out of the people, of every tribe a man. And command you them, saying, 'Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, even out of the place where the priests stood in a readiness, twelve stones. And take ye them away with you and put them in the place where you lodge at night.'"
And he called his twelve disciples unto him, and gave them power over all unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sicknesses, and all manner of diseases.
Jesus said unto them, "Verily I say to you, When the son of man shall sit in the seat of his majesty, ye which follow me in the second generation shall sit also upon twelve seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
And as soon as it was day, he called his disciples, and of them he chose twelve, which also he called his apostles.
that ye may eat, and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on seats, and judge the twelve tribes of Israel."
but ye shall receive power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Jewry, and in Samaria, and even unto the world's end."
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us - all the time that the Lord Jesus went out and in among us, beginning at the baptism of John unto that same day that he was taken up from us - must one be ordained to bear witness with us of his resurrection."
And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell on Mathias. And he was counted with the eleven apostles.
Then the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, "Arise and go towards midday unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is in the desert."
And it fortuned, when I was come again to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance;
But rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose: to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee, read more. to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.' "Wherefore king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Jewry, and to the gentiles, that they should repent, and turn to God, and do the right works of repentance.
Salute Andronicus, and Junia, my cousins, which were prisoners with me also, which are well taken among the apostles, and were in Christ before me.
I supposed it necessary to send brother Epaphroditus unto you, my companion in labour and fellow soldier, your apostle, and my minister at my needs.
and had walls great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels: and names written, which are the twelve tribes of Israel: on the east part three gates, and on the north side three gates, and towards the south three gates, and from the west three gates. read more. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the Lamb's twelve apostles.