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.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus who was surnamed Thaddeus; read more. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, even he that betrayed Him. These twelve did Jesus send forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not among the gentiles, neither enter into any city of the Samaritans: but go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand: and in confirmation of your doctrine heal the sick, cleanse the leprous, raise the dead, cast out demons; and as ye have received freely, freely give. Take not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses: take no bag for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor weapons; for the laborer is worthy of his food. And into whatsoever city or town ye enter, inquire who in it is a worthy person, and there remain till ye leave the place. And when ye come into the house, salute them: and if the family be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if they be not worthy, your salutation shall return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hearken to your words; when ye come out of that house or city, shake off the very dust of your feet: for I tell you verily, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha, in the day of judgement, than for that city. Behold I send you forth as sheep into the midst of wolves: be ye therefore prudent as serpents, and innocent as doves. Beware of evil men; for they will deliver you up to their councils, and will scourge you in their synagogues. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings on my account, for a testimony to them and to the nations: but when they take you up, be not sollicitous how, or what ye shall say; for ye shall be taught in that very instant what ye shall speak: for it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh by you. Brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his child: and children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death: and ye shall be hated by all men for professing my name; but he that perseveres to the end shall certainly be saved. But when they persecute you in one city, flee into another: for verily I tell you, ye shall not finish your commission through the cities of Israel, before the Son of man shall come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord: it is sufficient sure for the disciple that he be treated as his master, and the servant as his lord. If then they call the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more his domestics? Be not therefore afraid of them; for there is nothing hid, that shall not be revealed; nor secret, that shall not be made known. What I say to you in private, declare ye in public: and what ye hear as in the ear, preach ye as from the house-tops. And be not afraid of them, who can only kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him, who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of them shall fall to the ground without the will of your Father: and even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore be not afraid, ye are of more worth than many sparrows. Whosoever then shall own me before men, I also will own him before my Father, who is in heaven: but whosoever shall disown me before men, him will I also disown before my Father who is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to bring peace but division. 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 those of a man's own family shall be his enemies. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me: and he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that would save 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 as a prophet, shall have a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man as such, shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to one of these mean persons but a cup of cold water to drink, as my disciple, I assure you, he shall not lose his reward.
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I tell you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel:
(to wit, Simon called 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.
And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, (now the number of the persons that were together was about an hundred and twenty,) and said, Men and brethren, it was necessary that this scripture should be fulfilled, which the holy Ghost spake by the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was guide to them that apprehended Jesus: read more. for he was numbered with us, and had obtained a part of this ministry. (Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling down on his face, burst asunder in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out: (and it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field is called in their own dialect, Aceldama, that is, the field of blood:) for it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let none dwell in it; and again, Let another take his office.) Wherefore it is necessary that one of these men, who have been conversant with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and out among us, from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection. And they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, shew us, which of these two Thou hast chosen, to take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas is fallen by his transgression, that he might go to his own place. And they gave out their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the apostles.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle 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."
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And He called unto Him his twelve disciples, and gave them power over impure spirits, even to cast them out; and to cure all diseases and every malady whatsoever. Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew;
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus who was surnamed Thaddeus;
Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus who was surnamed Thaddeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, even he that betrayed Him.
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, even he that betrayed Him. These twelve did Jesus send forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not among the gentiles, neither enter into any city of the Samaritans:
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me both in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore and instruct all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, read more. and of the holy Ghost, and teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen.
and He appointed twelve to be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach the gospel,
And He calleth unto Him the twelve, and sent them forth two and two, and gave them power over impure spirits;
And they went forth and preached every where, the Lord co-operating with them, and confirming the word by miracles following upon it. Amen.
And when it was day, He called his disciples to Him: and chose out twelve from among them, whom He also named his apostles:
And when it was day, He called his disciples to Him: and chose out twelve from among them, whom He also named his apostles: (to wit, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
And He called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases:
and He will give you another comforter to abide with you for ever: even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him, because He abideth with you, and shall be in you.
But the comforter, that is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said unto you.
But the comforter, that is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said unto you.
But when the comforter 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 should go away; for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He comes, He will convince the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: read more. of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I am going to my Father and ye shall see me no more; and of judgement, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now. But when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He speak, and will shew you things to come.
But when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He speak, and will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me, for He shall take of mine and shew it unto you. read more. All that the Father hath are mine: therefore I said, that He shall take of mine and shew it unto you.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be to you. As my Father sent me, even so send I you.
And when they were come in to the city, they went up into an upper room, where Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon the zealot, and Jude the brother of James, usually abode.
Wherefore it is necessary that one of these men, who have been conversant with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and out among us,
Wherefore it is necessary that one of these men, who have been conversant with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and out among us, from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection.
and they were all filled with the holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
And fear came upon all the people: and many miracles and signs were wrought by the apostles.
And as he was on his journey, and came near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? read more. And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou art persecuting: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads. And he 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 must do. And the men that went along with him, stood astonished, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. And Saul rose from the earth, but when he opened his eyes he could not see: so they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias, and he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Strait, and enquire in the house of Judas for one Saul, of Tarsus: for behold he is praying, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in and putting his hand upon him, that he might recover his sight. And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much mischief he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here too he hath authority from the chief priests to apprehend all that call upon thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great sufferings he must endure for my name. And Ananias went away and came into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee on the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Spirit." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales; and he instantly recovered his sight, and arose and was baptized. And when he had taken some nourishment, he was strengthened. Now Saul was with the disciples at Damascus for some time. And he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
And he cut off James, the brother of John, with the sword.
And he cut off James, the brother of John, with the sword.
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. And he said, Go, tell these things to James and to the other brethren. And he departed and went to another place.
And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me.
And there accompanied him to Asia, Sopater the Berean, and of the Thessalonians Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy: and the Asiatics,
And the next day Paul went in with us to James: and all the elders were present.
And he said, The God of our Fathers hath before appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what 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 on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of those for which I shall hereafter appear unto thee: read more. delivering thee from the 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 an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Paul an apostle (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),
(for He who wrought effectually in Peter as to the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought effectually also in me as to the gentiles:)
However, I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother, and fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, who ministred to my wants:
rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught it, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
And ye are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
And when ye were dead in trespasses, and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
Let no one therefore judge you on account of meat, or drink, or in respect of a feast, or a new-moon, or sabbaths;
who subvert whole families, teaching what they ought not, for shameful gain: as said one of themselves, a prophet of their own, "The Cretans are always liars, mischievous beasts, sluggish gluttons."
in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works, with uncorruptness in teaching, gravity, sound doctrine that cannot be condemned;
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle 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).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
What I say to you in private, declare ye in public: and what ye hear as in the ear, preach ye as from the house-tops.
What I say to you in private, declare ye in public: and what ye hear as in the ear, preach ye as from the house-tops.
And I also say unto thee, as thou art called Peter, so upon this rock, which thou hast confessed, will I build my church, and the gates of death shall not prevail against it.
And I also say unto thee, as thou art called Peter, so upon this rock, which thou hast confessed, will I build my church, and the gates of death shall not prevail against it. And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, 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 thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him, together with her two sons, falling down before Him, and presenting a petition to Him.
Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Him, together with her two sons, falling down before Him, and presenting a petition to Him. And He said unto her, What dost thou desire? She saith unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on the left in thy kingdom.
And He said unto her, What dost thou desire? She saith unto Him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on the left in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask: are ye able to drink of the cup which I am going to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask: are ye able to drink of the cup which I am going to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They replied, We are able. And He saith unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but to those for whom it is prepared by my Father.
They replied, We are able. And He saith unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of my cup, and shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but to those for whom it is prepared by my Father. And when the other ten heard it, they were provoked at the two brethren:
And when the other ten heard it, they were provoked at the two brethren: but Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye know that the princes of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority upon them:
but Jesus called them to Him and said, Ye know that the princes of the gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority upon them: it shall not be so among you; but whosoever would be great among you, let him be your minister, and whoever would be chief among you,
it shall not be so among you; but whosoever would be great among you, let him be your minister, and whoever would be chief among you, let him be your servant:
At last he sent unto them his Son, saying, They will reverence my Son.
At last he sent unto them his Son, saying, They will reverence my Son.
But they held their peace; for they had been disputing with each other by the way who should be the greatest.
But they held their peace; for they had been disputing with each other by the way who should be the greatest. So He sat down and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any one would be first, let him be last of all, and servant of all.
So He sat down and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any one would be first, let him be last of all, and servant of all. And He took a child and set him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms He said unto them,
And He took a child and set him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms He said unto them,
(to wit, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
(to wit, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Ye have continued with me in my temptations;
Ye have continued with me in my temptations;
Then He opened their mind, to understand the scriptures:
Then He opened their mind, to understand the scriptures:
but do ye continue in the city of Jerusalem, till ye are endued with power from on high.
but do ye continue in the city of Jerusalem, till ye are endued with power from on high.
But the comforter, that is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said unto you.
But the comforter, that is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said unto you.
But when the comforter 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 comforter 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 the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He speak, and will shew you things to come.
But when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He speak, and will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me, for He shall take of mine and shew it unto you.
He shall glorify me, for He shall take of mine and shew it unto you.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be to you. As my Father sent me, even so send I you.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be to you. As my Father sent me, even so send I you.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be to you. As my Father sent me, even so send I you.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Peace be to you. As my Father sent me, even so send I you. And when He said this, He breathed upon them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the holy Spirit:
And when He said this, He breathed upon them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the holy Spirit: and whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; but whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
and whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; but whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
And Thomas answered, and said, "My Lord and my God."
And Thomas answered, and said, "My Lord and my God."
And meeting them together He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said He, ye have heard from me;
And meeting them together He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said He, ye have heard from me;
But ye shall receive power from the holy Spirit coming upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
But ye shall receive power from the holy Spirit coming upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
And when they were come in to the city, they went up into an upper room, where Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon the zealot, and Jude the brother of James, usually abode.
And when they were come in to the city, they went up into an upper room, where Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon the zealot, and Jude the brother of James, usually abode.
Wherefore it is necessary that one of these men, who have been conversant with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and out among us,
Wherefore it is necessary that one of these men, who have been conversant with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and out among us, from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection.
from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection.
And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, shew us, which of these two Thou hast chosen,
And they prayed and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all, shew us, which of these two Thou hast chosen,
This Jesus hath God raised up from the dead, of which we all are witnesses.
This Jesus hath God raised up from the dead, of which we all are witnesses.
and put to death the prince of life; whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
and put to death the prince of life; whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
Now ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant, which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed:"
Now ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant, which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed:"
and we are his witnesses of what we declare; and so is the holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.
and we are his witnesses of what we declare; and so is the holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.
And when they heard these things they acquiesced, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God given to the Gentiles also repentance unto life.
And when they heard these things they acquiesced, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God given to the Gentiles also repentance unto life. Now they that were dispersed by the trouble, which arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but the Jews only.
Now they that were dispersed by the trouble, which arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but the Jews only. But some of them were Cyprians, and Cyrenians, who when they came to Antioch, discoursed with the Grecians also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
But some of them were Cyprians, and Cyrenians, who when they came to Antioch, discoursed with the Grecians also, preaching 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. And the report of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem; and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
And the report of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem; and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. Who, when he was come, and saw the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted them all with steadiness of heart to adhere to the Lord.
Who, when he was come, and saw the grace of God, rejoiced, and exhorted them all with steadiness of heart to adhere to the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the holy Spirit, and of faith: and many were added unto the Lord.
For he was a good man, and full of the holy Spirit, and of faith: and many were added unto the Lord. Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus, to seek Saul: and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch.
Then Barnabas departed to Tarsus, to seek Saul: and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. And they assembled in the church a whole year, and taught much people: and the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
And they assembled in the church a whole year, and taught much people: and the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen who had been educated with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul;
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers, as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen who had been educated with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul; and as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them.
and as they were ministring to the Lord, and fasting, the holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work to which I have called them. Then having fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away.
Then having fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away. These therefore being sent forth by the holy Spirit came down to Seleucia, and from thence they sailed away to Cyprus.
These therefore being sent forth by the holy Spirit came down to Seleucia, and from thence they sailed away to Cyprus. And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John for their assistant.
And when they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John for their assistant.
and He was seen for many days by those that came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
and He was seen for many days by those that came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them,
wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them,
And the next day Paul went in with us to James: and all the elders were present.
And the next day Paul went in with us to James: and all the elders were present.
Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may be established:
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may be established:
For I shall not go about to speak of any thing, but what Christ hath wrought by me, (to gain the obedience of the Gentiles,) both in word and deed:
For I shall not go about to speak of any thing, but what Christ hath wrought by me, (to gain the obedience of the Gentiles,) both in word and deed: through the efficacy of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round as far as to Illyricum, I have fully declared the gospel of Christ:
through the efficacy of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round as far as to Illyricum, I have fully declared the gospel of Christ:
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? and 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? and are not ye my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are in the Lord the seal of my apostleship.
If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are in the Lord the seal of my apostleship.
If any one seem to be a prophet, or acted by the Spirit, let him acknowlege that what I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
If any one seem to be a prophet, or acted by the Spirit, let him acknowlege that what I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Paul an apostle (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),
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 that are with me, to the churches of Galatia:
and all the brethren that are with me, to the churches of Galatia: grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father:
who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from the present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I wonder that ye are so soon removed from him who called you by the grace of Christ to another gospel: which is not another;
I wonder that ye are so soon removed from him who called you by the grace of Christ to another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that disturb you, and would subvert the gospel of Christ.
but there be some that disturb you, and would subvert the gospel of Christ. But tho' we or an angel from heaven should preach to you any other gospel than what we have preached to you; let him be accursed.
But tho' we or an angel from heaven should preach to you any other gospel than what we have preached to you; let him be accursed. I say it again, if any one preach to you any other gospel than what ye have received, let him be accursed.
I say it again, if any one preach to you any other gospel than what ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade you to obey men or God? Or do I seek to please men? if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
For do I now persuade you to obey men or God? Or do I seek to please men? if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I assure you, brethren, that the gospel preached by me is not of human invention.
But I assure you, brethren, that the gospel preached by me is not of human invention. For I neither received it, nor was taught it by man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
For I neither received it, nor was taught it by man, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
However, I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother, and fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, who ministred to my wants:
However, I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother, and fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, who ministred to my wants:
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high-priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high-priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
The elders that are among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed; feed the flock of God that is among you,
The elders that are among you I exhort, who am also an elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed; feed the flock of God that is among you,
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were set off each with precious stones: the first foundation a jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony,
And the foundations of the wall of the city were set off each with precious stones: the first foundation a jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth an emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprasus, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth an amethyst.
the fourth an emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprasus, the eleventh 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
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus who was surnamed Thaddeus; read more. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, even he that betrayed Him. These twelve did Jesus send forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not among the gentiles, neither enter into any city of the Samaritans: but go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand: and in confirmation of your doctrine heal the sick, cleanse the leprous, raise the dead, cast out demons; and as ye have received freely, freely give. Take not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses: take no bag for your journey, nor two coats, nor shoes, nor weapons; for the laborer is worthy of his food. And into whatsoever city or town ye enter, inquire who in it is a worthy person, and there remain till ye leave the place. And when ye come into the house, salute them: and if the family be worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if they be not worthy, your salutation shall return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hearken to your words; when ye come out of that house or city, shake off the very dust of your feet: for I tell you verily, it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha, in the day of judgement, than for that city.
even Simon, whom He surnamed Peter, and James the Son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, (and He surnamed them Boanerges, which is to say, Sons of thunder,) and Andrew, read more. and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, even him who betrayed Him.
(to wit, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, read more. and Judas Iscariot, who was the traitor:)
Verily, verily I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord, nor is the messenger greater than he that sent him.
As Thou hast sent me into the world, so have I also sent them into the world.
(Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling down on his face, burst asunder in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out:
Wherefore it is necessary that one of these men, who have been conversant with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and out among us, from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection.
from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection.
If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Wherefore it is said, "When he ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." Now this expression "He ascended" what does it mean, but that He descended first into the lower parts of the earth? read more. He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And therefore He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; to qualify holy men for the work of the ministry, to the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all arrive in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at perfect maturity, even to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
However, I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother, and fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, who ministred to my wants:
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high-priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in dispersion sendeth greeting.
and account the long-suffering of our Lord salvation, as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things: in which are some things hard to be understood, which the illiterate and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear those that are evil: and thou hast tried those who say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars; and hast borne trouble, and hast patience;
having also a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and there were names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
And 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 these are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and Andrew his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus who was surnamed Thaddeus; read more. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, even he that betrayed Him.
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God.
And He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answered and said, The Christ the Son of God.
But we hoped that it was He that would have delivered Israel: and besides all this, to-day is the third day since these things were done.
And ye are witnesses of these things: and I will send upon you the promise of my Father;
I have yet many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now. But when the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that will He speak, and will shew you things to come.
But ye shall receive power from the holy Spirit coming upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection.
This Jesus hath God raised up from the dead, of which we all are witnesses.
and put to death the prince of life; whom God hath raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders done among the people: And they all met with one accord in Solomon's portico:
and we are his witnesses of what we declare; and so is the holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.
and He was seen for many days by those that came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? and are not ye my work in the Lord?
If then there be any inquiry about Titus, he is my collegue and fellow-laborer among you: and if our brethren be inquired after, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Watsons
APOSTLE, ?????????, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, commissioned by him to preach his Gospel, and propagate it to all parts of the earth. The word originally signifies a person delegated or sent; from ?????????, mitto; in which sense it occurs in Herodotus, and other profane authors. Hence, in the New Testament, the term is applied to divers sorts of delegates; and to the twelve disciples by way of eminence. They were limited to the number twelve, in allusion to the twelve tribes of Israel. See Mt 19:28; Lu 22:30; Re 21:12-14; and compare Ex 24:4; De 1:23; and Jos 4:2-3. Accordingly care was taken, on the death of Judas, to choose another, to make up the number, Ac 1:21-22,26. Of the first selection and commission of the twelve Apostles, we have an account, Lu 6:13, &c.; Mt 10:1, &c. Having chosen and constituted twelve persons, under the name of Apostles, our blessed Lord determined that for some time they should be continually with him, not only to attend upon his public ministry, but to enjoy the benefit of his private conversation, that he might furnish them the better for the great work in which they were to be employed; and that, at length, after suitable preparation, he might, with greater advantage, send them abroad to preach his Gospel, and thus make way for his own visits to some more distant parts, where he had not yet been; and to enable them more effectually to do this, he endowed them with the power of working miracles, of curing diseases, and casting out demons. About the commencement of the third year of his ministry, according to the common account of its duration, he sent them out two by two, that they might be assistants to each other in their work; and commanded them to restrict their teaching and services to the people of Israel, and to avoid going to the Gentiles or to the Samaritans, to declare the approach of the kingdom of heaven, and the establishment of the Gospel dispensation; to exercise the miraculous powers with which they had been endowed gratuitously; and to depend for their subsistence on the providence of God, and on the donations of those to whom they ministered. Their names were, Simon Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the greater, the son of Zebedee; and John his brother, who was the beloved disciple; Philip of Bethsaida; Bartholomew; Thomas, called Didymus, as having a twin brother; Matthew or Levi, who had been a publican; James, the son of Alpheus, called James the less; Lebbeus, surnamed Thaddeus, and who was also called Judas or Jude, the brother of James; Simon, the Canaanite, so called, as some have thought, because he was a native of Cana, or, as Dr. Hammond thinks, from the Hebrew ???, signifying the same with Zelotes, or the Zelot, a name given to him on account of his having before professed a distinguishing zeal for the law; and Judas Iscariot, or a man of Carioth, Jos 15:25, who afterward betrayed him, and then laid violent hands on himself. Of these, Simon, Andrew, James the greater, and John, were fishermen; Matthew, and James the son of Alpheus, were publicans; and the other six were probably fishermen, though their occupation is not distinctly specified.
After the resurrection of our Saviour, and not long before his ascension, the place of Judas the traitor was supplied by Matthias, supposed by some to have been Nathaniel of Galilee, to whom our Lord had given the distinguishing character of an "Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile;" and the twelve Apostles, whose number was now completed, received a new commission, of a more extensive nature than the first, to preach the Gospel to all nations, and to be witnesses of Christ, not only in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, but unto the uttermost parts of the earth; and they were qualified for the execution of their office by a plenteous effusion of miraculous powers and spiritual gifts, and particularly the gift of tongues. In consequence of this commission, they preached first to the Jews, then to the Samaritans, and afterward to the idolatrous Gentiles. Their signal success at Jerusalem, where they opened their commission, alarmed the Jewish sanhedrim, before which Peter and John were summoned, and from which they received a strict charge never more to teach, publicly or privately, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth. The noble reply and subsequent conduct of the Apostles are well known. This court of the Jews was so awed and incensed, as to plot the death of the twelve Apostles, as the only effectual measure for preventing the farther spread of Christianity. Gamaliel interposed, by his prudent and moderate counsel; and his speech had so good an effect upon the sanhedrim, that, instead of putting Peter and John to death, they scourged them, renewed their charge and threats, and then dismissed them. The Apostles, however, were not discouraged nor restrained; they counted it an honour to suffer such indignities, in token of their affection to their Master, and zeal in his cause; and they persisted in preaching daily in the courts of the temple, and in other places, that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised and long expected Messiah. Their doctrine spread, and the number of converts in Jerusalem still increased. During the violent persecution that raged at Jerusalem, soon after the martyrdom of St. Stephen, several of the leading men among the Christians were dispersed; some of them travelled through the regions of Judea and Samaria, and others to Damascus, Phoenicia, the Island of Cyprus, and various parts of Syria; but the twelve Apostles remained, with undaunted firmness, at Jerusalem, avowing their attachment to the persecuted interest of Christ, and consulting how they might best provide for the emergencies of the church, in its infant and oppressed state.
When the Apostles, during their abode at Jerusalem, heard that many of the Samaritans had embraced the Gospel, Peter and John were deputed to confer upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit; for to the Apostles belonged the prerogative of conferring upon others spiritual gifts and miraculous powers. In their return to Jerusalem, from the city of Samaria, they preached the Gospel in many Samaritan villages. The manner of its being sent to Ethiopia, by the conversion of the eunuch who was chief treasurer to Candace, queen of the country, is related in Ac 8:26, &c. After the Christian religion had been planted in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, and sent into Ethiopia, one of the uttermost parts of the earth, Ac 1:8; and after it had been preached about eight years to the Jews only, God, in his wise and merciful providence, disposed things for the preaching of it among the Gentiles. Caesarea was the scene in which the Apostle Peter was to open his commission for this purpose; and Cornelius, one of the devout Gentiles, and a man distinguished by his piety and charity, was the first proselyte to Christianity. After Peter had laid the foundation of a Christian church among the devout Gentiles, others imitated his example, and a great number of persons of this description embraced the Christian faith, more especially at Antioch, where the disciples, whom their enemies had hitherto called Galileans, Nazarenes, and other names of reproach, and who, among themselves, had been called "disciples," "believers," "the church," "the saints," and "brethren," were denominated, probably not without a divine direction, Christians.
When Christianity had been preached for about eight years among the Jews only, and for about three years more among the Jews and devout Gentiles, the next stage of its progress was to the idolatrous Gentiles, in the year of Christ 44, and the fourth year of the emperor Claudius. Barnabas and Saul were selected for this purpose, and constituted in an extraordinary manner Apostles of the Gentiles, or uncircumcision. Barnabas was probably an elder of the first rank; he had seen Christ in the flesh, had been an eye witness of his being alive again after his crucifixion, and had received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, as being one of the hundred and twenty. Saul also, since his conversion had preached as a superior prophet, about seven years to the Jews only, and about two
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And He called unto Him his twelve disciples, and gave them power over impure spirits, even to cast them out; and to cure all diseases and every malady whatsoever.
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I tell you, that ye who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel:
And when it was day, He called his disciples to Him: and chose out twelve from among them, whom He also named his apostles:
that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
But ye shall receive power from the holy Spirit coming upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
Wherefore it is necessary that one of these men, who have been conversant with us all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and out among us, from the baptism of John, till the day that He was taken up from us, should be joined with us as a witness of his resurrection.
And they gave out their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the apostles.
And an angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, Arise and go southward to the way that leads down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert.
And when I was returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance.
But rise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of those for which I shall hereafter appear unto thee: delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send thee, read more. 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 an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but declared first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and through all the country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, and turn unto God, performing works suitable to repentance.
Salute Andronicus and Junias my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are men of note among the apostles, and who were in Christ before me.
However, I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother, and fellow-laborer, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, who ministred to my wants:
having also a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and there were names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. read more. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.