The word apostle is a central term in the New Testament, but many wonder what it really means. To define apostle, we need to look at its origin, its role in the Bible, and how it applies to the early church.
The Meaning of Apostle
The word apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos, which means “one who is sent out” or “a messenger.” It refers to someone who is commissioned with a mission. In the Bible, an apostle was not just a follower of Jesus but someone chosen and sent with authority to spread His message.
“And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.” — Mark 3:14
The Twelve Apostles
Jesus personally chose twelve men to be His apostles. These men followed Him closely, learned from Him, and were sent to share the gospel after His resurrection. They were not chosen because of their greatness but because God had a purpose for them.
“He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.” — Luke 6:13
The Original Twelve
- Peter
- Andrew
- James (son of Zebedee)
- John
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Matthew
- Thomas
- James (son of Alphaeus)
- Simon the Zealot
- Thaddeus (also called Judas, son of James)
- Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias)
Who Replaced Judas Iscariot?
After Judas betrayed Jesus and died, the apostles sought God’s guidance for a replacement. They prayed and cast lots between two men—Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. The lot fell to Matthias, who was then counted among the twelve.
“And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” — Acts 1:26
This restored the group of apostles back to twelve, reflecting the twelve tribes of Israel and showing God’s order in building His church.
Paul as an Apostle
Though not part of the original twelve, Paul is also called an apostle. He encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was directly commissioned by Him. Paul saw himself as one “sent” to the Gentiles.
“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father.” — Galatians 1:1
This shows that apostleship was not limited to the twelve but extended to those directly called by Christ for a mission.
The Role of Apostles in the Early Church
The apostles laid the foundation of the church by teaching, preaching, and writing Scripture. Their role was unique in confirming the truth of the gospel with authority and signs.
“Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” — Ephesians 2:20
They also worked miracles, healed the sick, and spread the gospel across the world, showing the power of the Holy Spirit working through them.
Apostle vs. Disciple
It is easy to confuse the terms apostle and disciple, but they are not the same.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Disciple | A learner or follower | All Christians who follow Jesus |
| Apostle | One sent with authority and a mission | The twelve chosen by Jesus, Paul, and Matthias |
Every apostle was a disciple, but not every disciple was an apostle.
Why This Matters Today
While the original role of apostles was unique, the idea of being “sent” continues. Christians today may not hold the title of apostle in the biblical sense, but we are still called to go and share the good news.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” — Matthew 28:19
This reminds us that spreading the gospel is part of our mission too.
