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The Original Twelve Apostles
Sometimes the word “apostle” is almost synonymous with the Jesus’ first dozen disciples: “the Twelve Apostles.” At its root, the word “apostle” simply means “one who is sent” – like a missionary. The “Twelve Apostles” were Jesus’ first agents – sent by him to bear witness of him.
The Specialized Meaning of the Word
Before long, the term “apostle” soon came to be understood as someone who had seen the risen Lord and been commissioned by him. So Paul defended his apostolic status (1 Corinthians 9:1) by saying “Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes?” He was claiming a status equal to James, Peter, and Jesus’ other original spokesmen. You could say that Paul was claiming to be an apostle with a capital “A” – not an apostle commissioned by a particular church, but by Jesus Christ himself.
There were more apostles in this specialized sense than just the original Twelve and Paul.
1 Corinthians 15:5-7 [Jesus] was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom a re still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.”
Jesus appeared to the Twelve and also to “all the apostles.” What these people all had in common was a personal encounter with the risen Lord Jesus.
The General Meaning of the Word
The word “apostle” can also be used in the simple sense of a missionary sent out by a church. That’s how the word is used in the book of Acts. The only place Paul and Barnabas are called “apostles” in Acts is when they are sent out by the church at Antioch as missionaries from that church. Paul uses the term this way in 2 Corinthians 8-9 when he talks about people appointed and sent by churches for a specific task.
2 Corinthians 8:23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is my partner who works with me to help you. And the brothers with him have been sent by the churches, and they bring honor to Christ.
The phrase “have been sent by the churches” is literally “are apostles of the churches.”.
Summary
There are two basic ways to use the word “apostle.” A “small a” apostle is a missionary commissioned by a local church. A “big A” apostle is someone who has seen the risen Lord and has been commissioned by the Lord to some ongoing ministry.
The original Twelve were not the only apostles. We don’t know what happened to most of them after the day of Pentecost. Presumably, they went out and shared the good news of Jesus everywhere.
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What is the root meaning of the word “apostle”?
- What is the difference between a “big A” apostle and a “small a” apostle?
- How do both kinds of apostles reflect the root meaning of the word?
- How does this understanding compare or contrast with other ideas you have heard?
- Why does the definition of “apostle” matter to God’s people? To you personally?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
