apostle
Used technically to refer to one of the body of disciples chosen by Jesus Christ to be witnesses to his resurrection, first proclaimers of the gospel, and founders his church; also used more generally to refer to others in the early church who served as messengers of the churches.
- From scripture:
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19–22, ESV)
- From The MacArthur New Testament Commentary on 1 Corinthians 12:
The first of the gifted men in the New Testament church were the apostles, of whom Jesus Christ Himself is foremost (Heb. 3:1). The basic meaning of apostle (apostolos) is simply that of one sent on a mission. In its primary and most technical sense apostle is used in the New Testament only of the twelve, including Matthias, who replaced Judas (Acts 1:26), and of Paul, who was uniquely set apart as apostle to the Gentiles (Gal. 1:15–17; cf. 1 Cor. 15:7–9; 2 Cor. 11:5). The qualifications for that apostleship were having been chosen directly by Christ and having witnessed the resurrected Christ (Mark 3:13; Acts 1:22–24). Paul was the last to meet those qualifications (Rom. 1:1; etc.). It is not possible therefore, as some claim, for there to be apostles in the church today. Some have observed that the apostles were like delegates to a constitutional convention. When the convention is over, the position ceases. When the New Testament was completed, the office of apostle ceased.
Learn more:
- Bible Study Tools: Apostle
- Got Questions.org: What is an apostle? and What are the biblical qualifications for apostleship?
- Ligonier Ministries: What Was an Apostle?
- Grace to You: What Is an Apostle?
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