The word apostle (Greek – apostolos) speaks to the sending out of an envoy or messenger. In the Greco-Roman world, an apostle was “a person of merit engaged in administrative service” (BAGD). In the New Testament, an apostle was a person called as a messenger of the Gospel who established local churches and exercised administrative leadership in those churches.
Jesus chose twelve men from a larger group of disciples to act as his apostles (Luke 6:13). The original apostles chosen by Jesus and leading the church in the first decades of mission comprise the founding apostolate. In the gospels, the Twelve traveled with Jesus and were empowered and sent out to preach “that people are to repent.” They exorcised demons and healed many sick people (Mark 6:12-14). In Acts, the Twelve consisted of men who have traveled with Jesus from his baptism until his ascension (Acts 1:21-22). They were the primary witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:3; 4:33), his ascension to heaven, and the promise of his return (Acts 1:9-11). They were gathered together in anticipation of Pentecost (Acts 1:4-5); and were empowered and commissioned to be witnesses of Jesus Christ throughout all the world (Acts 1:8; 4:33). The Twelve demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit through “wonders and signs” and many noteworthy miracles (Acts 2:43; 4:16; 5:12, 16; 8:7, 13; 9:34, 39-41; 19:11; 28:8). They administrated the affairs of the church which included the collection and distribution of money, oversight of care ministry, affirmation of leaders, sending out evangelists and missionaries, and offering counsel in theological issues (Acts 4:37; 5:12; 6:1-6; 8:14; 9:27; 15:1ff; 16:4). However, the primary role of the apostles became “prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Their writings form the theological foundation of the Christian church (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 17).
There is a longstanding tradition to limit the designation apostle to the Twelve who were personally called by Jesus, or to the apostolic age. In the post-apostolic church, the function of the apostle gave way to the office of the bishop. Even so, Paul wrote, “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles…” (1 Corinthians 12:28). Paul is suggesting a functioning apostolate that would continue the missionary work of the church throughout the ages. The functioning apostolate might include Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Apollos, and many others from the apostolic era, but not part of the founding apostolate. There were others who functioned as apostles in the primitive church. Although the Twelve were the chief delegates of Christ in the gospels and Acts, Jesus had many other disciples engaged in apostolic ministry. Luke tells us that Jesus “appointed seventy-two others” and gave them an apostolic commission. He “sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come” (Luke 10:1ff). Like the Twelve, they were authorized to proclaim the coming Kingdom of God, heal the sick, and exorcise demons. Luke identifies Cleopas, walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, as an apostle (cf. Luke 25:10, 18). Also, when the Twelve (actually eleven) choose a replacement for Judas, there were two candidates: Justus and Matthias (Acts 1:23). Cleopas, Justus, and Matthias were apparently well known among the primitive church, and were likely among the seventy-two. There are others in the New Testament who are named as apostles: Barnabas (Acts 14:14); Silas (also known as Silvanus) and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6); Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6, 9); Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7); and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25). There is considerable debate as to whether or not Andronicus and Junia are “well known to the apostles” (ESV) or “prominent among the apostles” (NRSV). There would be no debate if Junia (feminine) were Junias (masculine). The question before us is “Was Junia, a woman, designated an apostle?” This has been debated for centuries, which suggest that there can be no firm answer, only a possibility. It is likely that Junia was the wife of Andronicus, and that they were among the first generation of functioning apostles. Also, some may question whether or not Epaphroditus was an apostle. English translations designate him as a “messenger.” However, the Greek text uses the word apostolos. There are others who are not explicitly named as apostles, but function as apostles, that is they are sent with authority, like Judas Barsabbas (Acts 15:22). There seems to be an effort to distinguish between apostles called by Jesus and those chosen as apostles by the church.
The most notable of the apostles not included among the original Twelve is Paul. Luke tells of Paul’s conversion and call (Acts 9:1ff). Paul was set apart by the church as an apostle with Barnabas at Antioch (Acts 13:1-4). In his letters, Paul introduces himself as “a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1, et al). With the Twelve, Paul was a witness to the resurrected Christ (Acts 9:5; 22:8; 26:14-17); he was baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17); commissioned to preach the gospel throughout the world (Romans 1:14-15; 15:20, 24), with attesting signs, wonders, and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12; cf. Acts 13:6-11; 14:3, 8-10; 16:16-18; 19:11-12; 20:9-12; 28:7-9; Romans 15:19). Although not included in the original Twelve, there is no doubt that Paul’s apostleship, with his three missionary journeys and considerable writings, establishes him as among the founding apostolate of the church. The Apostle Peter affirmed Paul as “our beloved brother” (2 Peter 3:15).
Apostles lead the missionary efforts of the church into all regions of the earth where the gospel has not been proclaimed (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Paul traveled throughout the ancient Mediterranean world of the Roman Empire. Ancient tradition tells us that Thomas carried the gospel into India, and Mark was the first to preach the gospel in Egypt. As the apostles ventured into Africa, Asia, and Europe, they encountered many unfamiliar cultures with strange religious customs. They understood that the message of the gospel transcends all human cultures. They learned to adapt to the various cultures without compromising the integrity of the gospel. Their commitment to the gospel often led to persecution and a martyr’s death. The work of functioning apostles has continued throughout the history of the church.
