Apostle
Apostle
Summary:
It is written in the Bible that "APOSTLES" (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11) are listed among the spiritual gifts.
The word APOSTLE could literally be translated as a "SENT (one)".
Many APOSTLES are mentioned in the New Testament.
Apostles are sent to announce the good news. An apostle can even be said to have a necessity to announce the good news. This is why they can also be described as being set apart for the good news.
Because of this, apostles have a right to live from the good news. But an apostle can also choose to not use the right to live from the good news.
Apostles can be sent where Christ was not yet named to build a foundation there.
An apostle can give birth to a church in Christ through the good news. The church birthed by someone can be described as the seal of that person's apostleship.
An apostle is to bring the obedience of faith among people.
Apostles can be apportionned by God a certain measure of reach in connection with the good news.
The signs of the apostle are signs and wonders and powers [miracles].
Apostles did not necessarily write Scriptures.
Apostles are still needed beyond the 1st century for several reasons.
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Apostles:
It is written in the Bible that "APOSTLES" (1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11) are listed among the spiritual gifts.
This is a spiritual gift among the list of other spiritual gifts available.
For more information:
List of spiritual gifts:
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A sent one:
The Greek word for the spiritual gift of "APOSTLES" [apostolos 652 in Greek, noun] in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11 comes from the Greek word for "TO-SEND" [apostelló 649 in Greek, verb]. The word APOSTLE could literally be translated as a "SENT (one)".
APOSTLES can be described as being SENT, as it is written about the "twelve APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek]" (Matthew 10:2) that "Jesus SENT [apostelló 649 in Greek] these twelve" (Matthew 10:5).
Someone can be sent without necessarily being an apostle:
Someone who is MERELY SENT is NOT NECESSARILY an apostle, as for example it is written that "I-WILL-SEND [apostelló 649 in Greek] prophets AND apostles [apostolos 652 in Greek] to them" (Luke 11:49).
Here prophets & apostles are separated by the conjunction "AND".
Prophets can be DISTINCT from apostles, and yet they can also be described as being SENT.
There were many apostles in the New Testament:
Many "APOSTLES" [apostolos 652 in Greek] are mentioned in the New Testament. For example:
The "twelve APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek]" (Matthew 10:2):
1) "Simon, the (one) being-called Peter" (Matthew 10:2).
2) "Andrew, his brother" (Matthew 10:2).
3) "James, the (son of) Zebedee" (Matthew 10:2).
4) "John, his brother" (Matthew 10:2).
5) "Philip" (Matthew 10:3).
6) "Bartholomew" (Matthew 10:3).
7) "Thomas" (Matthew 10:3).
8) "Matthew, the tax-collector" (Matthew 10:3).
9) "James, the (son of) Alphaeus" (Matthew 10:3).
10) "Thaddaeus" (Matthew 10:3).
11) "Simon the Cananaean" (Matthew 10:4).
12) "Judas the Iscariot" (Matthew 10:4).
Then when Judas the Iscariot passed away, someone else was appointed "to-take the place (of) this ministry and APOSTLESHIP from which Judas turned-aside" (Acts 1:25) and the lot fell on:
13) "Matthias" (Acts 1:26).
But this is not all, as Paul was then also mentioned to be among "the APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek]" (Acts 14:14):
14) "Paul" (Acts 14:14).
Furthermore, in that same sentence, another apostle is also mentioned alongside Paul:
15) "Barnabas" (Acts 14:14).
➜ It is written about "the APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek] Barnabas and Paul" (Acts 14:14)
And then multiple others were also described as being "APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek]", for example:
16) "Apollos" (1 Corinthians 4:6).
➜ Paul wrote: "I-applied these (things) to myself and Apollos for your sakes" (1 Corinthians 4:6), adding "I-think God displayed US the APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek] (as) last" (1 Corinthians 4:9).
17) "Epaphroditus" (Philippians 2:25).
➜ It is written: "I-regarded (it) necessary to-send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, and your APOSTLE [apostolos 652 in Greek] and minister (of) my need" (Philippians 2:25).
18) "James, the brother (of) the Lord" (Galatians 1:19).
➜ It is written: "I-did not see another (of) the APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek] except James, the brother (of) the Lord" (Galatians 1:19).
19 & 20) "Silvanus and Timothy" (1 Thessalonians 1:1).
➜ It is written about "Paul and Silvanus and Timothy" (1 Thessalonians 1:1) that they were not "seeking glory from people, neither from you, nor from others, (although) being-able to-be with weight as APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek] (of) Christ" (1 Thessalonians 2:6-7).
21 & 22) "Andronicus and Junia" (Romans 16:7).
➜ It is written: "Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow-captives, WHO ARE NOTABLE AMONG THE APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek], who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7).
Apostle are sent to announce the good news:
Sent:
Apostles are SENT TO ANNOUNCE THE GOOD NEWS.
It is written about "the twelve" (Luke 9:1) APOSTLES that Jesus "SENT THEM TO-PROCLAIM THE KINGDOM (OF) GOD" (Luke 9:2), and so "they-were-going from village-to-village ANNOUNCING-THE-GOOD-NEWS" (Luke 9:6).
It is written about "Paul, (a) called APOSTLE [apostolos 652 in Greek] (of) Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:1) that he wrote: "Christ did not SEND ME forth to-be-baptizing, but TO-BE-ANNOUNCING-THE-GOOD-NEWS" (1 Corinthians 1:17).
Necessity:
An apostle can even be said to have a NECESSITY to announce the good news.
Paul wrote: "if I-AM-ANNOUNCING-THE-GOOD-NEWS, it-is not (a) boast (for) me, for (A) NECESSITY IS-LYING-UPON ME; for WOE IS (TO) ME IF I-DO NOT ANNOUNCE-THE-GOOD-NEWS" (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Set apart:
An apostle can be described as being SET APART for the good news.
Paul wrote about being an "APOSTLE [apostolos 652 in Greek], HAVING-BEEN-SEPARATED FOR (THE) GOOD-NEWS (of) God" (Romans 1:1).
Apostles have a right to live from the good news:
Have a right:
Apostles have a RIGHT TO LIVE FROM THE GOOD NEWS.
When Jesus "SENT" (Luke 10:1) people to announce the good news, He told them: "DO NOT BE-CARRYING (A) MONEY-BAG" (Luke 10:4), adding: "into whatever house you-enter, first say ‘Peace (on) this house’. And if (a) son (of) peace is there, your peace will-rest on him. Otherwise indeed, it-will-return to you. And be-staying in the very house, EATING AND DRINKING THE (THINGS) FROM THEM. FOR THE WORKER (IS A) REWARD (OF) HIS WAGES" (Luke 10:5-7).
Paul the apostle would have echoed this principle, writing: "the Lord directed the (ones) proclaiming the good-news TO-BE-LIVING FROM THE GOOD-NEWS" (1 Corinthians 9:14), indicating that this was a RIGHT, as he wrote: "do not we-have (THE) RIGHT TO NOT BE-WORKING?" (1 Corinthians 9:7).
Not obligatory:
An apostle can also CHOOSE TO NOT USE the RIGHT TO LIVE FROM THE GOOD NEWS.
Paul the apostle wrote "(to) the church (of) God being in Corinth" (1 Corinthians 1:2) after explaining that he and another apostle have "(THE) RIGHT TO NOT BE-WORKING" (1 Corinthians 9:7) that "Nevertheless, WE-DID NOT MAKE-USE-OF THIS RIGHT. But we-are-bearing all (things), in-order-that we-might not give any hindrance (to) the good-news (of) Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:12), adding: "What then is my reward? That (while) announcing-the-good-news, I-might-place the good-news of Christ FREE-OF-CHARGE, so-as NOT TO-MAKE-FULL-USE OF MY RIGHT in the good-news" (1 Corinthians 9:18).
Indeed, when "Paul" (Acts 17:33) "went to Corinth" (Acts 18:1), he went with other people and "he-was-staying with them and WORKING, for they-were TENT-MAKERS (by) trade" (Acts 18:3). So here Paul was working with his own hands by making tents to support himself instead of using his right in the good news.
Apostles can be sent where Christ was not yet named to build a foundation:
Apostles can be sent where Christ was not yet named to build a foundation there.
When Jesus "SENT" (Luke 10:1) people to announce the good news, He was to send them "to every city and place WHERE HE-HIMSELF WAS-GOING TO-GO" (Luke 10:1), implying that Jesus would not have gone to those places yet.
Paul as an "APOSTLE [apostolos 652 in Greek]" (Romans 1:1) wrote that he "(was) thus being-ambitious to-be-announcing-the-good-news WHERE CHRIST WAS NOT NAMED in-order-that I-might not be-building upon (A) FOUNDATION BELONGING-TO-ANOTHER" (Romans 15:20). Paul was ambitious to announce the good news where Christ was not named in order that he might be laying a foundation there (and not building upon a foundation belonging to another if Christ was already named there).
Paul wrote for example to the church of Corinth that when he came to them "I-determined not to-know anything among you except JESUS CHRIST, and this (One) having-been-crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2) so that "I-LAID (A) FOUNDATION according-to the grace (of) God having-been-given (to) me as (a) wise master-builder, and another is-building (upon it). For no-one can lay another FOUNDATION besides the (one which) IS-LAID, which is JESUS CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 3:10-11).
An apostle can give birth to a church:
An apostle can give birth to a church in Christ through the good news.
It is written about "Paul, (a) called APOSTLE [apostolos 652 in Greek] (of) Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:1) that he wrote "(to) THE CHURCH (OF) GOD BEING IN CORINTH" (1 Corinthians 1:2) that "if you-should-have ten-thousand child-leaders in Christ, yet (you do) not (have) many FATHERS. For I BEGOT YOU IN CHRIST JESUS TROUGH THE GOOD-NEWS" (1 Corinthians 4:15).
The seal of their apostleship:
The church birthed by someone can be described as the seal of that person's apostleship.
Paul the apostle wrote to the church of Corinth he birthed in Christ that they are the seal of his apostleship, as he wrote to them: "YOU are THE SEAL OF) MY APOSTLESHIP in (the) Lord, this is my defense (to) the (ones) examining me" (1 Corinthians 9:2).
An apostle is to bring the obedience of faith among people:
An apostle is to bring the obedience of faith among people.
Paul wrote: "we-received grace and APOSTLESHIP FOR (THE) OBEDIENCE (OF) FAITH among all the Gentiles" (Romans 1:5).
Apostles can be apportionned by God a certain measure of reach:
Apostles can be apportionned by God a certain measure of reach in connection with the good news.
Paul indicated that apostles can be apportioned by God a certain measure of reach, as he wrote:
about "the MEASURE (OF) THE AREA WHICH GOD APPORTIONNED (TO) US (A) MEASURE: TO-REACH AS-FAR-AS EVEN YOU. For we are not, as (if) not reaching to you, overextending ourselves. For WE-ARRIVED even AS-FAR-AS YOU in (connection with) the good-news (of) Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:13-14).
Some areas of reach might also belong to other apostles, as Paul continued writing that he "(might) announce-the-good-news IN THE (REGIONS) BEYOND YOU, NOT [...] IN (THE) AREA BELONGING-TO-ANOTHER" (2 Corinthians 10:16).
The signs of an apostle are signs and wonders and powers [miracles]:
The signs of the apostle are SIGNS AND WONDERS AND POWERS [miracles].
It is written about the "twelve APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek]" (Matthew 10:2) that Jesus "gave them authority (over) unclean spirits so-as to-be-casting them out, and to-be-curing every disease and every infirmity" (Matthew 10:1) and then "Jesus sent-out these twelve, having-instructed them, saying [...] BE-CURING (ONES) BEING-SICK, BE-RAISING DEAD (ONES), CLEANSING LEPERS, CASTING-OUT DEMONS" (Matthew 10:5-8).
It is written in Acts that "MANY WONDERS AND SIGNS were-taking-place through the APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek]" (Acts 2:42), and again: "MANY SIGNS AND WONDERS were-taking-place through the hands (of) the APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek] among the people" (Acts 5:12).
Paul the apostle wrote: "THE SIGNS (OF) THE APOSTLE [apostolos 652 in Greek] were-produced among you in all endurance (in) both SIGNS AND WONDERS, AND POWERS [miracles]" (2 Corinthians 12:12).
Someone can do powers [miracles] without necessarily being an apostle:
The signs of an apostle can include "POWERS [miracles]" (2 Corinthians 12:12).
"POWERS [miracles]" is a spiritual gift.
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Powers [miracles]:
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Being an "APOSTLE" is a spiritual gift, and "POWERS [miracles]" is another spiritual gift. It is possible for someone in Christ to have MULTIPLE spiritual gifts, which can explain how an apostle can have at least one ADDITIONAL spiritual gift: the spiritual gift of "POWERS [miracles]".
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Someone in Christ can have multiple spiritual gifts:
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Someone having the spiritual gift of "POWERS [miracles]" doesn't necessitate that they also are an "APOSTLE" because both spiritual gifts are DISTINCT, as Paul wrote: "God placed some in the church (as) FIRST, APOSTLES; second, prophets; third, teachers; THEN POWERS [miracles]" (1 Corinthians 12:28).
For more information:
List of spiritual gifts:
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Apostles did not necessarily write Scriptures:
Apostles did not necessarily write Scriptures.
For example, Paul the apostle wrote Scriptures, as may be implied in what is written in 2 Peter: "our beloved brother PAUL wrote (to) you according-to the wisdom having-been-given (to) him, as also (he writes) in all (his) letters, speaking in them concerning these (things), in which (letters) are some (things) (hard-)to-understand which the unlearnt and unestablished twist, as also THE OTHER SCRIPTURES, to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:15-16).
But multiple other "APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek]" (Matthew 10:2) did not write Scriptures, as for example "Andrew" (Matthew 10:2), "Philip" (Matthew 10:3), "Bartholomew" (Matthew 10:3), "Thaddaeus" (Matthew 10:3) or even "Simon the Cananaean" (Matthew 10:4).
Are apostles still needed beyond the 1st century?
Apostles are still needed beyond the 1st century for several reasons.
Paul wrote that apostles are given to the church UNTIL WE ATTAIN THE UNITY OF THE FAITH, as he wrote: "He gave some (as) APOSTLES [apostolos 652 in Greek], and some (as) prophets, and some (as) evangelists, and some (as) pastors and teachers [...] UNTIL WE ATTAIN TO THE UNITY (OF) THE FAITH and (of) the knowledge (of) the Son of God" (Ephesians 4:11-13). If the unity of the faith is not attained, then apostles would still be needed.
Paul wrote: "we-received grace and APOSTLESHIP FOR (THE) OBEDIENCE (OF) FAITH among all the Gentiles" (Romans 1:5). If the obedience of faith is not fulfilled among all the Gemtiles, then apostleship would still be needed.
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