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Definition and Origin of Apostleship

The term apostle originates from the Greek word ἀπόστολος (apostolos), meaning “one sent on a mission.” Its usage in the New Testament emphasizes the concept of being commissioned with authority and accountability to the sender. Unlike other terms for “sending” found in Scripture, such as pempo (dispatch) or apolyo (release), apostolos uniquely conveys a mission entrusted with responsibility and authority. This distinction is foundational to understanding the biblical role of apostles.

The concept appears sparingly in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. One notable occurrence is in 1 Kings 14:6, where the prophet Ahijah declares, “I am sent to you with bad news.” Here, the Hebrew term šālûaḥ (sent one) is translated as apostolos. However, within Judaism, šālûaḥ often denoted a representative confined to Jewish affairs, such as synagogue leaders or emissaries of the Sanhedrin. This usage provides a limited precedent for the expansive New Testament understanding of apostleship, which transcends ethnic and geographic boundaries.

Jesus as the Supreme Apostle

In Hebrews 3:1, Jesus is described as “the apostle and high priest of our confession.” This designation emphasizes his role as the ultimate one sent by Jehovah to fulfill the divine plan of salvation. Jesus repeatedly affirmed his heavenly mission, saying, “I have not come of my own accord, but he who sent me is true” (John 7:28). His apostleship surpasses that of Moses, who was also considered a šālûaḥ in Jewish tradition, because Jesus conveyed the Father’s will perfectly (John 14:9).

Jesus also established the framework for apostleship when he said, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 17:18). By commissioning the apostles in this way, Jesus elevated their role, making it an extension of his divine mission.

The Twelve Apostles: Their Calling and Mission

The twelve apostles were chosen by Jesus during his earthly ministry (Mark 3:13–19). Their primary purpose was to learn from him, witness his works, and later carry forward his message. Initially referred to as disciples, they became apostles when Jesus sent them with authority to preach and perform miracles, as recorded in Mark 6:7–13. This authority was not intrinsic to them but derived directly from Jesus, underscoring their accountability to him as the sender.

The number twelve is significant, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel and signifying a new foundation for Jehovah’s people. Jesus referred to this symbolic role when he told the apostles, “You who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). After the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias was chosen to maintain the integrity of this group (Acts 1:23–26). However, this replacement underscores the fixed and foundational nature of the Twelve, as no further effort was made to replace apostles who later died.

The Role of the Apostles After Pentecost

Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–4), the apostles began their public ministry with extraordinary boldness and authority. Peter’s sermon on that day (Acts 2:14–41) serves as a powerful example of their divinely sanctioned mission to proclaim the risen Christ.

The apostles’ duties encompassed preaching, teaching, and administration. Their preaching was grounded in their personal association with Jesus and their eyewitness testimony to his resurrection (Acts 1:22). Their teaching became the foundation of the early church, as new believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship” (Acts 2:42).

The apostles also assumed leadership roles within the Christian community, overseeing its welfare and addressing internal challenges. For example, they administered funds for the needy (Acts 4:32–35) and resolved doctrinal disputes, as seen in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:6–29). Their miraculous works, such as healing the sick and casting out demons, validated their divine authority and attested to the authenticity of their message (2 Corinthians 12:12).

Paul: The Apostle to the Gentiles

Paul’s apostleship stands out as unique due to his dramatic conversion and direct commission by the risen Christ (Acts 9:1–19; Galatians 1:1). Unlike the original Twelve, Paul was not an eyewitness to Jesus’ earthly ministry, but he met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. This encounter qualified him as an apostle, as he later affirmed, “Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1). His mission was explicitly to the Gentiles, as Jesus declared, “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

Paul’s apostleship was recognized by the leaders in Jerusalem, who gave him “the right hand of fellowship” (Galatians 2:9). Nevertheless, Paul often had to defend his apostleship against detractors, particularly in Corinth, where his authority was questioned. He pointed to the evidence of his ministry, saying, “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works” (2 Corinthians 12:12).

Other Apostles in the New Testament

In addition to the Twelve and Paul, the New Testament mentions other individuals referred to as apostles in a broader sense. James, the brother of Jesus, is described as an apostle, likely because of his prominent role in the Jerusalem church (Galatians 1:19). Barnabas, a close companion of Paul, is also called an apostle, but his apostleship appears to have been specific to his missionary work with Paul (Acts 14:14).

In Romans 16:7, Paul sends greetings to Andronicus and Junias (or Junia, depending on textual interpretation), describing them as his “kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are well known among the apostles” (Updated American Standard Version). (ESV, LEB, NASB read similarly) Some interpret this verse to suggest that Andronicus and Junias themselves were apostles, based on reading it into other renderings “of note among the apostles” or “are noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles.” However, this interpretation is incorrect when the Greek text is examined carefully.

The Greek word episēmos, rendered as “well known,” clearly refers to their reputation. The construction of the sentence indicates that Andronicus and Junias were notable in the estimation of the apostles, not that they themselves were apostles. A precise rendering of the Greek phrase is: “men who are well known among the apostles.” This interpretation aligns with both the grammatical structure and the broader context of the New Testament, which consistently reserves the term “apostle” for those specifically appointed by Christ or involved in extraordinary, foundational roles, such as the Twelve or Paul.

Additionally, the term episēmos is a plural masculine adjective, affirming that Andronicus and Junias (or Junia) were regarded as men who had a good reputation among the apostles rather than being apostles themselves. There is no textual or contextual evidence in Romans 16:7 to elevate these individuals to apostolic status, and doing so would contradict the distinct and exclusive nature of the apostolic office as seen elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Acts 1:21–26; 1 Corinthians 9:1).

While it is clear that Andronicus and Junias were noteworthy individuals within the early Christian community, their commendation does not imply that they were apostles. Instead, their recognition as being “well known among the apostles” highlights their faithful service and standing among those entrusted with foundational authority in the church.

Apostleship and the Foundation of the Church

The apostles occupy a foundational role in the establishment of the church, as Paul explains: “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but 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” (Ephesians 2:19–20). This foundational role was unrepeatable, as it was rooted in their direct commission by Christ and their eyewitness testimony to his resurrection.

The spiritual gifts associated with apostleship, such as prophecy and miracles, served a specific purpose in confirming the gospel message during the church’s formative years. These gifts ceased with the close of the apostolic age, as the completed canon of Scripture now serves as the definitive guide for the church.

The role of apostles in the New Testament is both unique and foundational. They were chosen, commissioned, and empowered by Jesus to establish his church and proclaim his message. While their authority cannot be replicated, their teachings, preserved in the Spirit-inspired Word of God, continue to guide believers today. Through diligent study and faithful application of Scripture, Christians are equipped to fulfill their mission in the world, just as the apostles were in theirs.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).