Greek
ἀπόστολος
apostolos
Apostle, one sent, messenger
The Greek word for 'apostle' — literally 'one sent forth.' Used in the NT primarily for the Twelve and Paul, who were directly commissioned by the risen Christ to be foundational witnesses of his life, death, and resurrection.
Apostolos (ἀπόστολος) means 'one sent forth' — from 'apo' (from) + 'stellō' (send). In Classical Greek, it could refer to a naval expedition or an ambassador. In the NT it takes on theological depth as the title of those specifically commissioned by Jesus Christ. The English word 'apostle' is a direct transliteration. The related verb 'apostellō' means 'to send forth on a mission.'
Apostolos in the NT has several layers. (1) The Twelve. Matthew 10:2 — 'Now the names of the twelve apostles are these.' These are the original disciples Jesus chose, trained, sent out during his ministry, and commissioned after his resurrection (Matthew 28:18-20). They are foundational. (2) Paul. Romans 1:1 — 'Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle.' Paul claimed apostleship through his direct encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus road (1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8). (3) Christ himself. Hebrews 3:1 — 'Consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.' Christ is the supreme Apostle, the one sent by the Father. (4) A broader sense. Sometimes others are called apostles in a wider sense — Barnabas (Acts 14:14), James the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19), Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7). These may be 'sent ones' in a less foundational sense. (5) Criteria for apostleship (in the foundational sense). Acts 1:21-22 — when replacing Judas, the criterion was someone 'which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us... must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.' Apostles are eyewitnesses of the risen Christ. (6) Foundation of the church. Ephesians 2:20 — believers are 'built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.' The apostolic foundation is the NT writings — Scripture from those who knew Christ. (7) Authority. Apostles spoke with Christ's authority (Galatians 1:11-12 — Paul's gospel came directly from Christ). Their writings are Scripture. (8) Cessation in the foundational sense. The apostolic age ended with the death of the last apostle (John, late 1st century). The foundation is laid; the church builds on it. Modern claims to apostleship in the foundational sense are not supported by the NT criteria. Some traditions (Pentecostal, Catholic) use 'apostle' in modified senses today.
“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother.”
“Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.”
“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.”
“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us... must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.”
Receive the apostolic foundation — the New Testament Scripture is from the apostles. Submit to their teaching as Christ's teaching. Don't accept self-appointed 'apostles' who add to their teaching. Pray for those carrying the gospel into new lands — the missionary calling is the closest modern parallel to the apostolic sending (even if not 'apostolic' in the foundational sense).
Apostle (Greek 'apostolos') means 'one sent forth.' In the NT it primarily refers to the Twelve (the original disciples Jesus chose) and Paul (called separately by the risen Christ). They were directly commissioned by Christ, eyewitnesses of his resurrection (Acts 1:21-22), and foundational to the church (Ephesians 2:20). Christ himself is called 'the Apostle' (Hebrews 3:1) — the supreme one sent by the Father.
Christians differ. The foundational sense (eyewitnesses of the risen Christ, directly commissioned, with NT-writing authority) ended with the last apostle. Most evangelicals affirm cessation in that sense. The broader sense — 'one sent' to plant churches and proclaim the gospel — continues; missionaries function in similar ways. Some traditions (Pentecostal, Catholic) use 'apostle' in modified senses today. Don't accept anyone claiming foundational apostleship with NT authority.
Matthew 10:2-4 lists them: Peter (Simon), Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus (Lebbaeus/Judas son of James), Simon the Cananite (Zealot), and Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus). After Judas's death, Matthias was chosen (Acts 1:26). Paul was later called separately as an apostle (Romans 1:1).
(1) Eyewitnesses of the risen Christ (Acts 1:21-22). (2) Recipients and bearers of Christ's teaching. (3) Authors or sources of the New Testament Scripture. (4) Founders of churches (Ephesians 2:20). (5) Authoritative interpreters of the gospel. They are foundational — meaning their work establishes what the church is built upon. The foundation, once laid, is not laid again; the church builds on it.