Bible Study Apostles

[for_his_glory]

Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;

Luke 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,

Luke 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,

Luke 6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

Notice it says Jesus called His disciples to Him, as He had many followers, and then He chose only twelve out of all of them in whom He called them, the twelve, apostles

Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Once again the great commission was only given to that particular 12 as they only received power, but they had to wait until after the Resurrection of Christ where in the upper room Jesus appeared to them and then they received the Holy Ghost before they could be sent out into the world to make more disciples of Christ.

An Apostle is one that witnessed Christ an walked with Him as they were hand picked by Christ and taught by Him as the twelve were actual witnesses of Christ in whom He personally taught them. After Christ ascended up to heaven then they began their journeys writing letters to the churches they established wherever they traveled. Hence the true doctrines of Christ. They were disciples that followed Christ, but after they were personally hand picked of Christ it was He that called them Apostles and sent them out to make more disciples, not Apostles.

1Cor 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.


First Apostles, being the twelve, or actually 13 including Paul. We who are Christ own are His disciples who follow the teachings of the Apostles of Christ in whom God inspired and gave them what to write. We now take the Gospel message out to the world in that which has already been written.

 

[Vinny37]

...

[First Apostles, being the twelve, or actually 13 including Paul].

In fact, adding Matthias, then Paul and Barnabas and others, takes us over the twelve-symbolism, which was only meant to symbolise the 12-sons of Yeshua-Israel, the messianic church a.k.a new Jerusalem. The core apostles at Pentecost were the anchor and steerer of the church—though the NT canon went beyond but in line with them—and their foundational message remains sacrosanct for us. But their foundational primacy never precluded others in the C1 or C21 from becoming apostles of Christ. The number Twelve was meaningful but not magic, and let us thank God for them.

 

[JLB]

James the Lord’s brother was an apostle.

But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. Galatians 1:19

 

[for_his_glory]

[First Apostles, being the twelve, or actually 13 including Paul].

In fact, adding Matthias, then Paul and Barnabas and others, takes us over the twelve-symbolism, which was only meant to symbolise the 12-sons of Yeshua-Israel, the messianic church a.k.a new Jerusalem. The core apostles at Pentecost were the anchor and steerer of the church—though the NT canon went beyond but in line with them—and their foundational message remains sacrosanct for us. But their foundational primacy never precluded others in the C1 or C21 from becoming apostles of Christ. The number Twelve was meaningful but not magic, and let us thank God for them.

These are the original and only 12 Apostles that were specially called by Jesus and sent out to teach the Jews, Matthew 10:5-6. Paul, upon his conversion was selected as the Apostle to the Jews and the Gentiles, Acts 9; Galatians 2:7-9. All who are Christ own are His disciples each with Spiritual gifts given them by the Holy Spirit, 1Cor 12.

 

[Vinny37]

These are the original and only 12 Apostles that were specially called by Jesus and sent out to teach the Jews, Matthew 10:5-6. Paul, upon his conversion was selected as the Apostle to the Jews and the Gentiles, Acts 9; Galatians 2:7-9. All who are Christ own are His disciples each with Spiritual gifts given them by the Holy Spirit, 1Cor 12.

As you say, factually there indeed were only 12 apostles (including the Keriothite) sent by Jesus to ethnic-Jews, at least before the church began. But after the church began, Matthias was added pre-Pentecost to resume the significant symbolism. And he and others apostles were sent by the lord (Ac.26:17; 2 Cor.1:1) whether or not with specific main ethnic targets (Peter went also to ethnic-gentiles; Paul went also to ethnic-Jews). They were sometimes confirmed by local churches. They were sometimes sent by local churches, even as Jerusalem sent (αποστελλω) out the apostles (αποστελοι) Peter and John (Ac.8:14). As Eph.4 shows, apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers, are set by Christ post-ascension, for the church. C21 apostles of Christ still have a place to play in today’s world, whatever their title (eg missionary). The Didache showed how titles could be abused.

 

[for_his_glory]

As you say, factually there indeed were only 12 apostles (including the Keriothite) sent by Jesus to ethnic-Jews, at least before the church began. But after the church began, Matthias was added pre-Pentecost to resume the significant symbolism. And he and others apostles were sent by the lord (Ac.26:17; 2 Cor.1:1) whether or not with specific main ethnic targets (Peter went also to ethnic-gentiles; Paul went also to ethnic-Jews). They were sometimes confirmed by local churches. They were sometimes sent by local churches, even as Jerusalem sent (αποστελλω) out the apostles (αποστελοι) Peter and John (Ac.8:14). As Eph.4 shows, apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers, are set by Christ post-ascension, for the church. C21 apostles of Christ still have a place to play in today’s world, whatever their title (eg missionary). The Didache showed how titles could be abused.

The 12 Disciples became Apostles being specifically chosen by Christ on the day of Pentecost, except for Judas as he was replaced with Matthias, after they were anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room.

The day of Pentecost is when the first true Christian Church was established by Peter in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended up to Heaven, Acts 2. Jesus commissioned the 12 to go out into the world preaching the Gospel of God's grace, Matthew 28:18-20.

There are no Apostles today in the same way as the original ones who were eyewitnesses to Jesus and His ministry. The Apostles were the leading foundation for the Christian Church and their role ceased with the completion of the NT canon after they all died.

 

[Vinny37]

The 12 Disciples became Apostles being specifically chosen by Christ on the day of Pentecost, except for Judas as he was replaced with Matthias, after they were anointed and filled with the Holy Spirit in the upper room.

The day of Pentecost is when the first true Christian Church was established by Peter in Jerusalem after Jesus ascended up to Heaven, Acts 2. Jesus commissioned the 12 to go out into the world preaching the Gospel of God's grace, Matthew 28:18-20.

There are no Apostles today in the same way as the original ones who were eyewitnesses to Jesus and His ministry. The Apostles were the leading foundation for the Christian Church and their role ceased with the completion of the NT canon after they all died.

I hold that in fact no apostle of Christ was anointed by oil, nor arguably by the spirit, prior to Pentecost. I hold that the NT church, beginning with Mary, postdated the crucifixion and predated Pentecost. I reject the “Birthday of the Church”, idea, as fun but fictitious.

The global church was established by the spirit, not by Peter, and based on spiritual birth (Jhn.3:3), not on spirit-baptism. But if by “first true” you simply mean a local church of the global church—and Corinth being another “true” church—accepting Peter’s primacy I would not overly quibble your attribution to him—primus inter pares.

I maintain that Christ has apostles today on par with those of the C1, howbeit like Paul they will not have been witnesses to messiah’s Palestinian travels, but unlike him will have no canonical weight. I hold the idea, Apostolic Succession, to be a folly long set in, but a conjecture not biblically based. I deem that Eph.5 implies an existential pattern, in line with biblical teaching that the Eschaton will cease apostolic and pastoral function.

BTW, you might be interested in a free-access book on Revelation: https://archive.org/details/revelations-gone-global.

 

[for_his_glory]

I hold that in fact no apostle of Christ was anointed by oil, nor arguably by the spirit, prior to Pentecost. I hold that the NT church, beginning with Mary, postdated the crucifixion and predated Pentecost. I reject the “Birthday of the Church”, idea, as fun but fictitious.

The global church was established by the spirit, not by Peter, and based on spiritual birth (Jhn.3:3), not on spirit-baptism. But if by “first true” you simply mean a local church of the global church—and Corinth being another “true” church—accepting Peter’s primacy I would not overly quibble your attribution to him—primus inter pares.

I maintain that Christ has apostles today on par with those of the C1, howbeit like Paul they will not have been witnesses to messiah’s Palestinian travels, but unlike him will have no canonical weight. I hold the idea, Apostolic Succession, to be a folly long set in, but a conjecture not biblically based. I deem that Eph.5 implies an existential pattern, in line with biblical teaching that the Eschaton will cease apostolic and pastoral function.

BTW, you might be interested in a free-access book on Revelation: https://archive.org/details/revelations-gone-global.

I never said the Apostles were anointed with actual oil, but anointed by the Holy Spirit in the upper room before they were sent out. This is the Baptism of Christ for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, I agree that it was and still is the Holy Spirit working through those who have been Spiritually born again from above and have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing we can do of our own self. Peter, through the Holy Spirit, gave the first sermon to all who were in Jerusalem that day as there were around 3,000nadded to the Church that day, Acts 2:14-41.

As far as I know only the Roman Catholic church believes in the Apostolic Succession and Christophany in which I do not believe in this theory.

 

[miamited]

Hey for_his_glory

The 12 Disciples became Apostles being specifically chosen by Christ

I always considered apostles to be those who were taught directly by Jesus. That might call Paul into question, but I think Mathias and Barnabas were with the other apostles during Jesus' travels throughout Jerusalem, which would make them apostles by such definition. And I'm pretty sure that James, the brother of Jesus, was also taught by him, although it apparently took him awhile to accept his brother for what he was.

In the New Testament apostolos [ajpovstolo"] is applied to Jesus as the Sent One of God ( Heb 3:1 ), to those sent by God to preach to Israel ( Luke 11:49 ), to those sent by churches ( 2 Col 8:23 ; Php 2:25 ), and most often, to the individuals who had been appointed by Christ to preach the gospel of the kingdom. This latter category, however, is understood differently by New Testament writers. For example, Luke-Acts uses the term "apostle" to refer almost exclusively to the Twelve, while Paul uses it in relation to a broader group of individuals. The expression "all the apostles" in 1 Corinthians 15:7 seems to include more than the twelve referred to in verse 5. James is considered here, and in Galatians 1:19, to be an apostle. Barnabas is referred to as an apostle in ac 14:14 ( 11:22-24 ; 13:1-4 ). Paul calls Andronicus and Junias apostles in Romans 16:7. In this broader sense, an apostle was a witness to the resurrection of Christ, sent by him to make disciples of all nations. Credit: biblestudytools.com

 

[for_his_glory]

Hey for_his_glory

I always considered apostles to be those who were taught directly by Jesus. That might call Paul into question, but I think Mathias and Barnabas were with the other apostles during Jesus' travels throughout Jerusalem, which would make them apostles by such definition. And I'm pretty sure that James, the brother of Jesus, was also taught by him, although it apparently took him awhile to accept his brother for what he was.

In the New Testament apostolos [ajpovstolo"] is applied to Jesus as the Sent One of God ( Heb 3:1 ), to those sent by God to preach to Israel ( Luke 11:49 ), to those sent by churches ( 2 Col 8:23 ; Php 2:25 ), and most often, to the individuals who had been appointed by Christ to preach the gospel of the kingdom. This latter category, however, is understood differently by New Testament writers. For example, Luke-Acts uses the term "apostle" to refer almost exclusively to the Twelve, while Paul uses it in relation to a broader group of individuals. The expression "all the apostles" in 1 Corinthians 15:7 seems to include more than the twelve referred to in verse 5. James is considered here, and in Galatians 1:19, to be an apostle. Barnabas is referred to as an apostle in ac 14:14 ( 11:22-24 ; 13:1-4 ). Paul calls Andronicus and Junias apostles in Romans 16:7. In this broader sense, an apostle was a witness to the resurrection of Christ, sent by him to make disciples of all nations. Credit: biblestudytools.com

What matters the most is the twelve that were first called by Jesus to follow Him and became His Apostles were inspired by God to write down that of what Jesus taught them first hand so all of us today have the teachings of Christ in what is God's word for all to learn.

 

[miamited]

What matters the most is the twelve that were first called by Jesus to follow Him and became His Apostles were inspired by God to write down that of what Jesus taught them first hand so all of us today have the teachings of Christ in what is God's word for all to learn.

If you say so. i'm not clear on ehy they would matter most. After all, only three of them wrote any Scripture.

 

[for_his_glory]

If you say so. i'm not clear on ehy they would matter most. After all, only three of them wrote any Scripture.

And without those original writings we would not have the NT.

 

[miamited]

And without those original writings we would not have the NT.

Hey for_his_glory

Oh, absolutely! And without Daniel and Isaiah and Ezekiel and Moses we wouldn't have the OT writings either. And yes, as far as having the writings of the NT we are greatly beholden to those three Apostles. As to the others, we really don't have a lot of written benefit of their lives serving the Lord. And we have to throw Peter in as an Apostle, by your definition, that gave us a good part of NT Scripture. I am not denying that some of the original Apostles have given us great benefit to the Scriptures. My point was merely that your claim that

What matters the most is the twelve that were first called by Jesus to follow Him and became His Apostles were inspired by God to write down that of what Jesus taught them first hand

Really only applies to just a very few of those original Apostles, as far as recognized Scripture goes. Now, there are some writings that are attributed to some of the other Apostles, but so far, the 'church' overall, has not felt compelled to elevate those writings to canonized Scripture status. I'm merely making the point that no, we don't really owe some great debt of gratitude to 'all' of the first Apostles for their contributions to the Scriptures. Just clarifying the points of this discussion. Carry on.

 

[for_his_glory]

Hey for_his_glory

Oh, absolutely! And without Daniel and Isaiah and Ezekiel and Moses we wouldn't have the OT writings either. And yes, as far as having the writings of the NT we are greatly beholden to those three Apostles. As to the others, we really don't have a lot of written benefit of their lives serving the Lord. And we have to throw Peter in as an Apostle, by your definition, that gave us a good part of NT Scripture. I am not denying that some of the original Apostles have given us great benefit to the Scriptures. My point was merely that your claim that

Really only applies to just a very few of those original Apostles, as far as recognized Scripture goes. Now, there are some writings that are attributed to some of the other Apostles, but so far, the 'church' overall, has not felt compelled to elevate those writings to canonized Scripture status. I'm merely making the point that no, we don't really owe some great debt of gratitude to 'all' of the first Apostles for their contributions to the Scriptures. Just clarifying the points of this discussion. Carry on.

It was mainly Matthew, Mark, Peter, John, Jude and James from the original 12 and Paul added as an Apostle.