What Is an Apostle in the Bible?
Quick Summary
In the Bible, an apostle is someone personally commissioned and sent by Jesus Christ with authority to bear witness to his resurrection and establish the early church. Apostles are foundational witnesses, not merely teachers or missionaries. Their role is rooted in calling, testimony, and faithfulness to the gospel, and it plays a decisive role in the formation of the New Testament and the spread of Christianity.
Introduction
The word apostle is familiar to many readers of the Bible, yet its meaning is often blurred. Sometimes it is used interchangeably with disciple. Other times it is applied broadly to church leaders or missionaries. Scripture, however, uses the term with more precision.
In the New Testament, apostles occupy a unique and unrepeatable role. They are not simply gifted leaders or influential teachers. Apostles are witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, entrusted with the authority to proclaim the gospel and lay the foundation of the church. To understand what an apostle is, one must pay attention to how the term is used, who receives it, and why it matters for Christian faith and Scripture.
What Does the Word Apostle Mean?
The English word apostle comes from the Greek apostolos, meaning “one who is sent.” In the ancient world, the term referred to an authorized representative who carried the authority of the sender.
In the New Testament, this meaning is sharpened. An apostle is not self-appointed. Apostles are chosen and sent by Jesus himself. Their authority does not rest in personal charisma or institutional rank, but in divine commissioning.
This distinction explains why apostolic authority carries such weight in early Christianity. To receive an apostle is, in a sense, to receive the one who sent them. (Mark 3; John 13; Dunn)
Apostles and Disciples
All apostles are disciples, but not all disciples are apostles. A disciple is a learner or follower. Many people follow Jesus during his ministry. From among them, Jesus selects twelve and names them apostles.
The Twelve symbolize the renewal of Israel. Their number echoes the twelve tribes and signals continuity between Israel’s story and the church’s mission. This symbolic role sets them apart.
Discipleship is open-ended and ongoing. Apostleship, by contrast, is specific and foundational. The distinction becomes clearer after the resurrection, when apostolic witness takes center stage. (Luke 6; Acts 1; Wright)
The Twelve Apostles
The Gospels consistently name twelve apostles: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
These men are not portrayed as flawless heroes. They misunderstand Jesus, argue among themselves, and abandon him at his arrest. Their authority does not arise from moral perfection but from restoration and calling.
After Judas’ death, Matthias is chosen to restore the number twelve. The criteria are telling: he must have accompanied Jesus from the beginning and be a witness to the resurrection. Apostleship is inseparable from testimony. (Acts 1; Keener)
Paul as an Apostle
Paul’s apostleship raises important questions. He is not among the Twelve and does not follow Jesus during his earthly ministry. Yet Paul insists that he is an apostle, called directly by the risen Christ.
Paul grounds his claim in revelation and commissioning. On the road to Damascus, he encounters the resurrected Jesus and is sent to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles. His apostleship is later recognized by the Jerusalem leaders.
Paul’s case shows that apostleship is not limited to the original Twelve, but it remains tightly defined. Direct encounter with the risen Christ and divine commissioning are non-negotiable. (Acts 9; Galatians 1–2; Wright)
Are There Other Apostles in the New Testament?
The New Testament occasionally uses the term apostle more broadly. Figures such as Barnabas and James the brother of Jesus are sometimes described in apostolic terms.
These usages do not dilute the core definition. Rather, they reflect the flexible application of the term within clear boundaries. Apostolic authority remains tied to foundational witness and mission.
By the late first century, the term apostle becomes increasingly reserved for those who belong to this original generation of witnesses. (Romans 16; 1 Corinthians 9; Bauckham)
What Did Apostles Do?
Apostles proclaim the resurrection, teach the gospel, establish churches, and guard the faith. Their work is both missionary and pastoral.
They do not merely transmit information. Apostles interpret the meaning of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for new communities. They address disputes, clarify doctrine, and model faithful living.
Much of the New Testament consists of apostolic testimony, either directly or through close associates. This connection grounds Christian Scripture in eyewitness faith. (Acts; Epistles; Hurtado)
Apostles and the Authority of Scripture
The authority of the New Testament is deeply connected to apostolic witness. Early Christians recognized writings as authoritative because they traced back to the apostles or their immediate circle.
The Gospels are associated with apostolic testimony. Paul’s letters carry weight because of his apostolic calling. Other writings gain acceptance through alignment with apostolic teaching.
This explains why apostolic succession is theological before it is institutional. The church does not create apostolic authority; it receives and preserves it. (Ephesians 2; Childs)
Are There Apostles Today?
Christian traditions differ on whether the title apostle can be applied today. Some churches use the term for missionaries or church planters. Others reserve it strictly for the first generation.
From a biblical perspective, apostleship as a foundational office is not repeatable. The apostles belong to a unique moment in salvation history. However, the church continues the apostolic mission by bearing witness to the same gospel.
Faithfulness to the apostles’ teaching, rather than claiming their title, defines the church’s continuity with them. (Acts 2; Revelation 21)
Why Apostles Matter
Understanding apostleship clarifies how Christianity begins, how Scripture is formed, and how authority functions in the church. Apostles anchor faith in history rather than abstraction.
They testify that the gospel is not a philosophy but a proclamation rooted in real events and real encounters. Through their witness, the story of Jesus moves from a small group in Galilee to the ends of the earth.
The church stands not on innovation, but on testimony handed down from those who were sent. That is the enduring legacy of the apostles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are apostles the same as missionaries?
No. While apostles are sent, their role includes foundational authority and eyewitness testimony that missionaries do not share.
Why were there twelve apostles?
The number twelve symbolizes the renewal of Israel and signals continuity with the twelve tribes.
Did apostles have more authority than other leaders?
Yes. Apostles exercised foundational authority rooted in their commissioning by Jesus and their witness to the resurrection.
Why is Paul considered an apostle?
Paul encountered the risen Christ and was directly commissioned for gospel mission, a calling recognized by the early church.
Works Consulted
Dunn, James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle.
Wright, N. T. Paul and the Faithfulness of God.
Keener, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary.
Bauckham, Richard. Jesus and the Eyewitnesses.
Childs, Brevard S. The New Testament as Canon.
Hurtado, Larry. Lord Jesus Christ.
