Use of 'Apostle' in the NT

 
Who Indications Additional Considerations
Jesus Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Heb 3:1 KJVR)  
The 12 Mtt 10:2, Mrk 3:16-19, Lke 6:14-16, Acts 2:13,20.


(1) Simon Peter (Cephas), (2) his brother Andrew,(3) James the son of Zebedee, (4) his brother John, (5) Philip (not the evangelist), (6) Bartholomew, (7) Matthew the tax collector, (8) Thomas, (9) James the son of Alphaeus, (10) Simon the Zealot or Canaanite, (11) Judas Thaddaeus son of James, (12) Judas Iscariot the betrayer whom the Lord replaced with Matthias.

 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

(Act 1:21-22 KJVR)

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And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

(Rev 21:14 KJVR)

 

 
Paul Paul’s apostleship
  • Acts 9:15, Rom 1:1 (his calling), “...called to be an apostle...”
  • Rom 1:5 (his purpose), “...received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith...”
  • Rom 11:13, Gal 2:8 (his mission, “I am an apostle of the Gentiles...”
  • Rom 16:7 (his recognition of others), “...who are outstanding among the apostles...”
  • 1Co 15:9 (his worthiness), “...I am the least of the apostles...”
  • 2Co 11:5 (his knowledge of the gospel), “...not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles...”
  • 2Co 12:12 (his power), “...the signs of an apostle...”

 

 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

(2Co 12:11-12 KJVR)

The signs and wonders and mighty deeds of an Apostle referred to here are not those requirements indicated in selecting Matthias (above)
Others And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

(1Co 15:5-9 KJVR)

 

Barnabas:

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

(Act 14:4 KJVR)

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

(Act 14:14 KJVR)

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Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(1Th 1:1 KJVR)

w/

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

(1Th 2:6-7 KJVR)

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But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

(Gal 1:19 KJVR)

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Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

(Rom 16:7 KJVR)

(Commentators take this two ways. A&J are apostles OR A&J are recognized by the apostles)

(Some Commentators believe Junia was a woman and possibly the wife of Andronicus)

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And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

(1Co 4:6-9 KJVR)

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Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

(Php 2:25-26 KJVR)

 

 

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Titus (2 Corinthians 8:23)

Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

(2Co 8:23 KJVR)

'messengers' is the Gr. G652  ἀπόστολος    apostolos

ap-os'-tol-os

From G649; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle"), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries

 

 

 

  
False Apostles False apostles
  • 2Co 11:13, “...false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”
  • Rev 2:2, “...call themselves apostles and are not, and you found them to be false...”

 

Were these people impersonating James and John; anyone of the known 12? That lie could be easily exposed.