Table of Contents
What is an Apostle? What is The Meaning of Apostle?
The word apostle means sent one.
Apostles in scripture were those sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the gospel, make disciples of nations, cast out devils, perform miracles etc.
Actually in Scripture there are 2 main types of Apostles: Apostles of the Lamb and Ascension Gift Apostles: We'll explain this now:
Apostles of the Lamb
Definition:
Apostles of the Lamb are those directly commissioned by The Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry (or immediately after His resurrection) to bear witness to His life, death, resurrection, and to establish the early church. They are personally chosen by Christ and empowered to teach, heal, and lead the foundation of the church.
Key Characteristics / Qualifications:
| Characteristic | Scripture Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Directly called by Christ | Luke 6:13; Acts 1:24-26 | Jesus personally selected the Twelve (and Matthias as replacement) |
| Eyewitness of the Resurrection | Acts 1:22; 1 Corinthians 9:1 | Must have seen the risen Christ personally |
| Companion of Christ’s earthly ministry | Mark 3:14-19; Luke 6:13 | Learned directly from Jesus’ teachings and actions |
| Ordained to teach, heal, and preach | Matthew 10:1-4 | Empowered for ministry by Jesus |
| Faithful under trials | Revelation 2:2; Luke 22:31-32 | Demonstrated loyalty, endurance, and perseverance |
| Witness to the ends of the earth | Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20 | Commissioned to continue Christ’s mission |
Examples:
Peter, John, James, Andrew, Thomas, and Matthias
And the next type of apostle:
Ascension Gift Apostles
Definition:
Ascension Gift Apostles are those gifted and appointed by Christ after His resurrection and ascension to equip, shepherd, and build up the church. They are given authority not by personal discipleship during Christ’s earthly ministry but through apostolic commissioning by Christ and confirmation by the early church.
Key Characteristics / Qualifications:
| Characteristic | Scripture Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Appointed by Christ post-resurrection | Ephesians 4:11-12; Acts 14:4,14 | Empowered to carry out church planting and ministry leadership |
| Senders and teachers of the gospel | 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:17 | Sent to strengthen, establish, and exhort churches |
| Laborers in the gospel | Philippians 2:19-22; 2 Corinthians 12:12 | Actively involved in spreading the gospel and mentoring leaders |
| Recognized by the church and other apostles | Galatians 2:7-9; Acts 15:22 | Their ministry is validated and confirmed by other leaders |
| Perform signs, wonders, and endurance under persecution | 2 Corinthians 12:12; Acts 14:3 | Apostolic authority often confirmed by spiritual gifts and miracles |
Examples:
Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus
Here's a table that also shows the Church Father's in agreement on what is known today as ascension gift apostles that are not the original 12 apostles of the Lamb, but are sent by the Lord Jesus.
| Dates & Work | Church Father | View | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| c. 260–339 AD, Ecclesiastical History, Book III, Ch. 4–6 | Eusebius of Caesarea | Eusebius holds that apostleship continues beyond the Twelve. He affirms that Christ called others, like Paul and Barnabas, to preach to the Gentiles. These figures are genuine apostles, sent directly by Christ to establish and guide churches. | Mentions Paul, Barnabas, and others sent to Gentiles |
| c. 170–235 AD, Fragments in Eusebius, HE V.28 | Hippolytus of Rome | Hippolytus recognizes apostles sent by the risen Christ to various nations. He views them as genuine apostles with a divinely mandated mission, not merely symbolic leaders. Their authority is rooted in Christ’s commissioning. | Affirms real missionary apostles beyond the Twelve |
| c. 150–215 AD, Stromata 3.3–3.6 | Clement of Alexandria | Clement teaches that apostleship can extend beyond the original Twelve through God’s will. Those called by Christ, like Paul, hold the full apostolic ministry. Their role is to preach, teach, and bear witness to Christ in the world. | Mentions Paul and other divinely called apostles |
| c. 184–253 AD, Commentary on John 21; Homilies on Matthew | Origen | Origen emphasizes that apostleship is defined by being sent to teach and witness, not strictly by being among the Twelve. Christ’s calling establishes their authority. Apostolic work continues in those genuinely sent to spread the Gospel. | Functional apostolic calling, not limited to the Twelve |
| c. 347–420 AD, Letter 22 to Evodius, PL 22 | Jerome | Jerome affirms apostles beyond the Twelve, sent to preach in regions they did not personally evangelize. He regards figures like Paul as fully legitimate apostles called by Christ. Their mission carries the same authority as that of the original apostles. | Highlights Paul and others called to preach |
More on Apostles:
FAQs
Are There Modern Day Apostles?
Yes, there are modern day apostles who are different from the apostles of the Lamb. This is what is shared in Ephesians 4:11-14.
Are There Examples of Modern Day Apostles from Scripture?
Yes, actually. Outside of the 12 Apostles of the Lamb we have Paul and Barnabas who were apostles. Those were the Jewish Apostles, but what about Gentile apostles after the original twelve, Paul, and Barnabas? Timothy and Silas, Greeks, were also apostles because in 1 Thessalonians the apostles Paul, Silas and Timothy were introduced as the authors in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and then in 1 Thessalonians 2:6 they say: 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[c] among you.
Here we see that Apostles continued even into the Gentile Church and are thus available to us today, for the apostolic ministry continues until the perfection of the saints according to Ephesians 4:11-12, and by extension 1 Corithians 13:9 which talks about the same perfecting occurrence in the Church.
- An apostle is one sent on a mission by the Lord Jesus Himself
- An Apostle is a messenger or ambassador who is sent out to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ.
- Apostles are those who spread the word of the gospel as messengers of God.
- Apostle means "one who is sent out" or a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy.
- There are 12 Apostles of the Lamb who will sit on thrones,and there are Ephesians 4:11 apostles or Ascension Gift Apostles that the Lord sends for the full duration of the Church age until we come to full measure and stature of Christ.
Function of Apostles in Ephesians 4:11-16
- 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
- 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
- 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
- 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
- 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
- 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
