The Apostles: Ordained by Christ
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "apostle" is derived from the Greek word "apostolos," meaning "one who is sent out." In the New Testament, the apostles are primarily the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ to be His closest followers and to carry out His mission after His ascension. Their ordination by Christ is a pivotal event in the establishment of the early Church and the spread of the Gospel.

Selection and Ordination

The selection of the apostles is a significant moment in the Gospels. According to the Berean Standard Bible, Jesus, after a night of prayer, called His disciples to Him and chose twelve, whom He also named apostles (Luke 6:12-13). This act of choosing was not arbitrary but divinely guided, as Jesus sought those who would be foundational to His ministry and the future Church.

The names of the twelve apostles are listed in several passages, including Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:14-16. They include Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus.

Role and Authority

The apostles were given specific roles and authority by Christ. In Matthew 10:1, Jesus granted them power over unclean spirits and the ability to heal every disease and sickness. This empowerment was a testament to their divine commission and the authority they carried as representatives of Christ.

Furthermore, Jesus instructed them to preach the message of the Kingdom of Heaven, emphasizing repentance and the coming of God's reign (Matthew 10:7). Their mission was to the "lost sheep of Israel" initially, but it would later expand to all nations, as seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).

The Great Commission

Before His ascension, Jesus gave the apostles the Great Commission, a mandate to spread the Gospel to all nations. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This commission underscored the global scope of their mission and the enduring nature of their teachings.

The Apostolic Foundation

The apostles are often referred to as the foundation of the Church, with Christ Himself as the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20 states, "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." Their teachings, preserved in the New Testament, form the doctrinal basis for Christian faith and practice.

The Replacement of Judas

After the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, the apostles sought to maintain their number at twelve, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. In Acts 1:21-26, Matthias was chosen by casting lots to replace Judas, ensuring the continuity of their divinely ordained mission.

Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles

While not one of the original twelve, Paul is recognized as an apostle due to his unique calling by Christ. In Acts 9, Paul, formerly Saul, encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, leading to his conversion and subsequent mission to the Gentiles. Paul’s apostleship is affirmed in his epistles, where he frequently refers to himself as "an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God" (Ephesians 1:1).

Legacy and Impact

The apostles, ordained by Christ, played a crucial role in the early Church's growth and the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. Their teachings, miracles, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel laid the groundwork for the Christian faith, influencing countless generations of believers. Through their witness and writings, the apostles continue to guide and inspire the Church today.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Mark 3:14
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 15:16
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Enumeration Ordained by Apostles.
... Book VII. Concerning the Christian Life, and the Eucharist, and the Initiation
into Christ. Sec. IV."Enumeration Ordained by Apostles. ...
/.../constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv enumeration ordained by apostles.htm

All the Apostles Urge the Observance of the Order of the Church.
... Christ our Lord. [3763] High priests, priests, and Levites were ordained by Moses,
[3764] the most beloved of God. By our Saviour [3765] were we apostles, ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v all the apostles urge.htm

How the Priest Wighard was Sent from Britain to Rome, to be ...
... and sent him to Rome to be ordained bishop, to ... your Highness, as being a member of
Christ, in all ... the pious rule of the chief of the Apostles, in celebrating ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxix how the priest.htm

The Lambeth Quadrilateral. --
... by Christ and his Apostles to the Church unto the end of the world, and therefore
incapable of compromise or surrender by those who have been ordained to be ...
/.../i the lambeth quadrilateral .htm

Christ's Word, Seek, and Ye Shall Find, no Warrant for Heretical ...
... says He, "Moses and Elias," [1936] "in other words, the law and the prophets, which
preach Christ; as also ... If the apostles, who were ordained [1949] to ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter viii christs word seek and.htm

"He Ordained Twelve"
... The apostles differed widely in habits and disposition. ... Thus the Lord's disciples
were ordained to the gospel ... As His representatives among men, Christ does not ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 30 he ordained twelve.htm

Two Stages in the Dependence of the Apostles Upon Christ.
... Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go
and bring ... The ultimate aim of all Christ's training of the Apostles was to ...
/.../section 79 two stages in.htm

Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He ...
... a delightful picture of the sufferings of Christ for us ... say, by a partial reclining,
He sat down with His apostles. Now, He who ordained this supper knew how it ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/christ and his table-companions and.htm

Introductory the Apostle Paul Himself not the Preacher of a New ...
... in the Gospel in the catalogue [5200] of the apostles. ... kind of improvidence is imputable
to Christ, for not ... of the apostolate had been duly ordained, and were ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter i introductory the apostle paul.htm

Fragments from the Lost Writings of Iren??us
... The apostles ordained, that "we should not judge any one in respect to meat or?
Fragment XXXIX. Christ, who was called the Son of God before the ages? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/

Resources
What is an apostle? | GotQuestions.org

Is apostolic succession biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is apostolic doctrine? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Apostles

Apostles: A Title Distinguishing the Twelve Disciples

Apostles: Authority of Commission of, Above

Apostles: Commission of

Apostles: Duties of Commission of, Above,

Apostles: Fail to Comprehend the Nature and Mission of Jesus

Apostles: False

Apostles: Forsake Jesus

Apostles: Inspiration of

Apostles: Miraculous Power Given To

Apostles: Moral State of, Before Pentecost

Apostles: Names of

Apostles: Selection of

Apostles: Slow to Receive Jesus, As Messiah

Apostles: Unlearned

The Apostles were Hated by the World

The Apostles were not of the World

The Apostles were Unlearned Men

The Apostles: Called by Christ

The Apostles: Called by God

The Apostles: Called by The Holy Spirit

The Apostles: Christ Always Present With

The Apostles: Christ Pre-Eminently Called "The Apostle"

The Apostles: Empowered to Work Miracles

The Apostles: Equal Authority Given to Each of

The Apostles: Guided by the Spirit Into all Truth

The Apostles: Humility Urged Upon

The Apostles: Instructed by the Spirit to Answer Adversaries

The Apostles: Mutual Love Urged Upon

The Apostles: Ordained by Christ

The Apostles: Persecutions and Sufferings of

The Apostles: Received Their Title from Christ

The Apostles: Saw Christ in the Flesh

The Apostles: Selected from Obscure Stations

The Apostles: Self-Denial Urged Upon

The Apostles: Sent First to the House of Israel

The Apostles: Sent to Preach the Gospel to all Nations

The Apostles: Specially Devoted to the office of the Ministry

The Apostles: The Holy Spirit Given To

The Apostles: Warned Against a Timid Profession of Christ

The Apostles: Witnesses of the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Apostles: Mutual Love Urged Upon
Top of Page
Top of Page