Topical Encyclopedia The Apostles hold a unique and foundational role in Christian theology and history, having been chosen by Jesus Christ Himself to witness His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Their firsthand experiences with Christ in the flesh are pivotal to the authenticity and authority of the New Testament writings and the early Church's teachings.Selection and Calling The Apostles were personally selected by Jesus during His earthly ministry. The Gospel of Mark records, "He appointed twelve whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons" (Mark 3:14-15). This calling was not merely a matter of companionship but a divine commissioning to carry forward the message of the Kingdom of God. Witnesses of Christ's Ministry The Apostles were direct witnesses to the teachings and miracles of Jesus. They observed His authority over nature, sickness, and spiritual forces. For instance, the Apostle Peter, in his second epistle, emphasizes the authenticity of their message by stating, "For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Peter 1:16). The Transfiguration A select group of Apostles—Peter, James, and John—were privileged to witness the Transfiguration of Christ, where His divine glory was revealed. The Gospel of Matthew recounts, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2). This event confirmed Jesus' divine nature and His fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The Last Supper and Betrayal The Apostles were present at the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper and foretold His impending betrayal and crucifixion. The Gospel of Luke records Jesus saying, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering" (Luke 22:15). This intimate gathering underscored the gravity of the events to come and the establishment of the New Covenant. Witnesses of the Resurrection The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian faith, and the Apostles were primary witnesses to this miraculous event. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to them multiple times, providing "many convincing proofs that He was alive" (Acts 1:3). The Apostle Thomas, initially skeptical, was invited by Jesus to touch His wounds, leading to his declaration, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). The Great Commission Before His ascension, Jesus entrusted the Apostles with the Great Commission, instructing them to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19). This mandate established the Apostles as the foundational leaders of the early Church, tasked with spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Pentecost and the Early Church The Apostles played a crucial role in the establishment and growth of the early Church. On the day of Pentecost, they received the Holy Spirit, empowering them to preach boldly and perform miracles in Jesus' name. Acts 2:4 states, "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" . This event marked the birth of the Church and the beginning of the Apostolic Age. Legacy and Authority The Apostles' direct experiences with Christ in the flesh provided them with unparalleled authority in the early Church. Their teachings, preserved in the New Testament, continue to guide and shape Christian doctrine and practice. The Apostle Paul, though not one of the original twelve, also encountered the risen Christ and was recognized as an Apostle due to his divine commissioning and contributions to the Church's mission. The Apostles' witness to Christ in the flesh remains a foundational element of Christian faith, underscoring the historical reality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Their legacy endures through the Scriptures and the ongoing mission of the Church. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 1:2Even as they delivered them to us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 1:22 1 Corinthians 9:1 1 John 1:1 Library New Testament Passages Quoted they Attest the Same Truth of the ... How the Prophets and Holy Men of the Old Testament Knew the Things ... Christ, Though Known to the Jews under the Law, yet Only ... On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xxiv. 36, "He Himself Stood in ... The Word Made Flesh. With and Like Christ John Chapter xvi. 4-7. The Scriptures Forbid Our Supposing Either that the Resurrection ... The Absent Present Christ Of Christ's Subsequent Manifestations of Himself to the Disciples ... Resources What is an apostle? | GotQuestions.orgIs apostolic succession biblical? | GotQuestions.org What is apostolic doctrine? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Apostles: A Title Distinguishing the Twelve Disciples Apostles: Authority of Commission of, Above Apostles: Duties of Commission of, Above, Apostles: Fail to Comprehend the Nature and Mission of Jesus Apostles: Miraculous Power Given To Apostles: Moral State of, Before Pentecost Apostles: Slow to Receive Jesus, As Messiah 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 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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