In The Acts, often used for the twelve, with Matthias taking the place of Judas. The term also includes other persons, such as Paul and Barnabas, and others. An apostle is a personal messenger or envoy, commissioned to transmit the message or otherwise carry out the instructions of the commissioning agent. In the nt Gospels, the term is commonly associated with the special inner circle of Jesus disciples, chosen and commissioned by him to accompany him during his ministry, to receive his teachings and observe his actions, and to follow his instructions. Thus, they are uniquely qualified both to authenticate his message and to carry on his work through the ministry of the church.
Apostolic lists appear in Matt.
The number twelve probably refers to God s elect, the twelve tribes of Israel, who settled Canaan after the Exodus. If so, then twelve is a symbolic number, signifying God s saving activity in Jesus and his followers. The exact nature of apostleship in the early church is obscure. Peter and the apostles, centered in Jerusalem, are the recognized leaders and guiding force of the development of the church according to the early chapters of Acts. By the second century, the term no longer identifies an office of the church.