Apostle

== Apostle ==
[Gr., a·poʹsto·los; one sent forth to represent the sender; envoy].
This word is derived from the common Greek verb a·po·stelʹlein, meaning simply “to send forth or off.” Its basic sense is clearly illustrated in Jesus’ statement: “A slave is not greater than his master, nor is one that is sent forth [a·poʹsto·los] greater than one that sent him.” (John 13:16) In this sense the word also applies to Christ Jesus as the “apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Heb. 3:1; compare Matthew 10:40; 15:24; Luke 4:18, 43; 9:48; 10:16; John 3:17; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 11:42; 17:3, 8, 18, 21-25; 20:21.) Jesus was sent forth by God as his appointed and commissioned representative.
The term is principally applied, however, to those disciples whom Jesus personally selected as a body of twelve appointed representatives. The names of the original twelve selected are given at Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19 and Luke 6:13-16. One of the original twelve, Judas Iscariot, proved to be a traitor, thereby fulfilling earlier prophecies. (Ps. 41:9; 109:8) The remaining eleven faithful apostles are again listed at Acts 1:13.
== Notes ==
== References ==
Category:Apostle