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In [[Christianity]], '''apostles''' (Ancient Greek: ἀπόστολος apostolos, one sent forth as a messenger)[1] were missionaries among the leaders in the Early Church and, in the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], Jesus Christ himself.[2][3][4] The term was also used, especially by the [[Gospel of Luke]], for "the Twelve," Jesus' inner circle of [[disciples]] (students).[2] They were, according to the [[Acts of the Apostles]] and Christian [[tradition]], disciples whom [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] had chosen, named, and trained in order to send them on a specific mission: the establishment of the Christian Church by evangelism and the spreading of the [[Gospel|"good news"]], after being sent the [[Holy Spirit]] as "helper" (paraclete) in this task at [[Pentecost]].[5]

In [[Christianity]], '''apostles''' (Ancient Greek: ἀπόστολος apostolos, one sent forth as a messenger) were missionaries among the leaders in the Early Church and, in the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]], Jesus Christ himself. The term was also used, especially by the [[Gospel of Luke]], for "the Twelve," Jesus' inner circle of [[disciples]] (students). They were, according to the [[Acts of the Apostles]] and Christian [[tradition]], disciples whom [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] had chosen, named, and trained in order to send them on a specific mission: the establishment of the Christian Church by evangelism and the spreading of the [[Gospel|"good news"]], after being sent the [[Holy Spirit]] as "helper" (paraclete) in this task at [[Pentecost]].

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Apostleship''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Apostleship this link].</center>

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Apostleship''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Apostleship this link].</center>

In the [[Synoptic Gspelos]], Mark names the Twelve, Matthew follows Mark, and Luke substitutes Jude for Mark's Thaddeus. John refers to the Twelve without naming them all, adds the name Nathanael, and uses the term "beloved disciple" (presumably for John). Jesus' inner circle of twelve disciples probably corresponds to the [[twelve tribes of Israel]]. In the Synoptics, Jesus selects Peter, James, and John to witness his divine [[Transfiguration]] and to be with him when he prays at [[Gethsemane]]. In Mark, the Twelve are obtuse, failing to understand the importance of Jesus' [[miracles]] and [[parables]].[9] The [[book of Acts]] recounts the deeds of the apostles in the years after Jesus' [[crucifixion]].

Traditionally, the Twelve include [[Peter]], Prince of the Apostles;[6] [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:1._ANDREW.2C_THE_FIRST_CHOSEN Andrew], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:3._JAMES_ZEBEDEE James Zebedee], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:9_and_10._JAMES_AND_JUDAS_ALPHEUS James Alpheus], [[John, the Apostle|John]], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:5._PHILIP_THE_CURIOUS Philip], [[Nathaniel|Bartholomew]], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:7._MATTHEW_LEVI Matthew], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:8._THOMAS_DIDYMUS Thomas], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:9_and_10._JAMES_AND_JUDAS_ALPHEUS Judas]], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:11._SIMON_THE_ZEALOT Simon], and [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_139#139:12._JUDAS_ISCARIOT Judas Iscariot]. Judas had been one of the Twelve, but he betrayed Jesus and killed himself. With Judas gone, Matthias became one of the Twelve.

Saint [[Paul]] claimed the role of Apostle to the Gentiles and, assuming Peter's role, became Apostle to the Jews (see also Circumcision controversy in early Christianity, Incident at Antioch, and Primacy of Simon Peter). He claimed a special commission from the risen Jesus, separate from the Great Commission given to the Twelve. Paul's [[mentor]] [[Barnabas]] is also termed an apostle. Paul did not restrict the term apostle to the Twelve, either because he didn't know it or resisted it.[2] This restricted usage appears in [[Revelation]].[2][10] In modern usage, major missionaries are sometimes termed apostles, as in Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.[2]

In the [[Synoptic Gospels]], Mark names the Twelve, Matthew follows Mark, and Luke substitutes Jude for Mark's Thaddeus. John refers to the Twelve without naming them all, adds the name Nathanael, and uses the term "beloved disciple" (presumably for John). Jesus' inner circle of twelve disciples probably corresponds to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/12_tribes_of_Israel twelve tribes of Israel]. In the Synoptics, Jesus selects Peter, James, and John to witness his divine [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_158 Transfiguration] and to be with him when he prays at [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_182 Gethsemane]. In Mark, the Twelve are obtuse, failing to understand the importance of Jesus' [[miracles]] and [[parables]]. The [[book of Acts]] recounts the deeds of the apostles in the years after Jesus' [[crucifixion]].

The period of Early Christianity during the lifetimes of the apostles is called the [[Apostolic Age]].[11] In the second century, association with the apostles was esteemed as [[evidence]] of [[authority]] and [[orthodoxy]]. Paul's epistles were accepted as [[scripture]] (Development of the [[New Testament]] [[canon]]), and all four gospels were associated with apostles, as were other New Testament works. Various Christian [[texts]], such as the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, were attributed to the Twelve Apostles. Bishops traced their lines of succession back to [[individual]] apostles, who were said to have established churches across great territories. Christian bishops have traditionally claimed authority deriving, by apostolic succession, from the Twelve.[2] Early church fathers came to be associated with apostles, such as Pope Clement I with Saint Peter . A medieval [[creed]] popular in the West was said to have been composed by the apostles themselves called the Apostles' Creed.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles]

 

The period of Early Christianity during the lifetimes of the apostles is called the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_age Apostolic Age]. In the second century, association with the apostles was esteemed as [[evidence]] of [[authority]] and [[orthodoxy]]. Paul's epistles were accepted as [[scripture]] (Development of the [[New Testament]] [[canon]]), and all four gospels were associated with apostles, as were other New Testament works. Various Christian [[texts]], such as the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, were attributed to the Twelve Apostles. Bishops traced their lines of succession back to [[individual]] apostles, who were said to have established churches across great territories. Christian bishops have traditionally claimed authority deriving, by apostolic succession, from the Twelve.[2] Early church fathers came to be associated with apostles, such as Pope Clement I with Saint Peter . A medieval [[creed]] popular in the West was said to have been composed by the apostles themselves called the Apostles' Creed.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles]

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Paper 139 - The Twelve Apostles]]'''''

*'''''[[Paper 139 - The Twelve Apostles]]'''''

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]