The concept of Apostle in Christianity
In Christianity, the term Apostle refers to individuals chosen by Jesus to spread his teachings and establish the early Church. Key figures include the Twelve Apostles, like Peter and John, as well as Paul, who emphasized themes of grace and redemption in his letters. Apostolic teachings form the foundation of Christian doctrine, guiding behavior and faith. Apostles also played a crucial role in addressing issues within the early Christian communities, promoting unity and instructing followers on living according to Christ's message.
Synonyms: Disciple, Messenger, Envoy, Believer, Missionary, Evangelist, Preacher, Herald, Advocate, Supporter
In Malay: Rasul; In Spanish: Apóstol; In Dutch: Apostel; In German: Apostel; In Swedish: Apostel; In Finnish: Apostoli; In French: Apôtre
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Apostle'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) The apostle is referenced in the text, with quotes and references to the apostle's writings being used to support the author's arguments and ideas.[1] (2) This individual is mentioned multiple times, and their quotes are used to make points, such as, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and the importance of avoiding sin.[2] (3) Such a document would not be penned during the lifetime of any of the Apostles, providing a contextual clue.[3] (4) This refers to the brethren of the Lord and Cephas.[4] (5) The term refers to the person who wrote letters in Greek and is guiding the spirit that drew up the book of Genesis.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) These are equated with the 'least one' who is greater than John, highlighting their importance in the kingdom.[6] (2) These were followers of Jesus, and they sought to increase their faith in the teachings and actions of Jesus.[7] (3) This term is used in the text, as the apostles inquire about increasing their faith, demonstrating the importance of belief.[8]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) A reference to Paul, and the text uses his experiences as a model for Christians, emphasizing the importance of witnessing and spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.[9] (2) This is a reference to Paul, and his injunction to purge out the old leaven is based on the fact that believers are unleavened.[10] (3) The Apostle looks back as well as forward, and his anticipation that he was parting for ever from the Ephesian elders was probably mistaken, but it naturally leads him to think of the long ministry among them which was now, as he believed, closed, according to the provided text.[11] (4) The apostle is beginning to prepare for closing his letter, but is carried away into the long digression of which the text forms the beginning.[12] (5) The apostles are the closest followers of Jesus, and Peter, as the mouthpiece of the apostles, made the great confession of His Messiahship and Divinity.[13]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) The Apostles often serve as those who provide accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.[14] (2) This is the group of people who enforced the law that Jesus gave, and the Apostles' teaching regarding the risen Christ is important in understanding Christianity.[15] (3) These individuals, like their Lord, thought and spoke of things supernatural and invisible after the manner of the Hebrew prophets.[16] (4) They are mentioned in relation to the Jerusalem Conference, where the power of binding and loosing was discussed, along with the elders, according to the provided text.[17] (5) This term is used to describe Matthew, referencing passages that tell of this chosen companion of Jesus, and his connection to the Petrine tradition, which is a source of information.[18]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) There was perhaps no apostle or apostolic man who so much resembled Paul in attainments and character as Apollos.[19] (2) These individuals, for themselves and other Christians, call God 'Father', indicating a common usage and understanding of the term in a religious context, according to the text.[20] (3) Felix, expecting a bribe from Paul, engaged in multiple meetings with the Apostle to potentially secure the desired payment, as suggested by the provided text.[21] (4) The Apostle, who had attracted attention by the cherished and womanly decoration of their hair, is mentioned in the text.[22] (5) This refers to the author of the Epistle, and in the conclusion, he sends salutations and directs the recipients to send the Epistle to the Laodiceans.[23]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) The apostles are the ones who were handed the rest of the price, and Peter then stigmatized the act as "lying to the Holy Spirit" who was in the apostles.[24] (2) This refers to the disciples of Jesus, who were chosen to spread his teachings and were distinct from his brothers.[25] (3) Timothy showed affection for the apostle, as well as those he was sent to minister, showcasing his devotion and care.[26] (4) This refers to sheluchim, who, like the Naphtali, brought good tidings, according to the provided text.[27] (5) This is a reference to Paul, and Titus shared many qualities with Paul, including his bold disposition.[28]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) These individuals are reassured by the speaker, and the text mentions the speaker's words of comfort and reassurance to them.[29] (2) The group of people to whom Jesus showed himself alive after his passion, and who were commanded to wait in Jerusalem.[30] (3) These are the individuals who asked the Lord to increase their faith, seeking a deeper understanding.[31]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) The original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, who witnessed his transfiguration and were given a glimpse of his future glory.[32] (2) This is the person who says that 'when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins which were by the law, did the work in our members,' which gives insight into passions within the soul.[33] (3) These are individuals who are mentioned in the text as having instituted or been involved in the administration of the sacraments, including Confirmation.[34] (4) The text mentions that these people knew some particulars of the mysteries of grace that the prophets did not know, and they are mentioned in relation to the mystery of Christ.[35] (5) The Apostle refers to a figure who offers guidance, and the text references the Apostle's words about God giving people repentance to know the truth and recover from the snares of the devil.[36]
From: The city of God
(1) This is a person who taught the faithful about possessions, and he himself was poor without, but rich within, and this is the mindset they should have.[37] (2) This is the individual who states that if believers are dead with Christ, they should seek things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God.[38] (3) This is the person who judiciously introduces the comparison of God to a potter, and of the same lump made one vessel to honor, another to dishonor, as mentioned in the text.[39] (4) The apostle is a reference to the Apostle Paul, who gave instructions about the appropriate conduct of the married.[40] (5) This is a person, as mentioned in the text, who says that sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed, providing a quote.[41]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) Those who went under the yoke of obedience and the governance of others, both before and after receiving the Holy Ghost.[42]
From: The Book of the Bee
(1) This is a group of people who remained in the upper chamber for ten days after the Ascension, being constant in fasting and prayer, and expecting the Spirit.[43] (2) The apostles are the group of individuals who were married, with Peter being their chief.[44] (3) The apostles are the central figures discussed in the text, with their names, origins, preaching locations, and deaths detailed, highlighting their significance.[45] (4) The apostles are mentioned in relation to the day of Mary's death, as they gathered to pray over her and were blessed by her before her passing.[46] (5) This group of people were about to receive the Holy Spirit and were the recipients of that which was to be wrought, after the baptism.[47]
From: The Kebra Nagast
(1) These individuals say that Christ is the Head of every man, indicating a leadership role.[48] (2) The Fathers delivered the Orthodox Faith, and the preaching of these was followed.[49] (3) These are people who were given glad tidings by Christ, and the text mentions them in relation to the Gospel, as written by Mark the Evangelist.[50] (4) These are the individuals who laid down an ordinance regarding those who have received the flesh and blood.[51] (5) Luke was this.[52]
From: The Book of the Cave of Treasures
(1) These individuals were absent, causing Mary grief, and they were summoned by the Holy Spirit to gather around her, according to the text.[53] (2) This individual's statement, referencing the absence of a beginning and end for someone, led to varied interpretations, including a misunderstanding by some.[54] (3) Those who were given the laying on of hands of the priesthood, and who gathered in the Upper Chamber with Mary, after Christ's ascension to heaven.[55]
From: The Second Helvetic Confession
(1) The apostle is mentioned in the text, including the apostle's command to instruct those who oppose the truth, and the apostle's words on confessing sins, according to the text.[56] (2) They did not leave the decision of fasting to others, but to every man's own judgment, so that each could do what is good without fear or constraint.[57] (3) These are individuals who preached and wrote to explain how the Son was given to us by the Father, and in him everything to do with life.[58] (4) According to that word of this, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof," etc. (II Timothy 3:16-17). Again, "I am writing these instructions to you," says this to Timothy, "So that you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God".[59] (5) The apostles, having received the practice from John, also baptized people with water, following the instructions given by the Lord to preach the Gospel and baptize.[60]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) A best interpreter, who extends the psalm by name to Jews as well as Gentiles, proving that they are all under sin, citing scripture.[61] (2) These are the individuals that published the gospel and worked miracles, but under the divine conduct, and as God saw it convenient.[62] (3) The text mentions individuals chosen to spread the gospel, and the role they played in publishing a new doctrine to the world is important to consider.[63] (4) This refers to a follower of Jesus Christ who is responsible for spreading the teachings and the word of God to the masses.[64] (5) This is the person who states that the creature waits with an earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God, and it is a part of the world.[65]
From: The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite
(1) A group of individuals, play a significant role in the context of the writings, their teachings, and the spread of Christianity.[66] (2) The early followers of Christ whom figures like Ammonius and Dionysius are said to have learned from or referenced in their teachings.[67]
Gnostic concept of 'Apostle'
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) The Apostle is a term used by Marcionites, referring to ten of the Letters of Paul, which they considered to be the authentic teachings, and the only texts they accepted from the New Testament.[68] (2) These are the individuals who were part of the inner communities, and the compilers of the three documents wove other material selected from a vast mass of myth, legend, and tradition.[69]
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) These individuals confuted Simon when he was deceiving many in Samaria with his magic arts, and they later encountered him in Rome where he was seducing multitudes.[70] (2) The individuals who confuted Simon Magus, as is recorded in the Acts, demonstrating his fraudulent nature and challenging his claims of divinity and authority.[71]
The concept of Apostle in local and regional sources
The term "Apostle" encompasses early followers of Christ, like Peter, who played significant roles in spreading the Gospel. This includes theological implications of virtue in weakness, and connections to figures like Paulinus and Wilfrid.
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) The apostle is the one who the threshold of the blessed Apostles Wilfrid desired to visit.[72] (2) This refers to the people who lived in the holy places.[73] (3) Ceadda traveled about on foot, after the manner of the Apostles, to preach the Gospel.[74] (4) Theodore had the tonsure of St. Paul, the Apostle, after the manner of the eastern people, as described in the text.[75] (5) This individual's words were used to describe Paulinus's intention to call the nation to the knowledge of truth.[76]