Apostle
Someone sent out with authority to represent Jesus and spread his message.
A little more
The word comes from a Greek term meaning “one who is sent.” In the New Testament it usually refers to the twelve men Jesus chose as his closest followers, plus a small number of others — including Paul, who described himself as an apostle even though he never met Jesus before the resurrection.
Apostles carried unique authority in the early church: they had seen the risen Jesus and were commissioned to teach and lead. Most of the New Testament’s letters claim apostolic authorship.
Some traditions (Catholic and Orthodox) see a continuing line of authority passed down from the apostles through bishops. Others see the apostles’ unique role as unrepeatable, tied to their direct experience of the risen Jesus.
Read it for yourself
- Mark 3:13-19Jesus chooses and names the twelve apostles.