An apostle is a word that means “one who is sent.” In the Christian faith, an apostle refers to a chosen disciple of Jesus Christ who was sent out to spread the gospel message. The word apostle is frequently used in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospels, Acts, and Paul’s letters.
The primary duty of the apostles was to proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to the world. Jesus had given them the authority to perform miracles and healings to authenticate their message.
The apostles were chosen by Jesus himself and were considered to be the foundation of the Christian church. One of the qualifications for being an apostle was having a direct encounter with the resurrected Christ. The twelve disciples chosen by Jesus were the first apostles, with Matthias being added as a replacement for Judas Iscariot after his betrayal.
The apostles were also responsible for establishing and organizing the early Christian communities, overseeing the appointment of church leaders, and writing epistles to provide guidance and instruction to the believers. Their teachings and writings form a significant portion of the New Testament and have played a critical role in the development of Christian theology and doctrine.
In summary, the apostles were chosen by Jesus to spread the gospel message, authenticate it through miracles, and lay the foundation for the Christian church. They were responsible for organizing the early Christian communities, appointing leaders, and providing guidance through their teachings and writings.
