In the NT apostles are servants, first of Jesus Christ and then of the church. Apostolic service embraces a wide range of specific functions.
The functions of apostles during the earthly life and ministry of Jesus Christ
Being with Jesus Christ
Mark 3:14 See also Matthew 17:1; Mark 6:30–32 parallel Luke 9:10
He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach,
Learning from Jesus Christ
Mark 8:31 See also Matthew 18:1–4; Mark 4:10–12; Acts 1:2
Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again.
Being sent out on a mission by Jesus Christ
Luke 9:1–6 parallels Matthew 10:5–10, Mark 6:7–13 As Jesus Christ's representatives their ministry was an extension of his. See also Mark 3:14–15
Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that area. If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.” So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
Being commissioned to witness to Jesus Christ
Acts 1:8, Acts 10:39 See also Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46–49; John 17:18, John 20:21
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
We are witnesses of all that He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. And although they put Him to death by hanging Him on a tree,
Apostles in the early church
They were witnesses of the resurrection
Acts 1:21–22 See also Acts 2:32, Acts 3:15, Acts 4:33, Acts 13:31; 1 Peter 5:1
Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
They were servants of Jesus Christ
2 Peter 1:1 See also Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 11:23; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
They were servants of the church
2 Corinthians 13:4 See also Romans 15:25; 2 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 11:8; 1 Peter 5:1–3
For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. For we are also weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him concerning you.
They were the foundations of the church
Ephesians 2:20 Probably a reference to the apostolic preaching. The absence of the article before “prophets” suggests that “the apostles and prophets” represents one group of people, not two. See also 1 Corinthians 12:28; Galatians 2:9; Jude 1:17 the prophetic ministry of the apostles
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
They preached the gospel
Romans 1:1–5 See also Mark 16:20; Romans 15:19–20; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Galatians 1:15–16
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
They were guardians and teachers of the truth
Acts 2:42 See also John 16:13–15; Acts 5:42, Acts 6:2; Ephesians 3:2–6; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 1:11
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
They founded churches
1 Corinthians 9:1–2 See also 1 Corinthians 3:5–6, 1 Corinthians 3:10
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
They were authority figures within the church
Acts 6:2–6 The apostles took the initiative. Whilst they did not themselves appoint the Seven, they confirmed their appointment.
They were called to suffer
2 Timothy 1:11–12 See also Acts 5:18; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 11:23–29
to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher. For this reason, even though I suffer as I do, I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.
They were empowered by the Spirit
Acts 4:8 See also John 20:22; Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4; Ephesians 3:4–5
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!
They were able to bestow the Spirit
Acts 8:14–18 Peter and John officially induct Samaritans as members of the body of Christ; Acts 19:6
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.