Choosing The Apostles

Luke 6:12-16

There is some confusion as to what an apostle is. Many use apostle and disciple interchangeably. The word “disciple” is translated from the Greek word “matathetes” meaning ‘a learner or pupil.’ The verb form, “matheno” means ‘to enroll’ as a pupil and is sometimes translated ‘to teach.’ The number of Jesus disciples fluctuated widely from time to time. Many did not believe, but followed from intellectual curiosity. They left when he said that believing in him was required, in John 6:64-66. “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” To remain as a disciple required a deeper commitment.

Apostle comes from the Greek word “apostolos”, meaning a delegate, an ambassador, a commissioned representative. Jesus selected his apostles from among his disciples, after much prayerful deliberation as to which to choose.

“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.” (Luke 6:12-16)

Some have declared pastors to be Apostles, but Ephesians 4:11 clearly distinguishes the two offices. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Others have said that missionaries are apostles, but careful study shows that what we call a missionary is called an evangelist in scripture, and Ephesians 4:11 also distinguishes between evangelists and apostles. While Paul was both an apostle and a missionary, he himself said he was an apostle born out of due season in I Corinthians 15:8-9. Paul warned about such false claims as an apostle in II Corinthians 11:13. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.”

Acts 1:15-26 describes the selection of a replacement for Judas Iscariot after the resurrection of Christ. To even be considered as an apostle, one had to have been taught by Jesus, and have shown himself faithful through out the time. Most of the disciples could not qualify.

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:15-26)

Paul qualified by virtue of a special calling by God according to Acts 9:15, and being taught by Jesus, as described in I Corinthians 15:8-9 and in Galatians 1:15-18. “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.”

We must not allow those who pretend to be apostles deceive us with their claims. II Corinthians 11:14-15 refers to them as ministers of Satan.