A) DEFINITION OF AN APOSTLE.

B) DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE.

C) A LIST OF THE APOSTLES/DISCIPLES.

 

 

A) DEFINITION OF AN APOSTLE

 

 

We have four lists of the Apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Mat. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:13).  No two of these lists, however, perfectly coincide.

 

An Apostle is a person sent by another; a messenger; an envoy.  We would be better to compare an Apostle to what we would consider today as an ambassador.  An ambassador is one who is sent by one’s own country to another country and only does and says things for whom he represents.  He does not present his own ideas, but only states the policies and wishes of that with whom he represents.

 

In Second Corinthians 8:23 and Philippians 2:25, the Greek word “Apostolos” is rendered “messenger,” which is the rendering of the same Greek word rendered elsewhere as “apostle.”  This word is twice used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (in John 20:21 and Heb. 3:1).  It is, however, generally used as designating the body of Disciples to whom Christ entrusted the organization of His Church and the dissemination of His Gospel, “the twelve,” as they are called (Mat. 10:1-5; Mark 3:14; 6:7; Luke 6:13; 9:1).

 

In the “broadest” sense we are all apostles, since we represent our Lord and Savior and His policies and practices only.  Thus, “Apostle” is used in a loose sense in which we all may be a part of, such that we are “messengers” of our respective Churches, representing the policies and practices of our Lord (2Co. 8:23; Phi. 2:25).

 

Going back to a statement earlier, in the “closest” Biblical sense, the word “Apostle” is distinctive to those who were commissioned immediately and personally by our Lord Jesus Himself.  Christ Himself chose them alone, independently of the Churches.  Thus, a better definition of an “Apostle” would only include those who meet those qualities of an ambassador and have seen our Lord “face to face.”  In this sense, the seeing of our Lord personally, is how the “Apostle” Paul is considered to be an “Apostle” (see especially 1Co. 9:1, then Acts 9:5; 26:14; 1Ti. 2:7; 2Ti. 1:11).  It was characteristic of the “Apostles” and necessary that they should have seen the Lord and been able to testify of Him and of His resurrection from personal knowledge (John 15:27; Acts 1:21-22; 22:14-15), in order to be classified as an “Apostle.”

 

Staying with the “closest” sense of the word “Apostle,” just because Paul speaks of Andronicus and Junias as “of note among the Apostles,” Romans 16:7, that does not then mean that they were “Apostles.”  It was that the “Apostles” just “took note” of them in a recognition type form.  In First Corinthians 4:9, we also learn that an “Apostle” would be one who is considered to be the ones who “were appointed to death.”  In Second Corinthians 11:13, we learn that for anyone to think that they could be an “Apostle” would be for them to be considered “false apostles” and “deceitful workers.”  Therefore, what did Paul mean?  They met all the requirements to be an “Apostle” except one; the ordination of the Church.

 

Peter states the qualifications of an “Apostle” before the election of Judas’ successor in Acts 1:21, namely, that he should have “companied with” the followers of “the Lord Jesus” all the time that “[21] the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. [22] 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.”  Acts 1:21-22.  So also our Lord states it as such in Luke 22:28:  “Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations.”

 

Also of note, the ideal number was always to remain at “twelve,” Revelation 21:14 (ignoring Saul/Paul).  In fact, the next line of the “Apostles” were not considered to be “Apostles,” but “Bishops,” in that they coexisted with, and did not succeed officially, the “Apostles.”  And if we look at Acts 21:18, we can see that they are called “elders.”

 

 

B) DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE

 

 

The word “Disciple” is a “substantive,” meaning it subsists on the Hebrew word “matetes,” which is related to the Greek word, “manthano,” meaning, “to learn.”  Hence “matetes” means:  “a learner, a pupil, an adherent,” with its most basic meaning as, “a learner.”  However, the Latin is the most used and translated meaning of a Biblical Disciple.  And that word is “discipulus,” meaning “a scholar.”  The word is found in the Bible only in the Gospels and the Book of Acts.  It was a common Greek word in use from Herodotus down, and always means the pupil of someone, which is in contrast to the master or teacher, such as in Matthew 10:24, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord,” (see also Luke 6:40).

 

Here are some Bible definitions:  Luke 14:26-27:  “(26) If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. (27) And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My Disciple.”  John 8:31:  “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My Disciples indeed.”  John 15:8:  “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My Disciples.”

 

Something to keep in mind when looking at “discipleship,” is a statement made by my favorite Bible Commentator:  “The disciples were to go forth as Christ’s witnesses, to declare to the world what they had seen and heard of Him.  Their office was the most important to which human beings had ever been called, second only to that of Christ Himself.  They were to be workers together with God for the saving of men.  As in the Old Testament the twelve patriarchs stood as representatives of Israel, so the twelve apostles stand as representatives of the gospel Church.”  GW:445.

 

In all cases, “Disciple” implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in practice an adherent.  The word however, has several applications.  In the widest sense it refers to those who accept the teachings of anyone, not only in belief, but also in life.  Thus, it is said of the disciples of John the Baptist (Mat. 9:14; Luke 7:18; John 3:25); also, of the Pharisees (Mat. 22:16; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33); and even of Moses (John 9:28).  But its most common use to readers of the Bible is to designate the adherents of Jesus (see Mat. 10:42; Luke 6:17; John 6:66; etcetera).

 

“Disciple” is the only name for Christ’s followers in the Gospels.  But especially speaking of the Twelve Apostles, even when they are simply called “Disciples” (see Mat. 10:1; 11:1; 12:1; etcetera).  In the Book of Acts, after the death and ascension of our Lord Jesus, “Disciples” are those who confess Him as the Messiah, i.e., Christians (Acts 6:1 & 2 & 7; 9:36; 11:26).  However, even half-instructed believers who had been baptized only with the baptism of John were referred to as “Disciples” (Acts 19:1-4) if we stay with the definition of a Disciple.

 

We also have the verb “matheklo,” as used in the phrase, “Jesus’ disciple,” which literally would be “was Jesus’ Disciple,” Matthew 27:57, or better, “was discipled by Jesus.”  Another use of “matheklo” is found in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs His disciples to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,” which could be translated as, “Make Disciples of all the nations.”  Still another is found in Acts 14:21, where it states “And when they had preached the Gospel to that city, and had taught many,” the word “taught” being our focus, could be stated as “had made many Disciples,” instead of “had taught many.”  Lastly, we have “matheklo” translated as “instructed” in Matthew 13:52,where it could be translated as “every scribe who hath been made a Disciple to the Kingdom of Heaven,” instead of “every scribe which is instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven.”

 

The Old Testament has neither the term nor the exact idea, though there is a difference made between a teacher and a scholar among David’s singers as seen in First Chronicles 25:8, and among the prophetic guilds, which draws a distinction between the rank and file and the leader (see 1Sa. 19:20; 2Ki. 6:5).  However, Elisha may be said to have been a disciple of Elijah, Gehazi of Elisha, etcetera.

 

Thus, the Disciple of Christ today may be described as one who believes His doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example.  Let’s break that statement down.  A Disciple of Christ is one who:

 

1) Believes Christ’s doctrines.

2) Rests on Christ’s sacrifice.

3) Imbibes Christ’s Spirit.

And 4) Imitates Christ’s example (respectively, see Mat. 10:24; Luke 14:26-27, Luke 14:33; John 6:69).

 

One more time:  I believe in what my Lord taught and rest in the fact that He died for me, and therefore, I will cooperate with and incorporate His Spirit into my life, such that I will be like Him in every aspect of my life’s walk.