Apostle

Definition and Meaning

The word apostle renders the Greek apostolos, meaning "one who is sent." It denotes a messenger who delivers a message with authority delegated by the sender. In the New Testament, the term refers to those whom Jesus Christ personally called and sent to proclaim the gospel and to lay the foundation of the early church.

Biblical and Historical Background

• According to the Gospels, Jesus chose twelve of his disciples and named them apostles (Luke 6:13). They are known as the Twelve Disciples. Their names are listed in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, and Acts 1:13, though the lists differ slightly. For example, the Thaddaeus of Matthew and Mark appears in Luke and Acts as Judas son of James.
• After the death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias was chosen to take his place (Acts 1:21-26). Two qualifications were set forth at that time: the candidate had to have accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry and to have been a witness of the resurrection.
• Paul himself stated that he was called to be an apostle when he encountered the risen Jesus (Galatians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9). Acts 14:14 also calls Barnabas an apostle. Whether Junia in Romans 16:7 should be regarded as a female apostle depends on translation and interpretation.
• 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11 place apostles first in their lists of offices in the church. Ephesians 2:20 states that the church is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets."
• Later understandings in the church vary by tradition. The Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church teach "apostolic succession," according to which bishops inherit the ministry of the apostles. The Anglican Church of Korea likewise emphasizes the historic continuity of the episcopate. Since the Reformation, Protestants have generally regarded the apostolic office as limited to the first generation. Accordingly, they understand the "apostolic church" confessed in the Nicene Creed to mean a church faithful to the teaching of the apostles, that is, to Scripture.

Practice in the Korean Church

• The church constitutions of the major Korean Protestant denominations do not include apostle as a present-day office. In church usage, the term refers mainly to biblical figures or writings, as in "the Apostle Paul," the Apostles' Creed, and the Acts of the Apostles.
• In the Presbyterian and Reformed traditions, the view that the apostolic office ended with the apostolic age is widely held. Some Pentecostal and charismatic churches hold that the ministries listed in Ephesians 4:11 continue today. Even so, Korean Pentecostal denominations do not recognize apostle as a formal denominational office. This question is tied to the debate over cessationism and continuationism.
• The New Apostolic Reformation claims to appoint apostles today. Its supporters say that apostolic gifts are being restored for the planting and expansion of the church. By contrast, the general assemblies of several Korean Presbyterian denominations have adopted resolutions cautioning against the movement or prohibiting participation in it.
• Some, drawing on the broader sense of "one who is sent," refer to missionaries or church planters as "apostolic ministers."