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<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Apostles</title><script src="https://dtyry4ejybx0.cloudfront.net/js/cmp/cleanmediacmp.js?ver=0104" async="true"></script><script defer data-domain="newadvent.org" src="https://plausible.io/js/script.js"></script><link rel="canonical" href="https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01626c.htm"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta name="description" content="Apostolos (Apostle) means one who is sent forth, who is entrusted with a mission"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="RSS" href="http://feeds.newadvent.org/bestoftheweb?format=xml"><link rel="icon" href="../images/icon1.ico" type="image/x-icon"><link rel="shortcut icon" href="../images/icon1.ico" type="image/x-icon"><meta name="robots" content="noodp"><link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="../utility/screen6.css" media="screen"></head> <body class="cathen" id="01626c.htm">  <br/> <div id="capitalcity"><table summary="Logo" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="100%"><tr valign="bottom"><td align="left"><a href="../"><img height=36 width=153 border="0" alt="New Advent" src="../images/logo.gif"></a></td><td align="right"> <form id="searchbox_000299817191393086628:ifmbhlr-8x0" action="../utility/search.htm">  <input type="hidden" name="safe" value="active"> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="000299817191393086628:ifmbhlr-8x0"/> <input type="hidden" name="cof" value="FORID:9"/>  <label for="searchQuery" id="searchQueryLabel">Search:</label> <input id="searchQuery" name="q" type="text" size="25" aria-labelledby="searchQueryLabel"/>  <label for="submitButton" id="submitButtonLabel" class="visually-hidden">Submit Search</label> <input id="submitButton" type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" aria-labelledby="submitButtonLabel"/> </form> <table summary="Spacer" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0><tr><td height="2"></td></tr></table> <table summary="Tabs" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0><tr> <td bgcolor="#ffffff"></td> <td class="tab"><a class="tab_color_on_beige" href="../"> Home </a></td> <td class="tab"><a class="tab_white_on_color" href="../cathen/index.html"> Encyclopedia </a></td> <td class="tab"><a class="tab_color_on_beige" href="../summa/index.html"> Summa </a></td> <td class="tab"><a class="tab_color_on_beige" href="../fathers/index.html"> Fathers </a></td> <td class="tab"><a class="tab_color_on_beige" href="../bible/gen001.htm"> Bible </a></td> <td class="tab"><a class="tab_color_on_beige" href="../library/index.html"> Library </a></td> </tr></table> </td> </tr></table><table summary="Alphabetical index" width="100%" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0><tr><td class="bar_white_on_color"> <a href="../cathen/a.htm"> A </a><a href="../cathen/b.htm"> B </a><a href="../cathen/c.htm"> C </a><a href="../cathen/d.htm"> D </a><a href="../cathen/e.htm"> E </a><a href="../cathen/f.htm"> F </a><a href="../cathen/g.htm"> G </a><a href="../cathen/h.htm"> H </a><a href="../cathen/i.htm"> I </a><a href="../cathen/j.htm"> J </a><a href="../cathen/k.htm"> K </a><a href="../cathen/l.htm"> L </a><a href="../cathen/m.htm"> M </a><a href="../cathen/n.htm"> N </a><a href="../cathen/o.htm"> O </a><a href="../cathen/p.htm"> P </a><a href="../cathen/q.htm"> Q </a><a href="../cathen/r.htm"> R </a><a href="../cathen/s.htm"> S </a><a href="../cathen/t.htm"> T </a><a href="../cathen/u.htm"> U </a><a href="../cathen/v.htm"> V </a><a href="../cathen/w.htm"> W </a><a href="../cathen/x.htm"> X </a><a href="../cathen/y.htm"> Y </a><a href="../cathen/z.htm"> Z </a> </td></tr></table></div> <div id="mobilecity" style="text-align: center; "><a href="../"><img height=24 width=102 border="0" alt="New Advent" src="../images/logo.gif"></a></div>  <div id="mi5"><span class="breadcrumbs"><a href="../">Home</a> > <a href="../cathen">Catholic Encyclopedia</a> > <a href="../cathen/a.htm">A</a> > Apostles</span></div> <div id="springfield2"> <div class='catholicadnet-728x90' id='cathen-728x90-top' style='display: flex; height: 100px; align-items: center; justify-content: center; '></div> <h1>Apostles</h1> <p><em><a href="https://gumroad.com/l/na2"><strong>Please help support the mission of New Advent</strong> and get the full contents of this website as an instant download. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more  all for only $19.99...</a></em></p> <p>Under this title it may be sufficient to supply brief and essential information,</p> <p>I. on the name "Apostle"; <br>II. on its various meanings; <br>III. on the origin of the Apostolate; <br>IV. on the office of the Apostles and the conditions required in them; <br>V. on the authority and the prerogatives of the Apostles; <br>VI. on the relation of the Apostolate to the office of bishop; <br>VII. on the origin of the feasts of the Apostles.</p> <p>The reader will find at the end of this article various titles of other articles which contain supplementary information on subjects connected with the Apostles.</p> <h2 id="section1">The name</h2> <p>The word "Apostle", from the Greek <em>apostello</em> "to send forth", "to dispatch", has etymologically a very general sense. <em>Apostolos</em> (Apostle) means one who is sent forth, dispatched--in other words, who is entrusted with a mission, rather, a foreign mission. It has, however, a stronger sense than the word <em>messenger</em>, and means as much as a <em>delegate</em>. In the classical writers the word is not frequent. In the Greek version of the <a href="../cathen/14526a.htm">Old Testament</a> it occurs once, in <a href="../bible/1ki014.htm#vrs6">1 Kings 14:6</a> (cf. <a href="../bible/1ki012.htm#vrs24">1 Kings 12:24</a>). In the <a href="../cathen/14530a.htm">New Testament</a>, on the contrary, it occurs, according to Bruder's Concordance, about eighty times, and denotes often not all the disciples of the Lord, but some of them specially called. It is obvious that our Lord, who spoke an Aramaic dialect, gave to some of his disciples an Aramaic title, the Greek equivalent of which was "Apostle". It seems to us that there is no reasonable <a href="../cathen/05141a.htm">doubt</a> about the Aramaic word being <em>seliah</em>, by which also the later <a href="../cathen/08399a.htm">Jews</a>, and probably already the <a href="../cathen/08399a.htm">Jews</a> before Christ, denoted "those who were despatched from the mother city by the rulers of the race on any foreign mission, especially such as were charged with collecting the tribute paid to the temple service" (Lightfoot, "Galatians", London, 1896, p. 93). The word <em>apostle</em> would be an exact rendering of the root of the word <em>seliah</em>,= <em>apostello</em>.</p> <div class="CMtag_300x250" style="display: flex; height: 300px; align-items: center; justify-content: center; "></div> <h2 id="section2">Various meanings</h2> <p>It is at once evident that in a <a href="../cathen/03712a.htm">Christian</a> sense, everyone who had received a mission from <a href="../cathen/06608a.htm">God</a>, or Christ, to man could be called "Apostle". In fact, however, it was reserved to those of the disciples who received this title from Christ. At the same time, like other honourable titles, it was occasionally applied to those who in some way realized the fundamental <a href="../cathen/07630a.htm">idea</a> of the name. The word also has various meanings.</p> <div class="bulletlist"><ul><li>The name <em>Apostle</em> denotes principally one of the twelve disciples who, on a solemn occasion, were called by <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Christ</a> to a special mission. In the Gospels, however, those disciples are often designated by the expressions of <em>mathetai</em> (the disciples) or <em>dodeka</em> (the Twelve) and, after the treason and death of <a href="../cathen/08539a.htm">Judas</a>, even of <em>hendeka</em> (the Eleven). In the <a href="../cathen/14389b.htm">Synoptics</a> the name <em>Apostle</em> occurs but seldom with this meaning; only once in Matthew and Mark. But in other books of the <a href="../cathen/14530a.htm">New Testament</a>, chiefly in the <a href="../cathen/05509a.htm">Epistles</a> of <a href="../cathen/11567b.htm">St. Paul</a> and in the Acts, this use of the word is current. <a href="../cathen/11567b.htm">Saul of Tarsus</a>, being <a href="../cathen/10338a.htm">miraculously</a> converted, and called to preach the Gospel to the <a href="../cathen/11388a.htm">heathens</a>, claimed with much insistency this title and its <a href="../cathen/13055c.htm">rights</a>.</li><li>In the Epistle to the Hebrews (iii, 1) the name is applied even to Christ, in the original meaning of a delegate sent from <a href="../cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> to preach <a href="../cathen/13001a.htm">revealed</a> <a href="../cathen/15073a.htm">truth</a> to the world.</li><li>The word <em>Apostle</em> has also in the <a href="../cathen/14530a.htm">New Testament</a> a larger meaning, and denotes some inferior disciples who, under the direction of the Apostles, preached the Gospel, or contributed to its diffusion; thus Barnabas (<a href="../bible/act014.htm#vrs4">Acts 14:4, 14</a>), probably Andronicus and Junias (<a href="../bible/rom016.htm#vrs7">Romans 16:7</a>), Epaphroditus (<a href="../bible/phi002.htm#vrs25">Philippians 2:25</a>), two unknown <a href="../cathen/03712a.htm">Christians</a> who were delegated for the collection in Corinth (<a href="../bible/2co008.htm#vrs23">2 Corinthians 8:23</a>). We <a href="../cathen/08673a.htm">know</a> not why the honourable name of Apostle is not given to such illustrious missionaries as Timothy, Titus, and others who would equally merit it.</li></ul></div> <p>There are some passages in which the extension of the word <em>Apostle</em> is <a href="../cathen/05141a.htm">doubtful</a>, as <a href="../bible/luk011.htm#vrs49">Luke 11:49</a>; <a href="../bible/joh013.htm">John 13:16</a>; <a href="../bible/2co013.htm">2 Corinthians 13</a>; <a href="../bible/1th002.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:7</a>; <a href="../bible/eph003.htm">Ephesians 3:5</a>; <a href="../bible/jud001.htm">Jude 17</a>, and perhaps the well-known expression "Apostles and Prophets". Even in an ironical meaning the word occurs (<a href="../bible/2co011.htm#vrs5">2 Corinthians 11:5</a>; <a href="../bible/2co012.htm#vrs11">12:11</a>) to denote pseudo-apostles. There is but little to add on the use of the word in the old <a href="../cathen/03712a.htm">Christian</a> literature. The first and third meanings are the only ones which occur frequently, and even in the oldest literature the larger meaning is seldom found.</p> <h2 id="section3">Origin of the apostolate</h2> <p>The Gospels point out how, from the beginning of his ministry, <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a> called to him some <a href="../cathen/08399a.htm">Jews</a>, and by a very diligent instruction and formation made them his disciples. After some time, in the Galilean ministry, he selected twelve whom, as <a href="../bible/mar003.htm#vrs14">Mark (3:14)</a> and Luke (vi, 13) say, "he also named Apostles." <em>The origin of the Apostolate lies therefore in a special vocation, a formal appointment of the Lord</em> to a determined office, with connected authority and <a href="../cathen/05215a.htm">duties</a>. The appointment of the twelve Apostles is given by the three Synoptic Gospels (<a href="../bible/mar003.htm#vrs13">Mark 3:13-19</a>; <a href="../bible/mat010.htm#vrs1">Matthew 10:1-4</a>; <a href="../bible/luk006.htm#vrs12">Luke 6:12-16</a>) nearly in the same words, so that the three narratives are literally dependent. Only on the immediately connected events is there some difference between them. It seems almost needless to outline and disprove <a href="../cathen/12652a.htm">rationalistic</a> views on this topic. The holders of these views, at least some of them, contend that our Lord never appointed twelve Apostles, never thought of establishing disciples to help him in his ministry, and eventually to carry on his work. These opinions are only deductions from the <a href="../cathen/12652a.htm">rationalistic</a> principles on the credibility of the Gospels, <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Christ's</a> <a href="../cathen/05075b.htm">doctrine</a> on the <a href="../cathen/08646a.htm">Kingdom of Heaven</a>, and the <a href="../cathen/05528b.htm">eschatology</a> of the Gospels. Here it may be sufficient to observe</p> <div class="bulletlist"><ul><li>that the very clear testimony of the three <a href="../cathen/14389b.htm">synoptic Gospels</a> constitutes a strong historical argument, representing, as it does, a very old and widely spread tradition that cannot be <a href="../cathen/05525a.htm">erroneous</a>;</li><li>that the universally acknowledged authority of the Apostles, even in the most heated controversies, and from the first years after <a href="../cathen/11527b.htm">Christ's death</a> (for instance in the Jewish controversies), as we read in the oldest <a href="../cathen/05509a.htm">Epistles</a> of <a href="../cathen/11567b.htm">St. Paul</a> and in the Acts, cannot be explained, or even be understood, unless we recognize some appointment of the Twelve by <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a>. </li></ul></div> <div class="CMtag_300x250" style="display: flex; height: 300px; align-items: center; justify-content: center; "></div> <h2 id="section4">Office and conditions of the apostolate</h2> <p>Two of the <a href="../cathen/14389b.htm">synoptic Gospels</a> add to their account of the appointment of the Twelve brief statements on their office: <a href="../bible/mar003.htm#vrs14">Mark 3:14-15</a>, "He appointed twelve to be with him and to send them to herald, and to have power to heal the illnesses and to cast out <a href="../cathen/04710a.htm">demons</a>"; <a href="../bible/mat010.htm">Matthew 10:1</a>, "He gave them power over unclean spirits so as to expel them, and to heal every disease and every illness". Luke where he relates the appointment of the Twelve, adds nothing on their office. Afterwards (<a href="../bible/mar006.htm#vrs7">Mark 6:7-13</a>; <a href="../bible/mat010.htm#vrs5">Matthew 10:5-15</a>; <a href="../bible/luk009.htm#vrs1">Luke 9:1-5</a>). <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a> sends the Twelve to preach the kingdom and to heal, and gives them very definite instructions. From all this it results that the Apostles are to be with <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a> and to aid Him by proclaiming the kingdom and by healing. However, this was not the whole extent of their office, and it is not difficult to understand that <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a> did not indicate to <em>His Apostles</em> the whole extent of their mission, while as yet they had such imperfect <a href="../cathen/07630a.htm">ideas</a> of His own <a href="../cathen/11726a.htm">person</a> and mission, and of the <a href="../cathen/08646a.htm">Messianic kingdom</a>. The nature of the Apostolic mission is made still clearer by the sayings of Christ after His <a href="../cathen/12789a.htm">Resurrection</a>. Here such passages as <a href="../bible/mat028.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a>; <a href="../bible/luk024.htm#vrs46">Luke 24:46-49</a>; <a href="../bible/act001.htm">Acts 1:8, 21-22</a> are fundamental. In the first of these texts we read, "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations, <a href="../cathen/02258b.htm">baptizing</a> them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you". The texts of Luke point to the same office of preaching and testifying (cf. <a href="../bible/mar016.htm#vrs16">Mark 16:16</a>). The <a href="../bible/act000.htm">Acts of the Apostles</a> and the Epistles written by the Apostles exhibit them in the constant exercise of this office. Everywhere the Apostle governs the disciples, preaches the doctrines of <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a> as an authentic witness, and administers the sacred rites. In order to fill such an office, it seems <a href="../cathen/10733a.htm">necessary</a> to have been instructed by <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a>, to have seen the risen Lord. And these are, clearly, the conditions required by the Apostles in the candidate for the place of <a href="../cathen/08539a.htm">Judas Iscariot</a>. "Of the men, therefore, who have accompanied us all the time that the <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Lord Jesus</a> went in and out among us, beginning from the <a href="../cathen/02258b.htm">baptism</a> of John unto the day He was received up from us, of these must one become <em>a witness</em> with us of <a href="../cathen/12792a.htm"><em>His Resurrection</em></a>" (<a href="../bible/act001.htm#vrs21">Acts 1:21-22</a>). This narrative, which seems to come from an Aramaic Palestinian source like many other details given in the earlier chapter of Acts, was ancient and cannot be set aside. It is further strengthened by an objection made to <a href="../cathen/11567b.htm">St. Paul</a>: because he was called in an extraordinary way to the Apostolate, he was <a href="../cathen/11189a.htm">obliged</a> often to vindicate his Apostolic authority and proclaim that he had seen the Lord (<a href="../bible/1co009.htm#vrs1">1 Corinthians 9:1</a>). Instruction and appointment by <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Jesus</a> were, therefore, the regular conditions for the Apostolate. By way of exception. an extraordinary vocation, as in the case of Paul, or a choice by the Apostolic College, as in the case of Matthias, could suffice. Such an extraordinarily called or elected Apostle could preach <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Christ's</a> <a href="../cathen/05075b.htm">doctrine</a> and the <a href="../cathen/12789a.htm">Resurrection of the Lord</a> as an authoritative witness.</p> <h2 id="section5">Authority and prerogatives of the apostles</h2> <p>The authority of the Apostles proceeds from the office imposed upon them by <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Our Lord</a> and is based on the very explicit sayings of <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Christ</a> Himself. He will be with them all days to the end of ages (<a href="../bible/mat028.htm#vrs20">Matthew 28:20</a>), give a sanction to their preaching (<a href="../bible/mar016.htm#vrs16">Mark 16:16</a>), send them the "promise of the Father", "virtue from above" (<a href="../bible/luk024.htm#vrs49">Luke 24:49</a>). The <a href="../bible/act000.htm">Acts of the Apostles</a> and the Epistles of the <a href="../cathen/14530a.htm">New Testament</a> show us the exercise of this authority. The Apostle makes <a href="../cathen/09053a.htm">laws</a> (<a href="../bible/act015.htm#vrs29">Acts 15:29</a>; <a href="../bible/1co007.htm#vrs12">1 Corinthians 7:12 sq.</a>), teaches (<a href="../bible/act002.htm#vrs37">Acts 2:37 and following</a>), claims for his teaching that it should be received as the word of <a href="../cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> (<a href="../bible/1th002.htm#vrs13">1 Thessalonians 2:13</a>), punishes (<a href="../bible/act005.htm#vrs1">Acts 5:1-11</a>; <a href="../bible/1co005.htm#vrs1">1 Corinthians 5:1-5</a>), administers the sacred rites (<a href="../bible/act006.htm#vrs1">Acts 6:1 sq.</a>; <a href="../bible/act016.htm#vrs33">16:33</a>; <a href="../bible/act020.htm#vrs11">20:11</a>), provides successors (<a href="../bible/2ti001.htm#vrs6">2 Timothy 1:6</a>; <a href="../bible/act014.htm#vrs22">Acts 14:22</a>). In the modern <a href="../cathen/14580x.htm">theological</a> terms the Apostle, besides the <em>power of order</em>, has a <em>general <a href="../cathen/08567a.htm">power of jurisdiction</a> and magisterium (teaching)</em>. The former embraces the power of making <a href="../cathen/09053a.htm">laws</a> judging on religious matters, and enforcing <a href="../cathen/11189a.htm">obligations</a> by means of suitable penalties. The latter includes the power of setting forth with authority <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">Christ's</a> <a href="../cathen/05075b.htm">doctrine</a>. It is <a href="../cathen/10733a.htm">necessary</a> to add here that an Apostle could receive new <a href="../cathen/13001a.htm">revealed</a> <a href="../cathen/15073a.htm">truths</a> in order to propose them to the <a href="../cathen/03744a.htm">Church</a>. This, however, is something wholly personal to the Apostles. (See <a href="../cathen/13001a.htm">REVELATION</a>; <a href="../cathen/08045a.htm">INSPIRATION</a>.)</p> <p><a href="../cathen/03449a.htm">Catholic</a> <a href="../cathen/14580a.htm">theologians</a> rightly speak in their treatises of some personal prerogatives of the Apostles; a brief account of them may not be superfluous.</p> <div class="bulletlist"><ul><li>A first prerogative, not clearly inferred from the texts of the <a href="../cathen/14530a.htm">New Testament</a> nor demonstrated by solid reasons, is their confirmation in grace. Most modern <a href="../cathen/14580a.htm">theologians</a> admit that the Apostles received so abundant an infusion of grace that they could avoid every mortal fault and every fully deliberate venial <a href="../cathen/14004b.htm">sin</a>.</li><li>Another personal prerogative is the universality of their <a href="../cathen/08567a.htm">jurisdiction</a>. The words of the Gospel on Apostolic office are very general; for the most part, the Apostles preached and travelled as if they were not bound by territorial limits, as we read in the Acts and the Epistles. This did not hinder the Apostles from taking practical measures to properly organize the preaching of the Gospel in the various countries they visited.</li><li>Among these prerogatives is reckoned personal <a href="../cathen/07790a.htm">infallibility</a>, of course in matters of <a href="../cathen/05752c.htm">faith</a> and <a href="../cathen/10559a.htm">morals</a>, and only when they taught and imposed some <a href="../cathen/05075b.htm">doctrine</a> as <a href="../cathen/11189a.htm">obligatory</a>. In other matters they could <a href="../cathen/05525a.htm">err</a>, as Peter, in the question of practical intercourse with the converted <a href="../cathen/11388a.htm">heathens</a>; they might also accept certain current opinions, as Paul seems to have done with regard to the time of the Parousia, or Second Coming of the Lord. (See <a href="../cathen/08374c.htm">JESUS CHRIST</a>.) It is not easy to find a stringent scripturistic demonstration for this prerogative, but reasonable arguments suggest it, e.g. the impossibility for all his hearers to verify and try the <a href="../cathen/05075b.htm">doctrine</a> preached to them by an Apostle.</li><li>It is a more disputed question whether an Apostle writing on religious matters would have, merely by his Apostolic office, the prerogatives of an inspired author. This was asserted by the <a href="../cathen/03449a.htm">Catholic</a> <a href="../cathen/14580x.htm">theologian</a>, Dr. Paul Schanz of Tübingen (Apologie des Christenthums, II) and by some others, e.g. Joüon in "Etudes religieuses" (1904). <a href="../cathen/03449a.htm">Catholic</a> <a href="../cathen/14580a.htm">theologians</a> almost unanimously deny it, e.g. Father Pesch (De Inspiratione Sacrae Scripturae, 1906, pp. 611-634). (See <a href="../cathen/08045a.htm">INSPIRATION</a>; <a href="../cathen/14530a.htm">NEW TESTAMENT</a>.)</li></ul></div> <h2 id="section6">Apostolate and episcopate</h2> <p>Since the authority with which the Lord endowed the Apostles was given them for the entire <a href="../cathen/03744a.htm">Church</a> it is natural that this authority should endure after their death, in other words, pass to successors established by the Apostles. In the oldest <a href="../cathen/03712a.htm">Christian</a> documents concerning the primitive Churches we find <a href="../cathen/10326a.htm">ministers</a> established, some of them, at least, by the usual rite of the <a href="../cathen/07698a.htm">imposition of hands</a>. They bear various names: <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a> (<em>presbyteroi</em>, <a href="../bible/act011.htm#vrs30">Acts 11:30</a>; <a href="../bible/act014.htm#vrs22">14:22</a>; <a href="../bible/act015.htm#vrs2">15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23</a>; <a href="../bible/act016.htm#vrs4">16:4</a>; <a href="../bible/act020.htm#vrs17">20:17</a>; <a href="../bible/act021.htm#vrs18">21:18</a>; <a href="../bible/1ti005.htm#vrs17">1 Timothy 5:17, 19</a>; <a href="../bible/tit001.htm#vrs5">Titus 1:5</a>); <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a> (<em>episkopoi</em>, <a href="../bible/act020.htm#vrs28">Acts 20:28</a>; <a href="../bible/phi001.htm#vrs1">Philippians 1:1</a>; <a href="../bible/1ti003.htm#vrs2">1 Timothy 3:2</a>; <a href="../bible/tit001.htm#vrs7">Titus 1:7</a>); presidents (<em>proistamenoi</em>, <a href="../bible/1th005.htm#vrs12">1 Thessalonians 5:12</a>, <a href="../bible/rom012.htm">Romans 12</a>, etc.); heads (<em>hegoumenoi</em>, <a href="../bible/heb013.htm#vrs7">Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24</a>, etc.); shepherds (<em>poimenes</em>, <a href="../bible/eph004.htm#vrs11">Ephesians 4:11</a>); teachers (<em>didaskaloi</em>, <a href="../bible/act013.htm#vrs1">Acts 13:1</a>; <a href="../bible/1co012.htm#vrs28">1 Corinthians 12:28 sq.</a> etc.); <a href="../cathen/12477a.htm">prophets</a> (<em>prophetai</em>, <a href="../bible/act013.htm#vrs1">Acts 13:1</a>; <a href="../bible/act015.htm#vrs32">15:32</a>; <a href="../bible/1co012.htm#vrs28">1 Corinthians 12:28-29</a>, etc.), and some others. Besides them, there are Apostolic delegates, such as Timothy and Titus. The most frequent terms are <em>priests</em> and <em><a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a></em>; they were destined to become the technical names for the "authorities" of the <a href="../cathen/03712a.htm">Christian</a> community. All other names are less important; the <a href="../cathen/04647c.htm">deacons</a> are out of the question, being of an inferior order. It seems clear that amid so great a variety of terms for <a href="../cathen/07322c.htm">ecclesiastical authorities</a> in Apostolic times several must have expressed only transitory functions. From the beginning of the second century in <a href="../cathen/01782a.htm">Asia Minor</a>, and somewhat later elsewhere, we find only three titles: <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a>, <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a>, and <a href="../cathen/04647c.htm">deacons</a>; the last charged with inferior <a href="../cathen/05215a.htm">duties</a>. The authority of the <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishop</a> is different from the authority of <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a>, as is evident on every page of the letters of the <a href="../cathen/09736b.htm">martyr</a> <a href="../cathen/07644a.htm">Ignatius of Antioch</a>. The <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishop</a>--and there is but one in each town--governs his church, appoints <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a> who have a subordinate rank to him, and are, as it were, his counsellors, presides over the Eucharistic assemblies, teaches his people, etc. He has, therefore, a general power of governing and teaching, quite the same as the modern <a href="../cathen/03449a.htm">Catholic</a> <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishop</a>; this power is substantially identical with the general authority of the Apostles, without, however, the personal prerogatives ascribed to the latter. <a href="../cathen/07644a.htm">St. Ignatius of Antioch</a> declares that this ministry holds legitimately its authority from <a href="../cathen/06608a.htm">God</a> through Christ (Letter to the Philadelphians, i). <a href="../cathen/04012c.htm">Clement of Rome</a>, in his Letter; to the <a href="../cathen/03744a.htm">Church</a> of <a href="../cathen/04363b.htm">Corinth</a> (about 96), defends with energy the legitimacy of the ministry of <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a> and, <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a>, and proclaims that the Apostles established successors to govern the churches (xlii-xliv). We may conclude with confidence that, about the end of the second century, the <a href="../cathen/10326a.htm">ministers</a> of the churches were everywhere regarded as legitimate successors of the Apostles; this common persuasion is of primary importance.</p> <div class="CMtag_300x250" style="display: flex; height: 300px; align-items: center; justify-content: center; "></div> <p>Another and more difficult question arises as to the Acts and in the Epistles, the various above mentioned names, chiefly the <em>presbyteroi</em> and the <em>episkopoi</em> (priests and <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a>).</p> <div class="bulletlist"><ul><li>Some authors (and this is the traditional view) contend that the <em>episkopoi</em> of Apostolic times have the same dignity as the <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a> of later times, and that the <em>episkopoi</em> of the apostolic writings are the same as the <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a> of the second century. This opinion, however, must give way before the evident identity of <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishop</a> and <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priest</a> in <a href="../bible/act020.htm">Acts 20:17 and 28</a>, Titus, i, 5-7, Clement of <a href="../cathen/13164a.htm">Rome</a> to the <a href="../cathen/03744a.htm">Church</a> of <a href="../cathen/04363b.htm">Corinth</a>, xliv.</li><li>Another view recognizing this synonymous character estimates that these officers whom we shall call <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a>--priests had never the supreme direction of the churches in Apostolic times; this power, it is maintained, was exercised by the Apostles, the Prophets who travelled from one church to another, and by certain Apostolic delegates like Timothy. These alone were the real predecessors of the <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a> of the second century; the <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishop</a> <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a> were the same as our modern <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a>, and had not the plenitude of the <a href="../cathen/12409a.htm">priesthood</a>. This opinion is fully discussed and proposed with much learning by A. Michiels (L'origine de l'épiscopat, Louvain, 1900).</li><li>Mgr. Batiffol (Rev. bibl., 1895, and Etudes d'hist. et de théol. positive, I, Paris, 1903) expresses the following opinion: In the primitive churches there were (1) some preparatory functions, as the dignity of Apostles and Prophets; (2) some <em>presbyteroi</em> had no <a href="../cathen/09306a.htm">liturgical</a> function, but only an honourable title; (3) the <em>episkopoi</em>, several in each community, had a <a href="../cathen/09306a.htm">liturgical</a> function with the office to preach; (4) when the Apostles disappeared, the <a href="../cathen/05001a.htm">bishopric</a> was divided: one of the <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a> became sovereign <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishop</a>, while the others were subordinated to him: these were the later <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priests</a>. This secondary <a href="../cathen/12409a.htm">priesthood</a> is a diminished participation of the one and sole primitive <a href="../cathen/12409a.htm">priesthood</a>; there is, therefore, no strict difference of order between the <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishop</a> and the <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">priest</a>.</li></ul></div> <p>Whatever may be the solution of this difficult question (see <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">BISHOP</a>, <a href="../cathen/12406a.htm">PRIEST</a>), it remains certain that in the second century the general Apostolic authority belonged, by a succession universally acknowledged as legitimate, to the <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a> of the <a href="../cathen/03744a.htm">Christian churches</a>. (See <a href="../cathen/01641a.htm">APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION</a>.) The <a href="../cathen/02581b.htm">bishops</a> have, therefore, a general power of order, <a href="../cathen/08567a.htm">jurisdiction</a>, and <em>magisterium</em>, but not the personal prerogatives of the Apostles.</p> <h2 id="section7">The feasts of the apostles</h2> <p>The memorable words of <a href="../bible/heb013.htm#vrs7">Hebrews 13:7</a>: "Remember your presidents who preached to you the word of God", have always echoed in the <a href="../cathen/03712a.htm">Christian</a> heart. The primitive churches had a profound veneration for their deceased Apostles (<a href="../cathen/04012c.htm">Clement of Rome</a>, Ep. ad Corinth. v); its first expression was doubtless the devotional reading of the Apostolic writings, the following of their orders and counsels, and the imitation of their virtues. It may, however, be reasonably supposed that some devotion began at the <a href="../cathen/14773b.htm">tombs</a> of the Apostles as early as the time of their death or <a href="../cathen/09736b.htm">martyrdom</a>; the ancient documents are silent on this matter. Feasts of the Apostles do not appear as early as we might expect. Though the anniversaries of some <a href="../cathen/09736b.htm">martyrs</a> were celebrated even in the second century, as for instance the anniversary of the <a href="../cathen/09736b.htm">martyrdom</a> of <a href="../cathen/12219b.htm">Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna</a> (d. 154-156), the Apostles had at this time no such commemoration; the day of their death was unknown. It is only from the fourth century that we meet with feasts of the Apostles. In the <a href="../cathen/05230a.htm">Eastern Church</a> the feast of <a href="../cathen/08280a.htm">Saint James the Less</a> and Saint John was celebrated on the 27th of December, and on the next day the feast of Saints Peter and Paul (according to <a href="../cathen/07016a.htm">St. Gregory of Nyssa</a> and a Syriac <a href="../cathen/10191b.htm">menology</a>). These commemorations were arbitrarily fixed. In the <a href="../cathen/09022a.htm">Western Church</a> the feast of <a href="../cathen/13355a.htm">Saint John</a> alone remained on the same day as in the <a href="../cathen/05230a.htm">Eastern Church</a>. The commemoration of the <a href="../cathen/09736b.htm">martyrdom</a> of Saint Peter and <a href="../cathen/11567b.htm">Saint Paul</a> was celebrated 29 June; originally, however, it was the commemoration of the translation their <a href="../cathen/12734a.htm">relics</a> (Duchesne, Christian Worship, p. 277). From the sixth century the feast of Saint Andrew was celebrated on the 30th day of November. We <a href="../cathen/08673a.htm">know</a> but little of the feasts of the other Apostles and of the secondary feasts of the great Apostles. In the <a href="../cathen/05230a.htm">Eastern Churches</a> all these feasts were observed at the beginning of the ninth century. For additional details see Duchesne, "Christian Worship" (London, 1903), pp. 277-283, and B. Zimmerman in Cabrol and Leclercq's Dict. d'archéol. et de lit. chret. I, 2631-35. (See also <a href="../cathen/01648b.htm">APOSTOLICITY</a>, <a href="../cathen/01641a.htm">APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION</a>, <a href="../cathen/01601a.htm">APOCRYPHA</a>.)</p> <div class='catholicadnet-728x90' id='cathen-728x90-bottom' style='display: flex; height: 100px; align-items: center; justify-content: center; '></div> <div class="pub"><h2>About this page</h2><p id="apa"><strong>APA citation.</strong> <span id="apaauthor">Coppieters, H.</span> <span id="apayear">(1907).</span> <span id="apaarticle">Apostles.</span> In <span id="apawork">The Catholic Encyclopedia.</span> <span id="apapublisher">New York: Robert Appleton Company.</span> <span id="apaurl">http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01626c.htm</span></p><p id="mla"><strong>MLA citation.</strong> <span id="mlaauthor">Coppieters, Honoré.</span> <span id="mlaarticle">"Apostles."</span> <span id="mlawork">The Catholic Encyclopedia.</span> <span id="mlavolume">Vol. 1.</span> <span id="mlapublisher">New York: Robert Appleton Company,</span> <span id="mlayear">1907.</span> <span id="mlaurl"><http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01626c.htm>.</span></p><p id="transcription"><strong>Transcription.</strong> <span id="transcriber">This article was transcribed for New Advent by Donald J. Boon.</span> <span id="dedication">Dedicated to Mrs. Rose Duran, a follower with heart.</span></p><p id="approbation"><strong>Ecclesiastical approbation.</strong> <span id="nihil"><em>Nihil Obstat.</em> March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.</span> <span id="imprimatur"><em>Imprimatur.</em> +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.</span></p><p id="contactus"><strong>Contact information.</strong> The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is webmaster <em>at</em> newadvent.org. Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly appreciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.</p></div> </div> <div id="ogdenville"><table summary="Bottom bar" width="100%" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0><tr><td class="bar_white_on_color"><center><strong>Copyright © 2023 by <a href="../utility/contactus.htm">New Advent LLC</a>. 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