CINXE.COM
Apostle — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
<!DOCTYPE html> <html dir="ltr" lang="en"> <head> <title>Apostle — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"/> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"/> <meta name="description" content="This is an authorized Web site of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is a research tool for publications in various languages produced by Jehovah’s Witnesses."/> <meta name="keywords" content="jehovah's witnesses, jehovah, witness, watchtower, library, online, publications"/> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0, maximum-scale=1.0, user-scalable=no"/> <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="60x60" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-60x60.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/icon/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/icon/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/icon/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#799FCC"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/icon/favicon.ico"> <meta name="msapplication-config" content="/icon/browserconfig.xml"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="WOL"> <meta name="application-name" content="WOL"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#799fcc"> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-status-bar-style" content="black"/> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="no"/> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="https://b.jw-cdn.org/code/media-player/v3.0.0/css/media-player.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+0+974f270baf9554651558d525c4fb9b2bbaba7049.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+1+eda9e25e8d65b8146f2068ea6cf0d4486172ce3d.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+2+8bc20ec72a3d6bdee112c222e4724ab91daca5e0.css"/><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/assets/css/+3+5fe81ac8c80b601f07459195d4af94edf92bb720.css"/> <script> var localizedNumbers = ["0","1"]; window.VIDEOJS_NO_DYNAMIC_STYLE = true; </script> <input id="insightApi" type="hidden" value="https://b.jw-cdn.org/apis/insight/events" /> <script src="/assets/js/+0+3b23965c032d57f4d3f2965f87b3740e2c650208.js"></script> </head> <body class="showRuby cc-theme--light DynamicLayout"> <style id="scalableui"></style> <script> if (window.Cookies != null) { // Apply user preferred font size // Doesn't apply to static pages, all of which don't scale text var fontScale = Cookies.get('fontScale'); if (fontScale) { var scalableuiStyleContainer = document.getElementById('scalableui'); var scalableuiStyleSheet = scalableuiStyleContainer.sheet; scalableuiStyleSheet.insertRule( '.scalableui{font-size:' + fontScale * 100 + '%;}', scalableuiStyleSheet.cssRules.length ); } } </script> <div id="wrapper" class="dropShadow50"> <input id="locale" type="hidden" value="en" /> <input id="tooltipContentErrorMessage" type="hidden" value="Please click here to open the document." /> <input id="rsconf" type="hidden" value="r1" /> <input id="lib" type="hidden" value="lp-e" /> <input id="libLang" type="hidden" value="English" /> <input id="libTitle" type="hidden" value="English Publications (1950-2025)" /> <input id="libDir" type="hidden" value="ltr" /> <input id="libLangSym" type="hidden" value="E" /> <input id="libLangScript" type="hidden" value="ROMAN" /> <input id="libLangIsSignLanguage" type="hidden" value="" /> <input id="libraryLocale" type="hidden" value="en" /> <input id="contentLocale" type="hidden" value="en" /> <input id="contentRsconf" type="hidden" value="r1" /> <input id="contentLib" type="hidden" value="lp-e" /> <input id="contentLibLang" type="hidden" value="English" /> <input id="contentLibTitle" type="hidden" value="English Publications (1950-2025)" /> <input id="rubyAvailable" type="hidden" value="false" /> <input id="contentLibDir" type="hidden" value="ltr" /> <input id="contentLibLangSym" type="hidden" value="E" /> <input id="contentLibLangScript" type="hidden" value="ROMAN" /> <input id="contentLibLangIsSignLanguage" type="hidden" value="false" /> <input id="siteCookieDomain" type="hidden" value="wol.jw.org" /> <input id="audioMultiselect" type="hidden" value="" /> <input id="site" type="hidden" value="unified" /> <input id="updatedMediaPlayer" type="hidden" value="1" /> <div id="regionHeader" class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="siteBanner"> <div class="title"> <a href="/en/wol/h/r1/lp-e"> <span class="logo"><span class="icon"></span></span> <div class="ellipsized label"> <span class="ellipsized titleBig">Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY</span> <div class="ellipsized titleLittle siteTitleLine1">Watchtower</div> <div class="ellipsized titleLittle siteTitleLine2">ONLINE LIBRARY</div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="language"> <a class="chrome librarySelectionLink spriteLink" data-lang="E" href="/en/wol/li/r1/lp-e"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">English</span> </a> </div> </div> <div id="toolbarFrame"> <div id="standardSearch" class="searchControl"> <form class="searchForm" role="search" method="GET" action="/en/wol/qt/r1/lp-e"> <div class="searchFieldContainer"> <input type="hidden" id="st" name="st" /> <input class="searchField" name="q" accept-charset="utf-8" type="text" title="Search operators: * = any text; ? = any character; " " = exact phrase; & = AND; | = OR; ! = NOT; () = group" aria-label="Type search text or a Bible citation" placeholder="Enter Topic" autocomplete="off" autocapitalize="off" autocorrect="off" autofocus="autofocus" spellcheck="false" maxlength="256" value=""/> <span class="searchFieldCancel"><span class="icon"></span></span> </div> <div class="searchControlContainer"> <input type="hidden" name="p" value="par"/> <input type="hidden" name="r" value="occ"/> <input class="searchButton" type="submit" value="SEARCH"/> </div> <div class="searchControlButtons"> <button class="searchIcon menuButton" type="button" aria-label="search"><span class="icon"></span></button> <button class="closeIcon menuButton" type="button" aria-label="cancel"><span class="icon"></span></button> </div> <div class="suggestions hidden"></div> </form> </div> <div id="toolbarMenu"> <ul class="menu" role="menu"> <li id="menuToolsPreferences" class="menuButton iconOnly menuRight" role="menuitem" aria-label="preferences"> <a href="/en/wol/pref/r1/lp-e?url=%2Fen%2Fwol%2Fd%2Fr1%2Flp-e%2F1200000310" rel="nofollow"><span class="icon"></span> </a> </li> <li id="menuToolsShare" class="menuButton iconOnly menuRight" role="menuitem" aria-label="share"> <a id="shareButton" class="shareButtonIcon hidden" href="#"> <span class="icon"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="menuHome" role="menuitem" class="showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="/en/wol/h/r1/lp-e" aria-label="home"> <span class="icon"></span> </a> </div> <div id="menuFrame"> <ul id="menuBar" class="menu" role="menubar"> <li id="menuBible" class="chrome menuButton showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" role="menuitem" aria-label="bible" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="/en/wol/binav/r1/lp-e" role="menuitem" aria-label="bible"><span class="icon"></span><span class="label">BIBLE</span></a> </li> <li id="menuPublications" class="chrome menuButton showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" role="menuitem" aria-label="publications" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications" role="menuitem" aria-label="publications"><span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">PUBLICATIONS</span></a> </li> <li id="menuToday" class="chrome menuButton showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" role="menuitem" aria-label="meetings" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a class="todayNav" href="/en/wol/meetings/r1/lp-e" role="menuitem" aria-label="meetings"><span class="icon"></span><span class="label">MEETINGS</span></a> </li> <li id="menuSynchronizeControls" class="hidden"> <ul> <li id="menuSynchronize" class="chrome menuButton tbSync hidden" role="menuitem" aria-label="synchronize"> <a id="linkSynchronize" href="#" rel="nofollow"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label"></span> </a> </li> <li id="menuSynchronizeSwitch" class="chrome menuButton tbSync" role="menuitem"> <a id="linkSynchronizeSwitch" href="#" rel="nofollow"> <span class="icon"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="menuSearchHitNext" class="chrome menuButton iconOnly menuRight hidden showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="#"><span class="icon"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="publicationNavigation" class="chrome"> <div class="secondaryNavToggle"><span class="icon"></span></div> <div class="pubNavTitle"> <div class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <ul> <li class="resultsNavigationSelected documentLocation navPublications"><a href="/en/wol/library/r1/lp-e/all-publications/insight/a" class="spriteLink ellipsized"><span class="icon"></span>it-1 “Apostle”</a></li> <li class="resultDocumentPubTitle ellipsized"> Apostle </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="chrome forwardBackNavControls resultNavControls"> <ul> <li class="resultNavLeft"><a class="resultsNavDocumentLink" href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000309"><span class="icon"></span></a></li><li class="resultNavRight"><a class="resultsNavDocumentLink" href="/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1200000311"><span class="icon"></span></a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="navPosition hidden showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div class="scrollPositionDisplay"></div> </div> </div> <div id="playerwrapper" class="hidden headerPosition"></div> </div> <div id="regionMain" class="unified navLeft showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr hasSecondaryNav showSecondaryNav" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr" > <div id="videoWrapperContainer" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="videoWrapper" class="hidden headerPosition constrainedHeight hasSecondaryNav showSecondaryNav showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div class="topShadow"></div> <div class="videoNoticeContainer"> <p class="noticeText noMarkerNotice">No video available for this selection.</p> <p class="noticeText videoErrorNotice">Sorry, there was an error loading the video.</p> </div> <div id="playerShared" class="uninitialized"></div> </div> </div> <div id="secondaryNavContent" class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="secondaryNav" role="navigation"> <nav> <div id="resultNavigation"><div class="resultNavTitle"> <ul> <li class="resultsNavigationSelected "><span><span class="navContent">Apostle</span></span></li><li class="resultDocumentPubTitle "><span><span class="navContent">Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1</span></span></li> </ul> </div></div> </nav> <div id="documentNavigation" class="chrome"> <ul class="navigationTabs"> <li class="active tabItem chrome" data-related-content="similarMaterial">Similar Material</li> </ul> <div class="navigationContents"> <div id="similarMaterial" class="active tabContent"> <ul class="results linkCard"> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/1200010314" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <span class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-ad cat-bk " data-pub-symbol="ad" ></span> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> Apostle </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> Aid to Bible Understanding </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/1200003451" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <span class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-it-2 cat-it " data-pub-symbol="it-2" ></span> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> Peter </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2 </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/1200002313" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <span class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-it-1 cat-it " data-pub-symbol="it-1" ></span> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> James </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> <li class="simDoc"> <a href="/en/wol/dsim/r1/lp-e/1001070690" class="jwac showRuby publication html5 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr chrome cardContainer noTooltips cardLine1Prominent lnk" data-nav-scope-data="[]"> <div class="cardThumbnail "> <img class=" cardThumbnailImage thumbnail publication icon-default publication pub-nwtsty cat-bi " data-pub-symbol="nwtsty" src="/wol/publication/r1/lp-e/nwtsty/thumbnail"/> </div> <div class="cardTitleBlock"> <div class=" cardLine1 ellipsized cardHalfHeight cardLine1Prominent"><span class="sectionIcon"></span> Acts Study Notes—Chapter 1 </div> <div class=" cardLine2 ellipsized cardLine1Prominent"> New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition) </div> </div> <div class="cardTitleDetail"></div> <div class="cardChevron"> <div class="icon"></div> </div> </a> </li> </ul> <div class="moreSimDocs"> <a class="spriteLinkRight" href="/en/wol/sim/r1/lp-e/1200000310">See More<span class="icon"></span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="documentCitationInformation"> <div>Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1</div> <div><strong>it-1 “Apostle”</strong></div> </div> <div id="content" class="content"> <div class="articlePositioner" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="banner" class="documentBanner showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> </div> <article id="article" class="article document html5 pub- docId-1200000310 pub-it-1 pub- pub-it-1 docClass-2 jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr includeSecondaryNav" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr" role="article"> <div class="scalableui"> <header> <h1 id="p1" data-pid="1"><span id="page127" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="127" data-before-text="127"></span><strong>APOSTLE</strong></h1> </header> <p id="p2" data-pid="2" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="1"></span>The Greek word <em>a·poʹsto·los</em> is derived from the common verb <em>a·po·stelʹlo,</em> meaning simply “send forth (or off).” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/0/0" data-bid="1-1" class="b">Mt 10:5;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/0/1" data-bid="1-2" class="b"> Mr 11:3</a>) Its basic sense is clearly illustrated in Jesus’ statement: “A slave is not greater than his master, nor is one that is sent forth [<em>a·poʹsto·los</em>] greater than the one that sent him.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/1/0" data-bid="2-1" class="b">Joh 13:16</a>) In this sense the word also applies to Christ Jesus as “the apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/2/0" data-bid="3-1" class="b">Heb 3:1</a>; compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/0" data-bid="4-1" class="b">Mt 10:40;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/1" data-bid="4-2" class="b"> 15:24;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/2" data-bid="4-3" class="b"> Lu 4:18,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/3" data-bid="4-4" class="b"> 43;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/4" data-bid="4-5" class="b"> 9:48;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/5" data-bid="4-6" class="b"> 10:16;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/6" data-bid="4-7" class="b"> Joh 3:17;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/7" data-bid="4-8" class="b"> 5:36,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/8" data-bid="4-9" class="b"> 38;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/9" data-bid="4-10" class="b"> 6:29,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/10" data-bid="4-11" class="b"> 57;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/11" data-bid="4-12" class="b"> 7:29;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/12" data-bid="4-13" class="b"> 8:42;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/13" data-bid="4-14" class="b"> 10:36;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/14" data-bid="4-15" class="b"> 11:42;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/15" data-bid="4-16" class="b"> 17:3,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/16" data-bid="4-17" class="b"> 8,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/17" data-bid="4-18" class="b"> 18,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/18" data-bid="4-19" class="b"> 21-25;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/3/19" data-bid="4-20" class="b"> 20:21</a>.) Jesus was sent forth by God as his appointed and commissioned representative.</p> <p id="p3" data-pid="3" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="2"></span>The term is principally applied, however, to those disciples whom Jesus personally selected as a body of 12 appointed representatives. The names of the original 12 selected are given at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/4/0" data-bid="5-1" class="b">Matthew 10:2-4;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/4/1" data-bid="5-2" class="b"> Mark 3:16-19</a>, and <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/5/0" data-bid="6-1" class="b">Luke 6:13-16</a>. One of the original 12, Judas Iscariot, proved to be a traitor, thereby fulfilling earlier prophecies. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/6/0" data-bid="7-1" class="b">Ps 41:9;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/6/1" data-bid="7-2" class="b"> 109:8</a>) The remaining 11 faithful apostles are again listed at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/7/0" data-bid="8-1" class="b">Acts 1:13</a>.</p> <p id="p4" data-pid="4" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="3"></span>Some of the apostles had been disciples of John the Baptizer before becoming Jesus’ disciples. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/8/0" data-bid="9-1" class="b">Joh 1:35-42</a>) Eleven of them were evidently Galileans (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/9/0" data-bid="10-1" class="b">Ac 2:7</a>), Judas Iscariot being considered the sole Judean. They were from the working class; four were definitely fishermen by trade; one had been a tax collector. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/10/0" data-bid="11-1" class="b">Mt 4:18-21;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/10/1" data-bid="11-2" class="b"> 9:9-13</a>) At least two of them appear to have been cousins of Jesus (James and John, the sons of Zebedee). They were men who were viewed by the religious leaders as “unlettered and ordinary,” indicating that their education was elementary and not from the schools of higher learning. A number of them, including Peter (Cephas), were married men.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/11/0" data-bid="12-1" class="b">Ac 4:13;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/11/1" data-bid="12-2" class="b"> 1Co 9:5</a>.</p> <p id="p5" data-pid="5" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="4"></span>Of the 12, Peter, James, and John seem to have enjoyed the closest relationship with Jesus. They alone witnessed the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/12/0" data-bid="13-1" class="b">Mr 5:35-43</a>) and the transfiguration of Jesus (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/13/0" data-bid="14-1" class="b">Mt 17:1, 2</a>), and they accompanied him farther <span id="page128" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="128" data-before-text="128"></span>into the garden of Gethsemane than the other apostles on the night of his arrest. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/14/0" data-bid="15-1" class="b">Mr 14:32, 33</a>) A special affinity appears to have existed between Jesus and John, and John is accepted as being the one referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus used to love.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/15/0" data-bid="16-1" class="b">Joh 21:20-24;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/15/1" data-bid="16-2" class="b"> 13:23</a>.</p> <p id="p6" data-pid="6" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="5"></span><strong>Selection and Early Ministry.</strong> The 12 were selected out of a larger group of disciples and were designated “apostles” by Jesus, “that they might continue with him and that he might send them out [<em>a·po·stelʹlei</em>] to preach and to have authority to expel the demons.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/16/0" data-bid="17-1" class="b">Mr 3:13-15</a>) Thereafter they did “continue with him” in very close association during the remainder of his earthly ministry, receiving extensive personal instruction and ministerial training. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/17/0" data-bid="18-1" class="b">Mt 10:1-42;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/17/1" data-bid="18-2" class="b"> Lu 8:1</a>) Since they continued to be Jesus’ pupils, they were still called “disciples,” particularly in accounts of events prior to Pentecost. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/18/0" data-bid="19-1" class="b">Mt 11:1;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/18/1" data-bid="19-2" class="b"> 14:26;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/18/2" data-bid="19-3" class="b"> 20:17;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/18/3" data-bid="19-4" class="b"> Joh 20:2</a>) Thereafter they are consistently called “apostles.” At the time of their appointment, Jesus gave them miraculous powers to heal, as well as to expel demons, and they used these powers to some extent during Jesus’ ministry. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/19/0" data-bid="20-1" class="b">Mr 3:14, 15;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/19/1" data-bid="20-2" class="b"> 6:13;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/19/2" data-bid="20-3" class="b"> Mt 10:1-8;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/19/3" data-bid="20-4" class="b"> Lu 9:6</a>; compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/20/0" data-bid="21-1" class="b">Mt 17:16</a>.) This activity, however, is shown to be always subordinate to their principal work of preaching. Though forming an inner circle of followers, their instruction and training included no mysterious rituals or ceremonies.</p> <p id="p7" data-pid="7" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="6"></span><strong>Human Weaknesses.</strong> Though greatly favored as apostles of God’s Son, they manifested normal human failings and weaknesses. Peter was inclined to be rash and impetuous (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/21/0" data-bid="22-1" class="b">Mt 16:22, 23;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/21/1" data-bid="22-2" class="b"> Joh 21:7, 8</a>); Thomas was slow to be convinced (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/22/0" data-bid="23-1" class="b">Joh 20:24, 25</a>); James and John manifested youthful impatience (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/23/0" data-bid="24-1" class="b">Lu 9:49,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/23/1" data-bid="24-2" class="b"> 54</a>). They quarreled over the issue of their future greatness in the earthly kingdom that they expected Jesus to establish. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/24/0" data-bid="25-1" class="b">Mt 20:20-28;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/24/1" data-bid="25-2" class="b"> Mr 10:35-45</a>; compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/25/0" data-bid="26-1" class="b">Ac 1:6;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/25/1" data-bid="26-2" class="b"> Lu 24:21</a>.) They acknowledged their need for greater faith. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/26/0" data-bid="27-1" class="b">Lu 17:5</a>; compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/27/0" data-bid="28-1" class="b">Mt 17:20</a>.) Despite their years of intimate association with Jesus and though knowing him to be the Messiah, they all abandoned him at the time of his arrest (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/28/0" data-bid="29-1" class="b">Mt 26:56</a>); the matter of his burial was handled by others. The apostles were slow at first to accept the testimony of the women who first saw Jesus after his resurrection. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/29/0" data-bid="30-1" class="b">Lu 24:10, 11</a>) Because of fear they met behind locked doors. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/30/0" data-bid="31-1" class="b">Joh 20:19,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/30/1" data-bid="31-2" class="b"> 26</a>) The resurrected Jesus gave them further enlightenment, and following his ascension to heaven on the 40th day from his resurrection, they manifested great joy and “were continually in the temple blessing God.”—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/31/0" data-bid="32-1" class="b">Lu 24:44-53</a>.</p> <p id="p8" data-pid="8" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="7"></span><strong>Activity in Christian Congregation.</strong> The outpouring of God’s spirit upon them at Pentecost greatly strengthened the apostles. The first five chapters of the Acts of Apostles testify to the great fearlessness of the apostles and their boldness in declaring the good news and the resurrection of Jesus in spite of jailing, beatings, and threats of death from their rulers. During those early days after Pentecost, the dynamic leadership of the apostles, under the power of the holy spirit, resulted in amazing expansion in the Christian congregation. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/32/0" data-bid="33-1" class="b">Ac 2:41;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/32/1" data-bid="33-2" class="b"> 4:4</a>) Their ministry was at first concentrated in Jerusalem, then extended to Samaria, and in time, throughout the known world.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/33/0" data-bid="34-1" class="b">Ac 5:42;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/33/1" data-bid="34-2" class="b"> 6:7;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/33/2" data-bid="34-3" class="b"> 8:5-17,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/33/3" data-bid="34-4" class="b"> 25;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/33/4" data-bid="34-5" class="b"> 1:8</a>.</p> <p id="p9" data-pid="9" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="8"></span>Their primary function as apostles was to be witnesses as to Jesus’ fulfillment of Jehovah God’s purposes and prophecies, particularly of his resurrection and exaltation, and to do a discipling work among all nations; and this commission was emphasized to them by Jesus just before his ascension to heaven. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/34/0" data-bid="35-1" class="b">Mt 28:19, 20;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/34/1" data-bid="35-2" class="b"> Ac 1:8,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/34/2" data-bid="35-3" class="b"> 22;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/34/3" data-bid="35-4" class="b"> 2:32-36;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/34/4" data-bid="35-5" class="b"> 3:15-26</a>) Their testimony concerning the resurrection was that of eyewitnesses.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/35/0" data-bid="36-1" class="b">Ac 13:30-34</a>.</p> <p id="p10" data-pid="10" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="9"></span><strong><em>Miraculous powers.</em></strong> Additionally, to fortify their testimony, the apostles continued to exercise the miraculous powers previously granted them by Jesus, and also other gifts of the spirit received from Pentecost forward. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/36/0" data-bid="37-1" class="b">Ac 5:12;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/36/1" data-bid="37-2" class="b"> 9:36-40</a>; see <a class="it" href="/en/wol/tc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/0">GIFTS FROM GOD</a> [Gifts of the Spirit].) While others, too, received such miraculous gifts of the spirit, the account shows that such was the case only when one or more of the apostles were present, or by the laying on of the hands of the apostles. Paul, though not one of the 12, also served in this way as an apostle personally appointed by Jesus Christ. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/37/0" data-bid="38-1" class="b">Ac 2:1,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/37/1" data-bid="38-2" class="b"> 4,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/37/2" data-bid="38-3" class="b"> 14;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/37/3" data-bid="38-4" class="b"> 8:14-18;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/37/4" data-bid="38-5" class="b"> 10:44;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/37/5" data-bid="38-6" class="b"> 19:6</a>) Thus the power to transmit such gifts was unique with these apostles. Such miraculous gifts would therefore pass away with the passing away of these apostles and of those who had received these gifts through the apostles (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/38/0" data-bid="39-1" class="b">1Co 13:2,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/38/1" data-bid="39-2" class="b"> 8-11</a>), and thus we read that these powers were “missing in the 2nd-century church, the writers of those days speaking of them as a thing in the past—in the apostolic age, in fact.”—<em>The Illustrated Bible Dictionary,</em> edited by J. D. Douglas, 1980, Vol. 1, p. 79.</p> <p id="p11" data-pid="11" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="10"></span><strong><em>Administrative position.</em></strong> In the formation, organization, and subsequent direction of the Christian congregation, the apostles occupied a primary position. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/39/0" data-bid="40-1" class="b">1Co 12:28;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/39/1" data-bid="40-2" class="b"> Eph 4:11</a>) Although they were joined by others of the “older men” in such supervision, they formed a principal part of the governing body of the expanding Christian congregation, and this body was recognized by the <span id="page129" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="129" data-before-text="129"></span>early Christians everywhere as the channel of communication used by God to render decisions and direct the affairs of the congregation throughout the earth. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/40/0" data-bid="41-1" class="b">Ac 2:42;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/40/1" data-bid="41-2" class="b"> 8:14-17;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/40/2" data-bid="41-3" class="b"> 11:22;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/40/3" data-bid="41-4" class="b"> 15:1, 2,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/40/4" data-bid="41-5" class="b"> 6-31;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/40/5" data-bid="41-6" class="b"> 16:4, 5</a>) This was possible for these men only because of the fulfillment of the promises about guidance by God’s holy spirit. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/41/0" data-bid="42-1" class="b">Joh 15:26, 27</a>) Such help enabled them to recall Jesus’ instructions and teachings, to clarify points of doctrine, and to be progressively guided “into all the truth” revealed through them at that apostolic period. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/42/0" data-bid="43-1" class="b">Joh 14:26;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/42/1" data-bid="43-2" class="b"> 16:13-15</a>; compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/43/0" data-bid="44-1" class="b">Joh 2:22;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/43/1" data-bid="44-2" class="b"> 12:16</a>.) They made appointments to positions of service within the congregation and also designated areas in which certain ones would engage in missionary activity.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/44/0" data-bid="45-1" class="b">Ac 6:2, 3;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/44/1" data-bid="45-2" class="b"> Ga 2:8, 9</a>.</p> <p id="p12" data-pid="12" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="11"></span>The apostles, therefore, served as a foundation, resting on Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone, for the building up of the “holy temple for Jehovah.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/45/0" data-bid="46-1" class="b">Eph 2:20-22;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/45/1" data-bid="46-2" class="b"> 1Pe 2:4-6</a>) There is no evidence of the primacy of any one apostle in the established Christian congregation. (See <a href="/en/wol/tc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/1">PETER</a>.) Peter and John appear to have been especially prominent at Pentecost and immediately thereafter, with Peter acting as the principal spokesman. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/0" data-bid="47-1" class="b">Ac 2:14,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/1" data-bid="47-2" class="b"> 37, 38;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/2" data-bid="47-3" class="b"> 3:1,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/3" data-bid="47-4" class="b"> 4,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/4" data-bid="47-5" class="b"> 11;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/5" data-bid="47-6" class="b"> 4:1,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/6" data-bid="47-7" class="b"> 13,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/7" data-bid="47-8" class="b"> 19;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/8" data-bid="47-9" class="b"> 5:3,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/9" data-bid="47-10" class="b"> 8,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/10" data-bid="47-11" class="b"> 15,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/46/11" data-bid="47-12" class="b"> 29</a>) However, in the decisions made at that time neither of these appears to have had a superiority over the others of the governing body, and when news arrived of the baptisms taking place in Samaria, the apostles in Jerusalem “dispatched [<em>a·peʹstei·lan</em>] Peter and John to them,” so that these two served, in effect, as apostles of the apostles. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/47/0" data-bid="48-1" class="b">Ac 6:2-6;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/47/1" data-bid="48-2" class="b"> 8:14, 15</a>) Following the death of the apostle James, the disciple of the same name, James the half brother of Jesus, appears to have presided in the governing body. Paul speaks of this James and also Peter (Cephas) and John as “the ones who seemed to be pillars.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/48/0" data-bid="49-1" class="b">Ac 12:1, 2,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/48/1" data-bid="49-2" class="b"> 16, 17;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/48/2" data-bid="49-3" class="b"> Ga 1:18, 19;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/48/3" data-bid="49-4" class="b"> 2:9,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/48/4" data-bid="49-5" class="b"> 11-14</a>) It was James who announced the final decision on the important issue of circumcision as involving the Gentile believers, at which meeting Peter and Paul both presented testimony.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/49/0" data-bid="50-1" class="b">Ac 15:1, 2,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/49/1" data-bid="50-2" class="b"> 6-21</a>.</p> <p id="p13" data-pid="13" class="sn"><strong><em>Who replaced Judas Iscariot as a twelfth apostle?</em></strong></p> <p id="p14" data-pid="14" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="12"></span>Because of the defection of Judas Iscariot, who died unfaithful, there were only 11 apostles remaining, and during the 40 days from Jesus’ resurrection until his ascension to heaven he made no appointment of a replacement. Sometime during the ten days between Jesus’ ascension and the day of Pentecost it was viewed as necessary that another be selected to fill the vacancy left by Judas, not simply on the basis of his death but, rather, on the basis of his wicked defection, as the Scriptures quoted by Peter indicate. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/50/0" data-bid="51-1" class="b">Ac 1:15-22;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/50/1" data-bid="51-2" class="b"> Ps 69:25;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/50/2" data-bid="51-3" class="b"> 109:8</a>; compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/51/0" data-bid="52-1" class="b">Re 3:11</a>.) Thus, by contrast, when the <em>faithful</em> apostle James was put to death, there is no record of any concern to appoint anyone to succeed him in his position of apostle.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/52/0" data-bid="53-1" class="b">Ac 12:2</a>.</p> <p id="p15" data-pid="15" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="13"></span>It is evident from Peter’s statements that it was then considered that any individual filling the position of an apostle of Jesus Christ must have the qualifications of having been personally conversant with him, having been an eyewitness of his works, his miracles, and particularly his resurrection. In view of this it can be seen that any apostolic succession would in course of time become an impossibility, unless there were divine action to supply these requirements in each individual case. At that particular time before Pentecost, however, there were men meeting these requirements, and two were put forth as suitable for replacing unfaithful Judas. Doubtless having in mind <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/53/0" data-bid="54-1" class="b">Proverbs 16:33</a>, lots were cast, and Matthias was selected and was thereafter “reckoned along with the eleven apostles.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/54/0" data-bid="55-1" class="b">Ac 1:23-26</a>) He is thus included among “the twelve” who settled the problem concerning the Greek-speaking disciples (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/55/0" data-bid="56-1" class="b">Ac 6:1, 2</a>), and evidently Paul includes him in referring to “the twelve” when speaking of Jesus’ postresurrection appearances at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/56/0" data-bid="57-1" class="b">1 Corinthians 15:4-8</a>. Thus, when Pentecost arrived, there were 12 apostolic foundations on which the spiritual Israel then formed could rest.</p> <p id="p16" data-pid="16" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="14"></span><strong>Congregational Apostleships.</strong> Matthias was not a mere apostle of the Jerusalem congregation, any more than the remaining 11 apostles were. His case is different from that of the Levite Joseph Barnabas who became an apostle of the congregation of Antioch, Syria. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/57/0" data-bid="58-1" class="b">Ac 13:1-4;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/57/1" data-bid="58-2" class="b"> 14:4,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/57/2" data-bid="58-3" class="b"> 14;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/57/3" data-bid="58-4" class="b"> 1Co 9:4-6</a>) Other men also are referred to as “apostles of congregations” in the sense that they were sent forth by such congregations to represent them. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/58/0" data-bid="59-1" class="b">2Co 8:23</a>) And, in writing to the Philippians, Paul speaks of Epaphroditus as “your envoy [<em>a·poʹsto·lon</em>] and private servant for my need.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/59/0" data-bid="60-1" class="b">Php 2:25</a>) The apostleship of these men was clearly not by virtue of any apostolic succession, nor did they form part of “the twelve” as did Matthias.</p> <p id="p17" data-pid="17" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="15"></span>The correct understanding of the wider application of the term “apostle” can help to clear away any apparent discrepancy between <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/60/0" data-bid="61-1" class="b">Acts 9:26, 27</a> and <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/61/0" data-bid="62-1" class="b">Galatians 1:17-19</a>, when applied to the same occasion. The first account states that Paul, on <span id="page130" class="pageNum" aria-hidden="true" data-no="130" data-before-text="130"></span>arriving in Jerusalem, was led “to the apostles” by Barnabas. In the account in Galatians, however, Paul states that he visited with Peter and adds: “But I saw no one else of the apostles, only James the brother of the Lord.” James (not the original apostle James the son of Zebedee nor James the son of Alphaeus, but the half brother of Jesus) was evidently viewed as an “apostle” in the wider sense, namely, as “one sent forth” by the Jerusalem congregation. This would allow for the Acts account to use the title in the plural in saying that Paul was led “to the apostles” (that is, Peter and James).—Compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/62/0" data-bid="63-1" class="b">1Co 15:5-7;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/62/1" data-bid="63-2" class="b"> Ga 2:9</a>.</p> <p id="p18" data-pid="18" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="16"></span><strong>The Selection of Paul.</strong> Probably about the year 34 C.E., Saul of Tarsus was converted and is later referred to as Paul. He did become a true apostle of Jesus Christ and was the direct choice of the resurrected and ascended Jesus Christ. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/63/0" data-bid="64-1" class="b">Ac 9:1-22;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/63/1" data-bid="64-2" class="b"> 22:6-21;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/63/2" data-bid="64-3" class="b"> 26:12-23;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/63/3" data-bid="64-4" class="b"> 13:9</a>) He argued on behalf of his apostleship and presented as his qualification the fact that he had seen the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ, that he had performed miracles, and that he had served as a channel for imparting the holy spirit to baptized believers. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/0" data-bid="65-1" class="b">1Co 9:1, 2;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/1" data-bid="65-2" class="b"> 15:9, 10;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/2" data-bid="65-3" class="b"> 2Co 12:12;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/3" data-bid="65-4" class="b"> 2Ti 1:1,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/4" data-bid="65-5" class="b"> 11;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/5" data-bid="65-6" class="b"> Ro 1:1;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/6" data-bid="65-7" class="b"> 11:13;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/64/7" data-bid="65-8" class="b"> Ac 19:5, 6</a>) Since the apostle James (the brother of John) was not killed until about the year 44 C.E., “the twelve” were yet alive at the time of Paul’s becoming an apostle. He nowhere includes himself among such “twelve,” while at the same time he acknowledges no inferiority in his apostleship compared with that of such ones.—<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/65/0" data-bid="66-1" class="b">Ga 2:6-9</a>.</p> <p id="p19" data-pid="19" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="17"></span>Matthias’ and Paul’s apostleships were both valid for the purpose for which those men were “sent forth,” yet when the apostle John saw the vision of the heavenly New Jerusalem in the Revelation (given about 96 C.E.) he saw only 12 foundation stones and on them inscribed “the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/66/0" data-bid="67-1" class="b">Re 21:14</a>) The testimony of the Holy Scriptures is clear that the apostle Paul was never referred to as one of “the twelve.” Therefore, it logically follows that one of “the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” inscribed on the foundation stones of the New Jerusalem is that of Matthias and not that of Paul. This means that the vision of the apostle John reflects the situation that existed at the start of the Christian congregation on the day of Pentecost in the year 33 C.E.—See <a href="/en/wol/tc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/2">PAUL</a>.</p> <p id="p20" data-pid="20" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="18"></span><strong>End of the Apostolic Period.</strong> Though the Bible does not relate the death of the 12 apostles, aside from that of James, the evidence available indicates that they maintained their faithfulness until death and therefore needed no replacement. Concerning history in the following centuries, the observation is made that “whenever it [the term “apostle”] is applied to individuals in later Christian literature, the use of the term is metaphorical. The church has never had apostles in the N[ew] T[estament] sense since the first century.”—<em>The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible,</em> edited by G. A. Buttrick, 1962, Vol. 1, p. 172.</p> <p id="p21" data-pid="21" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="19"></span>During their lifetime the apostles’ presence served as a restraint upon the influences of apostasy, holding back the forces of false worship within the Christian congregation. It is evidently to this “restraint” that the apostle Paul referred at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/67/0" data-bid="68-1" class="b">2 Thessalonians 2:7</a>: “True, the mystery of this lawlessness is already at work; but only till he who is right now acting as a restraint gets to be out of the way.” (Compare <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/68/0" data-bid="69-1" class="b">Mt 13:24, 25;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/68/1" data-bid="69-2" class="b"> Ac 20:29, 30</a>.) This apostolic influence, including the authority and powers unique with them, continued until the death of John about 100 C.E. (<a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/69/0" data-bid="70-1" class="b">1Jo 2:26;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/69/1" data-bid="70-2" class="b"> 3Jo 9, 10</a>) The rapid influx of apostasy and false doctrine and practices after the death of the apostles shows that any pretended apostolic successors had none of the restraining influence of the apostles.</p> <p id="p22" data-pid="22" class="sb"><span class="parNum" data-pnum="20"></span>The reference to Andronicus and Junias at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/70/0" data-bid="71-1" class="b">Romans 16:7</a> as “men of note among the apostles” indicates, not that they were apostles, but, rather, that they were held in high repute <em>by</em> the apostles. That some made false pretenses of being “apostles of Christ” is shown at <a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/71/0" data-bid="72-1" class="b">2 Corinthians 11:5,</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/71/1" data-bid="72-2" class="b"> 13;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/71/2" data-bid="72-3" class="b"> 12:11, 12;</a><a href="/en/wol/bc/r1/lp-e/1200000310/71/3" data-bid="72-4" class="b"> Revelation 2:2</a>.</p> <p id="p23" data-pid="23" class="sb"></p> <!-- Root element of lightbox --> <div class="pswp" tabindex="-1" role="dialog" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="pswp__bg"></div> <div class="pswp__scroll-wrap"> <!-- Container that holds slides. --> <div class="pswp__container"> <div class="pswp__item"></div> <div class="pswp__item"></div> <div class="pswp__item"></div> </div> <div class="pswp__ui pswp__ui--hidden"> <div class="pswp__top-bar"> <div class="pswp__counter"></div> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--close" title="Close (Esc)"></button> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--fs" title="Toggle fullscreen"></button> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--zoom" title="Zoom in/out"></button> <div class="pswp__preloader"> <div class="pswp__preloader__icn"> <div class="pswp__preloader__cut"> <div class="pswp__preloader__donut"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pswp__share-modal pswp__share-modal--hidden pswp__single-tap"> <div class="pswp__share-tooltip"></div> </div> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--arrow--left" title="Previous (arrow left)"> </button> <button class="pswp__button pswp__button--arrow--right" title="Next (arrow right)"> </button> <div class="pswp__caption"> <div class="pswp__caption__center"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="questionContainer"> <ul></ul> </div> <div id="galleryModalContainer" class="underlay full fadeOut"> <div id="galleryModal"> <div class="header"> <div class="loading hidden"><span class="icon"></span></div> <div class="galleryHeaderButtons"> <div class="galleryPlayCaption"> <div class="galleryBtn playPauseBtn hidden"><span class="icon"></span></div> </div> <div class="galleryBtn galleryClose"> <div class="closeBtn"><span class="icon"></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="contents"> <div class="gallery"> <div class="galleryWrapper"> <div class="navWrapper"> <div class="itemContainer"></div> </div> <div class="carouselContainer noTooltips"> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationChapterManyVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {BibleChapter}:{StartingBibleVerse}-{EndingBibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationChapterVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {BibleChapter}:{BibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationChapterVerseRangeFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {StartingBibleChapter}:{StartingBibleVerse}-{EndingBibleChapter}:{EndingBibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationSingleChapterManyVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {StartingBibleVerse}-{EndingBibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="bibleDocumentNavigationSingleChapterSingleVerseFormat" value="{BibleBookName} {BibleVerse}"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentNavigationMultiplePagesPositionFormat" value="Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 p. {StartingPageNumber}-{EndingPageNumber}"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentNavigationSinglePagePositionFormat" value="Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1 p. {PageNumber}"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentDescription" value="Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1"/> <input type="hidden" id="englishSym" value="it-1"/> <input type="hidden" id="pubMediaServer" value="https://b.jw-cdn.org/apis/pub-media/GETPUBMEDIALINKS"/> <input type="hidden" id="audioPubSym" value="it-1"/> <input type="hidden" id="chapNo" value="-1"/> <input type="hidden" id="issue" value=""/> <input type="hidden" id="docId" value="1200000310"/> <input type="hidden" id="documentInBible" value=""/> <input type="hidden" id="hasRuby" value="false" /> <input type="hidden" id="isRuby" value="false" /> <input type="hidden" id="shareBaseUrl" value="https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1200000310&srctype=wol&srcid=share"/> <input type="hidden" id="shareType" value="document"/> <input type="hidden" id="contentTitle" value="Apostle"/> <input type="hidden" id="parentTitle" value="Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1"/> <input type="hidden" id="contentThumbnail" value="/img/document@3x.png"/> </article> </div></div> </div> <div id="regionFooter" class="chrome showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <input id="returnToLibrary" type="hidden" value="Return to {LibraryName}" /> <div id="userStatus" class="hidden" data-library-color=""> <div class="ellipsized currentLibrary"> <a class="chrome librarySelectionLink spriteLink" data-lang="E" href="/en/wol/li/r1/lp-e"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label ellipsized showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr">English Publications (1950-2025)</span> </a> <div id="cookieLibrary"> </div> </div> <div class="currentUser ellipsized"> <a id="userStatusLabel" class="statusLabel" href="#"> <span class="userName ellipsized"></span> </a> <div id="userControls" class="userControls hidden"> <span id="headerLogout" class="hidden"> <a class="statusItem userLogoutLink" href="#">Log Out</a> </span> </div> </div> <div id="headerLogin" class="hidden"> <a class="statusButton userLoginLink" href="#">Log In</a> </div> </div> <div id="contentFooterNavigation" role="navigation" class=" showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <ul class="contentFooterIcons" role="menubar" class="chrome"> <li id="libraryTitle" class="chrome" role="menuitem" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a class="spriteLink" data-lang="E" href="/en/wol/li/r1/lp-e"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">English</span> </a> </li> <li id="contentFooterShare" role="menuitem" aria-label="share"> <a id="shareButtonFooter" class="shareButtonFooterIcon spriteLink hidden" href="#"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">Share</span> </a> </li> <li id="contentFooterPreferences" role="menuitem" aria-label="preferences"> <a class="spriteLink" href="/en/wol/pref/r1/lp-e?url=%2Fen%2Fwol%2Fd%2Fr1%2Flp-e%2F1200000310" rel="nofollow"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">Preferences</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div id="contentFooterLegal" class=" showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <ul class="contentFooterList" role="menubar"> <li class="showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011511" target="_blank">Copyright</a> © 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011511" target="_blank">Terms of Use</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011512" target="_blank">Privacy Policy</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.jw.org/finder?prefer=content&wtlocale=E&docid=1011512" id="privacySettingsButton" class="hidden" target="_blank">Privacy Settings</a> </li> <li id="jworg" role="menuitem" aria-label="jw.org"> <a id="jworgLogo" class="spriteLink" target="_blank" href="https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=1011200"> <span class="icon"></span> <span class="label">JW.ORG</span> </a> </li> <li id="footerLogin" class="clickable hidden"> <a class="statusButton userLoginLink" href="#">Log In</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div id="dialogContainer" class=" showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"></div> <div id="modalUnderlayContainer" class="underlay" tabindex="-1"></div> <div id="underlayContainer" class="underlay" touch-action="none"></div> <!-- share dialog --> <input type="hidden" id="mobileNativeShare" value=""/> <div class="jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div id="shareForm" class="hidden"> <div> <div class="header chrome"> Share <div class="closeBtn" aria-label="close" onclick="app.modal.removeModals();"> <span class="icon"></span> </div> </div> <form class="content"> <div class="shareFormWrapper"> <div> <img class="sharePublicationImage" /> </div> <div class="shareInfoContainer"> <div class="jwac showRuby ml-E ms-ROMAN dir-ltr" lang="en" data-lang="E" dir="ltr"> <div class="shareContentParentTitle"></div> <div class="shareContentTitle"></div> </div> <input id="shareLink" class="shareLink" type="text" readonly dir="ltr" /> <button type="button" class="grayButton small shareCopyButton" aria-label="copy" onClick="app.utilities.copyToClipboard(document.getElementById('shareLink').value)"> <span class="icon"></span> </button> <div class="shareButtonContainer"> <button type="button" class="grayButton shareMailButton" onClick="app.share.sendEmail();"> <span class="icon"></span> Share Via Email </button> </div> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> <!-- end share dialog --> </div> <input type="hidden" id="newMeetingsPage" value="yes"/> <script src="https://b.jw-cdn.org/code/media-player/v3.0.0/js/media-player.min.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/+1+d47041617fdb857d64eb29a3250d908664adf0ef.js"></script> <script src="/assets/js/+2+78d2ab9b80a87e1396c3a1b7455ec10cece44b68.js"></script> </body> </html>