The apostles were men chosen and sent by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel, teach the truth, and lay the foundation of the Church. They were eyewitnesses of His life, death, and resurrection, and carried His authority to spread the message to the world.
When you hear the word “apostle,” think messenger on a mission. In the Bible, “apostle” means one who is sent. The apostles were not self-appointed. They were personally chosen by Jesus Christ, given His message, and sent into the world to deliver it.
From the shores of Galilee to the streets of Jerusalem, these men walked with Christ, learned from Him, and saw His miracles firsthand. They heard His voice, felt His touch, and knew His heart. Most of all, they witnessed His death and His resurrection. That made them powerful witnesses for the gospel (Acts 1:21–22).
1. Chosen by Christ
Jesus did not pick men based on fame, education, or wealth. He chose fishermen, a tax collector, and ordinary men (Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9). He called them by name and appointed them “so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14). Their authority came from Christ alone.
2. Sent with a Mission
The apostles were charged with proclaiming the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8). They were to teach, baptize, and make disciples. They did not carry their own ideas—they carried Christ’s commands. Wherever they went, they planted churches and trained leaders to continue the mission.
3. Confirmed by Signs
God confirmed the apostles’ message with signs and wonders. Healings, deliverance from demons, and even raising the dead showed that they truly spoke for God (Acts 2:43; Hebrews 2:3–4). These miracles were not for show. They were evidence that the gospel was true and that the kingdom of God had come in Christ.
4. Foundation of the Church
The apostles’ role was unique and unrepeatable. Paul says the Church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20). Their teachings, preserved in the New Testament (2 Peter 1:21), continues to guide the Church today.
5. Lessons from the Apostles
The apostles were not perfect men. Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:61–62). Thomas doubted His resurrection (John 20:24–29). Yet, filled with the Holy Spirit, they became bold witnesses willing to suffer and die for the name of Christ. All but one of the original apostles were martyred for their faith. Their lives remind us that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things for His glory.
Are There Apostles Today?
In the strictest biblical sense, there are no apostles today like the original twelve plus Paul. They were eyewitnesses of the risen Christ and were directly commissioned by Him (1 Corinthians 9:1). However, the Church still sends out missionaries and church planters in the spirit of the apostles’ work—taking the gospel to unreached places, teaching, and making disciples.
Why This Matters
To understand the apostles is to understand the roots of the Christian faith. The message we believe today is the same message they preached: Jesus Christ died for sinners and rose again to give eternal life. Their courage, sacrifice, and faithfulness challenge us to live as witnesses in our own generation.
Faith Lesson
You may not be an apostle, but, if you truly a Christian by faith in Jesus alone, you are still sent. If you belong to Christ, you are His ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20). Speak His Word with courage. Live with integrity. Carry His name into your home, workplace, and neighborhood. Like the apostles, your mission is clear: make Jesus known.