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Bible Dictionaries
Apostle
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary
or A messenger or envoy. The term is applied to Jesus Christ, who was God's envoy to save the world, Hebrews 3:1; though, more commonly, the title is given to persons who were envoys commissioned by the Savior himself.
The apostles of Jesus Christ were his chief disciples, whom he invested with authority, filled with his Spirit, entrusted particularly with his doctrines and services, and chose to raise the edifice of his church. They were twelve in number, answering to the twelve tribes. Matthew 19:28 , and were plain, unlearned men, chosen from the common people. After their calling and charge, Matthew 10:5-42 , they attended their divine Master, witnessing his works, imbibing his spirit, and gradually learning the facts and doctrines of the gospel. After his resurrection, he sent them into all the world, commissioned to preach, to baptize, to work miracles, etc. See John 15:27 1 Corinthians 9:1 15:8 2 Corinthians 12:12 1 Thessalonians 2:13 . The names of the twelve are, Simon Peter; Andrew, his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, called also "the greater;" John, his brother; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew, or Levi; Simon the Canaanite; Lebbeus, surnamed Thaddeus, also called Judas or Jude; James, "the less," the son of Alphaeus; and Judas Iscariot, Matthew 10:2-4 Mark 3:16 Luke 6:14 . The last betrayed his Master, and then hanged himself, and Matthias was chosen in his place, Acts 1:15-26 . In the Acts of the Apostles are recorded the self-sacrificing toils and sufferings of these Christlike men, who did that which was "right in the sight of God" from love to their Lord; and gave themselves wholly to their work, with a zeal, love, and faith Christ delighted to honor-teaching us that apostolic graces alone can secure apostolic successes.
These files are public domain and are a derivative of the topics are from American Tract Society Bible Dictionary published in 1859.
Rand, W. W. Entry for 'Apostle'. American Tract Society Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ats/a/apostle.html. 1859.
