That's the joy of learning New Testament theology, and the beauty of hashing those things out in academic dialogue.
There really is no proof. But if anyone excepts that Apostles, in a primary sense, function today, we have lost the record of such. Except, of course, from the 3rd Century on under the Catholic Church.
That's the joy of learning New Testament theology, and the beauty of hashing those things out in academic dialogue.
There really is no proof. But if anyone excepts that Apostles, in a primary sense, function today, we have lost the record of such. Except, of course, from the 3rd Century on under the Catholic Church.
How is the case for 1st Century Apostles any different from those of the 21st Century?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
How is the case for 1st Century Apostles any different from those of the 21st Century?
The question implies the intention of those who walked with Jesus and were initially sent as his Apostles is an office that continues.
We don't find any such "passing on" of Apostleship. There is installation of elders, bishops, deacons. And there even thoughs who do "apostlilary" work, but the idea that the foundation given the church -- Jesus and his Apostles -- I believe is just that, a cemented foundation.
The question implies the intention of those who walked with Jesus and were initially sent as his Apostles is an office that continues.
We don't find any such "passing on" of Apostleship. There is installation of elders, bishops, deacons. And there even thoughs who do "apostlilary" work, but the idea that the foundation given the church -- Jesus and his Apostles -- I believe is just that, a cemented foundation.
That's a commonly held view, yes. But is it derived from scripture? Does the Bible define apostles that way?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
That's a commonly held view, yes. But is it derived from scripture? Does the Bible define apostles that way?
Actually, there are pretty stringent definitions of Apostles found in scripture. Most of them, ironically, we get from Paul. Paul was an exception, since one of the primary criteria for an Apostle was that they were actually and literally sent by Jesus, and walked with Him.
There are biblical definitions, as we find them in the Story. There is no systematic unraveling of this. We learn from history and the Story.
How is the case for 1st Century Apostles any different from those of the 21st Century?
Apostle comes from the word "sent" so in a way whenever God sends someone somewhere, that person is an apostle. I'm using that pretty loosely.
The New Testament speaks about the 12 apostles of the Lamb in Revelation 21:14. Yet there are over 20 people (including one woman) called apostles in the NT. Ephesians 2:20 speaks about the church being built upon the apostles and prophets. Some consider this a reference to the NT writers (apostles) and the OT writers(prophets). Some distinguish between apostles of the Lamb (chosen personally by Jesus when here as a man) and ascension apostles (chosen by Jesus after He ascended to Heaven). This MAY explain why we look at the writings of the foundational apostles of the first century in a different way than we look at the writings of current apostles. It MAY explain why we look at the writings of the Old Testament prophets in a different way than we look at the writings of current prophets.
Now, one problem this theory presents is, Where does Paul fit in? He was definitely not chosen by Jesus when Jesus was here in the flesh, but he did receive a personal post resurrection visit from Jesus. And, Paul considered himself an Apostle.
The question implies the intention of those who walked with Jesus and were initially sent as his Apostles is an office that continues.
...
Jesus chose 12 as apostles. This is recorded in Luke 9:1-6 and Matthew 10:1-2. Later (10 months later?) He chose 70 others and sent them out. The choosing of the 70 and their sending out is recorded in Luke 10:1. It says He sent (Greek word apostello, Stong's no. 649) them. Some consider the 70 to be apostles also. If I remember correctly, some Orthodox teachers say that Barnabas (companion of Paul on his first missionary trip and called apostle in Acts 14:14) was an apostle based on being one of those 70 in Luke 10:1.
Apostle comes from the word "sent" so in a way whenever God sends someone somewhere, that person is an apostle. I'm using that pretty loosely.
The New Testament speaks about the 12 apostles of the Lamb in Revelation 21:14. Yet there are over 20 people (including one woman) called apostles in the NT. Ephesians 2:20 speaks about the church being built upon the apostles and prophets. Some consider this a reference to the NT writers (apostles) and the OT writers(prophets). Some distinguish between apostles of the Lamb (chosen personally by Jesus when here as a man) and ascension apostles (chosen by Jesus after He ascended to Heaven). This MAY explain why we look at the writings of the foundational apostles of the first century in a different way than we look at the writings of current apostles. It MAY explain why we look at the writings of the Old Testament prophets in a different way than we look at the writings of current prophets.
Now, one problem this theory presents is, Where does Paul fit in? He was definitely not chosen by Jesus when Jesus was here in the flesh, but he did receive a personal post resurrection visit from Jesus. And, Paul considered himself an Apostle.
And he considered himself an Apostle, confirmed by the authority of the Apostles! His unique encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road and his purpose as an Apostle for the Gentiles cannot be overlooked.
The 12 Apostles of the Lamb must be seen as significant with the number 12.
The sense used for the Apostles (the office in the church) and those who functioned as apostles (missionary helpers like Barnabas) who are literally "sent to others" is a fundamental difference.
The word "apostle" has two meanings, the broader meaning of a messenger and the narrow meaning of an early apostle directly linked to Jesus Christ. The more general meaning of the word is translated into Latin as 'missio', and from this word we get 'missionary.' .
This was interesting:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born
—1Corinthians 15:3-8
The text has some unresolved issues. Paul does not refer to "the Twelve" anywhere else in his writings, nor did he ever limit the usage of the word "Apostle" to the Twelve disciples who by definition were the ones appointed as Apostles. Also, by the time Jesus resurrected, the number of Apostles in the Markan tradition should have been down to eleven, since Judas Iscariot was not among them any more. Furthermore, the text seems to have two redundant lists: the first starting with Cephas (Peter) and the second starting with James.
Since Paul claimed to have received the gospel through a revelation of Jesus Christ[17] after the latter's death and resurrection (rather than before like the twelve), he was often obliged to defend his apostolic authority (1 Cor. 9:1 "Am I not an apostle?") and proclaim that he had seen and was anointed by Jesus while on the road to Damascus; but James, Peter and John in Jerusalem accepted his calling to the apostleship from the Lord to the Gentiles (specifically those not circumcised) as of equal authority as Peter's to the Jews (specifically those circumcised) according to Paul. [Gal 2:7-9]
And your note about a female apostle, Sam, should be clarified. Many believe Junia's name was not isolated, but with Andronicus, who many believed was her husband. Similar to Priscilla and Aquila. These were most likely what we call today, a missionary team.
Of the groups that claim a continual Apostleship (in the primary sense), would be RCC, LDS and fringe Pentecostal/Charismatic churches.
Jesus chose 12 as apostles. This is recorded in Luke 9:1-6 and Matthew 10:1-2. Later (10 months later?) He chose 70 others and sent them out. The choosing of the 70 and their sending out is recorded in Luke 10:1. It says He sent (Greek word apostello, Stong's no. 649) them. Some consider the 70 to be apostles also. If I remember correctly, some Orthodox teachers say that Barnabas (companion of Paul on his first missionary trip and called apostle in Acts 14:14) was an apostle based on being one of those 70 in Luke 10:1.
All are distinct from the Twelve, and primary Apostles. These weren't "sent" by some dramatic empowerment. These were also those who followed Jesus around, and Matthew 10 comes right after this crowd was challenged by Jesus to "rough it" with Him. Jesus referred to his own disciples in different language, not just sharing a word used by the Gospel writer to describe those assigned a task by Jesus. IMO Matthew 10 is a glimpse into the future of what the Church would look like when Jesus would dispense gifts to all believers. In fact, in vv23-24, where the 70 return from their task triumphantly, he tells them basically something similar.
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