The Apostles - 12, and then some

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

During the Easter season, we are especially reminded of the Good News that has been offered to all the world: salvation through the risen Lord.

The first people charged with spreading that good news were the Lord's chosen disciples, which included the special group of followers called "The Twelve." In a little over one month's time - May 3 (Philip and James th e Less), May 14 (Matthias) and June 29 (Peter and Paul) - the church marks feasts of four of these Twelve major apostles.

Apostle comes from a Greek word - apostolos - which means one who is sent, as is a messenger, emissary or ambassador.

Capital A

Throughout church history, there have been several uses of the word "apostle."

First among these would be the apostles who are the Twelve. They were the chosen disciples whom Jesus first sent out to preach and cast out demons (Mk 3:14-15). They are named in the Gospels (Mk 3:13-19, Mt 10:1-4, Lk 6:12-16) as Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathaneal), Thomas, James (the less), Matthew, Simon, Thaddeus and Matthias (chosen to replace Judas Iscariot). After the Ascension of the Lord, they were sent to baptize and spread the gospel to the world. They became the center around which leadership and authority developed in the early church.

Other early apostles

There were others in that early church, though, who were also called apostles. They include Mary Magdalene, sent by the Lord on Easter morning to tell the others of his resurrection, and Paul, the "apostle to the Gentiles." References to more "apostles" can be found in other New Testament writings and include Barnabas, a companion of Paul (Acts 14:40, Adronicus and Junia (Rom 16:7) and Epaphroditus (Phil 2:25).

Each of these also fulfilled the basic requirements of apostleship - being witnesses to the risen Lord and being sent by that same Lord with a message. Always, they acted as delegates of the Lord who was their example of servant leadership. The letter to the Hebrews even calls Jesus himself an apostle (3:1) and high priest in the pattern of Moses, though far superior to Moses.

The guidance of the apostles set the foundations of the early church - as is so figuratively portrayed by the foundation stones of the Temple in Revelation (21:14). The church always turned to the authority of apostles. In the late first century book of instructions, known as "the Teachings of the Apostles" (The Didache), people were told apostles were to "be received as the Lord." However, it also stressed that apostles were always on a journey, traveling from place to place, never settling in an area or accepting more recompense than they needed for their journey.

Later apostles

While people often think of the term "apostle" as applying only to the Twelve - and St. Paul - the church has also recognized others as apostles (those who are sent with messages) to various groups. These saints served as pioneers of the faith to "the ends of the earth." So there are, along with Paul - the Apostle to the Gentiles - leaders like Patrick (the apostle to Ireland), Boniface (the apostle to Germany), and the two brothers Cyril and Methodius (the apostles to the Slavs).

Carrying on

While the title of Apostle (with a capital A) may be reserved to the Twelve, the mission to carry the message of salvation in Christ to the world remains. It is given, of course, to the successors to the apostles - the bishops and those they ordain. And, in a different but very real way, it is given to all those who bear the name "Christian."

Our incorporation into Christ, via baptism, gives us a share in his mission.

"The whole Church is apostolic," the Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, "in that she remains ... in communion of faith and life with her origin: and in that she is 'sent out' into the whole world. All the members of the Church share in this mission, though in various ways" (n. 863).

While no one is likely to be given the title of apostle today, the work of the apostles goes on. Through the power of the church - and the Holy Spirit dwelling within that church - Christ's ambassadors are sent out every day, bringing the good news that casts out all evil and brings healing and salvation to the ends of the earth.