The Apostles of Jesus Christ: Criteria, Mission, Role, and Function

By Robert Alan King

The Apostles of Jesus Christ: Criteria, Mission, Role, and Function by Robert Alan King is a book with over 6,600 words. In this book, King discusses the calling of the apostles and the replacement of Judas after his betrayal as well as the criteria for the office of an apostle. He explores the apostle's mission, purpose and role for Christ. In addition, the book examines passages that use the Greek noun apostolos (apostle) for others besides the 12 and determines if they are being called apostles in the strict sense of the term or if it is being used in a loose way that simply conveys the proper meaning of the Greek word as being sent from someone or somewhere as an envoy or representative. In addition, the study will explain why the apostolic office was exclusively designated for the beginning of the church, becoming obsolete after the death of the 12 apostles. Robert Alan King is an ordained minister through Calvary Chapel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Alan King
• Release date: May 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301070633

Robert Alan King

Robert Alan King is an ordained minister through Calvary Chapel who has written numerous theological and inspirational articles for a variety of publications, including Advocate, The Church Herald & Holiness Banner, Companions, The Priest, Proclaim, Pulpit Helps, Vista, War Cry, and Decision Magazine. He also has authored numerous printed books and dozens of eBooks.King has a Master of Arts Degree Sum Cum Laude in Psychology from Touro University Worldwide with an 4.0 institutional GPA, a Bachelor of Science Degree Cum Laude in Bible and Theology from Lee University with an 4.0 institutional GPA, and an Associate of Arts Degree with an emphasis in Science from Coastline Community College. He has a total of at least 256 units of education from universities, seminaries or colleges. This includes at least 130 units of Bible and theology related classes from Lee University, Calvary Chapel Bible College, and Chafer Theological Seminary.

Book preview

The Apostles of Jesus Christ: Criteria, Mission, Role, and Function

By Robert Alan King

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 by King & Associates. All Rights Reserved.

Published by King & Associates, Casa Grande, Arizona.

For a complete catalog of books and publications by Robert Alan King, visit BibleCommentator.com. This site also provides you with news on his upcoming titles. In addition, you can read many other articles by King on a wide variety of biblical issues.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

The Twelve Apostles

The Criteria of an Apostle

The Mission and Role of the Apostles

Other Biblical References to Apostles

Conclusion

Footnotes

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Introduction

Apostle comes from the Greek noun apostolos and generally means those who are sent out or away as a messenger, ambassador, envoy, and/or expedition to represent someone or something, usually on important matters, while often possessing a high degree of authority. Josephus uses the same noun for an embassy sent by the nation of Israel to represent the Jews before general Varus in Rome in a petition for the freedom to live by their own laws.¹ It was also used in classical Greek literature for envoys sent out on behalf of various cities to offer a truce or secure an ally during a time of war.2 The overall sense of apostle in the New Testament is one who was sent by Jesus (cf. John 13:16 that has apostolos) and invested with a high degree of authority as his representative to those whom he was sent. The apostles were his envoys and ambassadors to the world here on the earth (John 20:21).

In this book, we will discuss the calling of the apostles and the replacement of Judas after his betrayal as well as the criteria for the office of an apostle. We will also explore the apostle's mission, purpose and role for Christ. In addition, we will examine passages that use the Greek noun apostolos (apostle) for others besides the 12 and determines if they are being called apostles in the strict sense of the term or if it is being used in a loose way that simply conveys