“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother] of James” (
Acts 1:1313And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. (Acts 1:13)). Matthias was elected to fill the place of Judas Iscariot (
Acts 1:2626And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)).
An apostle was a messenger, a sent one, and so we read in Luke 9: “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent (apostello) them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-21Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1‑2)). The Lord only applies the term apostles to the twelve: “And when it was day, He called [unto Him] His disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named apostles” (Luke 6:1313And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; (Luke 6:13)). An apostle was one that had seen the Lord, especially in resurrection. We see this in particular in the choosing of Matthias. “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection” (Acts 1:21-2221Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:21‑22)). We also read it of the apostle Paul: “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:11Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1)).
With their apostleship restated in the first chapter of Acts, the only apostles mentioned again are Peter, James, John, James the son of Alphaeus,3 and Judas the brother of James. And of James the brother of John, the only detail we have concerns his death: “And he [Herod] killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:22And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. (Acts 12:2)). This is not to say that the apostles did not continue on the ministry, but rather, they did it quietly and for their Lord. Secular history has various accounts of each apostle, with all but the apostle John suffering a martyr’s death. The apostles laid the foundation. Once the work of the apostles was complete, they passed from the scene. There are no apostles today.
The Apostle Paul
There is one other apostle aside from the twelve, the apostle Paul. Paul’s apostleship was unique. Like the twelve, he had seen the Lord, but his view was of a heavenly Christ: “And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (1 Corinthians 15:8-98And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:8‑9)). His apostleship was not connected with Jerusalem or with the twelve, as he emphasizes in his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 1-2). “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:88Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Ephesians 3:8)). Called to be an apostle by the Lord from heaven (see Acts 9), he is charged with the gospel of the glory. It not only brings salvation, great as that is, but it separates the believer from earth, and conforms him to Christ as He is in glory.4 An outline of the apostle’s life from Miller’s Church History is presented below:
AD 36 Conversion of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9).
40-43 Paul preaches the gospel in Syria and Cilicia (Galatians 1:2121Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; (Galatians 1:21)), a period of uncertain length. During this time he probably undergoes the chief part of the perils and sufferings, which he recounts to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 11:24-2824Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:24‑28)). He is brought from Tarsus to Antioch by Barnabas; and stays there a year before the famine (Acts 11:2626And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26)).
46-49 Paul’s First Missionary Journey with Barnabas — goes to Cyprus, Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and back through the same places to Antioch. Dissension and disputation about circumcision (Acts 13-15:2).
52 Entrance of the gospel into Europe (Acts 16:11-1311Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. (Acts 16:11‑13)). Paul visits Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth (Acts 18:1111And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:11)). First Epistle to the Thessalonians written.
54 Paul’s Fourth Visit to Jerusalem at the feast. Returns to Antioch.
54-56 Paul’s Third Missionary Journey. He departs from Antioch — visits Galatia and Phrygia, and reaches Ephesus, where he stays two years and three months. Here Paul separates the disciples from the Jewish synagogue. Epistle to the Galatians written.
“When divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he [Paul] departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus” (Acts 19:8-98And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. (Acts 19:8‑9)).
57 (Spring) First Epistle to the Corinthians written. The tumult at Ephesus — Paul leaves for Macedonia (Acts 19:23; 20:123And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. (Acts 19:23)
1And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. (Acts 20:1)).
(Autumn) Second Epistle to the Corinthians written (2 Corinthians 1:8; 2:13-14; 7:5; 8:1; 9:18For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: (2 Corinthians 1:8)
13I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia. 14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:13‑14)
5For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. (2 Corinthians 7:5)
1Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; (2 Corinthians 8:1)
1For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: (2 Corinthians 9:1)). Paul visits Illyricum — goes to Corinth — winters there (Romans 15:1919Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19); 1 Corinthians 16:66And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. (1 Corinthians 16:6)).
59 (Spring) The Epistle to the Romans written (Romans 15:25-28; 16:21-2325But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. (Romans 15:25‑28)
21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. 22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. 23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. (Romans 16:21‑23); Acts 20:4). Paul leaves Corinth — passes through Macedonia — sails from Philippi — preaches at Troas — addresses the elders at Miletus — visits Tyre and Caesarea (Acts 20; 21:1-14).
58-60 Paul’s Fifth Visit to Jerusalem before Pentecost. He is arrested in the Temple, brought before Ananias and the Sanhedrim, sent by Lysias to Caesarea, where he is kept in bonds two years (Acts 22-24).
60 Paul heard by Felix and Festus. He appeals unto Caesar — preaches before Agrippa, Bernice, and the men of Caesarea (Acts 25-26).
(Autumn) Paul sails for Italy. (Winter) Shipwrecked at Malta
(Acts 27).
61 (Spring) Arrives at Rome — dwells two years in his own hired house.
62 (Spring) Epistles to Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians written. (Autumn) Epistle to the Philippians written.
64 Visits Crete and leaves Titus there — exhorts Timothy to abide at Ephesus. First Epistle to Timothy written. Epistle to Titus written.
64-67 Intends to winter at Nicopolis (Titus 3:1212When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. (Titus 3:12)). Visits Troas, Corinth, Miletum (2 Timothy 4:13-2013The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. (2 Timothy 4:13‑20)). Paul arrested and sent to Rome. Deserted and solitary — having only Luke, of his old associates, with him. Second Epistle to Timothy written, probably not long before his death. These journeys and events are generally supposed to cover a period of about three years.
67 Paul’s martyrdom.