# apostle, apostleship

## Definition:

The “apostles” were men sent by Jesus to preach about God and his kingdom. The term “apostleship” refers to the position and authority of those who were chosen as apostles.

* The word “apostle” means “someone who is sent out for a special purpose.” The apostle has the same authority as the one who sent him.
* Jesus’ twelve closest disciples became the first apostles. Other men, such as Paul and James, also became apostles.
* By God’s power, the apostles were able to boldly preach the gospel and heal people, and were able to force demons to come out of people.

## Translation Suggestions:

* The word “apostle” can also be translated with a word or phrase that means “someone who is sent out” or “sent-out one” or “person who is called to go out and preach God’s message to people.”
* It is important to translate the terms “apostle” and “disciple” in different ways.
* Also consider how this term was translated in a Bible translation in a local or national language. (See [How to Translate Unknowns](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown))

(See also: [authority](../kt/authority.md), [disciple](../kt/disciple.md), [James (son of Zebedee)](../names/jamessonofzebedee.md), [Paul](../names/paul.md), [the twelve](../kt/thetwelve.md))

## Bible References:

* [Jude 01:17-19](rc://en/tn/help/jud/01/17)
* [Luke 09:12-14](rc://en/tn/help/luk/09/12)

## Examples from the Bible stories:

* __[26:10](rc://en/tn/help/obs/26/10)__ Then Jesus chose twelve men who were called his __apostles__. The __apostles__  traveled with Jesus and learned from him.
* __[30:01](rc://en/tn/help/obs/30/01)__ Jesus sent his __apostles__  to preach and to teach people in many different villages.
* __[38:02](rc://en/tn/help/obs/38/02)__ Judas was one of Jesus’ __apostles__. He was in charge of the __apostles’__  money bag, but he loved money and often stole from the bag.
* __[43:13](rc://en/tn/help/obs/43/13)__ The disciples devoted themselves to the __apostles’__  teaching, fellowship, eating together, and prayer.
* __[46:08](rc://en/tn/help/obs/46/08)__ Then a believer named Barnabas took Saul to the __apostles__  and told them how Saul had preached boldly in Damascus.


## Word Data:

* Strong’s: G651, G652, G2491, G5376, G5570
