Apostles
New Testament verses:
Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother.
Mark 6:30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.
Luke 9:10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
Luke 11:49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute.
Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Luke 22:14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen.
Acts 1:25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus.
Acts 4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 5:12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
Acts 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space.
Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Acts 6:6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money.
Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
Acts 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out.
Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
Acts 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Acts 15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren.
Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
Acts 15:33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.
Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.
Romans 16:7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
1 Corinthians 1:1 Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother.
1 Corinthians 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I am 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 9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
1 Corinthians 12:28-29 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
1 Corinthians 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia.
2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2 Corinthians 12:11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.)
Galatians 1:17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Galatians 2:8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.)
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.
Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother.
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness.
Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.
Jude 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.
Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Notes:
The word "apostle" is defined above. It simply means someone "sent out" and that implies someone or some group is the sender of the person sent out. The 'apostled' person(s) go forth under the directives and support of the sender and return to give an accounting of the fulfillment of the duties for which they were sent out. It has numerous types of words in English that express this concept: apostle, servant, steward, messenger, courier, ambassador, emmissary, etc. Some of these words are used for persons of rank but all convey the same concept. Our Lord Jesus selected His apostles and sent them forth two and two (Mark 6:7-9; Luke 19:29) and they returned again to give an account. They were under the directions and charge of Jesus Christ who commissioned them, gave them power and authority and supplied their needs for the duties assigned to them. (Matthew 10:1-6 Mark 6:7-9, 30; Luke 9:2-4, 10; 10:1, 17) But all of those 'apostled' are not the same except in the most general sense of being sent out by someone or some group. When Paul and Barnabas were chosen, commissioned, funded and sent out from Antioch and returned again to give an account, they were likewise 'apostled' under the Church at Antioch who sponsored them. (Acts ch 13 & 14) We have need then to be careful about the word 'apostle' because who sends them forth makes all of the difference. Many were apostles of a church group or of an individual and were sent out to accomplish a specific assignment on their behalf. (Acts 15:22-25).
There is a short article, How Many Apostles in the New Testament—12 or 25?, that lists all of those apostled in some manner in the New Testament, except for the seventy in Luke 10:1-17 sent as messengers "into every city and place, whither he himself would come" who where to heal the sick and preach His message. Jesus Christ gave very specific power and authority to a select group of 12 persons who answered only to Him. Later He extended His outreach through seventy more. (See: Page 1; Acts 4:33; Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1; Rev 21:14; etc.) At Pentecost Jesus commissioned many more to make disciples, and Jesus continues to expand His outreach through disciples unto the present. [See: The series Gifts of the Holy Spirit]
The 11 original Apostles answered only to Jesus Christ:
Acts 4:18-19 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Acts 4:29-31 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Acts 5:27-29 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
The seventy — Luke 10:1-17 Are not these also 'apostled' in the same manner? They were commissioned by Jesus, given power to perform miracles and authority to teach His message and reported to Him directly?
Luke 10:1-17 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. ...
8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: 9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, 11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. ...
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
Paul — Acts 14:14; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1 Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1 and more references. Paul is first and foremost an Apostle of God, second an apostle of the church at Antioch (Act 13:2; 14:14) and third an apostle of the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem (Acts 15:22-25).
James, the half brother of Jesus and Apostle, Elder and leader of the Jerusalem church — Galatians 1:19; 2:9; Acts 15:13-21 James answers to the Church at Jerusalem and to Jesus Christ.
Barnabas — Acts 11:22; 13:1-3; 14:14; Barnabas was sent out first on behalf of the church which was in Jerusalem and then later on behalf of the church at Antioch.
Acts 13:1-3 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Acts 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Apollos — Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 3:5-6; 4:6-9 Paul seems to express that Apollos was sent out as an apostle but emphasizes his own leadership in 1 Co 4:16.
Timothy and Silvanus — I Thessalonians 1:1 and 2:6 Paul seems to express that these men served as apostles. They were his helpers trained to faithfully teach on his behalf as stated in Acts 19:22; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Timothy 1:1-4, 18; 4:11-16; 5:21-22; 6:20 and Silvanus in 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1 with 1 Peter 5:12 is shown to be a faithful scribe used by both Apostles Paul and Peter.
Epaphroditus — Philippians 2:25 Here Epaphroditus is spoken of as an 'apostle' or messenger from the Philippian church to help Apostle Paul as needed.
Two unnamed apostles — 2 Corinthians 8:23 They are called 'apostles' in this expression: "they are the messengers of the churches", i.e. of the churches who sent them or to whom they are sent.
Andronicus and Junia — Romans 16:7 Paul says these men are of note and were Christ's before he was, "who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me."
Jesus Christ — Hebrews 3:1 The "Apostle and High Priest of our profession" who was sent from God. In John 8:42 "Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me." Acts 3:26 "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities."
Ultimately only twelve appointed Apostles sit on the twelve thrones: "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Revelation 21:14); "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Matthew 19:28); "That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." (Luke 22:30)
Apostles:
Matthew 9:2 — apostles = those sent forth
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes