A BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE KEY WORDS IN THE BIBLE
Bible Corner - No. 2 FAITH
Apostle is a Greek word meaning 'one sent forth'. The twelve apostles were chosen by Jesus 'that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach'. When his earthly ministry came to an end, they would be his special witnesses to the fact of his resurrection.
The names of the Twelve (or in one case, the eleven) are recorded four times in the New Testament and the lists vary slightly. Thus Simon is 'the Zealot' in two places and 'the Canaanite' in the other two. Both designations mean the same thing, one being in Hebrew, the other in Greek, and indicate that Simon was (or had been) connected with a militant nationalist party. Two or three other members of the apostolic band may have had similar connections, including Judas Iscariot. At the other end of the political scale was Matthew (or Levi) who, as a port customs officer, helped to administer Roman policy. For Matthew and Simon to share the community life of the Twelve emphasises Jesus' reconciling skills.
There were three pairs of Brothers in the group: James and John, Simon Peter and Andrew and Matthew and (another) James. There was also a second Judas (distinguished from the other by the phrase 'son of James') - although he seems to have adopted the name Thaddeus ('warm-hearted) to avoid the stigma attached to Judas. With the exception of Judas Iscariot, who probably came from Kerioth in Judaea) the Twelve were all Galileans and mostly connected with the sea. Others called apostles in the New Testament are Matthias, Paul and Barnabas. The term has not entirely vanished from today's church. Indeed, some years ago I met an African Christian who was styled an Apostle of the Church of the Cherubim and Seraphim.
Relevant passages: Matthew 10: 2-4; Mark 3: 13-19; Luke 6: 12-16; Acts 1: 12-13
Howard Rady
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