 | Apostle
Someone sent by God with a special message or commission. Jesus is called the apostle and high Priest of our confession in Hebrews, 3:1.
Jesus chose twelve apostles out of the many disciples that had followed Him for a long time. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His twelve and made them the chosen witnesses of his Resurrection. Then He sent them (as the Father had sent Him) to continue His Evangelization to all nations to the end of the earth.
The twelve apostles are the foundation on which Jesus’ Church is built. The apostolic office is permanent in the Church, in order to ensure that the divine mission entrusted to the Apostles by Jesus will continue to the end of time. The bishops receive their office as successors of the Apostles through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Apostolic Authority - Having direct knowledge of the incarnate Word, and being sent out as authorized agents of the gospel, the apostles provided the authentic interpretation of the life and teaching of Jesus. Because their witness to Christ was guided by the Spirit (John 15:26-27), the apostles' teaching was considered normative for the church. They were regarded as the "pillars" (Gal 2:9) and "foundation" (Eph 2:20; cf. Rev 21:14) of the church, and their teaching became the norm for Christian faith and practice. The written form of their teachings is preserved in the books of the New Testament.
| |
|