apostles
Publié le 22/02/2012
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From a Greek word meaning "sent
out"; the earliest leaders of the Christian church.
The word apostle often refers to the 12 special disciples
whom JESUS "sent out" into the world. Judas
Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was originally one of
the 12; according to the NEW TESTAMENT (see BIBLE,
BIBLICAL LITERATURE), GOD chose Matthias to take his
place (ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 1.15–26).
The word apostle, however, does not refer
only to the 12 disciples. PAUL, the early missionary
to the non-Jews of the Roman Empire, calls
himself an apostle. He also calls James, the brother
of Jesus and one of the most important leaders of
the Jewish Christians in JERUSALEM, an apostle.
Other writers refer to other persons as apostles.
Taken most broadly, apostles are the most prominent
leaders of the earliest Christian communities,
regardless of whether or not they were among the
original 12.