What are apostles and disciples?

[berb]

When I think of apostles and disciples I think of the 12 and Paul. What exactly are apostles and disciples? Someone asked me about it and I had no clue.

 

[Br_Rhoades]

When I think of apostles and disciples I think of the 12 and Paul. What exactly are apostles and disciples? Someone asked me about it and I had no clue.

Apostles are sent out to do a new work for God. The term Apostle is only one chosen and sent to start new works at one point Jesus sent 70 (Luke 10 : 1). A disciple is a student of a school of thought. We, for example, are disciples of Christ as the elect called to follow the will of the Father just like Jesus Christ did – our mentor is the Holy Ghost and our instruction book is the Holy Bible, the head of our organization is Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father he is our great high priest and only way of Salvation (regeneration) offered to the sons of Adam.

 

[berb]

Ah, thank-you and God bless you.

 

[PastorRod]

I would like to add that the Apostle is one of the five spiritual offices Jesus created. Ephesians 4:10-12(NIV): "He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." (my emphasis)

1 Corinthians 12:28 teaches us the importance of the Apostle:

"And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues."

Since the Apostle is first, God gives him or her the overall plan or "big picture." It's a picture that no one else in the church or ministry receives. Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers will each receive a picture that fits into the Apostle's picture. When they all work together, there is unity.

It's easy to recognize an Apostle, as they are the people who are planting churches and starting ministries. Some Senior Pastors are Apostles - you will find them in churches that are planting other churches, as Apostles have a special anointing from God to plant new works of the Lord.

Pastor Rod Nichols
Truth and Grace Foursquare Church
University Place, WA
Author, God's Prosperity Plan

 

[rapturefish]

Apostles are literally "ones who are sent". They are the pioneers, the church-starters, the ambassadors of God. There were the Twelve which were eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection and they were special. However there were others also called apostles who were not of the Twelve, e.g. Junia(s), Andronicus, Barnabus, etc. Some of the Twelve wrote scripture, but not all who wrote scripture were or had to be of the Twelve, eg Luke, Mark, Paul, the writer of Hebrews maybe.

Apostles could do signs and wonders (John, Peter) but not all are recorded as doing so. Not all apostles apparently saw the risen Lord, but all the Twelve did.

Disciples are the followers of Jesus. We are all disciples, but we are not all apostles as Paul says in 1 Corinthians that some are apostles, and implies that not all are. They are, however, very important for the church's edification and building up in love. Paul lists it as one of the five-fold ministries of the church.

blessings,