The Apostles: The Biblical Pattern

[Anthony Pritchard]

The Apostles: The Biblical Pattern
​

The relationship between the Twelve and Paul is often discussed, but Scripture itself gives us a clear pattern.

The number twelve is not accidental in Scripture. Jesus chose twelve apostles, and He Himself tied them to the twelve tribes of Israel when He said that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes "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). Revelation shows the same pattern when it speaks of the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb written on the foundations of the New Jerusalem “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14). The Twelve stand as the foundation of the new covenant people of God, just as the twelve tribes stood as the foundation of the old covenant nation.

The book of Acts shows them ministering in Jerusalem and among the diaspora. Peter writes to believers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” (1 Peter 1:1). James writes to the twelve tribes scattered abroad "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1). These letters show that the apostles did preach to the diaspora, and that their ministry reached Jewish believers throughout the Roman world. Scripture does not trace each apostle’s travels, but it does show that their work extended beyond Jerusalem and into the scattered communities of Israel.

History adds further traditions about their travels and deaths. These accounts are ancient and widespread, but they are not part of Scripture. They may reflect real missionary journeys, or they may be later attempts to honor the apostles by connecting them to various regions. They do not change the biblical pattern. The Twelve stand in relation to Israel, and their ministry began with Israel and extended to the diaspora as the gospel moved outward.

Paul stands in a different position. He was not one of the Twelve, and he calls himself one born out of due time “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” (1 Corinthians 15:8). Christ appeared to him personally and appointed him directly, and Paul identifies himself plainly as the apostle of the Gentiles “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:” (Romans 11:13). When the Lord spoke to him in Jerusalem, He said, I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles “And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” (Acts 22:21). Paul explains that God revealed His Son in him so that he might preach Christ among the Gentiles “To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” (Galatians 1:16). His commission was Gentile‑focused from the beginning. In that sense, he was perhaps the thirteenth apostle, equal in authority yet appointed later and sent to a different sphere, extending the work of Christ beyond Israel to the nations.

The early church recognized Paul’s authority without ever merging him into the Twelve. His apostleship was received, affirmed, and honored, yet always understood as distinct, appointed later, and directed toward the Gentiles.

So Scripture gives us the pattern. The Twelve correspond to the twelve tribes and form the foundation of Christ’s work among Israel. Their ministry reached the diaspora as the gospel spread. Paul, appointed later and in a unique manner, carries the gospel outward to the nations. History may add details about where each apostle traveled, but the biblical structure remains the same. The Twelve stand in relation to Israel, and Paul stands in relation to the Gentiles, each fulfilling the sphere Christ assigned to them.

In Closing

In this way the apostolic pattern reflects the flow of redemptive history itself, beginning with Israel and extending outward to the nations as God gathers His people through the gospel.

~Tony

© A.K. Pritchard 2020 -

Free to use with proper attribution.

 

[JonC]

It is interesting that overall there were 13 distinct groups (although counted as 12 tribes).

Do you believe that the twelve apostles replaced the Old Covenant twelve tribes?

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

It is interesting that overall there were 13 distinct groups (although counted as 12 tribes).

Do you believe that the twelve apostles replaced the Old Covenant twelve tribes?

Hello Jon. I do not believe the number of distinct groups in Israel affects the point. Scripture does not teach that the twelve apostles replaced the twelve tribes. The apostles were chosen by Christ to be witnesses of His resurrection and to lay the foundation of the church, but they did not take the place of the tribes.

The twelve tribes remain the twelve tribes, and the twelve apostles remain the twelve apostles. Jesus said the apostles would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28), which shows distinction, not replacement. The apostles have their own role in redemptive history, and Israel has its own role. Scripture keeps those categories separate.

So no, I do not believe the twelve apostles replaced the twelve tribes.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

Many moons ago, I was chatting to a more mature Christian than myself and voiced the opinion that maybe Paul was the twelth apostle and Peter & Co. had no business drawing lots for another apostle. The Lord Jesus had chosen the twelve and he would choose a replacement for Judas, not them, especially since it was before Pentecost. We never hear of Matthias again (though that could be said of several of the apostles) so maybe God just disregarded him.
The 'more-mature' Christian was not impressed and told me it was a stupid idea, and I suppose it must be since I have never read it anywhere. But the thought still crosses my mind from time to time, and I wonder what you think.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

Many moons ago, I was chatting to a more mature Christian than myself and voiced the opinion that maybe Paul was the twelth apostle and Peter & Co. had no business drawing lots for another apostle. The Lord Jesus had chosen the twelve and he would choose a replacement for Judas, not them, especially since it was before Pentecost. We never hear of Matthias again (though that could be said of several of the apostles) so maybe God just disregarded him.
The 'more-mature' Christian was not impressed and told me it was a stupid idea, and I suppose it must be since I have never read it anywhere. But the thought still crosses my mind from time to time, and I wonder what you think.

Brother, the question really comes down to whether Scripture itself treats Matthias as a mistake or as a legitimate apostle. When we look at the text, the pattern is actually very straightforward.

First, Peter lays out the qualification for Judas’s replacement: an eyewitness of the risen Christ (Acts 1:21–22). Matthias meets that requirement. That is why he was even considered.

Second, the lot was not superstition. It was an Old Testament means of discerning the Lord’s will (Proverbs 16:33), and Luke records the result without any correction or reservation: “the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26). Luke does not revise this later, and Scripture never hints that the choice was invalid.

Third, the fact that Matthias is not mentioned again does not distinguish him from several of the Twelve. Andrew, Thomas, Bartholomew, Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot likewise pass out of the narrative after the early chapters of Acts. Silence in the record is not disqualification; it is simply the selectivity of Scripture.

Fourth, Paul’s apostleship is of a different order. He was appointed directly by the risen Christ as “one born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8). His calling does not replace Matthias; it expands the category of foundational apostles by Christ’s own sovereign act.

So the Scriptural pattern is simple: Matthias was chosen by the Lord through the lot and accepted among the Twelve. Paul was chosen directly by Christ for a distinct apostolic role. There is no conflict between the two.

The apostles did not act presumptuously; they acted according to Scripture, and the Lord confirmed their action.

 

[John of Japan]

That's a good OP, but there is something missing: there were more apostles than just the 12 and Paul. The most immediate example is that Paul and Barnabas were called apostles together in Acts 14:14: "the apostles, Barnabas and Paul." However, beyond that, there were others:

Andronicus and Junia (Rom. 16:7)
James the brother of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7, Gal. 1:19)
Apollos (1 Cor. 4:6-9)
Silas, because he traveled with Paul (Acts 15:40)
Timothy and Silvanus (1 Thess. 1:1 & 2:6)
Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25, “messenger” in the KJV)
Unnamed brothers (2 Cor. 8:23)

Furthermore, there were "false apostles" (2 Cor. 11:13), indicating an expectation that there were more than the biblically named apostles.

Now, it is true that the 12 (including Matthias) were special. They were directly sent by Jesus as "apostles" (Luke 6:13, etc.), they will sit on 12 thrones judging Israel (Matt. 19:28), and their names are written in the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 20:14).

Looking at the meaning of the word, and the actual ministry of Paul and his team, here is my position. In my missiology the term "apostle" simply means "one sent forth," and looking at the ministry of the apostles in Acts, they were simply cross cultural, church-planting missionaries.

I first began to consider this interpretation when I became a missionary to Japan many years ago. I learned that many missionaries go through this process: "Where is my calling in the Bible?" And they then conclude that their ministry is in the book of Acts, not as evangelists, but as apostles.

I have a lot more info on this (including early church evidence and modern usage evidence), but I'll stop here, in case someone wants to disagree (people usually do). It seems offensive to say there are modern day apostles, somehow; and no, I'm not a Charismatic and I totally disagree with the view of "apostleship" presented among them.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

That's a good OP, but there is something missing: there were more apostles than just the 12 and Paul. The most immediate example is that Paul and Barnabas were called apostles together in Acts 14:14: "the apostles, Barnabas and Paul." However, beyond that, there were others:

Andronicus and Junia (Rom. 16:7)
James the brother of Jesus (1 Cor. 15:7, Gal. 1:19)
Apollos (1 Cor. 4:6-9)
Silas, because he traveled with Paul (Acts 15:40)
Timothy and Silvanus (1 Thess. 1:1 & 2:6)
Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:25, “messenger” in the KJV)
Unnamed brothers (2 Cor. 8:23)

Furthermore, there were "false apostles" (2 Cor. 11:13), indicating an expectation that there were more than the biblically named apostles.

Now, it is true that the 12 (including Matthias) were special. They were directly sent by Jesus as "apostles" (Luke 6:13, etc.), they will sit on 12 thrones judging Israel (Matt. 19:28), and their names are written in the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 20:14).

Looking at the meaning of the word, and the actual ministry of Paul and his team, here is my position. In my missiology the term "apostle" simply means "one sent forth," and looking at the ministry of the apostles in Acts, they were simply cross cultural, church-planting missionaries.

I first began to consider this interpretation when I became a missionary to Japan many years ago. I learned that many missionaries go through this process: "Where is my calling in the Bible?" And they then conclude that their ministry is in the book of Acts, not as evangelists, but as apostles.

I have a lot more info on this (including early church evidence and modern usage evidence), but I'll stop here, in case someone wants to disagree (people usually do). It seems offensive to say there are modern day apostles, somehow; and no, I'm not a Charismatic and I totally disagree with the view of "apostleship" presented among them.

Brother, the word apostle simply means, as you know, “one sent forth; a messenger.” In Acts, Barnabas is called an apostle in that general sense, a man sent out by the Holy Spirit and recognized by the church (Acts 13:2–3; Acts 14:14). That’s the same basic idea behind what we now call an evangelist, a gospel‑preacher sent forth by the congregation.

But Scripture also shows a second, very different use of the word. Jesus Himself chose twelve men from among His disciples and “named them apostles” (Luke 6:13). This group held a unique, foundational office tied to their eyewitness role and their direct commission from Christ.

Paul belongs in that same category. He saw the risen Christ and was appointed directly by Him, as he himself testifies: “Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:1). His apostleship is rooted in a personal appearance of Christ and a direct commission, just like the Twelve.

None of the “general apostles”, men like Barnabas, Silas, Andronicus, or Junia, were chosen personally by Christ. They were raised up by the Spirit and sent out by the churches. Their apostleship was real, but it was functional, not foundational. The Twelve (and Paul) held a distinct office that ended with their deaths. The broader sense of being “sent ones” continues in spirit wherever the churches send forth evangelists to preach the gospel.

~Tony (Not Ms. lol)

 

[John of Japan]

Brother, the word apostle simply means, as you know, “one sent forth; a messenger.” In Acts, Barnabas is called an apostle in that general sense, a man sent out by the Holy Spirit and recognized by the church (Acts 13:2–3; Acts 14:14). That’s the same basic idea behind what we now call an evangelist, a gospel‑preacher sent forth by the congregation.

I know that "evangelist" is the term used by some theologians (Chafer, etc.) for the modern church planting missionary, but that doesn't hold water. Modern evangelists such as John R. Rice object to this position. Rice had a genuine brouhaha with Chafer over this. Note:

1. Philip is the only evangelist listed as such in the NT. He is mentioned in several contexts, including mass evangelism in Samaria, and personal evangelism with the Ethiopian.
2. Philip saw some great cross-cultural results with the Samaritans (Acts 8), but did not plant the church. He sent off to Jerusalem for apostles, who then came for the planting (vv. 14-17).
3. The ones who did cross-cultural church planting in Acts were Paul and Barnabas and their teams: apostles. This is very clear in the book of Acts, so I need not prove it.
4. The only other mention of "evangelist" is in Eph. 4:11, and there is nothing there about church planting.

But Scripture also shows a second, very different use of the word. Jesus Himself chose twelve men from among His disciples and “named them apostles” (Luke 6:13). This group held a unique, foundational office tied to their eyewitness role and their direct commission from Christ.

I agree.

Paul belongs in that same category. He saw the risen Christ and was appointed directly by Him, as he himself testifies: “Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:1). His apostleship is rooted in a personal appearance of Christ and a direct commission, just like the Twelve.

None of the “general apostles”, men like Barnabas, Silas, Andronicus, or Junia, were chosen personally by Christ. They were raised up by the Spirit and sent out by the churches. Their apostleship was real, but it was functional, not foundational. The Twelve (and Paul) held a distinct office that ended with their deaths. The broader sense of being “sent ones” continues in spirit wherever the churches send forth evangelists to preach the gospel.

~Tony (Not Ms. lol)

I can live with this interpretation. But like I said, to the typical missionary, "apostle" in this secondary sense means "church planting missionary." Missiologists, who usually are former missionaries, usually agree. Here are some from a lecture I give on the subject:

“The word missionary comes from the Latin word mitto, which means ‘to send.’ It is the equivalent of the Greek word apostello, which also means ‘to send.’ The root meaning of the two words is identical.” J. Herbert Kane, The Making of a Missionary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975), 13.

“To whom should the term ‘missionary’ be applied? Obviously today's missionary is not in the same class with the twelve apostles, who must forever remain in a class by themselves (Lk 22:30; Re 21:14). They do, however, have much in common with the ‘second-string’ apostles who were sent out by the various churches on teaching and preaching missions to all parts of the Roman Empire.” Ibid., 14.

“Paul stated that not only was he ordained a preacher, he was also an apostle. Paul knew that he was an apostle (see Acts 22:21; I Tim. 1:1). A missionary is, in a sense, an apostle. The word ‘missionary’ is the exact Latin equivalent for the Greek word ‘apostle.’ Both words have the same meaning—‘one who has been sent.’ Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection, ‘As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you’ (John 20:21).” G. Christian Weiss, The Heart of Missionary Theology (Lincoln, NE: Back to the Bible, 1976), 66-67.

“The very name of the book (of Acts) is in keeping with this though. The word ‘apostle’ (from the Greek apostello—‘I send’) is a synonym for ‘missionary’ (from the Latin mitto—‘I send’). An apostle, or missionary, is a ‘sent-one,’ and so the book might just as accurately have been called ‘The Doings of the Missionaries.’” Robert Hall Glover, The Bible Basis of Missions (Chicago: Moody Press, 1946), 26.

“After a careful examination of the Biblical data James Hastings in his Dictionary of the Apostolic Church comes to the following conclusion: ‘The cumulative effect of the facts and probabilities stated above is very strong—so strong that we are justified in affirming that in the New Testament there are persons other than the Twelve and St. Paul who were called apostles, and in conjecturing that they were rather numerous. All who seemed to be called by Christ or the Spirit to do missionary work would be thought worthy of the title, especially such as had been in personal contact with the Master.’ This conclusion is substantiated by the usage of the word apostle for itinerant ministers in the subapostolic age.” George Peters, "Let the Missionary Be a Missionary,” Bib. Sac. (Oct-Dec. 1965).

“In the New Testament there are two kinds of apostles. First, there is the relatively small group of those who were personally chosen and instructed by the Lord. These men held the office of apostle, to which there is no succession. Second, there are those men who had the gift of apostleship and were called ‘messengers [apostoloi] of the churches’ (2 Cor. 8:23). In this group were included such men as Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Andronicus, and Junias.” David Hesselgrave, Planting Churches Cross-Culturally (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2000), 95.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

I know that "evangelist" is the term used by some theologians (Chafer, etc.) for the modern church planting missionary, but that doesn't hold water. Modern evangelists such as John R. Rice object to this position. Rice had a genuine brouhaha with Chafer over this. Note:

1. Philip is the only evangelist listed as such in the NT. He is mentioned in several contexts, including mass evangelism in Samaria, and personal evangelism with the Ethiopian.
2. Philip saw some great cross-cultural results with the Samaritans (Acts 8), but did not plant the church. He sent off to Jerusalem for apostles, who then came for the planting (vv. 14-17).
3. The ones who did cross-cultural church planting in Acts were Paul and Barnabas and their teams: apostles. This is very clear in the book of Acts, so I need not prove it.
4. The only other mention of "evangelist" is in Eph. 4:11, and there is nothing there about church planting.



I agree.

I can live with this interpretation. But like I said, to the typical missionary, "apostle" in this secondary sense means "church planting missionary." Missiologists, who usually are former missionaries, usually agree. Here are some from a lecture I give on the subject:

“The word missionary comes from the Latin word mitto, which means ‘to send.’ It is the equivalent of the Greek word apostello, which also means ‘to send.’ The root meaning of the two words is identical.” J. Herbert Kane, The Making of a Missionary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1975), 13.

“To whom should the term ‘missionary’ be applied? Obviously today's missionary is not in the same class with the twelve apostles, who must forever remain in a class by themselves (Lk 22:30; Re 21:14). They do, however, have much in common with the ‘second-string’ apostles who were sent out by the various churches on teaching and preaching missions to all parts of the Roman Empire.” Ibid., 14.

“Paul stated that not only was he ordained a preacher, he was also an apostle. Paul knew that he was an apostle (see Acts 22:21; I Tim. 1:1). A missionary is, in a sense, an apostle. The word ‘missionary’ is the exact Latin equivalent for the Greek word ‘apostle.’ Both words have the same meaning—‘one who has been sent.’ Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection, ‘As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you’ (John 20:21).” G. Christian Weiss, The Heart of Missionary Theology (Lincoln, NE: Back to the Bible, 1976), 66-67.

“The very name of the book (of Acts) is in keeping with this though. The word ‘apostle’ (from the Greek apostello—‘I send’) is a synonym for ‘missionary’ (from the Latin mitto—‘I send’). An apostle, or missionary, is a ‘sent-one,’ and so the book might just as accurately have been called ‘The Doings of the Missionaries.’” Robert Hall Glover, The Bible Basis of Missions (Chicago: Moody Press, 1946), 26.

“After a careful examination of the Biblical data James Hastings in his Dictionary of the Apostolic Church comes to the following conclusion: ‘The cumulative effect of the facts and probabilities stated above is very strong—so strong that we are justified in affirming that in the New Testament there are persons other than the Twelve and St. Paul who were called apostles, and in conjecturing that they were rather numerous. All who seemed to be called by Christ or the Spirit to do missionary work would be thought worthy of the title, especially such as had been in personal contact with the Master.’ This conclusion is substantiated by the usage of the word apostle for itinerant ministers in the subapostolic age.” George Peters, "Let the Missionary Be a Missionary,” Bib. Sac. (Oct-Dec. 1965).

“In the New Testament there are two kinds of apostles. First, there is the relatively small group of those who were personally chosen and instructed by the Lord. These men held the office of apostle, to which there is no succession. Second, there are those men who had the gift of apostleship and were called ‘messengers [apostoloi] of the churches’ (2 Cor. 8:23). In this group were included such men as Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Andronicus, and Junias.” David Hesselgrave, Planting Churches Cross-Culturally (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2000), 95.

Brother, thank you, your historical and missiological points are solid.

 

[John of Japan]

I have some more from history. Here are two of the earliest church documents we have, the Didache (AD 100) and The Shepherd of Hermes (AD 150).

The Didache: “Let every apostle, when he cometh to you, be received as the Lord; but he shall not abide more than a single day, or if there be need, a second likewise; but if he abide three days, he is a false prophet. And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until he findeth shelter: but if he ask money, he is a false prophet.”

“The Shepherd of Hermes,” concerning the stones in a metaphorical building: “’The first,’ saith he, ‘even the ten, that were placed in the foundations, are the first generation; the twenty-five are the second generation of righteous men; the thirty-five are God's prophets and His ministers; the forty are apostles and teachers of the preaching of the Son of God’” (Lightfoot, 231).

In more recent church history, the first missionary into a country up to the 20th century was usually called "the apostle to...." So I have a missionary biography of Alan Paton with the title, Alan Paton, The Apostle to the New Hebrides.

 

[Anthony Pritchard]

I have some more from history. Here are two of the earliest church documents we have, the Didache (AD 100) and The Shepherd of Hermes (AD 150).

The Didache: “Let every apostle, when he cometh to you, be received as the Lord; but he shall not abide more than a single day, or if there be need, a second likewise; but if he abide three days, he is a false prophet. And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until he findeth shelter: but if he ask money, he is a false prophet.”

“The Shepherd of Hermes,” concerning the stones in a metaphorical building: “’The first,’ saith he, ‘even the ten, that were placed in the foundations, are the first generation; the twenty-five are the second generation of righteous men; the thirty-five are God's prophets and His ministers; the forty are apostles and teachers of the preaching of the Son of God’” (Lightfoot, 231).

In more recent church history, the first missionary into a country up to the 20th century was usually called "the apostle to...." So I have a missionary biography of Alan Paton with the title, The Apostle to the New Hebrides.

Agreed. However, I cannot put any confidence in any book of the pseudepigrapha. The Didache is not canonical, but it is historical in the sense of early Christian practice, and taken in that view it is valuable.

 

[John of Japan]

Agreed. However, I cannot put any confidence in any book of the pseudepigrapha. The Didache is not canonical, but it is historical in the sense of early Christian practice, and taken in that view it is valuable.

I understand your answer, but actually, I don't believe that either document is considered pseudepigrapha. They are both anonymous. But granted, the Didache appears to teach baptismal regeneration, and The Shepherd of Hermes is just plain weird, if you've read it.