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Apostles: Twelve Apostles
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After Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ and then in guilt committed suicide before Christ's resurrection (in one Gospel account), the apostles numbered eleven. When Jesus had been taken up from them, in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit that he had promised them, Peter advised the brethren, "Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus … For he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry … For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation be made desolate, Let no one dwell therein,' and, 'Let another take his office' … So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us, must become with us a witness to his resurrection" (cf. Acts 1;15-26). So, between the ascension of Christ and the day of Pentecost, the remaining apostles elected a twelfth apostle by casting lots, a traditional Jewish way to determine the Will of God. The lot fell upon Matthias, who then became the last of the Twelve Apostles in the New Testament.
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When Jesus started looking for his twelve Apostles, he didn’t look in the Jewish synagogues for the finely dressed, righteous acting scribes and pharisees. Jesus didn’t look for his twelve among the rich rulers and popular public speakers of his day. No, Jesus looked for twelve men who were living and working in the humbler walks of life. Five were fishermen, one was of the despised publicans, and the occupations of the others are not mentioned. All, but Judas, were from Galilee and none of the original twelve received higher education. Acts 2:7 The Lord often uses some of the most humble and meek brethren to carry out his grand eternal purposes.
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Although the Gospels call the same people "disciples' and "apostles" (Mark3:7,14,20), the terms are not synonymous. Disciple means a pupil or learner and an apostle means an emissary or representative, as one sent with full authority of the teacher /sender. The "twelve apostles of the Lamb" (Rev.21:14), the apostles (representatives) of the churches (2 Cor.8:23) and the rest of Jesus' disciples, were chosen and sent by Jesus (Mark 3:14) just as Jesus himself, "the apostle whom we confess" (Heb.3:1), was chosen and sent by the Father (1 Peter 1:20). Just as rejecting Jesus is rejecting the Father, so rejecting the apostles is rejecting Jesus (Luke 10:16). The apostles functioned as evangelists, church planters and pastors, just as Jesus himself had functioned in these three roles during His earthly ministry. As Jesus claimed the Father's divine authority for his words (John 12:49-50; 14;24), so the apostles claimed Christ's divine authority for theirs (1 Thes.2:13; 2Thes.3:6; 1 Cor.2:12-13; 14:37).
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Jesus Christ Himself gave the title "Apostle" to the Twelve in Luke 6:13 and Mark 3:14, "whom he ... named apostles." The term "apostle" ("apostolos" in Greek; a derivative from "apostellein", meaning "to send") signifies a special mission. An apostle is the commissioner of the person who sent him. Therefore, the term apostle is more definite than the term messenger (in Greek "angelos"). The apostle does not merely transmit a message, but he works to put it into practice among the recipients, both to let them understand it aright and to apply its contents in their faith and life.
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The twelve disciples / apostles were ordinary men whom God used in an extraordinary manner. Among the 12 were fishermen, a tax collector, and a revolutionary. The Gospels record the constant failings, struggles, and doubts of these twelve men who followed Jesus Christ. After witnessing Jesus' resurrection and ascension into Heaven, the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples / apostles into powerful men of God who "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). What was the change? The 12 apostles / disciples had "been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
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The Community of Christ ... has apostles, forming the Council of Twelve, who preside over the missionary efforts of the Church. In terms of church government, they are second only in authority to the First Presidency, whose members are often former members of the Council of Twelve (but this is not a requirement). The current president of the Church, Stephen M. Veazey, was himself a member of the Council of Twelve (and in fact its president), just prior to becoming President of the Church. According to church law, the Council of Twelve Apostles, under specific circumstances, is equal in authority to the First Presidency.
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Twelve Apostles