“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus…” (Hebrews 3:1).
The declaration that Jesus was an apostle may be a puzzlement to some. They are (rightfully) taught that Jesus called twelve men—Peter, Andrew, James, John et. al.—to be the apostles. These twelve men were with Him and were sent (apostello) by Him to preach. When Judas self-destructed, Matthias was selected to replace him (Acts 1:26). When James was put to death by Herod, however, he was not replaced (Acts 12).
Because the word “apostle” literally means “one sent forth”, it can be accurately used to refer to anyone who has been sent by another in an authoritative role. Clearly, the twelve men of Galilee (Acts 2:7) were Jesus’ authoritative representatives and were sent into all the world as His ambassadors (Mark 16:15). Baptized by the Holy Spirit so that they were guided into all truth (John 16:13), they bound on earth what had already been bound in heaven and loosed on earth what God had already loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).
Because other men in the first century were sent forth in an authorized capacity, they also can be accurately called “apostles”. Barnabas and Saul were sent for by the church in Antioch in Acts 13 (verses 1-3); they are called apostles in Acts 14 (verses 4 and 14). Others also served as apostles of various churches (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25).
Jesus is fully qualified to be termed an apostle of God. He was sent (apostello) by God (John 17:3) and finished the work God sent Him to do (John 17:4).
Thank God for Jesus The Apostle.
