background picture of statues from http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yie7c&va=st+paul+tarsus&sz=all (Apostle Paul of Tarsus) and http://www.photozion.com/Stock/Category.asp?category_cd=102&page=1 (Apostle Peter of Capernaum)
Apostle - Missionaries; Called by the grace of God and endowed with special abilities to not give up, cause signs, wonders and mighty deeds. They each (Paul & Peter) saw Jesus - Peter before He ascended and Paul after the ascension. Jesus chose them individually and called them individually. They led people to Jesus and discipled (taught) them how to live. They taught the churches how to live and work with each other. Many churches today believe there could never be an Apostle today because no one today has seen God; but Paul saw Jesus after the ascension and was discipled by God (Holy Spirit) for 3 years. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow - He calls whomever he chooses whenever he chooses.
Definition: one sent on a mission; one of an authoritative New Testament group sent out to preach the gospel and made up especially of Christ'; original disciples and Paul; the first prominent Christian missionary to a region or group; a person who initiates a great moral reform or who first advocates an important belief or system; an ardent supporter; the highest ecclesiastical official in some church organizations
Example: We don't say apostle today - we call it Missionary gift. This is an office gift. I have this gift and when I am using this gift there is no way to explain the joy I feel. Most Missionaries are ordained by the church, sent to Seminary and to a foreign country or into their native land. Then there are some like me that are sent by God whether the Church ordains them or not. Our church in KS had me on their ministry list as a missionary and prayed for me every Friday night. I am what is call a Lay Missionary. The Church does not pay me. My husband supports me financially and in every other way. Every job I have had was a means to reach someone for Jesus. I know what Paul meant when he said "1 Th 2:9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
2 Th 3:8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you," Over the years I have associated with Paul a lot. Al has several times said that God put him on earth to support and take care of me. Yet I know that he has a huge part in our ministry because many people have come to the Lord through him and many because we have a wonderful marriage.
Apostle
Rom 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Rom 11:13-14 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.
1 Cor 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God,
1 Cor 15:9-10 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
2 Cor 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2 Cor 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
1 Tim 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
1 Tim 2:5-7 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle; I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
2 Tim 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
2 Tim 1:11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Titus 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness,
Heb 3:1-2 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
1 Pet 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
2 Pet 1:1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Mat 10:5-8 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Mat 10:25 "It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher,
1 Cor 7:35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
Home Frances M. McCrory-Meservy AKA pennywind