Christian/Religion Studies

Apostle:

Meaning something along the lines of "one who is sent" or "one sent forth as a messenger" and in the Christian faith this is the main Christian leaders in the beginning times. Some good examples of Apostles are Peter,  Andrew, James the Greater, James the Lesser,  John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot. These were the personal disciples of Jesus, they knew Jesus personally. These were the people who Jesus was teaching the Truth that His Father in heaven had taught Him. The twelve Apostles are sometimes known as only "The Twelve" and when used with Christianity we can easily tell that we are speaking of the twelve Apostles. It is said that the Twelve Apostles were 12 because Jesus was thinking of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Apostles were Disciples of Jesus and this meant that this relationship was from teacher to students. They were His disciples. Much time would have passed as Jesus taught the Apostles and informed them of what they were to know, which they were to take to the world and preach. It is not easy to change a persons beliefs, to change a persons Belief System is often a slow process (unless some form of shock like a loved one passing away causes one to rethink life and become a believer in a different faith) and Jesus would have gently taught as He did with the multitudes, but only those with ears would hear. Some of the  multitudes were not yet ready to learn the Truth of God. The impression we could get is that the Apostles were are not greatly educated in mans educational systems (schools, univesities and the like - Matthew was a taxman though which would hav required some education), but were taught the great spiritual teaching by Jesus and this made them highly educated in the world as it really is.  Life and people had taught them what they believed, this was their lives, their Belief System up to the point of meeting Jesus, then Jesus enlightened them, taking their limited knowledge from the darkness of the untruth to the glowing light of the true light of life. Of course when each one of them went forth and taught others of what they had been taught they were the educated teaching even the most knowledgeable by mankind's standards.  They were a mixed lot. One became the traitor, three seemed to be learning faster than the others because Jesus took them with Him on special occasions such as the raising of the dead of Jairus daughter:  Mark chapter 5, verse 37  And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.  According to Acts the position of Judas Iscariot was taken by Matthias: Act chapter 1, verse 23  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all  men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and  apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. And Paul: Romans chapter 1, verse 1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,  Other people in latter times have been called the name Apostle, one such person would be  St Patrick, the "Apostle of Ireland", Apostle to England St Augustine of Canterbury etc... And according to the later traditions the twelve became martyrs, except John.