In the New Testament, there are two groups of followers of Jesus that are mentioned: disciples and apostles. Both disciples and apostles were followers of Jesus, but there are some key differences between the two groups. Understanding the distinctions between disciples and apostles can provide valuable insight into the structure and mission of the early church.
Some quick answers to basic questions about disciples and apostles:
- Disciples were general followers of Jesus who learned from His teaching.
- Apostles were disciples specifically appointed by Jesus to be leaders in the early church.
- All apostles were disciples, but not all disciples were apostles.
- There were likely over 500 disciples total, but only 12 apostles (plus Paul).
- Disciples were focused on learning from Jesus, while apostles also preached and planted churches.
In this article, we will take a deeper look at disciples and apostles, how they were chosen, their roles and responsibilities, and how they worked together in the early church. Understanding the differences between these two foundational groups of Jesus-followers provides insight into the origins of Christianity.
Who Were the Disciples of Jesus?
The disciples of Jesus were men and women who literally followed Him from place to place to receive His teaching and witness His ministry. The word “disciple” means “learner” or “follower” in Greek, reflecting the core focus of absorbing Jesus’ message and modeling His lifestyle.
Some key facts about the disciples:
- Jesus had many disciples beyond the 12 apostles.
- Some disciples were referred to as the “Seventy” who were sent out to preach and heal (Luke 10).
- Women disciples included Mary Magdalene, Susanna, and Joanna (Luke 8:1-3).
- Most disciples came from Galilee, while others were from Judea and beyond.
- Many disciples struggled to understand Jesus’ teachings fully.
- After Jesus’ crucifixion, the disciples continued His mission in the world.
The core group of disciples included fishermen, tax collectors, and other common vocations. They were drawn to Jesus because of His compassion, wisdom, and display of power. Most disciples harbor some misunderstandings about Jesus’ purpose and identity until after His resurrection. Through spending time with Jesus, they came to have faith in Him as the Messiah and the Son of God.
While the Twelve Apostles are the most well-known disciples, the total number of disciples was much larger. In Acts 1:15, there were 120 disciples gathered together after Jesus’ ascension, showing a broader community beyond the apostles. The Seventy disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10 were also noteworthy followers who preached and performed miracles in Jesus’ name. Women disciples like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others also accompanied Jesus and supported His ministry financially.
In summary, the term “disciple” referred to any man or woman who left behind their old way of life to follow Jesus and learn from His teaching and example.
Who Were the Apostles?
While all apostles were disciples, not all disciples were apostles. The apostles refer to a specific group of 12 disciples (plus Paul) who were chosen by Jesus to be leaders in the early church after He was gone.
Here are some key details about the apostles:
- Jesus directly chose 12 apostles early in His ministry to learn and be trained by Him.
- The original 12 apostles were Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
- Judas betrayed Jesus and was replaced by Matthias (Acts 1).
- Paul, originally a persecutor of Christians, also became an apostle after his conversion.
- The role of apostles was to give witness to Jesus’ life, preach His gospel, and establish churches.
The word “apostle” comes from the Greek word apostolos which means “one who is sent out with a special commission as an ambassador or delegate”. The apostles carried special authority as the chosen leaders Jesus prepared to oversee the early church after His ascension.
Jesus’ inner circle of 12 apostles were among His first disciples and constant companions during His earthly ministry. He invested significant time teaching and preparing them to continue His mission after He was gone. One of the requirements for being an apostle was seeing the resurrected Christ and receiving a commission from Him (Acts 1:21-22). The 12 apostolic names are listed multiple times in Scripture, highlighting their unique role.
When Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, his place among the 12 apostles was filled by Matthias in Acts 1. In addition to the original apostles, the New Testament refers to Paul as an apostle. As a former persecutor of the church, Paul met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus and was specially commissioned to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul did not walk with Jesus during His earthly ministry but was uniquely appointed as the 13th apostle.
In summary, the apostles were chosen directly by Jesus for a special leadership role in the early church. Their primary responsibilities were to witness to the gospel based on Jesus’ life, preach His message, plant churches, and shepherd believers. The qualifications for being an apostle underscore the unique historical role they fulfilled.
Comparison Between Disciples and Apostles
While disciples and apostles overlap in some ways, there are key differences that set the apostles apart as distinguished leaders in the early church:
Selection
- Disciples – Chose to follow Jesus and learn from Him.
- Apostles – Specifically chosen by Jesus.
Number
- Disciples – Likely over 500 by the time of Jesus’ ascension.
- Apostles – Only 12 plus Paul.
Proximity to Jesus
- Disciples – Followed Jesus in His earthly ministry.
- Apostles – Had inner circle access to Jesus.
Teaching
- Disciples – Learned from Jesus’ general teaching and example.
- Apostles – Received additional personal instruction from Jesus.
Role
- Disciples – Followers focused on learning from Jesus.
- Apostles – Authoritative leaders commissioned to do ministry on Jesus’ behalf.
While all apostles were disciples, they had a distinct purpose and position as apostolic founders of the early church. Disciples aimed primarily to absorb Jesus’ teaching, while apostles acted authoritatively as His delegates and proxies, planting churches and shepherding Christians.
Activities of Disciples vs. Apostles
The different functions of disciples vs. apostles are also seen in the activities described in the Gospels and Book of Acts:
Disciples
- Physically followed Jesus from place to place
- Listened to Jesus’ public teaching ministry
- Observed Jesus’ miracles, exorcisms, and healings
- Received additional explanation from Jesus on His parables and teaching
- Were sent out on a short-term mission by Jesus (Luke 10)
- Struggled to understand Jesus’ purpose and identity
Apostles
- Given authority by Jesus to teach doctrine, cast out demons, and heal the sick
- Sent out by Jesus long-term to preach the gospel and make disciples
- Key leaders in the launch of the Christian church and rapid expansion recorded in Acts
- Wrote and circulated letters that became part of the New Testament canon
- Appointed elders and provided oversight to churches planting throughout the Roman world
While all disciples followed Jesus and learned from His example, the apostles embraced a more formal leadership mantle. They preached authoritatively as witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection, planted churches, appointed leaders, penned New Testament books, and defined correct doctrine for believers. Their focus extended beyond personal discipleship to building up the entire church.
Why Were Only Some Disciples Chosen as Apostles?
Given the significant role of the apostles, it is reasonable to ask why only some disciples were chosen as apostles. Jesus selected 12 apostles early in His ministry to be trained in a special way. Here are some insights on why this inner circle was chosen:
- Old Testament precedent – Jesus may have been following the example of the 12 tribes of Israel by appointing 12 apostolic leaders.
- Manageable group size – A small group of 12 would have allowed for personal investment by Jesus.
- Symbolize new Israel – The 12 apostles represented the foundation of the new people of God under Jesus rather than the 12 tribes descended from Jacob.
- Judicial authority – In Jewish culture, appointment of representatives acted as a legal assignment of authority.
- Fulfillment of prophecy – Jesus may have been acting to fulfill the prophecy that disciples would sit on 12 thrones and judge the 12 tribes (Luke 22:30).
By selecting only 12 main apostles, Jesus was acting intentionally to create a new institutional structure and symbolic identity for the people of God He came to establish – the church.
Requirements to be an Apostle
The New Testament highlights three main requirements to be an apostle:
- Having been with Jesus from the beginning (Acts 1:21-22)
- Seeing the resurrected Christ after His crucifixion (1 Cor. 9:1)
- Being directly commissioned by Jesus (Mark 3:13-15)
The criteria for being an apostle underscore that this was a unique historical office tied directly to Jesus’ ministry and the founding of the early church. In the case of Paul, seeing the resurrected Jesus was sufficient to qualify him for apostleship.
These requirements limited apostleship to the first generation. But the teachings of the apostles, recorded in Scripture and passed down through church history, became the foundation for Christianity across all generations.
Apostles Had to Be with Jesus from the Beginning
In Acts 1:21-22, Peter states that being with Jesus from His baptism through His ascension was a requirement to replace Judas as an apostle after his betrayal. Walking closely with Jesus from the start enabled the apostles to bear firsthand witness to His ministry, death, and resurrection. Their eyewitness testimony would provide authority for their preaching and teaching.
Apostles Had to See the Risen Christ
Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 9:1 that seeing the resurrected Jesus was a core criteria for apostleship. Jesus appeared to all the apostles after His resurrection, commissioning them as eyewitnesses and servants of the gospel. His resurrection confirmed that He was the Son of God and launch pad for the Christian faith.
Apostles Received Direct Commission from Jesus
In Mark 3:13-15, Jesus called specific disciples to be apostles so they could be with him and receive authority to preach and cast out demons. Their authority came directly from Jesus’ commission. He chose them, trained them, and delegated functions of His ministry to them.
How Did the Apostles Impact the Early Church?
The apostles fulfilled a unique transitional role in laying the foundation of the early church:
Eyewitnesses of Jesus’ Ministry
The apostles preserved and shared firsthand memories of Jesus’ teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. Their oral testimony and written works anchored Christianity in real historical events.
Models of Teaching and Preaching
The apostles spread the gospel throughout the Roman Empire by their examples of fearless preaching, resulting in many conversions.
Planting of Churches
The apostles established some of the earliest Christian churches throughout Judea, Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually Rome.
Appointing Church Leaders
As the new churches grew, the apostles appointed elders and overseers to shepherd congregations in various regions.
Defining Christian Doctrine
The apostles’ teaching provided the doctrinal foundation for Christian belief, establishing key tenets like triune nature of God and salvation by grace through faith.
New Testament Writings
Half of the New Testament books were authored by apostles, communicating apostolic teaching to future generations.
Signs and Wonders
The apostles performed many miracles of healing and deliverance, bearing witness to the power of Jesus’ name (Acts 3:1-10).
Sending Out Co-Workers
As the church expanded, apostles like Paul recruited and discipled co-workers like Timothy and Titus to join them in missionary efforts.
Modeling Suffering and Persecution
The apostles embraced suffering for the gospel, facing beatings, imprisonment, stoning and martyrdom without compromising their witness.
The unique authority and activities of the apostles were key to initiating the growth and structure of Christianity. Their faithful efforts ensured that the gospel spread quickly and deeply took root.
How Did Apostles Relate to Disciples?
The apostles did not work in isolation but as part of a broader community of disciples empowering the life of the early church:
- The apostles continued to be disciples of Jesus, learning from Him.
- The apostles taught and trained other disciples beyond the Twelve.
- Disciples assisted apostles in practical ministry needs.
- Disciples supported apostles prayerfully and financially.
- Disciples circulated apostolic writings like the Gospels.
- Disciples emulated the godly examples set by apostles.
Though the apostles fulfilled a unique leadership role, they worked synergistically with other disciples of Jesus. They continued to learn from Jesus while also training others. Disciples enabled the apostles’ ministries through practical service and spiritual support. Many disciples sacrificially spread the gospel and strengthened the early church alongside the apostles.
The apostles provided visionary leadership, while disciples offered faithful assistance. Both were essential to firmly establishing Christianity.
Why Were There No More Apostles After the First Century?
The need for eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry to serve as apostles limited this role to the early church period. However, there are a few reasons no new apostles emerged after the first generation:
- The apostles had completed their foundational work of planting churches and defining sound doctrine.
- The apostolic writings (New Testament) became the authority rather than having new apostolic words.
- With the apostolic age over, apostolic authority rested in the Scripture and church leadership.
- The qualifications of seeing the risen Christ and being commissioned by Him could no longer be met.
- By the second century, the churches had established ecclesiastical offices of elders/presbyters and bishops/overseers.
The apostles fulfilled a transitional role of laying doctrinal foundations and pioneering the expansion of Christianity across the Roman world in a relatively short period. With their writing preserved as Scripture, the apostolic age ended even as their influence continued through their biblical teaching. Church offices emerged to provide ongoing leadership, rooted in the apostles’ doctrines.
Conclusion
In summary, while disciples and apostles overlapped as followers of Jesus, the apostles fulfilled a distinct and exclusive role in the history of the early church. As eyewitnesses of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection, they were commissioned to preach the gospel and establish churches throughout Judea, Asia Minor, Greece and eventually even the seat of the Roman empire itself. Their teachings and writings laid the doctrinal foundation for Christian belief. Their courageous examples of miracles, church planting, persecution and martyrdom fueled the incredible expansion of Christianity.
The New Testament record shows how disciples and apostles worked synergistically – disciples supporting apostles spiritually and practically, apostles leading and teaching disciples. This partnership was key to the eruption of the Christian faith across the Roman world. While the age of the apostles ended, the universal church today remains firmly grounded in their divine commission and foundational works.