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https://www.blueletterbible.org/Com...oly-spirit/04-were-others-called-apostles.cfm
Don Stewart :: Were Others, Apart from the Twelve, Called Apostles?
The twelve apostles that Jesus Christ chose were a unique group as well as a limited group. There is no doubt about this. However, it is important to understand that the term “apostle” is used in two senses in the New Testament. Indeed, it is used Jesus’ original twelve disciples as well as a few others who were also called apostles. The evidence is as follows.
The Apostles Were Specially Chosen
The Bible says that the Lord Jesus specially chose individuals who would become the apostles. We read the following in the introduction to the Book of Acts.
These apostles testified to their experience with the resurrected Christ. The Book of Acts records the following.
Paul Was an Apostle
Paul was not one of the original Twelve. In fact, he was not a believer during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Paul had the two major qualifications for an apostle; he had seen the risen Christ and he was specially commissioned by Him for the work of the ministry.
James the Brother of Jesus Was an Apostle
The gospels testify that James, along with the other brothers of Jesus, did not believe in Him during the time of His earthly ministry.
Although James did not believe in Jesus during the time of His earthly ministry he eventually became one of the apostles.
There is more. James is also called a pillar of the church
Like Paul, the Bible records an appearance of the risen Christ to James. Paul wrote about this to the Corinthians.
Barnabas is clearly called an apostle.
Though he was an apostle, Scripture makes a distinction between Barnabas and the Twelve.
While there are specific references of the risen Christ appearing to Paul and James, we do not find a specific reference that He appeared to Barnabas.
Silas Was Possibly an Apostle
It is possible that Silas (Silvanus) was called an apostle. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians
While there is no specific reference of the risen Christ appearing to Silas, he, like Barnabas, is probably included in the category of “all the apostles” that the Lord appeared to after His death (1 Corinthians 15:7)
Therefore it is likely that Silas was another of the select group of individuals that was specially chosen by Jesus.
Timothy Was Probably Not an Apostle
Although Timothy is mentioned along with Silas in Paul’s greeting to the Thessalonians, there is no reason to believe that he was an apostle. There are a number of reasons as to why this is so.
First, he is never specifically called an apostle. Paul calls Timothy a “brother” and a “servant”
Second, it is unlikely that he would have met the New Testament credentials for this special office. Timothy learned about Jesus Christ, not from being one of Jesus’ many disciples,
The Word Apostle Was Also Used in a General Sense
The Greek word, translated “apostle,” is used in a general sense. Jesus used the word apostle in the general sense of a messenger. We read.
Epaphroditus Was a Messenger (Apostle)
The Greek word translated “apostle” is also used of Epaphroditus. Paul wrote to the Philippians with the following description.
This also seems to be the use of the word “apostle” in the general sense of a messenger rather than in the technical sense of one specifically chosen and commissioned by the risen Christ.
Apollos May Have Been an Apostle
If Apollos is called an apostle, it is probably in the general sense of a messenger rather than the specific sense of one to whom Christ appeared after His resurrection from the dead.
Are There Apostles of the Churches and Apostles of Jesus Christ?
Some see a distinction between the apostles of the churches and the apostles of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself Was Called an Apostle
The term “apostle” is also used of Jesus. We read in Hebrews.
There Were False Apostles
Paul gave a warning concerning people who were false apostles. Indeed, he cautioned the Corinthians about such people.
Note that these false apostles disguised themselves as “true apostles.”
Not Everyone Who Saw the Risen Christ Was an Apostle
However, not everyone who saw the risen Christ was commissioned to be an apostle.
While seeing Jesus Christ after His resurrection from the dead was one of the qualifications necessary to become an apostle, this alone did not enough. Indeed, a person had to be specially commissioned by the Lord to be called an apostle.
Thus, there were indeed a number of apostles apart from the Twelve. As to just how many there were, we are not certain
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Com...oly-spirit/04-were-others-called-apostles.cfm
Don Stewart :: Were Others, Apart from the Twelve, Called Apostles?
The twelve apostles that Jesus Christ chose were a unique group as well as a limited group. There is no doubt about this. However, it is important to understand that the term “apostle” is used in two senses in the New Testament. Indeed, it is used Jesus’ original twelve disciples as well as a few others who were also called apostles. The evidence is as follows.
The Apostles Were Specially Chosen
The Bible says that the Lord Jesus specially chose individuals who would become the apostles. We read the following in the introduction to the Book of Acts.
These apostles testified to their experience with the resurrected Christ. The Book of Acts records the following.
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33 ESV).
Paul Was an Apostle
Paul was not one of the original Twelve. In fact, he was not a believer during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Paul had the two major qualifications for an apostle; he had seen the risen Christ and he was specially commissioned by Him for the work of the ministry.
James the Brother of Jesus Was an Apostle
The gospels testify that James, along with the other brothers of Jesus, did not believe in Him during the time of His earthly ministry.
Although James did not believe in Jesus during the time of His earthly ministry he eventually became one of the apostles.
There is more. James is also called a pillar of the church
Like Paul, the Bible records an appearance of the risen Christ to James. Paul wrote about this to the Corinthians.
Barnabas is clearly called an apostle.
Though he was an apostle, Scripture makes a distinction between Barnabas and the Twelve.
While there are specific references of the risen Christ appearing to Paul and James, we do not find a specific reference that He appeared to Barnabas.
Silas Was Possibly an Apostle
It is possible that Silas (Silvanus) was called an apostle. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians
While there is no specific reference of the risen Christ appearing to Silas, he, like Barnabas, is probably included in the category of “all the apostles” that the Lord appeared to after His death (1 Corinthians 15:7)
Therefore it is likely that Silas was another of the select group of individuals that was specially chosen by Jesus.
Timothy Was Probably Not an Apostle
Although Timothy is mentioned along with Silas in Paul’s greeting to the Thessalonians, there is no reason to believe that he was an apostle. There are a number of reasons as to why this is so.
First, he is never specifically called an apostle. Paul calls Timothy a “brother” and a “servant”
Second, it is unlikely that he would have met the New Testament credentials for this special office. Timothy learned about Jesus Christ, not from being one of Jesus’ many disciples,
The Word Apostle Was Also Used in a General Sense
The Greek word, translated “apostle,” is used in a general sense. Jesus used the word apostle in the general sense of a messenger. We read.
Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers [apostles] greater than the one who sent them (John 13:16 NRSV)
In this context, the word does not have the technical meaning “apostles.”Epaphroditus Was a Messenger (Apostle)
The Greek word translated “apostle” is also used of Epaphroditus. Paul wrote to the Philippians with the following description.
This also seems to be the use of the word “apostle” in the general sense of a messenger rather than in the technical sense of one specifically chosen and commissioned by the risen Christ.
Apollos May Have Been an Apostle
If Apollos is called an apostle, it is probably in the general sense of a messenger rather than the specific sense of one to whom Christ appeared after His resurrection from the dead.
Are There Apostles of the Churches and Apostles of Jesus Christ?
Some see a distinction between the apostles of the churches and the apostles of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Himself Was Called an Apostle
The term “apostle” is also used of Jesus. We read in Hebrews.
There Were False Apostles
Paul gave a warning concerning people who were false apostles. Indeed, he cautioned the Corinthians about such people.
Note that these false apostles disguised themselves as “true apostles.”
Not Everyone Who Saw the Risen Christ Was an Apostle
However, not everyone who saw the risen Christ was commissioned to be an apostle.
While seeing Jesus Christ after His resurrection from the dead was one of the qualifications necessary to become an apostle, this alone did not enough. Indeed, a person had to be specially commissioned by the Lord to be called an apostle.
Thus, there were indeed a number of apostles apart from the Twelve. As to just how many there were, we are not certain