Apostels

Apostels is a term with historical and religious significance, most commonly referring to the primary disciples of Jesus Christ. These twelve individuals were chosen by Jesus during his public ministry to be his closest followers and to spread his teachings after his death and resurrection. The names of the twelve apostles are consistently listed in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, although John's Gospel refers to them more generally as disciples.

The traditional list includes Simon Peter, Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the tax collector, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. After Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death, the apostles elected Matthias to replace him, as recorded in the Book of Acts.

The role of the apostles was foundational to early Christianity. They were witnesses to Jesus' life, miracles, and teachings, and were empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry on his mission. Their activities after Jesus' ascension are described in the Book of Acts, where they are depicted as preaching, performing miracles, and establishing the early church. The term "apostle" itself derives from the Greek word apostolos, meaning "one who is sent out" or "messenger."

Beyond the twelve, the New Testament also uses the term apostle to refer to other individuals who played significant roles in spreading the Christian message, such as Paul, who though not one of the original twelve, is considered a pivotal apostle due to his extensive missionary journeys and influential epistles. The authority and teachings of the apostles are considered central to Christian doctrine and practice.