apóstolos

Apóstolos is a term of Greek origin, meaning "one who is sent forth" or "messenger." In its most common usage, it refers to the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus Christ during his ministry as recorded in the New Testament of the Bible. These individuals were entrusted with spreading his teachings and forming the early Christian church.

The twelve apostles were Simon Peter, Andrew, James (son of Zebedee), John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. After Judas's betrayal and death, Matthias was chosen by lot to replace him, maintaining the number twelve. The Apostle Paul, though not one of the original twelve, is also considered a prominent apostle due to his extensive missionary work and foundational role in Christian theology.

The role of an apostle involved witnessing Jesus's life, death, and resurrection, receiving his teachings directly, and then being commissioned to preach the Gospel and perform miracles in his name. Their authority and teachings were central to the development and expansion of Christianity. The concept of apostleship has also been adopted by other religious groups, often referring to individuals sent out to evangelize or spread specific doctrines.