What exactly was the role of the Twelve disciples after the death of Jesus?

Question

According to Acts, they seem to act as official witnesses of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. But according to Acts, there were many more witnesses to these than just these 12. So what would be the difference between being one of the official 12, and being another witness of the same events?

Answer 1

Unlike some of the other witnesses the Bible mentions, the disciples spent three years traveling with Jesus. When you read the Gospels, you will notice that several times when Jesus tells a parable, it is only to the Disciples that HE gives the explanation. It is almost like they were in school for 3 years. After the resurrection, the 11 apostles acted as the leaders and teachers of the early church.

Answer 2

The 12 apostles were the first bishops and priests. They were given the power to baptize people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. They had the power to forgive sins. Peter had the power of the keys. Whatever Peter said is bound on earth is bound in heaven and whatever Peter says is lose on earth is lose in heaven. So Peter was the first Pope. They had the power to preach the gospel. They had the power to perform miracles of healing in the name of God. They had the power to build the Chruch of God. They made up the Magisterium. They could teach people what to believe and what not to believe. They decided who will be the successors of the apostles like who would be the successor of Judas. They passed on their powers to other apostles so this is how we have the sacrament of Holy Orders and this is why we have priests. Some of them were married, but they decided that apostles can serve God better if they don't get married. The 12 were chosen by Jesus. This is the apostolic tradition of the Catholic Church. Then they decided where the Pope and bishops will live and how the people will worship God. They set down the rules including when the Lord's day will be observed. They had power because Jesus gave them these powers. The other witnesses were not given the powers that the 12 apostles were given.

Answer 3

Jesus Christ, in His own words, told the Apostles that He ordained them, and gave them the keys of the kingdom (this means the Priesthood Authority) that whatsoever they bind on earth should be bound in heaven and whatsoever they loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Having these keys meant that they were authorized to baptize new converts and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, two of the most important saving ordinances of Christ's Church. During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ established the foundation of His Church. (Ephesians 2:20.) While on earth Jesus led His Church directly, but He wanted someone to establish the affairs of the Church in His name after He left. After He ascended He continued to lead His Church through the Apostles.

One must recognize that there is a difference between the word disciple and the word Apostle. Disciple means any follower of Jesus Christ. However, the name Apostle is a specific office in Christ's Church. Twelve men with this high calling constitute an administrative council in the work of the ministry. When a vacancy occurred with the death of Judas Iscariot, Matthias was divinely appointed to that special office as a member of the council (Acts 1: 15-26).

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Answer 4

Like the rings of a target, there were various degrees of closeness to the the bullseye. The outer ring would be the unknown multitude of disciples, the next being the 12, the final being Peter, James and John.

Peter, James and John may have been set apart from the 12 seeing that they would be writers within the coming Testament.

The word "disciple" means to "sit at the feet". The word "apostle" means to be "sent forth".

Answer 5

advantages to all. Jesus had greater devotees , however the Bible does not says precisely how many in accordance to Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus made this visual charm to all the 11 surviving disciples. Paul has this adventure take place interior the presence of all twelve apostles (Corinthians 15:5) whether Judas had long on the grounds that died, having committed suicide (Matthew 27:5; Acts a million:18). places purely ten disciples on the scene, Thomas being absent! -- John 20:24 ...... a million) And that he develop into seen of Cephas (Peter), (15:5) 2) All 12 apostles. (15:5) 3) After that, he develop into seen of above brethren at as quickly as; of whom the greater advantageous area stay unto this present day, yet some are fallen asleep. (15:6) 4) After that, he develop into seen of James; (15:7) 5) All 12 apostles. (15:7) 6) Paul himself, "And final of all he develop into seen of me additionally, as of one born out of due time." (15:8)

Answer 6

Jesus spent 3 years training the disciples. Then they in turn knew how do disciple others to go and do the same thing. Any could witness but discipling takes time.....years even.

Answer 7

the role of the apostles after the cruifixion was to spread the word of god ,as jesus had taught them, to all the kingdoms.and to rectify the scriptures,ie as jesus did himself with his eye for an eye update.i imagine that the difference between witnesses was the fact the 12 were choosen by jesus and gave up their lives to follow him ,therefore being choose by god himself,whereas most of the remaining witnesses,watched to see a public execution,as a form of entertainment.

Answer 8

Jesus sent them out to "spread the good news" and embodied them with the powers of the Holy Spirit so that they could do miracles, heal the sick, etc. As far as I know, they were the only ones so endowed.

Sure there were many witnesses, but none of them were given such a decree ... at least in that era.

Answer 9

The Apostles were commissioned by Jesus to preach the Gospel and to forgive sins in His name and by His authority.

Answer 10

To teach the truth of Jesus.