A very good question was received, you may be surprised at what you read. You do not need to agree, but you may be challenged.
Hello Rory,
"How many apostles are named... Perhaps you have a handy list for this question...I'm sure I might leave a few out."
It is very important to realize the apostles gave us the faith of the Covenant in the New Testament. The apostles doctrine was the churches doctrine.
What the apostles did not command, we are under no obligation to do and may even go under a curse for going back under laws such as tithing, sabbath keeping, dietary laws, feasts, creeds, traditions, words, man-made rules, and positions unknown to the apostles.
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2nd Peter 3:2 that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandments of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
Acts 1:2
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that, he through the Holy Ghost, had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers
Now let's explore scripture for apostles who delivered "the faith once delivered to the saints" .
Apostle, a masculine noun, gr. apostolos. Strong's #652
Definition:
:a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ
in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers
There were 12 named as apostles, including possibly one father and his son, called by the Lord. One of the original fell away and betrayed Jesus, his name blotted out from the rest. After Jesus ascended, we find the record in Acts concerning the men who served as apostles.
Acts 1:13
And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
Matthias 12 (replacing Judas)
Acts 1:26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
1st Corinthians 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve (showing Matthias numbered as of the twelve)
Acts 14:
1) And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together (Paul and Barnabbas) into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
2) But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
3) Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4) But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. (plural, named in vs 1)
Paul, the 13th,
Barnabbas who becomes the 14th.
Acts 14:14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it,
Acts 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
And from 1Thessalonians:
1:1 Paul, and
Silvanus (15), and
Timothy (16) , unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
9) For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
chapter 2:
4) but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.
5) For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;
6) nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have claimed authority as apostles (plural) of Christ.
Silas (17)
Acts 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas (a confirmed apostle) and Silas
Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea
I see solid evidence of 16 apostles up through these passages, perhaps there are others such as Apollos, Silas and Silvanus.
If Silas and Silvanus are two separate individuals (there is some uncertainty they may be the same man), then there may be more apostles.Apollos (18)
1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
Epaphros (19)
ians 1:7 even as ye learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.
Philemon 1:23 Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee
Luke (20)
Acts 16:17 The same following after Paul and us (Luke and Silas) cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation
Collosians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you.
2nd Tim 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee; for he is useful to me for ministering.
Philemon 1:24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
Mark (21) John Mark
Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.
Aristarchus (22)
Acts 19:29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel.
2nd Timothy 4:10 for Demas forsook me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Philemon 1:24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workers.
Titus (23)
2nd Corinthians 12:18 I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
...Titus to Dalmatia. 2Tim 4:10
2 Corinthians 8:6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Gaius ?
Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus
Acts 19:29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel
Erastus?
Acts 18: 22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
Trophimus ?
Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Acts 21:29 For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.
2nd Timothy 4:20 Erastus remained at Corinth: but Trophimus I left at Miletus sick
Tychius ?
Acts 20:4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Ephesians 6:21 But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:
Colossians 4:7 All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord:
2nd Timothy 4:12 But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.
Titus 3:12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come unto me
Demas: another Judas?
Our total?
28 possibles, minus Demas, minus a possible duplication of Silas-Silvanus?, minus a possible Trophimus?
So we have around 24, possibly more. Possibly.
The office of apostles was continued just as the office of prophets, teachers, pastors, and evangelists were to continue.
