The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by David Lee of Malaysia, from the tape GC 1301-N, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 16."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1981. All Rights Reserved.

Questioner

Regarding the apostles, we know that there were twelve. In Romans 16:7, where Paul sends his salutations. He said, "Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who were also in Christ before me." Now, does that mean they were apostles?

John MacArthur's Answer

Yes. Different kind. You’ve got all kinds of apostles. You know who the first apostle is? You know who the great apostle is? In the book of Hebrew, it talks about the great apostle, you know who that is? Christ. You know what apostle means? "Sent one," and after Christ, and you would say Christ is capital APOSTLE, right? The Great ‘APOSTLE’. Then you have the twelve, they are ‘Apostle.’ And then you have Andronicus, Junias and the whole bunch--Barnabas, and they are ‘apostle.’

In other words, that word is a broad word, is like the word "servant," it means "sent one." And you can look at it in an official capacity or an unofficial one. Andronicus and Junias and those were "sent ones" they were like missionaries, there is a sense in which today, some of us are "sent ones" aren’t we? So you have to allow for the official office of the twelve, which I believe is eleven minus Judas plus Matthias, Acts 1, plus, out of due season, Paul, who is an Apostle out of due season and in a very special way, then plus a lot of other apostles and prophets. In Ephesians 2:20 says the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and that’s a very broad possibility.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur's Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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