Who is an apostle?

An apostle is someone who is sent out on behalf of another. He is chosen for his work by the one who sends him. He is instructed where to go, what to say, and how to comport himself. He serves as his sender’s ambassador, and he is obligated to perform his service precisely as instructed.

An example of an apostle is Jesus, Christ.

Jesus was chosen by his father and sent out to the tribe of Israel, to preach to Israel the good news that the kingdom of heaven is within grasp, and to perform signs and wonders that Israel might believe. After Jesus preached to Israel, he was to deliver himself to the chief priests, to suffer many things of them, and to be killed. In this way, he was to draw all men unto himself, and unto the good news which he preached. He was given power to do these things, and he was given power to take up his life again.

Another example of apostles is The Twelve.

The father of Jesus gave him twelve others to facilitate his work. Among those given to him was one who was gone astray and lost. Jesus kept them in his father’s name, and he lost none of them.

Jesus sent out The Twelve to go to the lost of the tribe of Israel, and to preach the good news that the kingdom of heaven is within grasp. He gave them power to perform signs and wonders, that Israel might believe. At the last day, the day when Jesus was killed, he instructed his apostles to scatter, so that none of them would be lost, so that they might reassemble after he took up his life again. Also at the last day, in accordance with the will of his father, he raised him up again who was gone astray and lost.

A final example of an apostle is the one who was lost, after Jesus raised him up again, whom Jesus chose to serve as guide for those who would take him.

Here are the words by which Jesus indicated whom he chose to be his apostle.

He that eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.

Here are the meanings of the parts.

eats bread with me - cooperates with me

has lifted up his heel against me - has made a covenant to deliver me after the devil put it into his heart

Here are the words by which Jesus revealed the cooperative act he required of his apostle.

Verily, verily I say unto you, that one of you shall deliver me.

Note: I am not an apostle. I say these things only in my own name.