An apostle is one of the twelve chosen by Jesus to spread the Gospel. The word comes from the Greek apostolos, meaning one who is sent. Jesus sent them out to preach, heal, and cast out demons. They were his closest followers. They witnessed his resurrection. They founded the church. They are the foundation of the faith.

The twelve are named in the Gospels. Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. Judas betrayed Jesus. He was replaced by Matthias. Paul was not one of the twelve. But he is called an apostle. He saw the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. He was sent to the Gentiles. He wrote many of the New Testament letters.

The apostles in the New Testament

• Peter: leader of the twelve, preached at Pentecost.
• John: beloved disciple, wrote a Gospel and letters.
• Paul: apostle to the Gentiles, wrote Romans.
• Thomas: doubted, then believed, tradition says he went to India.
• Matthew: tax collector, wrote a Gospel.

The apostles were ordinary men. Fishermen. A tax collector. A zealot. They were not scholars. They were not wealthy. They were not powerful. But they changed the world. They preached with boldness. They suffered persecution. They died as martyrs. Tradition says Peter was crucified upside down. Paul was beheaded. James was killed by Herod. They gave their lives for the Gospel. They are the heroes of the faith. They are the apostles. The church is built on their witness. Their testimony is the foundation. They saw the risen Lord. They proclaimed him. They turned the world upside down. And they are still speaking today. Through the scriptures. Through the church. Through the faith they handed down. The apostles are not dead. They live in the word they preached.