apostles. See note on 2:20. A term used particularly of the 12 disciples who had seen the risen Christ (Ac 1:22), including Matthias, who replaced Judas. Later, Paul was uniquely set apart as the apostle to the Gentiles (Gal 1:15–17) and was numbered with the other apostles. He, too, miraculously encountered Jesus at his conversion on the Damascus Road (Ac 9:1–9; Gal 1:15–17). Those apostles were chosen directly by Christ, so as to be called “apostles of Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:1; 1Pe 1:1). They were given 3 basic responsibilities: 1) to lay the foundation of the church (2:20); 2) to receive, declare and write God’s Word (3:5; Ac 11:28; 21:10, 11); and 3) to give confirmation of that Word through signs, wonders, and miracles (2Co 12:12; cf. Ac 8:6, 7; Heb 2:3, 4). The term “apostle” is used in more general ways of other men in the early church, such as Barnabas (Ac 14:4), Silas, Timothy (1Th 2:6), and others (Ro 16:7; Php 2:25). They are called “messengers (or apostles) of the churches” (2Co 8:23), rather than “apostles of Jesus Christ” like the 13. They were not self-perpetuating, nor was any apostle who died replaced

prophets. See note on 2:20. Not ordinary believers who had the gift of prophecy but specially commissioned men in the early church. The office of prophet seems to have been exclusively for work within a local congregation. They were not “sent ones” as were the apostles (see Ac 13:1–4), but, as with the apostles, their office ceased with the completion of the NT. They sometimes spoke practical direct revelation for the church from God (Ac 11:21–28) or expounded revelation already given (implied in Ac 13:1). They were not used for the reception of Scripture. Their messages were to be judged by other prophets for validity (1Co 14:32) and had to conform to the teaching of the apostles (v. 37). Those two offices were replaced by the evangelists and teaching pastors.

evangelists. Men who proclaim the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ to unbelievers. Cf. the use of this term in Ac 21:8; 2Ti 4:5. The related verb translated “to preach the gospel” is used 54 times and the related noun translated “gospel” is used 76 times in the NT

pastors and teachers. This phrase is best understood in context as a single office of leadership in the church. The Gr. word translated “and” can mean “in particular” (see 1Ti 5:17). The normal meaning of pastor is “shepherd,” so the two functions together define the teaching shepherd. He is identified as one who is under the “great Shepherd” Jesus (Heb 13:20, 21; 1Pe 2:25). One who holds this office is also called an “elder” (see notes on Tit 1:5–9) and “bishop,” or “overseer” (see notes on 1Ti 3:1–7). Ac 20:28 and 1Pe 5:1, 2 bring all 3 terms together.