Found in every New Testament book but Second Thessalonians, Philemon, James, First, Second and Third John, the Greek noun “apostolos” meant “apostle” or “one sent.”
In many places this word describes the people selected by Jesus to serve as “apostles” (Lk. 6:13). These men were charged with initially taking the gospel into the whole world; they also communicated the Christian faith to the first Christians (Acts 2:42) and were the means by which supernatural gifts were given to at least some who became Christians (Acts 8:18). As the apostles sought to do their work, some “false apostles” arose as seen by verses like 2 Cor. 11:13. Jesus is referred to as an “apostle” in the sense He was “sent” (Heb. 3:1). Barnabas is referred to as an “apostle” (Acts 14:14) in this same sense.