Explanation: Within Christian theology and ecclesiology, apostles, especially the Twelve, are understood as the principal disciples of Jesus. They were His closest followers during His earthly ministry and subsequently became the primary disseminators of the gospel message following His resurrection.

Explanation: The term 'apostle' originates from the Greek word 'apóstolos' (ἀπόστολος), a compound of 'apó-' (from) and 'stéllō' (to send). Its fundamental meaning is 'one sent forth,' encompassing the concepts of a messenger, envoy, or delegate.

Explanation: The Epistle to the Romans (16:7) references Andronicus and Junia as individuals 'of repute among the apostles.' Scholarly discourse persists regarding whether 'Junia' denotes a female apostle or a male named Junias, a distinction reflected in various biblical translations.

Explanation: Within Western Christian tradition, the seventy individuals mentioned in Luke's Gospel are generally designated as 'disciples.' Conversely, Eastern Christianity frequently refers to them as 'apostles,' indicative of a more expansive interpretation of the term 'apostle' as one divinely commissioned for a mission.

Explanation: In a broader, extended application, the term 'apostle' may encompass any individual commissioned by God or Christ for a specific mission to humanity. This wider definition includes figures such as Paul and Barnabas, beyond the original Twelve.

Explanation: Within Christian theology and ecclesiology, apostles, especially the Twelve, are understood as the principal disciples of Jesus. They were His closest followers during His earthly ministry and subsequently became the primary disseminators of the gospel message following His resurrection.

Explanation: The term 'apostle' originates from the Greek word 'apóstolos' (ἀπόστολος), a compound of 'apó-' (from) and 'stéllō' (to send). Its fundamental meaning is 'one sent forth,' encompassing the concepts of a messenger, envoy, or delegate.

Explanation: The Epistle to the Romans (16:7) references Andronicus and Junia as individuals 'of repute among the apostles.' Scholarly discourse persists regarding whether 'Junia' denotes a female apostle or a male named Junias, a distinction reflected in various biblical translations.

Explanation: Within Western Christian tradition, the seventy individuals mentioned in Luke's Gospel are generally designated as 'disciples.' Conversely, Eastern Christianity frequently refers to them as 'apostles,' indicative of a more expansive interpretation of the term 'apostle' as one divinely commissioned for a mission.

Explanation: In a broader, extended application, the term 'apostle' may encompass any individual commissioned by God or Christ for a specific mission to humanity. This wider definition includes figures such as Paul and Barnabas, beyond the original Twelve.

Explanation: The commissioning of the Twelve Apostles is documented in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Jesus bestowed upon them authority to expel unclean spirits and to remedy all manner of diseases and ailments.

Explanation: The Gospel accounts depict the disciples responding with immediate assent, forsaking their prior occupations, such as fishing and mending nets, to follow Jesus. While the text does not explicitly attribute this to divine intervention, the promptness of their adherence is a notable characteristic.

Explanation: A notable discrepancy among the enumerations of the Twelve Apostles appears in the Gospel of Luke, which lists 'Judas, son of James' in place of 'Thaddaeus,' as presented in Matthew and Mark. The Gospel of John omits a formal roster.

Explanation: Notwithstanding minor appellative variations, all canonical lists of the Twelve Apostles exhibit consistent ordering. Peter is invariably enumerated first, Philip fifth, James son of Alphaeus ninth, and Judas Iscariot consistently appears last.

Explanation: The New Testament enumerations of the apostles consistently identify them as men. Furthermore, Christian tradition maintains that all twelve were ethnically Jewish.

Explanation: Jesus dispatched the twelve apostles in pairs to minister within designated locales in Galilee. This collaborative arrangement likely furnished mutual support and facilitated broader dissemination of their mission to proclaim the gospel, effect healings, and expel demons.

Explanation: The appointment and commissioning of the Twelve Apostles are documented in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Jesus bestowed upon them authority to expel unclean spirits and to remedy all manner of diseases and ailments.

Explanation: When Jesus first sent out the Twelve Apostles in pairs, His instructions were to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and drive out demons. They were also told to take nothing for their journey except a staff, and to shake the dust off their feet if a town rejected them.

Explanation: The Gospel accounts depict the disciples responding with immediate assent, forsaking their prior occupations, such as fishing and mending nets, to follow Jesus. While the text does not explicitly attribute this to divine intervention, the promptness of their adherence is a notable characteristic.

Explanation: A notable discrepancy among the enumerations of the Twelve Apostles appears in the Gospel of Luke, which lists 'Judas, son of James' in place of 'Thaddaeus,' as presented in Matthew and Mark. The Gospel of John omits a formal roster.

Explanation: The New Testament enumerations of the apostles consistently identify them as men. Furthermore, Christian tradition maintains that all twelve were ethnically Jewish.

Explanation: 'Protokletos' is an honorific title conferred upon Andrew the Apostle by the Eastern Orthodox Church, signifying 'the first called.' This designation reflects the theological understanding that Andrew was among the earliest disciples to respond to Jesus's summons.

Explanation: Matthew, identified also as Levi in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, was a publican (tax collector). His summons by Jesus from his customs post was met with immediate acceptance, culminating in a banquet hosted by Matthew for Jesus and his peers, underscoring Jesus's ministry to those considered sinners.

Explanation: In response to the Pharisees' inquiry regarding His association with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus articulated, 'It is not the healthy who require a physician, but those who are ill. I have not come to summon the righteous, but rather sinners to repentance.'

Explanation: The New Testament explicitly identifies two sets of brothers within the ranks of the Twelve Apostles: Simon Peter and Andrew, sons of Jonah; and James and John, sons of Zebedee.

Explanation: Within the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church, James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus are regarded as brothers, predicated on the identification of their father as Alphaeus in the Gospel narratives.

Explanation: Peter, James son of Zebedee, and John constituted an inner circle, or triumvirate, among the Twelve Apostles. Their presence is specifically noted on three pivotal occasions: the resuscitation of Jairus' daughter, the Transfiguration, and the Gethsemane prayer.

Explanation: Jesus bestowed the appellation 'Boanerges' upon James and John, sons of Zebedee. This Aramaic term is widely interpreted as 'Sons of Thunder,' implying a disposition of potent zeal or formidable character.

Explanation: The 'Great Commission' denotes the post-resurrection mandate issued by Jesus to His eleven apostles, directing them to disseminate His teachings universally among all peoples, encompassing both Jew and Gentile. This directive constituted a central tenet of their apostolic mission.

Explanation: 'Protokletos' is an honorific title conferred upon Andrew the Apostle by the Eastern Orthodox Church, signifying 'the first called.' This designation reflects the theological understanding that Andrew was among the earliest disciples to respond to Jesus's summons.

Explanation: In response to the Pharisees' inquiry regarding His association with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus articulated, 'It is not the healthy who require a physician, but those who are ill. I have not come to summon the righteous, but rather sinners to repentance.'

Explanation: The New Testament explicitly identifies two sets of brothers within the ranks of the Twelve Apostles: Simon Peter and Andrew, sons of Jonah; and James and John, sons of Zebedee.

Explanation: Peter, James son of Zebedee, and John constituted an inner circle, or triumvirate, among the Twelve Apostles. Their presence is specifically noted on three pivotal occasions: the resuscitation of Jairus' daughter, the Transfiguration, and the Gethsemane prayer.

Explanation: The demise of James, son of Zebedee and brother of John, is the sole death of one of the Twelve explicitly narrated within the New Testament (circa AD 44). The New Testament presents divergent accounts of Judas Iscariot's end: Matthew reports his self-hanging after returning the silver, while Acts describes his purchase of a field and subsequent fatal fall.

Explanation: Jesus bestowed the appellation 'Boanerges' upon James and John, sons of Zebedee. This Aramaic term is widely interpreted as 'Sons of Thunder,' implying a disposition of potent zeal or formidable character.

Explanation: The 'Great Commission' denotes the post-resurrection mandate issued by Jesus to His eleven apostles, directing them to disseminate His teachings universally among all peoples, encompassing both Jew and Gentile. This directive constituted a central tenet of their apostolic mission.

Explanation: 'Protokletos' is an honorific title conferred upon Andrew the Apostle by the Eastern Orthodox Church, signifying 'the first called.' This designation reflects the theological understanding that Andrew was among the earliest disciples to respond to Jesus's summons.

Explanation: Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus was followed by his demise, variously described as suicide or a fatal fall. This event reduced the apostolic contingent to eleven, thereby necessitating the selection of a successor to restore the full complement.

Explanation: Following the death of Judas Iscariot and preceding the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the remaining eleven apostles selected Matthias to fill the twelfth apostolic office. This selection was accomplished through the casting of lots, a practice historically employed in Israel to ascertain divine volition, as documented in the Acts of the Apostles.

Explanation: The practice of casting lots represented a traditional Israelite means of discerning divine intent. The apostles employed this method in selecting Matthias as Judas Iscariot's successor, thereby ensuring the perpetuation of the Twelve as witnesses to Jesus' resurrection.

Explanation: Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus was followed by his demise, variously described as suicide or a fatal fall. This event reduced the apostolic contingent to eleven, thereby necessitating the selection of a successor to restore the full complement.

Explanation: The practice of casting lots represented a traditional Israelite means of discerning divine intent. The apostles employed this method in selecting Matthias as Judas Iscariot's successor, thereby ensuring the perpetuation of the Twelve as witnesses to Jesus' resurrection.

Explanation: Paul, despite not being among the original Twelve, asserted a unique commission directly from the resurrected Christ, received during his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Identifying himself as the 'apostle to the Gentiles,' he frequently defended his apostolic credentials, maintaining that his gospel was divinely revealed rather than humanly derived.

Explanation: The designation 'apostle of the Gentiles' for Paul underscores his specific divine commission and principal role in propagating the Christian gospel among non-Jewish populations. This apostolic mandate received acknowledgment and affirmation from other pivotal apostles, including James, Peter, and John.

Explanation: Paul expressed a sense of potential inferiority relative to the original Twelve Apostles, stemming from his prior persecution of Christ's adherents. Nevertheless, he emphatically maintained that he was in no way subordinate to the so-called 'super-apostles' and possessed full knowledge.

Explanation: As recorded in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, James, Peter, and John acknowledged the divine grace bestowed upon Paul and concurred that Paul and Barnabas would direct their missionary efforts toward the Gentiles (uncircumcised), while they themselves would minister to the circumcised (Jews).

Explanation: Paul being called the 'apostle of the Gentiles' underscores his specific divine commission and principal role in propagating the Christian gospel among non-Jewish populations. This apostolic mandate received acknowledgment and affirmation from other pivotal apostles, including James, Peter, and John.

Explanation: Paul, despite not being among the original Twelve, asserted a unique commission directly from the resurrected Christ, received during his conversion experience on the road to Damascus. Identifying himself as the 'apostle to the Gentiles,' he frequently defended his apostolic credentials, maintaining that his gospel was divinely revealed rather than humanly derived.

Explanation: The Apostle Paul, acting under a commission from the resurrected Christ, primarily directed his apostolic ministry toward the Gentiles. His missionary endeavors resulted in the establishment of numerous churches across the Levant, and his epistles subsequently attained canonical status, profoundly influencing early Christian theology and praxis.

Explanation: Paul expressed a sense of potential inferiority relative to the original Twelve Apostles, stemming from his prior persecution of Christ's adherents. Nevertheless, he emphatically maintained that he was in no way subordinate to the so-called 'super-apostles' and possessed full knowledge.

Explanation: As recorded in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians, James, Peter, and John acknowledged the divine grace bestowed upon Paul and concurred that Paul and Barnabas would direct their missionary efforts toward the Gentiles (uncircumcised), while they themselves would minister to the circumcised (Jews).

Explanation: The designation 'apostle of the Gentiles' for Paul underscores his specific divine commission and principal role in propagating the Christian gospel among non-Jewish populations. This apostolic mandate received acknowledgment and affirmation from other pivotal apostles, including James, Peter, and John.

Explanation: Scriptural passages, notably in the Pauline epistles, establish the foundational role of apostles and prophets in the construction of the Church. This theological framework designates Jesus Christ as the supreme cornerstone upon which this spiritual edifice is built.

Explanation: Peter, John, and James, the brother of Jesus, were acknowledged as the principal 'Pillars of the Church' in nascent Christianity. Catholic tradition, referencing Papias of Hierapolis, posits that this James is synonymous with the apostle James, son of Alphaeus.

Explanation: By the second century AD, ecclesiastical bodies claiming foundation by an apostle were accorded significant veneration as tangible evidence of authority and continuity, and were designated as 'apostolic sees'.

Explanation: In the early Church, bishops asserted their ecclesiastical authority by tracing their lineage of ordination back to the apostles, who were understood to have established churches throughout the known world following their dispersal from Jerusalem. This doctrine of 'apostolic succession' became a fundamental tenet of church governance.

Explanation: The designation 'Apostolic Fathers' refers to early ecclesiastical writers whose lives and theological output demonstrated a proximate connection to the apostles. For instance, Pope Clement I is traditionally associated with St. Peter, and their extant writings were regarded as conduits of apostolic tradition and authority.

Explanation: The Apostles' Creed stands as a prominent articulation of Christian doctrine, especially prevalent in Western liturgical practice. Its traditional attribution posits its composition by the apostles themselves, functioning as a foundational compendium of their essential tenets.

Explanation: An 'apostolic see' denotes an ecclesiastical jurisdiction recognized as having been founded by one of the original apostles. This lineage was highly esteemed in early Christianity, serving as a significant marker of ecclesiastical authority and fidelity to apostolic tradition.

Explanation: In early Christianity, a corpus of texts, including the Didache and the Apostolic Constitutions, were attributed to the apostles. These writings were considered authoritative, transmitting the teachings and traditions directly inherited from the apostles.

Explanation: The appellation 'Pillars of the Church' designates preeminent figures within the nascent Christian community, specifically Peter, John, and James, the brother of Jesus. Their elevated status signified their critical role in the establishment and governance of the early Christian movement.

Explanation: The phrase 'built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets,' as articulated by Paul, denotes that these figures constituted the fundamental bedrock of the Church's establishment. It underscores their pivotal function in the formation of the early Christian community and its doctrinal framework, with Christ Jesus as the supreme cornerstone.

Explanation: Ecclesiastical centers founded by the original apostles were designated 'apostolic sees' due to the substantial authority and credibility derived from their direct association with Christ's earliest disciples. This lineage was perceived as a vital connection to the apostolic tradition.

Explanation: Ecclesiastical centers founded by the original apostles were designated 'apostolic sees' due to the substantial authority and credibility derived from their direct association with Christ's earliest disciples. This lineage was perceived as a vital connection to the apostolic tradition.

Explanation: In the early Church, bishops asserted their ecclesiastical authority by tracing their lineage of ordination back to the apostles, who were understood to have established churches throughout the known world following their dispersal from Jerusalem. This doctrine of 'apostolic succession' became a fundamental tenet of church governance.

Explanation: The designation 'Apostolic Fathers' refers to early ecclesiastical writers whose lives and theological output demonstrated a proximate connection to the apostles. For instance, Pope Clement I is traditionally associated with St. Peter, and their extant writings were regarded as conduits of apostolic tradition and authority.

Explanation: The Apostles' Creed stands as a prominent articulation of Christian doctrine, especially prevalent in Western liturgical practice. Its traditional attribution posits its composition by the apostles themselves, functioning as a foundational compendium of their essential tenets.

Explanation: An 'apostolic see' denotes an ecclesiastical jurisdiction recognized as having been founded by one of the original apostles. This lineage was highly esteemed in early Christianity, serving as a significant marker of ecclesiastical authority and fidelity to apostolic tradition.

Explanation: The phrase 'built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets,' as articulated by Paul, denotes that these figures constituted the fundamental bedrock of the Church's establishment. It underscores their pivotal function in the formation of the early Christian community and its doctrinal framework, with Christ Jesus as the supreme cornerstone.

Explanation: Ecclesiastical tradition posits that all of the Twelve Apostles, with the notable exception of John, met martyrdom. John, conversely, is believed to have outlived his brethren, reaching advanced age and succumbing to natural causes subsequent to AD 98.

Explanation: The 18th-century historian Edward Gibbon observed that early Christian consensus, particularly during the second and third centuries, identified only Peter, Paul, and James, son of Zebedee, as martyrs. He posited that subsequent claims regarding the martyrdom of other apostles likely stemmed from later hagiographical traditions rather than contemporaneous historical or scriptural substantiation.

Explanation: No relics are traditionally claimed for the Apostle John. Historical accounts indicate that upon the exhumation of his tomb in Ephesus during the reign of Constantine the Great, no skeletal remains were discovered, fostering the theological belief in his bodily assumption.

Explanation: Tradition holds that Jude Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot are interred together within St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, beneath the altar dedicated to St. Joseph. Additional claims regarding their relics are associated with Reims Cathedral and Toulouse Cathedral in France.

Explanation: The prevailing Christian tradition holds that John the Apostle was unique among the Twelve in that he did not suffer martyrdom. It is believed he attained advanced age and died from natural causes in Ephesus, likely during the reign of Emperor Trajan, subsequent to AD 98.

Explanation: Peter is traditionally entombed within St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. The relics of Paul are also venerated in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, with his skull reportedly housed in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, alongside that of St. Peter.

Explanation: Peter is traditionally entombed within St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. The relics of Paul are also venerated in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, with his skull reportedly housed in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, alongside that of St. Peter.

Explanation: The prevailing Christian tradition holds that John the Apostle was unique among the Twelve in that he did not suffer martyrdom. It is believed he attained advanced age and died from natural causes in Ephesus, likely during the reign of Emperor Trajan, subsequent to AD 98.

Explanation: The 18th-century historian Edward Gibbon observed that early Christian consensus, particularly during the second and third centuries, identified only Peter, Paul, and James, son of Zebedee, as martyrs. He posited that subsequent claims regarding the martyrdom of other apostles likely stemmed from later hagiographical traditions rather than contemporaneous historical or scriptural substantiation.

Explanation: No relics are traditionally claimed for the Apostle John. Historical accounts indicate that upon the exhumation of his tomb in Ephesus during the reign of Constantine the Great, no skeletal remains were discovered, fostering the theological belief in his bodily assumption.

Explanation: Tradition holds that Jude Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot are interred together within St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, beneath the altar dedicated to St. Joseph. Additional claims regarding their relics are associated with Reims Cathedral and Toulouse Cathedral in France.

Explanation: Peter is traditionally entombed within St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. The relics of Paul are also venerated in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, with his skull reportedly housed in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, alongside that of St. Peter.

Explanation: Tradition posits that the Apostle Philip is interred either within the Church of the Holy Apostles in Rome or in Hierapolis, located in modern-day Turkey. The precise site remains a matter of tradition rather than conclusive historical documentation.