Apostles Commissioned by Jesus

Here are the list of the Apostles that the bible mentions by name and were hand-picked by Jesus himself:

1. Simon Peter, son of Jonas (Matt. 4:18; 10:2; Mark 3:16; Lk. 6:14)
2. Andrew, brother of Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18; 10:2; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:14)
3. James Boanerges, son of Zebedee (Matt. 4:21; 10:2; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:14)
4. John Boanerges, brother of James (Matt. 4:21; 10:2; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:14)
5. Matthew, the Publican (Matt. 9:9; 10:3; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:15)
6. Philip (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:14; Jn. 1:43)
7. Bartholomew (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:14)
8. Thomas, called Didymus (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:15)
9. James, son of Alpheus (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:15)
10. Lebbaeus, surname Thaddeus; also called Jude (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18)
11. Simon Zelotes, the Canaanite (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18; Lk. 6:15)
12. Judas Iscariot, the traitor (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:19; Lk. 6:16)

These apostles were unverifiable to be hand-picked by Jesus Himself.
1. Judas, brother of James (Lk. 6:16; Acts 1:13)
2. Nathanael, of Cana (Jn. 1:45-49; 21:2)
3. Barnabas, called Joses (Acts 14:14)
4. Matthias, surnamed Justus (Acts 1:23,26)
5. Joseph, called Barsabas (Acts 1:23)

Why are there more than the Twelve original apostles?

Strongs Lexicon says that an "apostle" is "a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders. Specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ. In a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers; of Barnabas of Timothy and Silvanus." Its very possible that the apostles other than "the Twelve" are a part of the 72 (or 70) that Jesus sent out to preach the gospel (Luke 10:1-20).

The Living Bible Encyclopedia says that "in the NT (New Testament) the word (apostle) appears in a two-fold sense, as the official name of" the original twelve "disciples whom Jesus chose to be with Him during the course of His ministry on earth, to see Him after His resurrection, and to lay the foundation of His church; and in a broader, non-official sense, to designate Christian messengers commissioned by a community- like Barnabas, who was sent forth as a missionary by the church at Antioch (Acts 13:3)." Of the original 11, including Matthias and the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul of Tarsus, "their office was not, and could not be, passed on to others. It was unique."

After some in-depth research, I have come to the conclusion that a certain few people in the bible have been mistaken for apostles.

Here is a list of the mistaken list of apostles.:
1. Andronicus (Rom 16:7) - Strong’s Lexicon says that Andronicus means "man of victory, a Jewish Christian and a kinsman of Paul.” Easton’s Bible Dictionary says, “man-conquering, a Jewish Christian, the kinsman and fellow prisoner of Paul (Rom. 16:7); "of note among the apostles." Here, when it says that Andronicus was “of note among the apostles,” is mistaken as if Andronicus is an apostle himself, when in fact, he is not. To be “of note” among a group of people means that the person is “distinguished, famous” or “important.” The New Living Translation says that Andronicus and Junia “are highly respected among the apostles” and became followers of Christ before Paul did. The Amplified Bible says that they “are men held in high esteem among the apostles.” The New American Standard Bible says that they “are outstanding among the apostles.” Not one of these translations mention that Andronicus or Junias are apostles, nor do they insinuate, imply, suggest, hint, indicate or allude that they are Apostles. To assume that the two are apostles is exactly that; an assumption. What this simply means is that the Apostles esteemed Andronicus among other believers; this may be because Andronicus was with Paul in prison, remained faithful to him as a partner in his ministry, had been Christians much longer than Paul and is a relative of his. Andronicus is not mentioned in any other Scriptures and there’s no other evidence to suggest that Jesus commissioned him to be an apostle.

2. Junia (Rom 16:7) - Easton’s Bible Dictionary says that Junia is “a Christian at Rome to whom Paul sends salutations along with Andronicus.” Strong’s Lexicon says that Junia means “youthful, a Christian woman at Rome, mentioned by Paul as one of his kinsfolk and fellow prisoners.” The King James Version says that Andronicus and Junias were “in Christ before” Paul. Concerning this passage, the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary says, its “very possibly they may have been among the first-fruits of Peter's labors, gained to Christ either on the day of Pentecost or on some of the succeeding days. In that case they may have attracted the special esteem of those apostles who for some time resided chiefly at Jerusalem and its neighborhood; and our apostle, though he came late in contact with the other apostles, if he was aware of this fact, would have pleasure in alluding to it.” As before, in the statement concerning Andronicus, Junias is not mentioned in any other Scriptures and there’s no other evidence to suggest that Jesus commissioned her to be an apostle.

3. Apollos - Easton’s Bible Dictionary says, “a Jew "born at Alexandria," a man well versed in the Scriptures and eloquent (Acts 18:24; R.V., "learned"). He came to Ephesus (about A.D. 49), where he spake "boldly" in the synagogue (18:26), although he did not know as yet that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. Aquila and Priscilla instructed him more perfectly in "the way of God", i.e., in the knowledge of Christ. He then proceeded to Corinth, where he met Paul (Acts 18:27;19:1). He was there very useful in watering the good seed Paul had sown (1 Cor. 1:12), and in gaining many to Christ. His disciples were much attached to him (1 Cor. 3:4-7, 22). He was with Paul at Ephesus when he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians; and Paul makes kindly reference to him in his letter to Titus (3:13). Some have supposed, although without sufficient ground, that he was the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews.” Strong’s Lexicon says Apollos means, “given by Apollo, a learned Jew from Alexandria and mighty in the scriptures who became a Christian and a teacher of Christianity.” Concerning Apollos, Acts 18:25 says, “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John (JKV).” In other words, he didn’t know that Jesus was the Messiah; there’s absolutely no way that Apollos was an Apostle without knowing Christ himself.

4. Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25, 4:18, 23) - Easton’s Bible Dictionary says that Epaphroditus means, “fair, graceful; belonging to Aphrodite or Venus the messenger who came from Phillipi to the apostle when he was a prisoner at Rome (Phil. 2:25-30; 4:10-18). Paul mentions him in words of esteem and affection. On his return to Philippi he was the bearer of Paul's letter to the church there.” Strong’s Lexicon says that Epaphroditus is, “in the sense of devoted to and Aphrodite (Venus), meaning "lovely" an associate with Paul in the ministry.” Therefore, it must be concluded that since Apollos is not mentioned in any other Scriptures, there’s no other evidence to suggest that Jesus commissioned him to be an apostle nor did he witness the resurrection of Christ.

5. Silas, or Silvanus (Act 15:22) - Silas, mentioned as “chief among the brethren” in Acts 15:22. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary says that the reason Silas held the title of “chief among the brethren,” is because he was “selected purposely as such, to express the honor in which they held the church at Antioch, and the deputies they had sent to the council, and, as the matter affected all Gentile converts, to give weight to the written decision of this important assembly. They [ Silas and Barsabas] were "prophets," [Ac 15:32; Ac 11:27)], and as such doubtless their eminence in the church at Jerusalem had been obtained.” Easton’s Bible Dictionary says that Silas means “wood; a prominent member of the church at Jerusalem; also called Silvanus. He and Judas, surnamed Barsabas, were chosen by the church there to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their return to Antioch from the council of the apostles and elders (Acts 15:22), as bearers of the decree adopted by the council. He assisted Paul there in his evangelistic labours, and was also chosen by him to be his companion on his second missionary tour (Acts 16:19-24). He is referred to in the epistles under the name of Silvanus (2 Cor. 1:19; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Pet. 5:12). There is no record of the time or place of his death.” Silas, was in fact not an apostle, but a prophet (Acts 15:32).

6. Stephen (Acts 6:5)- Stephen was one of the seven deacons, who became a preacher of the gospel. He was the first Christian martyr. His personal character and history are recorded in Acts 6. "He fell asleep" with a prayer for his persecutors on his lips (7:60). Devout men carried him to his grave (8:2). It was at the feet of the young Pharisee, Saul of Tarsus, that those who stoned him laid their clothes (comp. Deut. 17:5-7) before they began their cruel work. The scene which Saul then witnessed and the words he heard appear to have made a deep and lasting impression on his mind (Acts 22:19, 20). The speech of Stephen before the Jewish ruler is the first apology for the universalism of the gospel as a message to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. It is the longest speech contained in the Acts, a place of prominence being given to it as a defence (Easton's Bible Dictionary)." Although Stephen was a deacon, he was gifted with the ability to perform signs and wonders among unbelievers.

However, just because certain men do not consider some of these men as apostles, God may. However, it is possible that "in a broader, non-official sense," these people mentioned in the bible were designated to be "Christian messengers commissioned by a community; like Barnabas."

Easton's Bible Dictionary says that an apostle is "a person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb. 3:1; John 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Matt. 10:1-5; Mark 3:14; 6:7; Luke 6:13; 9:1).

We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark
3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Acts (1:13). No two of these lists, however, perfectly coincide.

Our Lord gave them the "keys of the kingdom," and by the gift of his Spirit fitted them to be the founders and governors of his church (John 14:16, 17, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7-15). To them, as representing his church, he gave the commission to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Matt. 28:18-20). After his ascension he communicated to them, according to his promise, supernatural gifts to qualify them for the discharge of their duties (Acts 2:4; 1 Cor. 2:16; 2:7, 10, 13; 2 Cor. 5:20; 1 Cor. 11:2). Judas Iscariot, one of "the twelve," fell by transgression, and Matthias was substituted in his place (Acts 1:21). Saul of Tarsus was afterwards added to their number (Acts 9:3-20; 20:4; 26:15-18; 1 Tim. 1:12; 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11).

Luke has given some account of Peter, John, and the two Jameses (Acts 12:2, 17; 15:13; 21:18), but beyond this we know nothing from authentic history of the rest of the original twelve. After the martyrdom of James the Greater (Acts 12:2), James the Less usually resided at Jerusalem, while Paul, "the apostle of the uncircumcision," usually travelled as a missionary among the Gentiles (Gal. 2:8). It was characteristic of the apostles and necessary
(1.) that they should have seen the Lord, and been able to testify of him and of his resurrection from personal knowledge (John 15:27; Acts 1:21, 22; 1 Cor. 9:1; Acts 22:14, 15).
(2.) They must have been immediately called to that office by Christ (Luke 6:13; Gal. 1:1).
(3.) It was essential that they should be infallibly inspired, and thus secured against all error and mistake in their public teaching, whether by word or by writing (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Thess.
2:13).
(4.) Another qualification was the power of working miracles (Mark 16:20; Acts 2:43; 1 Cor. 12:8-11).

The apostles therefore could have had no successors. They are the only authoritative teachers of the Christian doctrines. The office of an apostle ceased with its first holders.

In 2 Cor. 8:23 and Phil. 2:25 the word "messenger" is the rendering of the same Greek word, elsewhere rendered "apostle."