Definitions
Hebrew
שְׁלַח (shalach) - to send; to be sent [H7972]
Greek
ἀπόστολος (apostolos) - apostle; messenger; one who is sent [G652]
ἀποστολή (apostolē) - apostleship [G651]
ἀποστέλλω (apostellō) - send, send forth, send away, send out [649]
πέμπω (pempō) - send, thrust in, again send [G3992]
Note: pempō is sometimes used synonymously with apostellō - see: John 20:21.
(shalach; apostello): “Sent” in the Old Testament is the translation of shalach, “to send” (of presents, messengers, etc., Ge 32:18; 44:3; Jud 6:14; 1Ki 14:6; Es 3:13; Pr 17:11; Jer 49:14; Eze 3:5; 23:40; Da 10:11; Ob 1:1); of shelach, Aramaic (Ezr 7:14; Da 5:24); of shilluchim, “sending” (Ex 18:2); in the New Testament of apostello, “to send off” or “away,” “to send forth” (Joh 9:7, “the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent)”); compare Lu 13:4; Ne 3:15, the pool of Siloah, the Revised Version (British and American) “Shelah”; Isa 8:6, “the waters of Shiloah that go softly,” where Septuagint has Siloam for Hebrew shiloach, “a sending,” which, rather than “Sent,” is the original meaning-a sending forth of waters. See SILOAM. “Sent” is also the translation of apostolos, “one sent forth” (the original of the familiar word “apostle”); in Joh 13:16, “one that is sent” (margin, “Greek ‘an apostle’”); compare Heb 1:14. - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Jesus As Apostle
Matthew 10:40 (NASB95) He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent (apostellō) Me.
John 3:17 (NASB95) For God did not send (apostellō) the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
John 6:39 (NASB95) This is the will of Him who sent (pempō) Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.
John 20:21 (NASB95) So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent (apostellō) Me, I also send (pempō) you.”
Hebrews 3:1 (NASB95) Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle (apostolos) and High Priest of our confession;
Apostle As Office
Matthew 10:1-3 (NASB95) Now the names of the twelve apostles (apostolos) are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.
Mark 3:14-15 (NASB95) And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send (apostellō) them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.
Mark 6:30 (NASB95) The apostles (apostolos) gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
Luke 6:13 (NASB95) And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles (apostolos):
Luke 9:10 (NASB95) When the apostles (apostolos) returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.
Luke 11:49-51 (NASB95) "For this reason also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles (apostolos), and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute, so that the blood of all the prophets, shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.'
Note: This quote is not found in the Old Testament - rather it is attributed to Jesus. He is declaring the wisdom of God, and likening the two designations as the focus of persecution by religious people.
Acts 1:2 (NASB95) until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles (apostolos) whom He had chosen.
Acts 1:26 (NASB95) And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles (apostolos).
Acts 2:43 (NASB95) Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles (apostolos).
Acts 4:33-35 (NASB95) And with great power the apostles (apostolos) were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles' (apostolos) feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
Acts 14:14 (NASB95) But when the apostles (apostolos) Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out
Note: Barnabas is directly identified as an apostle in this verse.
Romans 16:7 (NASB95) Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles (apostolos), who also were in Christ before me.
Note: the word “among” in this sentence is inclusive. It means to be a part of. It is the same exact Greek word that is used in Mat 1:18 when it says that Mary “was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.” It is also used in Mat 2:6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
The words “with” and “among” in those verses are the same Greek word used for “among” in Romans 16:7, which implies that Andronicus and Junias were part of the apostles, not just observed favorably by them.
1 Corinthians 9:2 (NASB95) If to others I am not an apostle (apostolos), at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship (apostolē) in the Lord.
Note: The seal of an apostle’s office is their ministry.
2 Corinthians 11:4;13 (NASB95) For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.For such men are false apostles (pseudapostolos), deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles (apostolos) of Christ.
Note: Paul is defending his apostleship against calims of people who are apparently trying to lead the Corinthian church astray. He’s not only trying to defend himself, but also the faith of that congregation. The mark of a false apostle is that they preach another Jesus, impart a different spirit (other than the Holy Spirit), and preach a different gospel.
2 Corinthians 12:12 (NASB95) The signs of a true apostle (apostolos) were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
Galatians 1:19 (NASB95) But I did not see any other of the apostles (apostolos) except James, the Lord's brother.
Note: This verse implies that James, the Lord’s brother, was an apostle.
Philippians 2:25 (NASB95) But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger (apostolos) and minister to my need;
Note: The “messenger” in this passage is the Greek word apostolos, which, if it was translated consistently, would clearly show that Paul considered Epaphroditus to be an apostle.
Revelation 2:2 (NASB95) 'I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles (apostolos), and they are not, and you found them to be false;
Revelation 18:20 (NASB95) Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles (apostolos) and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.
Revelation 21:14 (NASB95) And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles (apostolos) of the Lamb.