Apostles, the Twelve

1. The twelve men chosen by Jesus to follow him and to spread the gospel after his death. They included Peter , James, John , Thomas , Matthew , and Judas Iscariot (who was later replaced). Paul , even though he was not one of the Twelve, is generally considered an apostle because of his crucial role in the spread of Christianity .

Notes

In general usage, an apostle is someone who preaches or promotes a cause, particularly a religious one. The term also connotes a disciple .