What does the Bible say about apostles?

In the New Testament, the role of an apostle is primarily defined by their function as messengers sent by Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, for instance, identifies himself in Titus 1:1 as both a 'servant of God' and 'an apostle of Jesus Christ,' emphasizing that his ministry is not self-appointed but divinely mandated. The term 'apostle' conveys a sense of being sent forth with authority to communicate the message of God. Apostles were chosen witnesses of Christ and were tasked with establishing and nurturing the early church. As Paul notes in Ephesians 2:20, the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone.