Can a female become an Apostle?

By John Chopores

 

I would say, no! For the following reasons:

Some people believe that “Junia” was a female: however the name is masculine in the Greek text.

Ro 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

“Junia” can also be translated “Junias”.

The ASV, and RSV, NIV, and NASB have “Junias”.

The KJV, NKJV, and NRSV, have “Junia”.

 

Also, an Apostle has great Authority in the Church. Cf. 1Co 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

 Ga 2:11 ¶ Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;

But a woman (in the church) is not allowed to have authority over a man. Cf. 1Ti 2:12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 

 

In all of the lists of Apostles in the Bible: a woman’s name is never listed!

Cf. Mt 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Mr 3:16 Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter;

Mr 3:16 Simon, to whom He gave the name Peter;

 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:

 14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;

 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

Ac 1:23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

 24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen

 25 "to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place."

 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Ac 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out

Ac 15:22 ¶ Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

2Ti 1:1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,

2Pe 1:1 ¶ Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: