Apostles and Disciples — A Thought

In reading the records of the Nephites in the Book of Mormon, we see the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ by Jesus Himself shortly after His resurrection from the dead at Jerusalem.

This Church was led by twelve specially chosen and set apart priesthood leaders known to us as the Disciples.

In Jesus's homeland, He had previously established a quorum of twelve Apostles by the calling of Peter, James, John, etc.

Why were the Nephite Twelve called disciples instead of apostles?

I believe part of the reason is that they were not eyewitnesses to His ministry, miracles, Atonement, and teachings as delivered during His mortal life, but that there were others then able to offer such a witness.

Another reason is that there already was a quorum of twelve Apostles, which were charged to minister to the whole earth in the authority of the holy Apostleship. Another quorum of twelve apostles would be unnecessarily redundant.

Though, of course, by sacred experience these American disciples were made to be partakers of that supernal heavenly gift of certain knowledge regarding Jesus's current living reality, and immortal resurrection. As did those at Jerusalem, they had touched His hands, feet, and side, and could therefore act as His special witnesses among their people.

More importantly, they had been given the Holy Ghost to indelibly sear into them a burning testimony of Christ, which had been revealed to them not by flesh and blood, but by the mercy of the Father. (See Matthew 16: 13-19)

A third reason I consider in this matter is that the arrangement of Jesus's kingdom at the time immediately following His mortal ministry prefigures the great scene yet to be—that of the marvelous dual organization of His kingdom during the Millennium, when the word of the Lord will issue from (Old) Jerusalem, and the law will go forth from Zion (New Jerusalem). (Isaiah 2: 3)

In like manner, looking ahead to that Kingdom to come, we can see this earlier pattern, in that the Nephite dispensation of the Gospel was separate from the Jewish.

-----

One Fold and One Shepherd

(One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism)

I've wondered why the instructions to the Nephites regarding the manner of baptism differ from that practiced in the Church today. (Compare 3 Nephi 11: 23-27 with Doc. & Cov. 20: 72-74)

Why do we say, "having been commissioned of Jesus Christ," while the Nephites said, "having authority given me of Jesus Christ?"

My answer:

We baptize under the "great commission," due to Peter, James and John holding the directing keys that authorize the exercise of the Aaronic priesthood in our dispensation. (See Matthew 28: 16-20; Doc. & Cov. 13 - section heading included)

Nephites baptized "by the authority given [them] of Jesus Christ" since they were then receiving a direct dispensation of authority to baptize, while we operate today under the dispensation of authority restored to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery through John the Baptist, under the direction of Peter, James and John, who had been commissioned to teach and baptize all nations.

Isn't the Gospel beautifully simple, and simply beautiful!?

See also:

The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again, by Russell M. Nelson

The Twelve, by Boyd K. Packer

Scriptural Summary, by the Author

The Sons of Levi, by the Author

They Also of the Tribe of Judah, by the Author

Opposition in All Things, by the Author

Millennial Musings, by the Author