St. Matthew the Apostle: "And he gave some as Apostles, as evangelists"

...to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ.

-- Eph 4:1-7, 11-13

What Christ entrusted to the apostles, they in turn handed on by their preaching and writing, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to all generations, until Christ returns in glory.

-- CCC 96

Art: Caravaggio, St. Matthew and the Angel. 1603. Oil on canvas. San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome, Italy.