Who is NOT counted among the apostles?

Samson is not counted among the apostles because he is a character from the Old Testament and is primarily known for his role as a judge of Israel, reflecting a period before the establishment of the New Testament church and the apostolic ministry. The apostles were specifically chosen by Jesus to spread his teachings and establish the early Christian church, consisting of figures like Peter, Matthew, and Bartholomew, all of whom were direct followers of Jesus and played pivotal roles in the New Testament narrative. In contrast, Samson's story is centered around his exploits and struggles in the context of Israel's history, without any connection to the apostolic mission or early Christianity.