Do we have apostles today?
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Asked August 17 2013
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Steve Stevens
Supporter
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Tim Beeker
Supporter
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of the Messiah: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Messiah." (Eph. 4:11-13) Barnabas (Yosef) was another apostle (Acts 14:14), as well. There also Mattathias, who replaced Yudas. Barnabas and Rav Shaul also became apostles. That brings us to 15 named apostles. But WAIT... There's more! Yunias (or Yunia, depending on how one wants to spell her name). Some can't stand the thought of a woman being an apostle, so they argue that the name is actually a man's name. Regardless of gender, there is another apostle. 16 in all, that have been named. Want another one? How about Andronicus, along with Yunia? That makes 17, named. There is some confusion among people about the wording of Romans 16:7, but, when the "en" is used, rather than "para" or "pros" we see that they were included AMONG the apostles, rather than "by" the apostles. So, that's 17. Now, getting back to the passage in Ephesians, there seems to be an authority structure given. This is not an authority structure as Christians are wont to believe it to be, but it is an authority structure that is based on what individuals are able to do at a personal level. No one is "higher" than anyone else. As it is, the passage can be taken that apostles are still for today, seeing as how the unity that was spoken of has still not been attained.
D W
Supporter
No. There were the original 12, minus 1. Paul was not the 13th Apostle. He was designated and anointed by Jesus with the ministry of grace through faith, not the advent of the Messiah promised to the Jews. Those who call themselves "Apostle" today have taken that title upon themselves with no authority from scripture. They are in the same category as "prophet" and "prophetess." No one prophesies today. The Bible is complete, a united whole, with nothing new to be added to it. Prophet in the church age, Acts 9 and beyond, are simply witnesses to the unalterable Truth of God's Word. A witness today is a pastor, evangelist, Sunday School teacher, Christian training teacher, deacon, along with every authentic member of the Body of Christ.
Jane Christensen
Supporter
Yes there are apostles today as Ephesians 4-11-13 states. The bible never changes. Yes there are the appointed apostles who walked with Jesus. When we realize who we are in Christ and the power we have because of His righteousness in us and all that He is for us we will walk accordingly. Isaiah 61:1 talks about the anointing that Jesus came walking this earth and the example He is for us and that He has given us the same anointing whether we accept it or not. When we accept the anointing of Isaiah 61.1 we will walk in all that Christ modeled for us. and Apostle means sent one. So yes there are apostles today some are very strong in this call but all of us are called by Christ and sent out into the world. We are His ambassadors.
Anthony Clinton
Supporter
The idea that, "that which is perfect shall come" is referring to the Bible, and an end to prophecy, tongues, knowledge, as if they were regarded as childish things, does not have any validity in the Bible. Nor can we find any scripture that declares the end to prophets and apostles. These ministries were never abandoned and are always in need. Miracles are always confirming that Christ is working through His Church and they always bring Him glory. A person that is demonized can only comprehend the gospel after being liberated. The compassion of Christ will never change and He is more than willing now to heal miraculously out of His divine compassion if one has genuine faith. Church history has proof that many miracles ministered through the ministers.
Salem Markus Purba
Supporter
Yes, we do have apostles today. Whoever believes and follows Jesus's teaching, being both a hearer and doer of the Word, becomes an apostle to the society where he/she lives. (Mathew 28:18-20)
JD Abshire
Supporter
In the official sense apostles had to have been 1. Selected by The Lord (or Holy Spirit). 2. Personally have seen the Lord and eye witness of the resurrection. 3. Power to work miracles and to confer power to others by the laying on of hands. Bear in mind that when Christ or His true Apostles performed a miracle the results were instantaneous.
Win Alme
Supporter
We may not have them by that same title, but many perform the same function as the original apostles, spreading the word, with signs and wonders following, opening works in new areas and other meaningful activities. Sometimes we get so involved with semantics that we miss the whole picture.
Ken Laney
Supporter
The term apostle comes form the greek term "apostolas" which literally meant "one sent on a mission". In terms of the apostles of the NT they were called on that specific mission directly by the Saviour, Jesus. Therefore in that since there was the 12 +1, as I have not Biblical support I know of to support anyone other than these 13 as Paul indicates he was one untimely called 1 Cor 15:8. So in that sense there are not apostles today like these 13. Techically I suppose since an apostle is one sent on a mission, we could have men sent by the church for a specific mission and they could technically be classified as apostles, but to me they are probably better classified missionaries. We just have to be careful about using the term apostle, because of our tendency to think of them in terms of the original 13 and that connection is just no longer possible.
Meshack Gachago
Supporter
There is no guarantee that one who sees Jesus and works miracles is an apostle nor should this be used as the only standard measure. Even Judas did these things and was rejected because of his character. His place was taken by another. There are apostles today but not as the twelve. God calls and sends apostles today, he can do it, and we know them by their fruit. We cannot put God in a box, or assume that he cannot do according to his prerogative, wisdom and sovereinghty. Even the last apostle (Matthias) did not meet some of the qualifications being advanced: was voted in, did not work miracles, was there from the beginning but not earlier numbered with the 12. Even most of the original 12 did not write any New Testament book, but they were nonetheless apostles. This shows that some of the reasons given to determine who is an apostle then and today, still fall short. Apostles today are called of God, ordained to confirm what is already revealed in the written word, are fathers, break new grounds with the gospel, bring new understanding of scriptures without compromising the logos, they help mature the church, they ordain and oversee elders and bring discipline among them, they lay the doctrine of Christ as a spiritual foundation and warn against heresy and deception in the body of Christ and they point all to Christ faithfully and do not promote themselves. They go beyond denominational barriers and work for the oneness of the church body organically not organizationally. Post-ascension apostles like Paul are many, even Paul mentions some who were before him as apostles in Rom. 16:7. It is difficult to explain off such passages or to ignore such obvious texts...they are not just messengers they are referred to as apostles.
William Mckeen
Supporter
it is written: 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. my comment____So god has given us all the ministry or reconciliation, and we are all ambasadors for christ (apostles) (if we have Gods holy spirit within us!) if we are not doing the works of christ (being christ like) we need to examine ourselves as written in: 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? be blessed my friends!
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