About Apostles

Scripture repeatedly makes it clear that the apostles were unique. Yet some religious groups today seem determined to resurrect the apostolic gifts and signs. Some believe that certain men can lay claim to the apostolic office today. Consider some biblical reasons why the apostolic office cannot be held by any man living today.

The church was founded upon the apostles. Writing to the Ephesian believers, Paul said the church was "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone," (Ephesians 2:20Ephesians 2:20
  20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; ). They did this by their inspired teaching and instructions (Acts 2:42Acts 2:42
  42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles′ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.). Jesus had promised the Apostles, "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you," (John 16:13–14John 16:13–14
  13. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
  14. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.). As the chief corner stone, Jesus gave them their directions.

Apostles were eyewitnesses to the resurrection. When Paul was documenting his apostleship, he wrote, "Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?" (I Corinthians 9:1I Corinthians 9:1
  1. Am I am not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?). In I Corinthians 15:7–8I Corinthians 15:7–8
  7. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
  8. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. Paul records that the resurrected Christ was "seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then LAST OF ALL He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."

Apostles were chosen personally by Jesus Christ. Matthew 10:1–4Matthew 10:1–4
  1. And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The 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 publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
  4. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. clearly describes the naming of the twelve apostles. Paul was uniquely but personally chosen on the road to Damascus. Paul made it clear that he was an apostle: "Not sent from men, nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead," (Galatians 1:1Galatians 1:1
  1. Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)).

Apostles were authenticated by miraculous signs. "Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds," (II Corinthians 12:12II Corinthians 12:12
  12. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.). While those other than apostles were confirmed by signs, it is nevertheless true that apostles could work signs and wonders that unquestionably determined that they were genuine apostles.

The church was to recognize apostolic authority. The teachings of all others (even those who claimed to be inspired) had to be measured by apostolic teaching. Paul said, "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord," (I Corinthians 14:37I Corinthians 14:37
  37. If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.).

Apostles have an eternal and unique place of honor. Revelation 21 describes the heavenly city. Part of that description reads, "The wall of the city had twelve foundations stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb," (Revelation 21:14Revelation 21:14
  14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.). These names of these men are forever sealed in the walls of the New Jerusalem.