Apostles

The distinguishing mark of the apostle is the apostolic functions of starting new works, of guiding resolution of conflicts, and of ordaining and directing organization in the Body. Since these functions are still needed, it follows God still gives the church people gifted for these functions, whether we call them apostles or not.

Apostles are included in the lists of people given as gifts to the church in both Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12:27-29. In the New Testament, the consistent functions of apostles were to start new works, to establish organizational structures in which the work of the ministry could be performed, to be involved in the teaching of the Word and doctrine, and to resolve important questions of church practice brought to them by others in the Church. Examples of apostles starting new works, particularly among new groups of people, are found in Acts 2:42-47, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:17-48, all of Acts after Chapter 13, and in church history. Examples of apostles establishing structures in which the work of the ministry could be accomplished are found in Acts 6:1-7, Acts 14:23, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:5-9, and, again, in certain parts of church history. Examples of apostolic involvement in the teaching of the Word and the development of doctrine are found in Acts 2:42, Acts 6:2-4 and Ephesians 3:4-6. Frightening examples of apostles confronting sin and hypocrisy in the Church are found in Acts 5:1-10, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and 2 Corinthians 2:5-11. Finally, examples of apostles serving as referees of serious questions of Christian practice are found in Acts 15 and in 1 Corinthians 5:9-8:13. All of these functions are still needed in the Church today, so God is undoubtedly still giving the Church people to perform them, whether we call those people “apostles” or not.

            Many parts of the organized Church would not dare call “church planters” or key organizational leaders “apostles,” because it is commonly taught that apostles ceased to be given after the First Century. But people in these roles, and some others, are clearly performing the function of apostles. It is likely that at least some of the people performing these roles were given to the Church as apostles, even though they are not recognized as such.            

The primary argument generally advanced for the disappearance of the apostles is based on the assertion that the apostles had authority to write new scripture. Since the Canon of scripture is complete, this argument concludes that there can now be no more apostles. However, it should be observed that, of the original twelve apostles, only five wrote any part of the Bible. The other seven did not. Moreover, Mark and Luke, who are nowhere identified as apostles, wrote large portions of the New Testament, and the largest portion of the New Testament was written by Paul, who learned of his apostolic calling after Jesus’ death. Moreover, in writing to the church in Corinth, Paul indicates that some of those to whom he was writing were, or, at least, might be, apostles¹.  None of the Corinthian believers wrote any scripture. Thus, the authority to write new scripture does not appear to be the distinguishing mark of an apostle. Rather, the distinguishing mark is the apostolic functions of starting new works, of guiding resolution of conflicts of doctrine and practice, and of ordaining and directing organization in the Body.

NEXT: Prophets (New Testament).