ARE THERE STILL APOSTLES TODAY?

 

"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 Christ:" (Ephesians 11-12)

Does the church still have apostles today? Are all those who claim to be apostle today frauds and imposters? If genuine apostles exist what can we expect them to be like? The New Testament groups the apostles in different categories. Four of these categories still exist today and the fifth has passed into history. In Ephesians 4:11 and in I Corinthians 12–14, Paul references apostleship within the context of the charismatic gifts.

THE FOUNDERS OF THE FAITH

These were the men who knew Jesus from the days of John until the ascension and were filled with the Spirit at Pentecost. As the eyewitnesses to Jesus ministry their testimony can never be replaced. These are the Twelve, minus Judas, but including Matthias. Some theologians speculate as to whether Paul not Matthias should be the twelfth apostle. However while Paul did not see himself as inferior to the Twelve he never includes himself among them (Acts 1:21-22). These 12 have a very special place in God's Kingdom (Revelation 21:13-14). None of these "Founders of the Faith" exist today.

THE FOUNDERS OF THE CHURCHES

These are those who are called apostles, do not rank among the twelve, but play a foundational role in the spread of the gospel. Their task is to go into regions that have not yet heard the gospel and establish the church. They are the Paul's and Silas' of today, pioneer missionaries and establishers of the church.

These men have more than a merely pastoral or teaching gift. They have a God given authority to establish churches. Such apostles are characteristically itinerant with large "territories". They are highly sensitive to political realities. Unable to stand still too long they see themselves as part of a dynamic move of God. As leaders they have a sense of momentum about them that carries both them and others forward. As administrators they are opposite in temperament to the steady pastoral types whom they leave in charge of the works they establish (II Corinthians 12:10-12 ).

 THOSE THAT FOLLOW THE FOUNDERS

Paul planted, Apollos watered but God caused the growth. After the great founding apostles come those who establish and deepen their work, Paul and Apollos, Peter and Mark. Paul seems to have had a dedicated missionary group that followed up on areas he established: Barnabas, Titus, Silas, Timothy and Apollos are among the more well-known. Many of the early bishops fall into this category.

This steady minded group of apostles seek to stabilize the work and grow the church in the grace of God. Those that follow the founders often appoint pastors and church leaders and train the church in the apostolic teaching (Titus 1:5 , II Timothy 2:2 ).

Some of these were itinerant but others simply had a fairly large local area appointed to them. This group of apostles are essential to the perpetuation of the faith in a recently evangelized area. This group of apostles tends not to participate in the miraculous. Scripture records very few miracles at the hands of most of those that follow the founders yet they are still named as apostles.

THOSE THAT THINK APOSTOLICALLY

They are the apostles that seem to be confined to a local church or under the authority of a more senior apostle but their heartbeat is for the general health of the church (Ephesians 4:11-12 ). They are honored brethren in Christ who serve God faithfully and keep His church healthy and balanced (II Cor 8:18-24).

It is not an easy task to characterize these "diverse apostles". The key to understanding them seems to be that they are apostles because they view the church through their gift as apostles. Each has its own way of viewing the church. Evangelists tend to see the church as a rescue station for the lost, pastors tend to see it as a place of growth and nurture and so on for each of the ministry gifts. They have their own way of viewing the church. Those who think apostolically ask questions like "Is this church walking in the truth? At what points is it departing from the purity of the gospel? What issues of discipline and ethics need to be raised?" Apostles are concerned with the general health of the church.

Many missionaries have this role today. They serve alongside and under a national church where they help to develop leadership and maintain health and balance in the churches they are responsible for. They are honored brothers in Christ and faithful servants of God. They are reported as being ill or as suffering for the gospel (Romans 16:7, Phil 2:26,27). They do not seem to abound with the miraculous or have an all conquering faith. They are commended for diligence, faithfulness and sacrifice for the cause of Christ as well as for their outstanding and godly character ( Romans 16:7, II Cor 8:18-24, Phil 2:25-30).

THE FALSE APOSTLES

Not all who claim to be apostles are. An over concern with money and comfort always seems to be a distinguishing feature of a false apostle. False apostles are addicted to Mammon and betray Christ. Paul speaks of false apostles who were setting themselves up rather nicely at the expense of the Corinthian church: (II Corinthians 11:13-20). Such apostles do not preach the true gospel but one of their own, tailored to their listeners desire (II Corinthians 11:3-5). The church is to test those claiming to be apostles, presumably a test involving life and doctrine.

False "evangelists" preach "another gospel" (Galatians 1:6-9); false teachers teach doctrines of demons (1 Tim 4:1-7); false prophets lead people into idolatry (Deut 13:1-3); and false shepherds feed on the flock (Jude 1:12); so false apostles teach false doctrine and plant deceptive and erroneous practices contrary to God (II Cor 11:1-23, Romans 16:18). These false workers share certain common characteristics. They divide and erode the Christian church (Romans 16:17-19). They are among Satan's chief workers (II Cor 11:13-15). As leaders they often possess a great deal of personal power and a certain charisma (II Cor 11:5,6). They masquerade as servants of righteousness (II Cor 11:13-15) but when tested lack any real character (Matt 7:15-21, II Peter 2:1-3).

 The church is in great danger from false apostles and false prophets. However the solution is not to deny the apostolic and prophetic gifts but to have our senses trained to discern good from evil. One quick test is to look at their ministry in the light of the cross. Does the claimant to apostleship accept that the only path to power is via the cross? Do they see servanthood as their lot? Or do they exalt themselves and name their ministries after themselves? Do they see godliness as a means of great gain or are they prepared to be content in humble circumstances? How do they react to criticism? A "crucified disciple" is hurt but humble. Apostles can be judged by their life and character, their fruits, their doctrine, their love and their attitude to the body of Christ. If all these line up with God's word then the apostle is truly one sent from God.

Claims to apostolic authority by some leaders must be taken with considerable caution. We should be very skeptical of those who claim to be "the Lord's anointed" apostles. Some have gone so far as to say that God will destroy their critics for speaking against them or that to speak against their ministry is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. These claims are the manipulative resorts of false apostles. No New Testament apostle ever implies that criticism of his ministry is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Even Jesus did not claim this of Himself (Matthew 12:32). We must beware of men who "compare themselves with themselves" commending themselves through the use of worldly status symbols such as wealth, international travel, unearned doctorates, and titles. Scripture speaks plainly when it says that such "super-apostles" are unwise (II Corinthians 10:12, II Corinthians 10:18).

Reasoning away the blatant error and deception of these self-appointed so-called “apostles” is unwise and will result in being misled and damned ultimately (II Thessalonians 2:9-12; II Peter 3:17). It doesn’t matter how many good things are on their site and presented in their ministry, it’s a false ministry based on the fact that they are elevating themselves as “apostles” and deceitfully manipulating people with mind control to believe they need these wolves for spiritual maturity. This is a classic, easily discerned deception (II Peter 2:17). Most deception is simple mind control which is witchcraft to get gullible people under their spell and false leadership by making them think they need these “living apostles.” It’s a scam.