Apostles

A while back, I noticed that one of the churches across town had a message on their sign welcoming “Apostle” Somebody. Did they really have an apostle among them?

The word “apostle” (Greek apostolos) means “one sent” — a delegate or messenger sent on behalf of another. The New Testament usually applies the word to the handful of men personally commissioned by Jesus to spread His gospel to the world. “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you,” He told them (John 20:21). He gave them His own authority in speaking God’s word (Matthew 18:18; John 20:23) and sent them the Holy Spirit to guide them into all the truth (John 16:12-15).

The apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Jesus. When Matthias was chosen to fill the place of Judas, he was chosen from among “the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us” to “become a witness with us of His resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). Jesus’ appearance to Saul on the road to Damascus provided him with this qualification (Acts 9:1-9; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9). No one living today has seen our risen Lord; so there are no apostles now.

The apostles were given miraculous abilities. Peter and the others were baptized in the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). They spoke in tongues, healed the sick, raised the dead, and performed other “signs and wonders” which confirmed the message they preached (Mark 16:20). Paul spoke of “the signs of a true apostle” (2 Corinthians 12:12), indicating that God operated through these men in an unmistakable way. He gave them the unique ability to impart miraculous gifts to others by laying on hands (Acts 8:18-19). But these abilities, like all miraculous gifts, were temporary. They would cease when the complete revelation of God’s will came (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Our New Testament is that completed revelation. No man today can perform “the signs of a true apostle.”

The New Testament does use “apostle” a couple of times in a broader sense. In 2 Corinthians 8:23 Paul referred to some brethren as messengers (literally, “apostles”) of churches. Epaphroditus is called a messenger (apostolos) of the church at Philippi (Philippians 2:25). And it may be in this sense that Barnabas is called an apostle in Acts 14:14. These “apostles” were not personally commissioned by Jesus, but were sent by churches on specific missions. I can’t think of any scriptural objection to modern folks using the term “apostle” this way. But it’s clear that men today who claim to be apostles are claiming to be more than just messengers sent by churches.

The Bible also warns of false apostles. The saints at Corinth had trouble with such fellows (2 Corinthians 11:13). The disciples at Ephesus did, too; they tested these men and proved them to be frauds (Revelation 2:2). Like them, we should challenge the claims of modern men who profess to be apostles of Christ. Have they seen the risen Lord? Can they perform apostolic signs? Can they impart miraculous gifts? The answer is “no” on all counts. The only modern apostles are of the false variety.

We may not have apostles with us any more, but we do have the inspired record of their works and their message to guide us. Let’s give attention to it.