http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1226
Are There Modern-Day Apostles?
The incredible diversity of viewpoint that exists in religion today is
startling and disconcerting. We are witnessing a breakdown of respect
for authority in American culture, as well as a tremendous increase in
personal opinion and feelings as the standard of authority.
Consequently, we now have a veritable smorgasbord of doctrinal variety
in religion. Such is the nature of pluralism. One is likely to see
anything and everything perpetrated in the name of religion and/or
Christianity. The only solution to such a situation is to reaffirm the
inspiration and authority of the Bible. The Bible is the only written
document on this planet that is the standard of authority in life and in
religion (see Miller, 1996, pp. 430-446,462-471).
THE DEFINITION OF AN APOSTLE
Such being the case, we must go to the Bible to determine God’s will
with regard to modern-day apostles. When we do so, we first learn that
the word “apostle” comes from the Greek word
apostolos, which
means “one sent from or forth, a messenger, delegate” (Arndt and
Gingrich, 1957, p. 99; Thayer, 1901, p. 68). The term is used in the New
Testament in two distinct senses. It can refer to an individual who is
sent by other humans to accomplish a particular mission or task. The
term is so used to refer, for example, to Barnabas (Acts 14:14). He was
an “apostle” in the sense that he accompanied Paul on an evangelistic
trip. Jesus is said to be our “Apostle” in the sense that He was sent to
atone for our sins (Hebrews 3:1).
The term “apostle” also is used in a second sense—what we might call an
official
sense. That is, “apostle” can refer to individuals who were officially
and divinely selected to serve as Jesus’ original
representatives—“ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Jesus handpicked the
original twelve apostles (Matthew 10:1-5; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16;
9:1-2). Of these original twelve, Judas betrayed the Lord as predicted
by the Old Testament (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18-19; 18:1-5). Instead of
repenting, he cinched his apostasy by committing suicide (Matthew
27:3-5; John 17:12). Consequently, a successor to Judas was selected by
divine decree (Acts 1:16-26).
Only one other apostle in the official sense is alluded to in the New
Testament—Paul. His appointment to apostleship was unique and
unparalleled in that he was chosen for a specific first century task
(Acts 9:15; 22:14-15; 26:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9; Galatians
1:11-12,15-16). Christ selected him to introduce the message of
Christianity to the Gentile world (Romans 11:13; 15:16; Galatians 2:8;
Ephesians 3:8). Paul was careful to document the fact that his
apostleship was by divine appointment (e.g., Romans 1:5; 1 Corinthians
1:1; Galatians 1:1,16).
THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN APOSTLE
When one assembles all the relevant New Testament data, at least three
qualifications emerge as prerequisite to one becoming an apostle in the
official sense (Hayden, 1894, p. 33, expands these credentials to seven
in number). First, an apostle had to have seen the Lord and been an
eyewitness of Christ’s resurrection (Acts 1:22; 22:14; 1 Corinthians
9:1). Second, an apostle had to be specifically selected by the Lord or
the Holy Spirit (Matthew 10:5; Mark 3:13-14; Luke 6:13; Acts 1:26; 9:15;
22:14-15,21; 26:16). Third, an apostle was invested with miraculous
power to the extent that he could perform miracles. The power to perform
miracles included the capability to confer the ability to work miracles
to other individuals through the laying on of his hands (Mark 3:15;
16:17-20; Luke 9:1-2; John 14:12,26; 15:24-27; 16:13; Acts 2:43;
4:29-31,33; 5:12,15-16; 6:6; 8:14-18; 19:6; 2 Timothy 1:6; Romans 1:11;
Hebrews 2:3-4). Jesus referred to His bestowal of miraculous capability
upon the apostles when He promised they would be “endued with power from
on high” (Luke 24:49).
THE WORK OF AN APOSTLE
The apostolic office was unquestionably a temporary office for the
early church (though apostolic appointment was for life). Its essential
purpose was twofold. First, apostles were commissioned by Jesus to
launch the Christian religion (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke
24:46-48). This purpose was achieved by means of the initial
presentation of the Gospel to the whole world (Colossians 1:23), and the
establishment of the church of Christ (Acts 2). Second, apostles were
largely responsible for making the New Testament available—first in oral
form and, more specifically, in written form (1 Corinthians 14:37;
Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 2 Thessalonians
2:15; 3:14; 1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 1:12-21; 3:15-16).
These two central tasks are set forth clearly in the New Testament. In
Matthew 16, Jesus declared that He would build His church after His
resurrection from hades (vs. 18). He then explained that it would be the
apostles who would instigate initial entrance into Christ’s church
(hence the significance of “keys”—vs. 19). This commencement of the
Christian religion and the church of Christ would be achieved by means
of the apostles “binding” and “loosing” the doctrinal tenets and
principles of Christianity that Heaven had previously bound or loosed
[the Greek uses the perfect passive and should be translated “will have
been bound/loosed in Heaven” as in the
NASB (cf.
Matthew 18:18-20; John 20:22-23)]. Peter and the apostles articulated
the terms of entrance into the kingdom of Christ for the first time on
the Pentecost that followed Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2:14ff.).
In Ephesians 4, after summarizing Christianity in terms of seven core
concepts (vss. 1-6), Paul described the initial sequence of events that
recounted the advent of Christianity (vss. 7-16). Paul noted that: (1)
after His crucifixion, Jesus descended into the Hadean realm; (2) He
then was resurrected; (3) He ascended back to Heaven; (4) upon His
ascension, He dispensed gifts; (5) the apostolic office was included in
the reception of these miraculous capabilities; (6) the purpose of these
gifts was to equip and edify the church; (7) the preparation provided
to the infant church by these gifts was temporary (“till” is an adverb
of time connoting
when the miraculous gifts were to terminate),
in that the same preparation soon would be available through the
completed revelation, i.e., “the faith.” [By “completed revelation” we
do not mean completed
canon. We mean that all of God’s
communication to humanity would have been revealed. See the New
Testament discussion contrasting “mystery” with “made known” (Romans
16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:7-10; Ephesians 3:1-11). In the meantime, the
process of producing copies of the various New Testament documents and
circulating them far and wide would have been occurring rapidly and
extensively from the very moment of their production by the inspired
writers (cf. Colossians 4:16, 1 Timothy 5:18, where Luke 10:7 is already
known and classified as “Scripture,” and 2 Peter 3:15-16, where Paul’s
epistles are already circulated and recognized as “Scriptures”).
Further, the reference to “the faith” in Ephesians 4:13 cannot refer to a
time when all people or all Christians will achieve unity in faith.
Such a circumstance will never occur. Paul was referring to the time
when all people would have access to all of God’s communication to man,
thus giving them the potential for attaining spiritual maturity (“a
perfect man” vs. “children“). See
Miller, 2003].
Once all of the information necessary to the promotion of the Christian
religion was revealed to the early church (through oral means made
possible by the distribution of the gifts), the church would have the
means available to grow and mature in Christ (cf. 1 Corinthians
13:8-13). While prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers [the words
“pastors and teachers” share the same article in the Greek, and so
should likely be construed to mean “pastor-teachers,” i.e., a single
function in which pastors (those selected by the local congregation to
serve as elders or shepherds) were endowed with the miraculous ability
to teach inspired information not yet made available in written form]
were part of this early development of Christianity (Ephesians 4:11),
the office of an apostle was the primary means by which Christ
accomplished the inauguration of His religion.
The apostles had the sole responsibility of executing the will of the
Son of God in founding, organizing, and fully equipping the church of
Christ on Earth, that she might fulfill her heaven-borne mission, until
Jesus comes again (Hayden, p. 22). That is why Paul could say two
chapters earlier that the household of God (i.e., the church) was built
on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20; cf. 3:5; Revelation 21:14). That is why he informed the Corinthian Christians:
God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second
prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all
prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have
gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1
Corinthians 12:28-30).
The apostles are said to be “first” in the significance and criticality
of their divinely appointed role. The apostles specifically described
their unique role in the early church as entailing giving themselves to
“the word of God” and “the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:2,4).
THE DURATION OF AN APOSTLE
Once the church of Christ was established and Christianity was given
its initial presentation (cf. Colossians 1:23), the apostolic office
faded from the scene
along with the age of miracles. As an eyewitness of Christ’s
resurrection, Paul referred to himself in relation to the other apostles
as “
last of all” (1 Corinthians 15:8). Neither apostles nor
miraculous gifts was needed any longer. They had served their temporary
purpose (Mark 16:20; Acts 4:29-31; 13:12; 14:3; Romans 15:18-19; Hebrews
2:3-4; cf. Exodus 4:30). Miraculous gifts functioned as scaffolding
while the church was under initial construction, and were removed once
the structure had been completed (1 Corinthians 3:10; 13:11; Ephesians
4:13-14). The book we call the Bible is the totality of God’s written
revelation to the human race. Consequently, people now have access to
everything they need
(2 Peter 1:3) to enter into a right relationship with God via
Christianity and the church of Christ. The apostles “had no official
successors. From the nature of their duties, there could be no
succession” (Hayden, pp. 20-21).
Apostles, quite simply, are no longer needed!
NO APOSTLES TODAY
Unfortunately, several groups that claim affiliation with the Christian
religion allege to have apostles among them, including Catholicism,
Mormonism, and some pentecostal groups. This claim is unbiblical. No
person living today can meet the qualifications given in Scripture for
being an apostle. No one living today has been an
eyewitness of
Christ’s resurrection. Christ has selected no one living today for the
apostolic role. No one living today possesses the miraculous
capabilities of an apostle. We should not be surprised that people would
falsely
claim to be apostles. Jesus warned that false prophets
would come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they would be ravening
wolves (Matthew 7:15). Paul described some of his opponents in these
words:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself
transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great
thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of
righteousness, whose end will be according to their works (2 Corinthians
11:13-15).
Further warning was issued to the Galatian churches: “But even if we,
or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we
have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Anyone
claiming to be an apostle today who teaches anything
in addition to the New Testament is clearly not an apostle of Christ!
Peter added his voice on the same subject: “But there were also false
prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among
you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the
Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2
Peter 2:1). No wonder John admonished: “Beloved, do not believe every
spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many
false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1; cf. Matthew
24:11,24). In the Revelation, the church at Ephesus was commended
because they “tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and
have found them liars” (Revelation 2:2).
Catholicism maintains that Peter was the supreme bishop, even over the
other apostles, and that every pope since Peter is an apostolic
successor to Peter. The pope is selected after literally hours and days
of deliberation by cardinals in the Vatican. The only apostle in the
Bible that was not handpicked by Christ in person was Matthias. Yet he
was not selected by mere men deliberating and debating his potential. He
was selected by the casting of lots—which was simply another way for
Jesus to do the selecting (Acts 1:26; cf. Proverbs 16:33).
It is incredible to think that any human beings living today would
presume to appoint apostles. In pinpointing the credentials of an
apostle, Luke (Acts 1) made it abundantly evident that to qualify as an
apostle a person would have to have
seen the Lord and been an
eyewitness of His resurrection. That is why Paul was careful to state: “Am I not an apostle? …Have I not
seen the Lord?”
(1 Corinthians 9:1, emp. added). In recounting his conversion, he
quoted Ananias as having said, “The God of our fathers has chosen you
that you should know His will, and
see the Just One, and hear the
voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you
have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14-15, emp. added). What alleged
modern-day apostle could make such a claim?
The New Testament also makes clear the fact that an essential
characteristic of an apostle was that he had been selected by Deity.
When Jesus was on Earth, He handpicked the first twelve apostles. After
His departure from Earth, the disciples cast lots to select a successor
to Judas. Their method allowed no input from mere humans—except in the
recognition that two men possessed all the qualifications necessary to
be an apostle. Casting lots allowed
God to do the selecting.
Divine control in the selection process by casting lots was common in
Old Testament history (see Leviticus 16:8; Numbers 26:55; 33:54; 34:13;
Joshua 14:2; 18:6,10; 19:51; cf. Acts 13:19; 1 Samuel 14:42; Nehemiah
10:34; Psalm 16:5). Solomon claimed: “The lot is cast into the lap, but
its every decision is from the Lord” (Proverbs 16:33). Indeed, Peter’s
prayer on the occasion shows that the decision already had been made by
the Lord before the actual casting of lots: “…show which of these two
You have chosen” (Acts 1:24, emp. added). The summary statement regarding Matthias—“he was numbered with
the eleven
apostles” (Acts 1:26; cf. Matthew 28:16; Mark 16:14; Luke 24:33)—gives
way to a return to the expression “the twelve” (Acts 6:2; cf. Acts
2:14). The text states: “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show
which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and
apostleship” (Acts 1:24-25). Paul also was handpicked by Jesus—to be a
“chosen vessel” (Acts 9:15). No human being on Earth today can claim he
has been personally singled out and chosen by Jesus to be an apostle.
A third proof that no apostles exist on Earth today is the fact that
New Testament apostles were empowered by God—not only to perform
miracles—but also to
convey miraculous power to other people who
then could work miracles themselves. This characteristic is demonstrated
in detailed fashion in Acts: “Now when Simon saw that through the
laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered
them money” (Acts 8:18). The issue of modern-day apostles may be settled
very quickly! To authenticate their claim to be apostles, they must be
able both to perform miracles as well as confer miraculous power to
others. The apostles of Jesus in the New Testament demonstrated their
apostolic status without hesitation. Anyone today who claims to be an
apostle should be willing to do the same. No such ability exists today.
ORIGINAL APOSTLES WERE SUFFICIENT
A fascinating passage in the New Testament sheds further light upon
this notion of modern-day apostles. That passage is Matthew 19:28. There
Jesus informed Peter and the other apostles: “Assuredly I say to you,
that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His
glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel.” A related passage is Luke 22:29-30 which
says, “And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one
upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit
on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
These verses are Christ’s figurative declarations describing the role
of the twelve apostles in the establishment of the church and the
dissemination of the gospel proclamation (cf. Bales, 1957, pp. 187-223).
The “regeneration” refers to the Christian era, which began at
Pentecost, during which time spiritual regeneration became possible
through the blood of Christ (Titus 3:5). It is an equivalent expression
with the “time of reformation” (Hebrews 9:10). The throne of Christ’s
glory refers to His present location at the right hand of God (Acts
2:34-36; Ephesians 1:20; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 1:13; 8:1; 10:12-13).
The “judging” done by the apostles refers to the rule that the apostles
exerted while they were on Earth, setting in place the features of New
Testament Christianity (Matthew 16:19; John 20:22-23). The “twelve
thrones” refers to their complete authority from Christ to implement
Christ’s will until the end of time—which they presently do today
through their authoritative writings—found only in the New Testament.
The “twelve tribes” is a figurative way to refer to the church—the
spiritual Israel (Galatians 6:16; James 1:1; cf. Romans 2:28-30;
Galatians 3:29).
Neither Christ nor the original apostles needs successors or
representatives on Earth today. They continue to rule and reign over the
kingdom through the work that they achieved in the first century, and
that is preserved for all in the New Testament. Christ is
now on
His throne ruling and reigning. The apostles also are on the thrones
assigned to them by Christ. To suggest that the apostles have modern-day
successors is to discount and discredit the current rule of the
apostles. Neither Christ nor the apostles has abdicated their authority
or their current rule to any humans on Earth.
Additionally, the fact that Jesus declared that
all twelve apostles would occupy thrones in the kingdom proves that Peter had no greater authority than the other apostles. The apostles were
equal
in their reception and wielding of the authority delegated to them by
Christ. Yet the Catholic Church claims that the immediate successors to
Peter were Linus (from
A.D. 67 to 79), Cletus (from
A.D. 79 to 91) and Clement (from
A.D.
91 to 100). They agree that the apostle John would have still been
alive throughout this period (see G.C. Brewer’s discussion as quoted in
Bales, pp. 208-210). The doctrine of the primacy of Peter means that the
first three of the alleged successors of Peter would have exercised
authority over the still-living apostle John—who had been handpicked by
Christ Himself! The very John whom Jesus placed on one of the twelve
thrones would have been
under the authority, knowledge, and power
of three popes who had not been selected to be among the original
Twelve! (see also Hayden, pp. 22-33). Hayden aptly summarized the New
Testament position regarding modern-day apostles:
The thirteen apostles chosen, ordained and endowed by the newly
crowned Messiah faithfully and fully executed their commission. When
they entered into everlasting rest, the church was established, with all
needful ministries to edify, extend and perpetuate it throughout all
coming centuries. Then the extraordinary, which was necessary to found a
new institution, was succeeded by the ordinary, which is sufficient to
teach, regulate and govern the subjects of Christ’s kingdom according to
the laws that went forth from Jerusalem. The revelation of God was
completed. The word of faith is henceforth nigh every believer, even in
his mouth and in his heart. The apostolic office ceased, and evangelists
and pastors became the permanent teachers and superintendents of the
church (pp. 33-34).
REFERENCES
Arndt, William and F.W. Gingrich (1957),
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press).
Bales, James (1957),
The Kingdom: Prophesied and Established (Austin, TX: Firm Foundation).
Hayden, W.L. (1894),
Church Polity (Kansas City, MO: Old Paths Book Club).
Miller, Dave (1996),
Piloting the Strait (Pulaski, TN: Sain Publications).
Miller, Dave (2003), “Modern-day Miracles, Tongue-Speaking, and Holy
Spirit Baptism: A Refutation—Extended Version,” [On-line],
URL:
http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2569.
Thayer, Joseph H. (1901),
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1977 reprint).
Atheism
contends that a supernatural Creator does not exist. Allegedly, a
supernatural Being is unnecessary in our material Universe. Everything
can be explained purely naturally through a study of the natural world.
In short, nature exists “naturally,” not supernaturally.