What Is An Apostle?
The term ” apostle ” is frequently utilized within our religious communities to refer to or designate specific individuals. However, one may question the authenticity of these individuals as apostles and whether it is possible to have a living apostle in contemporary times. This inquiry naturally leads to a fundamental question: what constitutes an apostle, and what was the role of apostles during biblical times?
Examining the scriptures and discerning what God’s Word articulates regarding the matter is essential to determine this accurately.
To address the first inquiry, what is an apostle? In general terms, the word essentially denotes “one who is sent. ” However, as indicated in Matthew chapter 10, specific individuals were chosen by Jesus and designated as apostles. Matthew 10, beginning at verse one, elaborates on the kind of authority bestowed upon these individuals, stating, “ And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him”
Notably, these twelve disciples are referred to as the twelve apostles in the verses mentioned above, as they received this divine power directly from Christ to cast out demons and heal all forms of sickness and disease.
Jesus prepared these individuals before his crucifixion, and we can reference the significant discourse in the Gospel according to John, chapters 14 through 17, where Jesus shares the upper room with these twelve apostles. During this time, he discloses numerous events destined to unfold for them; one such event is that the Holy Spirit will inspire them to fulfill the work he ordained for them. As we analyze John chapter 14, it is essential to recall that this discourse occurs shortly before his betrayal, trial, and ultimate death.
in John chapter 14 verse 26 says ” But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
The information Jesus imparted to the twelve individuals is not extended to us. We do not possess the Holy Spirit in a manner that allows for miraculous recollection of all that Jesus proclaimed.
In John chapter 16 we go to verse 13 and it says ” When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ”
The verse mentioned above explicitly applies to the twelve individuals to whom Jesus spoke. The spirit of truth does not disclose future events to us today; however, it did convey prophetic insights to those apostles. This distinction holds considerable significance, particularly when analyzing these specific verses. Frequently, individuals extend the implications of these chapters to encompass all believers, despite not all information being imparted to every disciple.
In Acts chapter 1 starting in verse 2 and we see again how these individuals were given specific roles. “until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”
We observe various aspects concerning these individuals, including their identities, respective roles, and the powers bestowed upon them. Therefore, one may inquire whether anyone could attain the status of an apostle. It is becoming increasingly evident that the answer is in the negative. Specific qualifications must be satisfied, and these individuals must meet these criteria to be recognized as apostles.
Staying in Acts chapter 1, after Judas’s death- and of course, we know what happened to him; he took his own life after all that transpired with his betrayal- there was a vacancy that needed to be filled. In Acts chapter 1, we will revisit verse 20, which follows the revelation of what happened to Judas. Verse 20 states, “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and Let another take his office.” Here is a prophecy regarding what was to happen to Judas, at least a thousand years before it did. ” Let another take his office “- this is what the eleven present were engaged in. They were waiting for the Holy Spirit to come upon them.
Verse 21 continues, “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.”
The vacancy presented upon Judas’ death is significant. However, what precisely underscores its importance? Among the men who accompanied them, individuals needed to be witnesses of Christ’s resurrection. Not just anyone could fulfill the role of an apostle. The only individuals eligible to be apostles were those who had directly witnessed Jesus alive following his resurrection, and this is a critical point to consider when the term ” apostle “is employed.
What about the apostle Paul?
The narrative concerning Saul of Tarsus is of significant importance. He was traveling on the road to Damascus, an account of critical relevance. To gain further insight, let us reference Acts chapter 9. Initially, verse 15 states, “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
This passage illustrates the interaction between Ananias and Saul of Tarsus. Consequently, Ananias proceeded to Saul’s residence, and upon laying his hands on him, he addressed him thus, ” “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
This significant occasion on the road to Damascus, during which Saul encountered the resurrected Lord, holds profound importance. Saul could not have assumed the role of an apostle without having witnessed the resurrected Lord. Consequently, the encounter between Saul and the resurrected Christ along the road is paramount for his apostolic calling.
Paul frequently emphasizes this in his epistles, notably those addressed to the church in Corinth, where he explicitly articulates his commission as an apostle. 1 Corinthians 9:1-3, “Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me.”
The event on the road to Damascus served as an essential prerequisite for his apostolic mission, illustrating that one must be a witness of the risen Lord to fulfill this role.
John reinforces this point in 1 John chapter 1:1-3, “We want to tell you about the Word that gives life—the one who existed before the world began. This is the one we have heard and have seen with our own eyes. We saw what he did, and our hands touched him. Yes, the one who is life was shown to us. We saw him, and so we can tell others about him. We now tell you about him. He is the eternal life that was with God the Father and was shown to us. We are telling you about what we have seen and heard because we want you to have fellowship with us. The fellowship we share together is with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.”
Being an eyewitness was an essential requirement for being an Apostle.
Continuing with the concept as mentioned earlier and referring to the Book of Acts, we note additional insights regarding the apostles. Specifically, Acts Chapter 3 provides significant information. Verse two reveals that Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb. Each day, he was carried and laid at the temple gate, referred to as ” Beautiful, ” to request alms from those entering the temple. It is noteworthy that this man had never been able to walk, which implies that his muscles, tendons, and ligaments would have been completely weak and ineffective due to his lifelong condition. In addition to muscle atrophy, being lame from birth, he had never learned how to walk.
Concering this event, we read in verse six, where Peter states, “… “I don’t have any silver or gold, but I do have something else I can give you. By the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth—stand up and walk!” Then Peter took the man’s right hand and lifted him up. Immediately his feet and legs became strong. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk. He went into the Temple area with them. He was walking and jumping and praising God.”
The Miraculous Healings
The significance of this matter lies in the fact that the apostles Peter and John possessed the extraordinary ability to heal individuals and perform miracles. These were capabilities not exhibited by individuals today who claim the title of apostles within various religious groups. Authentic apostles had the remarkable capacity to heal anyone suffering from any ailment, including those who were blind, deaf, or lame, as well as individuals who were possessed. Furthermore, they were even able to raise the dead.
In Acts chapter nine starting in verse 36, we find the account of the death and resurrection of Tabitha. In verse 40 of this account we read, “Peter sent all the people out of the room. He knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to Tabitha’s body and said, “Tabitha, stand up!” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the believers and the widows into the room. He showed them Tabitha; she was alive!”
This woman had died, and Peter, being an apostle, was able to raise her from the dead. In Acts chapter 19 starting in verse 11 we read, “And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.” These miracles were undeniable and impossible to deny as noted in Act 4:16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” These miracles were so profound that they were impossible to fake and deny.
Only an Apostle Could Pass Miraculous Abilities To Others
Only the apostles could lay hands on others to bestow miraculous abilities. This is profoundly significant given the so-called faith healers today who claim to be able to perform miracles.
In Acts chapter 8, beginning in verse 4, we read of the gospel being taken to Samaria, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city.”
This was Philip the evangelist. He was not one of the original 12 apostles. He was one of the seven men chosen to help with the widows in the Jerusalem church in Acts 6:1-7. Notice in Act 8:14-17, “Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
In the Bible, the city of Samaria was roughly 40 to 42 miles north of Jerusalem. The distance between Jerusalem and the region of Samaria was generally considered to be around 33 miles. Most people walked everywhere in the first century. Peter and John made that trip expressly to give the new Christians in Samaria the Holy Spirit because Philip could not do it. Philip had the gift of the Holy Spirit and worked many miracles in Samaria, but he could not pass them along. Peter and John, who were apostles, had to make that journey to do that for them.
Recall Simon the sorcerer was impressed with the abilities provided by the Holy Spirit and, after becoming a Christian himself, he chose to accompany Philip as he evangelized (Acts 8:13). When Peter and John arrived and started laying hands on the Samaritans and giving them the Holy Ghost, Simon saw this and he made a very specific request. He did not ask to purchase the abilities of the Holy Spirit; instead, he asked for the ability to pass them along to others.
Act 8:18-19, “Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Verse 18 shows that Simon realized the Holy Spirit was only given through the laying on of the hands of an apostle. Philip couldn’t do it. Only Peter and John could, and Simon, realizing this, desired that ability for himself and tried to buy the ability to pass them along.
The account of Philip evangelizing Samaria and Simon the sorcerer clearly establishes that the only way the Holy Ghost’s miraculous gifts could be passed was through an apostle. That being established, when the last person upon whom an apostle laid their hands died, the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost forever passed from mankind. Anyone claiming to have those abilities today is lying.
Paul prophesied the passing of these miraculous gifts in 1 Corinthians 13:8, which reads, “Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” The miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were never intended to continue. Once the perfect and complete will of God was revealed and recorded, there was no longer a need to confirm the spoken word with signs and miracles.
No one living today has seen the resurrected Savior. No one possesses the power to heal diseases or raise the dead, nor does anyone have the ability to bestow such miraculous abilities upon others. Therefore, the truth is that there are no living apostles today, regardless of what some may claim.
Lastly, in John 17, Jesus speaks toward the end of the upper room discourse. He offers a prayer, which is arguably what should be called the Lord’s Prayer. In contrast, the Sermon on the Mount presents what is often referred to as the model prayer. In John chapter 17, particularly verses 1-8, Jesus prays for himself, specifically verses 1-6, where he focuses on his own needs. Following that, he prays for the apostles. In verse 6, he states, “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. ”
Here, he is praying for those men, specifically the apostles. Notably, starting in verse 20, Jesus states, ” I do not pray for these alone “- referring not only to the apostles but also to those who will believe in Me through their word. This clarification underscores a distinction between the apostles and the believers. Not all believers are apostles; the apostles represent a distinctly chosen group.
Thus, there is a significant division between the apostles and those who would come later, believing through their teachings. In conclusion, regardless of what any organization, religion, or church may assert, no individuals can biblically be called apostles like the originals could. No one alive today can truly claim to be an apostle of the Lord. Additionally, no one alive today can claim to possess any miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit.
However, we can be thankful that the real apostles’ words guide us toward heaven. Just as Jesus prayed for those who would believe through their word, we have their teachings guiding us.
