In the Bible, we read of the apostles. They were the closest of the Lord’s followers. But, what made an apostle or what were the qualifications that made one into an apostle? And, are there apostles today?
First, all apostles were required to have seen the risen Christ so that they could preach a resurrection of which he had himself been an eyewitness (1 Corinthians 9:1; Acts 4:33; Acts 1:8).
Second, an apostle had to be called and commissioned by the risen Lord directly: Hand picked (Luke 6:13; Acts 9:3-6; 13-15; Galatians 1:1).
Third, each was given the Comforter or Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).
Now, can anyone claim these things today? No.
Also, there were distinctive signs that apostles had which proved they were apostles. Jesus gave them the ability to perform miraculous signs (Matthew 10:1-2; Acts 2:43; Acts 5:12). Paul said that the “signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:11-12). And, the purpose of these miracles was to confirm the word of God (Mark 16:20).
Can anyone claim these things today? No.
But, what about those who claim that they are apostles today? Is there such a thing? In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul said that there were “false apostles” who transformed (made or called) “themselves into apostles of Christ.” In fact, the Apostle John said that there were apostles who were tested to see if they were apostles and were found to be liars (Revelation 2:2).
Can anyone claim to be an apostle today? Yes.
Does that make them a true apostle? No.
Conclusion: There are no apostles today because they had to see Jesus after He arose from the dead and no one has. The last person to see Jesus was the apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 15:7-9). There are no apostles today because apostles had to be hand picked and since Jesus does not appear to people today, He is not hand picking anyone. There are no apostles today because no one has the miracle working power of an apostle. The apostles were able to heal any physical condition on the spot including recreating body parts and resurrecting from the dead (Acts 3:1-9; Acts 9:36-42). No case was too difficult. But, no one has this type of miracle working power today.