Are there still apostles today?

[tonychanyt]

What was an apostle in the Bible?

There were three categories of apostles in the Bible. The first referred exclusively to the Twelve, Revelation 21:

14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles [G652] of the Lamb.​

Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

G652 appears 80 times. It is a rather common word.

The second category included some prominent disciples commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:

2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”​

And they were recognized as such, Acts 14:

14 when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:​

The third category included some lesser-known and generic apostles who were sent forth with orders by churches, Berean Literal Bible, 2 Corinthians 8:

23 Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are apostles [G652] of the churches, the glory of Christ.​

Are there still apostles today?

Sure, 1 Corinthians 12:

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.​

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. … 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.​

Apostles are one of the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit, But be warned. Paul wrote in the follow-up letter, 2 Corinthians 11:

12 what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.​

You need to test their claim. Who sends them? What are the signs to prove that they are apostles?

Personally in Toronto, I encountered a man who claimed to be an apostle. He was sent by a church/denomination. I am not under that particular denomination's authority. I have no obligation to accept his authority. Neither did I accuse him of being a false apostle.

 

[Clare73]

What was an apostle in the Bible?

There were three categories of apostles in the Bible. The first referred exclusively to the Twelve, Revelation 21:

>14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles [G652] of the Lamb.​

Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

G652 appears 80 times. It is a rather common word.

The second category included some prominent disciples commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:

2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”​

And they were recognized as such, Acts 14:

14 when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:​

The third category included some lesser-known and generic apostles who were sent forth with orders by churches, Berean Literal Bible, 2 Corinthians 8:

23 Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are apostles [G652] of the churches, the glory of Christ.​

Are there still apostles today?

Sure, 1 Corinthians 12:

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.​

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. … 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.​

Apostles are one of the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit, But be warned. Paul wrote in the follow-up letter, 2 Corinthians 11:

12 what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.​

You need to test their claim. Who sends them? What are the signs to prove that they are apostles?

Personally in Toronto, I encountered a man who claimed to be an apostle. He was sent by a church/denomination. I am not under that particular denomination's authority. I have no obligation to accept his authority. Neither did I accuse him of being a false apostle.

Not the kind the NT talks about that the church was built on.

 

[tonychanyt]

Not the kind the NT talks about that the church was built on.

Sorry that I am slow. I am having trouble connecting what you wrote with what I wrote. Can you make the connection explicit?

 

[Gregory Thompson]

What was an apostle in the Bible?

There were three categories of apostles in the Bible. The first referred exclusively to the Twelve, Revelation 21:

>14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles [G652] of the Lamb.​

Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

G652 appears 80 times. It is a rather common word.

The second category included some prominent disciples commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:

2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”​

And they were recognized as such, Acts 14:

14 when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:​

The third category included some lesser-known and generic apostles who were sent forth with orders by churches, Berean Literal Bible, 2 Corinthians 8:

23 Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are apostles [G652] of the churches, the glory of Christ.​

Are there still apostles today?

Sure, 1 Corinthians 12:

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.​

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. … 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.​

Apostles are one of the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit, But be warned. Paul wrote in the follow-up letter, 2 Corinthians 11:

12 what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.​

You need to test their claim. Who sends them? What are the signs to prove that they are apostles?

Personally in Toronto, I encountered a man who claimed to be an apostle. He was sent by a church/denomination. I am not under that particular denomination's authority. I have no obligation to accept his authority. Neither did I accuse him of being a false apostle.

Apostle means "sent"

So in a sense there is an old movie "the blues brothers" and they say a bunch "we're on a mission from God."

So if they're "sent," it's a question of who "sent" them: Their fruit will speak for them.

I haven't met a biblical apostle yet.

 

[HTacianas]

What was an apostle in the Bible?

There were three categories of apostles in the Bible. The first referred exclusively to the Twelve, Revelation 21:

>14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles [G652] of the Lamb.​

Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

G652 appears 80 times. It is a rather common word.

The second category included some prominent disciples commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:

2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”​

And they were recognized as such, Acts 14:

14 when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:​

The third category included some lesser-known and generic apostles who were sent forth with orders by churches, Berean Literal Bible, 2 Corinthians 8:

23 Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are apostles [G652] of the churches, the glory of Christ.​

Are there still apostles today?

Sure, 1 Corinthians 12:

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.​

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. … 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.​

Apostles are one of the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit, But be warned. Paul wrote in the follow-up letter, 2 Corinthians 11:

12 what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.​

You need to test their claim. Who sends them? What are the signs to prove that they are apostles?

Personally in Toronto, I encountered a man who claimed to be an apostle. He was sent by a church/denomination. I am not under that particular denomination's authority. I have no obligation to accept his authority. Neither did I accuse him of being a false apostle.

The apostles of today are the successors to the original apostles. They are the various Patriarchs and Bishops of the Apostolic Churches.

 

[tonychanyt]

The apostles of today are the successors to the original apostles.

reference?

 

[HTacianas]

reference?

See Clement I, Letter to the Corinthians; Hegesippus, Ecclesiastical History; Irenaeus, Against Heresies; Tertullian, Demurrer Against the Heretics; Cyprian of Carthage, Letters

 

[tonychanyt]

See Clement I, Letter to the Corinthians; Hegesippus, Ecclesiastical History; Irenaeus, Against Heresies; Tertullian, Demurrer Against the Heretics; Cyprian of Carthage, Letters

This is how to do referencing in a scholarly manner:

1. Give the name of the source.
2. Provide the link of the source. It is the URL address
3. Indent the quoted text.
4. Bold the relevant keywords that are important to the point that you are making.
5. Be concise and to the point.

This is what I do for others who read my posts. It is a standard high-school scholarship. If you practice this, I guarantee you: it will improve your analytical thinking. In any case, no one is required to do it here.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

What was an apostle in the Bible?

There were three categories of apostles in the Bible. The first referred exclusively to the Twelve, Revelation 21:

>14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles [G652] of the Lamb.​

Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

G652 appears 80 times. It is a rather common word.

The second category included some prominent disciples commissioned by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:

2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”​

And they were recognized as such, Acts 14:

14 when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:​

The third category included some lesser-known and generic apostles who were sent forth with orders by churches, Berean Literal Bible, 2 Corinthians 8:

23 Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are apostles [G652] of the churches, the glory of Christ.​

Are there still apostles today?

Sure, 1 Corinthians 12:

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.​

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. … 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.​

Apostles are one of the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit, But be warned. Paul wrote in the follow-up letter, 2 Corinthians 11:

12 what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.​

You need to test their claim. Who sends them? What are the signs to prove that they are apostles?

Personally in Toronto, I encountered a man who claimed to be an apostle. He was sent by a church/denomination. I am not under that particular denomination's authority. I have no obligation to accept his authority. Neither did I accuse him of being a false apostle.

Impossible for any to be Apostles today as the original were the foundation of the Gospel along with the Prophets and of course Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the Chief Cornerstone.

​

9Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2​

 

[Dahveed]

Impossible for any to be Apostles today as the original were the foundation of the Gospel along with the Prophets and of course Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the Chief Cornerstone.

Why would we be instructed to "test the spirits" ?
'I know your works [wrought in God] and your labor and perseverance... you tested those who call themselves apostles [commissioned, sent, ambassadors for Christ] but are not, and have found them to be impostors.' Rev 2:2

Eph 2:18​

For we both [near or far] have our access to the Father through Christ by the one Spirit [with one accord, in agreement, [Rom 15:5].​

9Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,21in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2​

Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matt 7:20

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Why would we be instructed to "test the spirits" ?

To avoid deception.
Blessings

 

[Dahveed]

To avoid deception.
Blessings

Indeed.
See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through empty deception, rather than the truth in Christ. Col 2:8

 

[David Kent]

The apostles of today are the successors to the original apostles. They are the various Patriarchs and Bishops of the Apostolic Churches.

No. There is no such thing as a patriarch in the scriptures. Bishop is an elder and there were more than one in the church.

 

[HTacianas]

No. There is no such thing as a patriarch in the scriptures. Bishop is an elder and there were more than one in the church.

Why does there need to be a Patriarch in the scriptures?

 

[Dahveed]

No. There is no such thing as a patriarch in the scriptures. Bishop is an elder and there were more than one in the church.

To the Israelites belong the patriarchs, and from whom Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Rom 9:5

For I tell you that Christ has become a Servant and a minister of the circumcision [Rom 2:29] on behalf of God’s truth,
to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; Rom 15:8-9

You have received what the prophets talked about. You are sons of the covenant God made with the patriarchs.
He said to your father Abraham, [Rom 4:17, Gal 3:8-9] ‘Through your seed all the ·nations on the earth will be blessed.
God brought his Son back to life and has sent him to you first to bless you by turning every one of you from your iniquities. Acts 3:25-26

 

[David Kent]

To the Israelites belong the patriarchs, and from whom Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Rom 9:5

For I tell you that Christ has become a Servant and a minister of the circumcision [Rom 2:29] on behalf of God’s truth,
to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; Rom 15:8-9

You have received what the prophets talked about. You are sons of the covenant God made with the patriarchs.
He said to your father Abraham, [Rom 4:17, Gal 3:8-9] ‘Through your seed all the ·nations on the earth will be blessed.
God brought his Son back to life and has sent him to you first to bless you by turning every one of you from your iniquities. Acts 3:25-26

Of course that is different
The Patriarchs were the immediate descendents of Jacob.

 

[Dahveed]

Of course that is different
The Patriarchs were the immediate descendents of Jacob.

Therefore, the patriarch David, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath that He would raise up the Christ
to sit on his throne, foreseeing this, spoke of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah)...
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses. Acts 2:25-33

God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus.
As it is also written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’
And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:
‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Acts 13:32-34

The Lord has sworn And will not relent;
Because of this oath Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant....
Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost [forever] those who come to God through Him...Heb 7:20-28

Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David, has risen from the dead, [the ever-living Lord, the prophesied King of kings]
according to my gospel, the good news of salvation; 2 Tim 2:8