Are There Modern-Day Apostles?

There are those who seem to think that they are the modern apostles in the same vein as the apostles of the first century.

• The leader of the Mormon Church (and I use this term very lightly) is called an apostle. 
• The Apostolic Pentecostal churches have leaders who are are called apostles. There are many others who call themselves apostles.
• There are denominations which believe in apostolic succession. They don’t usually use the word apostle but still believe the office exists today.
  • • The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Old Catholic, Swedish Lutheran, and Anglican churches accept the doctrine of apostolic succession and believe that the only valid ministry is based on bishops whose office has descended from the Apostles
  • But this is impossible, by biblical qualifications, for any of them to be true apostles. 

A true apostle had to be divinely appointed. 
The original 12 were appointed during Christ’s earthly ministry. (Luke 6:13-16)
If you recall, when Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, the disciples cast lots. They did not choose Matthias. God did.
Proverbs 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Jesus chose the apostles. The apostles did not choose to apostles. 
You may wonder how Paul could be qualified but Paul makes it clear in Galatians that Jesus chose him and trained him.
Galatians 1:1  Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)
He says the same basic thing in 1 Cor 1:1; 2 Cor 1:1; Eph 1:1; Col 1:1; 2 Tim 1:1) You would have to say that the Bible is not the word of God to discredit such ample testimony.


They had to have been taught by the Lord Jesus Christ personally.
Galatians 1:11-12  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.


Paul also mentions in several passages that he was taught by revelation. (Gal 1:12; Gal 2:2; Eph 3:3; 1 Corp 15:3)


They had to have personally witnessed the resurrected Lord:


Acts 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.


1 Corinthians 9:1  Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?


The time of the apostles came to an end  when John the apostle died.  Since that time, the office of the apostle ceased. It was no longer necessary since the original apostles were the foundation and the foundation was firmly set:
Ephesians 2:19-21  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:


If 2000 years later we are still laying the foundation of the Church, there is something seriously wrong!




So what should we do with those who call themselves apostles today? I think we should follow the example of the church of Ephesus:
Revelation 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:


Reject them. Plain and simple.
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