The twelve apostles held a unique position. In referring to the New Jerusalem, the Bible states those twelve are to be given a unique honor.
Revelation 21 NASB
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The twelve apostles, the only ones given the right to be called a true apostle of Jesus Christ, are obviously referred to in Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14; 4:10; 6:7; 9:35; 14:10, 17, 23; Luke 6:13; 9:1; 22:14; John 6:71; Acts 6:2; and 1 Corinthians 15:5. It was these twelve apostles who were the first messengers of the gospel after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the men He personally chose to be witnesses of His life and ministry. It was these twelve apostles who were the foundation of the church -- with Jesus being the cornerstone as stated in Ephesians 2:20.
This specific type of apostle is not present in the church today. The qualifications of this type of apostle were:
(1) to have been a witness of the resurrected Christ:
i Corinthians 9
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
(2) to have been explicitly chosen by the Holy Spirit
Acts 9
15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake."
(3) to have the ability to perform signs and wonders.
2 Corinthians 12 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
The role of the twelve apostles, laying the foundation of the church, would also argue for their uniqueness. Two thousand years later, we are not still working on the foundation, we are building the structure that is the church of God.
If there were "apostles" today, what exactly would be their role that would qualify them for the title without inferring they have the ministry as that of the twelve apostles? That is not entirely clear, and I would submit it is impossible the confer that title on anyone alive today. Apostle, from the Greek
apostolus, means "messenger, ambassador." Certainly we are all to be "ambassadors" for Christ, but does that confer upon us the title of apostle or give us (or anyone) the duties and powers of the office. No. Absolutely, decidely, no.
From the definition of the word, the closest thing today to an apostle, in the general sense, is a missionary. A missionary is a follower of Christ who is sent out with the specific mission of proclaiming the gospel. A missionary is an ambassador of Christ to people who have not heard the good news. However, to prevent confusion, it is likely best to not use the term
apostle to refer to any position in the church today. The vast majority of occurrences of the word
apostle or
apostles in the New Testament refer to the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ.
There are some today who are seeking to restore the position of apostle. Frequently, those claiming the office of apostle seek authority equal to, or at least rivaling, the authority of the original twelve apostles. There is absolutely no biblical evidence to support such an understanding of the role of apostle today. This would fit with the New Testament’s warning against false apostles.
2 Corinthians 11
12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
Don't desire for yourself, or believe anyone who claims for themselves, the title "apostle." The twelve men who suffered and died as did our Savior to bring the gospel message to the world, as His ambassadors, are insulted, intentionally or not, when someone claims to assume that office.
