Are there Apostles today?

[Curtis]

The Apostle

There are four different "TYPES" of Apostles written about in scripture.
(1) Jesus Christ was an Apostle. Jesus was a one of a kind Apostle as God gave him the Spirit without "MEASURE".

Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, CONSIDER JESUS, THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST OF OUR CONFESSION,

Apostle meaning "ONE WHO IS SENT, A MESSENGER". Jesus was sent, and a messenger of God to proclaim the Gospel to men. Jesus operated in all five "MINISTRY" gifts as a Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and teacher.

(2) The second type apostle are the "APOSTLES OF THE LAMB". The twelve Apostles are in a class of their own. No one else can ever be a Apostle of the Lamb.

Rev 21:14 And the wall of THE CITY HAD TWELVE FOUNDATIONS, and on them were THE TWELVE NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB.

These twelve Apostles were sent for to be eyewitnesses of Jesus's life, earthly ministry, and resurrection. Their main purpose was to be ministers of the Gospel. They were the first to preach, and teach the Word of God.
The Apostle Paul would not qualify to be one of these Apostles as he did not follow Jesus from the start to the end of his earthly ministry. There have been around twenty people in the Bible that have been called "APOSTLES", or "SENT ONES", but only the original twelve are considered an APOSTLES OF THE LAMB. There are only twelve foundations that support the heavenly city, not 13 or 14....ect

(3) The third type of Apostle would be the Apostle Paul, who helped lay the "DOCTRINAL" “FOUNDATION” of the New Testament. Paul wrote about half of the New Testament, and the revelations he taught did not come from man.

Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; (AS I WROTE AFORE IN FEW WORDS,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AS IT IS NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BY THE SPIRIT;

The Apostle Paul preached the "REVELATION" of the Gospel to the early Church saints. We do not need to lay any other foundation which has already been laid for us, we are only to build upon that foundation!!

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE;

The Apostle Paul tell us this.....

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, AND ANOTHER BUILDETH THEREON. BUT LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED HOW HE BUILDETH THERE UPON.

There are no NEW revelations being given to the Church as a "FOUNDATION". Paul warned the Church that we are to take heed to how we build upon that which has already been laid. Even though there are no new revelations as foundations for the Church, there are new revelations ABOUT this foundation which is already laid, taught, and revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

(4) The fourth type of Apostle is the what we have today in the Church. They are sent ones, and their apostleship is in a measure unlike other foundational Apostles like the original twelve, and the apostle Paul who laid the very foundation of the Gospel. Epaphroditus was called a "MESSENGER" by Paul. The word, "MESSENGER" means "APOSTLE". Epaphroditus was not an Apostle in the same sense as Paul or the other twelve apostles were. He was "SENT" out as a delegate, or representative, or as the commissioned representative of a congregation.

Today's Apostles are commissioned by the Holy Spirit to bring a specific message or ministry along a certain scriptural lines to the Body of Christ. These modern day “APOSTLES” would be known as “MISSIONARIES”. They simply build upon the foundation that has already been laid.

One of the most notable signs of a Apostle is in their anointing to teach, and preach the Word of God, and to start or plant new Churches.

 

[Bendito]

The Apostle

There are four different "TYPES" of Apostles written about in scripture.
(1) Jesus Christ was an Apostle. Jesus was a one of a kind Apostle as God gave him the Spirit without "MEASURE".

Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, CONSIDER JESUS, THE APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST OF OUR CONFESSION,

Apostle meaning "ONE WHO IS SENT, A MESSENGER". Jesus was sent, and a messenger of God to proclaim the Gospel to men. Jesus operated in all five "MINISTRY" gifts as a Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and teacher.

(2) The second type apostle are the "APOSTLES OF THE LAMB". The twelve Apostles are in a class of their own. No one else can ever be a Apostle of the Lamb.

Rev 21:14 And the wall of THE CITY HAD TWELVE FOUNDATIONS, and on them were THE TWELVE NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB.

These twelve Apostles were sent for to be eyewitnesses of Jesus's life, earthly ministry, and resurrection. Their main purpose was to be ministers of the Gospel. They were the first to preach, and teach the Word of God.
The Apostle Paul would not qualify to be one of these Apostles as he did not follow Jesus from the start to the end of his earthly ministry. There have been around twenty people in the Bible that have been called "APOSTLES", or "SENT ONES", but only the original twelve are considered an APOSTLES OF THE LAMB. There are only twelve foundations that support the heavenly city, not 13 or 14....ect

(3) The third type of Apostle would be the Apostle Paul, who helped lay the "DOCTRINAL" “FOUNDATION” of the New Testament. Paul wrote about half of the New Testament, and the revelations he taught did not come from man.

Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
Eph 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Eph 3:3 HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; (AS I WROTE AFORE IN FEW WORDS,
Eph 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Eph 3:5 Which IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AS IT IS NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BY THE SPIRIT;

The Apostle Paul preached the "REVELATION" of the Gospel to the early Church saints. We do not need to lay any other foundation which has already been laid for us, we are only to build upon that foundation!!

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are BUILT UPON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF BEING THE CHIEF CORNER STONE;

The Apostle Paul tell us this.....

1Co 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, AND ANOTHER BUILDETH THEREON. BUT LET EVERY MAN TAKE HEED HOW HE BUILDETH THERE UPON.

There are no NEW revelations being given to the Church as a "FOUNDATION". Paul warned the Church that we are to take heed to how we build upon that which has already been laid. Even though there are no new revelations as foundations for the Church, there are new revelations ABOUT this foundation which is already laid, taught, and revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

(4) The fourth type of Apostle is the what we have today in the Church. They are sent ones, and their apostleship is in a measure unlike other foundational Apostles like the original twelve, and the apostle Paul who laid the very foundation of the Gospel. Epaphroditus was called a "MESSENGER" by Paul. The word, "MESSENGER" means "APOSTLE". Epaphroditus was not an Apostle in the same sense as Paul or the other twelve apostles were. He was "SENT" out as a delegate, or representative, or as the commissioned representative of a congregation.

Today's Apostles are commissioned by the Holy Spirit to bring a specific message or ministry along a certain scriptural lines to the Body of Christ. These modern day “APOSTLES” would be known as “MISSIONARIES”. They simply build upon the foundation that has already been laid.

One of the most notable signs of a Apostle is in their anointing to teach, and preach the Word of God, and to start or plant new Churches.

An apostle is one who is sent,anointed to be a messenger as you say. But we do have the very same anointing that was on Jesus is also upon us. Jesus and Christians are one body.
What does it mean to be anointed?
Anointing was a common ancient cultural practice. Shepherds often poured oil on the heads of their sheep in order to protect them from insects that would burrow in their ears and kill them, contributing to anointing becoming symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment. The Jewish people anointed the altar when making sacrifices. Spiritually, anointing was related to the idea of strength or blessing. Priests were anointed with oil, later followed by Samuel anointing both Saul and later David as kings of Israel. This anointing signified a person as a chosen one among other people.

In the New Testament, we are told God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). Acts 10:38 adds, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power." Acts 4:26-27 calls Jesus God's Anointed. This was a term used to emphasize Jesus as the chosen one of God.

In addition to Old Testament leaders and Jesus being anointed, the apostle Paul spoke of an anointing of all Christians: "And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee" (2 Corinthians 1:21). At first glance, it may appear Paul only spoke of himself and those with him as anointed. However, he states that the Holy Spirit within the believer is associated with God's anointing. Every Christian is anointed or chosen by God as His children, set apart for Him for acts of service (Ephesians 1:1-14; 2:10; 1 Peter 2:9).

First John 2:20 also affirms this understanding of all Christians being anointed by God: "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge." Verse 27 adds, "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him."

Today, some people speak of certain Christians as being "anointed." When they do so, they are generally using the Old Testament understanding of someone being set apart or standing out as a person specially blessed by God. While God does seem to bless some people with ministry gifts in more visible ways than others, the term "anointed" is not the best to describe this situation. Again, all believers are anointed by God, or are specially chosen by Him.

Those gifted in leadership serve according to their gifts, just as others who may serve with perhaps less visible gifts such as mercy or encouragement serve according to their gifts (Romans 12:3-8). As Romans 12:4-5 teaches, "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."