Are there still Apostles today?

[Always in His Presence]

An Apo

The definition of an apostle is rooted in the Greek concept of an authoritative emissary or delegate, meaning the individual is specially commissioned and sent on a particular mission. The title is reserved for a representative who is empowered to act and speak on behalf of the sender, carrying their official authority and mandate.

On this we agree - Greek transliterate apostolos -

1. a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders
   1. specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ
   2. in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers
      1. of Barnabas
      2. of Timothy and Silvanus

and of course Paul - the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Therefore, to be considered an apostle requires a direct, official appointment,

If you mean appointed by God - yes we agree - if you mean appointed by man - there is a difference between us.

not merely a desire to carry a message.

So I would say no, there are no apostles today as the Foundation had already been placed with Jesus Christ of Nazareth as the Chief Cornerstone with the Prophets and Apostles.
Blessings

Please help then - as noted a number of times Paul said God appointed Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist Pastor and Teachers in the church. If the role of an Apostle has ended because the foundation was laid - then the others have also - there was no line of demarcation between the ones mentioned.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Please help then - as noted a number of times Paul said God appointed Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist Pastor and Teachers in the church. If the role of an Apostle has ended because the foundation was laid - then the others have also - there was no line of demarcation between the ones mentioned.

Paul stated the entire group of people and their roles as they spread the Gospel through the centuries. In other words, there is a train of evidence and they were all appointed for a specific purpose. Just because the first few are no longer in service there still remains those who carry the message under different roles, a gift by His Holy Spirit. As far as demarcation, there is no need for that as there is a seamless connection in the Body of Christ and in the Kingdom of God.

 

[Always in His Presence]

Paul stated the entire group of people and their roles as they spread the Gospel through the centuries.

Correct - he never said it would end.

In other words, there is a train of evidence and they were all appointed for a specific purpose.

Still are (everyone of them)

Just because the first few are no longer in service there still remains those who carry the message under different roles, a gift by His Holy Spirit.

That is where we differ I don't believe the 'first dew are no longer in service".

As far as demarcation, there is no need for that as there is a seamless connection in the Body of Christ and in the Kingdom of God.

Correct - and each are still needed today.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Correct - he never said it would end.

Still are (everyone of them)

That is where we differ I don't believe the 'first dew are no longer in service".

Correct - and each are still needed today.

Ok, if you can name at least one prophet today who has prophesied with no error then I will consider your view. Same for an apostle, anyone who has been given a specific mandate directly from Jesus Christ of Nazareth Himself.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Always in His Presence]

Ok, if you can name at least one prophet today who has prophesied with no error then I will consider your view.

Open a thread on the Prophet and I'll jump in. This one is about apostles

Same for an apostle, anyone who has been given a specific mandate directly from Jesus Christ of Nazareth Himself.
Thanks for sharing!

You bet I have met several of them personally.

One who is mandated by Jesus of Nazareth Himself to be a voice in a country where Christianity is outlawed - Gospel meetings in the open are closed down and ministers imprisoned - jut like what Paul faced. Similar to Paul - he has seen thousands come to Christ - the simplicity of the Gospel is preached with miracles following. He has helped plant 32,000 churches in the region.

I know another who was called by Jesus of Nazareth to start a church in Nazi Germany in the middle of WW2. In the middle of the greatest prosecution and closing of churches - this Apostles was never attacked - the church grew to 180 and remained open throughout the war and thrived. In 1981 they died in the pulpit and the person who took their place grew the church to over 6,000 with 40 satellite churches in 13 nations.

Your Welcome

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Nope. There are no Apostles today. Time to wakey, wakey people and stop overextending your already unsound deductions !!!

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Open a thread on the Prophet and I'll jump in. This one is about apostles

You bet I have met several of them personally.

One who is mandated by Jesus of Nazareth Himself to be a voice in a country where Christianity is outlawed - Gospel meetings in the open are closed down and ministers imprisoned - jut like what Paul faced. Similar to Paul - he has seen thousands come to Christ - the simplicity of the Gospel is preached with miracles following. He has helped plant 32,000 churches in the region.

I know another who was called by Jesus of Nazareth to start a church in Nazi Germany in the middle of WW2. In the middle of the greatest prosecution and closing of churches - this Apostles was never attacked - the church grew to 180 and remained open throughout the war and thrived. In 1981 they died in the pulpit and the person who took their place grew the church to over 6,000 with 40 satellite churches in 13 nations.

Your Welcome

Names?

 

[ViaCrucis]

There hasn't been an apostle since the first century. There were certainly more than just the Twelve, there was also Paul, we are also told of Barnabas, Junia and Andronicus, Silas, Apollos. The Church's tradition and memory speaks of a group of 70 Apostles (aside from the Twelve).

Apostleship as a distinct calling does not really show up after the first generation; as the Apostles did not ordain more apostles, but rather set forward bishops and presbyters--pastors. Apostolic authority was retained in the pastorate, with those called to keep and preserve the apostolic teaching as they received it, and to shepherd the flock of Christ in the absence of the apostles. This is the historical reality we see.

However "apostle" has been retained in honorifics given to certain notable individuals. St. Patrick is remembered with the honorific of Apostle to the Irish (for example); Patrick was not an apostle, but he is called Apostle to the Irish on account of his missionary work among the Irish people, imitating the Apostolic work of going out and establishing communities of Faithful among the non-believing world.

If anyone today claims to be an apostle, they are either confused or lying. Christ has not called anyone to be an apostle since the days of the Apostles. The proper locus of apostolicity is the Church herself, and in those called and ordained to shepherd the Church--pastors; who act not as masters or lords over the Church but as the Church's servants and ministers.