Rev. Earl Jackson
The Gifts - Apostles
1Co 12:28-31 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way”.
There is a certain air of mystery surrounding the Gift of Apostleship. It is perhaps the most important gift, because it was clearly established by Christ Himself during His earthly ministry. The other gifts came subsequent to his ascension, but Apostles were chosen by Him, and received special training from Him during the entire period of His earthly ministry. So Apostleship is antecedent to all of the other gifts.
More Than Twelve!
There can be no doubt that Christ originally chose 12 Apostles (Matt. 10: 2; Lk. 6: 13; Lk. 22: 14). Matthias was ordained as a replacement for Judas (Acts. 1: 26), and later Barnabus and Paul were added, bringing the total to 14 (Acts 14: 14). If Romans 16: 7 is saying what many scholars believe that it does say, it would add two more Apostles to the list. “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me” (Rom. 16: 7). Thus the total would be 16 at this point.
The idea that there were only 12 apostles is based upon incomplete study of the texts. It is true that Jesus chose 12 Apostles. These twelve seem to be specially honored because they were the first Apostles. They are called “The twelve Apostles of the Lamb” (Rev. 21: 14). But we are certainly led to believe that there are more than twelve Apostles by the verses above. But perhaps the most significant passage in this regard is in First Corinthians.
1Cor. 15: 4-9 et al
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God”.
This passage is significant because of the way that it describes the appearances of the resurrected Christ. Witnesses saw Him as follows:
First…Cephas saw Christ v. 5
Second…The twelve original apostles saw Him v.5(b).
Third…500 brethren witnessed the resurrected Christ v.6.
Fourth…James saw him (this must have been the James who was not included in the twelve apostles mentioned in verse 5).
Fifth…Then “all of the apostles” saw Him v. 7.
Last…Paul saw Him (who called himself “the least of the apostles) vs. 8-9.
It is important to notice verse 7 in contrast to verse 5. In verse 5 the original 12 apostles saw the risen Lord. But in verse 7 it says that He was later seen by “all the apostles”. This makes it undeniable that there were more than 12 apostles. We are not told how many. Some scholars believe that Christ added seventy more apostles in Lk. 10: 1. That is certainly a possible explanation of the passage of the sending forth and return of the seventy.
In 1Thessalonians 1: 1, Paul introduces the epistle by saying “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ”. The epistle is from the three of them. Later on in 1Thess.2: 6 It says: “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ”. Speaking with plural pronouns throughout the book, he here points out that the “we” refers to “the apostles of Christ”. The implication is plain: Silvanus, and Timotheus were considered as apostles right alongside of Paul.
Galatians 1: 19 says: “But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother”. This seems to be a plain statement that James, the Lord’s brother, was an apostle. He was the only other apostle whom Paul saw besides Peter, when he was in Jerusalem. Most people do not recognize him as an apostle, but according to this verse, that is clearly a mistake.
In 1Corinthians 4 Paul mentions Apollos by name, and in verse 9 he says: “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men”. These words confirm the fact that Apollos was also an apostle. Another proof that there were many apostles and not just twelve comes from The warnings regarding false apostles. If there were only twelve, then there would be no need to warn about false apostles. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2Cor. 11: 13). Warnings like this make no sense, unless the churches clearly expected that other apostles would arrive on the scenes as God gave them to the churches. They are a gift, and there is no clear indication that the apostolic gift has ceased other than the observation that there appears to be nobody with the miraculous and doctrinal acumen of apostles today. I am of the opinion that the gift continues to operate, but in heaven and not on earth. This is the only gift quite like that. All the other gifts continue to operate on earth, but apostleship is now heavenly only. The apostles are mentioned in heaven, as sitting upon thrones and ruling from that position (Matt. 19: 28; Lk. 22: 30; Rev. 4: 4; 5: 14; 11: 16; 18: 20; 20: 4; 21: 14). So I do believe in the continuation of this gift, but not on earth…in heaven!
The Apostolic Function
The Greek word APOSTOLOS means simply “one sent forth”. In the strict meaning of the word an apostle could be any missionary or person “sent forth” with a special mission. There are, however, a couple of special things said about the apostles, which indicates that they were something more than mere missionaries. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2: 42). This verse points out that the apostles were special sources of “doctrine and fellowship”. You do not find apostle who are separated from “doctrine” or “fellowship” which springs from it. Many of the people who claim to be apostles today, are immediately disqualified on the ground that their “doctrine” is not apostolic in content. This is very important. The basis of fellowship in the Acts churches, was the apostle’s doctrine. False apostles were to be tried by the doctrine of the true apostles (2Cor. 11: 13; Jude 17; Rev. 2: 2). The whole thrust and emphasis of the apostles was doctrinal. How sadly this is missing in our day.
“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2: 43). The next thing that distinguished the apostles from mere missionaries was that they performed “many wonders and signs”. “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people” (Acts. 5: 12). This miracle working aspect of the apostolic ministry is very significant. You are not an apostle, if you do not work “signs and wonders”. This is part of what an apostle does. He is a miracle worker. Look up and compare Romans 15: 19; 2Cor. 12: 12 and Heb. 2: 4.
“Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them” (Acts 6: 6). Another special function of the apostles was prayer and the laying on of hands. There are examples of healing by the laying on of the apostles hands, ordination (as here) by laying on of apostolic hands, and giving the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of their hands. Most Theologians see a connection between the laying on of hands by the apostles and the keys of the kingdom, mentioned by the Lord in connection with the church (Matt. 16: 19; 18: 18; Jn. 20: 23). Their apostolic authority not only included giving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8: 17 Acts 19: 6), giving spiritual gifts (Rom. 1: 11), but also forgiving of sins (Jn. 20: 23; 2Cor. 2: 9-10; 1Tim. 1: 20; Matt. 6: 12). Many Bible teachers deny that they had the power to forgive sins, but there is no other way to interpret the verses which clearly say this. Once again, our thoughts must be reigned in, and brought captive to the obedience of Christ (2Cor. 10: 5). It matters nothing if we do not understand it. We still have to believe it, and teach it.
Apostles did not have to see Christ.
There is a teaching among the cessationist's which says that one of the qualifications necessary to become an apostle, was that you had to be a physical eye-witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. This sounds plausible, and reinforces their notion that the gift of apostle ceased with the death of the last apostle. It is a rationalistic argument, without a single shred of Scriptural evidence. Naturally they use this argument to try to prove that all the gifts ceased in a similar manner. The fact is, that they do not have even a single verse to substantiate their claim that being an eye-witness of Christ is necessary for apostleship. While there are verses where apostles mentioned that they were eye-witnesses, there are no verses saying that this is a requirement for the office. Acts 5: 32 mentions that indeed some of the apostles were witnesses, and it implies that the Holy Spirit (which all believers have) is the most sure witness of all.
There is never any emphasis placed upon physically seeing Christ, as opposed to seeing Him spiritually with the eye of faith. In fact, Christ Himself seems to condemn this notion that seeing with the eyes (empiricism), is better than seeing by faith. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (Jn. 20: 29). If seeing was essential to being an apostle, why would Christ say that those who have not seen are in fact better off than Thomas who was an apostle?
False Apostles
From looking at the various functions which the apostolic office has in the church, it is quite easy to eliminate the false apostles which appear in our day. There are many people who have usurped the title of apostle, without having any of the apostolic qualifications and functions. They do not exhibit an apostolic “doctrinal awareness“. They cannot create an apostolic sense of “fellowship”. They do not work apostolic “signs and wonders”. This even included raising the dead. They are unable to convey the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts or to forgive people of their sins. Since they cannot, and do not do these things they plainly are not apostles.
It is very easy to usurp a Biblical word, and make it mean something that it in fact does not mean. The dispensationalist’s have done this with the word “dispensation”. Their definition and understanding of the word is anything but Biblical, even though the word itself is found in the Bible. Just because a church group has decided to call some of their officials “apostles”, does not mean that they really have apostles in their assemblies. The apostles are in heaven now, and their ministry continues from thence. People can claim anything under the sun, but the old saying is true…“The proof is in the pudding!” The signs of an apostle are curiously missing from all those claiming this office today.
©2009 Earl Jackson All Rights Reserved
PERMISSION IS GRANTED to post this article on any website or blog, or other electronic media, provided it is posted in it's entirety without alteration, and a clear link is included back to this website. No permission for hard copy, print, or other use is hereby granted. This article may not be sold or used on for profit websites or projects. CLICK HERE to send us any links to the places where you put this article.
1Co 12:28-31 “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way”.
There is a certain air of mystery surrounding the Gift of Apostleship. It is perhaps the most important gift, because it was clearly established by Christ Himself during His earthly ministry. The other gifts came subsequent to his ascension, but Apostles were chosen by Him, and received special training from Him during the entire period of His earthly ministry. So Apostleship is antecedent to all of the other gifts.
More Than Twelve!
There can be no doubt that Christ originally chose 12 Apostles (Matt. 10: 2; Lk. 6: 13; Lk. 22: 14). Matthias was ordained as a replacement for Judas (Acts. 1: 26), and later Barnabus and Paul were added, bringing the total to 14 (Acts 14: 14). If Romans 16: 7 is saying what many scholars believe that it does say, it would add two more Apostles to the list. “Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me” (Rom. 16: 7). Thus the total would be 16 at this point.
The idea that there were only 12 apostles is based upon incomplete study of the texts. It is true that Jesus chose 12 Apostles. These twelve seem to be specially honored because they were the first Apostles. They are called “The twelve Apostles of the Lamb” (Rev. 21: 14). But we are certainly led to believe that there are more than twelve Apostles by the verses above. But perhaps the most significant passage in this regard is in First Corinthians.
1Cor. 15: 4-9 et al
“And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God”.
This passage is significant because of the way that it describes the appearances of the resurrected Christ. Witnesses saw Him as follows:
First…Cephas saw Christ v. 5
Second…The twelve original apostles saw Him v.5(b).
Third…500 brethren witnessed the resurrected Christ v.6.
Fourth…James saw him (this must have been the James who was not included in the twelve apostles mentioned in verse 5).
Fifth…Then “all of the apostles” saw Him v. 7.
Last…Paul saw Him (who called himself “the least of the apostles) vs. 8-9.
It is important to notice verse 7 in contrast to verse 5. In verse 5 the original 12 apostles saw the risen Lord. But in verse 7 it says that He was later seen by “all the apostles”. This makes it undeniable that there were more than 12 apostles. We are not told how many. Some scholars believe that Christ added seventy more apostles in Lk. 10: 1. That is certainly a possible explanation of the passage of the sending forth and return of the seventy.
In 1Thessalonians 1: 1, Paul introduces the epistle by saying “Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ”. The epistle is from the three of them. Later on in 1Thess.2: 6 It says: “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ”. Speaking with plural pronouns throughout the book, he here points out that the “we” refers to “the apostles of Christ”. The implication is plain: Silvanus, and Timotheus were considered as apostles right alongside of Paul.
Galatians 1: 19 says: “But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother”. This seems to be a plain statement that James, the Lord’s brother, was an apostle. He was the only other apostle whom Paul saw besides Peter, when he was in Jerusalem. Most people do not recognize him as an apostle, but according to this verse, that is clearly a mistake.
In 1Corinthians 4 Paul mentions Apollos by name, and in verse 9 he says: “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men”. These words confirm the fact that Apollos was also an apostle. Another proof that there were many apostles and not just twelve comes from The warnings regarding false apostles. If there were only twelve, then there would be no need to warn about false apostles. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2Cor. 11: 13). Warnings like this make no sense, unless the churches clearly expected that other apostles would arrive on the scenes as God gave them to the churches. They are a gift, and there is no clear indication that the apostolic gift has ceased other than the observation that there appears to be nobody with the miraculous and doctrinal acumen of apostles today. I am of the opinion that the gift continues to operate, but in heaven and not on earth. This is the only gift quite like that. All the other gifts continue to operate on earth, but apostleship is now heavenly only. The apostles are mentioned in heaven, as sitting upon thrones and ruling from that position (Matt. 19: 28; Lk. 22: 30; Rev. 4: 4; 5: 14; 11: 16; 18: 20; 20: 4; 21: 14). So I do believe in the continuation of this gift, but not on earth…in heaven!
The Apostolic Function
The Greek word APOSTOLOS means simply “one sent forth”. In the strict meaning of the word an apostle could be any missionary or person “sent forth” with a special mission. There are, however, a couple of special things said about the apostles, which indicates that they were something more than mere missionaries. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2: 42). This verse points out that the apostles were special sources of “doctrine and fellowship”. You do not find apostle who are separated from “doctrine” or “fellowship” which springs from it. Many of the people who claim to be apostles today, are immediately disqualified on the ground that their “doctrine” is not apostolic in content. This is very important. The basis of fellowship in the Acts churches, was the apostle’s doctrine. False apostles were to be tried by the doctrine of the true apostles (2Cor. 11: 13; Jude 17; Rev. 2: 2). The whole thrust and emphasis of the apostles was doctrinal. How sadly this is missing in our day.
“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles” (Acts 2: 43). The next thing that distinguished the apostles from mere missionaries was that they performed “many wonders and signs”. “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people” (Acts. 5: 12). This miracle working aspect of the apostolic ministry is very significant. You are not an apostle, if you do not work “signs and wonders”. This is part of what an apostle does. He is a miracle worker. Look up and compare Romans 15: 19; 2Cor. 12: 12 and Heb. 2: 4.
“Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them” (Acts 6: 6). Another special function of the apostles was prayer and the laying on of hands. There are examples of healing by the laying on of the apostles hands, ordination (as here) by laying on of apostolic hands, and giving the gift of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of their hands. Most Theologians see a connection between the laying on of hands by the apostles and the keys of the kingdom, mentioned by the Lord in connection with the church (Matt. 16: 19; 18: 18; Jn. 20: 23). Their apostolic authority not only included giving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8: 17 Acts 19: 6), giving spiritual gifts (Rom. 1: 11), but also forgiving of sins (Jn. 20: 23; 2Cor. 2: 9-10; 1Tim. 1: 20; Matt. 6: 12). Many Bible teachers deny that they had the power to forgive sins, but there is no other way to interpret the verses which clearly say this. Once again, our thoughts must be reigned in, and brought captive to the obedience of Christ (2Cor. 10: 5). It matters nothing if we do not understand it. We still have to believe it, and teach it.
Apostles did not have to see Christ.
There is a teaching among the cessationist's which says that one of the qualifications necessary to become an apostle, was that you had to be a physical eye-witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. This sounds plausible, and reinforces their notion that the gift of apostle ceased with the death of the last apostle. It is a rationalistic argument, without a single shred of Scriptural evidence. Naturally they use this argument to try to prove that all the gifts ceased in a similar manner. The fact is, that they do not have even a single verse to substantiate their claim that being an eye-witness of Christ is necessary for apostleship. While there are verses where apostles mentioned that they were eye-witnesses, there are no verses saying that this is a requirement for the office. Acts 5: 32 mentions that indeed some of the apostles were witnesses, and it implies that the Holy Spirit (which all believers have) is the most sure witness of all.
There is never any emphasis placed upon physically seeing Christ, as opposed to seeing Him spiritually with the eye of faith. In fact, Christ Himself seems to condemn this notion that seeing with the eyes (empiricism), is better than seeing by faith. “Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (Jn. 20: 29). If seeing was essential to being an apostle, why would Christ say that those who have not seen are in fact better off than Thomas who was an apostle?
False Apostles
From looking at the various functions which the apostolic office has in the church, it is quite easy to eliminate the false apostles which appear in our day. There are many people who have usurped the title of apostle, without having any of the apostolic qualifications and functions. They do not exhibit an apostolic “doctrinal awareness“. They cannot create an apostolic sense of “fellowship”. They do not work apostolic “signs and wonders”. This even included raising the dead. They are unable to convey the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts or to forgive people of their sins. Since they cannot, and do not do these things they plainly are not apostles.
It is very easy to usurp a Biblical word, and make it mean something that it in fact does not mean. The dispensationalist’s have done this with the word “dispensation”. Their definition and understanding of the word is anything but Biblical, even though the word itself is found in the Bible. Just because a church group has decided to call some of their officials “apostles”, does not mean that they really have apostles in their assemblies. The apostles are in heaven now, and their ministry continues from thence. People can claim anything under the sun, but the old saying is true…“The proof is in the pudding!” The signs of an apostle are curiously missing from all those claiming this office today.
©2009 Earl Jackson All Rights Reserved
PERMISSION IS GRANTED to post this article on any website or blog, or other electronic media, provided it is posted in it's entirety without alteration, and a clear link is included back to this website. No permission for hard copy, print, or other use is hereby granted. This article may not be sold or used on for profit websites or projects. CLICK HERE to send us any links to the places where you put this article.
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