Are There Still Apostles Today? The Truth About Acts 1 and Ephesians 4
- Thad DeBuhr
- Jan 9
- 8 min read
Deep Dive Study: Are There Still Apostles Today?
If you spend any time on social media or follow global church news, you’ve probably seen the title "Apostle" used by modern leaders. For many of us, this triggers a lot of questions. We think of the "Twelve Apostles" as the guys who walked with Jesus—the heroes of the Bible. So, when someone today claims that same title, it can feel confusing or even a little bit alarming.
Does a modern "Apostle" have the power to write new Scripture? Do they have the same authority as Peter or John? Getting the answer right isn't just about winning a Bible trivia game; it’s about your protection. If you don’t understand what the Bible says about this, you might give a human leader too much authority over your life, or you might accidentally dismiss a powerful way God is still working through pioneers today.
THIS TOPIC CAME UP DURING OUR RECENT STUDY OF ACTS 1:15-26
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In our recent study of Acts 1:15–26, we watched the early church scramble to replace Judas. They were incredibly picky about who could fill that seat. They insisted the candidate had to be an eyewitness who was there from Jesus' baptism to His Ascension.
This "job interview" in Acts 1 tells us that the original Apostles were a very specific, limited group. But as we move further into the New Testament, we see the word "apostle" show up in other ways. To make sense of it all, we have to distinguish between a Title (an Office) and a Function (a Gift).
Deep Dive: The Two Types of Apostles in the Bible
To truly understand the "Map of Authority" in the Church, we have to look closer at the scriptures. If we treat every person called an "apostle" exactly the same, we end up in theological confusion. But if we see the distinction the Bible makes, everything clicks into place.
1. The "Capital A" Apostles: The Foundations of the Lamb
This group is unique, unrepeatable, and historically anchored. They were the Authorized Witnesses of the Resurrection.
The Strict Legal Requirement: In Acts 1:21–22, Peter defines the criteria for replacing Judas. It wasn't about being a "good leader." The candidate had to be someone who accompanied Jesus beginning from the baptism of John until the Ascension. Why? Because their primary job was to be a "witness to his resurrection." They had to be able to testify in a court of law that the man who died was the same man who rose.
The "Twelve" as a Symbol: Jesus deliberately chose twelve to represent the restoration of the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). By doing this, He was saying that the rescue of the whole world was being built on these specific men.
The Eternal Foundation: The most powerful cross-reference for the "closed" nature of this group is Revelation 21:14. In the vision of the New Jerusalem, the city wall has twelve foundation stones, and on them are the names of the "twelve apostles of the Lamb." There are only twelve stones. You can’t add a thirteenth or fourteenth stone to a foundation that is already set.
The "Closed" Revelation: These men (along with their close associates like Luke or Mark) were given the unique authority to provide the Rule of Faith (the New Testament). As Jude 1:3 says, the faith was "once for all entrusted to God’s holy people." We don't get new "Capital A" Apostles because we don't need new "Capital A" Scripture.
2. Paul: The "Abnormally Born" Apostle
Paul is the unique "bridge" between the original Twelve and the rest of history.
The Damascus Encounter: Paul admitted he didn't follow Jesus during His earthly ministry. However, he claimed Apostleship because of a literal, physical appearance of Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9). He argues in 1 Corinthians 9:1, "Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?"
The Last of the Eyewitnesses: In 1 Corinthians 15:7–8, Paul lists the people Jesus appeared to after the resurrection: Peter, the Twelve, 500 others, James, and then he says, "and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born." By saying "last of all," Paul indicates that the window for these "Founding Eyewitness" appearances was closing with him.
The Approval of the Pillars: Paul didn't just go rogue. In Galatians 2:9, he notes that the "pillars" of the church (James, Peter, and John) gave him the "right hand of fellowship." They recognized his unique, once-in-a-history commission to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13).
3. "Small a" apostles: The Messengers of the Churches
While the "Office of the Twelve" is closed, the Function of the Apostle (the gift of being a "Sent One") is very much alive.
The Greek Word Apostolos: The word literally means "envoy" or "messenger." In the New Testament, there are many people called "apostles" who were not part of the Twelve:
Barnabas: Called an apostle in Acts 14:14.
Andronicus and Junia: Mentioned as "outstanding among the apostles" in Romans 16:7.
Silas and Timothy: Implied to be apostles of the churches in 1 Thessalonians 2:6.
The Apostolic Gift (Ephesians 4:11): Paul writes that Jesus gave the church "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers." This is often called the APEST model. These gifts are given to "equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians 4:12).
Title vs. Function:
Title (The Office): Requires being a 1st-century eyewitness. Authority to write Scripture. (The Twelve + Paul).
Function (The Gift): Requires a "pioneering" spirit. Authority to start churches, cross cultures, and oversee leaders. (Still active today).
Modern Context: When a pioneer today plants 100 churches in an unreached area, they are functioning "apostolically." They are "sent ones." But they are still under the authority of the Foundation (the Bible) laid by the original Twelve.
Why This Matters for Your Protection
If we don't understand this distinction, we are vulnerable to two major errors:
The Error of Pride (The False Apostle): In 2 Corinthians 11:13, Paul warns about "false apostles" who masquerade as apostles of Christ. These are people who claim "Capital A" authority—claiming their words are equal to God's or that they are "unquestionable." By knowing that the "Capital A" circle is closed, you can spot these red flags immediately.
The Error of Poverty (The Quenched Spirit): If we reject the "Small a" apostolic gift, we stop being a pioneering church. We become "keepers of the aquarium" instead of "fishers of men." We need the pioneers who are "sent out" to break new ground and start new "Team Jesus" outposts!
Discerning the Fruit: Celebrity CEO vs. Brave Pioneer
Jesus gave us a very simple test for anyone claiming to speak for Him: "By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:16). He warned that "wolves" would come in sheep’s clothing. In our modern world, those wolves often wear designer suits and speak from high-tech stages, calling themselves "Apostles" while acting like celebrities.
1. The "Apostolic Fruit" Test
In 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Paul deals with people he sarcastically calls "Super-Apostles." These were leaders who were charismatic, wealthy, and impressive, but they were actually "false apostles." Paul says we have to look past the "image" and look at the "fruit."
The Celebrity "Apostle" (Rotten Fruit):
Focuses on Fame: They spend their time building a personal brand and demanding "VIP" status or special treatment.
Wealth and Luxury: They use the Gospel to fund a lifestyle of mansions and private jets, which the Bible warns about in 2 Peter 2:3.
Untouchable Authority: They claim you cannot "touch God’s anointed" or question their decisions, effectively shutting down any accountability.
Fruit of Division: Their ministry often leads to "church hopping" or people following a personality rather than Jesus.
The Modern "Sent One" (Good Fruit):
Focuses on the Frontier: They spend their energy building the Church in places where Jesus isn't known yet.
Sacrifice and Service: They often live simply so that more resources can go toward the mission, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:12.
Accountable Leadership: They submit to the authority of the Bible and work in "One Accord" with other leaders and elders.
Fruit of Multiplication: Their ministry leads to new disciples and new churches being started, rather than just growing their own platform.
2. The "Marks" of a Real Apostle
Paul didn't point to his bank account or his "likes" to prove he was an Apostle. He pointed to his scars.
In 1 Corinthians 4:9-13, he says that God has put the Apostles on display "at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die." He says they are "fools for Christ," "brutally treated," and "the scum of the earth."
The Reality Check: If someone’s "apostleship" makes them more famous, more comfortable, and more powerful than the average person, they are failing the "Paul Test." A true pioneer—a real "sent one"—is usually found in the trenches, not in the green room.
3. Judging the Tree
Discernment isn't about being judgmental; it’s about being protective of the truth. When you see a leader using the title "Apostle," ask yourself these three questions:
Who is being glorified? Does the ministry point people to the leader’s "anointing" or to the finished work of Jesus?
Is there accountability? Does this person have peers who can tell them "no," or are they a "lone wolf" answering to no one?
What happens to the money? Is the fruit of the ministry helping the poor and spreading the Gospel, or is it buying a bigger stage for the leader?
Why This Matters for Your Journey
Following a "Celebrity Apostle" leads to a shallow faith that crashes when the leader falls. But following the Apostolic Function—supporting the brave pioneers who are actually "sent out" to the hard places—connects you to the real, heartbeat mission of Jesus.
True "Small a" apostles don't need a title on their door or a reserved parking spot. They are too busy doing the work of the King to worry about the rewards of the world.
Summing it Up
The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb are the unique, eyewitness foundation of the Church. Their work is finished and recorded in the New Testament. However, the Apostolic Gift—the heart of the pioneer—is still being used by Jesus to expand His Kingdom. We stand on the foundation of the first Twelve so that we can be "sent ones" to our own generation.
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