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APOSTLES

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

—EPHESIANS 4:11-12 NKJV

God speaks through the modern-day apostles who are sent by God with a special message. Those who may be called to this ministry and office must know what an apostle is. This ministry is a New Testament ministry office that God has set in the church. God is raising up anointed men and women called to apostolic work. The apostolic ministry didn’t cease with the first century apostles, but there is a continuation of the ministry of Christ through sent ones who are commissioned through the local church as the Holy Spirit directs. Apostles can and should be prophetic in nature because of the Holy Spirit.

Apostles today should hear and know the voice of the Lord and teach those they are leading, fathering, and equipping to as well. Those who come into contact with modern-day apostles will be able to benefit greatly through their ministry. Teaching, preaching, prophesying, training, and most of all love and truth will be the earmark of who they are. The word apostle means “one who is sent out.” In the New Testament, there are two primary usages of the word apostle. The first is in specifically referring to the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ, and the second is generically referring to other individuals who are sent out by the Holy Spirit to be messengers or ambassadors of Jesus Christ through the church.

An apostle is sent forth by the Lord to minister with delegated authority given by him through the Holy Spirit to the churches. They are called of God and sent by God, not man. An apostle has a pioneering grace to establish churches, ministries, and movements; they equip believers and lay foundational truth in the lives of God’s people (Eph. 2:20). Apostles could be called “spiritual builders” (1 Cor. 3:10). They have oversight of the body (1 Cor. 4:15).

The 12 apostles held a unique position. In referring to the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:14 states, “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” The 12 apostles are also referred to in Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14; 4:10; 6:7; 9:35; 14:10,17,20; Luke 6:13; 9:1; 22:14; John 6:71; Acts 6:2; and First Corinthians 15:5. These 12 apostles were the first messengers of the Gospel after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

These 12 apostles were the foundation of the church, with Jesus being the cornerstone (Eph. 2:20). God uses modern-day apostles to speak God’s Word and establish God’s people in truth. We can hear the voice of God through men and women who are anointed by God to equip, train, and educate us to fulfill our divine calling in Christ. Apostles are needed today so that we are able to hear the voice of God for ourselves and be established.