Apostleship in the New Testament Church Today
The term "apostle" in the New Testament originally designated the twelve disciples whom Jesus chose to send forth to preach the gospel and accompany him during his earthly ministry [1]. The word derives from the Greek meaning "one sent forth," and while it primarily referred to this official group, it also appears in a broader, non-official sense to describe Christian messengers and teachers more generally [1].
The Foundation and the Body
The apostles, along with New Testament prophets, form the foundation of the church—a foundation laid through their faithful witness to Christ [9]. This foundational role was extraordinary: apostles were immediately called by Christ, received their doctrine directly from him, were infallibly guided by the Spirit, possessed power to work miracles, and held authority to preach everywhere and plant churches without being confined to a particular location [10]. The office was "the first and chief office in the church, and of an extraordinary" nature [10].
The New Testament presents the church as Christ's body, composed of many members with different functions as determined by God [2]. Each local congregation mirrors in miniature what the aggregate of all churches represents collectively—"the body of Christ"—with individual components serving as members in their assigned places [3]. This body metaphor emphasizes that while members differ in role and service, all unite to form one complete body under Christ as head [4].
Contemporary Application
The foundational apostolic office, characterized by direct commission from Christ and infallible guidance, does not continue in the same form today. However, the broader New Testament usage of "apostle" for sent messengers suggests a continuing function of apostolic ministry. The term can apply to ministers of the word who proclaim the gospel message established by the original apostles [11]. The church today remains built upon the apostolic foundation—not by adding new apostles to that foundation, but by adhering to the apostolic witness preserved in Scripture.
The unity of Christ's body transcends differences among believers, requiring allegiance to Jesus as Lord and resulting in harmonious relationships [5, 6]. This unified body necessitates care for one another, with each member contributing to the whole [7]. The church continues as a holy temple joined together in Christ, with the Lord himself present among his people [8].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — (one sent forth), in the New Testament originally the official name of those twelve of the disciples whom Jesus chose to send forth first to preach the gospel and to be with him during the course of his ministry on earth. The word also appears to have been used in a non-official sense to designate a much wider circle of Christian messengers and teachers See (2 Corinthians 8:23; Philemon 2:25) It is only of those who were officially designated apostles that we treat in the article. Their names are given in (Matthew 10:2-4) and Christ's charge to them in the r”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:20: 2:20 Apostles are missionary evangelists commissioned by God. • Here, the prophets appear to be New Testament prophets, not Old Testament ones (see 3:5; 4:11; see also 1 Cor 12:10, 28-29; 14:1-5, 22-24, 29-32, 39; cp. Acts 13:1; 19:6; 21:9-10). In both the Old Testament and New Testament, prophets are not primarily predictors of the future but are empowered to speak a message from God (see 1 Cor 12:10). • The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets (or on the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets)—that is, on their faithful wit”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:11: And he gave some apostles,.... That is, he gave them gifts by which they were qualified to be apostles; who were such as were immediately called by Christ, and had their doctrine from him, and their commission to preach it; and were peculiarly and infallibly guided by the Spirit of God, and had a power to work miracles for the confirmation of their doctrine; and had authority to go everywhere and preach the Gospel, and plant churches, and were not confined to anyone particular place or church; this was the first and chief office in the church, and of an extraordina”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 66:21: And I will also take of them for priests,.... That is, of the Gentiles, the brethren brought as an offering to the Lord; and therefore must respect Gospel times, when the Aaronic priesthood would be changed and cease, which admitted not of Gentiles, nor any of any other tribe in Israel, but the tribe of Levi; nor is this to be understood of the spiritual priesthood common to all believers, Pe1 2:5 since of those converted Gentiles brought, not all, but only some of them, would be taken for priests; and therefore can only be interpreted of the ministers of the word, w”