Apostleship in the New Testament Church Today

The question of whether we still get apostles today is a matter of significant theological importance, as it relates to the nature of church leadership and the authority of Scripture. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:20 that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone. This verse highlights the unique role of the apostles in the establishment of the church, and their function as foundational to its structure.

The apostolic office was a unique gift to the early church, and it is not repeated today in the same way. The apostles were specially chosen by Christ to be his witnesses and to lay the foundation of the church, and their authority was derived directly from their relationship with Christ. While there are still those who are called to be missionaries, evangelists, and church planters, these individuals do not possess the same level of authority as the original apostles.

This truth addresses the heart of what it means to be the church, and how we understand our relationship to the apostles and the Scriptures they wrote. It is a reminder that our authority is not derived from human leaders, but from the Word of God itself, which is sufficient for all matters of faith and practice. The gospel connection to this truth is that Christ has given us his Word, and it is through the Scriptures that we have access to his teachings and the example of the apostles.