Qualifications for Apostleship in the New Testament
The New Testament outlines specific qualifications for apostleship, primarily derived from the accounts of Jesus' selection of the Twelve and the subsequent appointment of Matthias and Paul. To be considered an apostle, one had to be a witness to Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection [1, 2].
The primary qualification for apostleship is being a witness to Jesus' earthly ministry, particularly from his baptism by John to his ascension. Acts 1:21-22 specifies that a candidate must have accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry, making them a qualified witness to his resurrection [5]. This requirement is evident in the selection of Matthias to replace Judas, where the candidates are narrowed down to those who had been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry (Acts 1:21-22).
The apostles were also characterized by their ability to perform signs, wonders, and miracles, which served as credentials for their divine mission. Paul references this aspect of apostleship when he mentions that the Corinthians are the seal of his apostleship (1 Cor. 9:2). Charles Hodge notes that adherence to the true gospel, success in preaching, and the ability to perform miracles were essential qualifications and credentials for the original apostles [4].
Furthermore, the apostles were directly called and commissioned by Christ, either during his earthly ministry or, in the case of Paul, through a post-resurrection appearance (Acts 9:1-31, Gal. 1:1). This divine call and commissioning were fundamental to their authority and legitimacy as apostles [3].
The qualifications for apostleship are not merely historical but also theological, highlighting the unique role of the apostles in the foundation of the church. According to John Gill, the apostles were gifted by Christ to be qualified for their office, receiving doctrine directly from him and being guided infallibly by the Holy Spirit [8].
The office of apostleship was extraordinary and foundational, and its qualifications reflect this. As Charles Hodge argues, the gifts and credentials associated with apostleship, such as the ability to perform miracles, were not continued beyond the original apostles, indicating that the office was not intended to be perpetuated [6, 7].
The New Testament's portrayal of apostleship emphasizes its unique historical and theological significance, underscoring the importance of the apostles as eyewitnesses to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and as foundational figures in the establishment of the early Christian community.
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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Apostle — A person sent by another; a messenger; envoy. This word is once used as a descriptive designation of Jesus Christ, the Sent of the Father (Heb. 3:1; John 20:21). It is, however, generally used as designating the body of disciples to whom he intrusted the organization of his church and the dissemination of his gospel, "the twelve," as they are called (Matt. 10:1-5; Mark 3:14; 6:7; Luke 6:13; 9:1). We have four lists of the apostles, one by each of the synoptic evangelists (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14), and one in the Acts (1:13). No two of these lists”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ministers — Called by God -- Ex 28:1; Heb 5:4. Qualified by God -- Isa 6:5-7; 2Co 3:5,6. Commissioned by Christ -- Mt 28:19. Sent by the Holy Spirit -- Ac 13:2,4. Have authority from God -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Authority of, is for edification -- 2Co 10:8; 13:10. Separated to the gospel -- Ro 1:1. Entrusted with the gospel -- 1Th 2:4. Described as Ambassadors for Christ. -- 2Co 5:20. Ministers of Christ. -- 1Co 4:1. Stewards of the mysteries of God. -- 1Co 4:1. Defenders of the faith. -- Php 1:7. The servants of Christ's people. -- 2Co 4:5. Specially protected by God -- ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 38: adherence to the true gospel, by success in preaching (Paul said to the Corinthians that they were the seal of his apostleship, 1 Cor. ix. 2 ); and by signs and wonders and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. Such were the gifts and qualifications and credentials of the original Apostles; and those who claimed the office without possessirig these gifts and credentials, were pronounced false apostles and messengers of Satan. When Paul claimed to be an apostle, he felt it necessary to prove, (1.) That he had been appointed not by m”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 1:21: 1:21-22 To qualify for nomination as an apostle, a man had to have been with the other apostles the entire time of Jesus’ public ministry, from the time he was baptized by John until his ascension.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 38: office, and the command to appoint suitable persons to fill it, but also a specification of the qualifications to be sought and demanded; and (2.) a record of the actual appointment of incumbents; and (3.) historical evidence of their continuance in the Church from that day to this. With regard to the Apostleship, all this is wanting. As we have seen, the gifts of the office have not been continued, there is no command to perpetuate the office, no directions to guide the Church in the selection of proper persons to be apostles, no record ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 38: The world has never seen or suffered a greater imposture than that weak, ignorant, and often immoral men, should claim the same authority to teach and rule that belonged to men to whom the truth was supernaturally revealed, who were confessedly infallible in its communication, and to whose divine mission God himself bore witness in signs and wonders, and divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost. The office of the Apostles as described in the New Testament, was, therefore, from its nature incapable of being transmitted, and has not in f”
- 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”