Are There Still Apostles Today?
Let's begin by defining the term Apostle.
According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the Greek word translated apostle means, "one sent forth."
There are several examples given to us in the New Testament of different kinds of apostles. For instance, Christ is called an apostle:
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
"--Hebrews 3:1.
Christ is referred to as an Apostle because he was "sent" from the Father. The office of "Apostle and High Priest of our profession," is an office that Christ alone fulfills. This Apostolic office continues to be filled to this day by Jesus Christ.
The Original Twelve Apostles
During Christ's earthly ministry, he appointed twelve of his disciples to be apostles:
"And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;"--Luke 6:13.
These twelve were: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, Judas (Jude) the brother of James, and Judas.
These are usually referred to as "the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb." This term refers to the fact that these twelve accompanied Jesus throughout the 3+ years of his earthly ministry, and were eye-witnesses of his resurrection. After Judas betrayed Christ and committed suicide, and after the resurrection, the remaining apostles appointed Matthias to replace Judas among the original twelve:
"And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."--Acts 1:26.
Peter describes the qualifications that Matthias had to meet in order to be appointed as a replacement among the original 12:
"Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection."--Acts 1:21,22.
These original 12 and the 13th replacement stand in the office of an Apostle in a way in which no later individuals ever could. They were with Christ throughout his earthly ministry, and were eye-witnesses to his resurrection. No man or woman can stand in the office today as one of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, because no one living today accompanied Jesus in his earthly ministry or saw his resurrection.
The Apostle Paul
Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, and began ministering as a prophet and a teacher:
"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon . . . and Saul [Paul]."--Acts 13:1.
Eventually though, the Lord set Paul in the office of an Apostle:
"Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."--II Tim. 1:11.
Paul's apostolic calling seemed to mostly be directed towards the Gentiles.
Other Apostles
The Bible identifies Barnabas and at least three others as apostles also:
"Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,"--Acts 14:14.
Luke, James the Lord's Brother, and Jude.
Characteristics and Ministries of Apostles
Apostles are teachers of doctrine, active in the local church in fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer:
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."--Acts 2:42,43.
Apostles exhibit patience, and work miracles, wonders, and mighty works:
"Indeed, the signs that indicate a [genuine] apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently in miracles and wonders and mighty works."--II Cor. 12:12.
Apostles Usually Suffer Considerable Persecution:
"Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:"--Luke 11:49.
"But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake."--Luke 21:12
"But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts."--Acts 13:50.
"And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison."--Acts 5:18.
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."--Acts 12:5.
"And when they had laid many stripes upon them [Paul and Silas], they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:"--Acts 16:23.
Sufferers of hardship:
"Five times I received from [the hands of] the Jews forty [lashes all] but one; Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been aboard a ship wrecked at sea; a [whole] night and a day I have spent [adrift] on the deep; Many times on journeys, [exposed to] perils from rivers, perils from bandits, perils from [my own] nation, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the desert places, perils in the sea, perils from those posing as believers [but destitute of Christian knowledge and piety]; In toil and hardship, watching often [through sleepless nights], in hunger and thirst, frequently driven to fasting by want, in cold and exposure and lack of clothing."--II Cor. 11:24-27 (Amplified Version).
Foundation Layers:
"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."--I Cor. 3:10.
"Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:"--Romans 15:20
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; "--Ephesians 2:19,20.
Do We Have Apostles Today?
Paul wrote:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers . . . For the perfecting of the saints . . . Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"--Eph. 4:11-13.
Some believe that the first half of that sentence--apostles and prophets--has passed away, but the last half of it--evangelists, pastors, and teachers--hasn't. However, Paul indicated we would have all of these, not just some of them, until we "all come in the unity of the faith . . . unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." I don't know anyone who believes that the Body of Christ is in "the unity of the faith," or that we walk in "the fulness of Christ." The absence of this unity and fulness indicates to me that there is clear scriptural support for the continuation of the office of an apostle down to this day.
The office of the Apostle originated with Christ. He was and is the only Apostle and High Priest of our profession. This office was extended to the original Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, and the thirteenth replacement. Then the scriptures also record that Christ called and set in the apostles office also there were at least five additional Early Church Apostles--Paul, Barnabas, Luke, James the Lord's brother, and Jude. Paul indicated in Ephesians 4:11-13 that he and we should expect the office of the apostle to continue until we come into the unity of the faith and the fulness of Christ, which has yet to transpire. Therefore, I conclude that the office of an apostle exists still to this day.
Early Church Writings and Expectations
For our purposes here, I will not quote exhaustively from early church records, but will offer a few quotations.
The Didache, also known as The Teaching of The Twelve Apostles, was written somewhere between approximately 70 A.D. and 100 A.D. This document circulated widely in the Early Church. It gives a number of specific instructions concerning traveling apostles and prophets:
”Now concerning the apostles and prophets, deal with them as follows in accordance with the rule of the gospel. . . Let every apostle who comes to you be welcomed as if he were the Lord. . . if he asks for money, he is a false prophet. But if anyone should say in the spirit, 'Give me money,' or anything else, do not listen to him. But if he tells you to give on behalf of others who are in need, let no one judge him . . . '” (Cited from: “The Apostolic Fathers,” Second Edition. Translated by J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer. Edited and Revised by Michael W. Holmes. Published August 2000 Baker Publishing House. Pages 155-157).
I think it beyond reason to believe this document was written to give instructions on how to treat the remaining original apostles, Luke, Barnabas, or Paul. Instead, the leaders of the Early Church fully expected for local congregations to encounter traveling apostles and prophets in that day and in the foreseeable future. This document was written to address how to treat and receive generations of apostles and prophets. Clearly, if Early Church leaders believed that the office of the Apostle had ceased, or were about to cease, there would be no reason to write this document.
The following are quotes from Early Church leaders over the next several centuries who specifically mentioned that prophets and state or imply that God was still sending forth apostles :
Justin Martyr (100-165 AD) wrote:
"For the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to this present time." (Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 82).
And, "Now, it is possible to see amongst us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God;" Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 88.
Irenaeus (130 - 202 AD) wrote:
"In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God," --Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book V. Chapter 6. section 1.
Asterius Urbanus (c. 232 AD) wrote:
"For the Apostle [Paul] deems that the gift of prophecy should abide in all the church up to the time of the final advent."--The Extant Writings of Asterius Urbanus Chapter X.
Novatian (d. 258 AD) wrote:
"This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus make the Lord's Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed."--Treatise Concerning the Trinity Chapter 29.
Hilary (c. 300 - 367 AD) wrote:
"For God hath set same in the Church, first apostles...secondly prophets...thirdly teachers...next mighty works, among which are the healing of diseases...and gifts of either speaking or interpreting divers kinds of tongues. Clearly these are [not were] the Church's agents of ministry and work of whom the body of Christ consists; and God has ordained them."--On the Trinity, Book 8 Chapter 33.
Ambrose (340 - 397 AD) wrote:
"As also the teacher of the Gentiles [Paul] tells us, when he says: "God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers; then miracles, the gift of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.
See, God set apostles, and set prophets and teachers, gave the gift of healings, which you find above to be given by the Holy Spirit; gave divers kinds of tongues....Not all, says he, have the gift of healings, nor do all, says he, speak with tongues...as the Father gives the gift of tongues, so, too, has the Son also granted it."--Of the Holy Spirit 8, 149-151.
John Chrysostom (347 - 407 AD) writes of the lack of spiritual gifts in his day and locale:
"This whole place is very obscure: but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation, being such as then used to occur but now no longer take place. And why do they not happen now?...why did they then happen, and now do so no more?" ("Saint Chrysostom: Homily on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians," Phillip Schaff, 1889. Volume 12, Homily 29 NPNF 168-169).
In the same book in which Chrysostom laments the absence of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, he ties this loss in with the backslidden, corrupted state of the Church at that time:
"What now can be more awful than these things? For in truth the Church was a heaven then, the Spirit governing all things, and moving each one of the rulers and making him inspired. But now we retain only the symbols of those gifts . . . But the present Church is like a woman who hath fallen from her former prosperous days, and in many respects retains the symbols only of that ancient prosperity; displaying indeed the repositories and caskets of her golden ornaments, but bereft of her wealth: such an one doth the present Church resemble. And I say not this in respect of gifts: for it were nothing marvelous if it were this only: but in respect also of life and virtue." ("Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians," Phillp Schaff, 1889. Homily 36, NPNF 219-220).
When life and virtue had waned in the Church by the Fourth and Fifth Centuries, so had the miraculous gifts [presumably including the apostolic and prophetic gifts] waned also. Nowhere does the Bible state that these supernatural gifts and offices would continue for 500 years and then inexplicably cease. Chrysostom did not attribute this loss to God having withdrawn these gifts or offices. As we can see in the quote above, he ties in the loss with the accompanying loss in life and virtue.
Description of an Apostle Today
He or she will be a teacher of sound doctrine. He will take the Gospel to areas where the name of Christ is not known, and will lay a lasting foundation of new churches. His ministry will be accompanied by patience, miracles, wonders, and/or mighty works. The "mighty works" may consist of healings and miracles, or may be only of multitudes of souls being saved. He will be persecuted and suffer great hardship. He will not write Scripture or claim any new revelation outside the boundaries of Scripture or that add to it.
I read of a minister in China. He has been in prison off and on for 27 years. He has been beaten and abused countless times. Yet whenever they let him out of prison, he just goes out and starts more churches. At last count, he had started over 5,000 churches. Clearly, he does mighty works, and is persecuted and suffers hardship for doing so. I have no doubt that man is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He can say, as Paul did, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."
Closer to home, I believe that Lester Sumrall was an apostle, and that T.L. Osborn is one too. There are others. But both have raised up mighty works for the Lord, all over the world, and have suffered hardship and persecution in doing so. Smith Wigglesworth may also have been a modern apostle.
However, I have no confidence in, or respect for, any minister today who insists on being called an Apostle. If he is truly an apostle, others will know it and recognize him as such. He will not have to announce and hire a public relations firm to convince everyone of his calling. Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." If a man or a woman is an apostle, the fruits will make the calling obvious to all.
I have read ads in Christian newspapers and magazines in which various ministers proclaim themselves to be the "Apostle over" this region, or that area. Their pictures usually show them wearing some ridiculous looking jeweled robe, or a Pope-like hat. This turns my stomach. Such are false apostles, charlatans, and liars. I am tempted to ask those phony apostles to strip off their jeweled robes and show me the "marks of the Lord Jesus" where they have been beaten and have suffered for their faith. Few have such marks because few stand in this mighty office.
If there are apostles today, then why are their writings not added to scripture?
First of all, writing scripture was not a requirement of being one of the original apostles. The majority of the apostles of the Early Church did not write scripture. Those that did not were: Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, Judas, Matthias, and Barnabas.
Second, the Canon of Scripture is complete. God has fully revealed Himself, along with the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, our position in Christ, and the world which is to come. There is nothing more to be added to Scripture.
According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, the Greek word translated apostle means, "one sent forth."
There are several examples given to us in the New Testament of different kinds of apostles. For instance, Christ is called an apostle:
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
"--Hebrews 3:1.
Christ is referred to as an Apostle because he was "sent" from the Father. The office of "Apostle and High Priest of our profession," is an office that Christ alone fulfills. This Apostolic office continues to be filled to this day by Jesus Christ.
The Original Twelve Apostles
During Christ's earthly ministry, he appointed twelve of his disciples to be apostles:
"And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;"--Luke 6:13.
These twelve were: Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, Judas (Jude) the brother of James, and Judas.
These are usually referred to as "the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb." This term refers to the fact that these twelve accompanied Jesus throughout the 3+ years of his earthly ministry, and were eye-witnesses of his resurrection. After Judas betrayed Christ and committed suicide, and after the resurrection, the remaining apostles appointed Matthias to replace Judas among the original twelve:
"And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles."--Acts 1:26.
Peter describes the qualifications that Matthias had to meet in order to be appointed as a replacement among the original 12:
"Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection."--Acts 1:21,22.
These original 12 and the 13th replacement stand in the office of an Apostle in a way in which no later individuals ever could. They were with Christ throughout his earthly ministry, and were eye-witnesses to his resurrection. No man or woman can stand in the office today as one of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, because no one living today accompanied Jesus in his earthly ministry or saw his resurrection.
The Apostle Paul
Paul was converted on the road to Damascus, and began ministering as a prophet and a teacher:
"Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon . . . and Saul [Paul]."--Acts 13:1.
Eventually though, the Lord set Paul in the office of an Apostle:
"Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."--II Tim. 1:11.
Paul's apostolic calling seemed to mostly be directed towards the Gentiles.
Other Apostles
The Bible identifies Barnabas and at least three others as apostles also:
"Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,"--Acts 14:14.
Luke, James the Lord's Brother, and Jude.
Characteristics and Ministries of Apostles
Apostles are teachers of doctrine, active in the local church in fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer:
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles."--Acts 2:42,43.
Apostles exhibit patience, and work miracles, wonders, and mighty works:
"Indeed, the signs that indicate a [genuine] apostle were performed among you fully and most patiently in miracles and wonders and mighty works."--II Cor. 12:12.
Apostles Usually Suffer Considerable Persecution:
"Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:"--Luke 11:49.
"But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake."--Luke 21:12
"But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts."--Acts 13:50.
"And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison."--Acts 5:18.
"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."--Acts 12:5.
"And when they had laid many stripes upon them [Paul and Silas], they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:"--Acts 16:23.
Sufferers of hardship:
"Five times I received from [the hands of] the Jews forty [lashes all] but one; Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been aboard a ship wrecked at sea; a [whole] night and a day I have spent [adrift] on the deep; Many times on journeys, [exposed to] perils from rivers, perils from bandits, perils from [my own] nation, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the desert places, perils in the sea, perils from those posing as believers [but destitute of Christian knowledge and piety]; In toil and hardship, watching often [through sleepless nights], in hunger and thirst, frequently driven to fasting by want, in cold and exposure and lack of clothing."--II Cor. 11:24-27 (Amplified Version).
Foundation Layers:
"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."--I Cor. 3:10.
"Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:"--Romans 15:20
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; "--Ephesians 2:19,20.
Do We Have Apostles Today?
Paul wrote:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers . . . For the perfecting of the saints . . . Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"--Eph. 4:11-13.
Some believe that the first half of that sentence--apostles and prophets--has passed away, but the last half of it--evangelists, pastors, and teachers--hasn't. However, Paul indicated we would have all of these, not just some of them, until we "all come in the unity of the faith . . . unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." I don't know anyone who believes that the Body of Christ is in "the unity of the faith," or that we walk in "the fulness of Christ." The absence of this unity and fulness indicates to me that there is clear scriptural support for the continuation of the office of an apostle down to this day.
The office of the Apostle originated with Christ. He was and is the only Apostle and High Priest of our profession. This office was extended to the original Twelve Apostles of the Lamb, and the thirteenth replacement. Then the scriptures also record that Christ called and set in the apostles office also there were at least five additional Early Church Apostles--Paul, Barnabas, Luke, James the Lord's brother, and Jude. Paul indicated in Ephesians 4:11-13 that he and we should expect the office of the apostle to continue until we come into the unity of the faith and the fulness of Christ, which has yet to transpire. Therefore, I conclude that the office of an apostle exists still to this day.
Early Church Writings and Expectations
For our purposes here, I will not quote exhaustively from early church records, but will offer a few quotations.
The Didache, also known as The Teaching of The Twelve Apostles, was written somewhere between approximately 70 A.D. and 100 A.D. This document circulated widely in the Early Church. It gives a number of specific instructions concerning traveling apostles and prophets:
”Now concerning the apostles and prophets, deal with them as follows in accordance with the rule of the gospel. . . Let every apostle who comes to you be welcomed as if he were the Lord. . . if he asks for money, he is a false prophet. But if anyone should say in the spirit, 'Give me money,' or anything else, do not listen to him. But if he tells you to give on behalf of others who are in need, let no one judge him . . . '” (Cited from: “The Apostolic Fathers,” Second Edition. Translated by J.B. Lightfoot and J.R. Harmer. Edited and Revised by Michael W. Holmes. Published August 2000 Baker Publishing House. Pages 155-157).
I think it beyond reason to believe this document was written to give instructions on how to treat the remaining original apostles, Luke, Barnabas, or Paul. Instead, the leaders of the Early Church fully expected for local congregations to encounter traveling apostles and prophets in that day and in the foreseeable future. This document was written to address how to treat and receive generations of apostles and prophets. Clearly, if Early Church leaders believed that the office of the Apostle had ceased, or were about to cease, there would be no reason to write this document.
The following are quotes from Early Church leaders over the next several centuries who specifically mentioned that prophets and state or imply that God was still sending forth apostles :
Justin Martyr (100-165 AD) wrote:
"For the prophetical gifts remain with us, even to this present time." (Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 82).
And, "Now, it is possible to see amongst us women and men who possess gifts of the Spirit of God;" Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter 88.
Irenaeus (130 - 202 AD) wrote:
"In like manner we do also hear many brethren in the Church, who possess prophetic gifts, and who through the Spirit speak all kinds of languages, and bring to light for the general benefit the hidden things of men, and declare the mysteries of God," --Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book V. Chapter 6. section 1.
Asterius Urbanus (c. 232 AD) wrote:
"For the Apostle [Paul] deems that the gift of prophecy should abide in all the church up to the time of the final advent."--The Extant Writings of Asterius Urbanus Chapter X.
Novatian (d. 258 AD) wrote:
"This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often discrimination of spirits, affords powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts there are of charismata; and thus make the Lord's Church everywhere, and in all, perfected and completed."--Treatise Concerning the Trinity Chapter 29.
Hilary (c. 300 - 367 AD) wrote:
"For God hath set same in the Church, first apostles...secondly prophets...thirdly teachers...next mighty works, among which are the healing of diseases...and gifts of either speaking or interpreting divers kinds of tongues. Clearly these are [not were] the Church's agents of ministry and work of whom the body of Christ consists; and God has ordained them."--On the Trinity, Book 8 Chapter 33.
Ambrose (340 - 397 AD) wrote:
"As also the teacher of the Gentiles [Paul] tells us, when he says: "God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers; then miracles, the gift of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.
See, God set apostles, and set prophets and teachers, gave the gift of healings, which you find above to be given by the Holy Spirit; gave divers kinds of tongues....Not all, says he, have the gift of healings, nor do all, says he, speak with tongues...as the Father gives the gift of tongues, so, too, has the Son also granted it."--Of the Holy Spirit 8, 149-151.
John Chrysostom (347 - 407 AD) writes of the lack of spiritual gifts in his day and locale:
"This whole place is very obscure: but the obscurity is produced by our ignorance of the facts referred to and by their cessation, being such as then used to occur but now no longer take place. And why do they not happen now?...why did they then happen, and now do so no more?" ("Saint Chrysostom: Homily on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians," Phillip Schaff, 1889. Volume 12, Homily 29 NPNF 168-169).
In the same book in which Chrysostom laments the absence of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, he ties this loss in with the backslidden, corrupted state of the Church at that time:
"What now can be more awful than these things? For in truth the Church was a heaven then, the Spirit governing all things, and moving each one of the rulers and making him inspired. But now we retain only the symbols of those gifts . . . But the present Church is like a woman who hath fallen from her former prosperous days, and in many respects retains the symbols only of that ancient prosperity; displaying indeed the repositories and caskets of her golden ornaments, but bereft of her wealth: such an one doth the present Church resemble. And I say not this in respect of gifts: for it were nothing marvelous if it were this only: but in respect also of life and virtue." ("Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians," Phillp Schaff, 1889. Homily 36, NPNF 219-220).
When life and virtue had waned in the Church by the Fourth and Fifth Centuries, so had the miraculous gifts [presumably including the apostolic and prophetic gifts] waned also. Nowhere does the Bible state that these supernatural gifts and offices would continue for 500 years and then inexplicably cease. Chrysostom did not attribute this loss to God having withdrawn these gifts or offices. As we can see in the quote above, he ties in the loss with the accompanying loss in life and virtue.
Description of an Apostle Today
He or she will be a teacher of sound doctrine. He will take the Gospel to areas where the name of Christ is not known, and will lay a lasting foundation of new churches. His ministry will be accompanied by patience, miracles, wonders, and/or mighty works. The "mighty works" may consist of healings and miracles, or may be only of multitudes of souls being saved. He will be persecuted and suffer great hardship. He will not write Scripture or claim any new revelation outside the boundaries of Scripture or that add to it.
I read of a minister in China. He has been in prison off and on for 27 years. He has been beaten and abused countless times. Yet whenever they let him out of prison, he just goes out and starts more churches. At last count, he had started over 5,000 churches. Clearly, he does mighty works, and is persecuted and suffers hardship for doing so. I have no doubt that man is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He can say, as Paul did, "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."
Closer to home, I believe that Lester Sumrall was an apostle, and that T.L. Osborn is one too. There are others. But both have raised up mighty works for the Lord, all over the world, and have suffered hardship and persecution in doing so. Smith Wigglesworth may also have been a modern apostle.
However, I have no confidence in, or respect for, any minister today who insists on being called an Apostle. If he is truly an apostle, others will know it and recognize him as such. He will not have to announce and hire a public relations firm to convince everyone of his calling. Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." If a man or a woman is an apostle, the fruits will make the calling obvious to all.
I have read ads in Christian newspapers and magazines in which various ministers proclaim themselves to be the "Apostle over" this region, or that area. Their pictures usually show them wearing some ridiculous looking jeweled robe, or a Pope-like hat. This turns my stomach. Such are false apostles, charlatans, and liars. I am tempted to ask those phony apostles to strip off their jeweled robes and show me the "marks of the Lord Jesus" where they have been beaten and have suffered for their faith. Few have such marks because few stand in this mighty office.
If there are apostles today, then why are their writings not added to scripture?
First of all, writing scripture was not a requirement of being one of the original apostles. The majority of the apostles of the Early Church did not write scripture. Those that did not were: Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon Zelotes, Judas, Matthias, and Barnabas.
Second, the Canon of Scripture is complete. God has fully revealed Himself, along with the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, our position in Christ, and the world which is to come. There is nothing more to be added to Scripture.
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