I believe there are two ways the word
"apostle" is used in the NT (epistles).
Consider the following:
G652 - apostle / messenger
--Ephesians 4:8,11 - ['having ascended on High']
He gave gifts [meaning, the individuals themselves] to men/mankind/people...
apostles [G652]... prophets... [etc]
--John 13:16 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor
a messenger [G652 - apostolos] greater than the one
having sent him."
--2 Corinthians 8:23 - "Whether as regards Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for you; or our brothers, they are
apostles [G652 -
apostoloi; kjv - messengers]
of the churches, the glory of Christ."
--1 Corinthians 12:28-29a - "27 Now you are
the body of Christ, and members in particular. [see Eph1:20-23
WHEN!] 28 And some indeed
God has appointed in the church,
first apostles [G652], secondly prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?..." [who was "verifying" all these assignments, in the first century?? how do we know?? were they all "fakes"??
]
--Philippians 2:25 - "25 Now I esteemed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and
your messenger [G652 - apostolon] and minister to my need, 26 since he was longing after you all and being deeply distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27 And indeed he was sick, nearly unto death. But God had mercy on him, and not on him alone but also on me, that I should not have sorrow upon sorrow."
--Hebrews 3:1 - "Therefore, holy brothers, partakers
of the heavenly calling, carefully consider
Jesus, the apostle [G652 - Apostolon] and high priest of our confession"
--1 Corinthians 5:9-10 - "For I am the least of the
apostles [G652 -
apostolōn], who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me has not been void. Rather, I toiled more abundantly than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."
--1 Thessalonians 2:6 - "nor seeking glory from men, nor from you, nor from others, though having authority with weight [/basis] to be, as
apostles [G652 -
apostoloi] of Christ [/or, 'as Christ's apostles' as some versions have it]."
Additionally, the phrase
"apostles and prophets" (written in this order) refers to the NT "apostles and prophets" (
like Eph4:11 and 1Cor12:28-29 are referring to, above--
you'd have to convince me that Eph4:11 and 1Cor12:28-29 are not saying what I see them saying [again, in view of Eph1:20-23
WHEN... which passage, many do not care to acknowledge])