Are there modern-day apostles of Christ?

[presidente]

Do you seriously believe that Judas Iscariot -- who was consigned to Hell -- would remain on those twelve foundation?

Paul replaced Judas, and indeed exceeded all the other apostles in what he accomplished.

Not according to Paul in I Corinthians 15. Jesus appeared to the twelve before appearing unto him. Read the gospels and tell me if Judas was alive or dead and if Judas was among the witnesses of the resurrection. According to Acts 1, Matthias was a witness of the resurrection.

 

[presidente]

I do not believe Mathias was chosen by Christ to be an apostle, whereas Paul certainly was

But if Paul said another group were the twelve, we should believe him shouldn't we? Does it make sense for Paul to indicate that he was not one of the 12 in I Corinthians 15, but for us to think he was wrong? He would know better than we would, wouldn't he?

 

[presidente]

Do we have Apostles? Yes. Are they legitimate? NO.

Jer 31:
31“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.

32It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to d them, e ”
declares the Lord.

33“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.

34No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”

The days are coming. That which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. We see a glimpse of these things. We have the earnest, the downpayment, of the Spirit, but we are awaiting the fulness of what is coming with the redemption of our bodies. We are still mortal now.

 

[Proverbs467]

Interesting forum with very good responses.
Speaking for myself, I am a 65 year old child of God.

 

[Noose]

The days are coming. That which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. We see a glimpse of these things. We have the earnest, the downpayment, of the Spirit, but we are awaiting the fulness of what is coming with the redemption of our bodies. We are still mortal now.

Those days already came.

 

[JaumeJ]

Luke is not one of the apostles. He is a doctor, however the word, apostle has the meaning of one sent out.
If you believe Paul before the Apostles this, I suppose is your way, but I believe the Eleven who remained after Judas knew exactly what they were doing when they fulfilled the prophecy of the replaceing of Judas........
I have understood this since the firs entering of thwe Holy Spirit and reading of this in the Word.

 

[Nehemiah6]

According to Acts 1, Matthias was a witness of the resurrection.

Matthias was simply a temporary fill in. We hear nothing more about Matthias after Acts 1.

Why is it a problem to recognize Paul as the twelfth apostle? And why even bring up Judas Iscariot?

Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead... But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace... (Galatians 1:1,15)

So it is crystal clear that both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ appointed Paul as the twelfth apostle, since he had already been elected for this office even before he was born. And that is also why he had a personal meeting with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Luke calls Paul and Barnabas apostles.

However, the book of Revelation tells us that there are only TWELVE APOSTLES of the Lamb.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Rev 21:14)

This corresponds to the fact that in the Millennium (and beyond) the twelve apostles will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

So Acts 14:14 should not be taken to contradict that, but rather to see that here the word "apostles" is use for two missionaries.

 

[JaumeJ]

Perhaps Paul was "sent out," the meaning of aposstle, many are but I find no scripture saying his name will be one of the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem. I find no scripture foretelling of him. The only backing I see written about Paul is from Paul... Even scripture about others calling him so are from him.

I do know that he seems to sow confusion whenever he is quoted……..while Jesus is quite clear and not understood by the Paulian only groups.

 

[presidente]

Matthias was simply a temporary fill in. We hear nothing more about Matthias after Acts 1.

Which proved nothing since we hear nothing about the rest of the twelve by name except for Peter James and John. Why don"t you believe what Paul wrote about his not be being one of the Twelve in I Cor 15?

Why is it a problem to recognize Paul as the twelfth apostle? And why even bring up Judas Iscariot?

because someone else replaced Judas, he did not meet the qualifications, and Paul acknowledged 12 other men besides as the apostles

Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead... But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace... (Galatians 1:1,15)

Paul was an apostle but not one of the 12, who would sit on 12 thrones judging nthe 12 tribes of Israel. He and Barnabas went to the Gentiles.

So it is crystal clear that both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ appointed Paul as the twelfth apostle

Not if we believe the Bible. He might have been the 14yh or ties for it.




, since he had already been elected for this office even before he was born. And that is also why he had a personal meeting with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus.[/QUOTE]

Matthias was simply a temporary fill in. We hear nothing more about Matthias after Acts 1.

Why is it a problem t

Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead... But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace... (Galatians 1:1,15)

So it is crystal clear that both God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ appointed Paul as the twelfth apostle, since he had already been elected for this office even before he was born. And that is also why he had a personal meeting with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus.

 

[RevelationMan]

Including Judas? I would not think his name would be there at all.

the name on the new Jerusalem will likely be Matthias who was Judas' replacement or Paul.

 

[garee]

OK..

here's the basic question for discussion.....are there modern day apostles of Christ?

I say NO.

Notice how I phrase the question.

I do not object to "apostles of the church". I object to folks claiming to be "apostles of Christ".

What's the difference? The word "apostle" means "sent one". There are missionaries sent out by church organizations and congregations on a continual basis. I do not deny that they COULD use the term "apostle" in a "little a" context.

However, it is a vain and bold claim to assert that you are one of the Apostles of Christ.

Yet, it happens all the time. Charismatics have created a self-affirmation membership club in relation to this. You can pay about $500 and be affirmed as a bona-fide Apostle in their organization. You even get a discount if your wife joins you as a female Apostle. There are many other such self-affirmation groups within professing Christianity today.

Todd Bentley was one such person named as an apostle, even though he left his wife and has been accused of homosexual advances upon various credible ministry partners. Shockingly, even though the guy utterly lacks credibility, charismatics continued to believe that he is an apostle, up until recently. In fact, somehow I think he will pull off some type of "repentance" that his gullible supporters will believe.

Why do I object to this?

I know the human heart and the vanity and pride that it is capable of. Baby Christians are especially susceptible to thinking that God is going to use them for some awesome purpose, such as being an Apostle or prophet. I expect that sort of behavior from baby Christians, and in fact I had such delusions myself, but I moved past it, just like a baby moves past the bottle sucking and diaper wearing stage.

Scripture has requirements for an Apostle that these individuals DO NOT MEET.

One, they needed to be a witness to the resurrected Christ.
Two, they needed to be chosen by Christ as an Apostle.
Three, they needed to be able to produce signs and wonders to affirm their Apostleship.

The Scriptures used in regards to this are listed in this article:

https://thecripplegate.com/are-there-still-apostles-today/

Here are some:

Acts 1:22 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when whe was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

Acts 10:39-41 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

1 Cor 9:1 9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

1 Cor 15:7-8 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

Mark 3:14 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach

Luke 6:13 13 And when day came, khe called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:

Acts 1:2 2 until the day when che was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

Acts 1:24 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen

Acts 10:41 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

Gal 1:1 1 Paul, an apostle—bnot from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

Matt 10: 10 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Acts 1:5-8 5 for hJohn baptized with water, hbut you will be baptized iwith2 the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts 2:43 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

Acts 4:33 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

Acts 5:12 12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.

Acts 8:14 14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,

2 Cor 12:12 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

Heb 2:3-4 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Anyways, what's your thought? Are there modern day Apostles of Christ now? If so, would you care to name them?

Is their teaching biblical? Have they seen the risen Christ? Were they personally appointed by Christ? Did they produce signs and miracles to affirm their apostleship?

I don't think so. And, I believe those claiming to be an Apostles are dwelling in prideful and vain delusions that reflect a non-spiritual mind.

The word apostle with no other meaning applied is "sent one". It would be like a person sending their children to the store with a written list. Nothing more and nothing less . Abel is the first recorded apostle .God sent him as prophet, apostle with prophecy the word of God. His brother killed him. Abel the first recorded martyr.

Destroy the meaning of the word apostle it loses it value to be used in other parables. like the one in respect to the bride of Christ Revelation 21. Using apostles as foundation and tribes as gates to enter in to represent the spiritual unseen house of God, the church.
She is made up of many lively stones.

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 

[garee]

Which proved nothing since we hear nothing about the rest of the twelve by name except for Peter James and John. Why don"t you believe what Paul wrote about his not be being one of the Twelve in I Cor 15?

Judas for the same reason the tribe of Dan was made void from the description of the church the bride of Christ in Revelation 21.

Many times God gives two witnesses to witness to the one subject matter. Both represent the unseen "spirit of judgement" as those who fall backward slain in the spirit. Both names fit the doctrine of the spirit of judgement. Dan.. . Jehovah is judge, and Judas.. . praise God

"The judge is praise worthy ".His mercy is great.

 

[presidente]

The word apostle with no other meaning applied is "sent one". It would be like a person sending their children to the store with a written list. Nothing more and nothing less .

Would you say that about 'Messiah' or 'Christ' that it means someone who had oil rubbed on them, nothing more, nothing less? Would you call yourself messiah if someone rubbed oil on you? Clearly there is more to it than that when we are talking about Jesus as the Messiah. Elders are something more than men with beards, too.

Mark 3:15
Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, (NLT)

We don't read that Jesus sent someone out to buy groceries and called him an apostle because of that, either.


Abel is the first recorded apostle .God sent him as prophet, apostle with prophecy the word of God. His brother killed him. Abel the first recorded martyr.

 

[Sackcloth-N-Ashes]

Are there modern day apostles of the Christ?

Absolutely
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

NOT!!!

 

[jb]

Are there modern day apostles of the Christ?

Absolutely
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

NOT!!!

Upon what do you base this opinion on?

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

The word apostle with no other meaning applied is "sent one". It would be like a person sending their children to the store with a written list. Nothing more and nothing less . Abel is the first recorded apostle .God sent him as prophet, apostle with prophecy the word of God. His brother killed him. Abel the first recorded martyr.

Destroy the meaning of the word apostle it loses it value to be used in other parables. like the one in respect to the bride of Christ Revelation 21. Using apostles as foundation and tribes as gates to enter in to represent the spiritual unseen house of God, the church.
She is made up of many lively stones.

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

There are Apostles of Christ, and apostles of the Church. An apostle of Christ included the Twelve and Paul, and others were sent as emmissaries at different points by the local church. They could be called "apostles" in a lower "a" sense.

Descriptions of the spiritual gifts/offices include "apostle" as one of the spiritual offices, similar to prophet or teacher. It is obvious that it is not generic in this context.

 

[Sackcloth-N-Ashes]

Upon what do you base this opinion on?

Are there anybody out there writing inspired scripture? No.

 

[presidente]

There are Apostles of Christ, and apostles of the Church. An apostle of Christ included the Twelve and Paul, and others were sent as emmissaries at different points by the local church. They could be called "apostles" in a lower "a" sense.

Paul, Silvanus and Timothy write an epistle in which they referred to themselves 'as apostles of Christ' (I Thes. 1:1,2:6).

The Bible also refers to Jesus as an 'Apostle' with a capital 'A' and the other apostles with a small 'a' because they are not deity.

 

[presidente]

Are there anybody out there writing inspired scripture? No.

That does not appear to be an aspect of the definition of the word if we are talking about how it was used in the first century, in scripture. How much scripture did Bartholemew and Simon the Canaanite write?