Are there modern-day apostles of Christ?

[UnitedWithChrist]

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.

I don't think that distinguishment is found in the Greek. Let me know if it is.

There were no mixed case in the Greek manuscripts to my knowledge. The interpreters have inserted the capital letters with regards to Jesus, and it is perfectly appropriate since he is God.

But, my point is that the Twelve and Paul are clearly in a different class than anyone else who would be called an apostle in Scripture. The latter are mere emissaries, when context is considered. I would term these "apostles of the church".

Of course, nowadays you have many loony charismatics who pay a 500 dollar fee to some validating authority so they can strut around and call themselves apostles..and as I mentioned, they can get a husband/wife discount

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

I wonder if most Pentecostals act this way.

If so, I would never make a good one. I would not be able to get up after flopping on the floor like this.

Maybe the Pentecostals/charismatics can tell me.

 

[presidente]

I don't think that distinguishment is found in the Greek. Let me know if it is.

There were no mixed case in the Greek manuscripts to my knowledge. The interpreters have inserted the capital letters with regards to Jesus, and it is perfectly appropriate since he is God.

The use of capitals are the decision of the translators or of those who use later Greek orthography. Lowercase letters in Greek are an innovation.

But, my point is that the Twelve and Paul are clearly in a different class than anyone else who would be called an apostle in Scripture. The latter are mere emissaries, when context is considered. I would term these "apostles of the church".

Why would Paul and Barnabas be in a different class? They were sent out together in Acts 13 and called 'apostles' together in Acts 14:4, 14. Paul asks whether only he and Barnabas had to work for a living in I Corinthians 9, where he also mentions his own apostleship and his right to live of the Gospel.

Both Paul and Barnabas were given as gifts to the church, as apostles, post ascension as per Ephesians 4.

Of course, nowadays you have many loony charismatics who pay a 500 dollar fee to some validating authority so they can strut around and call themselves apostles..and as I mentioned, they can get a husband/wife discount

As I recall, there was an ad that took some criticism that was asking for a membership fee to join some kind of organization if you are an apostle, not paying money to be an apostle. For $5 million dollars, I can name a star after you and send you the certificate, too.

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

The use of capitals are the decision of the translators or of those who use later Greek orthography. Lowercase letters in Greek are an innovation.



Why would Paul and Barnabas be in a different class? They were sent out together in Acts 13 and called 'apostles' together in Acts 14:4, 14. Paul asks whether only he and Barnabas had to work for a living in I Corinthians 9, where he also mentions his own apostleship and his right to live of the Gospel.

Both Paul and Barnabas were given as gifts to the church, as apostles, post ascension as per Ephesians 4.




As I recall, there was an ad that took some criticism that was asking for a membership fee to join some kind of organization if you are an apostle, not paying money to be an apostle. For $5 million dollars, I can name a star after you and send you the certificate, too.

My understanding is that there are thousands who belong to a specific apostle-affirming organization that charges about 500 to register them. And, they offer a husband/wife discount. I haven't tracked that down yet though.

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

The use of capitals are the decision of the translators or of those who use later Greek orthography. Lowercase letters in Greek are an innovation.



Why would Paul and Barnabas be in a different class? They were sent out together in Acts 13 and called 'apostles' together in Acts 14:4, 14. Paul asks whether only he and Barnabas had to work for a living in I Corinthians 9, where he also mentions his own apostleship and his right to live of the Gospel.

Both Paul and Barnabas were given as gifts to the church, as apostles, post ascension as per Ephesians 4.




As I recall, there was an ad that took some criticism that was asking for a membership fee to join some kind of organization if you are an apostle, not paying money to be an apostle. For $5 million dollars, I can name a star after you and send you the certificate, too.

Here it is.

It is called International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders.

https://www.icaleaders.com/membership

Annual Membership Fees

• United States based member: $450.00
• Married apostles combined : $650.00
• First Nation (American Indian): $350.00
• International independent members (those not belonging to their individual country’s Coalition): $350.00 (USD).
• International married apostles combined: $450.00.
• Fees may be paid in two installments by check, credit card or at the Online Store.
• Membership fees do not include fees for conferences or summits

If I'm not mistaken, at least 3000 "apostles" belong to this organization.

My guess is that anyone with the 450 bucks can become an apostle

They also have a similar organization for prophets:

https://www.icaleaders.com/icop-international-coalition-of-prophetic-leaders

So, take your pic..apostle or prophet..my guess is they would allow you to become both for $900.

 

[presidente]

Here it is.

It is called International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders.

https://www.icaleaders.com/membership

Annual Membership Fees

• United States based member: $450.00
• Married apostles combined : $650.00
• First Nation (American Indian): $350.00
• International independent members (those not belonging to their individual country’s Coalition): $350.00 (USD).
• International married apostles combined: $450.00.
• Fees may be paid in two installments by check, credit card or at the Online Store.
• Membership fees do not include fees for conferences or summits

If I'm not mistaken, at least 3000 "apostles" belong to this organization.

My guess is that anyone with the 450 bucks can become an apostle

They also have a similar organization for prophets:

https://www.icaleaders.com/icop-international-coalition-of-prophetic-leaders

So, take your pic..apostle or prophet..my guess is they would allow you to become both for $900.

Does 3000 include members who consider themselves evangelists, pastors, and teachers also?

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

Does 3000 include members who consider themselves evangelists, pastors, and teachers also?

I don't know...my guess is that they aren't going to shell out those kinds of bucks without some fantastic title associated with it.

 

[bojack]

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

Want to become an Apostle or Prophet?

Here is your chance.

It is called International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders.

https://www.icaleaders.com/membership

Annual Membership Fees

• United States based member: $450.00
• Married apostles combined : $650.00
• First Nation (American Indian): $350.00
• International independent members (those not belonging to their individual country’s Coalition): $350.00 (USD).
• International married apostles combined: $450.00.
• Fees may be paid in two installments by check, credit card or at the Online Store.
• Membership fees do not include fees for conferences or summits

If I'm not mistaken, at least 3000 "apostles" belong to this organization.

My guess is that anyone with the 450 bucks can become an apostle

They also have a similar organization for prophets:

https://www.icaleaders.com/icop-international-coalition-of-prophetic-leaders

So, take your pic..apostle or prophet..my guess is they would allow you to become both for $900.
Does 3000 include members who consider themselves evangelists, pastors, and teachers also?

Obviously if anyone knows me, they know I believe these apostolic/prophetic claims are bogus. I don't believe in charismatic nonsense.

 

[presidente]

I don't know...my guess is that they aren't going to shell out those kinds of bucks without some fantastic title associated with it.

They don't need the membership to find a printer to put the title on a name card.

 

[jb]

Are there anybody out there writing inspired scripture? No.

Many of the original 12 apostles didn't write any inspired New Testament Scriptures, so according to your reckoning they weren't apostles, yet the Lord Jesus defintely appointed them and called them apostles! Matt 10v1-4

Dear me, your knowledge of what a New Testament apostle is and what they do is completely deficient!

 

[JohnR7]

are there modern day apostles of Christ?

Paul talks about: "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20) This has to do with who determines what sound doctrine is. If anyone is an apostle today it would be someone like Billy Graham that established a teaching that others seemed to agree with and follow. Mostly today in the church we have Bishops. When a Pastor has spend his life pastoring a church he can go on to be a Bishop and help other pastors with issues they are dealing with.

 

[jb]

Further to my last post, for those interested you can find a study Here on (amongst other topics) the ministeries of the Body of Christ, the ministry of an apostle can be found on Page 15...

 

[Sackcloth-N-Ashes]

Many of the original 12 apostles didn't write any inspired New Testament Scriptures, so according to your reckoning they weren't apostles, yet the Lord Jesus defintely appointed them and called them apostles! Matt 10v1-4

Dear me, your knowledge of what a New Testament apostle is and what they do is completely deficient!

Good bye!

 

[Sackcloth-N-Ashes]

Many of the original 12 apostles didn't write any inspired New Testament Scriptures, so according to your reckoning they weren't apostles, yet the Lord Jesus defintely appointed them and called them apostles! Matt 10v1-4

Dear me, your knowledge of what a New Testament apostle is and what they do is completely deficient!

What I mean is that the apostles were ppl who had special gifts that none of us possess today. Yes, some, as far as we know, never wrote inspired scripture. But they also had the ability to raise the dead, to heal the sick instantaneously, God spoke to them verbally, &c.

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

Paul talks about: "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20) This has to do with who determines what sound doctrine is. If anyone is an apostle today it would be someone like Billy Graham that established a teaching that others seemed to agree with and follow. Mostly today in the church we have Bishops. When a Pastor has spend his life pastoring a church he can go on to be a Bishop and help other pastors with issues they are dealing with.

This is interesting. IF I believed there were modern-day apostles, I don't think they would strut about declaring themselves an apostle like modern day charismatics.

Because, that is what they do.

Or, they get a bunch of their buddies together to declare them an apostle

Self-affirmation societies.

 

[JohnR7]

charismatics.

Because, that is what they do.

I don't know. They chased me out because I was attending a pentecost church and they did not want to get corrupted with that heresy. Charismatics are good at teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit but I would not go any further with them than that.

 

[JohnR7]

Or, they get a bunch of their buddies together to declare them an apostle

They usually sell those things. I know a guy who calls himself an Bishop. He wants everyone to call him Bishop. It was just a piece of paper that he bought at a conference for $35. We need to look to see if something is accredited or not. The Bible college I attended was accredited. You could use your credits as electives at the State College.

 

[UnitedWithChrist]

They usually sell those things. I know a guy who calls himself an Bishop. He wants everyone to call him Bishop. It was just a piece of paper that he bought at a conference for $35. We need to look to see if something is accredited or not. The Bible college I attended was accredited. You could use your credits as electives at the State College.

Yeah, I worked in jail ministry and there was a prisoner who bought some paper declaring him as a minister. Both him and his mom. And, he was headed to prison for gun and drug possession. The guy kept bragging to me how many people he caused to be saved in the jail. I know at least one of them was back in jail only a few months later. He started trying to correct me on how I led my discussions. I had a bad toothache that day, and told him that he needed to have more respect for his elders. I also sent him a book on pride and humility. His problem was that some charismatic chaplain prophesied over him that he was going to be some great preacher. From that point forward, he was more subdued in our conversations. I admit I lost my temper though.

Within two months after getting out on bail, he was using foul language and making coarse sexual references. And his mom was a drug addict and continued to be one. Internet ordinations mean nothing. Any bozo can get ordained as some type of minister online.

 

[JeremiahsCup]

Of course there are apostles still in this time. The Bible very clearly describes the apostles as one of the offices of the Spirit. Mindful that most of the people that pretend to be apostles are really just apostles of the dragon named Satan. The Apostle Paul does a very good job in describing what an apostle does and looks like so that you may not be deceived. Additionally, you can become an apostle if that's the office you covet the most, but it's just one of the jobs among others, so if you are not an apostle don't fret either, everything in the Kingdom of God will work together in good order like a body and its several pieces and parts.