How many Apostles to the Body of Christ?

How many Apostles to the Body of Christ?

QUESTION:

How many Apostles to the Body of Christ? In Eph 4:11-13 it appears to suggest that Paul was not the only one. What am I not understanding correctly?

ANSWER:

The following are my views regarding this question.

Eph 4:11-13 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: (13) 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:

Paul, in Rom.11:13 calls himself ‘the’ apostle to the Gentiles. Paul, like the 12 -apostles to Israel, was called by Jesus Christ Himself. Thus, Paul is the only true apostle over the Body of Christ. Paul was sent by the Lord to establish Gentile churches and to provide the doctrine for the churches to follow. No other minister had this absolute commission. Although Paul writes about co-labourers who supported him in his ministry, none of these men added to the doctrine for the Body of Christ.

“The church which is His Body” (Eph. 1:22-23) is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets” (Eph. 2:20), referring to grace apostles and prophets (I Cor. 12:28-29). This means that the work of an apostle was foundational in nature. If 2000 years later we are still laying the foundation of the Church, there is something seriously wrong!

Apostles and prophets could speak for God by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaking verbally with the same inspired authority that Paul experienced when he wrote his epistles. Paul could not be everywhere at once, and so God needed apostles and prophets who could speak with the same authority Paul enjoyed as he wrote his epistles. Once the Bible was complete, saying when, “that which is perfect (complete) is come”, the gift of prophecy ceased as confirmed here,

1Co 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Once the gift of prophecy ceased, there were no more apostles and prophets. The reference in Ephesians chapter 4 concerning “apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;” was written in Paul’s day when these offices were still in operation. But once the Word was complete, the office of apostle and prophet ceased. Thus, today the Body of Christ operates with evangelists, pastors, and teachers, to teach and edify the body. Also, within the pages of His Word, God has said all that He needed to say. This is why He closed the Bible by pronouncing a curse on any who would add to what was written therein (Rev. 22:18).

With all this in mind, it is not spiritually correct to call a man an apostle today. Today no man can demonstrate “the signs of an apostle” (II Cor. 12:12), and no man can speak with the authority of the written Word of God.

Other possible ‘apostles’ in the Body of Christ in Paul's day:

Apart from Barnabas and Paul, several other individuals are mentioned in Paul’s ministry. While not all of them are explicitly called apostles, they contributed to his ministry and to the establishment of Christian communities.

• Barnabas: Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement”, was a significant figure in the early Christian community. He is explicitly referred to as an apostle in the New Testament (Acts 14:14).
• Timothy: Although not directly labeled as an apostle, Timothy was a close companion of Paul. Paul considered Timothy his “true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Timothy assisted Paul in ministry, delivered his letters, and served as a pastor.
• Aristarchus: Aristarchus was a fellow traveler and companion of Paul during his missionary journeys. He is mentioned in the New Testament as being with Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19:29) and accompanying him on his voyage to Rome (Acts 27:2).
• Andronicus, Herodion, and Junia: These distant relatives of Paul are mentioned in Romans 16:7 and 16:11. Andronicus and Junia are specifically referred to as “outstanding among the apostles” (Romans 16:7). Their exact roles and contributions are not detailed, but they were part of the early Christian community.
• Apollos: Mentioned in the Corinthian letters.
• Silvanus (Silas): Partnered with Paul in ministry.
• Epaphroditus: Commended by Paul in his letter to the Philippians.

Portions of the above are sourced from the following site: https://artlicursi.com/articles/are-there-apostles-today.

QUESTION:

Thank you for previous answer. It's very important that Paul's unique role is not diluted by the stating of multiple apostles referred to in Eph 4:11 but to confirm that apostles after Paul were SPIRITUAL (eg Barnabas) unlike Paul & 12 who were OFFICE. Would that be a safe or correct conclusion?

PS: I suspect that some modern-day believers claiming to be 'apostle' would rest their argument claiming they too are SPIRITUAL apostles similar Barnabas etc.

ANSWER:

I agree that Paul and the 12 occupied the office of apostle, yes.

Concerning ‘spiritual’ apostles, I guess people can easily place a title in front of their names, but this means absolutely nothing, because it does not invoke any authority and power from God upon their ministry. The written Word is clear that the office of apostle and prophet for this dispensation has ended when the Word was fulfilled by Paul’s writings. The only offices today are the teaching offices that faithfully minister, teach, and edify the Body of Christ, according to our key scripture.