The Office of an Apostle: Rightly Divided and Rightly Understood

The Office of an Apostle: Rightly Divided and Rightly Understood

In a world where titles are freely claimed and spiritual offices are often misunderstood, it’s vital that we return to Scripture and rightly divide the Word of truth. One such office that has been widely misapplied in modern Christianity is that of the apostle. What does the Bible say? Who qualifies? And most importantly—is the office of an apostle still active today?

Let’s walk through this biblically, thoughtfully, and with reverence for the Word of God. You can also watch the video of this lesson here.

What Is an Apostle?

The word apostle comes from the Greek apostolos, meaning one who is sent or a messenger. It refers to someone specifically commissioned and sent by Jesus Christ with a divine message and mission. See the following scriptures for reference: 

• The 12 apostles under the Kingdom dispensation: Luke 9:2; John 20:21; Mark 16:15. 
• Paul under the Grace dispensation: Acts 9:15-16; Acts 26:16-18; Romans 1:1; Romans 11:13; Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:11-12; 1 Timothy 2:7.

Paul opens his letter to Titus with this declaration:

“Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness” (Titus 1:1, KJV).

This is not a casual title. It is a divinely appointed office, not a self-assumed role.

The Criteria for Apostleship

Scripture lays out clear qualifications for apostleship—criteria that no one today can meet:

1. Personally chosen by Jesus Christ: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you…” (John 15:16)
2. Eyewitness of the resurrected Christ: “Am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1)
3. Endowed with miraculous power to confirm their divine commission: “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds” (2 Corinthians 12:12)
4. Sent with a specific message to a specific people: “Even so send I you” (John 20:21)
5. Appointed to lay the doctrinal foundation of the Church: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20); “According to the grace of God which is given unto me... I have laid the foundation...” (1 Corinthians 3:10)

Paul vs. The Twelve: Two Distinct Apostleships

Paul was not one of the Twelve. He was not a replacement for Judas. That role was filled by Matthias (Acts 1:26), who met the criteria of having accompanied Jesus from His baptism to His ascension (Acts 1:21–22).

Paul’s apostleship was entirely separate—a new commission for a new dispensation:

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles…” (Acts 9:15)

“I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office” (Romans 11:13)

The Twelve were sent to Israel with the gospel of the kingdom. Paul was sent to the Gentiles with the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). These are not interchangeable missions—they are distinct and divinely appointed.

Why There Are No Apostles Today

The office of apostle was foundational. Once the foundation is laid, it is not laid again:

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20)

Paul himself affirms:

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation…” (1 Corinthians 3:10)

The foundation is complete. The canon is closed, Colossians 1:25-26. The revelation given to Paul was the final part revealed in God’s full redemptive plan:

“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Colossians 1:26)

To claim apostleship today is to diminish the unique role of Paul and to confuse the body of Christ. It is not merely a mislabel—it is a misrepresentation of God’s order.

The Danger of False Titles

When individuals today take on the title “apostle,” they do more than adopt a label—they dilute the biblical significance and undermine the unique qualifications attached to that office. The term carried divine weight because it was tied to a direct calling from the risen Christ, specific commission, divine authority, and the miraculous signs that authenticated that calling.

To use apostle as a generic title today misinforms the church. It falsely implies that Paul’s apostleship is not distinct or exclusive to this dispensation. That has real consequences—it obscures the foundation of grace doctrine and confuses the identity and purpose of Paul's role in the body of Christ.

Paul’s office wasn’t one of many. It was set apart, divinely appointed, and once laid, it was never repeated. There is one apostle to the Gentiles. One foundation laid for this dispensation. And we dare not weaken that truth with titles that have no biblical standing today.

Conclusion: One Apostle for the Body of Christ

Let us be clear: there are no apostles today. The office has fulfilled its purpose. The foundation has been laid. The revelation has been given. And the only apostle to the Gentiles—the one who received the mystery of the grace of God—is Paul.

To recognize this is not to elevate a man, but to honour the divine order God has established for the body of Christ.

Let us not be swayed by titles or trends. Let us stand firm on the Word rightly divided and magnify the office that God Himself magnified.

Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle… a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity” (1 Timothy 2:7)