Apostle: Christ’s Chosen Witnesses and the Foundation of the Church

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The Greek word apostolos literally means “one who is sent,” from apo (“from”) and stellō (“to send”). In the New Testament, apostolos designates a commissioned representative sent with delegated authority, particularly in the service of Jesus Christ. While the term can carry a broad meaning in some contexts, its primary and most authoritative use refers to a specific group of men directly chosen by Christ to lay the doctrinal foundation of the Church and to bear unique witness to His resurrection and teaching.

The role of an apostle is thus not merely that of a missionary or church planter. Rather, it is a divinely appointed office with unique qualifications, miraculous authority, and a foundational place in the outworking of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The apostles functioned as the inspired spokesmen for Christ during the critical transitional period of the early Church, before the full canon of Scripture was completed.

The Office and Function of the Apostles

The New Testament identifies two distinct uses of apostolos:

1. The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb

These were personally chosen by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry (Luke 6:12–16; Matthew 10:1–4). Their role was to be eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and to receive direct revelation from the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13). Their qualifications were established in Acts 1:21–22, where Peter stipulates that Judas’ replacement must have accompanied the Lord from the time of His baptism until His ascension and must be a witness of the resurrection.

These twelve were foundational:

“You are… built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20)

They were given authority to bind and loose (Matthew 18:18), to forgive or retain sins (John 20:23, in a declarative, not sacerdotal sense), and to work signs and miracles confirming their message (2 Corinthians 12:12; Acts 5:12).

Their names are inscribed on the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14), emphasizing their unrepeatable and foundational role in redemptive history.

2. The Apostle Paul and Others

Paul identifies himself repeatedly as an apostle, though not among the original Twelve. He was uniquely chosen by the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:15; 22:14–15; Galatians 1:11–12). He defends his apostleship based on three criteria:

Personal commissioning by Christ (Galatians 1:1)
Eyewitness of the risen Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1)
Accompanying signs and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12)

Paul refers to himself as “the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9), yet he affirms that he was not inferior to any of them, since his commissioning was by Christ Himself. His apostolic authority was acknowledged by the other apostles (Galatians 2:9), and his writings are considered inspired scripture (2 Peter 3:15–16).

Besides Paul, some others are referred to as apostoloi in a more general sense, such as Barnabas (Acts 14:14), James the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:19), and possibly others like Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7). However, these instances do not confer upon them the same foundational status as the Twelve and Paul. Their use of the title reflects broader “sent ones” functioning in missionary or representative capacities without the unique revelatory authority of the core apostles.

Apostolic Authority and Revelation

The apostles bore divinely delegated authority. They received revelation directly from Christ through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13–15; Galatians 1:11–12) and transmitted it to the early churches both orally and in writing. This transmission formed the core of the New Testament canon. Their teachings were binding and preserved through the inspiration of Scripture:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship.” (Acts 2:42)

“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

No one today receives new revelation equivalent to that of the apostles. Once the canon of Scripture was complete, the office of apostle—defined by eyewitness testimony and direct commission from the risen Christ—ceased (Jude 3; Revelation 22:18–19).

Apostolic Succession and Modern Claims

The idea of “apostolic succession,” often used to justify ecclesiastical hierarchy or continued authoritative revelation, lacks scriptural basis. The New Testament provides no process or precedent for successors to the apostles’ unique office. Church elders (presbyteroi), overseers (episkopoi), and deacons (diakonoi) were appointed for ongoing ministry, but they did not replace or inherit the apostolic role (1 Timothy 3:1–13; Titus 1:5–9).

Modern movements that claim new apostles—especially in Charismatic and Pentecostal traditions—violate scriptural definitions. Their claims introduce false authority, confuse the foundation of the faith, and often elevate subjective experience over the sufficiency of Scripture.

Paul warned the Corinthians that “such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:13). True apostleship requires irreplaceable qualifications—most notably, direct appointment by Christ and eyewitness testimony to His resurrection.

Apostolic Legacy

Though the apostolic office was unique and non-repeatable, its doctrinal legacy remains with the church through the inspired writings of the New Testament. The apostles were not merely first-century missionaries; they were divinely chosen vessels who laid the doctrinal and theological foundation of the Christian faith.

Their teaching constitutes the final authority for all doctrine, worship, and life. As Paul stated, “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37).

Christians today are not apostles but are “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20), proclaiming the same gospel message delivered once for all by the apostles and preserved in Scripture.

Conclusion

The apostolos was a man personally selected and commissioned by Jesus Christ, granted unique revelatory authority, and entrusted with the foundational task of proclaiming and writing the truth of the gospel. This office was temporary, extraordinary, and unrepeatable. The apostles served as the inspired human instruments through whom the New Testament was delivered. Today, all faithful ministry must be judged by apostolic doctrine, not by claims of new revelation or modern apostleship.

The church must therefore return continually to the apostles’ teaching—preserved in Scripture—as its sole rule of faith and practice. Apostolic faithfulness is not found in a title but in obedience to the truth entrusted to the saints once for all.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).