APOSTLES, THE GIFT 

Greek Definition

apostolos meaning one who is sent out; sent forth one; one sent on a mission; messenger; commissioned one; ambassador

Original Twelve Apostle

1.     Original twelve apostles – Luke 6:13f

2.     Qualifications for original apostles – Acts 1:21-22; 2:43; 5:12

3.     Caution against false apostles – II Corinthians 11:13-15

4.     Verification – II Corinthians 12:12

5.     Limited to Twelve – Ephesians 2:20; Revelation 21:14

Continuing Gift of the Apostles

1.     Barnabas and Saul – Acts 14:4, 14

2.     Andronicus and Junias – Romans 16:7

3.     Apollos – I Corinthians 4:6, 9

4.     Two unnamed apostles – II Corinthians 8:23

5.     Titus – II Corinthians 8:23; Titus 1:5

6.     James the Lord’s brother – Galatians 1:19

7.     Epaphroditus – Philippians 2:25

8.     Paul, Silas, Timothy – I Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6

References of Continuing Gift of Apostles in Scripture

1.     Signs and Wonders – Acts 2:43; Acts 5:12; II Corinthians 12:12

2.     Gave Commands and Doctrines – Acts 3:42; II Peter 3:2

3.     Money Laid at Feet and Distribution Made – Acts 4:35; 5:2

4.     Apostles Ordaining Others – Acts 6:6; Acts 8:14-18; I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 1:6

5.     Apostolic Work – Acts 13:2; Acts 14:26

6.     Recommended by the Brethren – Acts 13:3; 15:40

7.     Sent Forth by the Spirit – Acts 13:4

8.     Rehearse to the Churches – Acts 14:27

9.     Apostles and Elders Listed Separately– Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23

10. Sent Church Decrees – Acts 16:4

11. Strengthening Disciples – Act 18:23

12. Called of God - Romans 1:1; I Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; I Peter      1:1; Romans 1:5

13.  Servant Spirit – Romans 1:1; Titus 1:l; II Peter 1:1

14.  Apostolic Ministry – Romans 11:13; Acts 1:25

15.  Father’s Heart – I Corinthians 4:15; Philippians 2:2; I Thessalonians 2:6-8 

16.  Discipline in the Church – I Corinthians 5:1-13

17. Took Sister and Wives With Them – I Corinthians 9:5

18. Set in the Church – I Corinthians 12:28

19. False Apostles – II Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2

20. Care of all the Churches – II Corinthians 11:28

21. Rebuking Elders and Apostles – Galatians 2:11; I Timothy 5:19-22

22. Foundation of the Church – Ephesians 2:20

23. Receive Special Revelations – Ephesians 3:5

24. Equip the Saints – Ephesians 4:11

25. Gift to the Church – Ephesians 4:11

26. Ordained as Apostles – I Timothy 2:7; II Timothy 1:ll; Acts 13:3-4

27.  Apostles and Elders Same – I Peter 5:1; II John 1; III John 1

Recognition of Apostles by Others

1.     Know God’s call on apostles.

2.     Home/Sending church recognition and “sending out.”

3.     Newly established churches recognition.

4.     Fruit of labor.

Main Thrust of Apostles

1.  Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists – Get things started with focus on birth of the church, foundation building and equipping for ministry.

2.     Pastors (Elders/Bishops) and Teachers – Keep things going with focus on teaching, equipping for ministry and growth.

Other Attributes of Apostles

1.     Special call of God.

2.     Strong sense of mission.

3.     Men on mission.

4.     Pioneer spirit.

5.     Beginners, starters, getting things started, energizers.

6.     Foundation builders.

7.     Focus on birth of the church.

8.     Ones sent out to minister trans-culturally the Life of Jesus with

       New Testament Church planting resulting.

9.    Servants of new work.

10.   Balanced ministry to lost and saved. 

12. Itinerant servants working themselves out of a job.