Apostles and Prophets Today
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
(Ephesians 4:11-12, NKJV)
Among modern Christians, there is little controversy about the ongoing ministry of evangelists, pastors, and teachers (though individual denominations may define these roles differently). However, the question of whether apostles and prophets still exist today remains a major point of debate.
Are There Still Apostles Today?
In order to answer this question properly, we must note that the Bible actually acknowledges two distinct categories of apostles:
- Apostles of the Lamb — the original Twelve, or “Big A” Apostles
- Apostles of the Church — others sent out under Christ’s authority, or “little a” apostles.
If the question is whether apostles exist today in the same sense as the original Twelve, the answer would be absolutely not. These great men were clearly in a class by themselves. They, along with the prophets, form the very foundation of the Church (Ephesians 2:19-20), and their names will be engraved on the foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14).
Jesus: The Ultimate Apostle
Jesus Himself was the
original Apostle. In fact, He embodied all of the ministry gifts:
- Apostle: Sent by the Father (John 20:21)
- Prophet: Recognized as a prophet by the people (Matthew 21:11)
- Evangelist: Came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
- Pastor: Called Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
- Teacher: Taught with unmatched authority (Mark 1:22)
The Original Apostles
And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles…
(Luke 6:13-16, ESV)
The word disciple is closely related to discipline. A disciple is a disciplined follower of Christ, which we should all endeavor to be. Here, Jesus gathers His disciples and appoints twelve to serve as His special representatives, or apostles. All apostles are disciples, but not all disciples are apostles.
At its most basic, the word “apostle” simply means “sent one.” For example, my wife sometimes “apostles” me to the grocery store! Nonetheless, Jesus’ commission of these special representatives to carry on His mission changed the world forever.
We see the specific qualifications for this mission later when Judas Iscariot needed to be replaced. These were the specific requirements to be an Apostle of the Lamb:
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness to His resurrection.
(Acts 1:21-22, ESV)
Requirements for an Apostle of the Lamb:
- Must have been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry.
- Must have witnessed His resurrection and ascension.
Some scholars suggest the apostles erred in casting lots (an Old Testament way to discern God’s will) to select Matthias, believing Paul should have been the twelfth apostle instead. However, Paul did not meet these stated qualifications. He had never met Jesus until his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.
Paul and the “Little a” Apostles
Obviously, Paul is the clearest example of a “little a” apostle—sent not as a foundation-laying Apostle of the Lamb but as a special messenger of the risen Christ.
I discuss Paul’s life and legacy in this video:
Several others are also identified or implied as “little a” apostles:
- Barnabas — called an apostle alongside Paul (Acts 14:14)
- James, the Lord’s brother — a leader in Jerusalem (Galatians 1:19)
- Silas (Silvanus) — associated with apostleship (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6)
- Apollos — linked to apostleship by early Christian writings (1 Corinthians 4:6, 9)
- Andronicus and Junia — outstanding among the apostles (Romans 16:7); notably, Junia was a woman.
The Apostolic Ministry Continues
Nothing in Scripture indicates that the ministry of “little a” apostles was meant to cease. Today, this gift continues in key ways:
- Church Planting and Governance (Acts 14:23; Romans 15:20; Titus 1:5)
- Guarding Sound Doctrine (2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:8; Jude 3)
- Demonstrating Signs and Wonders (2 Corinthians 12:12)
- Mentoring Spiritual Sons and Daughters (2 Timothy 2:2)
However, not everyone who claims to be an apostle truly is (2 Corinthians 11:13). Discernment remains critical.
What About Prophets?
Just as Jesus was the ultimate Apostle, He was also the ultimate Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15; Luke 24:19). In carrying on His ministry the early church recognized this gift through individuals like:
- Agabus — predicted a famine and warned Paul (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-11)
- Philip’s Four Daughters — prophetesses (Acts 21:8-9)
- Leaders at Antioch — Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul (Acts 13:1)
Many claim that to affirm modern day prophets is adding to the Bible. However, apart from Paul (and possibly Barnabas), these prophets did not write Scripture. Their prophecies served the Church without adding to the Bible. In fact, all prophetic messages must align with apostolic teaching and the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:8–9).
In light of this, New Testament prophets continue to serve many vital roles:
- They strengthen, encourage, and comfort the Church (1 Corinthians 14:3).
- They may reveal hidden things or confirm God’s will (Acts 11:27–28; Acts 21:10–11).
- They are part of the leadership structure of the Church, along with the aforementioned apostles, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11–13).
However, modern use of prophetic gifts is still a controversial topic. For a balanced perspective, I recommend this video from The Objective Believer S.J. Newell:
The ministry office of the prophet is also different from the simple gift of prophecy, which is available to all Spirit-filled believers, as SJ Newell further explores in this video:
As with the ministry of the apostle, discernment is also crucial regarding the prophetic. Indeed, prophecy in the New Testament is tested — believers are instructed to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) and to “weigh” what prophets say (1 Corinthians 14:29).
Jesus, the Cornerstone
At the center of it all stands Jesus Christ—the Apostle and High Priest of our confession (Hebrews 3:1), the fulfillment of every prophetic word, the Shepherd of our souls, and the Teacher who leads us into all truth. Every true apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher ultimately points back to Him.
The foundation laid by the Apostles of the Lamb stands firm, but the Church continues to grow as the living Body of Christ, built together in Him. The gifts He gave are not about exalting individuals but about glorifying His name, strengthening His people, and advancing His kingdom on earth.
As we seek to understand and walk in the ministry gifts today, may we keep our eyes firmly on Jesus—the One who sends, who speaks, who saves, who shepherds, and who teaches us by His Spirit.
To Him be all the glory, now and forever. Amen.
Keep It Real,
James
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