The word apostle in the Greek is apostollos or "one sent forth" as an ambassador of the Gospel. An apostle is a minister sent directly by God to do a specific work Consider the definition for a moment, sent one. This means they are sent to do something specific, a specific work. An Apostle first and foremost should be able to tell you what they have been sent to do.
What qualities do we look for in an apostle? Is it someone with a great speaking voice ? Should they dress nicely and drive a nice car? Should they be educated preferably with a PHD and call themselves Doctor?
Should they be well known with all the Gospel singing groups? Should they have celebrities in their congregation that say wonderful things about them? Should they live in a spacious million dollar plus mansion?
How does the Bible describe the credentials for the office of the Apostle? As an example let's look at Paul's appointment as an Apostle:
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;
Gal 1:1 Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead),
No man ascribes to himself the function of an Apostle, this assignment comes from GOD alone.
Secondly , what also determines a true Apostle will be signs ,wonders and miracles. If these proofs are not evident in the Apostle's work he is a fake. GOD will not send out an Apostle without equipping him properly for the job.
2 Cor 12:12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles
Acts 5:12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico.
1 Cor 2:4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
The Apostle is subject to intense suffering with his final reward more often than not leads to death for Jesus sake.
Acts 9:16 For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name's sake.
Phil 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
And Lastly, An Apostle must have seen the LORD- That's right even today. Jesus is alive not dead and if He is going to assign you the service of an Apostle, He will pay you a visit.
1 Cor 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
In America, the Church is a place of trends, popularity movements and various winds of doctrine. One trend that I see is an escalating number of people who ascribe the name of Apostle to themselves. Now I can not say if these people are really Apostles or not. However,herein we note the qualifications and the cost in human flesh of being a true Apostle. If your ministry is not lining up with the Bible's definition of an Apostle then you are simply impersonating an Apostle, may GOD have mercy on you. Are there Apostle today, absolutely and you will know them because the signs of an Apostle are clearly demonstrated in the lives.
Note the chart below as an indication of a likely occurring event in the Apostle's service, once the job he was sent to do is accomplished.
2 Tim 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;.
2 Tim 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;.
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died |
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Peter (Simon Peter), Bible writer | Rome, Italy (Nero) | 54-68AD | Homicide: crucified head down, at his own request |
Andrew, son of a John & brother of Peter (Matthew 4:18) | Edessa, Greece | ?AD | Homicide: severely scourged & tied by ropes on x-shaped cross where he hung 2 days to expire |
James, son of Zebedee & Salome and elder bro. of John (not bro. of Jesus) the Bible writer | Jerusalem, Israel (Herod) | (the 1st martyred) | Homicide: beheaded with sword; Mark 10:39 & Acts 12:1-2 |
John, son of Zebedee and bro. of James; Bible writer | Ephesus, Turkey or Turkish Isle of Patmos | 98 AD | thrown in boiling oil but unharmed; died of Natural causes in Ephesus |
Philip of Bethsaida | Hieropolis, Syria | Homicide: crucified | |
Bartholomew (Nathaniel) | India or Armenia | Homicide: beaten/flayed, and crucified head down | |
Thomas (Didymus) | Edessa, Greece | Homicide: lanced by idolatrous priests & burned up in an oven | |
Matthew (Levi), of Capernaum the Bible writer | Nadabah, Ethiopia | about 60AD | Homicide: axed to death with a halberd |
James (son of Alphaeus); Bible writer (? half bro. of Jesus?) | Jerusalem, Israel | AD66 | Homicide: thrown down from the Temple tower & not dead so clubbed to death with a fullers club at age 94 |
Jude (Thaddaeus...Judas Lebbaeus) | Edessa, Greece | AD72 | Homicide: crucified |
Simon the Zealot (the Canaanite) | Brittainnia, Europe | Homicide: crucified | |
Judas Iscariot | Jerusalem, Israel | Suicide: by hanging Matt. 27:5 | |
Matthias (the 11 remaining Apostles chose him to replace Judas) | Jerusalem, Israel | Homicide: stoned and beheaded | |
Paul (chosen by Jesus on the road to Damascus) | Rome, Italy | 66 AD | Homicide: beheaded |
