I wrote about this subject in my blog.
http://kuyakevin.blogspot.com/2007/09/do-we-have-modern-day-apostles.html

Hi Ed,
We actually met in Indy at the convention. I have enjoyed your twitters and your post. This one is great with some wonderful food for thought. How do I begin?

Well the 6" square peg go into the 3" round... wait that is on the next quiz.

Apostolic would be anything pretaining to the apostles.

Apostle would be anyone set aside by Jesus myself to proclaim His message to the world. Hint: Acts chapters one and nine pretty much gives us the idea that this setting aside is done in Person.

The last one I find the easiest since the teachings of the apostles are what we find in the Scriptures. Basically we need to GET BACK TO THE BOOK! Sorry. I did not mean to hurt your ears yelling.

I've actually been doing a little bit of research on this topic. In the NT there seems to be the Twelve, Apostles and apostles. Qualifications of the 12 can be seen in Acts 1.21-22. Some of the qualifications of Apostles can be seen in 1 Cor. 9.1-5 and 15.1-7. Little a apostles can be seen generically in 2 Cor. 8.3 and Phil. 2.25 (representatives or messengers). Timothy could be seen as an apostle as he was sent on several missions as a representative of Paul (Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Ephesus). And Timothy and Silas seem to be considered apostles by Paul in 1 Thes. 2.6 (when we know that Timothy and probably Silas did not fill the description of Apostleship in the passages listed above). I am almost done with the article. If you are interested, I could send it to you.

Ed, for 20 years I have studied the word rhema - a word in the Koine Greek that has a very unique meaning that can only be defined within its contextual usage. In its simplest form the word means word. Sometimes that word is spoken orally. Other times it is a movement of the Spirit of God within the heart of a man. Luke 1:37 is my favorite use of this term, but the English translation is so perverted you would not even know it is there.

My point is this: Rhema is the imperative of God given when He purposes in His heart that which will be accomplished and not return void. It is the efficacious word of the will be completed until the return of Christ.

Do your homework and no doubt you will see that no apostle is sent without being given this word. No one is healed without this word. No one comes to saving faith without this word. There are a couple of places in the Acts of the Apostles where we are told that the Gentiles heard the Logos and responded to the rhema. Surely there is a lesson to be learned here.

The Church's definition of terms like Apostle are incomplete because its understanding of the terms that define them are incomplete. Pastors teach from the pulpit the a 400 year old translation that while a good translation, nevertheless falls short in some areas. As a result we end up with uneducated church members abd debates such as this one, when all we have to do is become a disciple of the Word of God.

Respectfully,
Tim Wade

when I was a little boy in Baptist Sunday School I was taught that all the big "A" Apostles were dead (Paul said he was 'last of all')...but that there are little "a" apostles who are missionaries who we ship off to Africa or Hattie or somewhere like that…to people who’ve never heard of Jesus.

I think the little old lady (Mrs. Dews) who taught my Sunday School class twenty years ago might have been onto something even if she didn't think we had need for little "a" apostles in the states.

(the Sunday School for kids in that little Baptist church discussed issues with the 10 year olds which would intimidate most “small group discussion facilitators” beyond words! lol! I was an expert dispensationalist by the time I was 12!)

Ed:
Very good article. Thank you.

I thought this was amazing: The ICA has dues to pay to be in their organization as an apostle. $650.00. ROFLOL! And I thought the GMA had problems?

Men require titles to elevate their self-importance. It gives them a false sense of authority and respect. I saw last night on Benny Hinn's show a husband and a wife who are called a Prophet and an Apostle. Their father was on and he said that in about 15 minutes, he could give the gift of prophecy to everyone in that room. He then asked something like: how many of you here would like to move freely in the prophetic?

Tragic.

I thought you nailed it on this: "the meaning of the a word apostolic is best defined as one who is "authoritatively sent."

Based on that the term apostle would simply mean "sent one." That's all. And a church regains its apostolic focus by sending out approved and qualified leaders in the ministry of the gospel.

Sorry to comment twice in one week here, but you are turning out some pretty great stuff.

Yours for the Master's use,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7

As a post-charismatic who once wondered the world with one of Wagner's "apostolic friends", I think Steve Camp nails it right along with you, Ed.

I was both saddened and sickened when that "friend" along with Wagner and other self-identifying apostles recently provided their imprimatur to Todd Bentley and the "Lakeland Revival".

I see the apostolic function as critical for the mission-shaped church. Young leaders need to be encouraged, guided, directed and corrected by apostolic leaders who love them and the Missio Dei.

My understanding of apostolic is much flatter than the usual pyramid hierarchy that so many use. It's more about empowerment than authority. I was just in the UK talking with a new friend , and it was obvious he was uncomfortable even chatting about apostles. He was running from the pyramid! He was sick and tired of top-down authority-ridden, ego-vision driven and discipline. True apostolic ministry is laying spiritual foundations for sure, but it is also inspiring the very best from everyone. Not just to fulfill the "apostle's vision," but to know, explore and equip everyone to live out everyone's vision in the Missio Dei. The vision of the apostle resonates with the vision of the other individuals and their gifts in such a way that they respond and come together for the mission of God. Part of the gifting of apostle gives him the "blueprint" for the church as a "sent one." He is the architect, the "wise master builder," but not the building itself. Or even the actual "builder." Paul flips back and forth between the building/architect metaphor and the body metaphor. In EPH 4, he says the body itself builds itself as each part does its work. Apostolic work is foundational - laying foundations according to plan. But the "building up" is a matter of mystery and spirit...

Make that "wandered" - although "wondered" would probably be appropriate.

Bill, I wondered about that (grin).

To all:

I do think that the whole apostolic question is more than just language. I do think we have lost the impulse.

Some think we need the office to restore the function (that is Alan and Adrian's concern, I think).

I don't think it as necessary, though Alan tried to persuade me and Adrian asked a good question in our interview about it.

I do think we need to think in more apostolic terms, perhaps combining a missional impulse with church planting, global missions, and pushing into new areas.

Missional gets at that, but I think someone can be missional and not apostolic.

Ed

Ed,

I don’t think it’s necessary to have the office in order to restore the apostolic function. But unless “spiritual entrepreneurs” are given room at the table, they will continue to create para-church ministries, or utilize their gifts in other places, like the business world.

And while para-church ministries are beneficial, they are still external. For the apostolic gift to shine, it needs to be intrinsically meshed within the church and functioning alongside the other gifts.

Also, creating an office alone won’t help. Our Director’s of Mission (speaking as a Baptist) should be doing this, but most don’t get it. The position is available, but most are misplaced maintainers who are rarely “thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, networking trans-locally.” Give me a break!

As the institution (churches, denominations) begins to feel shortness of breathe, it will be forced to make room for the apostolic function, or it will die.

No one can expect to restore balance to the denominational universe without giving every gift it’s proper respect. It’s too bad that we have to wait until times are desperate enough before they unlock the doors from the inside. I just hope they don’t wait until it’s too late.

Bob
The X Movement

we do need to be extremely careful with capital "A" "Apostles"...they're all dead and that needs to be very clear. to not be clear on that will totally jack up our ecclesiology and ultimately cuts against the reformed doctrine of sola scriptura altogether...if we are not clear on that we could end up either charismaniacs or Roman Catholics (who don't believe the Pope is an "A"postle...but that he has authority to exercise those same keys...and the difference there is never clear to me...yadda yadda)...

little "a", yes. capital "A"...they're all in heaven praying for us.

Fox,
I love the "little a apostle" concept--gotta love Sunday School teachers.

It's when people give themselves the "Apostle" title that I get really nervous. Don't drink the cool-aide!

Bob DeWaay has been having some interesting discussions about modern day apostles and C Peter Wagner's New Apostolic Reformation in particular. He's done several radio shows on the subject which can be found here:

http://cicministry.org/radio_series.php?series=apostles

Ed,

Don't mean to be picky, but given some recent readings and discussions regarding the definition of the word gospel, can you comment briefly on your use of the phrase, "We are sent to proclaim the gospel from Christ..." I am wondering specifically about the use of the word "from."

As to the topic of apostles, I believe we see the function being lived out in many forms today. How is your involvement in church planting, guiding the planters in their doctrinal understanding (even if through this blog), encouragement during difficult circumstances and helping to ensure that the Lord always receives the honor and glory, different than what Paul was doing? While authority may not be assumed by you, I dare say it is received authoritatively by many.

Bob,

Great to hear from you. Long time no see.

I think you term, "spiritual entrepreneur," is a good one.

Thanks for dropping by.

Ed

An apostle is one who is sent to accomplish a specific task in the authority of the sender. He or she is empowered by God to fulfill God's purpose. Apostles are given for the unique purpose of laying a foundation, which seems to be the primary misunderstanding in recent usage. Apostles take the gospel of Christ to places where Christ is not known and lay the foundation of the church. This is why they are listed first in Eph. 4 and 1 Cor. 12. It is not that they are more important, their priority is one of sequence rather than status.
There is a need for renewal of established churches and for entrepreneural leaders, but those are not apostles. Perhaps prophets and evangelists are needed. Perhaps entrepreneural pastors are needed, but apostles focus on the first stage of the church in pioneer areas. If there are apostles who are frustrated by church structures, they are in the wrong place. There are plenty of unreached people groups where they can build on no one else's foundation.
Those who want to claim apostolic authority over established work are missing the model of the New Testament.

You mention Dave Harvey of Sovereign Grace Ministries as a representative of the charismatic view on apostles. This is an error -- SGM has steadily moved away from the charismatic experience since the early 1990s; they currently associate with no US-based charismatic/Pentecostal churches or denominations.

For a truly charismatic viewpoint, I suggest you contact one or both of these pastors who head growing apostolic ministries: Bill Johnson (bjm.org) or Che Ahn (harvestim.org).

I would agree with Don Dent. I would also add a point that we have overlooked or ignored. There was an Apostolic office - the 12. But, what we are are talking about is the gift of apostle, One who has a calling to "go" from the Master and under His authority - to go to the unreached people of the world. That mean - in your city, or around the World.

We need to give people the freedom who have that gift/calling - to go plant, train up someone(s) to continue so they can go on to the next unreached people group.

Apostles today both function and have an office from Jesus. They are to humbly serve God and His people, not lord it over anyone. Their gift and office should always be supernaturally substantiated by God to those to whom He truly sends them to minister. All apostles have freedom in the Spirit to go anywhere and do any task that God elects for them to do. I speak from experience as a modern day apostle, ordained and empowered by Jesus for ministry. Read my blog - Annals of an Anonymous Apostle for many testimonies of these facts. Thank you.

Hey Ed,

Thanks for posting my article and discussing a really important topic. I'm hoping more people can look past historical baggage and biases, as well as titles, to discuss what functions the church needs to see God's mission advance.

Blessings,