Are Apostles still in existence today?

[aldy]

And how can we know if they are sent by Jesus or not?
2Corinthians 11:13
13 | For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.

 

[Demi777]

Apostle
Old English apostol, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek apostolos ‘messenger,’ from apostellein ‘send forth.’

SO yes theres still Apostles.
If theyre sent by Jesus they teach and preach Jesus' messages and gospel. that easy.
If they deny Christ and his works, theyre of the devil.

 

[tourist]

It is possible that the apostle John is still alive. Peter, while walking with Jesus discussing the end times turned around and asked "What about this man?" He was referring to John who was trailing behind the two. Jesus said that if He wished him (John] to remain until He comes what is that to him (Peter). Then a saying went out among the other apostles that this apostle would not die. Now, Jesus did not say that John would not die, only that if He wished him to remain until it comes what was that to Peter. He then told him to "Follow Me".

 

[HisHolly]

Ive always wanted it to be true..

It is possible that the apostle John is still alive. Peter, while walking with Jesus discussing the end times turned around and asked "What about this man?" He was referring to John who was trailing behind the two. Jesus said that if He wished him (John] to remain until He comes what is that to him (Peter). Then a saying went out among the other apostles that this apostle would not die. Now, Jesus did not say that John would not die, only that if He wished him to remain until it comes what was that to Peter. He then told him to "Follow Me".

 

[aldy]

Apostle
Old English apostol, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek apostolos ‘messenger,’ from apostellein ‘send forth.’

SO yes theres still Apostles.
If theyre sent by Jesus they teach and preach Jesus' messages and gospel. that easy.
If they deny Christ and his works, theyre of the devil.

right,
but anyone whether or not they are sent by God, they teach and preach Jesus' messages and gospel,
2Peter 3:16
16 | as also in all 'his' epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as 'they do' also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.


no one tell that he is from evil
Isaiah 4:1
1 | And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach.

 

[Magenta]

It is possible that the apostle John is still alive. Peter, while walking with Jesus discussing the end times turned around and asked "What about this man?" He was referring to John who was trailing behind the two. Jesus said that if He wished him (John] to remain until He comes what is that to him (Peter). Then a saying went out among the other apostles that this apostle would not die. Now, Jesus did not say that John would not die, only that if He wished him to remain until it comes what was that to Peter. He then told him to "Follow Me".

John is believed to be the only apostle to die a natural death. He was probably the youngest among them, and was James' brother; they both originally followed John the Baptist, and were referred to by Jesus as Sons of Thunder (Boanerges). He is the only one to have witnessed the crucifixion.

 

[aldy]

It is possible that the apostle John is still alive. Peter, while walking with Jesus discussing the end times turned around and asked "What about this man?" He was referring to John who was trailing behind the two. Jesus said that if He wished him (John] to remain until He comes what is that to him (Peter). Then a saying went out among the other apostles that this apostle would not die. Now, Jesus did not say that John would not die, only that if He wished him to remain until it comes what was that to Peter. He then told him to "Follow Me".

I think it's not possible that apostle John is still alive
Psalms 90:10
10 | The days of our years are threescore years and ten, Or even by reason of strength fourscore years; Yet is their pride but labor and sorrow; For it is soon gone, and we fly away.

Revelation 6:11
11 | And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled 'their course'.

 

[plainguy]

We're told what the marks of a true apostle were in 2 Corinthians 12:12. There's none today.

ESV - 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

NIV -12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.

KJV -12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

NASB -12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

 

[Magenta]

Generally an apostle was considered to be one who walked with Jesus. Paul
was special in this regard because he was accepted as an apostle by the other
apostles due his direct calling from God to be an apostle to the gentiles.
*
The Septuagint uses apostello [ajpostevllw] or exapostello [ejxapostevllw] some seven hundred times to translate the Hebrew salah [j;l'v] ("stretch out, " "send"). More than the act of sending, this word includes the idea of the authorization of a messenger. The noun apostolos [ajpovstolo"] is found only in 1ki 14:6, where the commissioning and empowering of the prophet are clearly in mind. Thus, the Septuagint uses the apostello [ajpostevllw] word-group to denote the authorization of an individual to fulfill a particular function, with emphasis on the one who sends, not on the one who is sent.

The noun apostolos [ajpovstolo"] appears seventy-nine times in the New Testament (ten in the Gospels; twenty-eight in Acts; thirty-eight in the Epistles; and three in Revelation). The vast majority of these occurrences are found in Luke-Acts (thirty-four) and in the Pauline epistles (thirty-four), and refer to those appointed by Christ for a special function in the church. Their unique place is based not only on having witnessed the resurrection, but also on having been commissioned and empowered by the resurrected Lord to proclaim the gospel to all nations. Apostle Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary

 

[Demi777]

ok. then I guess its time for some bible verses from me as well

for it is written 2 Cor 11:13
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

So we are called to test their spirit according to

1 John 4:1-2
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

As these people Gal 1:7-
I am astonished how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidentlysome people are troubling you and trying to distort thegospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a divine curse!…

And Jesus warned ,Matthew 7:15,
“Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.

SO we are then told to Titus 1:13
This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith

And if that dont work 1 Timothy 5:20
But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.

right,
but anyone whether or not they are sent by God, they teach and preach Jesus' messages and gospel,
2Peter 3:16
16 | as also in all 'his' epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as 'they do' also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.


no one tell that he is from evil
Isaiah 4:1
1 | And seven women shall take hold of one man in that day, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name; take thou away our reproach.

[FONT=&quot]He must also be well reported of among them which are without forth, lest he fall into [COLOR=#9E0B0F !important]rebuke, and into the snare of the [COLOR=#9E0B0F !important]evil speaker.[/COLOR]
[/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=&quot]MSTC[/FONT]

 

[Grace777x70]

There were the original 12 apostles that walked with Jesus and then there were at least 12 other apostles that are mentioned in the NT. There are 25 apostles mentioned if you count Jesus as the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.

We need apostles which simply means "sent ones" in order for the body of Christ to grow up. Sent ones are those commissioned and called of the Lord for a specific task concerning the proclaiming of the gospel and it seems to be mostly in the area of new places that have not heard the gospel.

We need to be under the influence of all 5 ministry gifts that the Lord gave to His body so that we could grow up in Him.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (KJV)
[SUP]28 [/SUP] And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV)
[SUP]11 [/SUP] And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

[SUP]12 [/SUP] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

[SUP]13 [/SUP] Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

 

[stonesoffire]

I would naturally reason that if there aren't apostles and prophets, then there would not be teachers, pastors, nor evangelists. There's no scripture stating the 5 fold ministry is over.

And when did God pull out from His salvation plan for the world? When did the members of His body on earth all become the same if there aren't offices?

I just thought of Blain who said if we can't believe all of scripture, we can't believe any of it.

And where is Blain?

 

[trofimus]

1. There are apostles in the common meaning of the word - the "sent ones". It can be you or me.

2. There are no apostles in the special Christian meaning of the word - the "ones with the special authority to reveal the Word of God".

3. I am afraid many charismatic churches are very confused about these two meanings and are saying things that are not true and proclaiming the authority they do not have.

 

[HisHolly]

If there is lack of, it's not BC God did away with it.. it folks who either don't believe and write stuff off as fake or lack of obedience to operate as one for those called to be

I would naturally reason that if there aren't apostles and prophets, then there would not be teachers, pastors, nor evangelists. There's no scripture stating the 5 fold ministry is over.

And when did God pull out from His salvation plan for the world? When did the members of His body on earth all become the same if there aren't offices?

I just thought of Blain who said if we can't believe all of scripture, we can't believe any of it.

And where is Blain?

 

[Grace777x70]

If there is lack of, it's not BC God did away with it.. it folks who either don't believe and write stuff off as fake or lack of obedience to operate as one for those called to be

I agree....if we believe there are no more signs and miracles, healings, etc. done today by the Holy Spirit through His body then by default we will need to get rid of apostles too.

But I don't believe that for one second. Until the body grows up in the Lord we will need all 5 fold ministry gifts in operation.

If there are no more apostles or prophets ( NT prophets - not OT ones ) - then there are no more teachers, pastors or evangelists - which of course is foolishness.

 

[88]

There are no Apostles or Prophets today who can "reveal" the Word of God---in the sense the Apostles and Prophets did in the Bible (Word of God)----Apostles and Prophets today have the same responsibility that Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists have: for the perfecting of the saints---the work of the ministry---the edifying of the body of Christ----till we all come in the unity of the faith---unto the knowledge of the Son of God---unto a perfect man---reaching the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-14)----I'm sorry if you have not met any real Apostles and Prophets today-----I know there are problems in the Pentecostal/Charismatic community with "offices"----but there is the real deal----just wait to see what God does in America in the upcoming days---you may see some real ones glorifying Christ...

 

[aldy]

We're told what the marks of a true apostle were in 2 Corinthians 12:12. There's none today.

ESV - 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

NIV -12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.

KJV -12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

NASB -12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.

Apostle Paul was trying to say that the church made him Apostle because sings, wonders and miracles are given to the church, he cannot be called Apostle without church. And the chruch reciprocally needs Apostle to be a true church
Ephesians 2:19 - 20
19 | So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,
20 | being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone;

it is obvious as the scripture that false apostle exists today and he can do miracles,
2Corinthians 11:13
13 | For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.
but if there is false apostles, there is true Apostle
if there is evil spirit, there is God spirit,

so the true Apostle can do better miracles

 

[hornetguy]

I understand scripture to indicate "the apostles" as described in the NT were men that had personally been with Jesus, and had witnessed all the things he had done... as evidenced by the appointing of an apostle to replace Judas..

[SUP]21 [/SUP]Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out [SUP][t][/SUP]among us— [SUP]22 [/SUP]beginning [SUP][u][/SUP]with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

In the way the descriptive name "apostle" was used, then we would have to say that no, there are no more apostles, since the last one of the 12 (14 counting Matthias and Paul) died.

 

[aldy]

There are no Apostles or Prophets today who can "reveal" the Word of God---in the sense the Apostles and Prophets did in the Bible (Word of God)----Apostles and Prophets today have the same responsibility that Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists have: for the perfecting of the saints---the work of the ministry---the edifying of the body of Christ----till we all come in the unity of the faith---unto the knowledge of the Son of God---unto a perfect man---reaching the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-14)----I'm sorry if you have not met any real Apostles and Prophets today-----I know there are problems in the Pentecostal/Charismatic community with "offices"----but there is the real deal----just wait to see what God does in America in the upcoming days---you may see some real ones glorifying Christ...

you said Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists as the edifying of the body of Christ
1Corinthians 12:27 - 28
27 | Now ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof.
28 | And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, 'divers' kinds of tongues.

so if there is an evangelist in the church, there must be an apostle, and prothet unless the church is incomplete like a body without hands.

 

[hornetguy]

I also had never noticed that Barnabas was called an apostle, as well... interesting...