A Strategic Plan

The Church’s four leadership roles are 1. apostles, 2. prophets, 3. evangelists, and 4. pastor-teachers and this hierarchy demonstrates the wisdom of God. Jesus executes God’s plan to build the Church, and Jesus builds it through leaders. If you support that plan then you are a part of God’s strategy for the success of the saints and the salvation of souls.

Promote your church’s leadership by knowing about and supporting role #1, the role of apostles.

What is an Apostle?

These are the men God has designated first in the Church.

… God has appointed in the Church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then… (1 Corinthians 12:28; NASB).

The Bible declares clearly enough first apostles, so let’s try to figure out what makes these Church leaders so important. They are first, so let's understand them rightly from the start. If we don't understand the role of an apostle, how will we understand the other leadership roles?

What are some good questions you can formulate about apostles? You may want to start with these four:

• What is an apostle?

• Are there only twelve?

• What does an apostle do exactly?

• Are there apostles around today?

Hopefully you have more, but these are the key questions. Let’s see how God answers them in the Scriptures. We’ll start by affirming two things: 1. Apostles are certainly around today, and 2. There are many more than twelve!

During the first 400 years of Church history, some names stand out as apostles: Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Papias, Polycarp, Justin Martyr, and Irenaeus. Their writings are still with us. They did the work of apostles. But then doctrine became so corrupt that by the time we get to Eusebius and Jerome, very few would defend the basic Truths we call the Seven Realities.

Ulfilas: Apostle to the Germans

One man who has been forgotten by history is Ulfilas (311-383 AD), apostle to the Germans (at that time they were called the Goths). He has been virtually erased from German history because he would not embrace the theologies that created Trinitarianism.

Ulfilas was from Cappadocia (modern-day Türkiye), and translated the Bible into the Gothic language. He went to the Goths when they were fearsome barbarians. He did missionary outreach when no one else dared to do it.

Ulfilas' statement of faith is still with us and stands as one of the greatest declarations of the Faith of the early missionaries. Ulfilas demonstrated a firm grasp of the great Christian Truths when he wrote:

I, Ulfilas, bishop and confessor, have always so believed, and in this, the One True Faith, I make the journey to my Lord; I believe in One God the Father, the only unbegotten and invisible, and in his only-begotten Son, our Lord and God, the designer and maker of all Creation, having none other like him (so that one alone among all beings is God the Father, who is also the God of our God).

And in One Holy Spirit, the illuminating and sanctifying power, as Christ said after his resurrection to his apostles: 'And behold, I send the Promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be clothed with power from on high' (Luke 24:49) and again 'But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you' (Acts 1:8); being neither God (the Father) nor our God (Christ), but the minister of Christ... subject and obedient in all things to the Son; and the Son, subject and obedient in all things to God who is his Father... (from Wikiwand, 22 Nov. 2024).

Patrick: Apostle to the Celts

One century later, Patrick (apostle to the Celts), wrote a statement of faith which sounds almost identical to Ulfilas' except for the fact that he throws in the term "Trinity" at the end.

We can see that missionaries of the first 500 years of Church history were relatively sound in doctrine.

Because there is no other God, nor ever was, nor will be, than God the Father unbegotten, without beginning, from whom is all beginning, the Lord of the Universe, as we have been taught; and his Son Jesus Christ, whom we declare to have always been with the Father, spiritually and ineffably begotten by the Father before the beginning of the World, before all beginning; and by him are made all things visible and invisible. He was made man, and, having defeated death, was received into heaven by the Father.

And he has given him all power over all names in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth, and every tongue shall confess to him that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe, an whose advent we expect soon to be, Judge of the living and of the dead, who will render to every man according to his deeds.

And he has poured forth upon us abundantly the Holy Spirit, the gift and pledge of immortality, who makes those who believe and obey sons of God and joint heirs with Christ; and him do we confess and adore, One God in the Trinity of the Holy Name (retrieved on 23 Nov. 2024 here).

Missionary-apostles of the first centuries were famous for baptizing kings and entire people groups at once. Even as late as 988 AD the Kieven Rus' people, the forefathers of the Russian, Ukrainians, and Belarussian people were baptized in masse.

Here's Patrick baptizing some Irish women:

Patrick spoke of his exploits this way:

... without fear and frankly I must spread everywhere the name of God so that after my decease I may leave a bequest to my brethren and sons whom I have baptized in the Lord—so many thousands of people...

... it was most necessary to spread our nets so that a great multitude and throng might be caught for God, and that there be clerics everywhere to baptize and exhort a people in need and want, as the Lord in the Gospel states, exhorts and teaches, saying: Going therefore now, teach you all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world.

And again He says: Go you therefore into the whole world, and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be condemned. And again: This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in the whole World for a testimony to all nations, and then shall come the end

The Most Important Leaders

To understand what apostles are, we must recognize firstly that they are the most important leaders in the Church. They are named first in four New Testament passages on church leaders, and that’s no coincidence. They’re first for a reason.

And he [Christ] gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some shepherd-teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of service (Ephesians 4:11-12; NASB, MacArthur).

All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they (1 Corinthians 12:29; NASB)?

… having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the corner stone (Ephesians 2:20; NASB).

… God has appointed in the Church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then… (1 Corinthians 12:28; NASB).

So what’s the reason why apostles are first among Church leaders? It’s because they are the ones to lay the foundations of a church. As in construction, there is no structural component more important than a foundation. With a solid foundation, every other part of a building’s design has strength. Without a firm foundation, no part of a building is stable.

Apostles establish a church’s basic Truths, traditions, and doctrines so that a congregation might have the grounds on which to build a future. Upon those grounds are other ministries built. Upon those grounds a congregation operates and works out its salvation.

Sent Out / Missionaries

The Bible word apostle comes from the Greek word apostolos which literally means “one who is sent out.” Break the word down and you get apo (a Greek word that means out of) and stello (which means sent). Hence the literal meaning of apostle is “one who is sent out.” And that’s exactly what an apostle is. He is a teacher who is sent out of a church to serve God elsewhere. Here's a picture of Paul and Barnabas who were sent out of the church in Antioch.

Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius... and Saul... the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:1-3).

Many find it helpful to use the modern term missionary in place of the word apostle because a missionary is someone sent out from a church. A missionary establishes a congregation. They are church founders.

Missionary and apostle are synonymous, but the term missionary gets the meaning across more clearly since the word apostle carries a lot of baggage. The last 20 centuries of Christian history have attached quite a stigma to the term. The word apostle has come to signify (for most people) one of the original Twelve apostles of Jesus, although that's not what it meant at first, when the Bible was written.

The Twelve

It’s true that our Lord Jesus chose twelve special missionaries to be especially close to him. We call them the Twelve Apostles, and Jesus wanted them to be close to him and to go out to preach the Gospel.

He appointed Twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach (Mark 3:14).

Jesus also picked twelve (not eleven or thirteen) for political reasons: that those twelve men might rule over the twelve tribes of Israel in God's Kingdom. But our Lord didn’t select twelve men of royal stock. At least seven of them were fishermen, one was a tax collector, and another was the member of an armed rebel group.

Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee [John and Jacob], and two other disciples were together. ‘I’m going out to fish,’ Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing (John 21:2-3).

We have put an asterisk* next to the names six of the fishermen on the list below, there is one more who the Scriptures does not identify. It could be either James the Less, Thaddeus, or Philip.

Famous or Forgotten?

With the exception of Peter, none of these men ever became famous. But was Peter ever actually famous? There was a time when his fame rivaled that of Paul and Apollos, but in his day, he was not as popular as people might think.

One of you says, 'I follow Paul.' Another, 'I follow Apollos.' Another, 'I follow Cephas [Peter].' Still another, 'I follow Christ' (1 Corinthians 1:12).

The Scriptures tell us that Peter faded out of primacy in Jerusalem when James took the helm. Peter famously was rebuked by Paul in a church gathering. He was a man not above being corrected in public. Peter was not untouchable. His leadership was rightly questioned and challenged.

Peter’s supposed rise to the papacy is a legend invented by Roman Catholic traditions. It’s not a historical reality.

Catholics know practically nothing of the real Peter. His writings are foreign to them. They only use Peter’s reputation as the one on whom Christ built his Church to lay their own claim to glory. They are (according to their own profession) the Church which Peter started—although they have no knowledge of Peter’s preaching.

Only a handful of Roman Catholics can locate in a Bible Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the sermon through which the Church was born. More telling, you'll never met a Catholic who can explain what that sermon means. Their own doctrines contradict it.

Known But Unknown

The fact that most Christians today can only name a few of the Twelve Apostles proves that these men never attained to much fame. But why didn’t they? It’s because each of them sought the glory of the Kingdom and did not pursue fame in this life.

They were men so powerful in word and deed that they healed the sick, revolutionized religion, and raised the Dead. But even so, the history of their lives was forgotten by worldly historians. Historians paid by emperors and kings treated the apostles as insignificant. There are no strong historical records of what each one did after Christ’s Ascension—just some feeble Christian legends.

Nonetheless, the Twelve have such a reputation that the word apostle is normally understood to mean one of the Twelve. Of course, nobody would dare say that Judas Iscariot fulfilled the duties of an apostle. Most people are aware that Judas disqualified as an apostle. His example demonstrates the principle that an apostle is known by his actions. Being an apostles is not simply holding a title.   

Paul proves the same point. Everybody considers Paul to be an apostle, but he wasn’t one of the Twelve. That’s because Paul qualified as an apostle by his actions. He fulfilled his mission to the Gentiles—a ministry of evangelization and church planting—and so he has earned the reputation and honor of being called an apostle.

Actions Speak for Themselves

Many men called themselves apostles in Paul’s day even though many of them hated Paul, criticizing him as a failure. However, Paul’s labors, suffering, and pain spoke for themselves. They qualified him as an apostle, so he defended his position as an apostle everywhere he went. Here are some passages where he defends himself and his apostolic ministry:

I am the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13).

Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:2).

… what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are [as apostles] in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles…

Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also… in whatever respect anyone else is bold—I speak in foolishness—I am just as bold myself. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death (2 Corinthians 11:12, 18, 21-23).

The apostolic ministry lives on today, as it did 2000 years ago, through men whose actions speak for themselves. Men are still being called to establish sound doctrine—they are called by God to the apostolic ministry. It began with the Twelve, but it didn’t end with them. Today, missionaries continue to plant churches, and to establish new congregations in the Faith.

Can you name any apostles? Have you ever met one? If not, it’s probably not your fault. There aren’t many—at least, there aren’t many who are laying the right foundations. Sound doctrine is scarce in these times.

No Confusion

Today there is much confusion about what an apostle is. Men who don’t deserve to be called apostles call themselves apostles while other men deserve the honor of an apostle, but they are ignored. Legitimate missionaries sent by God are disregarded and rejected by churches everywhere. They are not even allowed to preach once on a Sunday morning, although they have the skills to establish doctrine among God’s people.

This sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Jesus was rejected in many Jewish synagogues. They even tried to kill him when he preached in his hometown congregation in Nazareth. Paul also was unwelcome in many synagogues, and he was also (surprisingly) unwelcome in some of the very churches he founded!

Rejection didn’t stop Paul from feeling certain and confident that he was an apostle. He wouldn’t let anyone convince him otherwise. He affirmed that he was an apostle in spite of his detractors. He defended himself, not out of pride, but because people under his ministry were becoming confused about what an apostle is.

Five Aspects of Apostleship

People today are also confused about what an apostle is. To remedy that confusion, we have identified five aspects of apostleship. These five aspects are from Paul as he defended his role as an apostle. Reflect on them. Read them slowly and you will be free from any confusion about what an apostle is.

1. Apostolic Anointing

A true apostle has a powerful anointing. He is able to perform signs, wonders, and miracles. Other anointings include prophecy, healing, and casting out demons.

I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders, and miracles (2 Corinthians 12:12).

2. Chosen by the Will of God

One becomes an apostle not by one’s own personal decision, but through the will and command of God. Nobody makes themself an apostle.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God (2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1).

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior (1 Timothy 1:1).

3. Divine Sending

To be an apostle, one must be appointed by Jesus and God, not by men. An apostle is not a product of a seminary education. He was not shaped by a denomination or institution. He has not been lifted up by theological training or by any human processes.

I was appointed a herald and an apostle (1 Timothy 2:7).

I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher[1]… (2 Timothy 1:1).

Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father (Galatians 1:1).

4. People Prove Apostleship

An apostle is confirmed through the people under his ministry. You've heard "the proof is in the pudding"? Well, in the case of apostles, the proof is in the people. How stable are the people who have grown in the apostle's ministry? What fruit does their lives produce? Do they walk in love?

Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord (1 Corinthians 9:1-2).

5. Authority and Power to Rebuke

Apostles have the authority to correct and discipline people in the Church. They are bold. They set things straight when they need to.

… as apostles of Christ, we could have asserted our authority (1 Thessalonians 2:6).

… some have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I am coming to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will know not the talk of the ones who have become arrogant, but the power. For the Kingdom of God is not with talk, but with power. 

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness? (1 Corinthians 4:18-21; LEB)