What is an apostle?

[HammerStone]

I'm curious to know your thoughts and answers to the question: What is an apostle?Along the same line, do apostles exist now or were they something designated for only a specific time period?

 

[Mighty Bear]

I don't think "apostle" is the right word. I think the right word is "farmer".Isaiah 2:4 ESV He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.Zechariah 13:5 ESV but he will say, 'I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.'I think Zechariah 13:5 is referring to the story of Joseph.Genesis 37:28 ESV Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.I think Zechariah 13:4 is referring to the story of Esau and Jacob.Zechariah 13:4 ESV "On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive,Genesis 27:22 ESV So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, who felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau."Revelation 2:26-27 ESV The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, (27) and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.John 14:12 ESV "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

 

[gumby]

My bible defines an apostle as sent with authority, i do beleive that god calls some people to be apostles and its possible that they could exist today. In fact Ephesians 4:11-13 documents that god chooses some people as apostles.

 

[Stumpmaster]

Beware of false apostles. (Matthew 24:11) And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray.

 

[Christian Commando]

Apostles are those chosen by God to be of major authority. Yet, they are Evangelistic. They hold major authoritative Leadership Roles over the "Body of Christ" which can include as it were Territories of multiple churches. In ancient times, all Apostles were at varied levels as well- (more than 120 in the upper room at Pentecost). The original 11 were the first and top main Apostles leading all of them. But God created the 5 fold Ministry structure, which places Apostles at top Leadership Roles, then Bishops, then Preachers, the Elders, Deacons, Teachers, etc. You can see this in the structure of the first 7 main Early Churches and thier Leaderships. Yes, the original Biblical Leadership Structure is still in effect today. But, because the "Church" has fallen away from paying attention to this, it is harder now, to discern who God has chosen at such top Leadership Roles. From Bishops on down its different, but Apostlic Levels are another story. Yes, right along with true Apostles of God thru Christ, there are also false apostles, prophets preachers, etc. But, Christ and God both give us signs to discern those differences. In Truth, just as God chose all Old Test. Leaders, then also the Disciples as Christ declared were given Him by the father, all other Christian Leaders at all levels should be chosen by God thru the Churches guided by thier higher level authorities over them from God. God Bless!!