Question from a Site Viewer
Please explain to me the prophets and apostles we have today. Are some false? How can you tell?
Tim’s Answer
Thank you for your question concerning apostles and prophets. The word apostle simply means “sent one.” Jesus is called an apostle in Hebrews 3:1. He was sent from God. And in the general sense, we who follow Jesus are also sent ones (John 20:21). However, in the Bible, the word “apostle” is generally used in a more restrictive sense, that of those who saw Jesus and were specially called by Him. Thus, the twelve apostles were chosen by Christ for a special work (Matthew 10:1-4) and He sent them out (Matthew 10:5). They all saw Jesus and were taught directly by Him. When the apostle Paul defends his own apostleship, it is on the basis that he had seen Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:1). Later, he says that he was the last to have done so (1 Corinthians 15:8-9).
Accordingly, when Scripture speaks of the apostles, generally it is referencing those who had seen the physical Christ, and were specifically called by Him and sent out to do His work. It is in this sense that we find that the church is built upon the foundations of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20). It is in this sense that we are called to remember the words that were spoken by the apostles (Jude 17). It is in this sense that Peter reminds us of the words of the apostles (2 Peter 3:1-2). And, as John tells us, ultimately, there are only twelve people who are the apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14). It is these twelve that we generally reference when we speak about apostles.
Prophets, in contrast to apostles, are proclaimers of God’s word. Sometimes they tell the future. But always they are calling people back to God. That is the role of the prophet. Thus, when one reads through the Old Testament prophets, one sees a consistent message warning people of the future coming judgment and later hope, and calling people to repent and turn to God. Those who are called in a special sense to proclaim God’s word were the prophets.
We are told in Ephesians 4:11 that Christ gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. We are told in 1 Corinthians 12:28 that God first appointed apostles in the church, then prophets, then teachers and then miracle workers. Then He gave gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and tongues. He then encouraged the Corinthians to seek the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1) and said that if we prophesy, then we build up the church (1 Corinthians 14:3-4).
Based on these and other Scriptures, my personal view is that there are no apostles today in the special sense of that term. There is no one today who saw the physical Christ. The apostles were a limited group of people who God chose to establish the church. They became the foundation. They wrote or directly influenced the writing of the books we hold as Scripture. No one today, in my view, holds that same office. But we all are sent and so in a general sense every believer may be an apostle. However, if everyone is one, then the term really loses the meaning that Scripture gives to it. For this reason, I am in favor of restricting the use of the term “apostle” to those so referenced by the term in Scripture.
As for prophets, I hold out the possibility that there may be true prophets today, but I cannot say that I personally know of any. I know many who have called themselves prophets, but their lives have not backed up their words. Jesus taught us that by their fruit we can know who is false and who is true (Matthew 7:15-20). And the fruit Jesus wants us to be looking for is not the miracles (see Matthew 7:21-23), but the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Those who evidence love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control are those who are filled by the Spirit and walking with God. Those who evidence contention, strife, division, impatience, and seek to rule over other people are not God’s prophets.
Thanks for writing. I trust that you will grow deeper and deeper in love with Jesus Christ; that daily He will be more precious to you than anything else, and that you will seek Him in His word.
a fellow servant,
tim
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I thought you might like to know. Where it is written I will send them Apostles and Prophets some the shall slay and persecute. Slay and persecute are very interesting greek studie down to the root one actually means separate from the whole. So much at the very least for allowing a 1st cor service. You have a valid point if God gave 5 Ministry gifts to the body for the equipping and maturing the saints until we all come to fullness yes they must be valid today.in hoe does God do things, lets look in scripture in greek apostle used 85 times prophet over a 100 teacher over a 100 evangelist pastor less than 5 times. So what happened well Gods still sending them but Israel was rebuked for priests bearing rule by their own means and every house out for it’s own gain so what do we see today instead of every joint supplyin a need they refuse instead of discerning the body and submitting to one another as unto the Lord many say no. The nicolation doctorine means control laity so it resembles the rebellion of korah by the levitical priesthood against moses and aaron God numbered the offices man didn’t God gave gifts to the body for the equipping and maturing of the saints we there are still saints the bible tells us Gods chosen means to accomplish things look it up by sheer usage we can see the neglect of two foundational ministries brings confusion and division.
Greetings.
Here is a simple answer to this question. No, there are no prophets or apostles today. This is a question that can be answered without the need for a in depth Bible study. If there were truly prophets or apostles, even one alive today, you would know it rather quickly. He or she would be swamped by people, the media and the religious masses. Jesus was followed and rightly so by people of all walks of life, Peter, Paul and John also. There clothes were pulled on, roofs were removed and cities were in turmoil when they approached. They truly “turned the world upside down”. If they were real, you would not be asking this question, you would know.
P.S. I wish there were some on the earth, I would seek them out myself. I am in need of healing. I have terminal cancer.
My original question was “do we have a Prophet and Apostles on the earth today”?
Read Amos 3;7, then ask if any church has a prophet and apostles? If you find one, study it (that religion) with an open mind and heart. Asking for God’s help in finding the truth. Then you will know, as I know, that God has not forgotten his people on the earth today.
Yes. The Lord said that as time gets closer to the end, our sons and daughters will prophecy.
We also know that biblical prophets were unwelcome, and their truths from God were resisted by those the truth did not serve. Repent! Turn away! Look for the outcasts, the black sheep, scapegoats, and exvangelicals. They are possibly the modern day prophets. Also, while searching for the fruit of the Spirit be careful that we look for no past, or no sin history. Check instead of their empathy having no boundaries for the oppressed and their light drawing in the weak and mistreated. The modern church is failing to delivery truth and looks more and more like a business of Babylon. Of course there are modern day prophets holding out hope the the helpless. Entitled people will not see them, except as a plank to stumble over and ignore, hush and discredit.