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Christ and His Apostles

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Matthew 16:18-19

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What God Has (and Has Not) Joined Together – 8

Today we continue our theme for 2026.  In this lesson we want to address how God has joined together Christ and His apostles.  Our emphasis will be on the work of the New Testament apostles.  Furthermore, we want to address the question, “Are there apostles today”?

Why this lesson?  1) There are some who believe that we are only bound to what Jesus Himself taught – e.g., “What is in red”.   Thus they question the authority of the teachings of the apostles, and for some, possibly the authority of Paul as an apostle.  2) There are some religions that do believe in the office of the apostles today.  Some churches/denominations that believe in apostles include:

• Mormonism which believes there is a quorum of 12 apostles whose authority is only superseded by the First Presidency – a group of 3 men
• The Apostolic-Prophetic movement – is a movement that believes God is restoring the role of apostles and prophets as the end times are approaching. This will and perhaps is leading to new revelation.
• The Assembly of God – recognize an apostolic function without the apostolic office. They make a distinction between one called an apostle today and the first century apostles.
• Catholics believe the office of a bishop succeeds the office of apostle.
• NOTE: While some of these advocate apostles having a higher role of authority, many use it as a term to describe those who plant and revitalize churches and missionaries who are guided by the Holy Spirit. Most are charismatic believing in a more direct operation of the Holy Spirit today, including modern day revelation and in some cases miracles.

In this lesson, I want to address 1) the office and work of the apostles appointed by Jesus, 2) show that their teachings were an extension of what Jesus taught and thus it is equally binding, and 3) address why we do not have the office of apostle today.

As with many of these lessons, I cannot address every question related to the subject, but we will try to gain a proper understanding of what their work and office involved.

1. The authority of the apostles
   1. What is an apostle?
      1. The term apostle literally means “one sent”, specifically on a mission It is descriptive of an envoy or delegate. It is a transliterated Greek word (ἀπόστολος, apostolos).
      2. When we speak of the apostles in this lesson, we are addressing the men Jesus chose to be His direct representatives when He left this earth. Luke 6:13-16 names the 12 original apostles and notes that Jesus named them apostles. This made them a special group (office).  Acts 1:15-26 describes the selection of Matthias to take the place of Judas Iscariott who had hanged himself after betraying Jesus.  These men spent at least 3 years with Jesus learning and working with Him.  He was training them for the work ahead of them.
      3. Then there is Paul, the 13^th apostle called “as one out of due season” – (1 Corinthians 15:8-9). His work would parallel that of the 12, but he focused on the Gentiles more so than many of the others.
      4. These apostles were ambassadors for Christ. The term is used 2x in NT – 2 Corinthians 5:20 – where Paul describes all the apostles and Ephesians 6:20 where he describes himself as an ambassador in chains. When we think of the term ambassador, he is one with direct authority representing the president/government that sent them.  His authority is LIMITED to what he has been commissioned to say and do.  He does not have free will to do what he wants.
      5. The term is also used for a handful of other men, but contextually they did not possess the authority of the original apostles (as we shall see when we speak of their qualifications)– e.g., Acts 14:14 – Barnabas; Galatians 1:19 – James the Lord’s brother, and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25 – translated “messenger”). Some describe Andronicus and Junia as apostles based upon the wording of Romans 16:7, but that is a stretch usually with an agenda (the better reading is they were recognized by the apostles).  Consider also that Jesus Himself is described as “the Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Hebrew 3:1) – He represented God the Father (and the Godhead).
   2. Their work was to help establish and spread the kingdom to the world of that day, and by extension to us through their inspired works (writings).
      1. Given “Keys to the kingdom of heaven” – Matthew 16:18-19 – they “opened up” the kingdom to be taught throughout the world. This was their purpose.  Matthew 18:18 repeats part of this.
         1. Ephesians 2:19-20 notes that we are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
         2. Revelation 21:14 describes the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven (the kingdom of God). The city had 12 foundations – the names of the 12 apostles.
      2. They revealed the message Jesus gave them. John 14:25-26 notes, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
      3. They also taught more, though it was based on what Jesus revealed to them. John 15:26, 16:12-14 – He will guide you into all truth AND glorify Christ Jesus and declare His message.   Acts 1:8, they would receive power from the Holy Spirit and be witnesses of Him.  In Matthew 10 we find Jesus sending out the twelve, likely to strengthen their faith in what their work would be.  In the midst of His instructions He tells them they will face rejection and persecutions, but they were NOT to worry about what to say because it would be revealed to them through the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 10:16-20).  Thus, as apostles, what they were teaching was not their own agendas or ideas, but conveying exactly what Jesus had taught and trained them.
      4. Ephesians 4:11-16 begins by noting that Jesus gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers. Their work was to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to build up the body of Christ with truth.
   3. They taught what Jesus taught WITH authority.
      1. Matthew 28:18-20 – Jesus had all authority and commissioned them to make disciples by teaching what He had commanded them.
      2. Matthew 10:40 & John 13:20 all emphasize that if they accepted Jesus they would accept them. To reject them was to rejected Jesus Himself.
      3. Acts 4:9-12 – Peter filled with the Holy Spirit spoke to the council that healing the lame man was done by the name of Jesus. NOTE: The Book of Acts is about the works of some of the apostles and those influenced by them.
      4. 1 John 4:6 – We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
      5. 2 Peter 3:1-2 – Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
      6. Acts 2:42 – as the church began, they devoted themselves to the apostles doctrine (which was the teachings of Jesus).
      7. Ephesians 3:5 – Paul noted that we know God’s will because it has now been revealed to us by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets.
   4. That is what we have in most of the NT. In fact, every NT letter was either written by an apostle or someone intimately associated with an apostle.  And that is why we view scripture as authoritative.
2. Are there apostles today? No!
   1. While some advocate that there are apostles today, in various contexts the Bible is clear that we do not need apostles today. They have completed their work.
   2. Consider the qualifications of the apostles
      1. They were chosen by Jesus Himself – Acts 1:1-2, John 15:16, etc.
      2. They accompanied Jesus during His time on earth – Acts 1:22-23.
      3. They were witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus – Acts 1:22-23.
      4. They had miraculous gifts (Acts 2:43, throughout Acts also) and the ability to lay hands on others to receive those gifts (Acts 8:14-18), etc.
   3. Paul was the last apostle – His was a special circumstance with a specific purpose – namely to bring the gospel to Gentile nations and convince Jewish converts of this. His qualifications were questioned by some, but consider the following.
      1. He was chosen by Christ himself – he was adamant about this. 2 Corinthians 11:5. But unlike others, he backed it up.  2 Corinthians 12:12 – he spoke of the signs of an apostle being in him. Furthermore, he was ACCEPTED by the apostles, Galatians 2:6-10.
      2. He was a witness of the resurrected Jesus – 1 Corinthians 15:8-9. 9:1, cf. Acts 9:3-6
      3. He performed miracles – The book of Acts records Paul performing various miracles including Acts 14:8-10 in Lystra where he healed a man crippled from birth.
      4. He had the power to pass gifts on to others – Acts 19:6, cf. 2 Timothy 1:6 – possibly miraculous gifts. He possessed all the qualifications, though in a different way.
      5. He too taught with authority – 1 Corinthians 14:37, Galatians 1:11-12. Galatians 1:1 – he notes he was called by Jesus.  He begins many of his letters with similar descriptions.
      6. The only qualification that could not include him with the twelve was that he did not spend time with Jesus during His ministry with the others. BUT, as noted, Christ DID appear to him and commissioned him.
   4. Consider their purpose – to reveal God’s message to the world before it was completed in written (and permanent) form. They did that!  Today, we have the completed word – 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, Ephesians 3:3-5, Jude 3, etc.
   5. Also, since ONLY the apostles had the power to lay hands on others to receive spiritual gifts, when they all died, and anyone upon whom they had laid hands died, the work of the apostles was done.
   6. There is no instructions to appoint successors to apostles (and prophets). We do find such for elders and deacons – i.e., the qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1.  But no such thing for apostles.
   7. As noted at the beginning of this lesson, some who advocate for apostles today acknowledge a difference between the original apostles and what they call an apostle today. But why use the term in an unscriptural way and lead to confusion?  Consider also 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 which speaks of false apostles with agendas.

The apostles of the first century were joined to Christ and His teachings.  Consider the prayer of Jesus in John 17. He prayed for Himself, His apostles and “those who will believe on Me through their words.” (20-26).  We have “their words” and they are able to make us wise unto salvation  and complete (2 Timtohy 3:15-17, 2 Peter 1:3).  For one to assume this role today is presumptuous and prideful AND usually self-serving.  Will you accept the teaching of Christ Jesus THROUGH His apostles?  Think about it!