THIS POST IS PART OF OUR SERIES, ‘SATAN’S LIES: COMMON DECEPTIONS IN THE CHURCH TODAY’

Can’t God Raise Up Apostles Even Today? Among Satan’s most cunning deceptions in the church today is the notion that the office of apostleship is still open. When self-proclaimed “apostles” arise claiming direct revelation and authority equal to the biblical apostles, they become conduits for introducing all manner of false doctrine into the body of Christ…

The Rise of Modern “Apostles”

In an age when self-proclaimed apostles gather massive followings on social media and lead megachurches worldwide, the question of authentic apostleship has never been more relevant. The last decade has witnessed an unprecedented surge in apostolic claims. Influential religious figures now routinely adopt the title “Apostle” alongside their names, gathering followers through compelling promises of divine authority and special revelation.

From Nigeria to Nashville, Brazil to Bangkok, the trend spans continents and denominations, raising crucial questions about biblical authority and church leadership. But can anyone truly be an apostle today?

The Biblical Requirements for Apostleship

The Bible gives us clear, divine requirements for anyone claiming the office of apostle. These criteria, as we shall see, make it impossible for modern disciples to aspire to such a role.

• They had to be chosen by God Himself: In the sovereign orchestration of His church’s foundation, God established exacting requirements for apostleship that would forever set this office apart. At the very core of apostolic calling lay divine selection itself. This wasn’t merely human appointment or ecclesiastical recognition—it was a direct, personal choice by God Himself. As Paul boldly declared in his letters (1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1), this selection came from the highest authority. Perhaps most strikingly, we see this illustrated in Paul’s own testimony in Galatians 1:15-16, where he describes being set apart from his mother’s womb for this sacred calling.
• They were hand-picked by Christ Himself: These chosen vessels required direct appointment by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This wasn’t a matter of spiritual succession or church tradition—it demanded personal handpicking by the Master. The Gospels paint this picture vividly, as we see Jesus purposefully selecting His apostles (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:13). These weren’t casual appointments but deliberate choices, as Jesus himself emphasized: “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). This appointment came with a specific commission (Acts 20:24) and grace for apostleship (Romans 1:5).
• They had to be eyewitnesses of the Risen Christ: This wasn’t second-hand testimony or spiritual insight—it demanded a face-to-face encounter with the resurrected Lord. The early church understood this clearly, making it a prerequisite for Judas’s replacement (Acts 1:22-23; Acts:10:38). Even Paul, called later than the others, validated his apostleship through his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:7). This personal witness of Christ’s resurrection became the bedrock of apostolic testimony.

Apostolic Authority and Functions

Apostles carried distinct authority that differentiated them from other roles in the church. Their commission was foundational, not meant to be perpetuated indefinitely.

• They had to have in-person fellowship with Christ: The apostolic calling demanded more than a momentary encounter—it required sustained fellowship with Jesus Himself. As Mark 3:14 tells us, Jesus appointed the Twelve “that they might be with him.” This wasn’t merely about gathering information but about being transformed by His presence. Even Paul, though not part of the original twelve, was granted four extraordinary encounters with the risen Lord, emphasising the crucial nature of this personal connection.
• They had to be sent by Jesus to preach: The apostolic commission centred on proclamation—these men were explicitly sent to preach. This wasn’t optional or secondary but central to their calling (Mark 3:14). Their preaching carried unique authority, confirmed by signs (Mark 16:20). So fundamental was this preaching ministry that Paul could speak of receiving “grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5). This proclamation reached its zenith as these chosen vessels were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the very New Testament we hold today.
• They had to be given authority over demons and diseases: Finally, these apostles wielded extraordinary spiritual authority, particularly over demonic forces. Christ explicitly granted them power over unclean spirits (Mark 3:15), authority over all demons (Luke 9:1), and power to heal diseases (Matthew 10:1). This wasn’t merely a spiritual gift but a validation of their unique office and calling. It served as divine authentication of their message and ministry, marking them as true apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why Modern Claims to Apostleship Fall Short

Given these stringent qualifications, it’s clear all modern claims to apostleship are unbiblical. Today’s self-proclaimed apostles neither meet the requirement of direct divine selection nor the need to have been eyewitnesses of the risen Christ. Their claim often shifts the focus away from Christ to themselves, diluting the sufficiency of Scripture.

The global trend of self-proclaimed apostleship challenges the notion of the sufficiency of the Bible. Apostles in the New Testament were foundational to the early church, establishing doctrine and authority. Since the foundation has been laid, any attempt to reintroduce apostleship undermines the completed work of Christ’s revelation through Scripture (Hebrews 1:1-2).

The Role of Modern Disciples

While no one today can claim apostleship, all disciples are called to serve faithfully in God’s mission. Christ commissions all believers to make disciples, not through self-appointed titles but through the faithful proclamation of the Gospel (Matthew 28:19). The church continues to be built through the ordinary means of grace—Scripture, sacraments, and the work of the Holy Spirit—not through claims of extraordinary offices.

Conclusion: The Uniqueness of Apostleship

Apostleship, as defined in the New Testament, was a unique and temporary office meant to lay the foundation of the church. The apostles’ work is complete, and their authority rests in the Scriptures they left behind. Modern-day believers should be wary of any claim to apostleship that seeks to usurp the sufficiency of Scripture and shift the focus away from Christ.

Rather than aspiring to titles, we’re called to humbly serve Christ, trust in His finished work, and build upon the foundation already laid by His apostles.

 

Related FAQs: Hard Questions, Bible Answers

• Why was Judas appointed apostle if God knew beforehand he’d betray His Son? Judas’ appointment wasn’t a divine oversight but integral to God’s sovereign plan, fulfilling ancient prophecies (Psalm 41:9). It demonstrates that God’s purposes prevail even through human treachery. God can use even the darkest betrayal to accomplish His perfect will. Through Judas’s betrayal, God orchestrated the very means by which salvation would come to the world. Divine sovereignty encompasses even the free actions of evil men. Just as Joseph could say to his brothers “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20), Judas’s betrayal became the pathway to our redemption.

Why is it impossible scripturally for there to be apostles today? The biblical requirements for apostleship create an insurmountable barrier for modern claims: the Bible demands divine appointment, being handpicked by Christ Himself, and status of personal eyewitness of the risen Christ. These are qualifications that simply cannot be met today. Scripture presents apostleship as a unique, foundational office (Ephesians 2:20), with the church built upon the apostles’ unrepeatable testimony and authority. The closing of the biblical canon and the completion of the church’s foundation make continuing apostleship not only impossible but unnecessary, as we now have their complete, authoritative testimony in Scripture.

• What are the biblical warning signs against false apostles? Scripture provides clear markers for identifying false apostles, beginning with Paul’s stark warning about those who disguise themselves as “apostles of Christ” while actually serving Satan’s purposes (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). The early church was commanded to “test those who call themselves apostles” (Revelation 2:2), indicating that false apostolic claims were an expected threat requiring careful discernment.
• What are the dangers of modern apostolic claims? Modern apostolic claims pose severe dangers to the church. They undermine the sufficiency of Scripture and establish alternative sources of authority that compete with God’s written Word. These self-proclaimed apostles often create personality cults, demanding allegiance that rightfully belongs only to Christ while leading believers away from the sure foundation of biblical truth. Their claims typically spawn unbiblical hierarchies and control systems that abuse believers spiritually, emotionally, and often financially. Key warning signs include claims to new revelation beyond Scripture, demands for unquestioning submission to their authority, and emphasis on personal power rather than Christ’s crucifixion (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). These false apostles typically demonstrate a pattern of self-promotion, financial exploitation, and domineering leadership that stands in stark contrast to the servant leadership modelled by true apostles.

What do I do if I attend a church led by a self-proclaimed apostle? Having established the biblical impossibility of modern apostleship, the path forward is starkly clear—immediate separation from this blatantly lying, deceptive leader. Leaders who claim apostolic authority today aren’t merely confused: they’re actively deceiving the flock, as Scripture’s teaching on this matter is unambiguous. If they’re willing to compromise and distort Bible truth regarding apostleship, it’s almost certain they’re doing so in other crucial areas of doctrine and practice as well. This pattern of deception rarely stays confined to a single issue.

The gravity of false apostolic claims cannot be overstated. It’s not merely an issue of mistaken terminology but of fundamental authority and truth. By claiming an office that Scripture clearly restricts to the founding era of the church, these leaders demonstrate either shocking biblical ignorance or willful deception—neither of which qualifies them for church leadership. Their false claim to apostolic authority undermines the very foundation of biblical Christianity and places their entire ministry under serious suspicion.

 

Our Related Posts

• The Prosperity Gospel’s Lies and the True Cost of Discipleship
• Discipleship: What Does it Mean to Deny Ourselves and Take Up Our Cross Daily?
• Mark of an Authentic Disciple: A Growing Christlikeness