APOSTLES
The apostle is one sent forth. The twelve apostles are the twelve foundation stones of the church; therefore, they are unique. However, the twelve apostles were not the only apostles that were given to the early church. For we find that God has set others in the church as apostles besides Peter, James, John, Matthew, Andrew, Judas, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, James, Simon, and Judas, the brother of James. When Judas fell from his apostleship, Mathias was chosen to take his office. One of the requirements of the early church for an apostle was that the person should have seen the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul laid claim to apostolic authority saying that he was an apostle because he had seen the Lord (I Cor. 9:1) as one born out of due time (I Cor. 15:8). The Apostle Paul met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, and so he lay his claim to being an apostle as one born out of due time, but as one having seen the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul speaks of other apostles. He tells the Romans to
Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and fellow
prisoners, who are of note among the apostles (Rom. 16:7).
He tells the Thessalonians that he and Sylvanius and Timotheus had not been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ" (I Thess. 1:1 and 2:6). So it appears that there were others who were called apostles besides the twelve. An apostle is
one who has been sent forth on a special mission, and, therefore, is endued by the
Spirit with apostolic power and authority. Some would ask, "Are there apostles
today?" Yes, I believe there are apostles today, individuals whom God has sent
forth for a special ministry with apostolic authority and power. One of the
difficulties is that the church has been reluctant to recognize persons as apostles.
Oral Roberts is recognized by many as an apostle, a man endued with apostolic
power and authority to fulfill a special calling in life.
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