In the New Testament, "apostle" primarily designates the Twelve chosen and commissioned by Christ (Luke 6:13), plus Paul who was called as an apostle directly by the risen Christ (Gal. 1:1; 1 Cor. 15:8–9). The qualifications for this foundational office were strict: a direct appointment by Christ and having been a witness of the resurrection (Acts 1:21–22). The apostles were foundational to the church (Eph. 2:20), their teaching authoritative for all time, forming the basis of the New Testament canon. In a secondary sense, Scripture uses "apostle" more broadly of missionaries sent by churches (2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 2:25).
APOS'TLE, n. [Gr. one that is sent.] A person deputed to execute some important business; but appropriately, one of the twelve disciples of Christ, chosen and commissioned by him to preach the gospel and plant churches. The word is sometimes applied to others, as to Barnabas and others, who were employed in spreading the gospel. The title is also given to the first Christian missionaries in a country. Christ is called the Apostle of our profession. Heb 3.
The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and many charismatic movements claim that the office of apostle continues today, with living "apostles" bearing the same foundational authority as Paul and the Twelve. This opens the door to extra-biblical revelation, personal prophecy treated as binding Scripture, and spiritual hierarchies that bypass the sufficiency of the written Word. The result is spiritual abuse, doctrinal chaos, and ecclesial structures built on personalities rather than the permanent foundation Christ laid. The foundational apostolic office was by definition unrepeatable — you cannot be a witness of the resurrection in AD 2026.
Luke 6:13 — "He called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles."
Ephesians 2:20 — "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."
Acts 1:21–22 — Apostleship required being "with us beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us."
Galatians 1:1 — "Paul, an apostle — not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father."
1 Corinthians 15:8–9 — Paul sees himself as "one untimely born," the last to be called as an apostle.
G652 — Apostolos: apostle, one sent — the commissioned emissary of Christ
G649 — Apostello: to send forth, to commission — the verb behind the noun
H7971 — Shalach: to send — the OT parallel concept of divine commissioning
• Christ is called the Apostle of our confession (Heb. 3:1) — the one sent by the Father, the supreme Apostle.
• The Twelve plus Paul laid the irreplaceable doctrinal foundation of the Church through Scripture; their authority inheres in the written text, not in ongoing office-bearers.
• In the secondary sense, all missionaries share in the apostolic calling of proclaiming Christ where He is not yet known.