"IS THE APOSTOLIC OFFICE/GIFT VALID FOR TODAY?"

Author: Arthur Bardis

Synopsis

 The advocates of the restorationist approach consider that the apostolic office and gifts are still active and very vital for the proper function and growth of the church.  They are campaigning for the implementation of a kind of apostleship that would exert principal authority over the church by governing, influencing, making decrees, and delegating authority.  The main thrust for a restorationist argument stems from a misunderstanding/misusing Scripture in order to promote a fictitious second order of apostleship. This would undermine the foundational role of the original apostles, the historical proof for the gospel, and the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers.  It is the foetal stage of a papal/cardinal form of church government.

 The Christian church has been given the apostolic witness in a concrete historical form, and since then it has stood on the objective assurances and historicity of the gospel message.  The apostles through a special dispensation of the Holy Spirit have and are still providing to the church an authentic interpretation of Jesus Christ.  They still continue to minister to the church through the New Testament.  It is a ministry that is foundational and establishes, and preserves the faith and beliefs of the Christian community.

 In the last decade the traditional evangelical forms of government have been greatly challenged by a new regeneration theology movement that calls for the restoration of the apostolic gift and the institution of “an apostolic leadership structure.”  The restoration movement has been the agent that has catalysed a controversy between the restorationists and the cessationists.

 The initiation of a biblical quest will aid in a deeper and clearer appreciation of this current issue.  This pursuit will seek to make an enquiry into the Biblical definition, and the role of an Apostle in church government; an overview of various Scripture passages such as 1 Corinthians and Ephesians; a presentation of the opposing views for the cessation and restoration of the apostolic gift, and its implication for today’s church government.

 Who is An Apostle?  A Biblical Definition

The Greek word Áðüóôïëïò[1] has a number of meanings.  An apostle is a delegate, an ambassador of the gospel, a messenger,[2] and officially a commissioner of Christ,[3]  and is usually reserved for those selected for a particular function in the church.  In Luke 6: 12-12 after a night spent in prayer, Jesus chose twelve out of a large number of disciples and called them Apostles.[4]  Mark emphasizes that the origin of mission and apostolate of the Twelve had been commissioned by Jesus Himself.  This meant that they had an authorization to preach the êÞñõãìá and subsequent äéäá÷Þ as they had been first hand witnesses of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection.[5] This became and still is a very important part and factor in the presentation of the objective assurance and historicity of the gospel message.  “This is what made their ministry valuable.  The fact that they were witnesses to Jesus’ historical ministry rendered their office irreplaceable.”[6]

 Throughout the New Testament there is a strong emphasis on the testifying of what the apostles had seen[7] and heard form the Lord.  John in his first epistle affirms that a mark of a true church is the “doctrinal purity understood as loyalty to apostolic authority and teaching.”[8]  The Christian church has been given the apostolic witness not in a conceptual structure, but in a concrete historical form.[9]  Since then the “church has been dependent on the words, witnesses and ministry of the apostles.”[10]

 A distinction has to be made for the other usage of the Greek word áðïóôïëïò[11], as one who has been commissioned for a missionary service, someone that is simply sent.  The New Testament includes both a narrow and a broad employment of the word áðüóôïëïò.   The narrow use refers to the twelve plus Paul and the broader to many other disciples that have been sent from the church and or the apostles in the cause and the augmentation of the apostolic task for the gospel. [12] 

 The use of the word apostle that extends beyond the twelve and Paul does not enhance the call for the restoration of the apostolic office.  It is just the use of the alternative meaning[13] of the word áðüóôïëïò.[14]  as in Hebrews 3:1, and the Gospel of John[15] where Jesus is called “an apostle”[16].  Ephesians chapter 2 clearly depicts Jesus as the “chief cornerstone”[17] and Ephesians 4 as the giver of the apostolic äïìá.[18] 

 Apostolic Succession

 The perception of a restoration of apostles in the narrow sense[19] was not an issue[20]  by the early Christian church. (See Appendix 1). The only true concern in regards to that was the advancement of the “theory of apostolic succession”.  Irenaeus was an advocate of the bishops being in a “direct line of succession from the original apostles.”[21]   This theory later evolved to the Roman Catholic idea of the magesterium[22].

 The mystery of the gospel that was kept hidden in God[23]  was made to the whole church of Christ through the apostles and prophets.  The apostles and prophets are designated as “holy”[24] because they were set apart for the special task of proclaiming Christ.[25]   They remain the original witnesses and their testimony is original.

 What remains is the commission given to the church as a whole, to keep pure and proclaim the êÞñõãìá and continue the apostolic task and commission. 

 This apostolic ministry does not depend on further vocations to apostleship in the narrow sense, but depends on the obedience to the apostles as original witnesses and messengers of the Lord.  As a result of the continuing apostolic mission there is, in the apostolic ministry, an apostolic succession: an apostolic succession of obedience.[26]

 The Role of Apostles in Modern Day Church Government from A Restoration Theology Perspective

 Restoration advocates believe that the full manifestation of the apostolic function is needed in order for the church to reach maturity. The New Apostolic Reformation movement has a strong focus on outreach as well as recognition of present day apostolic ministries and it seeks to re-reform the traditional evangelical beliefs. One of the most substantial changes is the one that concerns the leadership and leadership authority. 

According to the restoration movement the sphere of the apostle’s service is universal and temporary.  A “restoration type apostle” can train, appoint elders and have authority over them.  The ‘apostle” would be the ‘apex’ of his/her network and everybody under would be accountable to them.[27]

 Earl Paulk has often argued that fresh revelation is vital for the guidance of the church into all truth[28] and has advocated the idea of new doctrinal revelations that can be issued through modern apostles.  Thus his idea of an apostle would be someone that could issue such “fresh revelation” and to also have the authority to establish order in the church. This ministry would be accompanied by a dramatic increase in signs and wonders.  “Ultimately, apostolic pacesetters and apostolic people will walk in apostolic power.”[29]

 Canistracci sees modern day apostles as the “wise master builders,”[30] “an ongoing source of strength and refreshing to the work they have planted.  Their responsibilities would include planting churches, overseeing and strengthening churches, developing leaders, ordaining ministers, supervising and coordinating ministries, managing crisis and networking with other ministries. 

 This movement is likened like a church fatherhood, which is absolutely essential in the process of maturity.  The apostles like fathers would have the responsibility of demonstrating love, train, discipline, provide, bless and impart their spiritual children.  Apart from that “they would exercise the powers of spiritual reproduction, planting churches and creating ministries wherever they go.  They give spiritual life to new children in the faith by becoming the vessels through which those children enter into the new birth.”[31](For a demonstration of the extent of this power see Appendix 2).

 In his book “the Gift of Apostle”, Cannistraci also proposes an informal ranking structure amongst apostles.  There are “super apostles” or “lesser apostles”.  Each apostle would have a ‘sphere of authority,”[32] and their spiritual and administrative repertoire would include the following:

-         “Govern and influence everything from doctrinal questions to the practical issues of loving for God.”[33] (emphasis not original)

-         “Establish doctrinal harmony in God’s word and unity amongst themselves.”[34]

-         Make decrees

-         Ordain deacons and elders into their offices

-         Delegate authority to other leaders under them

 A Traditional Evangelical View of the Apostolic Office

 In Ephesians 2:19-20 Paul uses a metaphorical way that portrays the church as a  building structure[35] whose chief cornerstone[36] is Jesus Christ and is built on the foundation[37] of  the apostles and prophets[38]. The apostles have a foundational function in that they have been authorized by the Lord to proclaim the êÞñõãìá, and by the virtue of this message they had a unique role in finding and leading and instituting the church.[39] Since they were the primary recipients[40] of the gospel of Christ, the apostles played a significant foundational role in the early church as the guardians and pioneer propagators of the gospel.  That era belonged to the redemptive historia salutis.

 Grudem states that “those who have the office of the apostles in the early church are seen to claim an authority equal to that of the Old Testament prophets, an authority to speak and write words[41] that are God’s very words.”[42]   They had divine authority to document, interpret and appropriate the gospel truths.  Acceptance of modern day apostles[43] in that sense would have a great impact in modern day church government, and would create a “Papacy/Cardinal type government.”  A  Monarchical governmental system that would cause the evaporation of church membership input into any type of decision making;[44] the loss of local church autonomy and authority over local church matters; a desertion[45] of the idea of the priesthood of  all believers.  An important attribute of the apostolicity of the church would be lost since “apostolicity focuses on the whole people of God, not only on clergy or authority.”[46]

 The apostles’ roles were to proclaim the authentic gospel, find and minister to the church of Christ with the following objective: ^“ððñïò  ôïí  êáôáñôéóìïí ôùí áãéùí åéò åñãïí äéáêïíéáò, åéò ïéêïäïìçí ôïõ óùìáôïò ôïõ ×ñóéôïõ.”[47]   There was an intimate relationship between apostleship and the gospel.[48] Apostleship was “wholly subordinate to, or better, wholly in the service[49] of the gospel.”[50]  Their task revolved around the faithful transmission of the gospel message rather than origination or innovation.[51]

Closure of the Apostolic Office but Continuation of the Apostolic Ministry.

 The apostles through a special dispensation of the Holy Spirit have provided to the church an authentic interpretation of Jesus Christ, which has been a universal determinative for Christianity. “In the nature of things, the office could not be repeated or transmitted to those who had never known the incarnate Lord, or received a resurrection appearance.”[52]    The New Testament demonstrates that the apostles were taking care of local ministries without an indication of the transmission of the apostolic functions to any part of the ministry.

 Earle E. Cairns, states that an important reason for the development of the New Testament Canon was the passing away of the apostles.  The “need for some records that could be recognised as authoritative and fit for use in worship”[53] became more apparent with the augmentation of heretics such as Marcion.[54]  The most significant assessment of a “right of a book to be in the canon was whether it had the marks of apostolicity.  In the final analysis, it was the historical verification of apostolic authorship or influence and the universal consciousness of the church.”[55] 

 This apostolic element of the church “always stands under the normative character of the original apostles’ instruction and direction.”[56] The apostolic writings are authoritative are a mark and an affirmation of the true apostolicity of the Christian church.[57]  In effect, these writings are the basis of teaching anyone of how to discover Jesus Christ.

 Since the Church has already been established by the apostles and prophets, and the primary work has been accomplished, the need for the restoration of the apostolic office is no longer necessary.  If according to Scriptures the Apostles have a foundational role, then it would be both impossible and illogical to assume that the foundation of a building can be reduplicated, restored or even replaced without the collapse of the whole building, which in this case is the church.  The apostles were chosen by Jesus “to act as authoritative representatives through whom He was to lay the foundations of His church.”[58] “Since apostleship is a ministry on the basis of a particular function, we may speak of it as an apostolic office, which in its entirety is unique and unrepeatable.”[59]

 Acts 1:24-25, Galatians 2:8, 1 Corinthians 9:2, and Rev 21:14[60] converse on the subject of apostleship that only apply to the twelve plus Paul.  The Renewal scholar Rodman Williams argues against the succession and restoration of the apostleship.

 Succession is out of the question not only because these apostles appointed no successors but also because of the unique and unrepeatable character of their apostleship.  Restoration is likewise impossible because these apostles fulfilled their role, and continue their ministry through the apostolic writings of the New Testament.[61]

 The apostolic office is revelatory[62], foundational and ministers to believers in every generation through the Scriptures.  This establishes and preserved the faith and beliefs of the Christian community.  “The living Word lures us into the worlds and the times of the Apostles and gives us a descriptive model in order to keep and become participants in the Scriptural traditions.”[63]  The Apostles still speak to the Christian community even today through the Word.  “They are the touchstones of doctrine, the purveyors of the authentic tradition about Christ.”[64]

 The epistles of 2 Peter and Jude, urge the Christians to safeguard themselves against false doctrines by recalling the apostolic teaching.[65]  The church was to have no other new revelation or cornerstone apart from what had already been laid. Allegations in favour of the restoration of the apostolic office would deny the sufficiency of Scripture[66] and places the Christian Church at the pity of the modern apostles.[67]

 Conclusion

 1 Cor 3:11 states “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”  The apostles’ still continue to play an important role in modern day church government since they have laid the foundations of the church on Jesus Christ, for the rising of the church in order to become the holy temple of God.[68]

The authoritative apostolic teachings that have come down to us through the centuries are nothing else than the pure gospel of Jesus; God's solid foundation stands firm.[69]

Let the Christian church continue in what it has learned that “all Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped[70] for every good work.”[71]

 Appendix 1

Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna (died A.D. 155) said: “So then Let us serve Him with fear and all reverence, as He Himself commanded us, and as did the Apostles who brought us the Gospel.”[72]

 Appendix 2

Some of Peter Wagner’s Quotes & Notes that demonstrate “his authoritative word power”

 “…we ought to see clearly that the end DOES justify the means.  What else possible could justify the means?  If the method I am using accomplishes the goal I am aiming at, it is for that reason a good method.  If, on the other hand, my method is not accomplishing the goal, how can I be justified in continuing to use it?”  (C. Peter Wagner, You Church Can Grow- Seven Vital Signs of a Healthy Church”, 1976 pg 137, -emphasis in original)

The Lord is establishing the foundations of the Church for the new Millennium.  This foundation is built upon apostles and prophets.  Apostles execute and establish God’s plan on earth.  (Brochure For Brisbane 2000, as cited in Jumping On the Bandwagon- Australian Christian Churches Seduced by the Beat of a Different Drummer?, Hughie Seaborn, 1999, http://memebers.ozemail.com.au/~rseaborn/bandwagon.html)

“Pentecostal theologians have made the helpful suggestion of distinguishing the logos word of God from the rhema word of God…The rhema is regarded as a more immediate word of God which we do not find in the 66 books of the Bible”  (Engaging the Enemy, by C. Peter Wagner. (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1991), pp 15-16, http://www.wrs.edu/jpurnals/jour298/engaging.html)

 “Christianity began with 120 in the Upper Room, within three centuries it had become the predominant religion of the Roman Empire.  What brought this about? The Answer is deceptively simple, while Christianity was being presented to unbelievers in both Word and deed; it was the deed that far exceeded the Word in evangelistic effectiveness.”  (C Peter Wagner, as cited in Charismatic Chaos- http://www.biblebb.com/files?MAC?CHAOS6.HTM)

Bibliography

 Aland, B. Aland, K. Karavidopoulos, J. Martini, cC.  Meitzger, B. (eds).  The Greek New Testament, (4^th rev Ed).  Stuttgart, Germany:  United Bible Societies, Deutche Bibelgesellschaft,  1998. 

 Cairns Earle, E. Christianity Through the Centuries (2nd rev ed.). Grand Rapids Michigan: Academie Books, 1981.

 Cannistraci, David.  The Gift of Apostle, Ventura : Regal Books, 1996

 Douglas, J. D. (ed).  The Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Part 1 Aaron-Golan).  Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1980.

 Dunn James D. G. The Theology of Paul the Apostle. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998.

 Douglas J.D (ed). The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1978.

 Elwell, Walter A. (ed). Theological Dictionary of the Bible.  USA: Baker Books, 1996.

 Erickson, Millard J.  Christian Theology, 2^nd edition.  Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books.  2001.

 Gaebelein, Frank. E. (ed).  The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Volume 11.  Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House,1978.

 Green, Joel B, McKnight Scot, and Marshall Howard I. (eds). Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels.  U.S.A.: InterVarsity Press, 1998.

 Grenz, Stanley J.  Theology for the Community of God.  Carisle, U.K.: The Paternoster Press, 1994.

 Grudem, Wayne (ed).   Are Miraculous Gifts For Today? Four Views.  Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996.

 Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1994.

 Grudem, Wayne.  The Gift of Prophecy, In the New Testament and Today.  Illinois: Crossway Books.1988.

 Hawthorne, Gerald, F. Martin, Ralph P.  Reid, Daniel G. (eds). Dictionary of Paul and His Letters.  InterVarsity Press, Leicester England, 1993.

 Kung, Hans.  The Church. London: Burns & Oates, 1967.

 Morris, Leon.  Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, 1 Corinthians.  Leicester,England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985.

 Morris, Leon.  Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Revelation.  Leicester,England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1987

 Perschbacher, Wesley (ed). The New Analytical Greek Lexicon. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1990).

 Ralph D. Winter & Steven C. Hawthorne (eds). Perspectives On The World Christian Movement (3^rd edition). Pasadena, California: William Carey Library, 1999.

 Ryrie, Charles C.  Basic Theology.  Chicago: Moody Press.  1999.

 Schlatter, Adolf.  The Theology of the Apostles.Grand Rapids, Michigan:Baker Books,1999.

 Thomas, Robert L.  Understanding Spiritual Gifts.  Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1978.

 Williams, J. Rodman.  Renewal Theology, Volume 3, Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996.

 Zodhiates Spiros (ed) .The Complete Word Study New Testament (with Parallel Greek), Chattanooga, USA: AMG Publishers, 1992.

 Internet Articles

 Atkerson, Steve. “Are There Apostles in Today’s Church?”  Published by the New Testament Restoration Foundation. No Year, No Pages. http://www.ntrf.org/apostles.html

Cited 2^nd September 2003.

 Bowman Jr., Robert M.  “The Gospel According to Paulk : A Critique of ‘KingdomTheology’, Christian Research Institute Journal, (Vol. 11 : No. 1, Summer 1988), published at Christian Research Institute website :  http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0022a.html,

Cited 2^nd September 2003.

 Bowman Jr., Robert M.  “The Faulty Foundation of the Five Fold Ministry.” Christian Research Institute Journal, (No Volume, Fall 1987), published at Christian Research Institute website :  http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/cri/cri-jrnl/web/crj0009a.html,

Cited 5^th September 2003.

 Holmes, Robert I.  “A Survey of Apostolic Church Government.”  No Year, No Pages.

http://www.cephasministry.com/bible_bielievers_apostles.html

Cited 11^th September 2003.

 Nee, Watchman.  “The Church and the Work.”  Watchman Nee, Collected Works, (Set 2, Vol. 30,10)

http://www.local-church-and-work.org/spirits-call2.htm

Cites 21^st September 2003.

 Steinkamp, Orell. “The Apostles are Coming to Your City, Ready or Not.” The Plumbline, (Vol 6: No 2, March /April 2001).

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/orrel3.html.

Cited: 02 September 2003.

 Schreiner, Thomas R.  “Satisfied by the Promise of the Spirit:  Affirming the Fullness of God’s Provision for Spiritual Living.”  Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.  (Vol 41, No 4, Dec 1998).

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=1&sid=2&srchmode=1&vinst=PROD&fmt=2&st...

Cited 11^th September 2003.

 Wagner, Peter C.  “The New Apostolic Reformation.”  Renewal Journal #15 (2000:1).

http://www.pastornet.net.au/renewal/journal15/15b%20Wagner.htm

Cited 11^th September 2003.

Wagner, Peter C.  “Quotes and Notes.”  No Year , No pages.

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/wagnerquotes.html

Cited 24^th September 2003.

 Journal Article

Herzog, William R. “Interpretation as Discovery and Creation: Sociological

Dimensions of Biblical Hermeneutics,” American Baptist Quarterly 2/2 (June 1983): 116.

 Martin, Ralph P.  “Authority in the Light of the Apostolate, Tradition and the Canon,” The Evangelical Quarterly (Vol XL: No 2, April-June, 1968), 66-83.

Yong, Amos.  “The Marks of the Church: A Pentecostal Re-Reading,” Evangelical Review of Theology (Volume 26: No 1, Jan 2002), 63-67.

Computer Programs

Zondervan reference Software (32 Bit edition) version 2.6. NIV Bible. Copyrights The Zondervan Corporation, 1989-1998

© Copyright Arthur Bardis

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