Why it is not biblical to call yourself an apostle today.
It continues to amaze me: about once or twice a year, someone asks me if I am an apostle. Apparently, this question comes up quite often, especially because in some circles there are people who call themselves “apostles.” It sounds impressive, almost like a title you cannot ignore: they are an Apostle, so you must listen. But I then ask myself: does this really align with what the Bible says? Can you appoint yourself as an apostle today, or can a church simply give someone that office?
The Bible uses the word “apostle” very specifically. It is not about a general leader, but about a special group of people whom God Himself chose to lay the foundation of the church.
The Calling of the Apostles
Jesus Himself chose the twelve apostles. Mark 3:14 says:
“And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”
Their main characteristic was that they were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Peter explains this when a replacement for Judas needed to be chosen:
“Therefore it is necessary that one of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us, become a witness with us of His resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22)
This means that someone can only be an apostle if he was personally called by Jesus and has seen the resurrection.
Paul as an Exception
Some say, “But wasn’t Paul called later?” That is correct. Paul calls himself “born out of due time” (1 Corinthians 15:8). But even he saw the risen Jesus and was personally called by Him (Acts 9). Paul emphasizes this repeatedly:
“Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead.” (Galatians 1:1)
Paul is thus the exception that confirms the rule.
Foundation, Not an Ongoing Office
Ephesians 2:20 says that the church is built:
“on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.”
A foundation is laid once. After that, you build upon it. That is why in the New Testament the apostles serve as the foundation, and later elders and pastors are appointed to lead the church (Acts 14:23, 1 Timothy 3).
There is therefore no indication that apostleship is an ongoing office that continues for later generations.
Warning Against False Apostles
The Bible is very clear: there are people who present themselves as apostles, but they are not.
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:13 NASB)
Jesus Himself also speaks about this. In Revelation 2:2, He commends the church in Ephesus because they recognized this problem and did not fall for it:
“I know your works, your labor, and your perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men; and you have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false.” (Revelation 2:2 NASB)
Conclusion
Whoever today calls themselves an “apostle” (or allows themselves to be called that) goes against the Bible. The apostleship was unique, connected to the eyewitnesses of Jesus and the first generation that laid the foundation of the church.
Today, we can rejoice that this foundation is already laid. Our task is not to claim new titles, but to faithfully build on Christ and the testimony of the apostles.
