Is there a succession of Apostles? Do we have modern day apostles, and if not why?
Answer: Is There a Succession of Apostles? Do We Have Modern Apostles, and If Not, Why?
- The Apostles Were the Foundation of the Church
The apostles were the foundation layers of the church, with Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone. Paul writes, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” 1 Cor 3:11 KJV. The church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” Eph 2:20 KJV.
They were also the firstfruits of the church. A foundation is laid once, and once it’s laid, the building goes up on it. You don’t keep laying foundations.
- The Biblical Qualifications for an Apostle
The core qualification of an apostle was to be an eyewitness of Christ’s ministry from His baptism through to His resurrection Acts 1:21-22 KJV. That’s why when Judas fell, the disciples sought someone who “companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us.”
If eyewitness status were the only requirement, many could have qualified. But only the original eleven plus Matthias, chosen by the Lord Acts 1:24-26 KJV, were appointed. Paul later refers to this group as “the twelve” 1 Cor 15:5 KJV, and he recognized no others as apostles apart from those twelve and himself.
Paul claimed to be an apostle and a foundation layer because he was the last of them. He says, “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time” 1 Cor 15:8 KJV. In 1 Cor 15:9 KJV he calls himself “the least of the apostles,” clearly referring to that fixed number.
- Apostles Were Chosen by the Lord, Not Appointed by Men
A key qualification was that an apostle was chosen by the Lord. The eleven and Paul were directly appointed by Christ. Matthias was chosen indirectly because prophecy said of Judas, “let another take his office” Ps 109:8 KJV, Acts 1:20 KJV. Note: another, not others. Scripture only allows for one replacement.
Their role was to complete the number of twelve set by the Lord. If the number could change, only the Lord could do that. Between Matthias and Paul, we know Matthias was appointed by the apostles, while Paul was called on the Damascus road by the Lord Himself.
The number thirteen matches the twelve tribes of Israel with Levi, the priestly tribe, being the thirteenth accounted to Jacob. Not surprisingly, our Lord called Paul, who seemingly became the thirteenth apostle. Only God knows who between Matthias and Paul completes the twelve apostles, and who stands as Levi, the thirteenth. That is the number, and no more.
- The Foundation Is Laid Once and Stands Forever
Since the apostles were both the foundation layers and part of the foundation, the question is simple: how many foundations does a building have? One. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid” 1 Cor 3:11 KJV.
There are no modern apostles because there is no need for them. The foundation has been laid, and it still stands. The apostles still speak to us today — we call them the epistles of the apostles and of those who heard their account 2 Pet 3:2 KJV. Modern preachers would not know what to preach if it were not for the speakings of the apostles that live with us in the Bible.
To appoint more apostles than the Lord chose would be an attempt to relay the foundation of the church.
- The Doctrine Cannot Be Changed or Added To
Even if the apostles lived to our day, they could not add to the doctrine they laid. Paul warns, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” Gal 1:8 KJV.
Thank God the number was fixed. If it weren’t, Eph 2:20 KJV would open the door to false apostles and false prophets. Anyone could claim apostleship, invent doctrine, and call it foundation. The Lord Himself warns us to “try them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars” Rev 2:2 KJV.
The prophets in Eph 2:20 are the Old Testament prophets who gave us Scripture and first spoke of Christ and salvation 1 Pet 1:10-12 KJV. These are irreplaceable.
We do have prophets in the church today 1 Cor 14:3 KJV, but their role is for edification, exhortation, and comfort — not for laying foundation.
- Scripture Foretold This Fixed Appointment
The appointment of the apostles as witnesses is prophesied in Isa 43:10 KJV. Christ and Paul as a witness to the Gentiles is in Isa 42:6 KJV. The replacement of Judas with Matthias is in Ps 109:8 KJV, Acts 1:20 KJV.
Conclusion: No Succession Beyond What Scripture States
Upon the strength of Scripture, there are no apostles beyond those prophesied and appointed by the Lord. The number was fixed at twelve, with Paul added as the last 1 Cor 15:8 KJV. All claims outside the replacement of Judas and the late calling of Paul by the Lord Christ are false claims of apostleship.
The foundation is laid. Our job now is to build on it by holding fast to the word the apostles delivered Jude 1:3 KJV.