The Bible speaks of special signs which confirm that a person has the gift of being an apostle:
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in
signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (II Corinthians 12:12)And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people... (Acts 5:12)The special leadership of apostles over the churches is illustrated in the book of Acts:
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren and
said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be
saved.When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation
with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of
them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this
question. (Acts 15:1-2)And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to
keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number
daily. (Acts 16:4-5)Apostles extend the Gospel message by raising up churches. They give leadership to these
churches and have special spiritual signs in their ministry. The calling and desire to be an
apostle comes from God:
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God
the Father, who raised him from the dead. (Galatians 1:1)This special gift is usually recognized by a local church who does the sending of the apostle to
other places:
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch, certain prophets and
teachers...As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me
Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.