And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed
with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
(Acts 14:21-23)
This verse reveals that follow up ministry and the raising up of qualified leadership for new
churches are responsibilities of an apostle.
The seal, or evidence, of the apostolic gift is the spiritual result it brings in the lives of others.
Paul wrote to the church at Corinth which he had organized:
...of the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. (I Corinthians 9:2b)The ability to raise up communities of believers and organize them into a church body is the seal
of the gift of apostleship.
The Bible warns of false apostles who are deceitful but can be recognized by their works:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into
the apostles of Christ.And no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the
ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according their works.
(II Corinthians 11:13-15)FOR FURTHER STUDY:
The New Testament gives several examples of those who had the apostolic gift. Use these
references for further study:
- Paul: Galatians 1:1
- Andronicus and Junia: Romans 16:7
- Apollos: I Corinthians 4:6,9
- James: Galatians 1:9
- Apostles of Jesus: Gospels; book of Acts
PROPHETS
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets...
(I Corinthians 12:28)And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets... (Ephesians 4:11)