You think you're called to be an Apostle? Let's see if you qualify.

I recently had a discussion with a close friend regarding some topics in the bible. We’ve been friends for a long, long time. So basically nothing offends us anymore. We differ in things politically, and faith, but overall, we’re great friends. So the discussion we had about the bible recently, turned to modern people that call themselves modern apostles. I don’t see that Apostles exist anymore.  There were certain criteria that had to be met for someone to be an Apostle, none of which are possible now. Below, are listed the criteria. So if someone claims to be an apostle, my strong recommendation would be to walk away from that person. 

If someone claims to be a church leader, pastor, preacher, priest, evangelist…those all exist today. But to claim the title of Apostle, it’s usually someone with a narcissistic personality, and modern titles aren’t big enough for them.

In the New Testament, the qualifications to be considered an Apostle were specific and distinct. The term "Apostle" refers to a select group of individuals chosen by Jesus Christ to serve as His authorized representatives, witnesses of His resurrection, and foundational leaders of the early Christian church. Here are some key qualifications and characteristics of Apostles as described in the Bible:

1. **Chosen by Jesus:** The primary qualification for being an Apostle was being personally chosen by Jesus Christ Himself. In the Gospels, Jesus selected twelve disciples to be His Apostles (Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16). The selection process was initiated by Jesus, not by the individuals themselves.

2. **Witnesses of the Resurrection:** Apostles were required to be witnesses of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. This was a critical aspect of their role as they were responsible for proclaiming the resurrection to others (Acts 1:22; Acts 2:32; Acts 3:15; Acts 10:39-41; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

3. **Authority and Commission:** Apostles were given a special authority and commission by Jesus to preach the gospel, make disciples, and establish the early church. They had the authority to teach and make decisions on matters of doctrine and practice (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42; Acts 15).

4. **Performing Signs and Wonders:** Apostles were often accompanied by signs, wonders, and miracles to validate their ministry and message. These miraculous signs affirmed their authority as representatives of Jesus (Acts 5:12; Acts 14:3; 2 Corinthians 12:12).

5. **Foundation Builders:** Apostles played a foundational role in the early church, with Jesus Himself being described as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). They laid the doctrinal and organizational foundations of the church.

6. **Endurance of Hardships:** The Apostles faced significant challenges, persecution, and hardships in their ministry. Their commitment and endurance in the face of adversity were notable (2 Corinthians 4:7-12; 2 Corinthians 11:23-33).

7. **Personal Sacrifice:** Many Apostles left behind their previous lives and occupations to follow Jesus and fulfill their mission. They were willing to make personal sacrifices for the sake of the gospel (Matthew 19:27-30).

It's important to note that the title of "Apostle" is not something that could be self-proclaimed or attained through human ambition. It was a unique and divine appointment by Jesus Himself. After the original twelve Apostles, there were also Apostles like Paul and James (the brother of Jesus), who met the qualifications listed above. However, their role was distinct from that of the twelve disciples chosen during Jesus' earthly ministry. As the early church expanded, the term "apostle" was sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to missionaries and church planters, but these individuals did not hold the same level of authority and unique calling as the original Apostles.