The spiritual gift of apostle is one of the foundational gifts listed in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11; Acts 2:42). In Scripture, “apostle” (apostolos) means “one who is sent out with a commission.” While the original Twelve Apostles (plus Paul) held a unique, unrepeatable role as eyewitnesses to the resurrection, the New Testament also shows a continuing spiritual gift of apostleship given to certain believers for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
Examples of “lowercase-a” apostles in the New Testament include Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7), and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), each of whom was “sent out” for specific mission work.
The Work of Today’s Apostles
Apostles are pioneers, church planters, movement starters, and spiritual architects. They are called to establish, strengthen, and oversee new works of the gospel, often in places or communities where strong biblical foundations are lacking.
Graham summarizes apostolic calling with three key traits:
“He would then need (1) to be sent with a message,
(2) to be responsible to establish a church, and
(3) to exercise authority in setting policies and enforcing them.”
—Graham, 176
Church Builders
Like the apostles in Acts, individuals with this gift have a remarkable ability to plant, cultivate, and develop new churches or ministries. They establish leadership structures, train new leaders, and create systems that allow young churches to thrive. Many apostolically gifted leaders oversee multiple churches or networks and unite diverse groups in shared mission.
A biblical picture of this partnership appears in Acts 8: Philip evangelized Samaria, but Peter and John were sent to build and establish the community. Purves describes this as preserving “the unity of all believers under apostolic direction.”
A Tremendous Responsibility
Apostolic ministry carries weight, influence, and spiritual opposition. Those with this gift need:
- Continual prayer support
- Discernment
- Deep humility
- Strong accountability
Their decisions shape the direction and health of many believers and ministries.
General Characteristics of the Gift of Apostle
1. Pioneering Spirit
Apostles see possibility where others see barriers. They are drawn to:
- Unreached regions
- Marginalized communities
- Areas lacking solid biblical teaching
- Spiritual or cultural “frontiers”
They innovate, adapt, and push forward, always asking: Where does the gospel need to go next?
2. Leadership and Authority
Apostles lead with a servant’s heart. They provide:
- Strategic direction
- Oversight for ministries or networks
- Unity across diverse groups
- Protection of sound doctrine
Their authority is never about control—it is about equipping the body of Christ for mission.
3. Church Planting
A core expression of this gift is the establishment of new churches. Apostles:
- Identify places of spiritual need
- Plant gospel-centered communities
- Raise up local leaders
- Create sustainable structures for long-term growth
4. Teaching and Discipleship
Apostles teach with clarity and relevance. They:
- Ground new believers in Scripture
- Mentor emerging leaders
- Provide theological foundations
- Strengthen doctrinal integrity
5. Spiritual Oversight
Apostles often mediate conflicts, solve doctrinal issues, and maintain unity across ministries. They see the big picture of how different parts of the church fit together.
Historical and Theological Perspectives
Martin Luther
Luther emphasized:
- Apostleship was originally a unique calling—eyewitnesses to Christ
- The apostolic message (the gospel) is foundational
- The mission of apostleship continues in all who proclaim the gospel faithfully
- Christians participate in the apostolic mission, even if not holding the office
John Wesley
Wesley believed:
- Apostleship is a spiritual gift still active
- Apostles plant churches, preach, baptize, and organize communities
- Signs and wonders may accompany apostolic ministry
- Anyone called and gifted by the Spirit—regardless of gender or status—could serve in this role
- True apostleship is marked by humility and suffering, not power
The Catholic Church
Catholic theology distinguishes between:
- The Apostolic Office (the Twelve + Paul)
- The apostolic charism (missionary evangelization gifted by the Spirit)
The Church affirms modern apostolic gifts expressed through:
- Missionaries
- Evangelists
- Teachers
- Religious orders
- Lay leaders
These activities must align with the unity, teaching, and oversight of the Church.
People With This Gift Often…
- Communicate effectively across cultures and contexts
- Have a strong desire to pioneer new works for the kingdom
- Build foundations that others can shepherd and grow
- Adapt quickly to new environments
- Love ministering to unreached or overlooked people
- Oversee or coordinate multiple ministries or churches
- Cast vision and inspire others toward mission
Bible References
| Bible Reference | Notes |
| Luke 6:12-13 | Jesus designates the 12 apostles |
| Acts 4:33 | The apostles testify and grace is upon them |
| John 17:6-19 | Jesus prays for his disciples; sends them into the world |
| John 20:19-23 | Jesus appears to the disciples after the resurrection |
| Acts 8:14-18 | Peter and John bless others with the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 | Paul mentions the gift of apostle; gift of apostle is the greatest |
| 2 Corinthians 8:22-24 | Apostles are representatives of the church |
| Galatians 2:1-10 | Paul selected as the apostle to the Gentiles |
| Ephesians 2:19-22 | We are God’s people with apostles as the foundation |
| Ephesians 4:11-12 | Paul notes the gift of apostle |
| Colossians 2:2-5 | Paul describes the goal of the apostles |
- Zondervan, 97
- Graham, 175-176
- Bryant, 65-67
- Purves, 63-64
Other Greater Gifts
- The Spiritual Gift of Prophet (Prophecy)
- The Spiritual Gift of Evangelist (Evangelism)
- The Spiritual Gift of Shepherd/Pastor (Pastoring / Elder / Shepherding)
- The Spiritual Gift of Teaching
