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What are the biblical requirements for being an apostle?
Executive summary
Scripture passages most cited for “biblical requirements” are Acts 1:21–26 and related New Testament references, which Peter uses to name criteria for replacing Judas: [1] having accompanied Jesus throughout His earthly ministry and [2] being a witness of the risen Christ (explained in commentary on Acts) [3] [4]. Many modern writers infer two further practical requirements — direct appointment by Jesus and miraculous confirmation — but writers disagree whether those criteria bind the church today [5] [6].
1. Acts 1:21–22: The core, historical test used by the early church
When the eleven sought a replacement for Judas, Peter stated two concrete conditions drawn from Jesus’ ministry: the candidate must have “accompanied” Jesus during his ministry and must be a witness to the resurrection — a historical, eyewitness standard used by the apostles to validate apostolic authority [3] [4].
2. Direct appointment by Jesus: Claim in New Testament pattern
Beyond eyewitness status, New Testament descriptions emphasize that apostles were appointed by Jesus himself (the Twelve and Paul’s commissioning are cited), and some writers therefore treat divine appointment as a definitional apostolic requirement [4] [5].
3. Miracles and signs as confirming evidence — contested relevance today
Several sources note that miracles and signs accompanied apostles as confirmation of their office in the founding era; some argue those signs were functional to establishing the church and are not normative after the apostolic foundation [5]. Others observe that the presence of signs was part of the apostolic role but debate whether they are required for contemporary claimants [4].
4. The “historical conditions” argument: No modern fulfillers, per some scholars
A number of commentators conclude the Acts criteria are historical — they require walking with Jesus and seeing the risen Lord — conditions no one now can meet; thus these writers say no one today can be an apostle in the same biblical sense [6] [7].
5. Alternative view: “Apostle” as broader or transferable office
Contrasting the strict view, other writers distinguish the foundational Twelve (and those like Paul) from later “apostolic” functions (missionary leadership, church planting). They argue the biblical term also means “one sent” and that some modern leaders exercise apostolic-type roles without meeting first‑century eyewitness requirements [4] [8].
6. How different authors apply Acts 1 requirements to contemporary movements
Critics of movements that restore apostleship (for example, the New Apostolic Reformation) use Acts 1’s criteria to challenge contemporary apostle claims, arguing that visions or dreams do not satisfy the eyewitness appointment standard; proponents counter by emphasizing divine commission today [9] [3]. Sources disagree sharply on whether supernatural experiences today can substitute for historical eyewitness status [9] [6].
7. Practical implications for churches and claimants
Those who accept Acts 1 as normative tend to: reject modern claims to apostolic office unless tied to the original eyewitness criteria, or limit “apostle” today to descriptive roles (missionary, founder) rather than the unique, foundational office. Those who permit contemporary apostles typically cite Jesus’ ongoing work and instances like Paul’s commission as precedent for non‑eyewitness calling [4] [5].
8. Limits of the available sources and open questions
Available sources mainly represent Protestant evangelical commentary, ministry websites, and polemical pieces; reporting on other traditions’ models (e.g., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints uses “apostle” as an ongoing office with institutional processes) appears in separate institutional materials but is not fully developed in this set [10] [11]. Sources do not provide a single, church‑wide consensus or exhaustive survey of Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or every Pentecostal practice — not found in current reporting.
9. Bottom line for readers seeking a plain answer
If you define “biblical requirements” strictly by the apostles’ own selection language in Acts, the requirements are accompaniment of Jesus in his earthly ministry and being an eyewitness of the resurrection — criteria that, many commentators conclude, cannot be replicated today [3] [6]. If you adopt a functional definition (“one sent” to pioneer, teach, and plant churches), several writers say modern apostolic roles exist though they differ on whether miraculous signs or direct heavenly appointment are required [4] [8].
Sources referenced above discuss Acts 1:21–26, apostolic appointment, and modern applications or rejections of those criteria [3] [4] [6] [5] [8] [9] [10] [11].