Pioneering Movements: Leadership That Multiplies Disciples and Churches

by Steve Addison

Over one hundred years ago J. B. Lightfoot argued that neither Scripture nor the early Christian writings indicate that apostleship was limited to the Twelve.6 The New Testament writers apply the term apostle to a variety of people other than the Twelve, including Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:4, 14); James, the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19); Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6-9); Silas and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6); Andronicus and Junia (Romans 16:7); and Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25).7 Paul distinguishes the Twelve from “all the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:5-7). He referred to his opponents at Corinth as “super-apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5; 12:11) and once as “false apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:13). His problem was not that they called themselves apostles, but that they preached a false gospel. Paul taught that apostleship is a spiritual gift for the church’s common good and ministry (1 Corinthians 12:28-29; Ephesians 4:11-13). In Ephesians 4 Paul lists a variety of leadership functions with the purpose of equipping and maturing the body of Christ. Some of those leadership ministries are more likely to be mobile (apostles, prophets and evangelists) while others are more settled (pastors and teachers). The role of a pastor-teacher is by nature more likely to be limited to a local congregation or network of congregations.8 Apostles are sent ones. The nature of apostolic ministry means it cannot be confined for very long in one location. Twice Paul places the gift of ap...