An apostle of Jesus Christ corresponds to the authority of an “ambassador” (cf. Ephesians 6:20, 2 Corinthians 5:20). Once again, this does not apply to anyone today. The word is translated from the Greek presbeuo, which suggests someone who has been given the authority to act and speak on behalf of and in the absence of their superior, such as a political statesman or diplomat.[1] The noun form means an older venerated person. Taken together, the word describes one who is entrusted with the authority to speak as God’s emissary. The ability to speak in this capacity was not due to any skills and qualifications of their own. It was a gift that carried greater authority and responsibility than was given others listed in Ephesians 4. During his earthly stay, Jesus told them that they would judge the twelve tribes of Israel in the coming kingdom (Matthew 19:28) and “to whom you forgive, it will be forgiven.”
Both the apostles and prophets, guided by the Holy Spirit, provided the foundational teaching with Jesus being the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 3:1-11 reads,
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,— if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (cf. Ephesians 2:20; 1 Cor. 2:10, 12). Because Christians are the product of such teaching and power of the implanted word, we are built upon that foundation. That which the apostles and prophets had in common was the Spirit’s guidance in teaching. Unlike the prophets, however, the Apostles were given more than direct revelation. They were given power to make men see what is the stewardship of the mystery. They were not only given miraculous powers of healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and other gifts, they were given the power to impart spiritual gifts to other saints.
As was true of the direct measure of the Holy Spirit promised to the Apostles, the power given to obedient believers through the laying on of their hands is the same. It is in the same context and carries the same purpose and duration. In 1 Corinthians 3:19, 16, 6:19 and 2 Cor. 6:16, Paul calls his readers a building and temple of God, and justifies this title by saying that in them dwells the Spirit of God. Of that temple Christ is the one foundation. Preaching Christ, Paul laid that foundation in the hearts of the men and women at Corinth (1 Cor. 3:10, 11). Similarly, in Ephesians 2:19–22, we have a foundation laid by the Apostles and Prophets, of which Christ Himself is the Corner-stone, and upon which many are being built up into one holy temple as a dwelling-place of God in the Spirit. A similar metaphor is found in 1 Pet. 2:4–7, where Christians are called living stones of a spiritual house and where Christ the chief Corner-stone. This building metaphor may be traced to the lips of Christ in Mt. 16:18, when he promises, ‘I will build My “called out”.’ (cf. Mt. 21:42, Isa. 28:16, Ps. 118:22).
Paul speaks with the authority of an apostle of Christ and tells the Corinthian saints that it was as an apostle that he had laid the foundation of their life and faith. He came to them not as a modern-day preacher of the gospel, animated by personal zeal, and claiming guidance from the Holy Spirit. Instead, he came with the authority of a special commission: “according to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I laid a foundation; and another built theron.
Ephesians 3:5 reads, “….it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit…” Today, we have the result of their work through the letters and epistles that were written to saints for their reading and application. In the first century, these men took precedence over others in the body of Christ because unto them were committed the oracles of God. The truth was established by the Spirit of Truth through these men to whom God promised the Spirit.
[1] Strongs’ 4243