Apostles: Alive and Well on Earth Today

I believe in a continuing Apostolic ministry today. However, without proper nuance, it can sound  like I am sliding into the stance of cults. With that said, here is a brief summary of my position:  I believe that there are three levels of Apostles in Scripture:  

1. The Twelve Apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14). These are a closed and unrepeatable  company that followed Jesus during His days on earth. Just like Jacob's twelve sons formed the  nucleus of the earthly Israel, so these men form the nucleus of the new Israel of God,­ the  Church (Galatians 6:16). Currently, they rule with Christ over the Church from Heaven (Matthew  19:28). The qualifications of the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb are found in Acts 1:21­,22. They  were eyewitness of the Resurrection. Matthias replaced Judas Iscariot.  

2. The Apostle to the Gentiles ­- Paul of Tarsus (Romans 11:13). Paul's ministry was unique in  that he was specially chosen to take the Gospel of Israel's salvation and restoration to the  gentiles (Ephesians 3:1­-13). He was a witness, though later on, of the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:8). Although his calling to reach the gentiles was unique and unrepeatable (after all, you can only reach the gentiles once), nevertheless there is much about present apostolic ministry that we can learn from him. See especially his church planting strategy in Acts and his  defense of his Apostleship in 2 Corinthians.

3. Apostles of the Ascended Christ (Ephesians 4:7-­16). This group of Apostles continues until the 2nd coming of Christ. This group, along with the other ministries in Ephesians 4 and 1 Corinthians 12, is meant to build up the Body of Christ. Because these Apostles are given to the Church by Christ after His ascension, it is not necessary that they be eyewitness of the  Resurrection. These are many times pioneer missionaries, church planters, and founders and leaders of whole church movements. It is probable that this group includes James,­ the half brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19), Barnabas (Acts  14:14), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6­-9), and possibly Titus, Silas, and Timothy. Men in later Church history like John Wesley and William Carey would also qualify as Apostles of the Ascended Christ (even if they wouldn't have thought so themselves). One might also consider more recent leaders like John Wimber, who led the Vineyard movement, as present-day Apostles.

I hope this clarifies my belief concerning Apostles today. I knew that the Twelve and Paul were unique and unrepeatable, but I also knew 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:7-­16 indicated  the continuation of Apostolic ministry in some form. I believe I have found, from Scripture, a way  to honor both strands of evidence.  

To summarize, I believe in Apostles today. However, I deny that the office of the Twelve  continues today ­ except as the Twelve rule from Heaven. Paul's ministry to reach the gentiles is  likewise completed. However, contemporary Apostles (as well as other Christian leaders) can  still glean and learn from the ministries of the Twelve and Paul. Ephesians 4 Apostles are the  only group out of the three I have mentioned that continue today. There is more that could be  said, but that I think is enough for now. Blessings.