Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Romans 16:7

When you read the Word of God, do you acknowledge that you are under apostolic teaching and reading the more sure Word of prophecy? I ask this question because of what can be observed today regarding the belief of modern apostles. There are current claims today from women, espousing to be apostles, and they are being affirmed by self-appointed and affirmed male apostles. A recent example took place on September 15, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. During a corporate gathering, several individuals were commissioned into the five fold ministry, and one of these individuals was a woman. Her spiritual father, who professes to be an apostle, commissioned her as an apostle. She received an extensive word over her from self-professing prophets, including God would fulfill His covenant through her, people would come into rest and be healed by her, and that her name was being mentioned in other nations. It was actually quite shocking and sad to hear the subtle references to Scripture reserved for Jesus Christ and the focus upon a fallible individual rather than on God.

When this term is used in such an example, it is not meant in the sense of being a missionary. The term apostle in the New Apostolic Reformation is used in reference to governing authority. In fact, that was one of two maxims C. Peter Wagner noted when discussing the restoration of apostles today. Many Bible scholars hold to the Biblical prerequisites for an Apostle of Christ: one who had been with Jesus in His earthly ministry and had seen His resurrection (Acts 1:22, 22;14, 1 Corinthians 9:1), one who had been selected by Jesus Christ Himself, and one who performed miracles. They also had the ability to write Scripture. I encourage you to read this paper by Dave Miller on the subject of modern-day Apostles.

Despite the fact that Scripture does not support the continuation of apostles today similar to the Apostles of Christ, one professing female apostle has taught that the Scripture referencing the Apostles needing to see Jesus Christ physically in order to be called as an Apostle, has been misunderstood. Her argument is that seeing was in the spiritual sense, and in teaching this, she gives credence to the belief that modern apostles with governing authority are needed today. Those who claim to be apostles not only profess authority, but they also claim to bring fresh revelation to the church. Without these modern apostles and prophets, the church is missing the anointing and is left weak and powerless. Among those who hold to this belief comes the practice of receiving an impartation from the professing apostle so that individuals may walk in that person’s powerful anointing.

Aside from the controversial teaching surrounding modern-day apostles, the Bible does not support the belief of female apostles. Though we see women in Scripture who professed Christ and were the ones who found His tomb empty and informed the disciples (Mark 16:1-8, John 20:1-18), we do not see women who held a position of authority over men. This would contradict Scripture (1 Timothy: 2:12). We should also note that the Apostles appointed by Christ Himself were men. There are those who will teach that the apostles must be restored in order for the church to be equipped and continuing in spiritual maturity. They will also contend for an equal authoritative position for women within the church.

Those who agree with this belief may even teach that the church cannot progress without apostles and prophets today. The issue with this is that we are under apostolic teaching every time we read the Word of God. The Bible is sufficient for us in being equipped and trained in righteousness. We have no need of new revelation today, and to claim such need negates the sufficiency of Scripture and what Jesus Christ did in commissioning His disciples to lay the foundation for the church (Ephesians 2:20).

The verse referenced above in the book of Romans has been used as a lynch pin to support the belief of female apostles, particularly in the apostolic movement, otherwise known as the New Apostolic Reformation. When you begin to look at this verse and what Bible scholars have to say on the matter, you find that there are differing views, including if the name used was indeed female, if Andronicus and Junia were husband and wife, and if they were known either among the apostles or to the apostles. According to Dr. Daniel Wallace, a scholar knowledgeable on this matter, “In sum, until further evidence is produced that counters the working hypothesis, we must conclude that Andronicus and Junia were not apostles but were known to the apostles.” It would seem fair to say that creating a doctrine from a debated or unclear passage of Scripture is unwise.

Jesus prayed for His disciples who He called as apostles in John 17. He prayed for those who would believe in Him through their word (John 17:20). In Acts 2:42, we find believers submitting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and this teaching is from the Apostles of Christ commissioned by Him. We are still under apostolic teaching today as believers, and those Apostles dually authored Scripture by the leading of the Holy Spirit. No part of canonized Scripture was authored by a woman. This is not to say that women do not have important roles in the church. We simply should be at peace with God’s order and instruction according to His Word regarding our roles and our service to others (Titus 2:3-5). Just as the restoration of apostles today with governing authority is not necessary or supported by Scripture, female apostles of the same caliper are unsubstantiated by Scripture.

Listen to this in-depth episode evaluating a recent teaching from a professing female apostle: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: The Claim of Female Apostleship on Apple Podcasts