Are There Apostles and Prophets Today?

While it has become increasingly popular to believe in the appearance of end-time apostles and prophets, the Bible clearly does not support this notion.

Hank Hanegraaff, the host of the 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘯 broadcast and the 𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘜𝘯𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥 podcast, says to address this question, we must first learn to scale the language barrier. In other words, the issue is not so much the words prophet or apostle themselves, but the meanings that are ascribed to these words. For example, apostle may be used in the sense of a church planter, a missionary, or a pastor of pastors. Likewise, prophet may be used in the sense of a leader who inspires the church with vision for its mission or who challenges the church to deeper commitment to Christ. However, the words apostle and prophet must not be used in a synonymous sense with the first-century apostle John or the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. People whose authority cannot be questioned or who receive new doctrinal revelations simply do not exist today.

The Bible teaches that apostles and prophets were commissioned by God to be His personal spokesmen. Moreover, Ephesians 2:20 tells us that the church was “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Clearly, then, those who claim to be that kind of apostle and prophet today have taken upon themselves authority that was not given to them by God.

The prophetic words of Scripture expose today’s pretenders. Not only do pretenders fail the biblical tests given in Deuteronomy 13 and 18, as well as Acts 1:21–22, but “they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.

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[sombra]

Anyone with a somewhat sound and open mind should realize at some point or another that the written Word of God is what we have today. It was conveyed to us through the prophets and apostles. It’s available in a great number of languages to anyone who is willing to read it and study. The call to follow Jesus has traveled far from those ancient shores of Galilee. At some point in our future, everyone will hear God speak, and there will be not need for a modern day “prophet” to tell us what He means. I think it will be pretty clear. God bless you Hank! May he continue to bless your ministry.

[WiseChristianChannel]

Hank this is a great one, there are so many “ thus saith the Lord”, so-called Prophets and Apostles out there. If a person challenges it they will brand you as a Bible denier and a non believer in the gifts of the spirit that were in the 1st century church and Apostles! Than you for your solid Bible teaching and truly you are “ rightly dividing the word of truth”, as Paul admonished in 2 Timothy 2:15.

[jayward]

Then what is the prophetic gift referenced in 1 CORINTHIANS 14?

[elyudekrane]

There are apostles in the church today, they remain in the office of the bishop/episcopate. Apostolic Succession is what makes the church remain Apostolic.

[Colt]

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” Mark 6:4

There are prophets today, Hank.
Have to disagree with you here.

[ChrisMusante]

No prophets today huh? I'll challenge that, long list of documented proof to back it. God will ALWAYS send a prophet for times like these.

~ prophet