What is the difference between prophets and apostles

Apostles, Evangelists, and Prophets were bestowed on the church for a limited time only—except in those cases where religion has fallen into decay, and evangelists are raised up in an extraordinary manner, to restore the pure doctrine which had been lost.

The nature of the Apostolic and prophetic offices explains why the Reformers believed that no Apostles or prophets lead the earthly church today. As we look at the New Testament, we see clearly a unique and foundational role for Apostles and prophets. These offices, Paul tells us in Ephesians , make up the foundation of the church, along with Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone.

The foundation of the church is laid only once, and Paul and the other Apostles understood themselves to be laying that foundation with their instruction 1 Cor.

From this we conclude that the office of Apostle was of limited duration; once the foundation was laid, God stopped sending Apostles. Prophets hold in common with Apostles the responsibility of delivering divinely revealed, authoritative teaching. Once God has spoken finally through His Son and those whom He appointed as His Apostles, there is no more special divine revelation until Christ returns Heb. Paul confirms this in 2 Timothy. He does not tell Timothy to look for new prophets and Apostles but to hold fast to what has already been delivered 2 Tim.

God gave His church prophets and Apostles so that we would have His inerrant, infallible Word. Now that we have His Word, we do not need living prophets or Apostles. God gave the Apostles and prophets for the good of His people, and they fulfilled their task by delivering to us His infallible Word. I am trying to know the difference between a prophet,apostal, and a diciple. I here that a prophet which I believe Moses was that prophets have the power through God to make things happen.

Is this true for prophets today that with the power of God that they can make a withered hand sraight. Then I do not understand the role of a apostal is it the preacher our leader that we are under is it only that he is a pastor of the church. How do we know that we are called by God to perform any of these duties?

Fatima, I am not a scholar or anything like that but I do have a relationship with the Lord. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Every Christian whether they feel called or not should be sharing the Gospel at least in their neighborhood if not around the World. The same Spirit lives in us all. He does things all throughout the Bible to be glorified and in Him being glorified others come to a saving relationship with Him which something that is so close to his heart.

So if it will bring another soul to Him, the Lord wlll do anything through anyone who is willing to be used and not take the glory. Continue to be in the Word and in prayer doing what you are called to do and your calling will be made clearer. Listen to The Word, the Word calls you out first, tells you who you are and then the ministry starts.

You gotta know your calling first and then reply to your call by the ministry that He has called you to do. He does not tells us what to do unless He first tells us who we are.

You need to receive your identity before you start your duty. Never ever live For identity, which is self-righteousness which in fact is Sin total dependence on Self.

Observed your blog post via bing the other day and absolutely enjoy it. Keep up this fantastic work. I agree for the most part regarding your statement. I agree with what you say about prophets and apostles. Today, these titles are thrown around very carelessly. Christians, stop worrying about if someone really is a prophet or an apostle. Know the word of God for yourself. Test the spirits. If you are in His will, He will let you know if someone is true or not.

The only title we need to be concerned with, is the title of Disciple. Are you one? I hope so. Love you all. God Bless. You are right Katrina. I think there are so many false prophets out there or people claiming to be one when I believe a true prophet humbles himself and doesnt go around claiming who they are. It will be evident to those who see the work of the holy spirit in them to know they are highly called by God in being a prophet.

And I realized why so many churches are in such a corrupted state if this is the sort of nonsense they believe and act upon! Thinking that God speaks and tells you what will happen so that you know what to do gives way to doing many, many things in human wisdom that seems right, but that God did not instruct.

And then, when things start to fall apart, because God was not in the path that was taken, the faith of the people crumbles and much damage ensues.

The truth is, prophetic words are when God speaks so that you know what HE is going to do. Then, knowing what HE is going to do, you can pray and align yourself to His will, rather than carrying out your own.

I went to church and a prophe told the church to stand and announced that there are people inthe church who have the gift of being prophets and he prayed and blew wind from his mouth to the congregation, and all of those who he was talking about fell to the ground and I was one of the people who fell to the ground. How do i know that I am indeed gifted as a prophet? You are not a prophet. If you have to ask if you are one, then you are not one. A little freaked out about the weird winblower in church.

What is that all about? Does your church speak in tongues too? Maybe handle a snake or two? Tumi dont be fretted by the words above. If you believe you are called to be a prophet than chase after it with all your heart.

Be like the persistant widow, persevere. Moses cried out praying I wish that all of Gods people would proheshy. Sometimes the NOT knowing is part of the journey. Let Gods spirit do his work within. The conditioning maybe long and hard but the end result will be worth it. You were in that meeting for a reason. That word came to you just believe. My advice to you is to press into the word of God and start prophesing.

I who dont even know you pray that God will raise you up, a person of Faith, unshakable who will speak the Word of God with authourity.

A Prophet Never give up, run in such a way that you may obtain the prize, the high calling in Jesus Christ that he obviously has impressed upon your life. Dont let anyone tell you any different. My friend God will begin to clean you up from the inside. He will call you into righteousness and holiness. I agree with u. However, d church is blessed with gifts that will build on d foundations layd. These are to serve in d church under a Bishop. The only governing office in d church today is d office of d Bishop.

Who may have any or all of d builders gift. This is mind blowing! But then you speak as if the supernaural gifts of the Holy Spirt are for the 1st century Christians and a demise to present day. Why what is wrong and where are you getting this folly. UEverything written in Gods word strong emphasis New Testemant. If we carry that faith! And here in the latter days we are going to need all nine Supernatural gifts of The Holy Spirit and disciples, Prophets, Apostles, teachers more than ever!

Do you not know that God wants us to desire these gifts 1Corinth It is his will for us to be baptized into The Holy Spirit of fire! For demonic activity is unleashed in this world now more than ever and it is going to get 10fold worse. The new age movement is producing satanic powers like crazy with healings, euphoric emotions, miraculous signs, false prophecy astral projection. You think the Lord according to his word is going to let us move as lame ducks?

And it is going to operate through persons as you and I who truly love the Lord and want to extend his kingdom. For us Gentile Christians and Messianic Jews. We are the two olive trees and two lampstands in Revelations pertaining to the 2 wittnesses.

Feel free to contact me. I hope and pray that you are blessed and God continues to instruct you in all his holy ways. God Bless You. RGoff you are SO right! You present a very easy to follow reflection of our need for reading the Bible and to understand it well. Prophets were sent as seen in Isaiah , but were mainly in one place in regard to their focus.

So then it can be said that many that we call apostolic are actually New Testament prophets and leaders, and those who may be called prophets would actually be more of an exhorter who have developed a mature gift of prophecy, rather than functioning in the office thereof.

Apostolic leaders engage in problem solving more out of strategizing and teaching out of principle through their vast experiences. On the other hand, prophetic types engage in the same type of problem-solving but do so in a different type of delivery which can and sometimes comes out of a more spontaneous prophetic utterance, and yet the differences may well be quite minute. However, prophets also teach and can lay down principles upon which a foundational concept can be built.

So actually both can be involved in laying the foundation and the building of a local church or a network of churches. This then is why there should be a working together of them in doing what they have been called to do. I actually believe that there is oftentimes an overlapping of the two functions. Some who are apostolic are also prophetic and the opposite is also true. Whenever one is sent to lay a foundation to establish something in the enemy territory, they must also receive a word from The LORD in regard to timing, and other details in the implementing of the strategies that must be established.

Send me. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God.