Apostolic authority derives directly from Jesus Christ, who commissions apostles. It is rigorously upheld within the church.
Apostolic authority is based on divine commission
Romans 1:5 See also Romans 1:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; 1 Timothy 1:1; 2 Timothy 1:1
Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
Apostolic authority derives from Jesus Christ
Matthew 10:40 See also Matthew 28:18–20; Mark 6:7; 2 Peter 3:2
He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me.
The authority of apostles is related to their ministry role
1 Corinthians 12:28 There appears to be a definite order of priority with apostles at the head. See also Ephesians 4:11
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
The exercise of apostolic authority within the church
In building up the body
2 Corinthians 13:10 Paul had special authority as founder of this church. See also 2 Corinthians 10:8
This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
In general oversight
Acts 4:34–35, Acts 6:2–6, Acts 15:6, Acts 15:22–23, Acts 16:4
In teaching
1 Thessalonians 4:2 See also Galatians 1:11–12; 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 1 Thessalonians 4:8
For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
In appointing leaders
In church discipline
Acts 5:3–4, Acts 5:7–9; 1 Corinthians 5:3–5
The right to be supported
1 Thessalonians 2:6 Paul did not demand such support (see 1 Thessalonians 2:9). See also 1 Corinthians 9:4, 1 Corinthians 9:11–14; 2 Corinthians 11:7–9
Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
The marks of a true apostle
False apostles exist
1 Corinthians 9:2 See also 2 Corinthians 11:4–5, 2 Corinthians 12:11
Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
Fruit confirms apostolic ministry
Signs confirm apostolic authority
2 Corinthians 12:12 See also Mark 16:20; Acts 5:12; Romans 15:19
The marks of a true apostle — signs, wonders, and miracles — were performed among you with great perseverance.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.