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Gift of Apostleship

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Gift of Apostleship (Ephesians 4:11) 

This gift is the ability and calling of God to be sent as a messenger to bring the Gospel to places where it has previously not been acculturated. 

  • Jesus was the ultimate apostle. (Hebrews 3:1)  
  • The word APOSTLE means “one sent,” and refers to a special emissary who goes with the full authority of the one who sent him.  
  • The Bible mentions two kinds of apostles:
    1. The Apostles with a capital A (the 12 plus Paul) along with the prophets laid the foundation of the church by receiving and conveying to us the direct revelations from God which eventually became scripture. To be an Apostle with a big A you had to be an “eyewitness to the resurrection” (Acts 1:22) and demonstrate the “signs of an apostle” (2 Cor. 2:12), which was a special spiritual gifting to heal and do miracles.
    2. The apostle – with a small “a” are called the apostles of the church. Men like Barnabas and Silas sent out as missionaries, to preach the Gospel and plant new churches. 

Biblical Examples of Other Apostles:

  • Romans 1:1; I Corinthians 1:1 — Paul 
  • Acts 14:4, 14 — Barnabas 
  • Galatians 1:19; I Corinthians 15:7 — James (Jesus’ half-brother) 
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:6 — Silas and Timothy 

Possible Characteristics of this Gift:

  • Your prayers often include requests for people groups who have little or no exposure to the Gospel. 
  • You have the ability to share Christ with people in terms they can understand and relate to. 
  • You sometimes become frustrated with others’ apparent lack of burden for lost souls all around you and the world. 
  • You enjoy learning from people vastly different from you.
  • You have an unusual ability to survive difficult situations.
  • You have a real burden for sharing the Gospel in places that it has not permeated. (Romans 15:20).
  • You have the ability to learn other languages easily. 
  • You feel at ease with others despite vast cultural differences with them. 
  • You can live with situations which are uncertain. 
  • You easily adapt to other cultures. 
  • Being separated from extended family and friends does not inhibit your ministry. 
  • Your family also survives well in other cultures. 

Common Support Gifts:

Wisdom, Prophecy, Evangelism, Faith

Possible Ministries:

  • Global Missionary 
  • Domestic Missions Volunteer 
  • Local Missions Volunteer 
  • Short Term Mission Trip Team