The Authority of Christ's Apostles

Since Pentecost, the Apostles' authority has been questioned by those of the world. Occasionally, apostolic recollection and transmission of the Gospel message have been targeted. As a result, the New Testament canon is viewed with cynicism in the culture and some churches. But the cultural bandwagon is amiss in several respects. The God-given role of the Apostles is often misunderstood.

The Church Fathers comprehended the authority of Christ’s Apostles. They understood Christ gave the Church the Apostles to complete God’s will. Thus, apostolic authority was recognized immediately within the early church. Many scholars acknowledged this truth in writing. For example, in approximately A.D. 96, Clement of Rome stated,

“The Apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ was

sent forth from God. So then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. Both

therefore came of the will of God in the appointed order. Having therefore received a

charge, and having been fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ

and confirmed in the word of God with full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth

with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should come.”{1}

Likewise, the theologian Athanasius made many references to the position of the Apostles. In the fourth century, he stated,

“For, as we have found after long deliberation, it appeared desirable to adhere to and

maintain to the end, that faith which, enduring from antiquity, we have received as

preached by the prophets, the Gospels, and the Apostles through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Who is Keeper of your Kingdom and Patron of your power.”{2}

It should be noted that Athanasius vigorously defended Christ's deity and lordship, and thus, he recognized Christ’s divine ability to grant authority to the Apostles.

As evidenced, the early church understood that Christ gave the Apostles authority. They

had the authority to speak for Jesus to the Church (Matt. 10:40; John 17:20–21; Acts 2:42; Eph.2:20; 1 Thess. 2:6). As such, the apostolic character of the New Testament books reminds believers that they are not regarded as canon because they were received by the Church; conversely, the Church received them because they were already canon by virtue of their apostolic authority. Consequently, the Apostles knew they were writing authoritative documents that would function as a rule for the Church. Upon studying the New Testament, it becomes apparent that the Apostles possessed self-awareness of their role. Following are a few representative examples: {3}

1. John 21:24. The Gospel of John presents “the disciple who loved Jesus” as a part of the

inner apostolic circle. John was present at the Last Supper (13:23), present at the

crucifixion (19:26), and with Peter and Jesus at the end of the Gospel (21:20). John

21:24a then concludes the Gospel by declaring that it is this very disciple “who is bearing

witness about these things, and who has written these things,” making it clear that he is

the author of John’s Gospel. In short, it is obvious that the Gospel is claiming apostolic

eyewitness testimony from someone directly involved in Christ’s inner circle.

2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Paul emphasizes that the apostolic message transmitted by the

Apostles was to be received as the authoritative word of God.

“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God

which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it

really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.”

3. 1 Corinthians 14:37-38. Perhaps there is no clearer place where Paul lays claim to his

apostolic authority. “If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that

the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment. But if anyone does not

recognize this, he is not recognized.”

4. 1 John 1:1-5. John claims apostolic authority in his first epistle.

“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes,

what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— and

the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so

that our joy may be made complete.”

Beyond these few biblical illustrations, the contintuity produced by the Prophets and the Apostles affirms the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Apostles were aware of this truth as they were producing Scripture.

Finally, it must be stated that Christ’s authority drives the identification of the entire

canon. He modeled the hermeneutic approach for the Apostles. But most importantly, the Apostles had access to the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised, and the Spirit had them recall the words of Christ. In the upper room, before Christ was arrested, He stated, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” (John 14:26)

{1}. Clement. 1 Clement (Good Press, 2022), 45, Kindle.

{2} Athanasius. The Complete Works of St. Athanasius (Ontario, Canada: Public Domain,

2014), 634, Kindle.

{3}. Kruger, Michael J. Canon Revisited: Establishing the Origins and Authority of the

New Testament Books (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, Cop, 2012), 161-188.

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Matthew 10:40-42

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

John 17:20-21

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Acts 2:42

And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.

Ephesians 2:20

...having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone...

1 Thessalonians 2:6

...nor seeking glory from men, either from you or others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you.