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Why don’t we have the Twelve Apostles today?

I know that some (very few) Christian churches have them; but, as many profess that God is never changing, why would Jesus establish the Twelve Apostles while on earth only to never have them again after he is gone? I’m not trying to prove a point, I’m just wondering why most Christian churches that “follow” Jesus don’t follow him in this way and don't have at least their own "Twelve Apostles". Ideas?

Update:

Meg, you are right; but wouldn't that mean the Catholic Church would continue to have a specific Twelve Apostles today? Many other churches believe in exactly what you say, and say the say same thing as to why they believe

OldGuy- I thought what Jesus did and taught was an example to us. Jesus did establish the Church with Twelve Apostles as a structure as well as a foundation. It sounds like your trying to make a round building with a rectangle foundation with that logic.

Again, I’m doing this to make a point. I just want to know why most churches don’t have them. To may understanding, an “Apostle” is a direct representative of the leader of a church, Since the leader can’t be everywhere at once the twelve essential split up twelve different ways to preach as the did in the Bible. Would it make sense to have them today? If not. Then why would Jesus have them if he didn’t mean for us to use them?

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    >>why would Jesus establish the Twelve Apostles while on earth only to never have them again after he is gone?<<

    He wouldn't, and He didn't. Apostolic Succession is in the Bible. After Christ entrusted His flock to Peter (John 21:15-17) and ascended into Heaven (Acts 1:9), Peter's very first order of business was to direct that Judas' office be filled (Acts 1:15-26). This is one of the reasons I believe the Catholic Church is the One True Church.

    >>Meg, you are right; but wouldn't that mean the Catholic Church would continue to have a specific Twelve Apostles today?<<

    Every bishop is a successor, so do you mean why are there more than twelve successors today?

  • 1 decade ago

    God still have Apostles today the same way he does Prophets, Read Ephesians 4:11-17, You will see 5 offices of the ministry, & ask your selve this, for what are these for & how long, There are Aposltes, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, For what For the Perfecting of The Saints For how long Until we ALL come into the Unity of the Truth. My Pastor was an Apostle, He passed away 2 yrs. Ago, If you doubt what I said, You can read it for yourselve at our church web-site, www.fachurch.org & if you want to see a Major Prophet for this endtime, go to www.williambranham.com

  • 1 decade ago

    As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints we do have twelve Apostles. We believe strongly in them. Also I know that the subject here in Apostles but I just also wanted to add that we are a Christian church and we do believe in God.

  • 1 decade ago

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do have the Twelve Apostles, we also have prophet, pastors and teachers as the Bible states.

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  • 1 decade ago

    They died!

    The Bible teaches that they were the foundation of the church, not the structure of it. Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone"

    There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that we set up churches with twelve apostles, so we don't do it. The Bible is quite clear on Elders, Deacons, Pastors, Prophets, Evangelists etc.

  • 1 decade ago

    Jesus himself picked His twelve Apostles. These were a select group who were to preach the gospel to the world at that time. Everything that is known to mankind was given by Jesus and later revealed to them again by the Holy Spirit. Once the Bible was completed there was no need for the Apostles anymore as the written word was finished. When the Apostles died, there was no need for any more.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    My faith follows this. "We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth." Therefore, we have 12 Apostles.

    However, you are exactly right regarding how God and Christ are "never changing". I agree completely. Therefore, it only makes sense that we would have the same today as He established then.

    Check out the web site below for more on what my faith believes and you can e-mail me anytime directly for more info:

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    The twelve apostles were the starting point of the spread of christianity. Each started many churches, spread the word. I guese you could say be like paul spread the gospel

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Oh man! are you just asleep or blind?

    the jehova witness on this forum declares that All his church members are prophets. yet he backed off in his definitions.

    the MORMON church has Apostles.

    and of course there are some churches that claim to have apostles throughout the world.

    So people do believe there are apostles all around them.

  • 1 decade ago

    They still exist...but as a name for hills in a country=)

    Anyways, I don't think it's really much of a point in having Twelve Apostles...Christians just follow Jesus' example, not with what he has-know what I'm saying?

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