10. True apostles point the church to the original 12 apostles of Christ / false apostles make themselves equal to the NT apostles
Anytime a person puts themselves or their teaching on the same level of any of the original twelve apostles is dangerous and is a false apostle. What the original apostles of the lamb laid out through their life and ministry became the PLUMBLINE as well as the foundation for the rest of us.
All the saints throughout church history are called to point back to them as their primary reference point for ministry. Leaders who equate themselves as equal to and or lift themselves above the original apostles of Jesus are false apostles and not to be followed.
11. True apostles base their teaching on the Scriptures / false apostles base their teaching on subjective experience
Whenever a leader consistently bases their teachings solely on extra biblical experiences (personal visions, dreams, writings, prophecies) instead of on the sacred writings of both the Old and New Testament, are in dangerous territory and are setting themselves up to be a false apostle and can potentially deceive many! (At the end of the day, only the Scriptures can be fully trusted as fully inspired by God.)
This is especially problematic when a so-called apostle gets “revelation” from God that they claim is an extra chapter or book of the Bible or that they received instruction directly from one of the saints in heaven rather than from God. Such leaders are to be avoided in my opinion because eventually these so-called extra biblical revelations may contradict or be in competition with the Bible (EG similar to the Book of Mormon).
12. True apostles raise up sons / false apostles produce orphans
False apostles leave a path of destruction behind their ministry as they use, abuse, and orphan their sons whom they abandon after they get what they wanted from them.
13. Apostles leave a lasting legacy people want to remember / false apostles leave a legacy people want to forget
14. True apostles walk with God / false apostles walk in the flesh
A so-called apostle who consistently walks in the flesh by losing their temper, cursing, slander, berating their staff, and who lacks the fruit of the Spirit disqualifies themselves.
Jesus said you will know people by their fruit (Matthew 7:20).
15. True apostles proclaim biblical doctrine / false apostles teach heretical doctrine
Jude 3 speaks about the obligation we have as believers to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. True apostles uphold this biblical faith and false apostles promote that which contradicts such cardinal doctrines such as salvation by faith alone in the finished work of Christ; the deity and Lordship of Jesus over all; the need for all people to go through Jesus for eternal salvation; the reality of heaven, hell, and eternity; the triune Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and more.
When an apostolic leader deviates away from any of the cardinal doctrines they are a false apostle. Paul even said that if we or an angel preach any other gospel than the one they originally received, let them be eternally condemned (Galatians chapter 1).
May the church have the courage to test those who claim to be apostles so we can discern between the true and the false so we can bless, build and protect the Body of Christ.
15 Contrasts Between True and False Apostolic Leaders
