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Authority of an Apostle

1. To appoint elders in the churches (Acts 14:23)
2. To address problems in a local church that the church is failing to handle (1Cor.1:10,11; Phil.4:1)
3. To execute discipline regarding moral issues in the church (Acts 5:1-11; 1Cor.4:21; 2Cor.13:10)
4. To authorize churches to execute discipline in the absence of the apostle (1Cor.5:3-5)
5. To answer doctrinal questions of a local church and to prescribe rules (1Cor.7:1,17; 8:1)
6. To charge the churches and individuals in office to do things important for the body of Christ (1Thess.5:27; 1Tim.1:3,18; 5:21; 2Tim.4:1,2)
7. To appoint and send trustworthy individuals to oversee local churches in a geographical area for growth, health, and proper order (Tit.1:5; 1Tim.3:1ff; Phil.2:19,25,29).
8. To give instructions for certain matters of contextual significance (the instructions are not universally applicable universally) (1Cor.7:12, 25).
9. To receive financial support for ministry (but, not to charge them more than is proper) (2Cor.11:8; Phil.4:15-18; 2Thess.3:8-9)
10. To instruct the churches regarding collection of offerings (1Cor.16:1,2).
11. To confront those who oppose the message of the Gospel (Acts 13:8-11; Tit.1:11)
12. To receive reports from churches established by the apostle (Phil.2:19; 1Cor.1:11; 5:1)
13. To receive and handle freewill contributions for all saints (Acts 4:35,37)
14. To be entrusted with funds for the saints who are in need (2Cor.8:1-4, 19; 9:12,13).
15. To deal with leadership problems in the church (3Jn.1:9-10)

Note:
--An apostle has no authority over the faith of any believer (2Cor.1:24)
--Apostles are not above the elders in the local church where they belong (Acts 15:6,7,13,22)


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