My understanding of CC teaching is that the apostles passed on succession to bishops, who were not apostles themselves but nonetheless had authority over the church.
The bible appears to indicate that there were 14 people who were considered to be “apostles” - the Twelve Apostles, Paul the Apostle (who received a separate calling on the Road to Damascus), and Matthias, who was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot. Other than these 14 people, were there any other church leaders who were considered to be true apostles, or were all other leaders considered to be ‘just’ bishops and not apostles?
In addition to the original twelve, scripture mentions Matthias, Paul, Barnabas, Andronicus and Junias, Apollos (possibly), Silas and Timothy.
Acts 1:26 – Matthias
26Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Note that the Holy Spirit did not inspire Luke to qualify the election of Matthias in any way.
Acts 14:14 – Paul and Barnabas
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd,
Gee, Barnabas gets named first here so there is no doubt that the author is designating him to be an apostle, is there?
Romans 16:7 – Andronicus and Junias
Greet Andronicus and
Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
Andronicus and Junias are outstanding among the apostles. Wow. They must have been something special.
2 Corinthians 11:5-6 – Reference to Apollos who was a gifted speaker
5But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”
6I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge.
A clear reference to Apollos (cf. 1 Cor. 1)
1 Thessalonians 1:1 – Silas and Timothy
1Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
1 Thessalonians 2:6
As apostles of Christ we (Paul, Silas and Timothy) could have been a burden to you,
7but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
These two verses suggest that Paul considered Silas and Timothy to be apostles.
