Discerning apostles:

• All traveling elders with universal authority must meet the same criteria of qualification as the local elders as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-13.
• 1 Corinthians 3:10-11  tells us about the signs of the apostle in signs and wonders.
• 2 Corinthians 12:12  tells us about the signs of the apostle in signs and wonders
• 1 Corinthians 4:15-16, Philippians 3:17, and 2 Thessalonians 3:7 speak of the example that is to be set by the apostles--they must be above reproach. They must be followers of Christ in a very real sense.
• Galatians 2:8-9, Acts 9:26-30, and Acts 13:1-2 show that the apostles were on guard against false apostles, but Peter, James, and John discerned the call on Paul and a door opened so that Paul could enter into his ministry with the sanction of the Holy Spirit and the blessing of the apostles. This Scripture also sets the order that new apostles must be recognized by those who were set earlier in order to be considered legitimate apostles.  True apostles are in unity with those apostles who were set in the beginning.  
  

Apostles are servants:

• 1 Corinthians 4:1 Apostles are servants.
• 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 tells a little bit about the apostles. They lived a very hard life, not like some today who drive around in limousines and fly in private jets.
• 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 indicates the weight of responsibility of the apostles and tells that the work of the apostle is not a life of ease as some professional "ministries" enjoy today.

There are no chief apostles:

• 1 Corinthians 1:12-15 & 3:3-10 show us that there is NO chief apostle, that it is an act of immaturity to compare apostles, that apostles are servants, that apostles plant and water but God gives the growth, that they are laborers together with God, and that they lay the foundation that is Jesus Christ.