Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's status as an apostle has been called into question, though many have accepted this title alongside other ministerial roles such as prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. He often referred to himself as Christ's apostle in sermons and writings, raising the need to prove such a claim through evidence. An apostle, from the Greek word apostolos, means a delegate, envoy, or representative sent with a special message or commission, embodying the authority of the one who sent him. In the New Testament, Jesus is the pattern of an apostle, sent by the Father, and He appointed twelve to represent Him, sending them out to preach, heal, and cast out demons. Other men, including Paul, Barnabas, and James, the Lord's brother, are also named as apostles, often set apart by the church under the Holy Spirit's direction for specific missions. Their apostleship is evidenced by signs such as preaching the gospel, healing, conversions, and raising congregations. Regarding Mr. Armstrong, he was ordained as an apostle by the Church of God, Seventh Day, Oregon Conference from the beginning. Christ Himself, as stated in Revelation 3:8, set an open door before him that no one could shut, indicating that Christ sent him forth. His life's work shows the signs of an apostle, with the true gospel of the Kingdom of God preached worldwide, people healed, demons cast out, thousands converted, and congregations raised. Through millions of copies of publications like the Plain Truth and Good News, as well as books, booklets, and letters, God used him to give vision and hope, and to restore true doctrines lost over time. Like apostles who came later, out of due time, Mr. Armstrong fulfilled his office as one ordained by the church, the body of which Christ is Head, and sent to accomplish a mission.

An apostle holds a measure of rule within the church, acting as a representative of a higher authority, much like an ambassador in a political context. This role involves carrying out the dictates of Jesus Christ, the head of the church, as the apostle becomes the channel through which His will is communicated to the people. The sphere of an apostle's authority is akin to a province or state, with defined borders of influence, ensuring order and avoiding overlap with others' responsibilities. The apostle is the primary conduit for Christ's directives, not pastors or evangelists, emphasizing a structured hierarchy under God's government. This structure mirrors political divisions, where authority is delegated within specific territories, maintaining unity and preventing confusion within the church. God's pattern of working through one man at a time, as seen in historical successions like from Moses to Joshua, underscores the importance of recognizing the apostle's office as divinely appointed, not based on personal merit but on God's sovereign choice. The authority of an apostle, like an ambassador, does not include the right to change the laws or doctrines of the government they represent, reinforcing the importance of adhering to established teachings. God's appointment of individuals to specific roles, such as apostles, is not about equality or superiority but about His pleasure and choice. Apostles are listed first in the order of authority within the church, indicating a rank above others, though all are judged fairly by God. This governmental structure calls for submission to the authority established by God, ensuring that changes to doctrine are not made lightly by those under the apostle's oversight.

Herbert Armstrong bore the message of God, fulfilling the role of an apostle by witnessing to the people of Israel, the Gentiles, and kings across the earth. Despite criticisms of his approach, the evidence of his apostleship remains significant, serving as a vital foundation of faith for God's people. His ministry is crucial to the faith exhibited before God and the world, emphasizing the importance of recognizing his role in bearing God's message in this age. God consistently communicates His will, doctrines, and teachings through the highest-ranking representative of His government, whether a prophet under the Old Covenant or an apostle under the New Covenant. In the end-time church, God established doctrines through Herbert Armstrong, following the same unchanging pattern He has always used, ensuring faith in a consistent God. Due to advancements in transportation and communication, one apostle was sufficient to hold this office, unlike the multiple apostles in the first-century church. The apostle holds the authority from God to establish church policies and procedures, such as the order of services, dress codes, and the number of Holy Day offerings. Herbert Armstrong set specific traditions, like the structure of church services and the expectation of formal attire, tailored to cultural contexts, demonstrating the apostle's right to make adjustments as needed. These traditions form the basis of faith and operations for God's people, underscoring the importance of adhering to what has been established by the apostle. The scattering of the church resulted from changes to the doctrines delivered through Herbert Armstrong, causing instability and division. Holding fast to the traditions and doctrines given by the apostle is essential to maintaining unity and avoiding the confusion brought by alterations. God grants the apostle the authority to guide the church, and following this leadership is crucial to preserving the stability and direction of God's people.

The concept of an apostle holds significant weight in understanding our responsibility to guard the teachings and practices we have received. If Herbert W. Armstrong is recognized as an apostle, used by God to raise up the church in this era, then we must trust that God oversaw his work, ensuring he passed on what is necessary for salvation, including the calendar. As an apostle, his role parallels that of Paul, who instructed Timothy to guard what was entrusted to him through preaching. Likewise, we are commanded to hold fast to what we have been given through Herbert W. Armstrong, acknowledging him as our father in the faith. This responsibility extends to maintaining loyalty to the message delivered by the apostle, just as the Corinthians were urged to remain faithful to Paul despite their divisions and immaturity. The apostles, often seen as a spectacle or sideshow in the eyes of the world, bear the weight of delivering God's truth, and we are called to honor that by adhering to their teachings. Herbert W. Armstrong's ministry, marked by prosperity and unity through the use of the calculated Hebrew calendar, stands as evidence of God's approval. His role as an apostle implies a divine assignment, and our faithfulness to him mirrors the loyalty expected toward God Himself. The fruits of Herbert W. Armstrong's work, as an apostle, show spiritual and numerical growth over decades, suggesting wisdom in continuing to use the calendar he endorsed. To deviate from this path risks further division, contrary to the unity fostered under his leadership. Our faith in God's faithfulness, as reflected through the apostle's guidance, remains the central issue, urging us to trust in the provisions and patterns God has established through those He has sent.

Paul, in his epistle to Titus, describes himself with the dual titles of a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, emphasizing both humility and authority. As a servant, he sees himself entirely at God's beck and call, a position of complete subjugation yet also one of honor, akin to great biblical figures like Moses. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, he holds an official rank at the top of the church hierarchy under Christ Himself, acting as an authoritative messenger with full powers to carry out the will of the One who sent him. This role, while powerful, requires strict adherence to the desires of his Superior, ensuring he does not act independently but within the divine parameters set for him. Paul's authority as an apostle is focused on building the faith of God's elect and teaching the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. His responsibilities are spiritual in nature, aimed at preaching the truth, strengthening faith, and guiding in wisdom to live in a way that pleases God, while correcting in love when necessary. He clarifies that his role is not to manage personal decisions or worldly affairs but to shepherd spiritually, leading toward the hope of eternal life, a goal promised by God who cannot lie. As an apostle, his primary task is to use all his skills to ensure those under his care reach the Kingdom of God, employing preaching and teaching as the chief means to convey faith, knowledge, godliness, and hope. Paul's commission as an apostle came directly from God our Savior, Jesus Christ, a divine command that he took with utmost seriousness, driving his relentless dedication to spread the gospel across vast regions. He emphasizes to the Cretans that his authority over the church and the preaching of the gospel is a direct mandate from God Himself, underscoring that his actions and those of Titus are under divine direction to bolster faith and knowledge among the church in Crete.

The role of the apostle, as seen in the ministry, carries a significant yet specific authority within the church, given by God as a gift for equipping the saints for service and edifying the Body of Christ. This authority is not dictatorial but focuses on teaching and scriptural persuasion, aiming to bring members into the condition they ought to be in through education, guidance, and care. The apostle's power lies in the use of persuasive language aligned with God's truth, stirring the Spirit in people to encourage and motivate them to follow. In the example of Paul, his authority extended over the congregations he served, yet he showed concern not to exceed his limits or build on another's foundation. His approach was marked by humility, appealing to scripture and reason rather than exercising domineering control, even when addressing serious issues. Paul's interactions with the church were characterized by strong, clear teaching without deceit or ulterior motives, reflecting his deep relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Furthermore, in significant decisions, such as those recorded in the council at Jerusalem, the apostles, including Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James, relied on arguments grounded in scripture and personal experience to persuade the multitude, demonstrating that their leadership was rooted in spiritual harmony rather than magisterial dictate. Their message, though delivered in simple words, carried powerful impact when combined with the Spirit of God, showing that true authority in the ministry is given by the congregation's recognition of qualities aligned with God's truth. The responsibility of the apostle, as exemplified by Paul and reiterated in advice to Timothy, emphasizes humility as the path to leadership and exaltation in God's way. The apostle is to feed and tend the sheep, mirroring Christ's sacrificial care, and to view the congregation as an inheritance allotted by God, to be treated with the same regard God showed Israel. This role encompasses being an elder, overseer, and shepherd, indicating wisdom, supervision, and selfless care, without the pursuit of power or prestige for personal gain.