False Apostles

Is Robert Duvall a true or false apostle?

"Apostolos" in Greek literally means "sent one".  In first century Judaism it meant anyone sent from Jerusalem to convey official messages from the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.  Usually an apostle would just declare they were sent from Jerusalem.  Jesus sent his apostles from Jerusalem as well, which is why the apostles always had the opportunity to speak in synagogues.

There were more than 12 apostles in the early church.  Paul, Timothy, Barnabas, and Junias (Rom 16)  were all counted apostles, but not of the 12.  In Luke 10, 70 were sent from Jesus and Mary Magdalene was sent from Jesus with a message to the 12, so they would count as "apostles" as well. 

A Christian apostle is one who is sent from Jesus himself, not from the Christian leadership in Jerusalem.  Paul argued this in Galatians 1, where he is saying his authority comes from Jesus, not from James (the brother of Jesus) or Paul.  But many came in the name of Jesus or in the name of the 12, but had wrong teaching.

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. (1John 2:19)  The Elder John states that some were "from us", probably meaning in their name, but they didn't stay with the teaching of the apostles.  

True apostolic teaching is the teaching that Jesus taught.  Those who oppose what Jesus taught are false apostles, not really sent from Jesus. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. (II John 1:9)   If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing. (1Timothy 6:3-4)

 The congregation at Ephesus knew the difference and didn't accept the apostles who came "from the 12" but weren't of Jesus.  They rejected the "false apostles" and wouldn't have them teach at the church.  Jesus approved of this.