Spiritual Gifts and Apostolic Authority What's Missing? That something was very special and unique about apostolic authority in the New Testament is clear from reading through several passages. They belong to a special group for sure. Even in the category or list of spiritual gifts, they are always designated separately to distinguish them from all the rest. The apostleship was a uniquely exclusive spiritual gift. "And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues." (2 Cor. 12:12). As gifts, the apostleship was preeminent. Signs of ...