Could you tell me which books of the bible I am to refer to, and which chapters? Don't give me the verses, let me find them for myself. And of course apply biblical standards to it - provide a witness or two.
At the beginning of Acts you will see the apostles choosing a replacement for Judas, and they mention the qualifications that a prospective apostle must meet. One of those requirements limits that select group in time. You had to have witnessed specific events in history to be considered; and when that generation died off, so necessarily would the office of apostle. Church Fathers who came after were important men. But apostles they weren't, and there are none today.