The New Apostolic Church is unique among Christian denominations in its claim that Christ has restored the office of apostle in the present day. The NAC teaches that Christ appointed apostles in the first century, and that this apostolic office was lost to the church through apostasy and corruption. In the 19th century, Christ restored the apostolic office through the creation of the Catholic Apostolic Church (1830s) and subsequently the NAC (1863).

The Chief Apostle stands at the apex of the NAC's hierarchical structure and is understood to receive direct revelation and guidance from Christ for the church. The Chief Apostle's teaching is binding on all members, and his authority is greater than that of any individual member or even any council. District Apostles assist the Chief Apostle and oversee regions of the church. Below them are bishops, elders, and other ordained officers.

This claim to restored apostolic authority is what sets the NAC fundamentally apart from all other Christian denominations. While other churches claim apostolic succession through an unbroken line of episcopal ordinations, the NAC claims that Christ has actually restored the apostolic office itself. This apostolic authority is understood as necessary for the administration of the highest sacraments and for the spiritual oversight of the church.