How many apostles were there?

This may surprise some of you, but there were more than 12 apostles in the Bible. Yes of course, there were the original 12:

"These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him." Mt. 10:2-4 

Then Judas committed suicide and was replaced by Mathias (#13). Then according to the below verses, there were others:

Acts 14:14 “But when the apostles Barnabas (#14) and Paul (#15) heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: `Men, why are you doing this?"'

Romans 16:7 "Greet Andranicus #16) and Junias (#17), my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was."

But there's more!

Ph. 2:25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus (#18), my brother, fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, who is also your messenger (apostolos), whom you sent to take care of my needs. 

Ga. 1:19 I saw none of the other apostles — only James (#19), the Lord’s brother.   

In addition, due to their prominent mention, we might suppose that others, unnamed, might have been apostles. 

2Co. 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives (apostolos) of the churches and an honor to Christ. 

2Pe. 3:2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles (apostolos).

Why would Peter use the phrase "your apostles," rather than "the apostles?" We would like to suggest that there were apostles in every church, ministering to the local body as builders and encouragers. They might not even have been identified as such, but that was the role they played.

And Jesus Himself is identified as an Apostle:

"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess." Heb 3:1

It seems that there is evidence that apostleship was (and is} a broader category than we might think. The foundational Twelve, mentioned (though not by name) in Revelation as the pillars of the faith, are unique in stature, chosen by Jesus Himself.

But clearly other men were also apostles, and they were leaders and builders within the church. Though not specifically identified as apostles, we could assume by their prominent mention that these might have been apostles. Notably,

Apollos (1Co. 1:12);
Priscilla and Aquila (Ro. 16:3);
Titus (Tit. 1:4);
Epaphras (Phile. 23);
Silas (1Pe. 5:12); and
Demetrius (3Jn. 12).

In addition, we might add

many, if not all, the people listed in Romans 16;
Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus (1Co. 16:17);
Tychicus (Col. 4:7) as well as many of the others listed in Galatians 4; and
Artemas (Tit. 3:12), as well as the others listed in Titus 3. 

So, it it is not unreasonable to conclude that there might have been many more apostles, named and unnamed, with various levels of authority, which means that we don’t necessarily have to conclude that there are no apostles today. In fact, we would assert that there are apostles today:

1 Cor 12:28-29 "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues."

Eph 4:11-13 "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."