In Matthew 10:40 Jesus is referring to himself and God. Not to apostles.

(Matthew 10:40 NIV) "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.

If you look elsewhere in the New Testament apostle are a certain class of disciple that doesn't appear to be clearly defined.

(Acts 14:14 NIV) But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:

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

(1 Corinthians 12:28 NIV) 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.

(Galatians 1:19 NIV) I saw none of the other apostles--only James, the Lord's brother.

James was never part of Jesus' earthly ministry either.