Scripture does not contradict itself. You are taking it out of context.
In verses 5-9, Paul does not consider himself as part of the Twelve, and makes that fact abundantly clear. Why? Matthias was chosen as the twelfth earlier.
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Matthias
- Thread starter ktn4eg
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In verses 5-9, Paul does not consider himself as part of the Twelve, and makes that fact abundantly clear. Why? Matthias was chosen as the twelfth earlier.
You are forgetting, or ignoring the fact, that the Jews deemed casting a lot as being the choice of God, and it specifically says they "cast lots" to make this choice and Matthias was whom the lot fell on.
Matthias was God's choice, no doubt. Scripture does not negate this choice anywhere.
Cheers,
Jim
Matthias was God's choice, no doubt. Scripture does not negate this choice anywhere.
Cheers,
Jim
will concede to you and DHK that the Apostles did select mattius, but also that Apostle paul was JUST as much an Apostle as ANY of the original 11 were!
Calvin:
"this election was lawful and approved of God; I say, therefore, that they went this way to work, being moved by the Spirit, like as they were directed in all the action by the same Spirit. But why do they not pray that God would choose whom he would out of the whole multitude? Why do they restrain his judgment unto two? Is not this to rob God of his liberty, when as they tie him, and, as it were, make him subject unto their voices and consents? But whosoever shall quietly ponder the matter shall plainly perceive, by the drift of Luke, that the disciples durst do nothing but that which they knew was their duty to do, and was commanded them by the Lord. As for the contentious, let them go shake their ears."
"this election was lawful and approved of God; I say, therefore, that they went this way to work, being moved by the Spirit, like as they were directed in all the action by the same Spirit. But why do they not pray that God would choose whom he would out of the whole multitude? Why do they restrain his judgment unto two? Is not this to rob God of his liberty, when as they tie him, and, as it were, make him subject unto their voices and consents? But whosoever shall quietly ponder the matter shall plainly perceive, by the drift of Luke, that the disciples durst do nothing but that which they knew was their duty to do, and was commanded them by the Lord. As for the contentious, let them go shake their ears."
No he did not. That is simply your opinion.
God chose Matthias. Whom am I to question God's choice?
Is Peter then a false prophet? Please answer!
Yes, indeed he was. But in Revelation, when the New Jerusalem is built, and the names of the Twelve apostles will be written there, it will be Matthias and not Paul. Paul was a great apostle. God did call him an apostle, as he did call some others apostles. Paul explains that he was "one born out of due time." However, he also tells them that he "has the signs of an apostle." The fact remains, however, he was not one of the twelve. He had a different ministry.
There are several problems with saying Matthias was the replacement for Judas. Scripturally you run into difficulty with Revelation 21:14 "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" if Matthias is the replacement of Judas then Paul was not an Apostle and any book he claims to be an Apostle in becomes a lie. 12 Apostles of The Lambs Name will be on the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem which 12 will be there?
12 represents Governmental perfection, in which the early church was given instructions by the 12 Apostles of which Paul is chief in those who gave us the N.T. the instrument used by the Holy Spirit to give the inspired word The Bible
Also "they" meaning the folks of the church and Apostles cast lots on the two candidates, so if you were to cast lots on two folks today the lot will by chance land on one or the other 50-50 chance. Just as churches vote men in to be deacons or even vote the pastor in office or out of office. Just because they choose doesn't mena God lead them that way, neither the lot falling on Matthias means he was chosen of God. Remeber the soldiers cast lots for Jesus cloak benenath the cross, did the Holy Spirit intend for the one who owon the cloak to recive it or was it strictly by the role of the dice (lot)? Nothing tells us the Holy Spirit chose or gifted Matthias with the gift of Apostle.
Paul continually had to defend his Apostleship partly because of the choice of Matthias, but Paul met all the qualifications including having seen the risen Lord. We are never told anything about Matthias and where he came from, did he see the risen Lord as Paul and the other Apostles had?
1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
We see in Acts 9 that the Lord had chosen Paul (Saul) for very special service. So He sent Annanias to him.
Acts 9:
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
He was an Apostle to all we are told in verse 15, Gentiles, Kings and the children of Israel.
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There were more than 12 apostles. Barnabas was an apostle. So were Timotheus and Sylvanus called apostles. The word "apostle" is used in more than one way. There is "The Twelve," and then the word is used in a more generic way. It means "one sent with a message."
The 12 that will be on the foundation will be the "eleven" plus Matthias, for that is whom the Lord chose. That does not discount Paul, or many others in the NT from being called an apostle.
A figure of speech does not determine apostleship. Paul was also called "the least of all the apostles." Paul also set himself apart from "The Twelve," as not being one of them. Read 1Cor.15:1-9. He was one "born out of due time.
There was no 50-50 chance. Read what happened: "The Lot fell upon Matthias." God chose Him. The choice was committed unto the Lord. That was God's ordained way of choosing, and determining His will in the OT. It was preceded by much prayer. We wouldn't do that today; but that is how God's will was determined then.
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26)
--Who are we to argue with God? That choice was never disputed.
You are trying to impose western culture into the Bible. That is eisigesis. And it is wrong. They didn't necessarily vote people in.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (Acts 14:23)
--The word "ordained" is simply "chose". There is no indication of any vote.
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. (Acts 13:2-4)
--There was no vote. They were chosen by the Holy Spirit and the leaders of the church (vs.1) gave their blessing. These would be today's missionaries.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (Titus 1:5)
--No vote. Paul put Titus in Crete to be in charge of the churches in that area.
You will find the same thing in Ephesus. There was no vote. Paul put Timothy in charge of the church there.
The same thing happened in Corinth. Paul put Apollos in charge there. There was no vote.
It was a fulfillment of prophecy.
Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. (Acts 1:16-17)
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. (Acts 1:20)
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, (Acts 1:24)
If they chose wrong they Peter is a false prophet. Their choice was a fulfillment of prophecy and an answer to their prayers that God had rightly chosen the correct person.
Paul was forced to defend his apostleship against false teachers in the church at Corinth. They even wanted him to bring letters "of commendation" to prove that he was qualified enough to be a pastor or minister. These false teachers wanted to take over the leadership of the church and get rid of Paul. Thus we have Paul's defense of his apostleship.
Already explained.
The Lord is telling Annanias what Paul's ministry would be. It would be different. It would be to the Gentiles. Formerly he had persecuted the church of God. Now he would be an apostle for Him. Even the Twelve had a hard time being convinced that he was a believer. Barnabas had to introduce him to them, and assure them that he was truly a believer.
But he was not one of the twelve. God had already chosen Matthias.
Paul was just as qualified as The Twelve. He had the signs of an apostle. He had the gift of healing. He was an equal. He even rebuked Peter. But he was not one of "The Twelve." There will be twelve names written on the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The twelfth name will be Matthias and not Paul, in spite of all that he accomplished.