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The twelfth Apostle - Paul or Matthias?

Olivencia

New Member
The twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:14).

Is Paul or Matthias this twelfth Apostle? Paul is no doubt an Apostle. I believe that Matthias was also an Apostle for:
1. God never condemned his apostleship.
2. He was addressed by the Jews after Peter's proclamation of the gospel (Acts 2:37).
3. The Jews who got saved were "continually devoting themselves" to his teaching and fellowship (Acts 2:42).
4. He was able to perform signs and wonders (Acts 2:43).
5. He was put in jail by the High Priest and Sadducees (Acts 5:18).
6. He was flogged for his faith by these officials (Acts 5:40).
7. He summoned the disciples to resolve the complaint by the Hellenistic Jews (Acts 6:2).
8. He laid hands on the men that were put in charge of this task (Acts 6:6).
9. He sent Peter and John to Samaria (Acts 8:14).
10. He was there when Barnabas introduced Paul (Acts 9:27).
11. His decision was authoritative at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:6, 22, 23).
12. The account of the election of Matthias to the inner circle of the twelve in the place of Judas shows us that together with the direction and will of the Spirit, who represented Jesus, another element played a decisive part, namely, the qualification of the one elected as an eyewitness (TDNT 1:436, apostolos).

Those that claim Matthias was not a legitimate Apostle point to the fact that he was chosen by lots (Acts 1:26) which somehow diminsishes him being a twelfth Apostle. But at this time lots were used because the Holy Spirit had not yet come until Acts 2:4. So I believe it in no way negates his true standing as a twelfth Apostle.
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So I am not sure who the twelfth Apostle is that Revelation 21:14 speaks of.

Any thoughts?
 

Amy.G

New Member
So I am not sure who the twelfth Apostle is that Revelation 21:14 speaks of.

Any thoughts?
We had this discussion recently and I thought that Paul was really the 12th, but I changed my mind because it was pointed out that one of the requirements was that an apostle was to have been a witness to the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord. I can't remember the scripture off the top of my head, but Paul did not meet those requirements, even though he was an apostle.
 

Olivencia

New Member
Hello Amy,

I believe it is 1 Corinthians 9:1 but Paul claims here as well that he did in fact see the Lord Jesus - thus affirming His resurrection.
 
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Amy.G

New Member
Here it is:

Acts 1:20-22 (King James Version)

20For 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.

21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.
 

thegospelgeek

New Member
My vote is Judas. He was named an apostle by Christ. Mathias was chosen by lots, and Paul says he is the least. Judas did work miracles with the other 11.
 

Olivencia

New Member
The name of the son of perdition in heaven?

...Judas was not an eyewitness of the resurrection. He died earlier.
 

Amy.G

New Member
My vote is Judas. He was named an apostle by Christ. Mathias was chosen by lots, and Paul says he is the least. Judas did work miracles with the other 11.

Are you serious? Judas is ruling an reigning with Christ? His name is written in the foundation of New Jerusalem?

Judas went to his place and it wasn't heaven.
 

Olivencia

New Member
Christ knew what they were for a requirement is to witness the resurrection (1 Corinthians 9:1). This passage was penned after the fact but in no way does it nullify the requirement that it speaks of.
 

thegospelgeek

New Member
Christ knew what they were for a requirement is to witness the resurrection (1 Corinthians 9:1). This passage was penned after the fact but in no way does it nullify the requirement that it speaks of.

I don't want to speak for you but it sounds like you are saying;

Jesus knew the requirement, Judas never met it, but Jesus named him an apostle anyway?
 

Olivencia

New Member
It was "to be" a requirement for an Apostle.

One question:
1. Does an Apostle need to have witnessed the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1)?
 
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thegospelgeek

New Member
It was "to be" a requirement for an Apostle.

One questions:
1. Does an Apostle need to have witnessed the resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:1)?
1 Cor 9:1 states no such thing. Paul ask if he is an Apostle. Paul ask if he is free. Paul ask if he has seen the Lord. Paul ask if the Corinthinian Church is a product of his work in the Lord. Is says nothing about requirements for apostleship.
 

Amy.G

New Member
1 Cor 9:1 states no such thing. Paul ask if he is an Apostle. Paul ask if he is free. Paul ask if he has seen the Lord. Paul ask if the Corinthinian Church is a product of his work in the Lord. Is says nothing about requirements for apostleship.

Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

The replacement for Judas had to have been a witness to the resurrection. Judas did not witness it. He was dead.
 

thegospelgeek

New Member
Act 1:22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

The replacement for Judas had to have been a witness to the resurrection. Judas did not witness it. He was dead.

Agree,

So why did Jesus name Judas an Apostle?
 

Amy.G

New Member
Did the prophecy require he be an apostle?

Is he an apostle?

If not is Luke 6:13 incorrect?

Yes, he was chosen as an apostle. Luke 6:13 is correct.

Here is another prophecy:

Psa 109:8 Let his days be few; [and] let another take his office.


God chose to do it this way, so in that respect, yes it was a requirement.
 
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