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.
----------
So I am not sure who the twelfth Apostle is that Revelation 21:14 speaks of.
Any thoughts?
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.
----------
So I am not sure who the twelfth Apostle is that Revelation 21:14 speaks of.
Any thoughts?