Replies

Another important thing to remember is that in order to be one of the 12 apostles, one had to have been a follower of Christ during His earthly ministry.

Acts 1:21,22."Wherefore of these men which have companied with us ALL THE TIME that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. Beginning FROM THE BAPTISM of JOHN, UNTO THE SAME DAY THAT THE WAS TAKEN UP FROM US, MUST ONE BE ORDAINED TO BE A WITNESS WITH US OF HIS RESURRECTION." THis is the reason Paul could NOT have taken Judas' place. He was not one who had followed Jesus. And why Barsabas and Matthias were appointed to have lots cast.

Which also make Paul's apostleship more interesting.

"And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain u nto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James: then of all the apostles. And LAST OF ALL HE WAS SEEN OF ME ALSO, as one born out of due time." 1 Cor. 15:4-8.

Paul was the LAST person to see the risen Christ, both at the moment of his salvation, and the other revelations Christ revealed to him. Face to face, and mouth to mouth.

That Paul refers to himself as the apostle of the Gentiles is not being self-important or conceited. He was given this position and ministry by Christ.

That Paul refers to himself as the apostle of the Gentiles is not being self-important or conceited. He was given this position and ministry by Christ.

I agree and if Paul was being conceited in calling himself an Apostle - multiple times, in every epistle - then he would not be the one chosen by Christ. I think Peter and the others "jumped the gun" in their hurry to name another Apostle. Nowhere do we have the Lord telling them to cast lots to decide. I think Jesus chose who he wanted in that position and, later on, Peter and the others accepted it.

Finally someone said as I did that Paul called himself an apostle. To me that neither adds or takes away from Paul's mission, but he took the word himself....12 tribes, 12 apostles, and one who took it upon himself to say he was also. He was given a vital job in spreading the Gospel, but as an instrument of Christ as Christ called him.. Thank you for your well stated answer.. Since Paul was not a follower of Jesus, was not at his baptism, was not at Pentecost, did not follow his preaching, was not at his Crucifixion, was not one to be at his resurrection etc. is probably the reason Christ used the word instrument to bring the gospel etc...

Let all face the fact that Christ could have said to Paul, I call you as one of my apostles, but he did not.

Those that think he called Paul to be an apostle are greatly mistaken. They seem to know more about the calling Christ gave Paul than Christ does..

Paul can call himself anything he wants, that doesn't make it so according to scripture and Christs own words...

I would have to have someone show me not what Paul or the early church called him, but what Jesus Christ called him...