2. Compare Acts 3:21 with Rom. 16:25-27. Peter, in Acts states: "...which God hath spoken BY THE MOUTH OF ALL HIS HOLY PROPHETS SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN". Paul, in Romans states:"...Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to MY GOSPEL and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN,,....
Is something that is made KNOWN since the world began the same as something that is kept SECRET since the world began? No, of course not. ANyone who can read can see this. SO...what did Paul call "My gospel" that was kept secret until revealed to him first and how did it differ from what Peter preached in Acts and referred to as being prophesied since the world began?
But there is more. 1 Tim. 1:14-16 is next, after these points have been pondered.
3. "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME FIRST Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a PATTERN to them which should HEREAFTER BELIEVE on Him to life everlasting." (1 TIm. 1:14-16).
Got that? Paul says through the Holy Spirit, the he was the FIRST to obtain this mercy. Not 13th, not after the 12, the FIRST. For a PATTERN. A guide. To who would he be the first to be a guide? Those who HEREAFTER Paul believed on Christ. Not the 12. Paul was chosen by Christ to be the pattern everyone after him believed.
It is difficult to understand how anyone can read this portion of Scripture without seeing that God began a NEW DISPENSATION with the conversion of Saul. When Christ was seen by Stephen STANDING on the right hand of GOd, it meant one thing. Judgement was about to fall. When Israel killed Stephen, God's wrath was ripe to be poured out. Christ stands. But instead of wrath being poured out, Christ reached down and SAVED Saul. WHAT? This was never prophesied. A Hebrew Roman who laid waste the believers? Rather than judging Israel and the world immediately, the rejected Lord demonstrated His infinite love by saving Saul and sending him forth with "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). This "dispensation of the grace of God" by Paul is the dispensation under which we now live. It is our pattern for this age. It will not be brought to a close until the Lord Himself comes to call the members of His body to heaven. THEN the prophetic program which John the Baptist, Christ, Peter and the 11, and all believing Israel will again be resumed and the bowls of God's wrath will be poured out upon a Christ-rejecting world.
But what about the 12 you ask? Read Matt. 19:28. THAT is what they were looking for. And were commissioned to preach. And will fulfill when Christ returns to set up His Messianic Kingdom. Until then, The Authority of Christianity is Centered on The Body of Christ, and the pattern set forth as was given to Paul by the risen Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with nations, or organizations, or political reasons. It has everything to do with individuals, and the finished work of Christ. And God reconciling fallen man to Himself, not imputing their sins unto them, because of the death of Christ in our stead. II Corinthians 5:14-21.