06 26th, 2024A common teaching among those who reject Paul as an apostle (anti-Paulists) is that there can only be twelve apostles. All others would be false apostles. This conclusion is arrived at based on two main beliefs:
1) Only Messiah Yeshua can appoint apostles
2) Revelation 21:14 shows New Jerusalem has only twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Let’s examine point #1.
Messiah Yeshua did indeed appoint twelve apostles as recorded in Luke 6:13. That was the full number he needed during his earthly ministry in which he was dealing with the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Here is the commission he gave the twelve:
These twelve Yeshua sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:5-8)
When one of the twelve died (Judas Iscariot), he was replaced by Matthias (Acts 1:26). However, it appears that Matthias was selected by Yahweh rather than Yeshua. After selecting two disciples to replace Judas, the apostles prayed for guidance.
And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, which knows the hearts of all men, show whether of these two you have chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:24-26)
Since both Yahweh and Yeshua are called “Lord” in the New Testament and both know the hearts of men, one point leads me to believe it was Yahweh who chose Matthias; the lot.
Proverbs 16:33 – The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of Yahweh.
One can believe it was Yeshua who disposed of the lot, but that would require assuming he now controls the lot rather than Yahweh. It can be argued that the Son has been given all authority and power, including controlling the lot. However, Yahweh is still in control of things as well. For example, the Son is sitting by Yahweh’s side while Yahweh makes his enemies his footstool (Psalm 110:1).
Later, in Acts 9, we read about Saul’s (Paul’s) meeting with the Master on the road to Damascus, his ensuing conversion and his proposed commissioning as an apostle.
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Master, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? And he said, Who are you, Master? And the Master said, I am Yeshua whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Master, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Master said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Master in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Master. And the Master said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays, And has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Master, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem: And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name. But the Master said unto him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. (Acts 9:1-16)
The key verses are 15-16. Yeshua specifically chose Saul to bear his name before the Gentiles, kings and Israel through the preaching of the Gospel. This was the same commission Yeshua gave the eleven apostles in Mark 16:15;
And he said unto them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
The words in Acts 9 were written by Luke. It is not clear how he received the information he wrote about. Perhaps it was first, second or even third hand knowledge or perhaps he was inspired to write what the Spirit told him. However, if we do as the anti-Paulists do and reject this account in Acts 9, on what grounds do we do so? On the grounds that there were no eye witnesses giving testimony? That is an assumption. Perhaps Ananias was the eye witness telling Luke what Yeshua said to him. Do we reject it on the grounds that Luke was Paul’s “sidekick”, as one anti-Paulist put it, and not to be trusted? If that is the case, then everything written in the Gospel of Luke and Acts becomes suspect and nothing to be trusted. Do we reject it on the grounds that it doesn’t agree perfectly with the conversion account in Acts 26? If so, then we should reject all the gospel accounts of Yeshua’s death and resurrection since they do not agree perfectly either.
It is obvious that the anti-Paulist road is indeed a slippery slope without a firm foundation.
In Acts 13:1-4, we find the fulfillment of Yeshua’s words from Acts 9:15-16.
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Master, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work where unto 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 Spirit, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Some would say that Paul was not an “Apostle of Yeshua” because we are not told he is anywhere in the Bible. Although the New Testament calls Paul an “Apostle of Yeshua” about eight times, anti-Paulists reject these instances because Paul was writing that about himself. However, here we see the Holy Spirit separating Saul and Barnabas from other believers and sending them out into the world to do the work of preaching the Gospel. The meaning of the Greek word “apostolos” is “”one sent forth” (apo, “from,” stello, “to send”).” (Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words).
Luke recorded at least 6 witnesses of Paul’s apostleship that anti-Paulists reject because the word “apostle” is not used by Yeshua. Even though Yeshua described what he was sending Paul to do which is exactly the work an apostle would do, and even though Paul was sent by and filled with the Holy Spirit and did great miracles and great works beyond those mentioned by any other apostles, and even though he is called an “apostle” by Luke, they still reject his apostleship.
To sum up what we see so far; Yeshua tells Ananias that he has chosen Saul to bear his name throughout the world; Saul will be “sent” by Yeshua; The Holy Spirit then separates Saul and Barnabas for a work and sends them off.
In the next chapter, we find Luke calling both Saul and Barnabas “apostles”.
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they [Saul and Barnabas] went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Master, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. (Acts 14:1-4)
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, . . . (Acts 14:14)
The anti-Paulists attack these verses in two ways:
1) They attack Luke by saying he was Paul’s “sidekick” and either wrote what Paul told him to write or used the word “apostles” because he constantly heard Paul referring to himself as an apostle.
2) They say the word “apostles” should be translated “messengers”.
Point #1 was addressed earlier, but it goes to show how anti-Paulists have a total disregard for a person’s good name and will slander someone in order to promote their false teaching. It also shows their disregard for the New Testament in that they will discredit it and bring its validity into question to suit their ends. If we cannot trust Luke’s accounts concerning Paul, it brings all of Luke’s other writings into question. If we cannot trust the writings of Paul it brings all other New Testament writings into question. This, of course, does not hinder the anti-Paulists, many of whom reject all New Testament writings except the words of Yeshua as recorded in the Gospels. Many don’t even accept the Gospel narratives believing they have contradictions and error in them. They only accept Yeshua’s words recorded therein.
Point #2 is far more palatable than Point #1, but it is problematic as well. The same argument is used of “angels”. When people promote Yeshua as the “angel of Yahweh” and are referred to Hebrews 2:5 showing Yahweh did not subject the world to come to angels, they say the Greek word “aggelos” should be translated “messengers”. However, the context of Hebrews 1-2 is clearly referring to angelic beings and not to mere messengers.
The Greek word “aggelos” was translated “messenger” in Matthew, Mark and Luke referring to John the Baptist. If “messenger” was meant in Acts 14:4;14, why not use “aggelos” instead of “apostolos”? “Apostolos” was used 81 times in the New Testament. It was translated “apostle” 78 times. It was translated “sent” once, which is the meaning of “apostolos”. It was translated “messenger” and “messengers” once each.
2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the assemblies, a glory to Messiah.
Philippians 2:25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
Epaphroditus was sent by the Philippians to Paul. In that sense he was the Philippians’ apostle since they are the ones that sent him. The same would hold true for the “messengers” in 2 Corinthians 8:23. They were messengers/apostles sent by the assemblies. However, in Acts 14:4;14, Paul and Barnabas were sent by the Holy Spirit to fulfill Yeshua’s words that he would send Paul throughout the world to bear his name. Therefore, Paul and Barnabas are apostles of Yeshua through the Holy Spirit’s will and power. That is what Paul declared at the beginning of most of his epistles such as Galatians 1:1:
“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Yeshua Messiah, and Elohim the Father, who raised him from the dead;)”
Here are more quotes by Paul who understood exactly what Yeshua called him to be and do. The anti-Paulists reject these “self-proclamations”, but hopefully you will not
Romans 1:1 – Paul, a servant of Yeshua Messiah, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of Elohim,
1 Corinthians 1:1 – Paul, called to be an apostle of Yeshua Messiah through the will of Elohim, . . .
Ephesians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Yeshua Messiah by the will of Elohim, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Messiah Yeshua:
Colossians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Yeshua Messiah by the will of Elohim, . . .
1 Timothy 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Yeshua Messiah by the commandment of Elohim our Saviour, and Master Yeshua Messiah, which is our hope;
2 Timothy 1:1 – Paul, an apostle of Yeshua Messiah by the will of Elohim, according to the promise of life which is in Messiah Yeshua,
Titus 1:1 – Paul, a servant of Elohim, and an apostle of Yeshua Messiah, according to the faith of Elohim’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after piety;
These greetings are no different than those used by the Apostle Peter.
1 Peter 1:1 – Peter, an apostle of Yeshua Messiah, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Peter 1:1 – Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Yeshua Messiah, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of Elohim and our Saviour Yeshua Messiah:
That there are other apostles besides the twelve can be seen in an early writing called “The Didache” or “The Teachings of the Twelve Apostles”. It is dated around the late first century or early second century.
Chapter 11. Concerning Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets. Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there’s a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
This passage cannot refer to only the original twelve apostles. If an “apostle” is identified as a “false prophet”, then by extension he is a “false apostle” as well.
2 Corinthians 11:13 and Revelation 2:2 mention false apostles.
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah.”
“I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how you cannot bear them which are evil: and you have tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and have found them liars:”
If the anti-Paulist view is correct that there can only be twelve apostles, why would anyone dare to come to an assembly claiming to be an apostle? Surely everyone knew there could only be twelve. They would be laughed right out of the place.
In Revelation 2:2, false apostles were “tried” or “put to the test”. No test would be necessary if there could only be twelve apostles and everyone knew who they were. The Ephesians somehow tested these so-called apostles to see if they really were apostles (other than the twelve), but they failed the test and were found false.
If Paul was a false apostle (which designation would include self-proclaimed apostles), why didn’t the Ephesians find him false? The last record we have of the Ephesians ever seeing Paul’s face is found in Acts 20:25,36-38:
Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face.
Acts 20:36-38 When he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him, grieving especially over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they were accompanying him to the ship.
The Ephesian elders obviously loved Paul dearly. Is that how one treats false apostles?
Galatians 2:8-9 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
This passage seems to show that James, Peter and John realized Paul was indeed an apostle to the Gentiles and therefore, gave him the right hand of fellowship. This is not a fellowship as part of the Body of Messiah that all believers share, but a fellowship within the ranks of the Apostles.
These three great apostles so understood Paul and Barnabas’ calling as apostles to the Gentiles that they were willing to limit their preaching to the Jews even though Yeshua told them to go unto all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Does that mean they willfully disobeyed Yeshua’s command? Not at all. We do not know if the Holy Spirit impressed upon them to do that or not. We give them the benefit of the doubt and do not accuse them. The anti-Paulists, however, do not give Paul the benefit of the doubt. They just falsely accuse him on point after point without fully understanding the issues.
Another passage to consider is 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6:
“For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed–Elohim is witness, nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Messiah we might have asserted our authority.”
This epistle was written to the Thessalonians by Paul, Slyvanus and Timothy (1 Thessalonians 1:1). Therefore, the “we” in this passage applies to all three men as does the phrase “as apostles of Messiah”. This suggests that all three men were apostles of Messiah Yeshua.
Consider, also, Hebrews 3:1:
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Yeshua, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;”
Yeshua is called an “Apostle” and rightly so because he was “sent” by Yahweh. Should we deny this title to Yeshua because there can only be twelve apostles? It is obvious that at this time in history the term “apostle” had a much broader definition than just the twelve apostles of Yeshua. After Yeshua’s resurrection, he appointed other apostles as well such as Saul, Barnabas, Sylvanus, and Timothy.
Now let’s look at point #2:
Revelation 21:14 shows New Jerusalem has only twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The anti-Paulists read this verse and correctly understand that New Jerusalem only has twelve foundations corresponding to the twelve apostles Yeshua appointed during his earthly ministry. However, they incorrectly conclude that this eliminates anyone else from being an apostle, including Paul.
I totally agree that Paul is not one of the apostles that form the foundation of New Jerusalem. He is a stone that was built upon them. Those he led to Yeshua will be stones built upon him, etc.
Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of Elohim; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua Messiah himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Master: In whom you also are built together for an habitation of Elohim through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Yeshua is the chief foundational corner stone and the twelve apostles he appointed during his earthly ministry are part of that foundation upon which all the saints are built. Why are the twelve part of the foundation? Because they were the first stones Yeshua used to build this temple. Can this temple have other apostles and prophets in its construction, yet not be part of the foundation? Yes.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Messiah: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah: (Ephesians 4:11-13)
This temple is an ongoing building project. Yeshua will continue to provide apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers until it is completed. Each one will be another stone built upon the foundation. The Apostle Paul is one of those stones and one of those apostles who Yeshua provided for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the Body of Messiah.
Based on the info provided in this study, why is Paul being attacked as a false apostle? Simple. If you want to discredit the message, discredit the messenger. If they can show Paul was not an apostle, then his message/teachings become suspect. Anti-Paulists cannot harmonize Paul’s teachings on several subjects with Torah. As a result, they view him as a false teacher. It is much easier to expose a false teacher that is not an apostle than to expose one that is because his teachings would not be backed by the authority of Yeshua.
This wrestling with Paul’s teachings was addressed in 2 Peter 3:14-16:
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the long suffering of our Sovereign is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”
Of course, anti-Paulists argue that 2 Peter does not belong in the New Testament. I suspect that if this passage was not in 2 Peter, they would have no problem with that epistle.
I hope you will seriously consider this issue and not become one who rejects the Apostle Paul’s apostleship and writings.
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