Paul was not one of the Twelve Apostles

Some Bible teachers claim that Paul was God’s choice to replace Judas Iscariot, and that Peter was out of God's will when he led in appointing Matthias as the replacement (Acts 1:15-26). The Bible says NO such thing! The following points prove that Matthias was the divinely appointed replacement for Judas.

1)     It was prophesied that another would take the place of Judas (Ps. 109:8), but Paul's special ministry had to do with a mystery hid from the prophets (Col. 1:24-27).

2)     There had to be twelve apostles in order for the kingdom to be offered to Israel in the early Acts period (Matt. 19:28).

3)     Peter and the other apostles had the authority to act in the stead of Christ (Matt. 16:19; 18:18-19).

4)     They prayed about it, and Christ promised to give them whatsoever they asked (Matt. 21:22).

5)     Some think that they cast lots was a wrong thing to do (Acts 1:26), but that was a scriptural way for the Jews to discern God's will (Prov. 16:33).

6)     Paul did not even meet the qualifications to be one of the twelve (Acts 1:21-22).

7)     The apostles were “filled with the Holy Ghost” just a few days later (Acts 2:4).

8)     Matthias was “numbered with the eleven apostles”, and the Holy Spirit stated that Peter stood up “with the eleven” (Acts 2:14).

9)     Paul was not appointed through men, but by God Himself (Gal. 1:1).

There are clear differences between the ministries of Paul and the twelve apostles. Paul plainly and purposely distinguished himself from them (Gal. 1-2). While there were other apostles to the Body of Christ (such as Barnabas, Acts 14:14), Paul was "THE apostle of the Gentiles" (Rom. 11:13).

1)     The twelve were chosen by Christ on earth. Israel is God’s earthly people (Deut. 7:6). Paul was chosen by Christ from heaven. The Body of Christ is God’s heavenly people (Eph. 2:6).

2)     The twelve were appointed to lead Israel (Matt. 19:28). Paul was appointed to lead the Body of Christ (Col. 1:24-27).

3)     The twelve represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Paul represents the one Body of Christ. He was a "Hebrew of the Hebrews", and yet he was also a Roman citizen (Phil. 3:5; Acts 22:27-28). So, in a sense, we could say that he was a Jew and Gentile in one body! 

4)     The twelve only knew Christ on earth. Even when Christ ascended back to heaven, a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9). Paul only knew Christ from heaven (Acts 26:16). 

5)     The twelve were sent to proclaim and offer the kingdom of heaven to Israel (Matt. 10:5-7; Acts 3:19-21). Paul was sent to preach the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). 

6)     The ministry of the twelve was based on covenants and prophecy (Acts 3:24-25). After Israel is blessed, the Gentiles receive blessings through them. The ministry of Paul was based on a mystery. The Gentiles are blessed through the fall of Israel (Rom. 11:11) and there is neither Jew nor Gentile in the body (Gal. 3:27-28). 

7)     Under the kingdom commission water baptism was required and signs were the evidence of salvation (Mk. 16:15-18). Under Paul’s commission he was not sent to baptize, and he said early in his ministry that signs would cease (1 Cor. 1:17; 13:8-10).