Is Paul one of the foundational Apostles, of the 12? Since he said that He was an Apostle born out of season?

Answer 1

Opinions vary.

Is Matthias actually the one who took the place of Judas? I don't think so. I believe that in His own time, the Lord Jesus Himself appointed one to take the place of Judas Iscariot. We don't hear another word about Matthias -- nothing is recorded of his ministry. I think the Holy Spirit ignored Matthias. It is my conviction that the man the Lord chose was Paul. You may ask, "Do you have an authority for that statement?" Yes. Listen to Paul as he writes to the Galatian believers: "Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)" (Gal. 1:1). Paul is saying that he was chosen by God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. How did He do it? Through the Holy Spirit whom He had sent into the world. The ministry of Paul certainly justifies the fact that he was the one to take Judas' place. Of course I realize that the majority of good Bible commentators disagree with me, but I am just passing on to you my own conviction. —J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible


"But it was wrong for them to select a new apostle," some claim, "because Paul was the one who was chosen by God to fill up the ranks. They chose Matthias and he was never heard of again!"

Except for Peter and John, none of the original Twelve are mentioned by name in the Book of Acts after 1:13! Paul could not have "filled up the ranks" because he could never have met the divine qualifications laid down in Acts 1:21-22. Paul was not baptized by John the Baptist; he did not travel with the Apostles when Jesus was with them on earth; and, though he saw the glorified Christ, Paul was not a witness of the Resurrection as were the original Apostles.

Paul made it clear that he was not to be classified with the Twelve (1 Cor. 15:8; Gal. 1:15-24), and the Twelve knew it. If the Twelve thought that Paul was supposed to be one of them, they certainly did not show it! In fact, they refused to admit Paul into the Jerusalem fellowship until Barnabas came to his rescue! (Acts 9:26-27) The 12 Apostles ministered primarily to the twelve tribes of Israel, while Paul was sent to the Gentiles (Gal. 2:1-10).

No, Paul was not meant to be the twelfth apostle. Peter and the other believers were in the will of God when they selected Matthias, and God gave His endorsement to Matthias by empowering him with the same Spirit that was given to the other men whom Jesus had personally selected (Acts 2:1-4, 14).

It was necessary that twelve men witness at Pentecost to the twelve tribes of Israel, and also that twelve men be prepared to sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes (Luke 22:28-30). From Acts 2-7, the witness was primarily to Israel, "to the Jew first" (see Rom. 1:16; Acts 3:26; 13:46). Once the message had gone to the Gentiles (Acts 10-11), this Jewish emphasis began to decline. When the Apostle James was martyred, he was not replaced (Acts 12). Why? Because the official witness to Israel was now completed and the message was going out to Jews and Gentiles alike. There was no more need for 12 Apostles to give witness to the twelve tribes of Israel.
—Bible Exposition Commentary

Answer 2

No he was not one of the 12, but he did the work of an apostle.

Answer 3

Paul was appointed by God so that makes him an Apostle but he was not one of the 12.

Answer 4

Paul is not considered one of the 12 apostles.

After Judas Iscariot killed himself, the 11 apostles left came together, cast lots, and after which, Matthias was selected to be Judas' replacement. (see Acts 1:23-26)

The term apostle literally means "one sent forth". Paul, in the book of Romans which he wrote refers to himself as an "apostle to the nations" (Romans 11:13) Paul was selected by Jesus Christ to preach the good news of God's kingdom to non-Jews.(Acts 9:1-15) The book of Acts goes into much detail into Paul's travels to places such as Macedonia, Greece, Tarshish (possible Spain), and Rome.

So, Paul, although referred to as an apostle, is not considered one of the 12. Rather he acts as "one sent forth" to the nations, being chosen by Jesus himself.

Answer 5

Paul wasn't an original apostle. He was actually an pharisee who persecuted the followers of Christ until Christ appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. "Born out of season" refers to how Christ selected him as an apostle after the Crucifixion and resurrection.

Answer 6

Remember that the apostle Paul was originally Saul, the persecutor and murderer of Christians. It was not until Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus that Jesus spoke to him and ask why he was pesecuting Him. Saul lost his sight, and all those around him, did not see nor hear Jesus. Saul was healed after 3 days of blindless, and was converted to Christianity. His name was later changed to Paul. As far as being one of the original 12, No, He was not, but He laid a great foundation for all of those who would follow after Him. Paul is one of the few follwers of Christ in which people were healed through him, by Jesus Christ. He had the greatest love in His heart for Christ.

Answer 7

Paul himself said that he wasn't one of the foundational apostles.

Answer 8

^^ I thought he met Christ on the road.


I like to think that Paul was not one of the foundational Apostles, though it seems that way since Mathias wasn't mentioned again after his lot casting.

The reason I like to think that Paul was not of the 12 is because it allows us to see how even those who aren't one of the big named Christians can still make a huge difference.
This goes especially for people who dont fit into the typical model of a Christian.

Answer 9

Paul was an Apostle to the gentiles, in other words he was the messenger for that hour for the gentiles, But NO, he was not numbered amoug the 12,

Answer 10

Jesus had 12 DISCIPLES, there are a lot more Apostles. Apostle is more of a general term (like doctor) rather than something specific.