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Paul kept referring to himself as an Apostle but he was not among the twelve called by Jesus. So should we refer to Paul as an Apostle instead of a disciple? I will need your view on this topic.

vexing:
Paul kept referring to himself as an Apostle but he was not among the twelve called by Jesus. So should we refer to Paul as an Apostle instead of a disciple? I will need your view on this topic.

There are thirteen Apostles chosen by Jesus, Judas Iscariot was replaced with Matthias. Twelve apostles were chosen to help gather the 144,000 BORN AGAIN Christians who are supposed to be chosen only among the Israelites {Revelations 7:5-8} but when Israelites refused to accept Jesus the privilege was open for people from other nations to complete the limited number {Matthew 22:7-10} so Jesus told the twelve:

“Truly I say to you, in the re-creation, when the Son of man sits down on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel" Matthew 19:28

But what is the assignment given to the thirteenth Apostle?

Because the deserving ones refused to accept the Christ John said the privilege was made open to people from other nations to complete the limited 144,000 BORN AGAIN Christians to rule with Christ in heaven {Revelations 14:1-3} so Jesus picked interest in a zealous Judaist who is sincere and honest hearted that's why Jesus used Paul! Act 9:15

So while the twelve apostles remain in Jerusalem gathering the BORN AGAIN Paul was chosen to start gathering both the BORN AGAIN and other sheep among the nations this is necessary because Jerusalem has been marked for destruction which will mark the end of the Jews as a nation and after Jerusalem has been destroyed the invitation will no longer be given to them as descendants of Jacob that's why Jesus gave Paul the authority to establish Churches in many countries as an apostle for the nations! Romans 11:13; 1Timothy 2:7

vexing:
Paul kept referring to himself as an Apostle but he was not among the twelve called by Jesus. So should we refer to Paul as an Apostle instead of a disciple? I will need your view on this topic.

Jesus had many disciples while he was on earth, and out of them there were the 12 who were with him most of the time as well as others and they were with him for the last supper where one of them betrayed him and they became 11. Then recorded in Acts, Peter suggested they fill back the position with someone who was with them from the beginning, and there were two who fit that description meaning others followed and witnesses at some point as well. As we know Jesus appeared to many after his resurrection and not just to the 12.

They were to witness to the resurrection of Jesus, something Paul was not an eye witness to. But that doesn't mean all those who were eye witnesses were apostles. Anyway Paul was never accounted as part of the 12 or did they become the 13.

I believe they stood as 12 because the foundation of Israel was by 12 tribes, this is something John writes in revelation that in Rev.21.14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Infact in Gal 2:9, Paul calls, the three, James, John, Peter, Pillars a term others may have used for them as well due to the level of closeness and revelation they had more than the rest of the 12.


Now Paul is the one who taught about the offices in his letters and he also refers to himself and others outside of the 12 as apostles. Goes to show that the office of the apostles were not limited to the 12, who mainly stayed in Jerusalem earlier on.

There are the 12 apostles of the Lamb Jesus and the apostles in the church, of which Paul belonged to the later.

Apostleship was more of a honorable title to one sent than an actual function, the real function revealed by Jesus are the prophets, teachers and wise men whom I refer to as evangelists, Matt.23.34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.

Paul was a teacher before he was sent by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:1-4. And he remained a teacher of the word (especially to the gentiles while Peter feed the Jews and others as well)

We had evangelists like Stephen and Philip whom didn't have an "official" sending but they preached the gospel.


As for Paul as a disciple of Jesus, I believe his words agree with what is in the gospel and if indeed he followed Jesus as he said he is indeed a disciple of Jesus. Everyone who forsakes all, picks up their cross and follows Jesus and obeys him is a disciple of Jesus, and those who are sent with his message to a people are his apostles.

I hope I have been able to give a satisfactory answer. Paul was an apostle and a disciple

vexing:
➜Paul kept referring to himself as an Apostle but he was not among the twelve called by Jesus. So should we refer to Paul as an Apostle instead of a disciple? I will need your view on this topic.

According to Jesus Christ of Israel, those who are His followers are descendants of Jacob who live their lives in submission and obedience to His teachings and commandments. It does not matter whether they were among the first or the last chosen by Him. And it certainly does not matter whether they are referred to as disciples or apostles or whatever else your brains can think of.

gohf:
Jesus had many disciples while he was on earth, and out of them there were the 12 who were with him most of the time as well as others and they were with him for the last supper where one of them betrayed him and they became 11. Then recorded in Acts, Peter suggested they fill back the position with someone who was with them from the beginning, and there were two who fit that description meaning others followed and witnesses at some point as well. As we know Jesus appeared to many after his resurrection and not just to the 12.

They were to witness to the resurrection of Jesus, something Paul was not an eye witness to. But that doesn't mean all those who were eye witnesses were apostles. Anyway Paul was never accounted as part of the 12 or did they become the 13.

I believe they stood as 12 because the foundation of Israel was by 12 tribes, this is something John writes in revelation that in Rev.21.14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Infact in Gal 2:9, Paul calls, the three, James, John, Peter, Pillars a term others may have used for them as well due to the level of closeness and revelation they had more than the rest of the 12.


Now Paul is the one who taught about the offices in his letters and he also refers to himself and others outside of the 12 as apostles. Goes to show that the office of the apostles were not limited to the 12, who mainly stayed in Jerusalem earlier on.

There are the 12 apostles of the Lamb Jesus and the apostles in the church, of which Paul belonged to the later.

Apostleship was more of a honorable title to one sent than an actual function, the real function revealed by Jesus are the prophets, teachers and wise men whom I refer to as evangelists, Matt.23.34 Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.

Paul was a teacher before he was sent by the Holy Spirit, Acts 13:1-4. And he remained a teacher of the word (especially to the gentiles while Peter feed the Jews and others as well)

We had evangelists like Stephen and Philip whom didn't have an "official" sending but they preached the gospel.


As for Paul as a disciple of Jesus, I believe his words agree with what is in the gospel and if indeed he followed Jesus as he said he is indeed a disciple of Jesus. Everyone who forsakes all, picks up their cross and follows Jesus and obeys him is a disciple of Jesus, and those who are sent with his message to a people are his apostles.

I hope I have been able to give a satisfactory answer. Paul was an apostle and a disciple

You did a great job in your explanation. Thank you very much.

vexing:
You did a great job in your explanation. Thank you very much.

you're welcome, we thank God.