Neither James (the Lord’s brother), Barnabas, Timothy or Silvanus were counted among The Twelve...

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#61
What about by two or three witnesses let every word be established?
DThe object of drawing lots for the replacement of Judas Iscariot with Mathias was to give God the choice and not the remaining eleven. This was the custom for centuries before the first advent.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#62
Here is the full quote:
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

Paul did not meet the standard. He was not even converted yet.

A witness has to actually be a witness of the event he or she confirms. The Apostles of the Lamb could only testify, truthfully, if they had witnessed what Peter proclaimed. The other apostles, Paul, Timothy, Barnabas, Titus, Silvanus... did not have those requirements. Certainly, they must have had the apostolic gift but they were not witnesses of Jesus' ministry or ascension.
Then by that logic you need to be near Bethany to be an apostle. Doesn't really make sense to me.

Luke 24:50-53
50And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#63
I don't think that witnessing Jesus' ascension is a prerequisite to apostleship. I think they are only describing what their experience was being with Jesus.

Seeing the resurrection Jesus is a pre-requisite for apostleship as far as I can tell. It doesn't mean being in the tomb with Jesus at the moment He resurrected because no one is said to have been in there with Him. It means seeing Jesus post-resurrection. Paul saw Jesus post-resurrection on the road to Damascus, just before he was temporarily blinded, and Paul was ordained by Jesus. This satisfies the requirement for apostleship.

Where does the Bible say one had to see the risen Lord to be an apostle? The replacement for Judas had to. But did Barnabas see the risen Lord? Maybe, maybe not. But what about Apollos, Silas, or Timothy?
 

Aidan1

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2021
1,680
705
113
#64
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
(ESV)
Thats right, but to elect someone instead of Judas was the decision of Man. Understandable, but no order of the Lord.
The election of Paul was directly from the Lord. Also is to consider, that Matthias later never was mentioned in the bible again.
 

Aidan1

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2021
1,680
705
113
#65
You assume "wait" meant "do nothing".

The Lord simply commanded them not to depart Jerusalem but "wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

After they chose Matthias they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. From then on, the record of Acts and of Paul contain "the twelve" which could mean nothing other than the twelve apostles who came out of the upper room. This fulfilled the scriptures Peter noted and their number functioned to confirm that the proclamation (that Jesus was, in fact, the Son of God) was legally binding and true by Jewish standards.

There is so much resistance to this because of doctrinal tradition and, perhaps, because of our bias toward celebrity. Sure Paul was important, but he was not one the the twelve. Unlike us, God is no respecter of persons. I also think there is a bit of "God works in mysterious ways" mentality that gets in the way of our understanding. So we are apt to accept church doctrine without searching it out for ourselves. God is actually our Father, not an author of confusion, and He tells us plainly in scripture what is true. Certainly, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out" but our diligent search comes with a promise: God's reward.

Good Night Friends,

Aaron56
Aaron 56, with or without Matthias the Holy Spirit has came. Your writing can be interpretet that you will say: the election from Matthias was a fullfilling of a condition, that the Holy Spirit could come.
You can be the meaning that Paul is not one of the 12. I believe that he is one of the 12.
The way he was choosen is the same like the eleven. This is for me proof enough.
Finaly we will see it in heaven.
 

Aidan1

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2021
1,680
705
113
#66
Here is the full quote:
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

Paul did not meet the standard. He was not even converted yet.

A witness has to actually be a witness of the event he or she confirms. The Apostles of the Lamb could only testify, truthfully, if they had witnessed what Peter proclaimed. The other apostles, Paul, Timothy, Barnabas, Titus, Silvanus... did not have those requirements. Certainly, they must have had the apostolic gift but they were not witnesses of Jesus' ministry or ascension.
You are mentioning a man made Standart.
Acts is giving report about the beginning of the church. Not everything what is written down is expression the will of God, even it is the word of God.
So the reaction of the 11, to search conditions for to elect someone to fill the 12th place. But it is man wisedom behind.
So you cant count it a requirement for to be an apostle.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,170
3,699
113
#67
Galations 1:17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem---

Sorry, it says Arabia, not Egypt.
No worries, I thought I may have missed it somewhere else.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#68
Where does the Bible say one had to see the risen Lord to be an apostle? The replacement for Judas had to. But did Barnabas see the risen Lord? Maybe, maybe not. But what about Apollos, Silas, or Timothy?
Good question. The longer I look into it, the more unclear it is. So I'm backtracking a bit. I think the only clear qualification to be an apostle is being ordained to be one by Jesus.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#70
Thats right, but to elect someone instead of Judas was the decision of Man. Understandable, but no order of the Lord.
The election of Paul was directly from the Lord. Also is to consider, that Matthias later never was mentioned in the bible again.
According to scripture and according to Paul, Jesus appeared to the twelve before Paul, so Paul acknowledges he was not one of the twelve.

Only a few of the twelve apostles are mentioned by name in scripture after Acts 1. The other apostles are mentioned all together as 'the apostles' in Acts, or as 'the twelve' by Paul when He said jesus appeared to the twelve before appearing to him.
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#71
Jesus said the Spirit would take of what is His and deliver it unto 'you.' In Acts 13, the Spirit spoke and Barnabas and Saul are sent out by the Spirit. They went out on an evangelistic journey. Chapter 14 calls them both apostles.

In Matthew 9-10, Jesus says to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth messengers into His harvest. Then he prays all night on a mountain, comes down, and appoints 12 as apostles. He tells them to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleans the lepers, cast out devils, and preach repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Then they go out on an evangelistic journey. In another gospel they are first referred to as 'apostles' after coming back from the journey they are sent on.
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
#72
There is nothing to wonder about. The scriptures interpret the scriptures: Matthias was the 12th Apostle of the Lamb.
Obviously the 12th name on the foundation of the NJ changes no doctrine. However, since Matthias is only mentioned the one time leaves one to ponder.

I think the key to the 12th name is the fact of who Jesus personally and face to face gave the Great Commission. This commission was the sole responsibility of the 11 when Jesus gave it. It was to evangelize people and organize and teach churches.

Matthias was not part of the 11 when Jesus gave His commission to the apostles.

Then, Paul was given the same commission also face to face from the Lord in Acts 9. And according to Acts, he did more than all the other apostles.

Anyone is free to have their own opinion. Mine is based on who received the GC face to face by Jesus Himself. You are free to base your opinion on the roll of dice.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
3,044
1,799
113
#73
Good question. The longer I look into it, the more unclear it is. So I'm backtracking a bit. I think the only clear qualification to be an apostle is being ordained to be one by Jesus.
Then how do you account for Barnabas, Silvanus, and Timothy?
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#75
You are mentioning a man made Standart.
Acts is giving report about the beginning of the church. Not everything what is written down is expression the will of God, even it is the word of God.
So the reaction of the 11, to search conditions for to elect someone to fill the 12th place. But it is man wisedom behind.
So you cant count it a requirement for to be an apostle.
Jesus had opened the apostle's minds to understand the scripture before he left. This was Peter's interpretation/application of scripture after having heard Jesus teach, carried out in conjunction with the other apostles.

The Spirit had already come when Paul wrote that Jesus had appeared to the Twelve. Mattias was a witness of the resurrection. Can you say the same of Judas?

If you reject Matthias as an apostle and Paul did not count himself as the twelfth apostle, who, if anyone, do you think was the 12th apostles?
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
3,044
1,799
113
#76
You are free to base your opinion on the roll of dice.
How about from scripture Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 15:5 “..and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.”

Why you think you are so resistant to this scripture?
 
Jan 31, 2021
8,658
1,064
113
#77
How about from scripture Paul wrote: 1 Corinthians 15:5 “..and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.”

Why you think you are so resistant to this scripture?
I'm not resistant to Scripture. Of course Paul would acknowledge Matthias as one of the 12. But that isn't the point.

The GC was the sole responsibility of the apostles. It started with Jesus giving the GC to just the 11, even though Matthias was part of the larger group, which numbered about "120" per Acts 1:15. Matthias wasn't with the 11.

So Matthias didn't receive the commission as the 11 already apostles did.

And Paul received the GC in the exact same way as the 11 did: face to face with Jesus. Not Matthias.

Again, this is all just very light stuff. Not significant. I was just curious about Rev 21:14 and who was the 12th apostle.

I think Paul's missionary activity and getting the commission directly from the Lord will be the key as to the 12th name.

But, again, it doesn't matter one way or another. This is just all a curiosity for me.

But my point is valid as why the 12th name could be Paul's. If it is Matthias', ok.
 

Aidan1

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2021
1,680
705
113
#78
Jesus had opened the apostle's minds to understand the scripture before he left. This was Peter's interpretation/application of scripture after having heard Jesus teach, carried out in conjunction with the other apostles.

The Spirit had already come when Paul wrote that Jesus had appeared to the Twelve. Mattias was a witness of the resurrection. Can you say the same of Judas?

If you reject Matthias as an apostle and Paul did not count himself as the twelfth apostle, who, if anyone, do you think was the 12th apostles?
It is no matter i reject Matthias as Apostle or not. Its the matter how the Lord is seeing it.
Jesus did through Paul miracles if it is reportet from Peter and others.
It is to notice that Matthias never again was mentioned in the bible. He may be an apostle like others out of the 11 too. But i would see Paul as the 12th from the Lord directly called apostle. For if this is true, we have to wait till heaven. We will solve this question not before.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,655
5,908
113
#79
Paul implied he was not one of the 12 in I Corinthians 15 when he wrote that Jesus appeared to the 12 before appearing to Him.
Paul’s argument there is that he was one of the apostles equal if less than the others

“And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s argument is that he like the other apostles had seen the resurrected lord in person even though it was after time of the others. Paul’s argument was constant the church had trouble accepting him because before he was converted to the church he was their main persecuted they were suspicious of Paul so in his letters he’s often on the defense about his ordination as an apostle

Peter chose Matthias before the holy soirit was given which is not what Jesus told him to do , they were told to wait until pentocost but instead Peter cast lord before he receive the spirit Matthias was never chosen by Jesus or the Holy Spirit Paul is the twelfth apostle mat thy it’s wasn’t chosen in person by Jesus like the apostles were including Paul yet , after and out of the natural order

there are only twelve apostles

“And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:28‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Judas was replaced by Jesus with Paul his name will be here with the other eleven Jesus chose

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Peter moved before he should have he was told to tweet and wait for power from
On high but he cast lots and chose Matthias before he received the spirit of Christ
 

presidente

Senior Member
May 29, 2013
9,165
1,795
113
#80
It is no matter i reject Matthias as Apostle or not. Its the matter how the Lord is seeing it.
Jesus did through Paul miracles if it is reportet from Peter and others.
It is to notice that Matthias never again was mentioned in the bible. He may be an apostle like others out of the 11 too. But i would see Paul as the 12th from the Lord directly called apostle. For if this is true, we have to wait till heaven. We will solve this question not before.
We can just read Paul's words in in a prediction scripture, I Corinthians 15, to see he is not one of the 12. If it is in the Bible we do not have to wait until the age to come to know it.