Galatians 1:11-24 Who is an apostle?

Galatians 1:11-24 Paul The Places: Syria and Cilicia Not known: The churches of Judea (the 12 Apostle’s location) His reputation: The persecutor had become the proclaimer! The response: They were first afraid, now they were full of joy!

(Acts 9:26 [NET]) When he arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to associate with the disciples, and they were all afraid of him, because they did not believe that he was a disciple. (Acts 9:27 [NET]) But Barnabas took Saul, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

(Acts 9:28 [NET]) So he was staying with them, associating openly with them in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 1. Apostleship in the New Testament Apostle means “sent one with a mission or message” 1. Peter 2. Andrew 3. James

4. John 5. James of Alphaeus 6. Judas brother of James 7. Thomas 8. Matthew 9. Philip 10. Nathaniel 11. Simon the Zealot 12. Matthias 13. Paul ?

2. Given after Christ’s ascension (Eph 4:11 [NET]) It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 3. Spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12:28 [NET]) And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues.

4. There were sign or miracle working gifts which confirmed their ministry and Authority (Acts 2:4 [NET]) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:43 [NET]) Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles.

5. Eyewitness of Jesus (1Cor 9:1 [NET]) Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? (1Cor 15:5-10 [NET]) and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles,

unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

6. The Apostles executed absolute doctrinal authority over the early Churches. The word of God in the cannon is now the absolute authority. If not, then absolute chaos would reign, with every “self proclaimed Apostle”, the word of God would still be open to any addition. There is no Apostolic succession. (Eph 2:19 [NET]) So then you are no longer foreigners and non- citizens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

(Eph 2:20 [NET]) because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 7. Five reasons why Paul should not be seen as one of the 12 which was completed with Matthias.

( Acts 1:21 [NET]) Thus one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the Lord Jesus associated with us, 22 beginning from his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us – one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.”

23 So they proposed two candidates: Joseph called Barsabbas (also called Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the hearts of all. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to assume the task of this service and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

26 Then they cast lots for them, and the one chosen was Matthias; so he was counted with the eleven apostles 1. Acts 2:14 But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say.

2. Acts 6:2 So the twelve called the whole group of the disciples together and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to wait on tables. 3. Did Luke in these passages write them by the Holy Spirit? Can the Holy Spirit count? Whose names are the names in Revelation? Does twelve mean twelve or thirteen?

(Rev 21:12 [NET]) It has a massive, high wall with twelve gates, with twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel are written on the gates. There are three gates on the east side, three gates on the north side, three gates on the south side and three gates on the west side. The wall of the city has twelve foundations, and on them are the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

4. Paul himself writing under inspiration calls them the 12. Those who say Paul is the 12 th have more revelation then Paul did. (1Cor 15:5 [NET]) and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 5. Paul has a special calling to the Gentles. He never speaks against Matthias, he simply maintains that his apostleship is unique and not of any lesser quality than the 12. (Galatians Merryman ministries p.17)

(Gal 2:8 [NET]) (for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles) (1Cor 15:7-9 [NET]) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, he appeared to me also. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

(Gal 1:11-17 [NET]) Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; instead I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it.

14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. 15 But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being,

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.