Paul 12 & on Junia
Were there more than 12 Apostles?
Jesus had the 12 walking with him. Paul was clearly noted after, 👉no one else in Scripture was called one, 👉nor were any women.
Paul and Matthias
While it is true that Jesus only had 12 apostles during his ministry on Earth, the term "apostle" can also refer to someone who is sent out on a mission or with a message. In this broader sense, the term can apply to Paul.
The apostle Paul, who was originally known as Saul, had a dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). He became a devoted follower of Jesus and spent the rest of his life preaching and teaching about Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles.
In his letters, Paul claimed to be an apostle, and he was recognized as such by the early Christian communities. For example, in his letter to the Galatians, Paul wrote: "Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead" (Galatians 1:1).
Paul's apostleship was 👉not based on his personal authority, but on his commission from Jesus himself. In 1 Corinthians 15:8-9, Paul wrote that he was the least of the apostles, but that 👉he had seen the risen Christ and had been commissioned by him to preach the gospel.
So while Paul was not one of the original 12 apostles chosen by Jesus during his earthly ministry, he was still recognized as an apostle because of his commission from Jesus and his tireless work in spreading the gospel.
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On Matthias
After the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot, the remaining apostles decided to choose a replacement to take his place. This is described in the book of Acts 1:15-26.
According to Acts 1:23-26, two men were nominated to replace Judas: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. The apostles prayed and cast lots "to determine whom the Lord had chosen", and the lot fell to Matthias. From that point on, Matthias was recognized as one of the 12 apostles.
While Matthias was chosen to replace Judas, he is not mentioned again in the New Testament after this account in Acts. God did not use him to write anything in the NT and that is fine. God used him as he chose to.
Apostle Requirements
The requirements to enter apostleship are outlined in Acts 1:
So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, 👉“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:21-26 ESV
Paul falls within the guidelines.
Only 3 of the apostles were there for Jesus's baptism. Not even Peter, the one speaking in this passage, was there. His brother Andrew got him afterwards.
Peter isnt saying they should be there the entire time, but they should have been following Jesus's earthly ministry. Paul was a high ranking Pharisee so of course he was following them.
Requirement: Explicitly says men.
What about Junia
If Junia was a woman and an apostle as some claim, Paul, who was led by and spoke by the Holy Spirit, would be contradicting outlined guidelines for leadership and the stance that women shouldnt preach. He wouldnt do that. God's Word wont contradict nor be in error.
"Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Israelites who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was" (Romans 16:7).
It clearly saying these people were known to the Apostles, among those in the circle of 12 these were helpful believers.
See link.
And note there's debate if Junia was actually a man anyway.
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