Paul was NOT one of the 12 Apostles

by | Jun 16, 2026 | Blog, Right Division

It is commonly believed that Paul was God’s choice to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles, and therefore Peter was not in the will of God when he led in appointing Matthias as the replacement (Acts 1:15-26). In his commentary on Galatians, Dr. M.R. DeHaan wrote (pgs. 28-29), “Upon Peter’s suggestion, therefore, they determined to elect a twelfth apostle to replace Judas. Instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit to choose God’s man, Peter suggested that they call a meeting, put up a slate of candidates and proceed to do the Holy Spirit’s business. It is a sad story in Acts 1:15-26.”

 

The following points prove that Matthias was the divinely appointed replacement for Judas.

  1. Christ gave Peter and the other apostles great authority (Matt. 16:19; 18:18-19; 19:28).
  2. It was prophesied that another would take the place of Judas (Ps. 109:8), but Paul’s ministry concerned a mystery hid from the prophets (Col. 1:24-27).
  3. There had to be twelve apostles for the kingdom to be offered to Israel in the early Acts period (Matt. 19:28; Acts 3:19-21).
  4. Paul was not qualified to be one of the twelve (Lk. 22:28-30; Acts 1:21-22).
  5. They prayed about the matter (Acts 1:24), and Christ promised to give them whatsoever they asked (Matt. 21:22).
  6. Some think casting lots was a wrong thing for them to do (Acts 1:26), but it was a scriptural way for the Jews to discern God’s will (Prov. 16:33). After all, the NT was not yet written.
  7. Peter and the other apostles were “filled with the Holy Ghost” a few days later on Pentecost (Acts 2:4).
  8. Matthias was “numbered with the eleven apostles,” and the Holy Spirit stated that Peter stood up “with the eleven” (Acts 2:14).
  9. Paul said that the twelve saw Christ after His resurrection (1 Cor. 15:5). That could not have included Judas because he was dead, and it could not have included Paul because he was not yet saved. Therefore, Matthias must have been present and a witness along with the eleven.
  10. Paul was not appointed through men, but by God Himself (Gal. 1:1), and he plainly distinguished himself from the twelve (Gal. 1:11-12, 15-20; 2:1-2, 9).

 

There are clear differences between the ministries of Paul and the twelve apostles.

  1. The twelve were chosen by Christ on earth. Israel is God’s earthly people (Deut. 7:6). Paul was chosen by Christ from heaven. The Body of Christ is God’s heavenly people (Eph. 2:6).
  2. The twelve were appointed to lead Israel (Matt. 19:28). Paul was appointed to lead the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Tim. 1:16).
  3. The twelve represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Paul represents the one Body of Christ. He was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews.” and yet he was also a Roman citizen (Phil. 3:5; Acts 22:27-28). So, in a sense, we could say that he was a Jew and Gentile in one body. While there were other apostles that the Lord sent from heaven to the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:8-12), Paul was “THE apostle of the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:13).
  4. The twelve only knew Christ on earth. When Christ ascended back to heaven, a cloud received Him out of their sight (Acts 1:9). Paul only knew Christ from heaven (Acts 26:16).
  5. The twelve were sent to preach the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 10:5-7). Paul was sent to preach the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). Comparing Lk. 18:31-34 with 1 Cor. 15:1-4 proves it is a different message.
  6. The gospel of the kingdom required water baptism was accompanied by signs of the kingdom (Mk. 16:15-18). Paul was sent not to baptize, and he said early in his ministry that signs would cease (1 Cor. 1:17; 13:8-10).
  7. The ministry of the twelve was based on covenants and prophecy (Acts 3:25-26). After Israel is blessed, the Gentiles receive blessings through them. The ministry of Paul was based on a mystery. The Gentiles are blessed through the fall of Israel (Rom. 11:11) and there is neither Jew nor Gentile in the Body of Christ (Gal. 3:27-28).