The Twelfth Apostle – Part 6
Whose Name will be on the Twelfth Foundation of New Jerusalem’s City Wall?
This is the last part in our series about the question “Whose Name will be on the Twelfth Foundation of New Jerusalem’s City Wall”?
Why Jesus Chose Paul Despite His Violent Past
With all Paul’s offences against the Christians, why would the Lord Jesus have even considered choosing Paul to be the twelfth apostle? Was it possibly because of Paul’s mindset and unstoppable desire to be the very best in whatever he did to please his masters—whether it be outstanding good or bad? Could it be that the Savior saw in Paul an energetic, tireless, zealous, high achiever who had confessed, repented, and absolutely turned completely toward God to literally devote his life to serve? And, still, in humility, Paul writes:
1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (NIV)
We believe that Jesus chose Paul because he confessed, repented and devoted his life to the Lord.
The Man Who Confronted Peter Face to Face (And Why It Mattered)
We can respect and appreciate Paul’s humbleness, but at the same time we can see that he was bold and courageous. He stood up to Peter the apostle and pointed out that Peter was being hypocritical:
Galatians 2:9-16 9and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me [to lead Gentiles to Christ], they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (Acts 10:28) 10They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do. (Acts 11:29-30) 11Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed, 12for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles, but when they came, he withdrew himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of the Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?” 15“We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,” 16“knowing that a man is not justified [to be saved for eternal life in heaven] by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
Galatians 2:19-21 19“For if I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.” 20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” 21“I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain,”
[If we could save ourselves, then the Lord Jesus Christ died for nothing.]
God’s Mercy and Eternal Life
But Paul also, near the end of his life, sufferings, and service, wrote:
1 Timothy 1:12-17 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Jesus Christ might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)
How Can We Know?
How can we know whose name will be the Twelfth Name on the Wall Foundation?
2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Did Jesus Choose Paul to Replace Judas?
Paul always opened his Letters with a salutation identifying himself to the recipients.
Paul’s introductory first verses tell us that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. In total, nine of his thirteen Epistles, eight of which are recorded below, state that he was a chosen apostle of Jesus Christ. The ninth such greeting will also be named; read on:
Romans 1:1 PAUL, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.
1 Corinthians 1:1 PAUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 Corinthians 1:1a PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
(Galatians 1:1 is set aside until last.)
Ephesians 1:1a PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
Colossians 1:1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
1 Timothy 1:1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
2 Timothy 1:1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus.
Titus 1:1-3 PAUL, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior.
More Details
The only reason Paul did not begin each and every Letter the same way was because some of the letters were co-authored or co-written by brothers who were not chosen apostles. Since the Twelve were Personally chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the will of God, Paul most likely did not want to cause any confusion that the ones like Timothy and Silvanus might be among the Twelve. Therefore, it was best he left out the title on these four Epistles:
Philippians 1:1a PAUL, and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:1a PAUL, Silvanus, and Timothy,
2 Thessalonians 1:1a PAUL, Silvanus, and Timothy,
Philemon 1:1a PAUL, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
What If the Men in Acts 1 Rushed God’s Timing?
Returning now to the beginning: Consider two key points from Acts 1:23-24:
Acts 1:23b they… proposed two
Acts 1:24b show which of these two You have chosen
Paul’s opening in the Letter to the Galatians seems to take on the assumption that Mathias was chosen by the men who were trying to tell God how they could begin the choosing for Him:
Galatians 1:1 PAUL, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
From the beginning of the chosen disciples, the Lord Jesus Personally chose each and every one to be God’s future chosen Apostles. Notably, no other person named in the Bible, is claimed to be appointed to be an apostle by Jesus Christ.
The Twelfth Name: A Question God Will Answer, Not Us
However, the twelfth name is not a make it or break it matter. Each believer has freedom to believe what he will.
If we don’t know, we should not be dogmatic. We will find out when we get up there!
Romans 14:5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. (NIV)
Paul reminds us in three of his Epistles that arguing is not profitable:
1 Timothy 6:3-5 3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
2 Timothy 2:23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
Arguments become competitions to see who will win—when more often than not, there is no end to the dispute; the result is only discord, tension and hostility.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (NIV)
Win or Lose
The intention of this book “The Twelfth Name on New Jerusalem’s Wall Foundation” is not to promote, win or lose any arguments. The purpose is to give glory to God for the wonderful, miraculous strength with which he poured grace on Paul to lead so many souls to our Savior and God, the Lord Jesus Christ. The fruits of Paul’s works are as effective today as they were when, in person, he was boldly and courageously spreading the Gospel message. He pleads with us:
1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (NIV)
Who is the Twelfth Apostle Chosen by Jesus?
When we all get there to see for ourselves, we will know who the twelfth apostle is.
Whose name will be
The Twelfth Name on the Wall Foundation?
This concludes our 6 part series about “Whose Name will be on the Twelfth Foundation of New Jerusalem’s City Wall”.
A Personal Note:
We published these 6 posts in a small book! You can download an e-copy here or order the book through our website.
Please pray that people will come to the saving knowledge of the Truth before it’s too late, and love their children to teach them the Truth.
Thank you for reading and God bless you!
Other Blog Posts to Check Out:
Why did Jesus Christ die on the Cross?
Who is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last?
What is a Believer? What is an Unbeliever?
The Decision – Is it only for Self?
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“How to Receive Eternal Life” Posts
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Resources:
Check Out these Interesting Resources:
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Inc.
Gospel Folio Press – William MacDonald – Believers Bible Commentary
Warren Henderson Publishing
Christ-centered Books and Messages to Enhance Your Spiritual Growth
Uplook Ministry – Fireside Friday by Jabe Nicholson
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