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Paul absolutely was an Apostle. He was the Apostle to the Gentiles. But he was not appointed the 12th Apostle, to fill the vacancy left by Judas. Jesus Christ had His reason for giving Paul a different message and a different commission. A close look at Acts gives us the reasons:

1. The apostles, with Peter as their chief, had been given authority to act officially in Christ's absence. (Matt. 16:19, 18: 18,19.

2.It was stated in Psalms that another should be appointed to Judas' place (Psa. 109:8, Acts 1:20).

3. The twelfth apostle HAD to be chosen BEFORE the kingdom could be offered at Pentecost.(Matt.19:28). Note how Peter stands up with the eleven in Acts 2:14.

4. The apostle's actions were bathed in prayer. They did not proceed until after MANY DAYS OF UNITED PRAYER (Luke 24:49, cf. Acts 1:12-15), and when the two candidates, Matthias and Barsabas were found they AGAIN PRAYED and left the final choice to God. (Acts 1:24-26).

5. The only ones who could qualify for the position of the twelfth apostle were those who had followed with Christ all during His earthly ministry, "beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up.." (Acts 1:21,22,.cf. Matt. 19:28.

6. For this reason alone Paul would not have been eligible. He did not even see Christ until after His ascension.

7. Paul was not even saved at the time of the choosing of the 12th apostle. The Bible even states that "AFTER THAT" (after the day of Pentecost) he "persecuted the church of God and laid it waste" (Gal. 1:13).

8. The final and conclusive proof that the eleven acted in the WILL OF GOD in choosing Matthias is found in the fact that the Scripture clearly states that Matthias "was NUMBERED WITH THE ELEVEN APOSTLES" (Acts 1:26), and that "They were ALL FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST" (Acts 2:4). This would INCLUDE Matthias.

If the apostles had been out of the will of God in so important a matter they would NOT have been filled with the Holy Spirit. Nor would Matthias have been filled with the Holy Spirit if he had NOT BEEN DIVINELY CHOSEN FOR THAT PARTICULAR POSITION. A man out of the will of God is NEVER filled with the Holy Spirit.

This is the whole point of the naming of the 12th Apostle prior to the day of Pentecost. They will sit upon 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel when Christ returns and sets upon His throne.

Paul cannot be considered as one with the twelve, for just as eleven apostles would have been too few for God's kingdom plans, so thirteen would have been too many. Paul's apostleship was separate and distinct from that of the twelve. There will be 12 thrones (besides Christ's) in the kingdom, not 13. It's pretty obvious from this that Paul belonged to ANOTHER PROGRAM and was sent forth to proclaim ANOTHER MESSAGE. Otherwise, he would have been the 12th apostle.

It is also significant that Paul also speaks of the twelve as a SEPARATE BODY OF APOSTLES when he says that the resurrected Christ was "seen...of the twelve" (1 Cor. 15:5). This reference to TWELVE APOSTLES between the resurrection and ascension, is further proof that Matthias was, by God, considered one of the twelve from the beginning. He was apparently with the apostles when the risen Christ appeared to them (Acts 1:21-23).

Peter and the 11, including Matthias, were the Apostles of the Kingdom and will be seated on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, when Christ returns and sets up the Kingdom.

Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles, forming the Church the BOdy of Christ, during this age of the grace of God, until the fulness of the Gentiles be brought in. And God once again turns His attention to the Nation of Israel in particular.