The Twelve

Who are the twelve apostles? Why would it matter that we carefully answer this question? The reason we must be diligent and careful in our study of this topic is because it has massive ramifications for our understanding of who and what an apostle is.[1] In fact, the answer to this question is what even began my inquiry into Paul in the first place. 

Many know that Jesus roamed about and preached the Gospel of the Kingdom with twelve disciples, whom he designated "apostles." It might help to regard these men as the closest, most trusted, circle of friends and associates Jesus chose. This is recorded in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:13-19, and Luke 6:12-19. When we compare the Gospels, we come up with this list:

  1. Simon (Peter)*
  2. Andrew
  3. James of Zebedee
  4. John of Zebedee
  5. Philip
  6. Bartholomew
  7. Thomas
  8. Matthew the publican
  9. James of Alphaeus
  10. Lebbaeus (Judas, brother of James)**
  11. Simon "Zelotes" the Canaanite
  12. Judas Iscariot
Now, an important, not often remembered or considered, fact related to apostleship is what Jesus said to the twelve:

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.[2]

Imagine being told that you "shall sit upon twelve thrones" and judge the twelve tribes of Israel. This is remarkable considering the fact many of their own kinsmen rejected the Messiah who said this. In turn, they also rejected his apostles. Nevertheless, these 12 were told they had a special place as judges in the future.* Not only do they have thrones on which they'll sit, but we're told, "And the wall of the city [New Jerusalem] had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."[3] Here is where we need to be discerning.

The names of twelve apostles are written on twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem and there are twelve thrones. The question that needs to be answered is whose names are written and who sits in those thrones? Everyone is familiar with Judas Iscariot--he's the one who betrayed Jesus Christ; I'm certain nobody would assume that because Judas Iscariot was included at the time Jesus said these things that he is somehow going to be in glory, judging Israel, when it's he who betrayed Christ. The trouble is that many also assume that the twelfth apostle must be Paul because he did "so much" to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. But is this really a fair and careful conclusion?  Just who actually replaced Judas as the twelfth apostle--whose name is inscribed on the foundations and who will have a throne of judgment? Let's read an important account in Acts:

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take. Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, 25 that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.[4]

There are a great number of details we must focus on to help us toward a final, honest conclusion:
  • Peter stood up in the midst of them
  • Twice, Peter says the issue concerning Judas was a fulfillment of Scriptural prophecy (vv. 16, 20)
  • Peter qualifies the position of apostleship with the following essentials:
    • in company with Jesus and the others from his baptism to the ascension
    • eyewitness of the bodily resurrection
  • Two men were determined to be true candidates: Joseph (Barsabas) and Matthias
  • They prayed for wisdom and discernment in making the decision
  • They prayed that God would choose the replacement
  • They cast lots to see whom God chose
  • They agreed that Matthias was chosen
Who did the lot fall on? In other words, after much prayer and supplication to God, who was chosen by God in accordance with prophecy? Matthias. Here is our conclusion. The new list of apostles looked like the following:
  1. Simon (Peter)*
  2. Andrew
  3. James of Zebedee
  4. John of Zebedee
  5. Philip
  6. Bartholomew
  7. Thomas
  8. Matthew the publican
  9. James of Alphaeus
  10. Lebbaeus (Judas, brother of James)**
  11. Simon "Zelotes" the Canaanite
  12. Matthias
We can't gainsay this. Although perhaps discomfiting for Paul's massive fan base, the reality is that God, not the 11, chose Matthias, and the 11 merely agreed and numbered him among them. Matthias, therefore, will be seated on a throne and see his name inscribed on a foundation stone.

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[2] Matthew 19:28, KJV

* Think for a second. Does it make any sense whatsoever to have the foundation of the New Jerusalem, which we as Gentile believers are partakers of, be built on the foundation of Torah-observant Jewish Apostles when, supposedly, we don't have to keep Torah? Does it make any sense? Even without Dispensationalism, Paul's seeming antagonism toward the Torah renders the law as "obsolete," "burdensome," "a curse," etc. Why not have one foundation with Paul's name on it? Why not have one throne for Paul and another for Peter? (one for the apostle to the Gentile, and another for the apostle to the Jew?) After all, in his writings, the "mystery" of the Kingdom is that there is "neither Jew nor Greek." How strange! 

[3] Revelation 21:14, KJV

[4] Acts 1:15-26, KJV

[5] John 21:17

* Author of "The First General Epistle of Peter" and "The Second General Epistle of Peter"

** Author of the Epistle known as "Jude"

Note:

This is an on going study and is subject to revisions. 

 


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