Written by Paul J Bucknell on December, 28, 2022
Paul’s Apostleship: A Study on its Authenticity
Questions and Answers on Paul the Apostle
Someone asked whether or not Paul was a genuine apostle. Here are my answers to his questions and concerns.
(1) Does Jesus speak from heaven to people on earth?
There is concern about whether Saul, who became Paul, is a genuine apostle. This question tests the legitimacy of apostleship by Jesus speaking to Saul from heaven.
This God-speaking-from-heaven experience is not out of character for the Old or New Testament, especially for men set apart for God. Consider: God called Abram; spoke to Moses face to face; the Angel of the Lord, the Captain (i.e., Christ) appeared to Joshua (Joshua 5:15); called to Samuel in the night.
New Testament accounts of Christ appearing in a vision (from heaven) to John in Revelation 1 (Rev 1:8, etc.). One could include Stephen’s vision of Jesus Christ standing (Acts 7:55-56) in heaven or Jesus speaking to Ananias, though admittedly, if there is a question of the reliability of the Book of Acts, then these last two are not helpful.
(2) Are there other examples or proofs in the New Testament that confirm Paul as an Apostle?
We have much evidence of Paul’s apostleship, especially if we include the Book of Acts and the Pauline epistles. Very early church history testifies to Paul’s apostleship. He started churches faithful to Jesus’ Great Commission (Mat 28:18-20).
• God powerfully worked many supernatural miracles through Paul.
• If one questions Paul’s claim to have done such miracles, turn to Revelation 2-3 or church history to affirm that churches were planted in those areas where Paul healed, taught, and preached, despite much persecution.
• Apostle means ‘sent one.’ Paul was sent to the Gentiles and went! The church in Rome, for example, welcomed Paul when he was sent to be tried by Caesar (Act 28:15).
• Ananias and Barnabas, two church leaders, recognized Paul’s calling to the Gentiles as the vision dictated.
“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight ” (Acts 9:10-17).
• Perhaps, the most important proof of Paul’s apostleship is that the other apostles accepted him.
“But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27).
• Signs and wonders, the salvation of many, the development of churches, and the training of godly leaders seeking God’s ways all confirm his apostleship. Again, read the early church history (reflected in the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 written by John)—all in the area Paul ministered.
• Paul considered his beatings and mistreatment as a sign of his genuine apostleship in contrast to the money-making false teachers. (2 Cor 6:4-6).
• Three times Paul gave his astonishing testimony. He did not make it up. It was a public event in Antioch and required healing from Ananias, another instance of God speaking to His people from heaven (Acts 9:10).
• Lastly, Peter’s testimony of Paul confirms that his letters were considered Scripture.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:14-16).
Peter differentiated Paul (3:15) from the false teachers (3:16). Peter led the apostles and remarked on the authority of Paul’s letters, “as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:16).
From a broader perspective, we should see how God works in His people worldwide, starting new church-planting movements. I have met many such leaders. God calls, and they start churches. They are not apostles in the original sense, but they faithfully do what Christ appointed them to do. We must allow Christ to call and empower His workers differently, even as the New Testament sparingly uses ‘apostles’ for those not part of the original Twelve (Eph 4:11).
(3) The Overall Concern for Paul’s Apostleship
Some followers of Christ Jesus believe Paul’s letters lead us away from the genuine message of Jesus Christ, undermining the authority of Paul’s letters.
The apostles or early churches accepted the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts as part of the Word of God, which testifies to Jesus’ calling to Saul/Paul. Luke is one of the Gospels, commonly accepted and received by the early church without question. Luke and Acts can be treated as one book, written by the same person, Luke (Col 4:14). Although Luke, later on, assisted Paul, he carefully researched Jesus Christ’s works and words, confirming their accuracy (Luke 1:1-4). If those present during his time accepted Luke’s contribution, our dispute carries little meaning since they were more familiar with Luke, its content, and its origin.
Paul’s books, written to churches and leaders around the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, are perfectly synced. Paul, for example, started the church in Ephesus and returned there to train leaders. Paul met with the other leaders and the apostles when he returned from his trip.
Summary
Paul was an authentic apostle appointed by Christ Jesus, as stated. His miracles, the significant effect of God reaching the Gentiles with the Gospel through him (Rom 15:18), His doctrine and humility matched Jesus’ teaching, and the Apostles’ acceptance all provides unquestionable evidence of Jesus’ anointing of his apostleship.
“For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me, resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed” (Rom 15:18).
Paul served Christ with his life, giving up the position and authority among the Jews to serve the Gentiles. This is Christ working powerfully within him.
“The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.” (2 Corinthians 12:12)
Discussion Questions on Paul’s Apostleship
- Why would you or others be troubled with Saul/Paul being an apostle?
- Did Paul do miracles? How do you know?
- How does Paul starting churches among the Gentiles give proof of his apostleship?
- Find the three times Paul gives his testimony in Acts. Did he believe it? What gives them credibility?
- How do the seven churches John mentions support Paul’s apostleship?
- Why was it necessary to see that the apostles met and received Paul?
- Read through Acts 2-4 and see the distinguishing marks of an apostle. Did Paul have these?
- Read Romans 1:1, and 1 Corinthians 1:1. Did Paul consider himself an apostle? How do we know?
- If Acts is an authoritative book, then we should accept Paul’s testimony of his salvation and appointment by Jesus. Review Jesus’ words to Paul and the confirmation by Ananias.
