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Bible Question: On what basis can Paul's apostolic authority be justified?
Bible Answer: The most significant validation of Paul's apostleship comes from
the apostle Peter. In 2 Peter 3:1-2 we read,
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This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in
which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that
you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets
and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
(NASB) 2 Peter 3:1-2 |
Peter says that he wrote this book to remind us of the words spoken
by the holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord as spoken
by the apostles. Then he continues talking about future things
written by prophets of old. Finally, he concludes the section
by referring to Paul. He now says that Paul wrote scripture also
(2 Peter 3:15-17). In fact, Peter says that Paul wrote some things
that are hard to understand. Peter included Paul along with the
prophets and apostles.
It is clear that Paul is an apostle when we read his letters
and realize the oother apostles accepted the very letters Paul
wrote in which he states repeatedly that he was an apostle in
the opening verse of many of them,
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Passage |
Basic Idea |
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Romans 1:1 |
Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set
apart for the gospel of God. (NASB) |
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1 Corinthians 1:1 |
Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
and Sosthenes our brother. (NASB) |
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2 Corinthians 1:1 |
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth with all
the saints who are throughout Achaia. (NASB) |
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Galatians 1:1 |
Paul, an apostle (not sent from men, nor through the agency of
man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised
Him from the dead). (NASB) |
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Ephesians 1:1 |
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints
who are at Ephesus, and who are faithful in Christ Jesus. (NASB) |
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Colossians 1:1 |
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother. (NASB) |
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1 Timothy 1:1 |
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment
of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope. (NASB) |
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2 Timothy 1:1 |
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according
to the promise of life in Christ Jesus. (NASB) |
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Titus 1:1 |
Paul, a bondservant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for
the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth
which is according to godliness. (NASB) |
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Conclusion: Paul was an apostle because the Holy Spirit repeatedly said he
was. |
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