Apostle Paul

Paul's apostleship was recognized both by divine calling and by the early church.

This verse records God's words to Ananias, affirming Paul's calling as a chosen instrument for spreading the Gospel, indicating that his mission was divinely appointed.

Acts 9:15 – But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Paul explicitly states that his apostleship derives not from human authority but directly from Jesus Christ, underscoring the divine origin and legitimacy of his role.

Galatians 1:1 – Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Paul appeals to his encounter with the risen Christ as evidence of his apostleship. He also points to the Corinthians as the "seal" of his apostleship, indicating the fruit of his ministry.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2 – Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

He introduces himself as "called to be an apostle," emphasizing God’s specific appointment.

Romans 1:1 – Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

In defending his apostleship, Paul points to the signs, wonders, and miracles accompanying his ministry, recognized marks of a true apostle.

2 Corinthians 12:12 – Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

He also parallels his calling to the Gentiles with Peter’s ministry to the Jews, demonstrating that the same God who empowered Peter likewise commissioned him.

Galatians 2:8 - (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

Scripture indicates that being an eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry and resurrection was a requirement for apostleship, as seen in Acts and Paul’s defense in 1 Corinthians.

Acts 1:21-22 – 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.

An apostle, by definition, was a firsthand witness of these events.

1 Corinthians 15:6-8 – After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

1 Corinthians 9:1 – Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?