DaveH wrote: > IF Matthias' name is engraven on the foundation of apostles, > then why would not Paul and Barnabas' names be there as well?
The twelve have a special governmental role that other apostles do not. Other than Judas being replaced by Matthias, the twelve were never "replaced" as they died off. Consider the following passages in regards to this idea: Matthew 19:28 (28) 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. Luke 22:28-30 (28) Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. (29) And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; (30) That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Revelation 21:14 (14) And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. If you look carefully at the following passage from 1 Cor. 15, you will see how "The Twelve" are spoken about separately from other apostles, including James the Lord's brother (who wrote the book of James we have in our Bible) and the apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 15:3-9 (3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (5) And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: (6) 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. (7) After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. (8) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. (9) For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. There are as many as 24 apostles listed in the New Testament if certain assumptions are made and we include Jesus himself. There were probably many more than that in that Jesus commended the Ephesian church for testing false apostles. The Mormon church tries to maintain 12 apostles, which I see as contrary to the New Testament. It fails to recognize the distinctive nature of the twelve apostles in Scripture and their eternal governmental position, and it fails to recognize the continuation of apostles beyond 12 as exemplified by men like Paul, Barnabas, Silas, etc. Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
