The Thirteenth Apostle

Christ's first apostles had much pow'r and will,
But knew not how the Spirit's wisdom to use;
They launched His church with zeal but little skill,
As only a sect of Judaic Jews!
Christ the King quickly showed Himself to Paul,
A brilliant Pharisee, who fast believed;
He spent three years with Christ and learned it all;
Paul set church doctrine straight, of error relieved!
He freed the gospel from the grip of Jews,
Spread it over the world for everyone;
God wanted all men to hear the good news,
That any who believed in Christ be won!
Called out of time, the last apostle, Paul,
Preached to Gentiles that salvation's for all!

Matthias, a faithful companion of Jesus, was chosen to take Judas Iscariot's place, after Judas hanged himself, as the 12th apostle. After Pentecost they formed the first Christian church in Jerusalem and began to preach there and to add converts, mostly Jews who believed that Jesus was the long-promised Messiah. However, they considered themselves a sect of Judaism and met on the temple's outer court. They met on Sunday instead of the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday), because Jesus had been resurrected on Sunday. They met in homes. also. There were many things they began doing as a result of misunderstanding various doctrines taught by the Savior. For example, they required every member to sell their property and turn the proceeds over to the church---they shared everything in communal living. Also, they began requiring all Gentiles to be circumcised and to learn Mosaic law and customs before becoming a member of the church; they were "second class" members, because the Jews retained their prejudice against Gentiles.

Christ, who had risen to heaven and been given authority over all the world, knew they needed the aid of a good theologian and administrator, one who had a through knowledge of Jewish history and the new covenant of grace, showed Himself to Saul, a Jewish Pharisee who had become a great persecutor of the new sect. Saul, who changed his name to Paul later, instantly believed. He was led into the desert and taught for three years by Christ and the Holy Spirit, and called to be Christ's apostle to the Gentile world.

" 'For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins, according to Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James [his half-brother, who became pastor of the Jerusalem church], then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, for I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am...' " (1 Corinthians 15:3-9) [Brackets added)

Paul became the first missionary to the nations of the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean area. He established churches over the Empire and wrote letters explaining doctrines that comprise half the New Testament. The first apostles accepted him as one of them, though he fought the encroachment of Judaism into Christian salvation all his life. Largely due to Paul, circumcision and other good works are not imposed on believers, who are saved by God's grace through faith alone. He was martyred in Rome in 64 A.D.. In fact, all the apostles were martyred for their advocacy of Jesus Christ. Paul is credited with removing most of the heresy from Christianity, although various misinterpretations have attacked the faith throughout history.