Paul’s Apostleship

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

The word, “Apostle”, is found nineteen times in the New Testament. Sixteen of those times it refers to Paul. (Nine of those sixteen times he identifies himself as an apostle as he addresses certain churches.) In Hebrews it refers to Christ. The last two times it refers to Peter. We find the word “Apostles”, sixty times, but we will not take time to brake them down.

Evidently Paul’s apostleship was questioned by some in the Corinthian Church. (I Cor. 9:1-6) But he said he was not behind the chiefest of the apostles. (II Cor. 11:5; 12:11) Let’s compare Peter and Paul. Unless otherwise designated all references will be in the Book of Acts.

I. THE HEALING OF THE TWO MEN LAME FROM BIRTH.

1. Peter.
   

   Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
   (Acts 3:1-8)

2. Paul.
   

   And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. (Acts 14:8-10)

II. SPECIAL MIRACLES.

1. Peter.
   

   Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
   (Acts 5:15-16)

2. Paul.
   

   And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
   (Acts 19:11-12)

III. PEOPLE RECEIVED THE HOLY SPIRIT BY THE LAYING ON OF THEIR HANDS.

1. Peter.
   

   Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17)

2. Paul.
   

   And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)

IV. ONLY PETER, PALSY.

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. (Acts 9:33-34)

VI. ONLY PAUL, DEMON CAST OUT.

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. (Acts 16:16-18)

V. DEAD RESTORED TO LIFE.

1. Peter.
   

   But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. (Acts 9:40-41)

2. Paul.
   

   And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
   (Acts 20:9-12)

VI. TRANCE.

1. Peter.
   

   And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
   (Acts 10:10)

2. Paul.
   

   And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; (Acts 22:17)

VII. GENTILE MINISTRY.

1. Peter.
   

   While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:44-47)

2. Paul.
   

   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:
   (Acts 9:15)

   Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46)

   And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles. (Acts 18:6)

   And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. (Acts 22:21)

   Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. (Acts 28:28)

   For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
   (Romans 11:13)