Paul Calls Himself an Apostle: The Greatest Lie in the Modern Church
Bible StudyPaul Is Not an Apostle: A Closer Look at the Scriptures
For generations, believers have been taught to accept Paul as the thirteenth apostle—an equal, if not greater, voice than the twelve whom Yahushua Himself appointed. Paul’s letters have been elevated to doctrine, his words used to define salvation, restructure the assembly, and even reinterpret the teachings of the Messiah.
But what if generations have been wrong? What if the one man who calls himself an apostle was never appointed by Yahushua at all?
This teaching invites you to lay down tradition, open the Scriptures, and test everything. Because the truth does not fear examination—and the true Shepherd’s voice always leads us back to life.
“Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...”
Paul Calls Himself an Apostle — But No One Else Verifies It
This is very different from how Scripture affirms the true apostles of the Lamb. Consider:
No Gospel writer calls Paul an apostle.
Yahushua never calls Paul an apostle.
The Father never calls Paul an apostle.
No prophetic word identifies Paul as an apostle.
The Twelve never publicly affirm him.
The Jerusalem assembly never grants him apostolic authority.
The only person who insists Paul is an apostle… is Paul.
Yahushua Himself said:
“If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true.”
— John 5:31, ISR2009
And this should give us pause.
Contradictions Between Paul and Yahushua
Let’s look plainly at what Yahushua taught, and how Paul contradicts it.
Yahushua: “Call no man teacher or master.”
Paul: “God has appointed… teachers.” (Ephesians 4)
Yahushua: “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
Paul: “You are not under the law” — and even calls Torah “bondage.”
Yahushua: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master’… but those who do the will of the Father.”
Paul: “It is not by works… lest any man boast.”
This reveals a deep conflict. Paul opposes:
Yahushua’s Torah obedience
Yahushua’s definition of righteousness
Yahushua’s teachings on endurance and fruit
Yahushua’s standard for entering life
And Peter warns us:
“...in which there are some matters hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction.”
— 2 Peter 3:16
This is not a compliment. Peter is saying Paul’s writings are dangerous when twisted — and the untaught, the unlearned— those who’ve never heard the true gospel, are especially vulnerable.
Paul’s Damascus Story Does Not Make Him an Apostle
But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness blinded his eyes. —1 John 2:11 LSB
Many say, “But Yahushua appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus!”
Let’s test that:
No one else sees Yahushua.
Paul tells the story three different ways — the details conflict.
He says he sees a light, not the physical risen Messiah.
No apostolic commission is given.
No doctrinal teaching is delivered.
Yahushua sends Paul to Ananias, saying he will tell Paul what to do.
Yahushua sending Ananias only means that YHWH is compassionate, not that Paul met Yahushua ha’Mashiach.
… And Ananias never calls Paul an apostle, and neither does anyone else, for that matter.
Peter was already given the ministry to the Gentiles. So, why would Paul need to take credit for it?
Ananias Restoring the Sight of St. Paul
by Pietro da Cortona | c. 1631
Revelation Confirms There Are Only Twelve Apostles
Look at the New Jerusalem:
“The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
— Revelation 21:14
Twelve. Not thirteen.
“Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve?”
— John 6:70
“When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles: Simon (whom He named Peter), and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot; …”
— Luke 6:13-16
“Then Jesus went up on the mountain and called for those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach, and to have authority to drive out demons. ...”
— Mark 3:13–19
“And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; / Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ...”
—Matthew 10:1-4
All four gospels attest to twelve apostles—never thirteen, and never a growing selected group chosen by the apostles—or any self appointed apostle.
Paul’s name is not written on the foundations of the eternal city.
The apostles of the Lamb were:
Chosen by Yahushua
Witnesses of His resurrection
Companions who walked with Him from the beginning
Paul meets none of these requirements.
“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.”
Paul’s Authority Was Constantly Questioned
Paul was always defending himself. Consider just a few of his remarks:
“I am not inferior to the super apostles.”
“Am I not an apostle?”
“I suppose I am not in the least inferior to these chiefest apostles.”
“From those who were esteemed to be something — whatever they were, it makes no difference to me… they added nothing to me.” (Galatians 2:6)
That last statement deserves extra attention.
Yahweh Does Show Favor — Scripture Says So
Paul claims Elohim shows no favoritism (Galatians 2:6). But Scripture says otherwise. And not only does Yahweh favor, but he favors women:
“Greetings, favored one, the Master is with you. Blessed are you among women.”
— Luke 1:28, ISR2009
Yahweh honors the humble and exalts the lowly. He chooses. He favors. He lifts up. So while Yahweh shows favor, Paul dismisses the very concept of divine favor — contrary to the consistent witness of Scripture.
Why do you think that is? Why do people usually resent favor? Perhaps because they have none.
Saint Peter
Guernico | c. 1650
Real Apostles Never Defended Their Title
The true apostles of the Lamb:
Never called themselves apostles in self-assertion
Never had to prove their authority
Called themselves servants of the Master
Were recognized and appointed by Yahushua directly
Paul’s repeated defensiveness exposes a lack of divine calling — and a trace of jealousy that he, “a Pharisee of Pharisees,” was not chosen over fishermen and sinners.
And remember: Yahushua never defended Himself. He was silent before His accusers and led like a lamb to the slaughter.
Paul Introduces Hierarchies Yahushua Condemned
Yahushua taught:
The first shall be last
Servants lead
Authority comes through humility
Do not seek titles
Do not set up human hierarchy
Paul introduces:
Pastors and teachers
Church leadership ladders
Apostolic authority structures
Submission to his letters
A gospel detached from Torah and Yahushua’s words
And Yahushua warned us:
“Many shall come in My Name, saying ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they shall lead many astray.”
— Matthew 24:5
He did not say they would claim to be the Messiah.
He said they would affirm He is the Messiah — and still deceive.
Galatians 2:6 — The Strongest Proof
Here’s Paul’s quote:
“But from those who were esteemed to be something — whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; Elohim shows no favoritism — for those esteemed ones added nothing to me.”
— Galatians 2:6
He is speaking about James, Peter, and John — the pillars of the early assembly. Yet he says their reputation means nothing to him.
This is not the spirit of humility. This is not submission to the ones Yahushua sent.
Yahushua said:
“He who receives the one I send receives Me.”
— John 13:20
Paul openly rejects the ones Yahushua sent.
Paul Claims a Gospel Apart from the Twelve
In Galatians 1:12, Paul claims:
“I did not receive it from man… but through a revelation of Yahushua Messiah.”
He uses this to justify:
Rejecting correction
Rebuking Peter
Dismissing the Twelve
Preaching a gospel they never preached
He even calls himself “father” — something Yahushua strictly forbids (Matthew 23:9).
Saints Peter and Paul
Guido Reni | c. 1605
The Real Problem: Paul Elevates Himself Over Yahushua’s Apostles
In Galatians 2:
He rebukes Peter
He accuses hypocrisy
He claims superiority
He insists he is right when all others are wrong
His language shows it:
“I received it not from men.”
“I did not consult with flesh and blood.”
“They added nothing to me.”
“I opposed Cephas to his face.”
“Even Barnabas was led astray.”
This is not the way of the Master.
Yahushua’s Way vs Paul’s Pattern
Yahushua:
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.”
Paul:
“They added nothing to me.” (Gal. 2:6)
Yahushua:
“Call no man teacher or master.”
Paul:
“God gave some to be teachers…” (Eph. 4:11)
Yahushua:
“Deny yourself, take up your stake.”
Paul:
“If anyone thinks he has reason to boast — I have more.” (Phil. 3:4)
Galatians reveals the true Paul:
Defending himself
Rebuking Peter
Dismissing the Law
Asserting dominance
Teaching doctrines Yahushua never spoke
Claiming authority Yahushua never gave
And as John says, we must test the Spirits— this means we compare actions to the Bible, and compare the fruit.
“Beloved, do not believe all spirits, but be distinguishing between the spirits whether they are from God, because many false Prophets have gone out into the world.” —1 John 4:1
Paul did not meet the qualifications.
He was not appointed.
And he preached a gospel Yahushua did not teach.
When the Spirit of Truth is tested, Paul fails miserably.
And now you know. And why does that matter? Because as Yahushua
“And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not prepare himself or act according to his will shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required, and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” — Luke 12:47–48
This is Yahushua saying:
Knowledge creates accountability.
Revelation increases judgment.
Once truth is revealed, we are responsible to respond.
“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin;
but now they have no excuse for their sin.” —John 15:22
“If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father.” —John 15:24
Again—once revelation comes, excuses die.
“If you were blind, you would not be guilty. But now you say, ‘We see.’” —John 9:41
Yahushua tells the Pharisees that knowing the truth strips them all of their excuses, and proves Yahushua is the only authority.
Yahushua said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but *now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.” —John 9:41
Meaning:
Before understanding, there is mercy.
After understanding, there is responsibility.
And that responsibility means we do not rebuke the Holy Spirit, but we follow the Shepherd wherever He leads.
And Here We Find Grace…
GRACE perfectly encapsulates the transition from striving, to resting, in God's presence—which is at the heart of the message. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, and it's through His grace that we are able to move from struggle to peace. I invite you to pause and reflect on God's presence, how you can connect to God’s grace in a meaningful way.
Our GRACE Method™ is meant to encourage you so you can experience YHWH, Immanuel, and the Holy Spirit, in a deeper way, on a regular basis, through thought provoking Bible Study, Prayer, education, and Worship.
GRACE METHOD
G — Ground Yourself in Scripture
Read Galatians 2 slowly.
Compare it to Yahushua’s words in Matthew 23 and John 13.
R — Reflect on Context
Why was Paul constantly defending himself?
Can you find one instance in the Bible, where Yahushua defends himself?
Why did he rebuke Peter, rather than walk in humility?
A — Apply to Your Life
Who are you following? A man who elevated himself, or The Messiah who lowered Himself?
C — Commune with God
Ask Yahweh to open your eyes to what is true.
Lay aside man-made traditions.
Seek His voice alone
Write down what YHWH is showing you; meditate on his word.
E — Exalt the Messiah
Yahushua is the only true foundation. Only the apostles of the Lamb are written on the walls of New Jerusalem.
Return to His teachings.
Exalt Him alone.
Share Your Faith
Speak this prayer aloud:
I choose Yahushua. I choose His teachings. I follow the voice of the Shepherd. I will not be led astray by any other voice — no matter how esteemed or widespread. Yahushua is my Teacher, my Master, and my ONLY Way to the Father.
Let it be so In Yahushua ha’Mashiach’s Mighty Name!
Amen + Amen!!
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