Who are 'all the apostles"?

[nebula]

1 Cor. 15

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep ; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles ; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

This is a little weird, something I just noticed:

First Paul says Jesus appeared to Cephas [Peter], then to the twelve.

"The Twelve" is understood to be the 12 apostles . . . although Peter (Cephas) is one of the 12 and one of the 12 (Judas) was no longer a part of the 12. Perhaps "the twelve" is used as a title, not that Jesus appeared to 12 men - for by then it was only 11??

But what struck me odd is that after this Paul mentions Jesus appearing to all the apostles after appearing to James (I'm assuming his half-brother).

So, who are "all the apostles"? It sounds like they are different from "the twelve".

[OldShep]

Well now one of my commintaries says this:

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Albert Barnes (1798-1870)

1 Corinthians 15:5

And that he was seen of Cephas -

Peter; See the note at Joh_1:42 . The resurrection of Christ was A fact to be proved, like all other facts, by competent and credible witnesses. Paul, therefore, appeals to the witnesses who had attested, or who yet lived to attest, the truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and shows that it was not possible that so many witnesses should have been deceived. As this was not the first time in which the evidence had been stated to them, and as his purpose was merely to remind them of what they had heard and believed, he does not adduce all the witnesses to the event, but refers only to the more important ones. He does not, therefore, mention the woman to whom the Saviour first appeared, nor does he refer to all the times when the Lord Jesus manifested himself to his disciples. But he does not refer to them in general merely, but mentions "names," and refers to persons who "were then alive," who could attest the truth of the resurrection. It may be observed, also, that Paul observes probably the exact "order" in which the Lord Jesus appeared to the disciples, though he does not mention all the instances. For an account of the persons to whom the Lord Jesus appeared after his resurrection, and the order in which it was done, see the notes on the Gospels.

Then of the twelve -

The apostles; still called "the twelve," though Judas was not one of them. It was common to call the apostles "the twelve." Jesus appeared to the apostles at one time in the absence of Thomas Joh_20:19 , Joh_20:24 ; and also to them when Thomas was present, Joh_20:24-29 . Probably Paul here refers to the latter occasion, when all the surviving apostles were present.

Mar 16:12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.

Mar 16:13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.

Mar 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

??Dennis

[enoob57]

1 Cor. 15

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep ; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles ; 8 and la st of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

This is a little weird, something I just noticed:

First Paul says Jesus appeared to Cephas [Peter], then to the twelve.

"The Twelve" is understood to be the 12 apostles . . . although Peter (Cephas) is one of the 12 and one of the 12 (Judas) was no longer a part of the 12. Perhaps "the twelve" is used as a title, not that Jesus appeared to 12 men - for by then it was only 11??

But what struck me odd is that after this Paul mentions Jesus appearing to all the apostles after appearing to James (I'm assuming his half-brother).

So, who are "all the apostles"? It sounds like they are different from "the twelve".

Possible this-

Acts 1:22-26

22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection."

23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

NKJV

Matthias was with them since the beginning- it seems a prerequisite of discipleship of Christ that they were with Him in His Life ministry and witness His resurrection. There are twelve thrones to judge the twelve tribes Matt 19:28...

[nebula]

Old Shep, are you saying Paul mentioned "the twelve" twice, only calling them "the twelve" first, and then calling them "all the apostles"?

How does that fit with a progression of those to whom the Lord appeared?

[JohnD]

1 Cor. 15

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep ; 7 then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles ; 8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

This is a little weird, something I just noticed:

First Paul says Jesus appeared to Cephas [Peter], then to the twelve.

"The Twelve" is understood to be the 12 apostles . . . although Peter (Cephas) is one of the 12 and one of the 12 (Judas) was no longer a part of the 12. Perhaps "the twelve" is used as a title, not that Jesus appeared to 12 men - for by then it was only 11??

But what struck me odd is that after this Paul mentions Jesus appearing to all the apostles after appearing to James (I'm assuming his half-brother).

So, who are "all the apostles"? It sounds like they are different from "the twelve".

Different occasions mentioned. He appeared to Peter (Cephas) THEN "the twelve" which was a name given the group even if all twelve were not actually present. And IMHO Matthias was not the 12th Apostle (neither was Judas, for that matter). The rich young ruler had yet to assume his position as the 12th Apostle and Judas merely tagged along and was presumed the 12th. Furthermore when Matthias and Joseph Barsabas Justus were chosen by the Apostles to pick between, they did not consult the Lord if these were the two candidates the Lord would choose from. I tried the same thing with a Lamborghini and a Pantera and threw the dice. It didn't work for me and it didn't work for the Apostles. Paul was the 12th Apostle.

Anyway, the text mentions AFTER THAT to more than 500 and then to all of the Apostles (meaning altogether at the same time in the same place).

Hope this helps.

[OneLight]

THis is my understanding. Let's take another look. Jesus appeared to:

1. Cephas
   
2. then to the twelve *(The known 12 apostles)
   
3. more than five hundred brethren at one time
   
4. then He appeared to James
   
5. then to all the apostles *(The rest He had sent - Luke 10:1-2 - After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.)
   
6. last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also
   

Keep in mind what the meaning of an apostle is.

1) a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

.....a) specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ

.....b) in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers

..........1) of Barnabas

..........2) of Timothy and Silvanus

[JohnD]

THis is my understanding. Let's take another look. Jesus appeared to:

1. Cephas
2. then to the twelve *(The known 12 apostles)
3. more than five hundred brethren at one time
4. then He appeared to James
5. then to all the apostles *(The rest He had sent - Luke 10:1-2 - After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.)
6. last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also

Keep in mind what the meaning of an apostle is.

1) a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders

.....a) specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ

.....b) in a broader sense applied to other eminent Christian teachers

..........1) of Barnabas

..........2) of Timothy and Silvanus

I realize there is a basic definition of an apostle. I also know there was a specific group of apostles (super apostles)

2 Corinthians 11:5 (NIV)

5 But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Other translations call them "chiefest apostles".

The Lord himself is referred to as the Apostle...

Hebrews 3:1 (NIV)

1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

What amazes me about the Word of God is how he subtly uses ordinary language to represent the monumental... there are many anointed (messiahs) there is one ultimate Messiah (anointed) or the very name of the Lord I AM... Christians (little christs or messiahs). God the Word sent into the world in Genesis 22 is merely called the Messenger of YHVH (the Angel of the Lord).

This is why I believe the terms prophet, apostle, father, rabbi, etc. are used entirely too recklessly in our modern world and also in the ancient or in the interpretation as to whom the Bible refers as these.

[nebula]

The rich young ruler had yet to assume his position as the 12th Apostle

OK . . . ?????

[Botz]

The rich young ruler had yet to assume his position as the 12th Apostle

OK . . . ?????

John....I think Neb's reply means could you elaborate on what you have touched on because there are at least two of us that remain in the dark....and while you're at it

could you say where you get your understanding from concerning the drawing of 'lots' at the choosing of Judas' replacement. Ta. Botz

[Botz]

The rich young ruler had yet to assume his position as the 12th Apostle

OK . . . ?????

John....I think Neb's reply means could you elaborate on what you have touched on because there are at least two of us that remain in the dark....and while you're at it

could you say where you get your understanding from concerning the drawing of 'lots' at the choosing of Judas' replacement. Ta. Botz