Lots of Apostles
For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
that He was buried,
that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time,
most of whom remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me.
For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-10 HCSB ©®)
Jesus was raised from the dead. He then appeared to Peter and the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers. Then to James, then to all the apostles. Then to Paul, who was an apostle. The “twelve” were mentioned specifically and separately from James and “all the apostles.” Then, Paul called himself an apostle. How many apostles does that add up to? Hint: the correct answer has not yet come from the Pope nor from John Smith’s “Latter Day Saints” (Mormons). Look around you for the newest ones.