Scriptural proof:
Peter affirmed Paul’s apostleship in 2 Peter 3:15-16:
2 Peter 3:15-16 (KJV) - "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."
Historical proof for Paul's apostleship:
Ignatius of Antioch (AD 35-110):
Ignatius of Antioch was a 1st-century pupil of the original Apostles. (1)(2)(3)
This 1st-century Bishop gives evidence that supports Paul’s association with the other Apostles of Jesus Christ, thus confirming Paul's apostleship:
“I do not command you, as Peter and Paul did.” (4)
“You are initiated into the mysteries of the Gospel with Paul, the holy, the martyred, the deservedly most happy, at whose feet may I be found, when I shall attain to God; who in all his Epistles makes mention of you in Christ Jesus.” (5)
Polycarp of Smyrna (AD 69-155):
Polycarp affirms Paul’s apostleship.
“For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and steadfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, is the mother of us all.” (6)
“For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world? as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended in the beginning of his Epistle. For he boasts of you in all those Churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known him.” (7)
Clement of Rome (33 AD – 99 AD):
He affirmed Paul’s apostleship:
“Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee,and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.” (8)
“Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when the gospel first began to be preached? Truly, under the inspiration of the Spirit, he wrote to you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, because even then parties had been formed among you.” (9)
1.) The Martyrdom of Ignatius Ch. 1.
2.) Eusebius, Church History, Book 3, Ch. 22.
3.) Eusebius, Church History, Book 3, Ch. 36.
4.) Ignatius, Letter to the Romans, Ch. 4
5.) Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians, Ch. 12
6.) Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians, Ch. 3
7.) Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians, Ch. 11
8.) Clement, The First Epistle of Clement, Ch. 5 (AD 96)
9.) Clement, The First Epistle of Clement, Ch. 47, (A.D. 96)
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Peter affirmed Paul’s apostleship in 2 Peter 3:15-16:
2 Peter 3:15-16 (KJV) - "And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."
Historical proof for Paul's apostleship:
Ignatius of Antioch (AD 35-110):
Ignatius of Antioch was a 1st-century pupil of the original Apostles. (1)(2)(3)
This 1st-century Bishop gives evidence that supports Paul’s association with the other Apostles of Jesus Christ, thus confirming Paul's apostleship:
“I do not command you, as Peter and Paul did.” (4)
“You are initiated into the mysteries of the Gospel with Paul, the holy, the martyred, the deservedly most happy, at whose feet may I be found, when I shall attain to God; who in all his Epistles makes mention of you in Christ Jesus.” (5)
Polycarp of Smyrna (AD 69-155):
Polycarp affirms Paul’s apostleship.
“For neither I, nor any other such one, can come up to the wisdom of the blessed and glorified Paul. He, when among you, accurately and steadfastly taught the word of truth in the presence of those who were then alive. And when absent from you, he wrote you a letter, which, if you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope, and preceded by love towards God, and Christ, and our neighbour, is the mother of us all.” (6)
“For if a man cannot govern himself in such matters, how shall he enjoin them on others? If a man does not keep himself from covetousness, he shall be defiled by idolatry, and shall be judged as one of the heathen. But who of us are ignorant of the judgment of the Lord? Do we not know that the saints shall judge the world? as Paul teaches. But I have neither seen nor heard of any such thing among you, in the midst of whom the blessed Paul laboured, and who are commended in the beginning of his Epistle. For he boasts of you in all those Churches which alone then knew the Lord; but we [of Smyrna] had not yet known him.” (7)
Clement of Rome (33 AD – 99 AD):
He affirmed Paul’s apostleship:
“Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee,and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and suffered martyrdom under the prefects. Thus was he removed from the world, and went into the holy place, having proved himself a striking example of patience.” (8)
“Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when the gospel first began to be preached? Truly, under the inspiration of the Spirit, he wrote to you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, because even then parties had been formed among you.” (9)
1.) The Martyrdom of Ignatius Ch. 1.
2.) Eusebius, Church History, Book 3, Ch. 22.
3.) Eusebius, Church History, Book 3, Ch. 36.
4.) Ignatius, Letter to the Romans, Ch. 4
5.) Ignatius, Letter to the Ephesians, Ch. 12
6.) Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians, Ch. 3
7.) Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians, Ch. 11
8.) Clement, The First Epistle of Clement, Ch. 5 (AD 96)
9.) Clement, The First Epistle of Clement, Ch. 47, (A.D. 96)
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