The differences in authority given by Jesus (God) the 12 and Paul are
Major. Jesus gave the Twelve a unique place that no one else received. He chose them while He was on earth. They walked with Him, heard His voice, and learned directly from Him. for mote than 3 years. After His resurrection, Jesus came to them and gave them the Holy Spirit in a very direct and personal way. Scripture says, “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you. As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’ And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20:21–22). This moment is important, because Jesus Himself breathed on them, just as God breathed life into Adam in the beginning.
Right after this, Jesus gave them authority that He did not give to everyone. He said, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:23). This authority over sins was spoken only to the disciples who were with Him.
Earlier, during His ministry, Jesus had already given them power and authority. The Scripture says, “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.” (Luke 9:1). This power came directly from Jesus. He also made it clear that this calling did not come from their own choice. He said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” (John 15:16).
Jesus also told them that they were given understanding that others did not have. He said, “But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.” (Matthew 13:16). To Peter, speaking for the Twelve, Jesus gave authority connected to the Kingdom itself. He said, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19).
Jesus also promised the Twelve a future role that belongs only to them. He said, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matthew 19:28). This promise is not given to later believers, but only to those who followed Him during His earthly walk.
This special place of the Twelve is also shown at the very end of Scripture, in the description of the New Jerusalem. John writes, “Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:14). The eternal city itself carries their names. No other names are written on the foundations. This shows that their role is fixed forever in God’s plan.
When we compare this with Paul, the difference is clear from Scripture itself. Paul was not chosen during Jesus’ earthly ministry and did not walk with Him before the cross. Paul encountered Jesus later, through a vision. Scripture says, “Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ Then the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 9:4–5).
After his rebuke from Jesus, Paul did not receive the Holy Spirit by Jesus breathing on him. Instead, God sent another disciple to him. The Scripture says, “Then Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” (Acts 9:17–18).
Paul was given a mission, but not the same position as the Twelve. The Lord said, “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.’” (Acts 9:15). Paul was chosen as a vessel to carry the message, not as one of the Twelve who were given authority over sins, the keys of the Kingdom, promised thrones, and eternal foundations in the New Jerusalem.
Scripture also shows that Paul later went to the apostles, not that they went to him. He says, “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days.” (Galatians 1:18). When Judas was replaced, Paul was not chosen. The Scripture says, “And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:26). This happened before Paul’s ministry began.
All of this shows, clearly and simply, that the Twelve received a special status directly from Jesus Himself. They were chosen in person, taught in person, received the Spirit directly from Him, were given authority over sins, entrusted with the keys of the Kingdom, promised thrones in the age to come, and have their names written forever on the foundations of the New Jerusalem. Paul was called later, through a vision, received the Spirit through another disciple, and was sent to preach, but he did not receive the same authority, position, or eternal promises that Jesus gave to the Twelve. This comes straight from Scripture, without adding or removing anything.
@rvmb