Wondering

The Elder Blog exists to help the congregation know what the Elders are reading and thinking about, maybe even discussing.  Todd does a great job posting his thoughts, I really admire the job he does making a lot of very interesting posts. 

This is just a couple of my thoughts.  In the last two posts I did the topic was about the impact of a couple of books that I read.  This is about my thoughts on stuff.

If you have read my last posts you will realize that grammar and I are not on the best terms.  Please forgive and extend a little grace.

I wonder about many things, most are not earthshaking or even important.  In fact, I am a big fan of trivia.
For instance, what is the difference between a disciple and an apostle?  The dictionary defines a disciple as a person who subscribes to the teachings of a master and assists in spreading their teaching.  An apostle is defined as one of  a group made up especially of the twelve witnesses chosen by Christ to preach his gospel, or as a missionary of the early Christian Church.

Okay, problem solved, what is there to wonder about?  Jesus chose twelve disciples, eleven to spread his teachings and one to betray him.  After Jesus ascended to heaven the believers all met together continually according to Acts 1:14, they chose two candidates to replace Judas, Joseph or Matthias to be the twelfth.  After a night of prayer, Acts 1:23-24, they cast lots and Matthias was chosen, Acts 1:26.  But on the road to Damascus Paul is chosen by Jesus to be an Apostle, Acts 9:1-18.  We do not read about Matthias again in the New Testament, but at the same time we do not read about several of the other Apostles.  So, I wonder is Paul the twelfth Apostle?

Naturally I cannot just leave the question.  So, as we read Acts, was Barnabas an Apostle?  How about James and Jude, the brothers of Jesus.  They did not follow Christ till after the resurrection.  Of course, it depends on whether we are defining an apostle as one of the twelve or a missionary.  If we define an Apostle as an early missionary, who else are we missing?  Is twelve the limit or can their be more?  These are some of the many questions that I will get answered when I sit worshiping at Jesus feet.

Is this earth shaking?  No, does it mean a whole new doctrine?  No, just some of the many things I wonder about.  Welcome to the silly mind of Lee Saffell.

I also wonder what the one or two people who take the time to read this wonder about?