In comparing the ministry of The Twelve apostles with that of The Apostle Paul, we must observe carefully these six points of consideration.

1. The Twelve Apostles were chosen by Jesus of Nazareth while ON EARTH (Luke 6:13).

But Paul was later chosen by the resurrected ascended Christ IN HEAVEN (Acts 9:3-5; 26:16).

2. Prior to Paul’s conversion The Twelve had known Christ only as Jesus of Nazareth ON EARTH (I John 1:1). Even at His ascension to heaven “a cloud received Him OUT OF THEIR SIGHT” (Acts 1:9).

But Paul knew only of the Christ IN HEAVEN, having never seen Him on earth (Acts 26:16; ICor. 15:8).

3. The Twelve represented their own nation, Israel. The number twelve has no connection with the “one Body” of Christ. As we know, Jacob of old “begat the twelve patriarchs” (Acts 7:8). From these sprang the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes had twelve princes over them (Numbers 1:16). Even when Israel was ruled by kings there were still to be twelve princes — one over each tribe (I Chronicles 27:22). Thus, as He went forth proclaiming “the gospel of the kingdom” our Lord chose twelve princes for the twelve thrones in the kingdom to come (Matt. 19:28).

On the other hand, Paul, as ‘the one apostle,’ represents the “one Body,” the Church of today (Rom.12:5; ICor. 12:13; Eph.4:4). However, he was both a born Hebrew and a born Roman, so represented believing Jews and Gentiles “reconciled…unto God in one body by the cross…” (Eph.2:16), making them “one in Christ” (Gal 3:28).

4. The Twelve were sent to proclaim Christ’s kingdom “at hand” (Matt. 10:7), and later to offer its establishment on earth (Acts 3:19-26), if Israel would receive the resurrected Jesus, named as Messiah. Of course, they did not received Jesus, so they were set aside.

²⁵ For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Romans 11:25 (KJV)

But then Paul soon after was sent to proclaim “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24), while ‘the kingdom’ is being held in abeyance unto the Rapture of the Gentiles and His 2^nd coming.

5. The ministry of The Twelve was based on covenant promises (Isaiah 60:1-3; Luke 1:70-79; Acts 3:22-26).

But Paul’s ministry was not based on covenant promises, but rather wholly upon the grace of God through Christ (Rom.3:21-28; 5:20-21; Eph.1:6-7; 2:7; etc.).

6. Peter and The Twelve preached to “Ye men of Israel” what had been “spoken by all His holy prophets since the world began.”

¹⁹  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰  And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ²¹  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:19-21 (KJV)

But Paul had a most unique ministry, being sent to the Gentiles with a different gospel, ministry and knowledge of Jesus Christ according to “revelation” that “was been kept secret since the world began.”

²⁵ Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my [Paul’s] gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Romans 16:25 (KJV)