There is no hard evidence that the 12 apostles even existed.
I've seen no hard evidence that YOU exist, but it's kinda silly to make accusations like that without any reason, isn't there?
Paul was revered as "THE Apostle" by the Gnostics themselves -
See my Abe Lincoln analogy.
Paul describes a journey to the 3rd heaven where he personally learned divine secrets - the very definition of a gnostic.
Paul describes a layered universe - just like the Gnostics.
Paul describes multiple bodies - just like the Gnostics.
Paul contrasts evil matter with spirit - just like the Gnostics.
And all such concepts (except the first, which you're exaggerating) are also Christian.......this proves Gnosticism predates Christianity how?
Paul makes no clear mention of a historical Jesus or his ministry, nor do the epistles - merely spiritual references to a Risen Christ.
I flipped open my Bible to the epistles right quick, and I didn't have to go past the first chapter of the very first epistle to disprove this claim.......Romans 1:3 reads "...His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed ot David according to the FLESH."
There is NO MENTION in ANY Christian writing of the bulk of Jesus' ministry until a century or so after the alleged events -
This is simply untrue, as two of the gospels was written by disciples who surely did not live until 100 ad..........