The Apostle Paul, the writer of fourteen books of the twenty-seven in the New Testament, is called sexist, bigoted, homophobic, and more. Many claim Jesus and yet reject the apostle Paul. Many have degraded Paul’s writings as though his writings have no place in the Bible. They set Paul aside despite being an apostle who started and help start churches from Syria to Italy if not Spain also. His words are a foundation to Christian theology. His words make up 1 Corinthians 13 known as the love chapter read at so many weddings. Paul’s words about grace and love are cast aside because he taught submission. However, he is supposedly sexist for revealing God’s birthright for men to be spiritual leaders (1 Tim 2:11–14), and bigoted by showing the depravity of a society that accepts homosexuality (Rom 1:24–27). Some do not prefer the church government presented in Paul’s words (1 Tim 3, Titus 1), because each congregation is autonomously led by elders rather than a single ruling pastor, committees, votes, or a hierarchy of bishops with a Pope. Do you see what is happening here?
If someone rejects Christ’s words given through the Apostle Paul, do they reject Christ? Note that Paul said regarding the Apostles of Christ, “These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches” (1 Cor 2:13). This is just as Jesus declared that He would give His words to His Apostles (John 17:8), and those who listened to Him would listen to His Apostles (John 15:20). Jesus also revealed that He would send His Spirit to instruct them in all truth (John 14:26, 16:12–13). Because of this, Paul wrote, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor 14:37). Should we trust Paul? Paul was converted by Christ (Gal 1:15–17), claimed revelation from Christ (Gal 1:11–12), preached a gospel revealed separately and yet accepted and approved by the other Apostles (Gal 1:18–19, 23; 2:2, 9), and even so that the Apostle Peter was corrected and repented by the Apostle Paul (Gal 2:11).
What are the effects and consequences of not accepting Paul’s writings? Does not accepting Paul’s writings mean not accepting the rest of the writings in the Christian Scriptures? If you do not accept Paul, then you cannot accept the apostle Peter who accepted the writings of Paul as Scripture (2 Pet 3:16), and then one must certainly not accept John who accepted Peter (1 John 1:1–4), and Peter accepted John (2 Pet 1:16–21). Now, those who reject Paul must reject Peter to be consistent. After all, the apostle Peter instructed that mankind submit to the governing authorities, servants submit to masters, and wives submit to husbands (1 Pet 2:13–3:6).
By rejecting Paul’s writings, one would have to reconsider the Gospel of Luke since Luke was with Paul, agreed with Paul, and their agreement is clear in how Paul quoted Luke as Scripture (1 Tim 5:18; cf. Luke 10:7). Setting aside Luke also means setting aside Luke’s book of Acts and the previously written gospel narratives mentioned in Luke 1:1–3. This leaves only two books, James and Jude, from the Christian Scriptures. However, Jude closely resembles 2 Peter 2 even speaking of fulfillment of Peter’s revelation, so that one cannot reasonably accept Jude. James was also an Apostle with Peter, associated with the Twelve, and accepted Paul (Acts 15; Gal 1:18–2:10), so James’ writing would also be dismissed.
The consequences of rejecting Paul’s writings are devastating and pushes a person into a cloudy deism at least. See, rejecting the writings of Paul means rejecting the whole New Testament. With rejecting the New Testament, the consistent person would reject all the words of Jesus found throughout the Gospels, Acts, the Epistles, and Revelation. However, as previously noted, Jesus said that all of the Truth in Christ’s words were given to His Apostles as revealed through His Spirit. With such a position, there goes the apostolic Scriptures and the early Christian faith (Eph 2:20; 3:5).
In the end, this is a character judgment of the sincerity and honesty of Paul and all of the New Testament writers. Can believers dismiss the apostle Paul and by so doing dismiss Christ? Jesus declared, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:16–17). When dismissing Paul’s words for conflict of one’s own self-realized righteousness? Are people to listen to their own hearts first or God’s Word in the Scriptures? Remember these words. Jesus proclaimed, “For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). Jesus said things that people did not accept where crowds stopped following Him (John 6:66). Isaiah presents God’s words, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts'” (Isaiah 55:8-9). How will rejecting Paul’s words include the definition of love, fruits of the Spirit, and much more devastate virtue in the Christians faith? Can highly esteem opinions stand against Paul’s most profound statements? Should anyone consider personal thoughts higher than God’s thoughts?
By rejecting Jesus’s words given through the Apostles and prophets, then faith is all or nothing for the Scripture. Should people give up prejudices toward the Bible that are based on their personal morality? Should people reinterpret certain scriptural writers to disregard teachings that offend them and others?
True Christian discipleship starts with Christ. True faith consists of essential virtues of humility, meekness, and submission for which the world mocks and scoffs at the thought of such virtues. However, the Apostles taught everyone to submit to God in faith, and thus to submit government, servants to masters, and wives to husbands (1 Pet 2:13–3:6). Humble submission to God is the virtue of true faith that trusts in the God of Jesus Christ. By this, Christians trust God to work things out through His providence. Without sincere humility, there is no real faith, and this is what this discussion is all about. Humble yourself before the words of Christ delivered through His Apostles and prophets, and let no one consider one’s thoughts greater than God and His Son.
Can you hear the voice of Jesus – or is it drowned out by the voice of Paul?
Poem – Looking forward (Rocky)
Jesus never calls us out
For what we used to be.
His voice is so much greater
Than paul the Pharisee.
“You are Simon son of John”
Said Jesus, without elaboration.
No mention of a cloudy past
No hint of condemnation.
No accusation against the brothers
No comments dark and obscure,
Writing to the Church in Corinth
“that is what some of you were.”
Not the voice of the accuser,
Boss Paul the Pharisee,
Telling the redeemed people of God
About what they used to be.
Jesus never said right is wrong,
He never said wrong is right.
He came so we can turn from darkness
And into His glorious light.
“Neither do I condemn you” said Jesus,
To a woman entrapped by dogs.
The game the dogs play is the same today,
Except now they do it on blogs.
“Go, and sin no more” said Jesus,
Don’t relive that history.
Look forward, not back, don’t dwell on your past.
“You will be called” Rocky.
Looking forward – Chapter 2
“I am he who searches hearts and minds”
says the Risen Jesus Christ
“Repent and do what you did at first”
Don’t be lazy since He paid the price
Yes, Jesus sees our sins today
Don’t think that He is blind
But the words of paul the Pharisee
Will put you in a bind
Jesus washed away your sins
Don’t listen to paul the accuser
paul abandoned the Church in Corinth
And then paul became an abuser
When you put your trust in Jesus
Yes, your stains were white as snow
You didn’t need to wear a Scarlet Letter
Everywhere you go
“I will repay each of you
According to your deeds”
This is Jesus speaking to The Church
Not a business selling felt needs
For “those who claim to be apostles”
Jesus said they must be “tested”
Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos
Persevered and were not bested
They exposed the false teachings
Of paul the Pharisee
So the Church in Ephesus rejected paul
And had a chance to be free
Bibliography
All quotes in “Chapter 2” are the words of Jesus, in Revelation Chapter 2
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Regarding Paul vs Jesus
Jesus was asked twice which Commandment is the greatest or most important one, (Matthew 22 and Mark 12)
Both times Jesus answered quoting the same two commandments, from the Law of Moses.
Jesus said that one of these two commandments is the first and greatest most important one. Which one is it? The one in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, or the one in Leviticus 19:18 ?
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “ is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ [Mark 12:29-30, Deuteronomy 6:4-5]
Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” [Matthew 22:37-38, Deuteronomy 6:5]
Poem – What is love?
Two men came to Jesus
With different motivations.
They asked Him the same question
Relevant to all the nations:
Which is the Most Important?
The answer was the same.
Jesus did not manipulate
He was not there to play a game.
“Love the Lord your God” said Jesus
as He quoted from The Law –
to fulfill and not abolish
was His purpose, full of awe.
Jesus did not make all Scripture
Into one new great commandment.
He summarized The Law and Prophets
“First and Greatest” and “The Second.”
The Love of God is higher
Than the love of any man.
Receive from God, give back to God-
Then to others, that’s His plan.
The Love of God involves much more
Than simply “love your fellow man.”
Worship, trust, and pray to God,
and obey Him – that’s His plan
To worship and pray to neighbors,
Whoever they may be,
Or trust and obey our enemies
Would be idolatry.
The love of God is first and greatest,
And the love of man is second.
“All we need is love” are words
of dead Beetles on the pavement.
“The entire law is summed up in a single command”
are not the words of Jesus our Salvation.
It’s false teaching of Paul the Pharisee
an “accuser of our brethren.”
“Love” without God is Satan’s word through Paul
in his chapter to the Corinthians.
“I will show you the most excellent way”
is the road to eternal perdition.
Where is God in Paul’s chapter on love?
Nowhere in view of the eye.
Paul sings about himself like a Mexican Mariachi
“I, I, I, I.”
Jesus is The Most Excellent Way
Not the words of a Pharisee.
The words of Jesus are very clear.
Jesus said, “You must follow ME.”
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Scott, I find it intetesting that you contact the baptist church uninvited to dislogue with them regarding your peception that their theology is erroneous, yet you ignor my posts regarding issues here. Whats up with that?
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Realistic, so when the HS comes to the believer, and then guides the believer, is this guidance only by the text of the NT or is this a direct interactive guidance? You did not make this clear. If this guidance is only by the text then what has changed that allows the believer to get the message they may not have gotten before the HS came upon them? This is very important question. What did Paul say about this?
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Jesus said, “whatever he heard from the father he has made known”. He was alive on earth when he said that. Jesus is greater than Paul. Salvation comes by FAITH in Jesus Christ through Grace. The Holy Spirit then comes to that believer. The Holy Spirit then guides the believer. All scripture (old testament, 4 gospels that came from God and Jesus’s mouth directly) is sufficient. Paul was send to the Europeans. Middle Eastern churches never had his epistles for several centuries. It is not “rejecting” Paul, it is about giving him larger than life image. A lot of his epistles are OPINIONS and LETTERS written for specific churches. Old testament and 4 gospels is sufficient they have everything in it what to do and what not to do.
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These are peculiar assertions. Paul was in direct fellowship with the Apostles (Ac 15, 21, Ga 1). His teachings were of Christ the same throughout the churches (1 Co 4.17, 7.17). The things that he said are the commands of the Lord (1 Co 14.37). Paul’s writings were to all Christians (1 Co 1.1-2, 2 Co 1.1). Peter noted that all of Paul’s writings were sent to places like Pontus, Cappadocia, and Bithynia where Paul did not specifically write (2 Pe 3.1, 15-16, cf. 1 Pe 1.1). Peter also called Paul’s writings “scripture”.
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Realistic, so when the HS comes to the believer, and then guides the believer, is this guidance only by the text of the NT or is this a direct interactive guidance? You did not make this clear. If this guidance is only by the text then what has changed that allows the believer to get the message they may not have gotten before the HS came upon them? This is very important question. What did Paul say about this?
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Jude 3: Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. — faith that was “once for all” delivered…
When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14 and 16, he was talking to the disciples. He was talking of a measure of the Holy Spirit that would guide them into all truth and give them the miraculous powers to confirm the word. We do not receive the same measure of the Holy Spirit today. If we did, we wouldn’t need written scripture and there wouldn’t be 3,000+ demoninations of Chrsitanity all teaching different doctrine.
Ephesians 2:19-20: Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. — built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets means on their teaching; teaching that came from Christ and the Holy Spirit.
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All of the Apostles were inspired. Were all apostles as virtuous as Paul? If not, why not?
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Still hoping for a response to a legitimate question.
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It shocks me (but doesn’t surprise me) that there are people out there who have placed their trust in Christ as Lord and Savior yet somehow, someway, manage to believe the Apostle Paul was a counterfeit!
Philippians 3:8
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ”
Does that sound like a counterfeit??!! Only one conclusion can de drawn from people who genuinely believe so: they have studied Scripture with their own human capacity for understanding it and not by the revelation and wisdom the Holy Spirit gives to reveal its profound and spiritual truth!
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Amen. That is so true. I like your note of Philippians 3.8. We believe the sincerity of the Biblical writers. These men like Paul were genuine, and self-sacrificing and not self-seeking. Paul’s fellowship with the Apostles cannot be overlooked.
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This is not about what Paul said. This is about “understanding” what Paul said.
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 2:14
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
It has been repeatedly stated here that God’s Spirit is not interactive with the Christian and we only have words to depend on. Yet the NT is a Spiritual writing that’s needs to be discerned with the Spirit that God gave us, not just using an intellectual process of decoding and analyzing words to extract a meaning. The message can be transcendent beyond the words that try to describe it. Yet those here who hold to the scriptural intellectual process don’t seem to get this.
Yes, Paul’s words are correct, but are you processing then correctly when you take an intellectual approach to those words?
So what do you do with the following verses (written by Paul) given your analytical and intellectual stance on the scriptures??
2 Corinthians 3:2,3
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
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