Comments on: Do Christians agree with these statements about Paul?

By: Jay R

Jay R — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:22:59 +0000

I disagree…

Christ’s and the 12 Apostle’s Ministry was for the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel. Remember Christ’s command:

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans:
Mat 10:6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand

This Gospel of the Kingdom has been operational even until Acts Period, still to restore the Kingdom to Israel.

The Apostle Paul’s doctrine is Christ’s doctrine as it was instructed to him by revelation of the Risen Christ…

Eph 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles,––
Eph 3:2 if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you–ward;
Eph 3:3 how that BY REVELATION was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words,
Eph 3:4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ;
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

Remember also that this mystery was hid in God before the world began. God’s hidden plan, and was entrusted unto Paul only through the revelation of Christ. The Apostle to the Gentiles.

Col 1:25 whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you–ward, to fulfill the word of God,
Col 1:26 even the mystery WHICH HATH BEEN HID from all ages and generations: but now hath it been manifested to his saints,
Col 1:27 to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

Almost all of the Bible is related to Israel, promises made by God is through them. and also, all nations will be blessed through Israel. Blessings during this time are earthly spiritual blessings in preparation for the restoration of God’s kingdom here on EARTH.

Even during the time of Paul, before his imprisonment, when he wrote the 7 epistles during Acts period (Romans, 1&2Corinthians, 1&2Thessalonians, Hebrews, Galatians) It always mentions "To the Jews first, and also to the Greek" which means that the first priority at that time was always Israel. (Rom.1:16, Rom. 2:9).. Gentiles were grafted in at that time only to provoke Israel to jealousy as it was written. Still it was Israel who is the focus of God’s attention at that time.

Rom 11:11 I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Rom 11:12 Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
Rom 11:13 But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I AM AN APOSTLE OF GENTILES, I glorify my ministry:
Rom 11:14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them.

After Acts 28:28, Because of the Jews’ blindness and disbelief, Salvation is sent unto the Gentiles

Act 28:27 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.
Act 28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.

After that pronouncement, comes the 7 prison epistles of Paul (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Titus, 1&2Timothy, Philemon). Both Jews and Gentiles can have one access to God. Channel of blessing is not through Israel anymore. This is called by Paul as the dispensation of the mystery (dispensation of Grace). Blessings given were always spiritual from HEAVENLY PLACES (Eph. 1:3).

Notice the differences. Just like the Apostle Paul’s prayer, I also pray:

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him;
Eph 1:18 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Rightly divide the word of truth…. (2 Tim 2:15)
References :
Bible

By: changchoi

changchoi — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:14:59 +0000

I don’t agree that Paul’s words are apart from God’s words.
Actually, in all of Paul’s epistles in the bible, in his salutation for the readers, he wrote these words:
"Paul, an APOSTLE of Jesus Christ" or "Paul, a SERVANT of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:1, 1 Cor.1:1, 2 Cor. 1:1, Eph. 1:1, Gal. 1:1, Col. 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:1, etc)

Also, Paul claims that this ministry was given to him by God and not by men. As what stated in Galatians 1:11,12:
"…I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man, for neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." See also Colossians 1:25,26; 1 Tim. 2:5-7, Titus 1:2,3.

Paul’s ministry is unique in the sense that he was sent to minister the gentiles (non-Jewish), not God’s chosen people, the Israelites.

Christ’s ministry as well as the 12 disciples’ ministry was directed toward Israel. As what Christ said in Matthew 15:24 "…I am not sent but unto the LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL." Also, He commanded his disciples to "go not into the way of the gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: BUT GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL".

During those times, God’s program was based on the promises made to Abraham and amplified by the prophets. The Old Testament abounds with promises and prophesies that salvation would go to the ends of the earth through redeemed Israel (Gen. 22:17, 18; Isaiah 60:1-3; Zech. 8:13, etc). This is why our Lord confined His earthly ministry exclusively to the nation Israel. They were the chosen channel of blessing to the nations.

But, even though God chose them (Israel), they became bitter against Him, they turned away from Him from time to time. And the last chance the Lord gave them was during Acts 28. During the Acts period, the disciples were given powers to perform miracles so that by seeing those things, Israel will turn to God again.

Paul, during those times (the acts period) was also ministering to Israel, as stated in Acts 28:23 "…to whom he expounded & testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening…" But not all of them believed. That’s why Paul concluded in Acts 28:27 that "the heart of this people (Israel) is waxed gross and their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes have they closed; …"

And so, finally, after giving Israel much time (hundreds of years maybe, from the Old testament to Acts) to repent, God finally postponed their program and put in a whole new program, (a program wherein there is no more Jew or Gentile) which started from acts 28:28. It says "Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it".

From that day until now, we’re under that "special" program, wherein we, the gentiles, were given spiritual blessing from God directly, not through Israel anymore (actually, there are a lot more about this new program; just read Ephesians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Tim, Titus, Philemon, Philippians)…

And it was Paul that was used as a minister to preach to the gentiles this good news.
References :
Bible

By: angeltress

angeltress — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:27:59 +0000

Paul was not an eye-witness. He never heard the Sermon on the Mount, or the Lord’s Prayer, or any of the parables. He didn’t see the 5,000 fed, or the paralytic healed, or Lazarus raised from the dead, or any of the miracles Jesus did.
He obviously was not there when Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well, or the woman who washed His feet with her tears, or Mary Magdalene, or the women who followed Him along with His disciples, and supported Him with their own money.
Paul was a Pharisee’s Pharisee, and when he started out, he totally HATED all things Christian. His purpose was to destroy the young church…he dragged innocent people from their homes and slaughtered them because they trusted in Christ.
He was on his way to Damascus, with letters from the Sanhedrin, giving him authority to do the same to Christians he might find there…but Jesus evidently had other plans for him.
If you keep all of this in mind when you read his letters, he won’t throw you off balance so badly.
Every Christian does need to understand, however, that Paul is speaking from his own limited experience…
His letters do contain some valuable advice, but they should NEVER be taken above the Words of Jesus, Himself.

Anyway, that is this Christian’s opinion…
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By: Kingdomchild07

Kingdomchild07 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:06:59 +0000

So you are saying there is a difference. Sure there is and it is God wisdom. To whom He wish to reveal and of course it is His called one, that is the children of God.

Did He preach a different doctrine or are you implying He preach His doctrine, the gospel of Paul. If so, How sad that you fall to this kind of deceiving propaganda.

You portray yourself as a person who finds the truth and believes that your finding support it as fact. I leave that for your understanding and will not contend with your acceptance of PEOPLE findings ( not your own ). But what have you really prove to us ? Are you not talking to the wall? Do you have the slightest idea of the person you mention. Are they your fan or an inspiration ? Are they men of God ?

What is your motive here ? Are we fools in your eyes or you are the Savior to us. Or you want us to help you out of this confusion ? I don’t understand your question, maybe I am slow here. If I am not mistaken you are saying that we have been taken for a ride. Are we or is it you. Point a finger at us and four is pointing at your direction.
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By: A Cow

A Cow — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:36:59 +0000

I have a real relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ. The Bible is a wonderful owners manual for that relationship. The words of Paul have been a source of strength and understanding as much as the 4 Gospels have. Paul goes into detail about our walk with Jesus and that steps on the toes of people who want to make it up as they go. I seek to approach GOD on GOD's terms. So far, GOD has honored that.
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