What did Paul mean by this?

[nebula]

#10 , This , then means that Paul was n0ot only the PROTOS/FIRST saved by Grace ( Acts 9:6 ) but the FIRST in the Body of Christ , dan p

Not following you here.

Are you saying that Paul was in the Body of Christ before Peter and John and the rest?

[dan p]

#10 , This , then means that Paul was n0ot only the PROTOS/FIRST saved by Grace ( Acts 9:6 ) but the FIRST in the Body of Christ , dan p

Not following you here.

Are you saying that Paul was in the Body of Christ before Peter and John and the rest?

Hi nebula , and Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles and wrote to Gentiles .

This is just one of many verses , Eph 4:11 and 12 , and God gave some apostles , and some prophets and some evangelists , and some pastor and teachers .

Then in verse 12 , " for the edifiying of the Body of Christ ,

In Rom 11:13 , Paul says that he is The Apostle to the Gentiles .

Peter never said this or EVER wrote or exponuded what the Body of Christ , IS , dan p

[nebula]

I am still not understanding what you are saying.

Unless you are claiming only Gentiles are the Body of Christ?

[enoob57]

The explanation I have heard that makes the most sense to me is this one:

If you read Paul's writings in order, he transforms from statements on the pride-side to statements on the humble-side. His earlier letters have self-exalting statements (even though he transitions to glorifying the Lord with them, the statements are still self-exalting). In the later letters you don't see that.

Paul had his struggles with sin like we all do, we just don't see what they were (although I have picked up he was quick to anger).

Now there is a difference between being humble and being self-loathing, but when you can face see your sin for what it is in humility (not be self-hating, but not be self-justifying either), you would probably think of it this way as well. It's not a comparative statement, but seeing the reality of sin - your own sin - for what it is.

It is the Father giving you His Eyes and Mind and then we see the realties of sin and its purposed death to all who hold it dear.... Love Steven

[enoob57]

The explanation I have heard that makes the most sense to me is this one:

If you read Paul's writings in order, he transforms from statements on the pride-side to statements on the humble-side. His earlier letters have self-exalting statements (even though he transitions to glorifying the Lord with them, the statements are still self-exalting). In the later letters you don't see that.

Actually, it wasn't that Paul was making self-exalting statements in his earlier letters; rather, early in his ministry, Paul had many challenges to his authority as an apostle. Paul made a lot of enemies by those who claimed apostleship, but were in fact bilking the congregations and getting rich in the process.

Paul had to defend his apostleship because the false apostles were coming behind him and teaching beleivers in churches that Paul established that Paul was not a true apostle. So Paul in his defense, enumerates all he has done and has gone through and all he has given up for the gospel. His point was that those challenging his apostleship had not paid the price that he had paid and were certainly not willing to go to prison for gospel and thus had no right to challenge his authority as an apostle. His intent was not to boast in a prideful way, but to show that the fruit of his ministry was directly proportionate with the persecution and pain he had to endure for it. His enemies started no churches, but rather they tried usurp from Paul what he had already established.

Later in time, the truth of Paul's defense of his ministry became evident and the challengers (whose names we don't even remember) melted away into the woodwork and Paul's ministry was affirmed removing the need for anyone to challenge him.

It is woven into the letters this truth... Love Steven

[dan p]

I am still not understanding what you are saying.

Unless you are claiming only Gentiles are the Body of Christ?

Hi nebula , and I believe that I can say that the Body of Christ is made of mostly Gentiles , but today it is the Age of Grace and anyone can be saved today whether Jew or Gentiles and Gal 3:28 proves that , dan p

[nebula]

I am still not understanding what you are saying.

Unless you are claiming only Gentiles are the Body of Christ?

Hi nebula , and I believe that I can say that the Body of Christ is made of mostly Gentiles , but today it is the Age of Grace and anyone can be saved today whether Jew or Gentiles and Gal 3:28 proves that , dan p

Well, considering the percentage of Gentiles in the world and the percentage of Jews, I sure hope there would be more Gentiles!

But I am still not understanding how Paul was the "first" in the Body, which would make him in the body before the other Apostles and those in the Upper Room at Pentecost and the 3000 that were saved on Pentecost.

[enoob57]

I am still not understanding what you are saying.

Unless you are claiming only Gentiles are the Body of Christ?

Hi nebula , and I believe that I can say that the Body of Christ is made of mostly Gentiles , but today it is the Age of Grace and anyone can be saved today whether Jew or Gentiles and Gal 3:28 proves that , dan p

That would be a hard assessment seeing how the 12 tribes are lost as far as who is who..... Love Steven

[dan p]

I am still not understanding what you are saying.

Unless you are claiming only Gentiles are the Body of Christ?

Hi nebula , and I believe that I can say that the Body of Christ is made of mostly Gentiles , but today it is the Age of Grace and anyone can be saved today whether Jew or Gentiles and Gal 3:28 proves that , dan p

That would be a hard assessment seeing how the 12 tribes are lost as far as who is who..... Love Steven

Hi nebula , and I hear that many believe 10 tribes are lost but I do not believe that rumor .

It does not matter which tribe you belong to today , that detemines your salvation , dan p

[nebula]

Dan, you still are not making any sense.

Can you please lay out what it is you are advocating?