Few Perspectives on The Apostle Paul

[Michae]

He gives us the "in Christ" message.

He never use's the phase "born again", he referr's to Christ in us as a mystery. Anywhere you see the phase "mystery" it will translate to Christ in us.

He tells us the knowledge that God would birth His own children was hidden in God until Paul's revelation, Romans 16:25. It is never mentioned in the OT, not until Jesus mentions it to Nicodemus but there was no understanding until Paul.

He was called to suffer, Acts 9:16, as you read the list Paul gives in, Cor, you see how he suffered in body as well as mind. Possibly his greatest of sufferings were that of being rejected by his own brethern.

[goldust59]

Paul did indeed bring the revelation of the "in Christ' message. Sadly, to a lot of people, it is still a mystery. I was taught when I was younger that the hope of the church was the "rapture",a rescue from the tribulation. I was quite shocked when I discovered that our real hope was "Christ in you, the hope of glory".

Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made known to the saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: ~ Colossians 1:26,27

[nebula]

Would you please explain what your main point with this is?

Is it to downplay Jesus message of "born again"?

Is it to emphasize the importance of having "Christ in us"?

Or, going by the title, is it to exalt Paul?

[Guest]

....He never uses the phase "born again", he refers to Christ in us as a mystery. Anywhere you see the phase "mystery" it will translate to Christ in us.....

Jesus Said

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

And The Holy Ghost Through Paul Then Says

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6

And Yes Beloved, I Too Love This Dear Brother Of Mine

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:17

For God Indeed Speaks Through Paul

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16

Telling Us Of The Born Again

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

And Of God's Immoral Love

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

And Of The Mystery Of Christ's Gift Toward Us

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

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Be Blessed Beloved

Love, Joe

[Michae]

Yes Paul difinitely preached the birthing, he just doesnt use the phrase born again. I say that because to me Paul is trying to show the believer Christ in you is deeper than any phrase, Col 2:26-27.

Just like our day the phrase born again is used very loosely and thrown around like a rag doll.

Wouldnt it be nice to hear a politician say "the Lord has revealed the mystery of Christ in me the hope of glory. Be nice to hear any believer say it today in the world of religion we live in.

So that was my point in a nut shell, bless you

[Matthitjah]

Please share your testimony.

Who is the Christ?

Did He come in the flesh, fully God and fully man?

[JohnD]

He gives us the "in Christ" message.

He never use's the phase "born again", he referr's to Christ in us as a mystery. Anywhere you see the phase "mystery" it will translate to Christ in us.

He tells us the knowledge that God would birth His own children was hidden in God until Paul's revelation, Romans 16:25. It is never mentioned in the OT, not until Jesus mentions it to Nicodemus but there was no understanding until Paul.

He was called to suffer, Acts 9:16, as you read the list Paul gives in, Cor, you see how he suffered in body as well as mind. Possibly his greatest of sufferings were that of being rejected by his own brethern.

I must confess I am struggling a new perspective on the phrase "born again." Struggling as I do with most things the Holy Spirit teaches me about scripture... why I resist, I don't know... But anyway, the phrase born again (if this inspiration passes muster with holy writ) refers to the Jews only who are the natural branches of the Oliver Tree (Romans 11:16-28). Gentiles in this regard (the covenants of God etc.) were never born in the first place (with regard to the cultivated Olive Tree) but were wild olive branches to be grafted into the cultivated tree. The only other mention of "born again" that I can find is in 1 Peter 1:23 which makes the application to the scattered... which I take means the scattered Jewish Christians (otherwise from where are they scattered) and there is biblical and historic evidence that the initial Church was scattered from Jerusalem and Judea (the initial Church consisting almost entirely of Jews).

The application still works for Gentiles in the overall interpretation, but the specific targets appears to be the Jews.

As I said, this is one I am struggling with, and I would appreciate nay insights etc. on this... which seems to be in keeping with the OP.

[Guest Butero]

He gives us the "in Christ" message.

He never use's the phase "born again", he referr's to Christ in us as a mystery. Anywhere you see the phase "mystery" it will translate to Christ in us.

He tells us the knowledge that God would birth His own children was hidden in God until Paul's revelation, Romans 16:25. It is never mentioned in the OT, not until Jesus mentions it to Nicodemus but there was no understanding until Paul.

He was called to suffer, Acts 9:16, as you read the list Paul gives in, Cor, you see how he suffered in body as well as mind. Possibly his greatest of sufferings were that of being rejected by his own brethern.

I went back to examine Romans 16:25, and this is what it says,

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

It continues in the next verse,

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all the nations for the obedience of faith:

This doesn't come across to me as explaining to us for the first time the born again experience. That was made known to us by Jesus, and even without Paul explaining things further, you could understand it. We were born naturally into this world, but we were born in sin. We inherited Adam's original sin through the blood line, plus we also committed our own share of sins. The wages of sin is death, but thanks be to God, he sent his son Jesus Christ to pay that penalty for us. When we believe on Jesus Christ and his sacrifice and accept him as our Lord and Savior, spiritually the old man of sin dies, and we are born again to newness of life. That is what water baptism represents. The old man dies and is in the grave, buried in baptism, and when we come up out of the water, it represents a new birth. I am not sure where you are going with your comments? I would appreciate it if you could explain things further?

[OneLight]

He gives us the "in Christ" message.

He never use's the phase "born again", he referr's to Christ in us as a mystery. Anywhere you see the phase "mystery" it will translate to Christ in us.

He tells us the knowledge that God would birth His own children was hidden in God until Paul's revelation, Romans 16:25. It is never mentioned in the OT, not until Jesus mentions it to Nicodemus but there was no understanding until Paul.

He was called to suffer, Acts 9:16, as you read the list Paul gives in, Cor, you see how he suffered in body as well as mind. Possibly his greatest of sufferings were that of being rejected by his own brethern.

Like some others, I am having a hard time with how you seem to place Paul's words above Christ's words. I have met a few people who are basically Paul only believers. Are you of this group?

[Floatingaxe]

He gives us the "in Christ" message.

He never use's the phase "born again", he referr's to Christ in us as a mystery. Anywhere you see the phase "mystery" it will translate to Christ in us.

He tells us the knowledge that God would birth His own children was hidden in God until Paul's revelation, Romans 16:25. It is never mentioned in the OT, not until Jesus mentions it to Nicodemus but there was no understanding until Paul.

He was called to suffer, Acts 9:16, as you read the list Paul gives in, Cor, you see how he suffered in body as well as mind. Possibly his greatest of sufferings were that of being rejected by his own brethern.

Paul only spoke and taught and wrote what Jesus gave him. He didn't suffer any more than Jesus did, and what he did suffer, he did so unto Christ, His Saviour and Lord. So should we---that is, if we ever would hope to have even a portion of the heavy revelation that was given to him.