The Apostle Paul - why some want to dismiss him

[biblelesson]

On 6/5/2025 at 6:04 AM, timf said:

For example, those of Israel are told to endure, while gentile believers are told they are complete in Christ.

There is only one gospel. There is no difference between Jew and gentile in Jesus. The middle wall of partition has been broken down. The two (Jew and Gentile), have been made one in Christ. 
Ephesians 2:14 KJV
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”

Ephesians 2:15 KJV
“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”

The entire nation of Israel, who was broken off, can individually be grafted  back into the original tree (Israel) through Christ, with the gentiles being grafted in for the first time, are all told to endure - there is no separation. 
Romans 11:19-23 KJV
19   Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 
20   Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 
21   For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 
22   Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 
23   And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

We have to take Paul’s epistles along with the other epistles as one gospel in Christ. 
 

Ephesians 4:4-6 KJV
4   There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 
5   One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 
6   One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 

Edited June 11 by biblelesson

[Dennis1209]

The apostle Paul was unique:

Paul compared himself to other apostles in various ways, often emphasizing his unique position and experiences. He defended his apostleship through the miracles he performed, which were considered signs of apostolic ministry. He referred to himself as "one born at the wrong time," suggesting an abnormal manner of becoming an apostle, which he saw as proof of his apostleship.

1 Corinthians 15:8 (KJV) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

He included himself among a wider group of apostles beyond the Twelve, mentioning his experience of seeing the risen Christ after the ascension. I believe Paul was personally mentored by Jesus Himself at or around Mount Sinai (Jebal Musa) for three years.

Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. We assume this sojourn in Arabia, lasting as long as three years (1:18), probably started shortly after Paul’s conversion in about the year A.D. 32 (Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead at about the year A.D. 30, and a number of events occurred in the early Christian church between that time and Paul’s conversion).^[1]

Galatians 1:17-18 (KJV) Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. ¹⁸ Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

Paul was the only one given the honor and privilege to reveal essential mysteries about the church, the Rapture, and the Resurrection.

Paul’s writings have been obfuscated by the father of lies through other religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam (72 virgins, other ways to heaven, etc.).

Today, humanity has an aversion and hatred of absolutes, and where our morals and values originate. The mantra and character today are that we are our own gods. The earth dwellers today choose darkness over truth. Paul was given to the Gentiles.

Galatians 2:7-8 (KJV) But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; ⁸ (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

 

---

^[1] W. Harold Mare, New Testament Background Commentary: A New Dictionary of Words, Phrases and Situations in Bible Order (Ross-shire, UK: Mentor, 2004), 291.

[NeutralZone]

On 6/4/2025 at 1:54 PM, Cyoder said:

I had those thoughts myself my first time through the Bible. Was his contribution needed?  Jesus said everything he needed to say.  He made things very clear, then Paul was all about the church which is corrupted by man.  The church that has veered away from what the Bible originally taught.  What I keep going back to is I don't believe God would allow that deception in the Bible.  He couldn't possibly allow people to trust in Paul if he was going against God.  Then there were all of the sacrifices Paul made to spread the Gospel.  Being beaten, jailed, shipwrecked.  I don't doubt it anymore.

Everything written in the 66 books of the Bible are needed.  Paul wrote by inspiration of God. 

 

Christian Standard Bible -- 2 Timothy 3:16

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,"

[com7fy8]

The theology of Paul is a match with the theology of each other book of the New Testament.

[Cntrysner]

Paul’s conversion is the pattern (1Tim 1:16) for us that will follow the ascended Christ to glory. 

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 
1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

1Ti 1:12  And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 
1Ti 1:13  Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.