Let’s Talk About Paul

Paul the Apostle has caused trouble in the church ever since he first started out. He killed Christians. Then, was converted. Then, started preaching and spreading Christianity around the known world.

While doing this he made everybody mad.

Everybody.

He ticked off government leaders because he was spreading a religion they hated.

He ticked off religious leaders, both Jewish and Christian because he taught salvation by grace through faith. Not by works.

He preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

He was attacked and persecuted in many ways, although he never really seemed to have felt persecuted. He seems to have taken it as part of the job. He used it to further the Gospel.

He was imprisoned and died for Christ, which should settle any debate on his legitimacy as a believer, or saint, or Apostle.

But, in these modern times people still attack him.

They attack him over his teachings on many subjects, and because preachers often use Paul’s words instead of Christ’s words.

Let’s go back to the beginning and look at some things that never seems to get mentioned.

First, do you remember when Judas betrayed Jesus and later committed suicide? (Matt. 27:1-10)

The other apostles quoted a prophecy about Judas’s betrayal and removal as an apostle, and him being replaced. (Acts 1:16-27)

“For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.”

The Apostles chose by lot, Matthias; to be that replacement.

And then what? Crickets…..

Because the prophecy did not need man’s help. God Himself, fulfills prophecy.

And it was God himself who found a replacement for Judas and that was Paul.

He is an Apostle chosen by God, just like the others.

God chose him for a reason.

He was dedicated and determined in his efforts to destroy Christianity. He would be equally determined in spreading it.

Paul was a Pharisee. He was highly educated, and knew the Jewish teachings and what we might call the Old Testament.

Each Apostle had a unique gift and background that God used for His purposes. It’s the same with each of us.

You can see Paul’s battles, and know why God called him to do the work he was led to do. Peter could not have gone into a synagogue and debated with highly educated pharisees all over the world, on their level.

God wants all people saved. Jews and Gentiles, Rich and Poor, Upper class and lower Class. Educated People and Working People. Religious Leaders and Laymen. All People.

This requires different approaches to spreading the same message. Certain groups of people will never even listen to the Gospel, from a person of a different group. BUT…if someone from their own class, or social group speaks with them, they will at least listen.

Paul could speak to those people and the Holy Spirit could use him to convert some. Then, the folks in those classes and positions could help spread the Gospel further.

God is a master tactician.

The Gospel was articulated in the Greek language, which was the common language of the known world at the time. This helped it to spread.

Likewise, the Holy Spirit told the Apostles to focus on the west, not in Asia. (Acts 16:6)

Years later, we see the Bible being translated into languages the common folk can read, and we see the Gospel being spread globally by European explorers and conquerors.

Likewise, we see the enemy constantly trying to stop it or twist it or corrupt it.

Most of the history of the western world is the story of God working to spread the Gospel, while Satan works to destroy and corrupt it.

As far as God is concerned the battle is over and He’s just waiting for all the pieces to move around and finish the game in this world, in the flesh. In the fullness of time. He has no doubt about the outcome. It is finished.

The battle is between the Saints and the Enemy. We lose according to scripture, but God wins. Again, to show everyone, that it is not by man’s power, but by God’s. (Rev. 13:7, Dan.7:21-25)

So, back to Paul.

As you study the Word, and listen to the Holy Spirit as He teaches you, you will find that almost the entire New Testament can be found in the Old.

Paul’s letters make up a large part of the New Testament. And what you will discover is that Paul did not create something new. He did not change things at all.

He simply revealed the mystery that was already at work in the world and in the Old Testament. All started the moment Adam fell.

You can find virtually everything he said represented in the Old Testament.

Salvation by grace alone, through faith, not by works. Can be found in the old.

It can be found in Abraham, and Noah.

The Sacrifice of the lamb, can be found in the Exodus, in the Law and in the Festivals of celebration. The Holy days.

It’s all there.

Here’s the truth.

We often nit pick about words and translations and trying to get the best most accurate version of God’s Word.

But, the very stories themselves are imbued with the power of His truth. The simple stories scream His truth.

They can mis-translate and twist the Bible all they want to. But, the very stories themselves are truth. God can save a person and teach a person through the basic stories if that’s all there is. Because we are saved by Grace through Faith in Him and His promises.

Satan will have to destroy all of the Word. In order to hide the truth. Even then, the Truth dwells in the Saints, and their testimony of the great things God has done for them. (Rev.12:11)

Paul’s teachings are difficult. They are meat. Even the Apostle Peter, said so. (2 Peter 3:15-16)

They are something for us to wrestle with and chew on in our growth as Saints. We are supposed to keep the Word before our eyes. Like sheep chewing the cud. The Word is not supposed to be gulped like milk, but chewed like meat, as we grow.

So, do not cast Paul aside. Use what he says to grow. If something seems odd or wrong, then maybe that’s the Holy Spirit, trying to get you to study more, and find out what’s going on? You could be hearing false teaching from a pastor, or perhaps your own understanding needs adjusted.

Some of what Paul wrote flies in the face of what we are hearing from secular sources in the world around us.

Some of these worldly teachings are trying to infiltrate the Church and are succeeding in many ways. Paul’s teachings often stands in the way of these things, and causes conflict.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit gave Paul a prophecy of all the false teachings of these last days and Paul wrote things in order to combat that or slow it down.

Perhaps Paul did not know at all, but the Holy Spirit knew and led him to write things the Saints can use in these last days to stand against the corruptions.

When you read Paul, do not take it as Paul’s writings. It is actually the Holy Spirit who wrote the Word from beginning to end. So, when you try to understand a hard saying, you must look at it in the light of the whole Bible.

Then, pray about it and ask for wisdom. Ask for God to teach you. (James 1:5)

The Holy Spirit will lead you into ALL truth. He will tell you what HE was saying. (John 16:13)

And that’s all that matters.

This will freak some people out because they cannot abide with you or me following the Holy Spirit. They want us to follow their translation of the Bible, so they can beat us with it.

Understand that the Holy Spirit will not lead us to contradict the Word, or to act in a way that goes against the Fruit of the Spirit.

BUT…He also will not abide by false interpretations of scriptures or the actions of false brethren who likewise are not abiding by the Fruit of the Spirit as well.

Look at how Jesus and the Apostles behaved toward religious and secular leaders. They are our guide.

The days of persecution are coming and the Saints need to know how to act in the face of it. Look at how Saints have endured persecution throughout the ages.

Paul’s teachings are being used to divide the Church into Saints and The Apostate Church.

Let the Holy Spirit teach you. (1 John 2:27)

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.

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