Paul was called by our ascended Lord Jesus Christ to be the apostle of the Gentiles. Paul states this plainly in Romans 11:13, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office ...." Likewise Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:10-11, "... the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."
This ministry was different from the ministries of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the twelve. All of those ministries had been to Israel, who were under the Mosaic law. Notice the contrast Paul provides in Romans 15. He writes in Romans 15:8, "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision (Israel) ...." Then only a few verses later in Romans 15:16 he adds, "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ...."
In Galatians 2:7, where Paul shows that Peter was an apostle to the nation of Israel. "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision(the Gentiles) was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision (the Jews) was unto Peter...." Clearly we see Paul pointing out the difference between his ministry to the Gentiles and the ministry of twelve apostles of the circumcision.
In Acts 26:16-17, Paul explains how, when he was on the road to Damascus, our Lord Jesus Christ called him with a blinding light and said, "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear (reveal) unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee ..." (Acts 26:16-17).
In 1 Timothy 1:11, Paul writes about "... the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed unto my trust." Then in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 he writes, "... Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a patternto them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting." Some Bible versions do not use the word "first" in the verse above, but the Greek word is "protos", which means "first". This is the word from which we get our English word "prototype" which is the first of many, a model of that which is to come afterward.
That is why Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:13, "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me ...." Notice that he does not say, "heard from me and the other apostles".
In Ephesians 3:8 Paul says of his unique position, "Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentilesthe unsearchable riches of Christ ...."
God confirmed the message revealed to Paul by our risen Lord using signs and miracles, because it was a new revelation for a new dispensation. On the first missionary journey, Luke records in Acts 14:3, "Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands."
In Colossians 1:25-27 Paul tells how his ministry is to the Gentiles, "... I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mysterywhich hath been hid from ages and from generations, but nowis made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mysteryamong the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory ...." In this passage, Paul also speaks of the dispensation of God which was a mystery hidden from previous generations.
No problem with what Paul wrote, the problem is with the interpretation placed upon it by Sarge.
Who is greater, The Apostle of the Gentiles, or the God of the Apostle? Which is the final answer? God or Paul???
No problem with what Paul wrote, the problem is with the interpretation placed upon it by Sarge. Study to shew thyself approved, rightly dividing the word of God.
Who is greater, The Apostle of the Gentiles, or the God of the Apostle? Which is the final answer? God or Paul???
Sarge; You have dogged the question you were asked. Was the Jesus who taught the Apostles for 3 1/2 years, the Jesus who opened their understanding in Luke 24:44, WAS THIS THE SAME JESUS THAT SPOKE UNTO PAUL??
Come on, step to the plate with a simple yes or no answer please.
Sarge; You have dogged the question you were asked. Was the Jesus who taught the Apostles for 3 1/2 years, the Jesus who opened their understanding in Luke 24:44, WAS THIS THE SAME JESUS THAT SPOKE UNTO PAUL??
Come on, step to the plate with a simple yes or no answer please.
Another stupid question! Yes the same Jesus, but a different program. If it was not different, then why did he teach Paul?
He had already taught the other apostles. He did not tell Paul to go find the others and see what they had been taught.
Not really such a stupid question Sarge, because the Jesus of the Bible is The Lord and He changes not. Another program = another Jesus. Another doctrine = another Jesus. Gods word is FOREVER settled in heaven, so if this new and different program of Paul isn't the same old program that Peter preached in Acts chapret 2. We have two completely different plans of salvation for the New Testament Church. Haven't you created one plan of salvation for Kosher Boy and another completely different plan for yourself? Jesus is THE way. Not WAYS as two different ways, plans, or programs. Sorry Sarge, thats what the book says.
Not really such a stupid question Sarge, because the Jesus of the Bible is The Lord and He changes not. I did not say Jesus changed, I said God changed his program. Another program = another Jesus. Another doctrine = another Jesus. Gods word is FOREVER settled in heaven, so if this new and different program of Paul isn't the same old program that Peter preached in Acts chapret 2. How can it be? All the nation of Israel had to do was believe who Jesus Christ was. How could the Kingdom Gospel that Christ proclaimed be the same as the one Christ revealed to Paul? Did Christ teach that salvation was based on his death, burial and resurrection to the Nation of Israel? He couldn't have because he had not died yet. We have two completely different plans of salvation for the New Testament Church. Not now. Only one. Haven't you created one plan of salvation for Kosher Boy and another completely different plan for yourself? No, again all Israel had to do was believe who Jesus Christ was and the Nation of Israel would be a nation of priests to go to the gentiles. That did not happen, He was crucified. But now it does not matter whether you are Jew or Gentile you have to believe that Jesus Christ paid for ALL of the sins of the world through his death, burial and resurrection. After the Body of Christ is raptured out of here, the 144,000 will be preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus taught when he walked on earth and Peter was preaching in the early bood of Acts. Jesus is THE way. What he did for us is the way. Not WAYS as two different ways, plans, or programs. Sorry Sarge, thats what the book says.
Snooky, look at to whom is being spoken to in the book. I agree the book says it, but to whom at what time. It is so simple.
Snooky, look at to whom is being spoken to in the book. I agree the book says it, but to whom at what time. It is so simple.
Sarge; Therein lies the differnce between us. You say "I know that the book say it" but it doesn't say unto Sarge so I can ignore that. I agree the book says it, and if if doesn't apply to anyone else, it applies unto Snooky.
Snooky, look at to whom is being spoken to in the book. I agree the book says it, but to whom at what time. It is so simple.
It is quite simple and these scripture say it all! The same message that save the jews was preached to the gentiles by Peter. (Acts 10:36-43) Guess what else? The gentiles are given the same gift as the Jews through that message. My question to you is the the same one Peter asked himself. Who are you oppose God? Act 11:14He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' Act 11:15"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. Act 11:16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with [fn]water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' Act 11:17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"
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Snooky, look at to whom is being spoken to in the book. I agree the book says it, but to whom at what time. It is so simple.
Sarge; Therein lies the differnce between us. You say "I know that the book say it" but it doesn't say unto Sarge so I can ignore that. I agree the book says it, and if if doesn't apply to anyone else, it applies unto Snooky.
When you rightly divide the word, you will understand it and it will make all the sense in the world to you. Don't apply it as YOU think it should be.
Apostle of the Gentiles
