Paul is not an Apostle

[Douglas J.]

I am not trying to prove my point. I post what I believe then everyone get to determine who is telling the truth. FYI God inspired every word in the Bible, It is not Paul who appointed himself to be an apostle, it was God. Another statement that everyone gets to accept or reject.



Of course.



It also doesn't mean they are not. One purpose of the Bible is so we can check what men say and see if it corresponds with what God said.



As sooe as I finish here I will see if I can find it.



Sure there was. According to God's inspired and inerrant word, Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. Barnabas was also an apostle(Acts 14:14). Apostle is a spiritual gift(Eph 4:11). So there are thousands of apostles today.



I believe no such thing. I am a Berean(Acts 17:11)foo Missouri. I do not accept all of reformed(Presbyterian) theology. I reject "Limited Atonement;" and a few other Presbyterian doctrines.

Because of my aged(85) And because I have seriously studied and taught the Bible for 40 years, I am going to suggest I know the way of truth better than you do.

FYI, Mt 7:7 was the first verse I memorized as a Christian. The verb tenses in that verse imply to continue asking, seeking and knocking. That is what I do, even after 40 years.

I KNOW I have been led into the truth but God's Holy Spirit. That does not mean my theology is perfect. No one can make that claim,

 

[Desert Snake]

You argue semantecs, even when the meaning is apparent. It's a waste of effort. If I were to call Him by any other name you would argue that as well. It seems to be your nature.

That isn't semantics. And the meaning isn't always apparent, on the forums.



I dont know what your nature is, but if you simply want to make statements without any real backing, that isnt my problem

 

[Douglas J.]

My conclusion is that is that if you believe God can't control the words He inspired, including the jots and tittles, your God is to small.

We are all born with free will. Man is allowed to do as he wishes, whether it's beneficial or not. We were warned about the scribes, the teachers of the law. What man does he has always done. Does the truth remain? Can it be found? Yes, but man is man. It was explained that the way had many obstacles, and that it what man is best at. I continue to search. I never stop.

 

[Douglas J.]

It is apparent that a lot of the people on this site await the coming of The Son of Man. When He comes we will hear what He has to say. At that point if I am wrong, I will freely admit it without offering excuses. If you are wrong will you offer the excuse that this is what you were taught and didn't question it.

We are all hampered by the what we are taught. Most accept it blindly, and look no further. The question is: Could those that taught us be wrong? When I was a child I thought like a child. Now, I am a man. What is my responsibility?

To the man who says he's 85, and has studied and taught the Bible for 40 years, I respect your age. In that you are my elder, but not in the length of time you have studied the scriptures. I am 64, and I was raised in the study of the Bible since I could talk. I learned a long time ago not to trust what was said by man. I have seen the example they set me. If I were to follow any teaching blindly, I would not be able to see where I am going. I can't afford this. I could never afford this. Everyone is responsible for what they understand and teach. So, for this reason, I will question everything, I will seek the truth, and I will knock on doors until I find the appropriate answer. I am responsible, not only to God, but to those who ask me, for my answers.

It is not a matter of not having faith, that leads me to understand man's intent. The truth remains. It is simply harder to discern, and that is just a matter or work.

Most here adhere to religion. I dislike the word. Man has created it to practice what he should live.

The book of James' origin can be traced back to Hebrew and Aramaic roots, based on the written style, even noticeable in translation. Please, pay special attention to the last two verses, though all are pertinent.

James 1
"19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."


How many churches look after the less fortunate? Am I responsible for keeping myself unpolluted by the world?

I came here to find out something. Does anyone really care to see if they can find The Way? Yes, a few, but most gave up searching a long time ago.

I have friends that are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, etc... I have found them to be kind, gracious, giving, and loving. We knew to love each other in mutual respect for our beliefs. In truth I have not had a bad interaction with any of them that I have met. They have all been wonderful.

I have friends that are Christian, and whereas they likewise have acted this way towards me, others I have met claiming Christianity, have been much less than pleasant to be around. In truth, they have been harsh and unforgiving in almost all aspects the path that was taught. This is an sad witness in the manner we should behave.

I came here to find out why. Now, I know, and am satisfied that nothing has changed. Man diverted from The Way shortly after it was taught because of men of religion. For the few that are chosen, there are multitudes that will have to change their perspectives. It's a retched world we live in.

With this I leave you, grateful that you could show me what I needed to know. I hope each of you a wonderful life. As for mine, I'll do what must be done.

 

[omega2xx]

We are all born with free will. Man is allowed to do as he wishes, whether it's beneficial or not. We were warned about the scribes, the teachers of the law. What man does he has always done. Does the truth remain? Can it be found? Yes, but man is man. It was explained that the way had many obstacles, and that it what man is best at. I continue to search. I never stop.

That has nothing to do with Paul being an apostle.

You are right, we should never stop seeking. When we do, we are spiritually dead.

 

[Muffled]

Paul was not an apostle for two reasons. First, because he has been dead for over 2,000 years. And
second, he could not have been an apostle because the Apostles were to be 12 as if they could not be 11 or 13. But then again, we all know that Judas got lost and for a short time an apostle was missing to fill-up the traditional twelve. Being aware of that fact, Paul left Damascus and went up to Jerusalem to try to join the Apostles and fill-up the missing place. Of course, the Apostles rejected his appeal to join the sacred group based on the fact that Paul was a dangerous persecutor of the Sect of the Nazarenes. (Acts 9:1,2, 26) Then, the Apostles had already anointed Matthias to replace Judas. (Acts 1:26) That's when Paul decided to anoint himself as an apostle to the Gentiles although most the time, he would work among the Jews.

Apostle is simply a term the Church has given to the twelve disciples of Jesus however anyone can be an apostle if he is sent by God.

I believe there is no evidence that happened. Paul was an apostle by the word of Jesus and the Holy Spirit leading the Church at Antioch.

 

[Magus]

Is there any evidence St Paul existed, can't find him in any Roman sources.