Paul - the apostle.

[B-A-C]

There were 12 apostles chosen by Jesus.

Luke 6:12–16 (NASB95):

“It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles:

Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Matthew 10:2–4 (NASB95):

“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these:

The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who also betrayed Him.”

John 6:70–71 (NASB95):

“Jesus answered them, ‘Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?’

Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.”

Paul is not personally picked by Jesus in any of these passages. So why is he accepted as an apostle?
Paul himself says Jesus picked him... but is self endorsement enough qualification to be an apostle?

A lot of this is in Acts, which was written by Luke (who himself was not an apostle).

Acts 9:26 When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

Barnabas introduces him to the "gang". Barnabas is also called an apostle, even though he wasn't personally picked by Jesus

Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

That's another story.. but for now I want to focus on Paul. What are his qualifications to be an apostle.

Acts 15:12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

It appears that Paul abd Barnabas did signs and wonders... that may have been part of the validation.

Acts 21:18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
Acts 21:19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 21:20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;

This would have been a major acceptance. James (one of the 12 original apostles) accepted Paul as a fellow believer.
In a way, this is how James "sponsored" Paul.

2Pet 3:15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
2Pet 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Paul is sponsored by Peter here. Peter of course, wrote the book of Peter. Peter was one of the original 12 chosen by Jesus.

 

[B-A-C]

Now of course, most of Pauls story... comes from Paul himself.

1Cor 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
1Cor 9:2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

Paul says he saw Jesus. (when? where? ) Paul says the Corinthian church is "the seal of my apostleship".

Rom 11:13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,

Paul wrote Romans, but he calls himself "an apostle of Gentiles". Of course all of Pauls letters were written to Gentiles (the possible exception being Hebrews, but no one knows for sure that Paul wrote it).

1Tim 2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Again in 1Timothy, Paul calls himself an apostle to the Gentiles.

Gal 1:11 For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;
Gal 1:14 and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.
Gal 1:15 But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased
Gal 1:16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood,
Gal 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.
Gal 1:18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother.

 

[B-A-C]

The conversion of Paul is a well known story, but you may have missed a few things.

Act 9:4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
Act 9:5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,
Act 9:6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do."
Act 9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Act 9:8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.
Act 9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Act 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
Act 9:11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,
Act 9:12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight."
Act 9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem;
Act 9:14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."
Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
Act 9:16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake."
Act 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Act 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;

Luke wrote this, but how did he know the story? Did Paul it to him?
But Jesus spoke directly to Paul, so you could say Jesus did directly choose Paul, just as He did the other 12.
Also it would seem that Ananias would have been a witness to whether Jesus spoke to him about Paul or not.

Acts 9:15 calls Paul a "chosen instrument" to bring Jesus's name to the Gentiles.

So we have Gal 1:16, Acts 9:15, 1Tim 2:7, and Rom 11:13, which all tie Paul's ministry to the Gentiles.
(It makes you wonder why the Roman Catholics didn't pick him as the first pope).

All of this is to say, we have Luke, Peter, Barnabas, Ananias, the Corinthian church, and James as sponsors of Paul as a an apostle.
(Possibly those people on the road to Damascus, who heard the voice)
Not to mention Paul himself. This last one is hard for some people to accept. But if we don't recognize Paul as an apostle, should we
recognize his writings in the Bible?

One last bit of trivia here, I often here people say Paul fell off a horse, but no horse is mentioned here.

 

[Rhema]

(Possibly those people on the road to Damascus, who heard the voice)

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.​

- Acts 22:9 KJV

 

[B-A-C]

One of those problem verses depending which translation you go with.
But some go with Acts 9:7 better than others.

Acts 22:9
(AMPC) Now the men who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear [the sound of the uttered words of] the voice of the One Who was speaking to me [so that they could understand it].
(AMPC+) Now the men who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear [N1the sound of the uttered words of] the voice of the One Who was speaking to me [so that they could N2understand it].
(ASV) And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
(BSB) My companions saw the light, but they could not understand the voice of the One speaking to me.
(CSB) Now those who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
(ESV) Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
(ESV+) R13Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understandN1 the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
(Greek NT INT+)
οι
G3588
T-NPM
ὁ
the
δε
G1161
CONJ
δέ
but
συν
G4862
PREP
σύν
with
εμοι
G1698
P-1DS
ἐγώ
to me
οντες
G5607
V-PXP-NPM
εἰμί
being
το
G3588
T-ASN
ὁ
the
μεν
G3303
PRT
μέν
in fact
φως
G5457
N-ASN
φῶς
luminousness
εθεασαντο
G2300
V-ADI-3P
θεάομαι
to look closely at
και
G2532
CONJ
καί
and
τσβ

εμφοβοι
G1719
A-NPM
ἔμφοβος
in fear
τσβ
εγενοντο
G1096
V-2ADI-3P
γίνομαι
to cause to be
τσβ
την
G3588
T-ASF
ὁ
the
δε
G1161
CONJ
δέ
but
φωνην
G5456
N-ASF
φωνή
a tone
ουκ
G3756
PRT-N
οὐ
no, not
ηκουσαν
G191
V-AAI-3P
ἀκούω
to hear
του
G3588
T-GSM
ὁ
the
λαλουντος
G2980
V-PAP-GSM
λαλέω
to talk
μοι
G3427
P-1DS
ἐγώ
to me

(HCSB) Now those who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
(KJV) And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
(KJV+) AndG1161 they that wereG5607 withG4862 meG1698 sawG2300 indeedG3303 theG3588 light,G5457 andG2532 wereG1096 afraid;G1719 butG1161 they heardG191 notG3756 theG3588 voiceG5456 of him that spakeG2980 to me.G3427
(MKJV) And they who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid. But they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
(NAS77) "And those who were with me beheld the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
(NAS95) "And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.
(NAS95+) "And thoseG3588 whoG5101 were with me R1sawG2300 the lightG5457, to be sureG3303a, but R2did not N1understandG191 the voiceG5456 of the One who was speakingG2980 to me.
(NIrV) "The light was seen by my companions. But they didn't understand the voice of the one speaking to me.
(NIV) My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
(NKJV) "And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
(NLT) The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.
(NRSV) Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
(NRSVA) Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

=================================================================

Acts 9:7
(AMPC) The men who were accompanying him were unable to speak [for terror], hearing the voice but seeing no one.
(AMPC+) The men who were accompanying him were unable to speak [for terror], hearing the voice but seeing no one.
(ASV) And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.
(BSB) The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone.
(CSB) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.
(ESV) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
(ESV+) R11The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, R12hearing the voice but seeing no one.
(Greek NT INT+)
οι
G3588
T-NPM
ὁ
the
δε
G1161
CONJ
δέ
but
ανδρες
G435
N-NPM
ἀνήρ
a man
οι
G3588
T-NPM
ὁ
the
συνοδευοντες
G4922
V-PAP-NPM
συνοδεύω
to travel in company with
αυτω
G846
P-DSM
αὐτός
he, she, it
ειστηκεισαν
G2476
V-LAI-3P
ἵστημι
to stand
ενεοι
G1769
N-NPM
ἐννεός
dumb
ναβ
εννεοι
G1769
A-NPM
ἐννεός
dumb
τσ
ακουοντες
G191
V-PAP-NPM
ἀκούω
to hear

μεν
G3303
PRT
μέν
in fact
της
G3588
T-GSF
ὁ
the
φωνης
G5456
N-GSF
φωνή
a tone
μηδενα
G3367
A-ASM
μηδείς
not even one
δε
G1161
CONJ
δέ
but
θεωρουντες
G2334
V-PAP-NPM
θεωρέω
to be a spectator of





(HCSB) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.
(KJV) And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
(KJV+) AndG1161 theG3588 menG435 which journeyed withG4922 himG846 stoodG2476 speechless,G1769 hearingG191 a(G3303) voice,G5456 butG1161 seeingG2334 no man.G3367
(MKJV) And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, indeed hearing a voice but seeing no one.
(NAS77) And the men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.
(NAS95) The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
(NAS95+) The menG435 who traveledG4922 with him R1stoodG2476 speechlessG1753a, R2hearingG191 the N1voiceG5456 but seeingG2334 noG3367 oneG3367.
(NIrV) The men traveling with Saul stood there. They weren't able to speak. They had heard the sound. But they didn't see anyone.
(NIV) The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
(NKJV) And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.
(NLT) The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!
(NRSV) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.
(NRSVA) The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one.

 

[Rhema]

One of those problem verses depending which translation you go with.

Pure BIAS.

It's the same verb B-A-C, from the same person, about the same event. You don't get to pick and choose context in this case.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing G191 a voice, but seeing no man.​

- Acts 9:7 KJV

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard G191 not the voice of him that spake to me.​

- Acts 22:9 KJV

They either G191'd or they did NOT G191. You can't have it both ways.

Rhema

 

[Garee]

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.​

- Acts 22:9 KJV

The light of sola scriptura?

They did not hear the prophecy (rhema) because it was not working in them. They like Saul before his born-again conversion caried out the Pagan religion "out of sight out of mind" . . ..murder the misperceived. Like with Cain. . I know not where my brother is did you check the green pasture by the still waters ? He is not in the corn field .

Acts 22:4-5;And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.;As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Their number one man Saul became number one in the most wanted dead list. They tried to judge Paul with I head it those the dying fathers grapevine

Acts 24:6;Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

It backfired shot themselves in the foot

Acts 24:13-14;Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers,(not as my legion of dead fathers) believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophetssola scriptura)

They found out the hard way not to promote another kind of Gospel called the gospel of Thomas and some mysterious missing book of Enoch taking away Revelation in order to remove the warning do not to add and subtract with I heard it through the legion of dead father's grapevine (false prophecy)

 

[B-A-C]

They did not hear the prophecy (rhema) because it was not working in them. They like Saul before his born-again conversion caried out the Pagan religion "out of sight out of mind" . . ..murder the misperceived. Like with Cain. . I know not where my brother is did you check the green pasture by the still waters ? He is not in the corn field .

I believe @Rhema is pointing out a discrepancy in some Bibles between Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 in some Bibles.
Did Paul's companions on the Road to Damascus hear the voice or not?

My Bible does not have the discrepancy. (NASB95)

But in the over-all scheme of things... how much difference does it really make?

 

[Leumas]

Paul is sponsored by Peter here. Peter of course, wrote the book of Peter. Peter was one of the original 12 chosen by Jesus.

They both have one
thing in common
Both of them
denied Jesus.

What did Jesus say
happened to them
who denied Him?

 

[B-A-C]

another kind of Gospel called the gospel of Thomas and some mysterious missing book of Enoch

Book of Enoch​

Background: An ancient Jewish apocalyptic text attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. It contains visions of heaven, angels, the final judgment, and the origins of evil.

Reasons for Exclusion:

1. Date and Authorship: Though attributed to Enoch, scholars agree it was written between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, making its authorship pseudepigraphal. (this means it could not have been written by Enoch)
2. Theological Concerns: It contains elaborate angelology and demonology that diverged from mainstream Jewish and Christian teachings.
3. Limited Use: It was popular among some early Christian groups (e.g., the Ethiopian Church, which still includes it in its canon), but not widely accepted in the broader Jewish or Christian communities.
4. Rejection by Rabbinic Judaism: After the destruction of the Second Temple, Jewish leaders rejected apocalyptic literature like Enoch.
5. Church Councils: When the biblical canon was being formalized (e.g., at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage in the 4th century CE), Enoch was not included due to its marginal status.

Gospel of Thomas​

Background: A collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, discovered in the Nag Hammadi library in Egypt in 1945. It lacks narrative structure and focuses on secret teachings.

Reasons for Exclusion:

1. Gnostic Influence: Many scholars see it as influenced by Gnosticism, a belief system considered heretical by early Church leaders.
2. Lack of Narrative: Unlike the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), it doesn’t tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
3. Late Composition: Likely written in the 2nd century CE, it was considered too late to be apostolic (i.e., directly connected to the apostles).
4. Secret Teachings: The idea that Jesus had secret knowledge for a select few contradicted the Church’s emphasis on universal salvation and public teaching.
5. Not Widely Used: It wasn’t used in liturgy or widely circulated among early Christian communities.

There is also the book of Jashar mentioned in the Bible.

1. Joshua 10:13 – “Is this not written in the Book of Jasher?” (referring to the sun standing still).
2. 2 Samuel 1:18 – David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan is said to be recorded in the Book of Jasher.

 

[Rhema]

I believe @Rhema is pointing out a discrepancy in some Bibles between Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 in some Bibles.
Did Paul's companions on the Road to Damascus hear the voice or not?

There's no discrepancy at all in the Greek manuscripts. One account says they heard, the other account says they heard not.

But in the over-all scheme of things... how much difference does it really make?

It exposes translation Bias, and that does make a difference. One should reject any translation that has a known bias.

Kindly,
Rhema

 

[Rhema]

There is also the book of Jashar mentioned in the Bible.

Since you mentioned it...

 

[Garee]

Book of Enoch​

Background: An ancient Jewish apocalyptic text attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. It contains visions of heaven, angels, the final judgment, and the origins of evil.

Reasons for Exclusion:

1. Date and Authorship: Though attributed to Enoch, scholars agree it was written between the 3rd century BCE and the 1st century CE, making its authorship pseudepigraphal. (this means it could not have been written by Enoch)
2. Theological Concerns: It contains elaborate angelology and demonology that diverged from mainstream Jewish and Christian teachings.
3. Limited Use: It was popular among some early Christian groups (e.g., the Ethiopian Church, which still includes it in its canon), but not widely accepted in the broader Jewish or Christian communities.
4. Rejection by Rabbinic Judaism: After the destruction of the Second Temple, Jewish leaders rejected apocalyptic literature like Enoch.
5. Church Councils: When the biblical canon was being formalized (e.g., at the Councils of Hippo and Carthage in the 4th century CE), Enoch was not included due to its marginal status.

Gospel of Thomas​

Background: A collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus, discovered in the Nag Hammadi library in Egypt in 1945. It lacks narrative structure and focuses on secret teachings.

Reasons for Exclusion:

1. Gnostic Influence: Many scholars see it as influenced by Gnosticism, a belief system considered heretical by early Church leaders.
2. Lack of Narrative: Unlike the canonical gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), it doesn’t tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
3. Late Composition: Likely written in the 2nd century CE, it was considered too late to be apostolic (i.e., directly connected to the apostles).
4. Secret Teachings: The idea that Jesus had secret knowledge for a select few contradicted the Church’s emphasis on universal salvation and public teaching.
5. Not Widely Used: It wasn’t used in liturgy or widely circulated among early Christian communities.

There is also the book of Jashar mentioned in the Bible.

1. Joshua 10:13 – “Is this not written in the Book of Jasher?” (referring to the sun standing still).
2. 2 Samuel 1:18 – David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan is said to be recorded in the Book of Jasher.

To Prophecy is to declare the will of God. It not necessarily a blank book In Jude's mention.

The prophecy is limited to 10 words Same fact given Deuteronomy 33:2

Jude 14-15 ;And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying,(Not this book) Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,;To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

Deuteronomy 33:2 And he said, The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

 

[Seethat]

There were 12 apostles chosen by Jesus.

Luke 6:12–16 (NASB95):



Matthew 10:2–4 (NASB95):



John 6:70–71 (NASB95):



Paul is not personally picked by Jesus in any of these passages. So why is he accepted as an apostle?
Paul himself says Jesus picked him... but is self endorsement enough qualification to be an apostle?

A lot of this is in Acts, which was written by Luke (who himself was not an apostle).

Acts 9:26 When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

Barnabas introduces him to the "gang". Barnabas is also called an apostle, even though he wasn't personally picked by Jesus

Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

That's another story.. but for now I want to focus on Paul. What are his qualifications to be an apostle.

Acts 15:12 All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

It appears that Paul abd Barnabas did signs and wonders... that may have been part of the validation.

Acts 21:18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
Acts 21:19 After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Acts 21:20 And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;

This would have been a major acceptance. James (one of the 12 original apostles) accepted Paul as a fellow believer.
In a way, this is how James "sponsored" Paul.

2Pet 3:15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
2Pet 3:16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Paul is sponsored by Peter here. Peter of course, wrote the book of Peter. Peter was one of the original 12 chosen by Jesus.

​

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

Jesus chose Paul as his "chosen vessel" (Acts :15) to preach the Gospel of the Grace of God. If you do not trust Scripture and doubt the Gospel message revealed to Paul, you wouldn't understand how to be saved. Salvation was achieved by Jesus on the cross, and after he ascended to heaven, he chose Paul to teach most of the New Testament doctrine for the church, including how to be saved.

Also, you will be judged by what you did with Paul's gospel, and any other Gospel to be saved is Galatians 1:8

So, if you ignore most of the New Testament, how would you answer what saves you? and what keeps you saved?

 

[The Gospel of Christ]

Absurd....

So let me get this straight: You trust Luke when he writes about Jesus, but suddenly he’s ‘just some guy’ when he writes about Paul? You quote Peter’s endorsement of Paul, but then say Paul ‘endorsed himself’? The only reason this kind of double standard exists is because Scofieldian theology needs Paul to be sidelined — otherwise the New Covenant actually has authority, and we can’t have that when you’re still waiting for a dirt-based kingdom in 1948. Paul was chosen by the risen Christ Himself. The rest of your rambling is just theological sleight of hand.

 

[Garee]

I believe @Rhema is pointing out a discrepancy in some Bibles between Acts 9:7 and Acts 22:9 in some Bibles.
Did Paul's companions on the Road to Damascus hear the voice or not?

My Bible does not have the discrepancy. (NASB95)

But in the over-all scheme of things... how much difference does it really make?

I would think the context of the parable is.. . all saw the light just like some read the Bible, but not all are blinded by Christ's glory and led to truth three days later. Three denotes the end of a matter.

Acts 22:6-9;And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.;And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

it would seem many confuse the word Jesus meaning "savior" applied in two ways. One to the prophet, apostle of Nazareth, the Son of man, Jesus. And the other side of the coin Jesus Christ of Nazareth the Holy Spirit of God. Two working as one .

It is used both ways. In that way we give what is of God to Christ yoked with us and give to the Son of man Jesus the prophet what is his.

Mark 12:17Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” The men were amazed at what Jesus said.

Using the word savior {Jesus} in two ways . establishing the Nazareth a Christian vow

Matthew 21:11And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

The prophesier and prophet as one

 

[Garee]

Since you mentioned it...

Words have meanings. Jasher meaning. . . justified mankind, Speaks of those justified by the book of prophecy (sola scriptura) Not the book of Jasher (justified mankind) but prophecy of Christ as it is written. . . given to Joshua. in respect to Exodus 17:12 Aaron, Moses Hur

No missing chapters

Joshua 10:13 WEB The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.

Joshua 10:13 YLT and the sun standeth still, and the moon hath stood -- till the nation taketh vengeance [on] its enemies; is it not written on the Book of the Upright, `and the sun standeth in the midst of the heavens, and hath not hasted to go in -- as a perfect day?'

Same with the 10 19rds of prophecy i of Enoch that you call a book .The Bible is made up of chapters. Calling chapters books is an oral tradition with a false purpose of dividing.

Rev 22: 18 -19;For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book(not books) , If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book(not books) :;And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book (not books) of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

​

 

[Leumas]

Absurd....

So let me get this straight: You trust Luke when he writes about Jesus, but suddenly he’s ‘just some guy’ when he writes about Paul? You quote Peter’s endorsement of Paul, but then say Paul ‘endorsed himself’? The only reason this kind of double standard exists is because Scofieldian theology needs Paul to be sidelined — otherwise the New Covenant actually has authority, and we can’t have that when you’re still waiting for a dirt-based kingdom in 1948. Paul was chosen by the risen Christ Himself. The rest of your rambling is just theological sleight of hand.

Judus was chosen by
the risen Christ himself
and Judas was a devil

Now that's funny

I don't trust no one
Not even myself.

Except the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost
Is the only one I trust

 

[The Gospel of Christ]

Judus was chosen by
the risen Christ himself
and Judas was a devil

Now that's funny

I don't trust no one
Not even myself.

Except the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost
Is the only one I trust

Oh I see — so when Jesus personally chooses Paul and appears to him in glory, it’s suspicious... but when Judas is chosen before the resurrection, that’s your gotcha moment?

You're confusing apples with arsenic.

Judas was chosen to fulfill prophecy. Paul was chosen to fulfill the Gospel. One betrayed Christ — the other was blinded by His light and sent to bear His name before kings and nations (Acts 9:15). But I get it… If Paul’s legit, the whole Scofield fantasy collapses — no third temple, no fake millennial kingdom, no “ethnic backdoor” into heaven.

That’s why Dispensationalists and lost, Zionist Christians keep trying to amputate half the New Testament.

And spare us the edgy “I trust no one but the Holy Ghost” routine. The Holy Ghost wrote the book you’re actively rejecting — through Paul. You’re not being spiritual. You’re being selectively rebellious. That’s not discernment. That’s disobedience.

Repent.

Or keep waiting for your Antichrist warlord to rebuild Herod’s temple.

 

[Leumas]

Oh I see — so when Jesus personally chooses Paul and appears to him in glory, it’s suspicious... but when Judas is chosen before the resurrection, that’s your gotcha moment?

You're confusing apples with arsenic.

Judas was chosen to fulfill prophecy. Paul was chosen to fulfill the Gospel. One betrayed Christ — the other was blinded by His light and sent to bear His name before kings and nations (Acts 9:15). But I get it… If Paul’s legit, the whole Scofield fantasy collapses — no third temple, no fake millennial kingdom, no “ethnic backdoor” into heaven.

That’s why Dispensationalists and lost, Zionist Christians keep trying to amputate half the New Testament.

And spare us the edgy “I trust no one but the Holy Ghost” routine. The Holy Ghost wrote the book you’re actively rejecting — through Paul. You’re not being spiritual. You’re being selectively rebellious. That’s not discernment. That’s disobedience.

Repent.

Or keep waiting for your Antichrist warlord to rebuild Herod’s temple.

So now you're telling me
that the Holy Ghost
Wrote the 66 books of the Bible
Alright
We will do it your way

The Holy Ghost wrote
These words
in the first book of John
Chapter 2 verse 27
But the anointing which you
have received of him abideth in you
and you need not that any man teach
you but as the same anointing teaches
you of all things and is true and is no lie
and even as it has taught you you shall
abide in him.

I guess you do need
the preaching of Paul
You do not have the anointing
And it does not abide in you.