Hardy Hatred.

Submitted by kerusso alethes (United States), Jul 19, 2011 at 21:19

The words I have previously penned about Saul of Tarsus, aka Paul, stem not from hatred but from true love for the words of Jesus as the only inspired words of God.

Jesus said, "All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep." John 10:8-13

According to Luke Paul said "for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13) But when that time came Paul uttered those four infamous words of a hireling "I appeal unto Caesar." Acts 25:11 Paul wasn't fighting other heresies; it was Paul himself who was the heretic.

When Paul wrote to the Corinthians around A.D. 55, he berated some of them for going to the law — the civil courts. (1Co 6:1-8) Then 5 years later, around A.D. 60, Paul the turncoat said, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat where I ought to be judged." (Ac 25:10) This sounds like a double standard to me.

The congregation at Corinth was probably one of the first recorded groups established by Paul who began to question the validity of his message: possibly after the arrival of Apollos. Their words may no longer be extant, but from the Pauline rebuttal in the volumes of 1st and 2nd Corinthians we can see that they wrote to Paul demanding proof that he was a valid representative of Jesus as he had previously alleged. Even though that original correspondence is missing, its content can be seen "between the lines" in his own defensive and sometimes irate (and hateful) passages in his reply to them.
1.) But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged1 [investigated] of you or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 1Co 4:3
2) For whether we be beside ourselves2 [insane] it is to God: or whether we be sober it is for your cause. 2Co 5:13
3.) For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 2Co 10:10
4.) Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 2Co 11:22
5.) Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me. 2Co 13:3

Apparently the Corinthians had also accused him of using reprehensible language, hence this reply. "By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known." (2Co 6:8)

Jesus gave his disciples an edict to "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (Mt 10:8) However when Paul blinded Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:8-11) that was not holy spirit directed.

In the great commission Jesus also commanded every true disciple to: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Mt 28:19 Yet Paul said: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel. 1Co 1:17

Paul even tried to ingratiate himself to the Corinthians when he wrote; Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs and wonders. (2Co 12:12) However Jesus had previously warned us, "For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Mt 24:24)

Don't be fooled by the religionists who claim every word in the Old and New Testament is inspired scripture. God sent Jesus with the message of Salvation, but religionists have added confusion because they included the words of Paul: Just to assure their jobs for life.
______________________________________________________
350 anakrino, investigated, translated as: I should be judged.
350 from 303 and 2919; properly to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine.
1839 1c, to be out of one's mind, besides one's self, insane.
Enhanced Strong's Lexicon (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.

kerusso alethes

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".