Hi
Paul, the Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing and False Apostle
For most of the commentators that check out my Posts, will see yet again, I write about Saul of Tarsus. Known to the Romans by his Latin nickname Paulum/Paulus (Paul) meaning small, tweeny, little or shortie. These are not names I have applied to the meaning of Paul, these somewhat derogatory epithets are those that scholars have translated from the ancient scripts. Matthew Henry’s commentary on Acts 9, under the heading verses 1-9. Says this of Paul: His name in Hebrew was Saul—desired, though as remarkably little in stature as his namesake King Saul was tall and stately. One of the ancients calls him, Homo tricubitalis—but four feet and a half in height; his Roman name which he went by among the citizens of Rome was Paul—little. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhcw/acts/9.htm
In ancient Greek and Latin Manuscripts (MSS) Paul’s stature has been referred to as statura brevis (short Stature), μικρό σε ύψος (small in height), pusillus (puny, weenie). Saul of Tarsus may have been weenie, however, wrongly it was, he grew into a “Biblical Giant.” Surpassing Jesus, by giving his name to a religion of his own making, of a monotheist religion steeped in antisemitism and Paganism. On Christianity being Paul’s creation Caulley wrote: This argument —assuming that Paul’s sparing use of Jesus’s teachings implies his lack of interest in the earthly Jesus—allegedly points to the conclusion that Paul is the true founder of Christianity. [Caulley, Thomas Scott (2015) “A Thief in the Night: Paul and Jesus,” Leaven: Vol. 23: Iss. 1, Article 7. Available at: http://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol23/iss1/7
Of the New Testament
Of the 27 books in the New Testament, 13 are attributed to Paul, and approximately half of another, Acts of the Apostles, deals with Paul’s life and works. Thus, about half of the New Testament stems from Paul and the people whom he influenced.
Without Paul’s contributions or Paul being the subject, the Bible would be a mere magazine. However, if one was to treat the New Testament (NT) by expunging what is not relevant such as the non-authentic Pauline epistles: Ephesians/Colossians/2 Thessalonians/1 and 2 Timothy and Titus. It would make the Thomas Jefferson Bible look like a very large tome! Making the NT look like nothing more than a pamphlet!
Paul is not the person that the church and the laity have made him out to be, however, more and more Christians are seeing Paul for what he was, a boaster, liar, thief (Cor. 11:8), complicit to murders (Acts 7:58-60) and most of all a false prophet! Everything we know of Paul is from Paul or should I say—Saul!
The False Apostle
We are told that Jesus warned his apostles about the false prophets to come after he leaves:
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24 KJV
The Pseudo-clementine Recognitions, a gospel about Peter the disciple (not included in the bible) states the following: “Wherefore observe the greatest caution, that you believe no teacher unless he brings from Jerusalem the testimonial of James the Lord’s brother, or of whosoever may come after him.
For no one, unless he has gone up thither, and there has been approved as a fit and faithful teacher for preaching the word of Christ,—unless, I say, he brings a testimonial thence, is by any means to be received.” [Chapter XXXV – False Apostles, Translation by Protestant theologian and church historian Philip Schaff.]
So James, the brother of Jesus, the high priest, had put a safeguard in place that no man is to be deceived by these false prophets/teachers to come. Don’t believe any teacher that comes unless he has a testimonial (written letter) from James approving of him as a teacher.
As you can see Paul mentions these letters. He clearly says do we need as some do letters of recommendation i.e. the recommendation or testimonial letter from James the brother of Jesus.
“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?” 2 Corinthians 3:1 RSV
“How can you say, ‘We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us’?
But behold, the false pen of the scribes has made it into a lie.—Jeremiah 8:8 RSV
Paul is telling you he is not recognised as an apostle by others. These others are obviously the real apostles and the heads of churches demanding the testimonial letter from James.
“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.” 1 Corinthians 9:2 RSV
Paul tries to elevate his status and then attacks the real apostles of Jesus. (See Acts 1:21)
“I do not think I am in the least inferior to those ‘super-apostles.’”
“I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge.” 2 Corinthians 11:5-6 NIV
“And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.”
“For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ” 2 Corinthians 11:12-13 NIV
False doctrines of Paul
“On the following day Paul went in with us to James; all the elders were present.” Acts 21:18 RSV
“and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs.” Acts 21:21 RSV
We only have Paul’s word that he had a vision on the Road to Damascus, yet, many scholars say that Paul suffered from the “Holy Disease” aka Epilepsy. Medical historians* say that he (Paul) acknowledges this himself: “When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance.” Acts 22:17 NIV See also Acts 10:10
*Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 1987;50:659-664
St Paul and temporal lobe epilepsy by D. Landsborough (1987).
https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/jnnp/50/6/659.full.pdf also see on more information on Paul’s epilepsy.
Paul was loathe and detested by the Jerusalem Church as well as the Jews in general. Early church-fathers testified that Saul/Paul was from a Pagan family and was born in Gischala. Today, Gischala known as Jish or el-Jish in Arabic and Gush Halav in modern Hebrew, its located some 5 Km north of Mount Meiron in Upper Galilee. What lies Paul told and his lias was Simon Magus—Simon qui et Paulus!
What do you say!
Keep safe!
Cofion
Jero Jones
Article URL : https://breakingnewsandreligion.online/discuss/