Did Peter, Paul, James and John all preach the same Gospel?
I don't think anyone would argue that they all preached Christ, but were there differences in their understandings of the Gospel that are clearly present and identifiable in their writings?
Obviously their audiences were different and the intent of each of their writings were different. However, particularly when we look at Paul's writings (but not just Paul) as contrasted with the other writings in the New Testament I am increasingly finding it more and more difficult not to conclude that there are some variations between the writers in what Jesus' death and ressurection meant for believers.
If I did not already approach the New Testament Scriptures with the viewpoint that the writers were all in complete harmony in their understanding, then I would have already concluded long ago that their beliefs obviously had some differences in terms of understanding what the message of Jesus meant for the believer.
However I have until very recently been giving the benefit of the doubt to the idea that they are all in total harmony. Maybe their audiences shaded their writings in different directions or maybe their personalities, education and different experiences resulted in the perception of a wider variance in the meanings and applications of their beliefs and revelations than what actually existed.
The bottom line for me right now is that I cannot at this moment reconcile certain concepts with each other between the writers and I believe that if I try and force them to fit like I believe many ministers and theologians have done through the years then I potentially compromise the integrity of the writings and the intent of the writers and consequentially the One (Holy Spirit) who inspired them.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter? I would appreciate you sharing especially if you have tackled this issue before and have come to a conclusion. I would very much like to hear some ideas.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Do you remember Scripture from 1 Peter, Paul's epistles, James, and 1 John?
__________________ John 8:24 unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Luke 13:3, 5 unless you are repentant, you will... perish.
Matthew 18:3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you... become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
I don't think anyone would argue that they all preached Christ, but were there differences in their understandings of the Gospel that are clearly present and identifiable in their writings?
Obviously their audiences were different and the intent of each of their writings were different. However, particularly when we look at Paul's writings (but not just Paul) as contrasted with the other writings in the New Testament I am increasingly finding it more and more difficult not to conclude that there are some variations between the writers in what Jesus' death and ressurection meant for believers.
If I did not already approach the New Testament Scriptures with the viewpoint that the writers were all in complete harmony in their understanding, then I would have already concluded long ago that their beliefs obviously had some differences in terms of understanding what the message of Jesus meant for the believer.
However I have until very recently been giving the benefit of the doubt to the idea that they are all in total harmony. Maybe their audiences shaded their writings in different directions or maybe their personalities, education and different experiences resulted in the perception of a wider variance in the meanings and applications of their beliefs and revelations than what actually existed.
The bottom line for me right now is that I cannot at this moment reconcile certain concepts with each other between the writers and I believe that if I try and force them to fit like I believe many ministers and theologians have done through the years then I potentially compromise the integrity of the writings and the intent of the writers and consequentially the One (Holy Spirit) who inspired them.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this matter? I would appreciate you sharing especially if you have tackled this issue before and have come to a conclusion. I would very much like to hear some ideas.
I personally don't look at them in the flesh, you're more than welcome to if you want.
__________________
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My relationship with Jesus is greater than your claims of antiquity.
Are you expounding the gospel of JesUS or just US?
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Do you remember Scripture from 1 Peter, Paul's epistles, James, and 1 John?
I would not dispute that the truth is Spirit revealed, not intellectually attained, however Scripture also says be thoroughly convinced in your own heart. Part of the process is coming to terms with the teachings and meanings of Scriptures and searching the Scriptures to know what they say.
One thing I am absolutely convinced of is that the Spirit inspired the writings in the New Testament, however that does not automatically mean they are all going to have the same exact understanding of the Gospel. In Acts it was obvious that learning the meaning of the Gospel (New Covenant) was an ongoing process so I don't see it as being unreasonable to conclude that the different writers might have varying differences in their revelations of what the Gospel meant and how it applied to believers.
Last edited by imperfectchristian; 9th February 2010 at 03:09 PM.
I think there were a lot of arguments about how much of the law a new Christian had to keep. These arguments ended with a Church split. Paul went one way, and Peter and James went another.
I would not dispute that the truth is Spirit revealed, not intellectually attained, however Scripture also says be thoroughly convinced in your own heart. Part of the process is coming to terms with the teachings and meanings of Scriptures and searching the Scriptures to know what they say.
One thing I am absolutely convinced of is that the Spirit inspired the writings in the New Testament, however that does not automatically mean they are all going to have the same exact understanding of the Gospel. In Acts it was obvious that learning the meaning of the Gospel (New Covenant) was an ongoing process so I don't see it as being unreasonable to conclude that the different writers might have varying differences in their revelations of what the Gospel meant and how it applied to believers.
I would say that's possible.
However, my father told me that the Apostles were 100% from God, that is excluding Judas. John Calvin, John Wesley, and Martin Luther were 80% from God in that 20% of their teachings were from their thoughts.
__________________ John 8:24 unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Luke 13:3, 5 unless you are repentant, you will... perish.
Matthew 18:3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you... become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Seriously though, of course they saw things differently they were different. The God who designed a universe where every leaf on every tree, and every transient snowflake is completely different, created a universe where every human is different.
The remarkable thing is that the Lord could write Scripture utilising these three very different men, say something that is 100% God-breathed and still have it sound like John, Paul and Peter. He didn't turn them into human dictation machines. Even the Old Testaments prophets in their "Thus saith the Lord" prophecies still have their own voices. The Word becomes flesh... God speaks through people. When He speaks through me He sounds English, when He speaks through another He sounds foreign - in the natural - but sound familiar because He is my Father.
We are the wrapping paper of the message to humanity.
__________________ Paul speaks of the hidden man of the heart. That is the You that is in you. The visible you is not the You that puts you over. It is the unseen You who wins the fight. - E.W. Kenyon
I believe that God inspired and when read together they expose a little more about certain teachings of Jesus and miracles. One thing you might find helpful is to compre similiar scripture in each book. Would also strongly recommend reading Luke and Acts together like one continuous book. John laid out a message of love and concerning the Jewish bride of Christ. Chapeters 14-16 is basically our katuba or wedding contract
__________________ They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Seriously though, of course they saw things differently they were different. The God who designed a universe where every leaf on every tree, and every transient snowflake is completely different, created a universe where every human is different.
The remarkable thing is that the Lord could write Scripture utilising these three very different men, say something that is 100% God-breathed and still have it sound like John, Paul and Peter. He didn't turn them into human dictation machines. Even the Old Testaments prophets in their "Thus saith the Lord" prophecies still have their own voices. The Word becomes flesh... God speaks through people. When He speaks through me He sounds English, when He speaks through another He sounds foreign - in the natural - but sound familiar because He is my Father.
We are the wrapping paper of the message to humanity.
At least he got the Trinity right.
Yes, the apostles did retain their style of writing. So it is possible that they could, although to preach another gospel would mean this:
Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
__________________ John 8:24 unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
Luke 13:3, 5 unless you are repentant, you will... perish.
Matthew 18:3 and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you... become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
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