Did we misunderstood Apostle Paul?
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Apostle Peter said Paul's writings contains some things that are hard to understand - 2 Peter 3:16.
Even Apostle Paul himself said, his actions could be misunderstood by other Christians and cause them to stumble!! (1 Corinthians 8 - read whole chapter).
And obviously, we are thousands of years apart from Paul and considering his many other writings that are probably lost and never made it into the Bible. There's simply a lot of unknowns and also considering the cultural background of the period.
Finally, Paul won't be able explain himself all the time for practical reasons......All These makes it quite likely for us to misinterpret him....
If no one thinks what I'm saying holds any merit, Look around you. We have so many denominations divided over interpretation of scriptures. And these disagreements are mostly centered around Paul's teachings!
We all can't be right with many differing, often contradicting understanding of scriptures against one another.
"Fortunately" we can understand Paul correctly. But this requires a more careful, unbiased approach, and more extensive study of scriptures. An effort that the vast majority of Christians are unwilling to devote. Unless this changes, then Christianity is in huge trouble.
“we are thousands of years apart from Paul and considering his many other writings that are probably lost and never made it into the Bible. There's simply a lot of unknowns and also considering the cultural background of the period.”
Don’t get wrapped up in all the so-called unknowns. What matters is whether you trust that we have all the inspired scripture that we are meant to have. If not, then you must perceive God as being limited in His power.
“If no one thinks what I'm saying holds any merit, Look around you. We have so many denominations divided over interpretation of scriptures. And these disagreements are mostly centered around Paul's teachings!”
It goes even beyond that, especially in this present generation.
“We all can't be right with many differing, often contradicting understanding of scriptures against one another.”
No, we can’t be, but the great divide within the body of Christ can be summed up as follows:
There are those of us who believe the Bible says what it means and means what it says and that all the teachings and doctrine contained therein are sufficient for all things that pertain to our relationship with God and every aspect of life and who place full confidence in the authority thereof.
And then there are those who deny the sufficiency of scripture, cast doubt upon its trustworthiness by claiming that it is not as clear in its intended meaning as it appears, attempt to harmonize doctrines opposed to the Gospel and the teachings of the scriptures and in doing so, undermine faith in the scriptures which leads to an undermining of faith in Christ. The latter is largely the reason why so many false doctrines and heresies have entered into our midst.
"Fortunately" we can understand Paul correctly. But this requires a more careful, unbiased approach, and more extensive study of scriptures. An effort that the vast majority of Christians are unwilling to devote. Unless this changes, then Christianity is in huge trouble.”
Christ promised that the gates of Hell would never prevail against His Church. (Mt. 16:18) Christianity will never disappear from the earth, but because the vast majority of Christians do not take the time to approach and study the scriptures in the unbiased and careful approach of the scriptures, most of us will not be the effective representatives of Christ that we should be and because of this, darkness prevails more than it otherwise would.
The increase in evil is an inevitability because the scriptures foretell and warn of it, but the reason for its increase should not be, not even partially because we as Christians have not been the faithful followers of Christ as we ought to be but sadly, because we have not devoted ourselves to the service of our Lord to the degree that we should and because many of us have not committed ourselves to abiding in His truth in the steadfast manner that we should, and because many of us have not been contending for our faith like we should be, (Jude 3) nor devoted ourselves to the study of the scriptures (1 Tim. 3:16) and have neglected to check everything taught against the teachings of scripture (Acts 17:11) and not held accountable those among us acting and teaching things contrary to the Bible, and have left off exposing the works of darkness that all among us may know not to walk therein, evil has increased at a much faster pace than it otherwise would.
What amazing things we might behold if we as a whole would devote ourselves to Christ as we ought to.
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Apostle Peter said Paul's writings contains some things that are hard to understand - 2 Peter 3:16.
Even Apostle Paul himself said, his actions could be misunderstood by other Christians and cause them to stumble!! (1 Corinthians 8 - read whole chapter).
And obviously, we are thousands of years apart from Paul and considering his many other writings that are probably lost and never made it into the Bible. There's simply a lot of unknowns and also considering the cultural background of the period.
Finally, Paul won't be able explain himself all the time for practical reasons......All These makes it quite likely for us to misinterpret him....
If no one thinks what I'm saying holds any merit, Look around you. We have so many denominations divided over interpretation of scriptures. And these disagreements are mostly centered around Paul's teachings!
We all can't be right with many differing, often contradicting understanding of scriptures against one another.
"Fortunately" we can understand Paul correctly. But this requires a more careful, unbiased approach, and more extensive study of scriptures. An effort that the vast majority of Christians are unwilling to devote. Unless this changes, then Christianity is in huge trouble.
“we are thousands of years apart from Paul and considering his many other writings that are probably lost and never made it into the Bible. There's simply a lot of unknowns and also considering the cultural background of the period.”
Don’t get wrapped up in all the so-called unknowns. What matters is whether you trust that we have all the inspired scripture that we are meant to have. If not, then you must perceive God as being limited in His power.
“If no one thinks what I'm saying holds any merit, Look around you. We have so many denominations divided over interpretation of scriptures. And these disagreements are mostly centered around Paul's teachings!”
It goes even beyond that, especially in this present generation.
“We all can't be right with many differing, often contradicting understanding of scriptures against one another.”
No, we can’t be, but the great divide within the body of Christ can be summed up as follows:
There are those of us who believe the Bible says what it means and means what it says and that all the teachings and doctrine contained therein are sufficient for all things that pertain to our relationship with God and every aspect of life and who place full confidence in the authority thereof.
And then there are those who deny the sufficiency of scripture, cast doubt upon its trustworthiness by claiming that it is not as clear in its intended meaning as it appears, attempt to harmonize doctrines opposed to the Gospel and the teachings of the scriptures and in doing so, undermine faith in the scriptures which leads to an undermining of faith in Christ. The latter is largely the reason why so many false doctrines and heresies have entered into our midst.
"Fortunately" we can understand Paul correctly. But this requires a more careful, unbiased approach, and more extensive study of scriptures. An effort that the vast majority of Christians are unwilling to devote. Unless this changes, then Christianity is in huge trouble.”
Christ promised that the gates of Hell would never prevail against His Church. (Mt. 16:18) Christianity will never disappear from the earth, but because the vast majority of Christians do not take the time to approach and study the scriptures in the unbiased and careful approach of the scriptures, most of us will not be the effective representatives of Christ that we should be and because of this, darkness prevails more than it otherwise would.
The increase in evil is an inevitability because the scriptures foretell and warn of it, but the reason for its increase should not be, not even partially because we as Christians have not been the faithful followers of Christ as we ought to be but sadly, because we have not devoted ourselves to the service of our Lord to the degree that we should and because many of us have not committed ourselves to abiding in His truth in the steadfast manner that we should, and because many of us have not been contending for our faith like we should be, (Jude 3) nor devoted ourselves to the study of the scriptures (1 Tim. 3:16) and have neglected to check everything taught against the teachings of scripture (Acts 17:11) and not held accountable those among us acting and teaching things contrary to the Bible, and have left off exposing the works of darkness that all among us may know not to walk therein, evil has increased at a much faster pace than it otherwise would.
What amazing things we might behold if we as a whole would devote ourselves to Christ as we ought to.
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Mark 4:11
He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
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Also, we can finish the aforementioned Peter quote:
"...which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures." (other half of 2 Peter 3:16)
So apparently, despite some difficulty, Paul's letters can be understood so clearly that their distortion is by the ignorant and unstable, which brings destruction at some point. That doesn't sound like a judgment of a person who is sincerely ignorant of something virtually impossible to understand for any but the highest among the religious elite.
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- Jul 22, 2014
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While this is sad, I believe God allowed for this to happen for His greater plan for good. God works all things together for good to those who love God. Jesus said, if you love me, keep my commandments. Most I know today mention how nobody can keep His commandments and they rejoice in that fact. This gives us an opportunity to shine as lights and to love all the more while things get darker and darker. It is also a means as a test of our faith.
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aiki
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So, how many of the millions of Christians in the world are posting to any one of these threads? A tiny, tiny handful. It is a mistake to think that what happens in one of these soteriologically-oriented threads is representative of all of Christendom. Can you show that this is the case? I don't know how you could, which was my point in asking for proof from you.
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But for the most part, we understand the parables because their meaning is explained to us.
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NeedyFollower
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Yes Paul was different than Peter and the others for his learning under Hillel . But I think the difference has to do with many things which made Paul the perfect apostle to the gentiles . One who Christ Jesus personally selected to suffer great things for his name's sake . Paul was difficult to understand because many believers were still walking after the flesh in their service to God . Paul immediately went into the desert to be taught by God . He had to unlearn dead rituals which had a form of religion but were a shadow of the better things from the living Christ . I think it shows's God's wisdom to take a man who's confidence was in his religious observances and totally undo him . To take "the chief of sinners " though according to the law , perfect . How wise so that the glory can belong where it rightly should . " For this cause I bow my knee before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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As long as those who have appointed themselves as leaders in the church twist and distort the scriptures to their own gain there will be confusion. The comparison between Peter and Paul should be clear. Paul is the God appointed apostle who has a message for us.
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His mission was the same as the rest.... and yes, I can prove that. Paul is not elevated, he is a mere man capable of mistakes. In fact, I can show you mistakes he made that prove he is not infallible. Yet, he is treated as such. It's almost like... "We don't need the OT at all... and if what Jesus said isn't clear, just follow Paul." Nobody says it that way...but that is how he is treated.
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I've spent months at a time in different churches around the world in Baptist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal Denominations. I've actually covered many of the important regions, including the Middle East (except Europe and Africa). That was several years ago between year 2008 and 2016. Quite a long time to know what's going on.
This forum and the members who posted here are actually an accurate representative of what I've experienced several years ago.
Our religion is in huge trouble. This is prophecy being fulfilled.
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Phil W
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Hello, timewerx,
I appreciate your concern for correct interpretation of Paul's writings, so I'ld like to ask you a question...
Do you have a particular verse, or two, from Paul that you have trouble understanding?
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I don't actually have any verse from Paul I had trouble understanding.
I did find some hard to decipher in the past, it took some research, even browsing around Strong's Concordance. Also did some research into Pharisee, Judaism religions. Nailed it eventually.
I did ask around from other Christians before but most have only gave "half-baked" answers. They never invested the time for serious study / research. All they cared about is worldly things, worldly leisures, too lazy to know more about God's Words. They love the world far more than the Lord according to their actions.
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I would like to point our that the follow Scripture is applicable to the Apostle Paul...he fits the description given in the words of Jesus:
Matthew 13:52:
He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”
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KyleSpringer
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aiki
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Well, the problem with anecdotal evidence is that it is so very subjective and limited in its scope. I have lived in the evangelical Christian community all of my life (I'm in my fifties now). My experience of the Church is very broad, too. And what I have explained about denominations and the representative quality of posts on this site appears to me to be quite true.
As for the idea that Christianity is in "huge trouble," well, I think it is presently crowded with "tares," false converts, and also many false teachers. God will winnow out the chaff shortly, I think. Will this be the fulfillment of prophecy? Maybe. Maybe not.
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There's way more tares than not. Read John Chapter 6. Many (actually, the vast majority) deserted Christ. The majority of "believers" finds His teachings hard to accept. His enemies accused Him of heresy and , evil, and even sorcery.
Just because we're reading Jesus in the Bible, we have an advantage, not really. Over half of Christians don't pay enough attention to the Bible. An even greater proportion don't bother making a careful biblical study (without considering the possiblity of denominational errors).
They claim the Holy Spirit is enough but don't ever think it will reveal anything more than what is already written in the Bible. But since they don't read their Bible, they have no idea that's not what the Bible is saying.
Many believes in "Christian teachings" that directly contradicts the teachings of Christ. (antiChrist??). Again because they don't know their Bible enough, they are so easy to deceive.
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Phil W
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Thanks for the reply.
Though much has been revealed to my through the Holy Ghost, some things do still elude me.
1 Cor 15:31 for instance...
"I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord,..."
I know Paul is alluding to the craziness of both "no resurrection" and probably "baptism for the dead" mentioned in earlier verses, but then I am stuck.
How can Paul protest by someone else's rejoicing?
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