why Paul ?

[Mr Ez]

why Paul is considered as the founder of christianity?
why not peter or why not jesus ?
what's the story behind Paul ?

 

[Under_His_Shadow]

why Paul is considered as the founder of christianity?
why not peter or why not jesus ?
what's the story behind Paul ?

Who told you that Paul is the "founder" of Christianity?

Read Ephesians 2:18-20, where the Bible refers to all true Christians as "fellow citizens and members of the household of God", and declares that this household has been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and underneath, and continually supporting it all is the Chief Cornerstone , viz., true "Founder / Establisher" of Christianity, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul was, however, used mightily by God to build the majority of Christianity's earliest doctrinal "superstructure",as it were, on top of it's (already established) foundation.

 

[tapero]

Saul, later known as Paul sought and carried out the killing of Christians. He believed he was doing the right thing, but then this happens:

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” ('persecute me' meaning the Christians he was having killed and persecuting.)

5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord–Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here–has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

So Saul, now called Paul became a Christian and began to serve the Lord. He was chosen by God to preach to the Gentiles (non-jews)and Israel.

Jesus came only to the lost sheep of Israel.
I have to read more on Peter.

Tapero

 

[Bevlina]

Yes, Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles (us) Peter was the Apostle to the Jews. And, I believe Paul did a wonderful job. He was totally devoted to what he did for the rest of his life, and to his lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I believe Paul was a man to be admired for his tenacity and determination. Nothing stood in his way. He went through alot to preach the Gospel. And, even today, we read his letters written from when he was in prison.

 

[mannysee]

Hi Mr Ez,

Paul is considered the "founder" of Christianity because of his great effort in preaching the gospel throughout regions outside of Israel (of course, he in his letters constantly refers to Christ working in him in a strong way to achieve this).
In a sense Jesus is the founder of Christianity as, "Christ is Christianity". As for Peter, he was chosen by God to work mainly amongst the Jews.
For the story behind Paul, you may like to read one of Paul's letters written to various Christians in the New Testament such as Galatians or Acts.

 

[WashedClean]

Its quite possible that Christianity may have actually died out without the efforts of Paul.

I have to disagree with this. Christ would have established His Kingdom on earth without Paul. I'm not denying he had a huge role in spreading the Gospel, especially among the gentiles. But either way, God would have found someone else to be obedient and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

 

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

I have to disagree with this. Christ would have established His Kingdom on earth without Paul. I'm not denying he had a huge role in spreading the Gospel, especially among the gentiles. But either way, God would have found someone else to be obedient and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Agreed. I can see the objective, non-christian view that Antoninus is using. However, from a Biblical perspective God used Paul to do His (God's) will.

 

[Mr Ez]

so basically when he was sailing and then there's a light coming towards him, is that light is a jesus or father ?

what did the light told hiim ? did the light told him somesort of rules or law that jesus couldn't make it ?

 

[WashedClean]

Im looking at this from an objective viewpoint, I dont know if God has a marketing comittie, but we'll assume for the moment he doesnt. Paul basically started the ball rolling down the hill. He told people about Christianity who converted, they converted other people, those people converted others, and so on and so forth.

I wasn't trying to nitpick your post or words. I understand what you mean. I'm very grateful to Paul, especially the epistles he wrote. My point was just that God would have furthered His will, with or without Paul. Thanks.

 

[bloodofthelamb12]

A few immediate reasons come to mind:
1.) Paul was a rabid persecuter of the church, pursuing them with a somewhat frightening zeal; had he been allowed to continue, Paul may well have ended the early Church's initial growth spurt.
2.) Paul was also apparently an educated man who would likely have been familiar with the Pentateuch and the prophetic books, of good standing with the Sanhedrin; no doubt, he was a man of some repute amidst the Jewish communitees, being a pursuer of this new, dangerous 'cult' of the Way. And as he often demonstrated, Paul was also a man of no small amount of cunning. This was definitely a man that God could (and did) use for the growth of Christianity.
3.) Paul was clearly a charismatic leader; considering his brilliant manipulation of the Sanhedrin which may well have saved his life, his addresses to the crowds, his planting of gentile churches in several large cities of his day and continued teaching of their members, this fact is made quite clear.
4.) His astounding perseverance, demonstrated a great strength of character.
5.) Because Paul seems to have run into much more trouble with his gentile audience than Peter with his primarily Jewish one, Paul provides us with a great deal more in the way of exposition and teaching, often having dealt with the exact same problems in his own churches that we must deal with today.
6.) Lastly, because the Church today is a primarily gentile one, we find that much more of Paul's writings apply to us than the other Apostles' who primarily addressed the Jewish Church.

Regardless of all of this, though, neither Paul nor Cephas nor John nor James ever were or ever could have been the 'leader' of the church. Why not? Because they were themselves simply acting as God's hands, controlled by the will of the 'Head'; it was simply their desire to obey His will, that "...we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ." (Eph 4:15)

Farewell,
Caleb

 

[TheMainException]

good question!

 

[12volt_man]

why Paul is considered as the founder of christianity?
why not peter or why not jesus ?

Because whoever told you this has never read the Bible.

Scripture tells us over and over again that Jesus established the church, not Paul.

 

[bloodofthelamb12]

Technically, no, Jesus did not establish the Church. For as Christ Himself confirmed,

"And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18

Jesus is the Head, the Guide, the Director, and ultimately the Goal of the Church; however Peter had the privelege of being the Church's 'feet', so to speak.

 

[Rafael]

Jesus is the Rock of salvation. He was speaking of Himself in that verse and not Peter. Peter's confession was of Jesus and the Church foundation is built upon the confession that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. 1 John confirms this when we are told to test the spirits against antichrist. Jesus Christ is Messiah, God come to man, manifested in the flesh of man. He is the Rock of our salvation and the Rock smitten by Moses that gave water of life. They and we all drank from the same spiritual Rock - Jesus.

1 Cor. 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.

In the verse given, Peter's name means stone or strongs number 4074 in the Greek. The Rock Jesus says He will build His Church upon is the faith that Peter showed in Jesus by his confession made in the previous verses when Jesus asked Peter and the disciples, "Who do you say I am", and Peter answered saying He was the Christ and Son of God, is larger. The Rock Jesus said He would build His Church upon is a different larger rock in the Greek, being 4073. Peter was a small rock or peeble to the Rock of salvation that Jesus would be and is today, as the confession of Jesus Christ as Messiah would be the foundation of the His Church. Jesus is the Rock of Salvation - God come in the flesh.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)full of grace and truth.

Mat. 16:15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (4704), and upon this rock (4703) I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

4074 petrov Petros pet’-ros

apparently a primary word; TDNT-6:100,835; n pr m

AV-Peter 161, stone 1; 162

Peter =" a rock or a stone"

1) one of the twelve disciples of Jesus

*****

4073 petra petra pet’-ra

from the same as 4074; TDNT-6:95,834; n f

AV-rock 16; 16

1) a rock, cliff or ledge

1a) a projecting rock, crag, rocky ground

1b) a rock, a large stone

1c) metaph. a man like a rock, by reason of his firmness and strength of soul


This is a scriptural difference between the Catholic Church and and the Protestant Church which has no Pope.


Ps 89:26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

God is the rock of my salvation. There is only one Saviour and there is only one Rock. In God we have rock solid salvation, a salvation that cannot be moved.

Ps 94:22 But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

When we take refuge in God, we are taking refuge in a person who is as dependable as a rock is solid and unmoveable. God's protection is as solid as a rock

1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

When the children of Israel were wondering in the wilderness during the days of Moses, they drank from a rock and that rock was Christ.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Just as the rock that represented Christ provided water for the children of Israel in the wilderness, Christ now provides spiritual water for all those who believe in Him. Christ quenches our spiritual thirst.

Matt 16:16-18 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The Christ, the Son of the living God is the rock upon which the church is built. As we have seen throughout the Bible, God is the rock and Christ is the rock and no man is ever referred to as the rock.

Ps 118:22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

Jesus Christ was rejected by His people, but He is the chief corner stone of the church; that is, He is the stone upon which the Church is built.

Rom 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Righteousness is found only through faith in Jesus Christ our rock of salvation. Jesus Christ is a stone of stumbling for those who do not believe in Him. Those who do believe in Jesus Christ will not be disappointed; that is, they are sure to be saved, He will not let them down.

Eph 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

When a building is built on stone, the corner stone is the first and most important stone laid in the foundation of a building. Jesus Christ is the corner stone of the foundation of the Church, and the apostles and the prophets are the foundation stones upon which the Church is built. All other believers in Jesus Christ are the stones that make up the remaining structure of the building.

Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

The Lord God told Isaiah that He was planing to lay a costly cornerstone for our faith to rest upon. The person who believes in Jesus Christ is resting on the firm foundation that God Himself has established. If the foundation cannot be moved, the believer cannot be moved.

Matt 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Jesus Christ is the stone that was rejected and became the chief corner stone of the Christian faith. Faith in Jesus as the Christ is what the Christian faith is all about, without Jesus there is no Christian faith, and no church. A person who rejects Jesus is not a Christian.

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Peter who was filled by the Holy Spirit, preached to the Jews and told them that Jesus Christ is the corner stone of the Christian faith, and that there is salvation in no one else. Without Jesus there is no salvation and no Christian faith.

1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith, and there is no other foundation. Jesus is the only foundation; therefore, any religion, that appoints any man as a foundation, is false. We must never believe in any; we must believe in Jesus Christ and in Him Only.

1 Pet 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Peter tells us that the person who believes in Jesus Christ will not be confused, he will know that Jesus Christ is the corner stone upon which the Church is built.

 

[Rafael]

why Paul is considered as the founder of christianity?
why not peter or why not jesus ?
what's the story behind Paul ?

Just adding a little to what others have already given - Paul was a servant to God and was even caught up into the third heaven, seeing things he said that he could not speak of. (1 Cor. 12:2-4).
He constantly quoted the Old Testament, as did Jesus, and was consistant with all the doctrines of the Bible. Although he was trained by a famous Pharisee and was well educated, he was sent to the Gentiles and started many Churchs on his path which ultimately led him to give testimony in Rome. Ofcourse, we know that the Roman Church grew and went through great persection, eventually becoming Christian and strangely later on corrupt before its decline. The point is that it has spread and done the work that God foresaw that it would do, calling many to repentance and salvation.

1 Cor.1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
14 ¶ I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 ¶ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

[MinDach]

Jesus is the Rock of salvation. He was speaking of Himself in that verse and not Peter. Peter's confession was of Jesus and the Church foundation is built upon the confession that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. 1 John confirms this when we are told to test the spirits against antichrist. Jesus Christ is Messiah, God come to man manifested in the flesh of man. He is the Rock of our salvation and the Rock smitten by Moses that gave water of life. They and we all drank from the same spiritual Rock - Jesus

Amen...........This is the Whole foundation, if you do not have this as your base, then your whole house will fall.