Chronology of Paul, and Emergence of Problems
Glenn, a friend of our online ministry, did a chronology of Paul's major activities, and related it to his doctrines. Glenn believes Paul started well, and ended up poorly. Here is Glenn's article he sent to me, and authorized me to re-print here:
I need to share some thoughts with you because Souls are at stake.
- 1.Paul is not an apostle. Rev 21:14 There are 12 not 13. Paul calls himself an apostle shortly after the first Jerusalem council visit (Luke's account in Acts15:19-21)
- 2.Luke is a very reliable historian who wrote Luke and Acts
- 3.Paul was instructed in Acts15:19 to tell new Gentiles coming into the faith to abstain from idols, blood, from what was strangled and from sexual immorality. Also Gentiles could learn about the faith especially the moral laws in the Torah
- 4.They did not have to become Jews -- the traditions of the Pharisees -- and be circumcised.
- 5.It is after this meeting Barnabas and John Mark separate. Paul goes off on his next missionary journey with Silas and Timothy (who are more Gentiles)
- 6.It is after this meeting I believe Paul goes rogue
- 7.He baptizes Lydia from Thyatira. (I have read that this could be the JEZEBEL in Thyratira Rev 2:20)
- 8.Paul begins writing his epistles (source KJV Study Bible) Thessalonians 1 in 51 Ad. Notice they are addressed as Paul, Silvanus and Timothy to the church of Thessalonians. (He’s not claiming apostleship yet)
- 9.Paul writes Corinthians and Galatians AD 55. Now he’s claiming apostleship. They are addressed from Paul, called to be an apostle to respective churches. 2 years later he writes Romans.
- 10.We all know His epistles contain nothing but contradictions and confusion. But there are some key points Paul says in Galatians that tell us he’s teaching a different Gospel. In Gal 1:6 he rants that they are deserting him and turning to a different Gospel. ( I think it’s the true kingdom gospel taught by the 12.) Paul also says His Gospel was not taught to him by man. Gal 1:11-13. Then Paul totally is in disagreement with what happened at the Jerusalem Council. (Acts 15 vs Galatains 2:1-10). Paul, taking Barnabus and Titus with him, goes to Jerusalem….and he says they didn’t teach him anything. But they endorsed his gospel to the Gentiles as Peter was entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised. (Somebody is lying and its probably not Luke’s account.)
- 11.We know that he’s telling Gentiles it’s no big deal eating food sacrificed to Idols in 1 Cor 8:8 for those with superior knowledge. (In direct rebellion to the Jerusalem Council.)
- 12.From Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Ephesians he is doing away with Moses. (Especially the moral laws, the commandments.) And he is not teaching righteousness or Jesus’ commandments upon which all the law and prophets hang. (Love God, Love your neighbor)
- 13.This is confirmed when he goes back to Jerusalem. In Acts 21:21James tells Paul that they have been told that he now teaches Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses.
- 14.From Luke's account (Acts16:30), Paul is telling a Gentile jailer (who is probably living a lawless lifestyle) that he is saved because he believes. Paul’s Gospel by this time may be the Just believe in Jesus and you are saved. (Luke does not clarify.) There is very little talk about repentance or walking Holy or keeping Jesus’ commandments.
- 15.James' letter rebukes Galatians. James 1:9 (he' obviously talking to Paul). James reiterates Faith without works is dead. James 2:14-26. James also says don’t speak evil against the Law and your brothers. James 4:11-12 (he's obviously talking about Paul)
- 16.2 Peter, Peter talks about Balaam who abandoned the right way and had gone astray. 2 Peter 2:14-22. Someone who was called and turned back from the holy commandment delivered to the dog returns to his own vomit. …These are waterless springs. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. (I think this is Paul.)
- 17.1 John, John says light has no fellowship with darkness. See John 1:5-7. (I think he’s implying the teaching of attending pagan feasts, eating meat sacrificed to Idols, etc.) John condemns someone who doesn’t keep his (Jesus’) commandments. John calls him a liar. 1John 2:4-6. He reiterates this in 1John 3:23-24. (I think this is about Paul. Because Paul is teaching Faith only not works of the Law. He throws out Jesus’ commandments too by doing this.)
- 18.Jude writes about people who pervert the grace of our God. Jude v. 4 and Jude v. 11. They walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error (again Idolatry and meat sacrificed to Idols) and perished in Korah's rebellion. (Paul is in full rebellion.) Again he reiterates these are hidden reefs at your love feasts as they feast with you without fear,…..Jude verse 16. These are grumblers…loudmouth boasters.
- 19.There are 2 critical points that I need to share:
- a.The Gospel of the Kingdom, what Jesus taught in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and what the 12 are teaching is what is supposed to be proclaimed to the whole world till the end of time. Matthew 24:14.
- b.Rev 22:14: Blessed are those who do his commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life. (Paul's Gospel does away with the Law and doesn’t teach Jesus’ commandments.)
The Pauline Gospel is the easy believe Gospel and will lead to unrepentant sinners who think they are saved. It is the basis for the Once saved always saved doctrine too. (Joseph Prince is the new teacher of Paul and he states this in his new book, Destined to Reign). I strongly believe that Pauline doctrine will lead people into destruction.
DOUG's NOTE / COMMENT
I would point out that when Paul tells the jailer to "believe on" Jesus, as recorded in most versions of Acts 16:31 (imperative aorist active), this can be translated as "obey / submit upon" Jesus. The Greek is from the verb pisteuo and the preposition epi meaning upon. The verb pisteuo most often means trust or obey. If followed by en meaning in, it would be believe in a fact, person, etc. It would still imply trust, but then believe is the literal meaning. But here the pisteuo epi should mean submitting upon Jesus as one's leader, Messiah (Prince), etc. In context, the evangelism was that Jesus was the promised MESSIAH -- which is not an empty title. It means a PRINCELY RULER. So to pisteuo epi on someone as Messiah must mean to submit upon the authority of such a person.
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