If anyone ever attempts to tell you that the Apostle Paul
was a “false teacher”, tell them, they need to learn to read Scripture in
context, because neither Paul nor any of the other Apostles EVER wrote anything
that in any way detracted from Torah or Tanakh!
For instance, let’s take a look at Acts 13:38-41 with footnote from the
Aramaic English New Testament:
Acts 13:38.
Realize therefore my brothers that by him, this (man), the forgiveness (of)
sins is announced to you. 39. And from
all that which you were not able to be made righteous[1] by the Torah of Moshe,
by this (man), everyone who believes is justified! 40. Beware therefore or else the thing which
is written in the prophets should come upon you. 41. That: See you despisers and be astonished
and be destroyed for a work I will work in your days, that which you will not
believe (even) if someone tells (it) to you.”
Footnote: If a person
would diligently observe all the Torah of Moshe, on their own strength, they
could still never be “made righteous” because it is YHWH who makes righteous,
not the act of observance itself. All
observance of Torah must be based on Faith; we must recognize that our
observance is according to the will of YHWH, and is done in a manner that is
pleasing unto Him. The Torah of Moshe not only reveals Mashiyach, but Mashiyach
is the fullness of Torah.
It is Torah which establishes the criterion for Mashiyach’s
righteousness. Sacrifice for sin and
atonement are all established by Faith towards or “in” YHWH, and all Faith in
YHWH points to Mashiyach. YHWH’s “own
arm” via Mashiyach brought Salvation.
Therefore, it is impossible to be “justified” by Torah without faith in
Mashiyach. Belief in Mashiyach goes to the heart of Faith. Torah cannot be negated or else Mashiyach
would be, as well, because they are One!
Also, anti-Paul, anti-Y’shua, anti- New Testament types also
love to take apart Acts 15 – but take a look at what Acts 15 actually
says: http://www.therefinersfire.org/should_gentiles_keep_torah.htm
Amen.
ReplyDeleteThere's way too many (private) exposition of Scriptures; if only those who make such claims of Shaul being a false prophet/ teacher, would SEARCH the Scriptures like the Berean's they would learn well (Acts 17:11)
2Peter gives account that Shaul's teaching were dificult (2Peter 3:15b-17 AENT)
Thank you for always shining the light!
What about the claim that Paul was a false apostle, since there was only 12 apostles, but Paul was the 13th? I am so confused...
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get that idea? Who says Paul was "the 13th Apostle"? And even if, for some reason he was, what difference does it make?
DeleteAlso, where did you get the silly notion that Paul was a "false" Apostle? Have you tried reading Scripture for yourself through the eyes of the Holy Spirit instead of allowing self-proclaimed "experts" to influence you into false beliefs?
DeleteSister, please don't bash and ridicule me for simply asking a question. No matter how silly it may sound to you, all I want is to find the truth and learn to understand the Holy Scriptures. I come from a very ungodly and pagan background and am just trying to learn, day by day. In Acts 1 Matthias is chosen to replace Judas. That would make the number of apostles again 12. But after Paul joins in, they are 13 of them. So was Matthias only a choice of men, not authorized by YHWH, or were there 13 apostles and that not making any difference? I have thought that numbers are very important, Revelation 21:14 also mentions 12 apostles of the Lamb. So you asking me 'what difference does it make?' sounds to me a bit arrogant and rude. Also, if there's no need to read anybody else's teachings, commentaries and interpretations of the Scriptures, then why do you write to teach people about the Scriptures, if all we need is reading it by ourselves through the eyes of the Holy Spirit? Do you think only you have the absolutely correct and infallible understanding and interpretation of the Scriptures, when there are many, many differing opinions about many unclear or difficult to understand passages of the Scriptures? Can't we all just learn by asking questions in humility and love, and be responded to and treated with kindness and love? May YHWH bless you sister and thank you.
DeleteNo questions are "silly" when asked out of honest desire to know and learn. What may seem to be ridicule only surfaces when the question is veiled, and the asker's motive is clearly not honorable, as in the case of those who ask about Paul yet they are actually trying to "prove" he is somehow a "false" apostle.
DeleteBut blessings to you on your quest for truth! All we are saying is that people should first read scripture - all of it - before going off and reading anyone else's teachings or commentaries. (Without a good grounding in Scripture, we have found that many can be misled. You would not believe the number of those who challenge us yet they, themselves, ultimately admit to having never read the whole Bible.) We WANT people to check what we say against scripture! Since, by your comments, it appears you have read Scripture, let's see if we can come to some common knowledge:
There are 12 who will judge. Revelation 21:12-14 only says there are 12 names on the 12 foundations. Yeshua chose 12 and said: "I tell you that in the regenerated world, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Isra'el." (Matthew 19:28) So, yes, the number 12 is important, but that does not mean we know which 12 names will be on those foundations, after all Yehuda (Judas) had not yet betrayed the Messiah, nor had he died when Yeshua declared "12 who follow him will judge".
Since we don't know the 12 names for sure, we are somewhat justified in saying "what difference does it make?" While many are quick to challenge Paul's authority to be one of the 12, few question Matthias'. But you've wisely asked! "So was Matthias only a choice of men, not authorized by YHWH; or were there 13 apostles and that not making any difference?"
First, it makes no difference. As I said, 12 will judge, chosen by the Ruach, but there can be many apostles. (Indeed, if a count is made, the number in scripture alone is something around 20 because including Yehuda, Matthias, and Paul the number is 14, and there are 6 others who are mentioned as apostles in Acts, Romans, 1 Thessalonians, and 1 Corinthians.) So, we are somewhat amiss when we try to argue "authority" or not when we really don't know for sure the 12 who have the authority.
Second, there is an argument that the apostles jumped the gun when they chose Matthias. The apostles were supposed to wait for the Ruach (Acts 1:4-5, 8). Why the apostles decided to choose a replacement for Yehuda is explained starting in Acts 1 verse 16. The apostles recognized that Yehuda (Judas) had a portion of the ministry for which his death left a void. Kefa (Peter) quotes Psalm 69:25 and Psalm 109:8, seeking to replace Yehuda with one of the men who had been with them from the beginning. Mattityahu was chosen by lot to assume the position. Remember, by the time of Acts, Yeshua had already charged them to "Go therefore, make disciples of all nations and immerse them..." (Matthew 28:19). So they must have felt they were "one short" and had justification to choose a 12th to replace Yehuda. But notice they did not seek guidance before they chose lots; rather, they sought Master YHWH's blessing after they had decided among the two to choose.
Third, though some argue the "qualifications" of an apostle are found in Acts 1:21-22, we really find in those two verses that these "qualifications" were not established by YHWH. The real qualification is that the person has to have been "chosen". One can note that not all the original were selected at the same time, especially the "tax collector", Matthew (Mark 2:14); so the argument of Acts 1:21-22 is not sound. Thus the real qualification is that the 12 had to be chosen by Yeshua. In this regard, Matthias is not qualified while Paul is. (Paul is chosen in Acts 9:6).
(Continued next reply...)
Do we think we "have the absolutely correct and infallible understanding and interpretation of Scripture"? Absolutely not! What we have is the recognition that Peter was right when he wrote: "And think of our Lord's patience as deliverance, just as our dear brother Sha'ul [Paul] also wrote you, following the wisdom God gave him. Indeed, he speaks about these things in all his letters. They contain some things that are hard to understand, things which the uninstructed and unstable distort, to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. But you, dear friends, since you know this in advance, guard yourselves; so that you will not be led away by the errors of the wicked and fall from your own secure position." (2 Peter 3:15-17).
DeleteTherefore, when people attack the writings of Paul and conclude that Paul was somehow a "false teacher", it does raise our hackles!
Thank you for this comprehensive and very helpful reply. And I am sorry if my first comment was worded in a way that made you think that my motive was not honorable. That certainly wasn't the case.
ReplyDeleteIt shows that I clearly haven't read the Scriptures as carefully as I should have, as I have totally missed the fact that there indeed are more than 12 or even 13 apostles mentioned. Thank you for pointing this out. I have listened to other people's comments and ideas more than I have studied the Scriptures myself, and I feel such grief about it now. How easy it is to be lead astray if we don't carefully and diligently study the Scriptures for ourselves. This was such an important lesson to me. When we think we are standing, we should watch out that we don't fall.
I must say though that I never fully believed what I had read about Paul being a false apostle. I wasn't sure, the 'evidence' on both sides seemed quite convincing. I did feel that the evidence for Paul being true was stronger, but I wanted to know for sure and have some help in understanding it from the Scriptures, and this is where you have truly blessed me with helping me understand. And now, I have the desire to be even more diligent and careful with my reading of the Scriptures. Thank you and may YHWH bless you and your good work.
Thank you for your heartfelt response! You have just "made our day!" I'm sorry if I came across as terse earlier because that was not my intention. I think part of the problem is this medium of communication where we cannot see facial expression or hear tone of voice.
DeleteYou would not believe how many people are leaving Y'shua and the NT altogether and turning to traditional Judaism, because they have come to the conclusion that Paul is a "false apostle." And since he is a "false apostle" that means the entire NT is worthless, and therefore Jesus is a lie as well....
It's very disheartening and sad at the same time because there is usually NOTHING we can say to change their minds once they have listened to those with an agenda; those whose eyes have not yet been opened to the whole of the Bible....
So, it is very gratifying to know that you understand and agree with what my husband wrote. Scripture - when read in context with the help of the Holy Spirit - is very clear. The trick is always to read it for ourselves.
Shalom to you and please don't hesitate to ask, should you ever have any other questions!