Is most of what Jesus taught lost forever?

Question

Jesus was not the founder of Christianity as we know it today. Most of the New Testament doesn't even concern the historical Jesus while the main influence is the Apostle Paul and through the church he founded at Ephesus a Greek convert named John. Paul never met Jesus in the flesh, he only claimed some strange vision and proceeded to paganize the teachings of Jesus (who preached an enlightened form of Judaism), until he created Pauline Christianity. There are no known writings from Jesus, the actual Apostles, or anyone that actually knew Him in the flesh (other then perhaps James).

Answer 1

There is a gospel written in Hebrew called the Gospel of Barnabas which was disallowed with other Hebrew writings at the Nicene Council. Books were burned and penalties upon keepers of such material were enacted. Barnabas was an actual companion of Jesus.

You can order a copy of the book from Amazon. Read it and draw your own conclusion. You will find it interesting to say the least. It is a much different read for what has passed for what people call "original gospels." Also check the Gospel of Thomas, the brother of Jesus. It is also written in Hebrew and will give you some insights that further verify your obsevations.

All prophets pass on the same basic general information for ALL Humans and specific information for the population which they walk and live among in their time. Prophets tend to come to people because the Really are in need and about to loose their way. Look at the history of different people on the planet and their prophets. It is like the "Who's Who of who needs to get it right."

Following the letter of the Law instead of the Spirit of the Law seems to be the recurring offense. Prophets show us the way to operate, or more precisely, allow ourselves to be operated by our Spirit, so that we can balance ourselves in the material realm, enjoy the Life without abuse to ourselves or others.

Jesus was taught by Rabbi Hillel who also had similar messages. The Essenes, whom Jesus was a member also practiced the Golden Rule. Jesus did not come to abolish the laws given to Moses, he came to clear up the distortions concocted by men to oppress others.

The Golden Rule of "Treat others as you want yourself, to be Treated," is a Universal constant in All Religions, and is written in the book within the Hearts of all Humans.

Teachings Lost forever? I think not. Perhaps Misunderstood, Misinterpreted, & Manipulated, YES. There are members of the Human family who will alter Holy writings, history, Theology, and geography, to assert an agenda to benefit a few and serve their egos. It happens in the daily news with modern media. Nothing has changed. Remember Church fathers tortured Galilleo for proving that the Earth revolved around the Sun and not the reverse. To their credit, they exonerated him 500 years later, in 1996.

"Dictionary of the Bible," by John McKinzie validates that the gospels were written much later, no less than 70 years by people who did not personally know Jesus.

I have my supicions about Saul of Tarsus (Paul) and the mystique surrounding him. Particularly the alleged persecution of Christians who could not of possibly existed. The time frames jsut do not match.

The All Mighty has many mysterious ways of reminding Humans to be decent. Our discouse is proof.

Check the site below for some extra info.

Answer 2

I understand a lot of people have issues with Paul and his writings, however there is very little that he wrote about that Peter didnt even though they were at odds with eachother at times. Sometimes I read Pauls writings and raise an eyebrow but I do when I read the other writers as well. Does this mean I should through out Pauls writings because I personally might not agree? No... there is nothing in the Bible to make it appear Paul had ulterior motives, in fact, even though he didnt agree with some things Peter taught he never was against him, he still respected him and included him as someone teaching the Word of God along with himself and the other Apostles. Just like how Billy Graham doesn't agree with everythin Jerry Falwell says or how he teaches, nor does he agree with his own son, but he says "Who am I to say they're not doing God's work if it's a little different than mine" It's very rare for someone to do that if they are trying to change a religion. And remember that most of the time Pau was teaching, he was teaching from prison. Nowhere is he telling people to get him out, or to kill his opposers, also not typical of someone with an ulterior motive. I have seen more than enough times that when people are offended by Paul, it leads them to be offended with the entire New Testement, simply because they then find he really DID teach what Jesus and the other apostles taught so be careful.

Answer 3

Are you saying that Matthew, Mark, and John who wrote the first books of the New Testament are no longer counted as Jesus' apostles? Not to mention the fact that the John that wrote 1, 2, and 3rd John and Revelation is the same John that wrote the Gospel account. On top of all that, James was written by Jesus' half- brother. Oh, yeah, and don't forget 1st and 2nd Peter which were both written by the apostle Peter who was, with John, an original disciple of Jesus Christ.
As for your original question....As long as the Bible exists on this earth, everything that Jesus taught will remain known. Even if the Bible did not exist, I believe God would send us another way to know what Jesus taught.

Answer 4

no

since the New testament doesnt speak of the deaths of Paul, Peter, Luke or the fall of Jerusalem while speaking of the death of James very early in Acts it is most likely that it was written substantially before these happened in the 60 to 70 ad timeframe

also all but perhaps 11 verses of the New Testament are found in quotes by the early church fathers by the end of the 2nd centrury so the New Testament is formed early

the New Testament stands as valuable and accurate eyewitness testimony

"heaven and earth will pass away but my word will not pass away" Jesus

Answer 5

You are right, Paul (then Saul), never met Jesus in the flesh, but he met Jesus in the Spirit. Jesus said this in John 4:23, But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. Saul (Paul) was chosen by God. He was not seeking Jesus, as he was on his way to capture and persecute more Christians. Zealousy, which means he thoroughly enjoyed his assignment. God was seeking him, for to take the Gospels to the gentiles. Everything that Paul taught was inspired and made known to him by God. He was shown the truth. Why are you such a skeptic?

Answer 6

OK, that was a lot of something. Where did you get all that??

I can only say that yes Jesus was personally with all his apostles of which there were 12. After his resurrection he appeard not only to his some of his disciples but also to a group of several hundred. The Bible is clear in it's teachings of Jesus Christ and Jesus himself referred to other books in the Bible showing an overwhelming harmony to the scriptures. There was a stark contrast in Bible times to false worship and true worship, just as there is today. Jesus outlined how to identify true Christians and worship that God viewed as false, pagan etc. I beleive it was John who said to write everything about Jesus would fill up a library. There is much that was not included in the Bible, but since it was inspired by God he put in there what we needed to know. I always find it amazing that people worry about what might be missing rather than focusing on what's there and how we can apply it in our life. Be a serious student of the bible and pray for God's help in understanding and applying what you've read.

Answer 7

It's a shame that most of your facts are wrong


We possess over 5,300 manuscripts or portions of the (Greek) New Testament — almost 800 copied before A.D. 1000. The time between the original composition and our earliest copies is an unbelievably short 60 years or so. The overwhelming bibliographic reliability of the Bible is clearly evident.



The eyewitness document test (“E”), sometimes referred to as the internal test, focuses on the eyewitness credentials of the authors. The Old and New Testament authors were eyewitnesses of — or interviewed eyewitnesses of — the majority of the events they described. Moses participated in and was an eyewitness of the remarkable events of the Egyptian captivity, the Exodus, the forty years in the desert, and Israel’s final encampment before entering the Promised Land. These events he chronicled in the first five books of the Old Testament.



The New Testament writers had the same eyewitness authenticity. Luke, who wrote the Books of Luke and Acts, says that he gathered eyewitness testimony and “carefully investigated everything” (Luke 1:1-3). Peter reminded his readers that the disciples “were eyewitnesses of [Jesus’] majesty” and “did not follow cleverly invented stories” (2 Pet. 1:16). Truly, the Bible affirms the eyewitness credibility of its writers.



The external evidence test looks outside the texts themselves to ascertain the historical reliability of the historical events, geographical locations, and cultural consistency of the biblical texts. Unlike writings from other world religions which make no historical references or which fabricate histories, the Bible refers to historical events and assumes its historical accuracy. The Bible is not only the inspired Word of God, it is also a history book — and the historical assertions it makes have been proven time and again.



Many of the events, people, places, and customs in the New Testament are confirmed by secular historians who were almost contemporaries with New Testament writers. Secular historians like the Jewish Josephus (before A.D. 100), the Roman Tacitus (around A.D. 120), the Roman Suetonius (A.D. 110), and the Roman governor Pliny Secundus (A.D. 100-110) make direct reference to Jesus or affirm one or more historical New Testament references. Early church leaders such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, Julius Africanus, and Clement of Rome — all writing before A.D. 250 — shed light on New Testament historical accuracy. Even skeptical historians agree that the New Testament is a remarkable historical document. Hence, it is clear that there is strong external evidence to support the Bible’s manuscript reliability.

Answer 8

Wow, see I asked a question once upon time as to whether the Bible was fallible because it was written by men who interpretted Jesus and what to put. But aside from that...

Personally, I would have thought that most of whatever Jesus taught had disappeared from light, but then again the main principles would have been carried through.

Answer 9

you are wrong, REAL wrong. Peter, John, James the brother of Jesus, Matthew, all the apostles, numerous followers, etc. all knew Jesus, and even Peter and John who would be impossible to fool accepted Paul. Don't know what religion you practice if any, but they are feeding you false doctrine.

Answer 10

I will go with your logic and ask a separate question. If I were to take notes during a lecture from an Ivy league professor and he were to die on the way home, would his teaching of that particular lecture be lost? I would have to say no.