Before he was Paul,he was Saul the Rabbi from Tarsus.He studied @ the "Harvard" of his day,under Gamaliel.He was tops in his class.Even Festus said"Much learning has made you mad!"He persecuted the Church to death,until Jesus saved him and he became the greatest Apostle(not Peter),had more suffering then anyone alive at the time,and basically set up the Church of today.Why do people say he was a fraud,he worked making tents and took money from no one.Was whipped ,stoned,put in stocks,practically torn apart,and eventually beheaded by Nero.So what gives? Is it his "Freedom in Christ" that scares you .All you Cultists and Legalists?
2006-11-19 08:56:01 · 6 answers · asked by AngelsFan 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Paul had a true appreciation for what it meant to be forgiven. He referred to himself as the chief of all sinners because of the way he persecuted the church before. He did this out of zeal for following tradition. Once Jesus gave him that divine revelation, Paul really embraced the Gospel Message and developed compassion towards others. He and Joseph (of the book of Genesis) are my two favorite figures in the Bible. Furthermore, I highly reccommend the movie "ACTS" which is a word for word presentation from the NIV. Its awesome!!
2006-11-19 09:41:06 · answer #1 · answered by :-) literary cappy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Paul is the only one who thinks he is the greates Apostle. NO one even knows for sure if he was an apostle...he's the only who claim it to be true. He didn't get along with peter. He contradicts jesus' teachings. He brought about ideas that weren't in the gospels...such as, original sin, human sacrifice, church worshipping, spiritual leaders...when god through jesus was supposed to be the only one. He is rumored to have had epilepsy that caused his vision..not divine inspiration. He says in Romans that we should imitate him rather than follow jesus' teachings. Other than that.....yeah..Paul was pretty cool.
2006-11-19 17:08:01 · answer #2 · answered by Iphul 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The men who knew Paul respected him , even if he was a little wacky.
The church knew Paul, knew and agreed with most of his teachings, and figured that those who read his work would be smart enough to understand.
I guess 2 out of 3 isn't bad!
2006-11-19 19:06:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree there is much worthy of teaching from Paul's life and writings but we must not deitize him. He was simply a man and much of what he wrote was specific to a situation in a church or of his own life and struggles wiht his own faith.
2006-11-19 17:39:56 · answer #4 · answered by mike g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as St.Paul is the Apostle that Jesus chose to bring His salvation to the pagans, he is as much hated as Jesus is in todays neo-pagan culture, but didn`t Jesus say that if they persecuted Him they would persecute His followers too.
2006-11-19 17:05:16 · answer #5 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
little bit crazy?
2006-11-19 16:58:59 · answer #6 · answered by Fluffington Cuddlebutts 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋