How much did Paul really know about Jesus?

Question

From reading Paul's works it is likely that he never even knew about a lot of the things that Christians hold to be very important about their religion. Paul never quotes anything Jesus was supposed to have said like the other gospels do, nor does he ever mention the virgin birth, the Christmas story, or ANY of Jesus' miracles. It seems that Paul would have mentioned these things... if he had known about them. Paul doesn't even think that Jesus was ever on Earth!

Hebrews 8:12 says, "If Jesus had been on Earth, he would not even have been a priest."

Hebrew 8:4 is the actual verse, not 8:12.

Answer 1

The True Founder of Christianity

Approximately five years after Jesus' ascension into heaven, A twenty-five-year old zealot was on his way to Damascus to pick up a group of Nazarenes (The followers of Jesus called themselves as Nazarenes) for return to Jerusalem when he had a vision in which he claimed Jesus appeared, asking why Saul was persecuting him. Saul changed his name to Paul and went off into the deserts of Arabia in order to think about just how he was going to go about carrying out what he believed to be a command from Jesus to go out and preach.

Exactly WHAT to do was quite a dilemma for him, however; since the Jews had rejected Jesus and his message, Paul didn't think he stood much of chance of getting through to them, either. He made up his mind that it would be best to simply dismiss them off and target the Gentiles (non-Jews) instead.

The Romans and the Greeks, who made up the Gentile population of Paul's world, were pagans who worshiped a plethora of gods and goddesses. Temples and statues of their deities abounded in the land, and Roman law had it that all people, with the exception of the Jews, must pay homage to the gods.

Paul knew that people with such deep-reaching pagan beliefs were not going to accept the idea that grace and salvation could come from a person who was only considered to be a most upright and righteous human being. If Paul wanted quick results in his ministry, he knew that he would have to "modulate" things a bit, taking into account the culture of the Gentiles.

Paul Maier, in his book "First Christians", tells us that thirteen years elapsed between the time Paul "received his calling" and the time that he began preaching. During that thirteen years, Paul's creative mind put in a lot of overtime; when he finally returned to Damascus, he came back armed with the knowledge that the Gentiles would demand a tangible god within their new religion, and he was prepared to give this to them.

Paul was wildly successful in his subsequent missionary efforts, what with the accommodations he ended up making for the Gentiles. Although the religion of Christianity takes its name from Jesus Christ, Paul of Tarsus must be considered as its true founder, as he is the one who conceived all of its doctrines, and set up its churches throughout the world of his time. Christians don't deny this, either: "No figure in Christian history stands so tall or has had such a tremendous influence as has Saul of Tarsus..."

In his book "The 100: A Ranking of the most Influential Persons In History", author Michael Hart concurs in saying:

"No other man played so large a role in the propagation of Christianity."

There is one big problem with this picture, however: The teachings of Paul, the true founder of Christianity, cannot be found anywhere in the teachings of Jesus or in those of prophets before him.

The following are some of the innovations that Paul introduced into "his" religion of Christianity.

1. The divinity of Jesus
2. The trinity
3. Atonement
4. Salvation by faith


Using these doctrines Paul achieved phenomenal success in his ministry. The Jews may have brushed Jesus aside, but the Gentiles flocked to Paul's side, as he gave them just what they wanted in their new religion. The term for the earlier followers of Jesus –Nazarenes was dropped in favor of a new, more 'appropriate' name: Christians, or followers of Jesus Christ.

This new religion of Christianity "...was abundantly interwoven with mythological content drawn heavily from pagan sources..." along with having a theology "...which was produced as the need arose to suit the mentality of the times..."

Later Church leaders thought to neatly end the confusion by saying that Jesus was God-incarnate--an eternal being who "chose" to become a man in the womb of Mary. Jesus had, in other words, two natures--divine and human-- which were united in one single person. While they probably meant well, making a statement such as this only led to more confusion.

The Jews did brush Jesus aside; in a way, however, the religion of Christianity as conceived by Paul has also brushed Jesus aside. Despite what a Christian might say, one will find no evidence wherein Jesus himself puts forth any of the afore--mentioned doctrines within the Gospels. Since Jesus had no plans to start a new religion, it goes without saying that he also did not formulate any doctrines for such.

All Christian doctrines are the work of Paul, based on his desire to gain favor--and new converts--among the non Jews of his time. By incorporating pagan beliefs into the teachings of Jesus, Paul achieved phenomenal success in his ministry, but at the price of tearing down everything that true monotheism stands for. In so doing, Paul abrogated all teachings of Jesus and gave mankind a set of beliefs that have plagued his sense of reason ever since. It is here --the true nature and role of Jesus, as opposed to the Christian view of such -- where we find the fundamental difference between Islam and Christianity.



The True Founder of Christianity
The teachings of Paul, the true founder of Christianity, cannot be found anywhere in the teachings of Jesus or in those of prophets before him.
http://www.thetruecall.com/home/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=122&mode=&order=0&thold=0

http://www.thetruecall.com/home/

Answer 2

Back up a few verses, to Hebrews 8:1
"Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens"

What he is saying in Hebrews 8:4 is that IF Jesus were on earth, he would not be a priest because priests offered sacrifices according to the Law. Please note: You inserted the words "had been" which would change the the entire meaning.

"For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law"

Jesus WAS the sacrifice and now intercedes for us from the right hand of the throne.

Paul was imprisoned, stoned, and left for dead. I am not sure he would have chosen that kind of life for himself if he were not positive that Jesus was God. He wrote what God inspired him to write; no more, no less.

Answer 3

Your question SMACKS with pride, so I'm going to knock you down a few pegs by exposing your biblical illiteracy.

1. Paul DOES quote Jesus.
Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2. Other Gospels? Paul didn't write any GOSPEL. He wrote epistles.

3.Paul DOES mention the Virgin birth
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

4. Paul mentions Jesus' resurrection numerous times (that would be considered a miracle)

5. We don't even know who the author of Hebrews IS.

Not a single point you've made holds water. Therefore, you are either completely IGNORANT on the matter, OR a DELIBERATE LIAR! Which is it?

Answer 4

For one thing, Paul knew Peter, and Peter had been present at the Last Supper. Paul could easily have heard the story from Peter or one of the other disciples. There's also the fact that the early form of the Mass would have contained the Consecration just as Jesus spoke it. We know from the Book of Acts and other passages of Scripture that the early Christians celebrated the Eucharist (Lord's Supper.) Paul didn't have to know Jesus during His earthly ministry to know what the formula of Consecration was. That would have been common knowledge among the believers of that time.

Answer 5

Taking verse out of context proves nothing. Paul certainly knew the Lord Jesus because the Lord Jesus visited him in a blinding vision. Paul was a very educated Jewish theologian and was given the mission to spread the gospel to the Gentiles. There are many words that he spoke that are not written in his letters to the churches. If you were not there how do you know he never quoted Jesus?

Answer 6

First.. We don't know who really wrote Hebrews.. Some say Paul other say it wasn't. Next every believer is given the Holy Spirit to guide us. So Paul would have known what Jesus wanted him too.

By the way Paul Knew he was on earth when he seen him. So he did know Jesus was on earth. Also he stayed with the disciples for a couple of years to learn. Peter agreed with Pauls writtings and approved of them.

Answer 7

Not sure about the first part of your question but Jesus was a man and not a priest. A teacher yes, the apostles refer to him as teacher a number of times I believe. He certainly was the son of God but to my understanding not actually a priest. I am happy to be corrected there however.

Perhaps Paul was using a different style of commentary to the other apostles which may have given the reader a different perspective. He could have been using a more explanatory style of writing? What do you think?

Answer 8

Hebrews 8;12....."For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sin no more."

God doesn't like it when we misrepresent His word.

Edit: You are still misquoting. The verse says, "If here were (present tense) here on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law." If you read the verses just prior to this, it explains why Jesus wouldn't be serving as our priests do. He is sitting at the right hand of God serving as our High Priest, because He brought the ultimate and final perfect offering. Himself.

Answer 9

Sounds like every one here has been BLINDED on the road to DA MASS KISS !! This is all junk YOUR Patsyour taught you--- isnt it --- Yea listen to that holy teacher --- THEY WISH THEY COULD BE Paul all of them-- what a holy Calling----- Just like Binladen and HITLER That's probably an unfair comparison though --- They actually existed !!

Answer 10

Paul was a great Hebrew scholar and studied under Gamaliel. Christ and the Father are one. To know the Lord of the Old Testament is to know Christ.

Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Answer 11

Pual speaks many times about what Christ taught and said. The verse you quoted is false as well, what wacky Bible did you get that from

Hbr 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.