Paul the Apostle

Paul the Apostle was a complex man.

Paul the Apostle

Paul the Apostle (Greek: Παῦλος Paulos; c. 5 – c. 67), original name Saul of Tarsus (Greek: Σαῦλος Ταρσεύς Saulos Tarseus), was called an apostle. He taught the gospel of Christ to the first-century world.

Because of his Epistles and travels he is generally considered one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age. From his own conversion until the mid-50s, he founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe. Paul used his status as both a Rhomaios Jew from Celicia and Tarsus and his relationship with his Roman half brother and royal in-laws to his advantage in his ministry.

Paul was born Saul the son of Prassede, his mother, and a wealthy Benjaminite of the republic of Tarsus, whose father had purchased the status of Rhomaios for himself and his descendants.

Pudens and Paul

Clement, presented as the third bishop of Rome, claimed "St. Paul came to Britain and preached in the extremity of the West." When Saul's Father died Prassede married, Pudentinus, a high Roman official stationed in Cilicia who Fathered Rufus Pudens, born in Umbria.

It is believed by many that Rufus met and married a British Princess Gladys who was renamed Claudia by the Emperor Claudius. She was the daughter of Caratacus or Caractacus, also known as Caradoc, Caradog who was quartered in the Plautium Britannicum during the time Paul visited Rome.

Paul makes mention of his half brother in Romans 16:13 “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.” Rufus Pudens and Claudia had at least two daughters Prassede and Pudenziana named after their grand parents. The church of Santa Prassede and Santa Pudenziana still stand in Rome. The church of Santa Pudenziana, "the most sacred and most ancient of churches," bears the second century inscription "known as that of the Pastor, dedicated by Sanctus Pias Papa, formerly the house of Sanctus Pudens, the Senator, and the Home of the Holy Apostles."

• Prassede, Paul's mother >> Benjaminite>> Saul

Prassede's husband died and She married

• Prassede, Paul's mother >> Pudentinus, Who Fathered Rufus

• Caradoc, King in Britain >> Gladys /Claudia- Rufina <> Rufus Pudens
  • Linus , Bishop Prassede Pudentiana

“Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.” 2 Timothy 4:21

Opposing Opinions pertaining to Paul

N. T. Wright

An Anglican bishop and a leading New Testament scholar, N. T. Wright, notes that Romans is: “ ...neither a systematic theology nor a summary of Paul's lifework, but it is by common consent his masterpiece. It dwarfs most of his other writings, an Alpine peak towering over hills and villages. Not all onlookers have viewed it in the same light or from the same angle, and their snapshots and paintings of it are sometimes remarkably unalike. Not all climbers have taken the same route up its sheer sides, and there is frequent disagreement on the best approach. What nobody doubts is that we are here dealing with a work of massive substance, presenting a formidable intellectual challenge while offering a breathtaking theological and spiritual vision.”3

Joseph Fitzmyer

According to Jesuit scholar Joseph Fitzmyer: "overwhelms the reader by the density and sublimity of the topic with which it deals, the gospel of the justification and salvation of Jew and Greek alike by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, revealing the uprightness and love of God the father."4

Ambrosiaster

The most probable ancient account of the beginning of Christianity in Rome is given by a 4th century writer known as Ambrosiaster, the name given to the writer of a commentary in the 4th century on St Paul's epistles:

“It is established that there were Jews living in Rome in the times of the Apostles, and that those Jews who had believed [in Christ] passed on to the Romans the tradition that they ought to profess Christ but keep the law [Torah] … One ought not to condemn the Romans, but to praise their faith, because without seeing any signs or miracles and without seeing any of the apostles, they nevertheless accepted faith in Christ, although according to a Jewish rite.”5 Adam Clarke, a British Methodist theologian:

“The occasion of writing the epistle: … Paul had made acquaintance with all circumstances of the Christians at Rome … and finding that it was … partly of heathens converted to Christianity, and partly of Jews, who had, with many remaining prejudices, believed in Jesus as the true Messiah, and that many contentions arose from the claims of the Gentiles to equal privileges with the Jews, and from absolute refusal of the Jews to admit these claims, unless the Gentile converts become circumcised; he wrote this epistle to adjust and settle these differences.”6

Peter on Paul

2 Peter 3:15-18 “And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Protestant on Paul

In the Protestant interpretation, the New Testament epistles (including Romans), describes salvation as coming from faith and not from righteous actions. For example, Romans 4:2–5

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Paul says that God will reward those who follow the law and then goes on to say that no one follows the law perfectly but of course that is where grace comes in:

Rom 2:20–25 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

Catholics on Paul

Catholics accept the necessity of faith for salvation but point to Romans 2:5–11 for the necessity of living a virtuous life as well: Romans 2:5-11 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.

Contradictions of Paul

Some suggest that there are at least 25 places Paul Contradicts Jesus

If we look at the assumed contradictions of Paul in almost every point the individual is misunderstanding the meaning of Paul or the teachings of Christ or both.

That misunderstanding is due to several things and practices.

People are correct to say that the doctrines of the Church should be doctrines of Jesus only but Paul “preached Christ first”.

Peter said that Paul was going to talk about "some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

Most modern Christians do not understand Jesus and what the early Church was doing to be considered "doers of the word" so certainly they find it difficult to understand Paul.

Paul's writings lend themselves to misunderstanding the gospel, especially in the hands of those who already missed the points Jesus was making and teaching.

This is why many fall prey to the twisting of Paul's words by errant pastors and theologians.

Here is a list of the major contradiction accusations against Paul.

List of 25 Contradictions as listed at one site:

1. Jesus Says Not To Eat Meat Sacrificed to Idols, But Paul does not say it is okay to do so but explains why. Does the modern Christians eat meat sacrificed to the idols of the world. Most do because they pray to the Fathers of the earth and the men of governments of the world who call themselves Benefactors who exercise authority for their benefits provided through a system of Corban like that of the Pharisees.
2. Jesus Says The Law Continues. Paul did not contradict that but that the law reduced to the rituals and ceremonies and interpretations of the Pharisees and other Jews is not the law because the law is spiritual. Again, the Pharisees practiced a form of Corban that was making the word of God to non effect.
3. Paul Says The Pharisees Followed The Law Rigorously, But Jesus Says They Were Lax About The Law. But again Paul is arguing against those who unmoore the spiritual meaning of the law and reduce laws concerning things, as and example, like the Sabbath to a day rather than a way.
4. Jesus Says Salvation Initiates And Continues By Repentance From Sin and Obedience Besides Faith; Paul does not say that Repentance is Heresy but is only saying that you cannot follow the 'form' of the law like the ordinances of the pharisees and earn salvation.
5. Jesus Tells Apostles To Teach His Commandments Given Prior to His Ascension While In The Flesh, and Paul goes into great detail about those who will Not inherit the kingdom because of what they do and do not do.
6. "Paul Says Elders Are Entitled To Pay for 'Preaching & Teaching,' But Jesus Says No" This is not what Paul says and in fact Paul and Barnabas who was a levite was more in compliance with Jesus than most modern Christians concerning the ministers of Christ. You need to learn about who the elders where and what Jesus meant by disciples and getting rid of your personal estates and why.
7. "Jesus Teaches There Are Only 12 Apostles Into Eternity, But Paul Adds Himself To The List As a Thirteenth." There were twelve original apostles which means the "sent ones". Barnabas was alo called an apostle in Act 14:14. Jesus sent the apostles and they sent others. Paul laimed to be also sent by Christ and Peter calls him "our beloved brother" in 2 Peter 3:15.
8. "Paul Exhorts Celibacy, But Jesus Clearly Says It is A Choice Not Within Everyone's Power." If this was true why does Paul talk about ministers and bishops being a "husband of one wife."1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6. One of the few references to being unmarried he specifically says that the idea of remaining single is "not of commandment". 1 Corinthians 7:6. He is even critical of those "Forbidding to marry" in 1 Timothy 4:3. There is not reason to believe that Celibacy played any role in the early Church.

To be continued

1. Jesus Says There Is One Pastor and Teacher (Himself), But Paul Says There Are Many Pastors and Teachers
2. Paul Says God Is The God of the Dead, But Jesus Says God Is Not The God of the Dead
3. Paul Says God Does Not Live in Temples Made of Human Hands, But Jesus Says He Does
4. Jesus says Nations Of The World Are Under Satan, But Paul Says Their Rulers Are Agents of God
5. Jesus Teaches Rapture is Of Evil Ones First, But Paul Teaches The Opposite
6. Jesus Says A Call Is Revocable, But Paul Says It Is Irrevocable
7. Jesus Says Some Are Righteous, But Paul Says It Is Impossible
8. Paul Excludes Eating With Sinners But Christ's Example We Are To Follow, and the Lost Sheep Parable, Is Contrary
9. Paul Teaches We Are Eternally Secure, But Jesus Teaches Insecurity to a Sinning Believer
10. Paul Teaches In Original Sin But Jesus Contradicts
11. Jesus' Command About Calling Anyone Fool Is Violated by Paul
12. Paul Denies Obedience Grants Any Righteousness Unto Life, But Jesus Says It Does
13. Jesus Sends The Apostles to Baptize, But Paul Says Jesus Did Not Send Him to Baptize
14. Jesus Says the Merciful Receive Mercy, But Paul Says Only Those God Chooses Arbitrarily Will Receive Mercy
15. Paul Says Salvation Does Not Depend Upon Exertion, But Jesus Says It Does
16. Paul Says He Could Be Justified of The Sin that Never Could be Justified under the Law given Moses (Blasphemy), but Jesus says to the contrary that it is The Unpardonable Sin.
17. Paul Says Flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God, but Jesus in Flesh ascended to heaven, and promises to resurrect our bodies to heaven / New Jerusalem, giving us the same physical resurrection that Jesus had.

Read More:

Was Paul a Roman Citizen?

Old Testament			New Testaments
Genesis	Tobit	Ezekiel	Matthew	Titus
Exodus	Judith	Daniel	Mark	Philemon
Leviticus	Esther	Hosea	Luke	Hebrews
Numbers	1 Maccabees	Joel	John	James
Deuteronomy	2 Maccabees	Amos	Acts	1 Peter
Joshua	Job	Obadiah	Romans	2 Peter
Judges	Psalms	Jonah	1 Corinthians	1 John
Ruth	Proverbs	Micah	2 Corinthians	2 John
1 Samuel	Ecclesiastes	Nahum	Galatians	3 John
2 Samuel	Song of Songs	Habakkuk	Ephesians	Jude
1 Kings	Wisdom	Zephaniah	Philippians	Revelation
2 Kings	Sirach	Haggai	Colossians
1 Chronicles	Isaiah	Zechariah	1 Thessalonians	Bible
2 Chronicles	Jeremiah	Malachi	2 Thessalonians	Bible References
Ezra	Lamentations		1 Timothy	Bible terms
Nehemiah	Baruch		2 Timothy	Definitions

== Footnotes ==

About the author

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  Brother Gregory
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