Things Paul Wrote
Many people believe that Paul’s letters are what we are to use to understand how we are to follow the Messiah. The Bible says that Paul’s letters are difficult to understand, however he does make many clear statements. If he makes a clear statement and there seems to be something else that contradicts that statement, then most likely we are making a mistake in our understanding of the contradiction, not the clear statement. To clarify, if Paul says one thing plainly and eludes to another, we can’t get rid of what he clearly states. And the two can’t contradict. If they did, then we can’t trust anything that Paul writes.
Many people believe that Paul was teaching against the Law. If we look at the clear statements that he made, including testifying in court, we will see that this is not true.
Below are statements about Paul or from his letters:
Acts 21:21 But they have been told about you—that you teach all the Jews living among the gentiles to forsake the Law of Moses, and that you tell them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs.
… Acts 21:24 Take these men, go through the purification ceremony with them, and pay their expenses to shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you are carefully observing and keeping the Law. (remember that Paul tells us to imitate him in 1 Corinthians 11:1)
Paul’s testimony in court:
Act 24:14 However, I admit to you that in accordance with the Way, which they call a heresy, I worship the God of our ancestors and believe in everything written in the Law and the Prophets.
Paul goes back to court:
Act 25:8 Paul said in his defense, “I have done nothing wrong against the Law of the Jews, or of the Temple, or of the emperor.”
Paul’s letters
Rom 1:5 Through him we received grace and a commission as an apostle to bring about faithful obedience among all the gentiles for the sake of his name.
Rom 2:12 For all who have sinned apart from the Law will also perish apart from the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law.
Rom 2:13 For it is not merely those who hear the Law who are righteous in God’s sight. No, it is those who follow the Law, who will be justified.
Rom 3:31 Do we, then, abolish the Law by this faith? Of course not! Instead, we uphold the Law.
Rom 7:12 So then, the Law itself is holy, and the rule is holy, just, and good.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the Law of God in my inner being,
Rom 8:7 That is why the mind that focuses on human nature is hostile toward God. It refuses to submit to the authority of God’s Law because it is powerless to do so.
Rom 15:4 For everything that was written long ago was written to instruct us, so that we might have hope through the endurance and encouragement that the Scriptures give us.
Rom 15:18 For I am bold enough to tell you only about what the Messiah has accomplished through me in bringing gentiles to obedience. By my words and actions,
1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God’s commandments is everything.
1Co 9:8-10 I am not saying this on human authority, am I? The Law says the same thing, doesn’t it? For in the Law of Moses it is written, “You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” God is not only concerned about oxen, is he? Isn’t he really speaking for our benefit? Yes, this was written for our benefit, because the one who plows should plow in hope, and the one who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.
2Co 2:9 I had also written to you to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in every way.
2Co 6:14 Stop becoming unevenly yoked with unbelievers. What partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? What fellowship can light have with darkness? (notice the direct correlation: unbelievers / lawlessness / darkness)
2Co 10:6 Once your obedience is complete, we will be ready to reprimand every type of disobedience. (Notice how there is obedience, then there is more obedience. This shows how Paul taught…give them some instruction, then give them some more)
Col 3:6 It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.
2Ti 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action.
Heb 10:28 Anyone who violates the Law of Moses dies without mercy “on the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Whether you believe that you should follow the Law or not is up to you. However keep in mind… Heb 10:31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God! And… Mat 13:41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom everything that causes others to sin and those who practice lawlessness (42) and they will throw them into a blazing furnace. In that place there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Every person is responsible for themselves. Judgment Day comes for everyone and we won’t have the option to cast blame on someone else. Search the Scriptures with an open heart and open mind and you may be surprised what is revealed to you!