Jesus or Paul?

The New Testament explicitly indicates that Jesus’ primary mission—and that of His disciples—was to proclaim His message to the Children of Israel.

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, ⁶ but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 10

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

Matthew 15

Additionally, Jesus’ mission was to teach the Children of Israel how to correctly apply the laws of the Torah, and he was adamantly against the concept of abolishing the laws.

¹⁷ “(Jesus said) Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5

This also corresponds with what is written in the Quran regarding Jesus.

[3:47] She said, “My Lord, how can I have a son, when no man has touched me?” He said, “GOD thus creates whatever He wills. To have anything done, He simply says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.
[3:48] He will teach him the scripture, wisdom, the Torah, and the Gospel.
[3:49] As a messenger to the Children of Israel: “I come to you with a sign from your Lord—I create for you from clay the shape of a bird, then I blow into it, and it becomes a live bird by GOD’s leave. I restore vision to the blind, heal the leprous, and I revive the dead by GOD’s leave. I can tell you what you eat, and what you store in your homes. This should be a proof for you, if you are believers.

 قَالَتْ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌ قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ ٱللَّهُ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

 وَيُعَلِّمُهُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ وَٱلْإِنجِيلَ

 وَرَسُولًا إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَنِّى قَدْ جِئْتُكُم بِـَٔايَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ أَنِّىٓ أَخْلُقُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلطِّينِ كَهَيْـَٔةِ ٱلطَّيْرِ فَأَنفُخُ فِيهِ فَيَكُونُ طَيْرًۢا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُبْرِئُ ٱلْأَكْمَهَ وَٱلْأَبْرَصَ وَأُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا تَأْكُلُونَ وَمَا تَدَّخِرُونَ فِى بُيُوتِكُمْ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

It’s worth pointing out that the chronological development of the Gospels suggests a shift in how Jesus’ mission to the Samaritans was portrayed. In the earliest Gospel, Mark, there is no account of Jesus engaging with the Samaritans. Then, in Matthew, it explicitly states that Jesus did not go to the Samaritans (Matthew 10:5-6), and even equates the Samaritans as dogs who do not deserve the pearls of Jesus’ message (Matthew 7:6). Then in Luke, it states that Jesus does go toward the Samaritans, yet they reject him (Luke 9:52-53). Finally, the story gets flipped upside down in the latest Gospel, John. In John, Jesus not only visits the Samaritans but also preaches to them, and they accept his message (John 4:39-42).

Clearly, these accounts cannot all be historically accurate. Instead, this progression indicates that as the Jesus movement expanded beyond its original focus on the “lost sheep of Israel,” later Gospel writers gradually reshaped the narrative to include Jesus preaching to non-Jews. What was entirely absent in Mark and explicitly restricted in Matthew becomes a rejected mission in Luke, before ultimately being reinterpreted in John as a fully embraced outreach to the Samaritans.

Paul & the Gentiles

Paul is recognized as the first person to make it his primary mission to bring the message of Jesus to the Gentiles. He dedicated himself to spreading his interpretation of Jesus’ teachings beyond the Jewish community. In the books of Acts and Galatians, we learn about the Council of Jerusalem, a pivotal meeting during which Paul asserted that he received endorsement from James, Jesus’ brother and leader of the Jerusalem Church, as well as from the Apostles, for his work in evangelizing the Gentiles.

¹² And all the assembly kept silence; and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. ¹³ After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brethren, listen to me. ¹⁴ Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵ And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written,

¹⁶ ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will set it up,
¹⁷ that the rest of men may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
¹⁸ says the Lord, who has made these things known from of old.’

¹⁹ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ but should write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from unchastity and from what is strangled^[a] and from blood. ²¹ For from early generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read every sabbath in the synagogues.”

Acts 15

6 And from those who were reputed to be something (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who were of repute added nothing to me; 7 but on the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for the mission to the circumcised worked through me also for the Gentiles), 9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised; 10 only they would have us remember the poor, which very thing I was eager to do.

Galatians 2

The next set of verses from Galatians 2:11-21 recounts a confrontation between Paul and Peter (Cephas) in Antioch, where Paul calls Peter a hypocrite because he fearfully complied with the expectations of the Jewish Christians regarding the observance of Jewish dietary laws, thus implicitly endorsing the view that Gentile Christians needed to adhere to Jewish customs to be fully accepted in the Christian community. Paul claims that Peter’s behavior influenced other Jewish Christians, including Barnabas, to also withdraw from table fellowship with Gentiles, which Paul saw as a betrayal of the gospel he was preaching.

11 But when Cephas came to Antioch I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. 13 And with him the rest of the Jews acted insincerely, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their insincerity. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Galatians 2

Paul then makes his case as to why he believes both Jews and Gentiles are justified in conversion. This argument is foundational to Paul’s theology, which emphasizes that righteousness comes through faith in Christ rather than adherence to the law.

15 We ourselves, who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 16 yet who know that a man is not justified[a] by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no one be justified. 17 But if, in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we ourselves were found to be sinners, is Christ then an agent of sin? Certainly not! 18 But if I build up again those things which I tore down, then I prove myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law, that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification[b] were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose.

Galatians 2

During Paul’s second visit to Jerusalem, he is questioned regarding rumors that he was telling the Gentiles that they were no longer bound by the law, but Paul denies this, indicating that he is only obliging them upon the laws of Noah (the Noahide).

17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law, 21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or observe the customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you but that you yourself live in observance of the law. 25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled[b] and from unchastity.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself with them and went into the temple, to give notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for every one of them.

Acts 21

Paul and the Law (Dietary)

Paul had a fundamentally different take on the law and the requirements of what is necessary for salvation, which is not found in the teachings of Jesus and contrary to what we see preached by the other disciples. For example, when James, in Acts 21, as seen in the above passage, requested that Paul have the Gentiles, at a minimum, uphold the laws of Noahide, Paul appears to comply, but we see that he deviated. For example, in his letters, he claims that no food is unlawful to eat.

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 (But if some one says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience’ sake— 29 I mean his conscience, not yours—do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man’s scruples? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10

Paul claims that since there is no deity other than God, no one can sacrifice to other than God. Therefore, all meat is lawful. Paul also says because he does not want to repel people if they are offended because he thinks all food is lawful, that to avoid repelling such people, one should adjust their stance accordingly, and only in the extreme case, set an example and not eat the meat dedicated to an idol if it is presented to them in such a context.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

1 Corinthians 8

This demonstrates Paul’s tactic that he was willing to become a Jew or Greek in order to have people listen to his message and convert.

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law—though not being myself under the law—that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law—not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ—that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9

Righteousness & The Law

Paul argues that if righteousness could have been achieved through the law, Christ’s death was in vain (1 Corinthians 15). He insists that the law cannot justify anyone any longer; rather, it is faith in Christ that is required for salvation.

9 because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. 13 For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10

Paul goes even further, saying that the only people who need the law are those who are weak in flesh (Galatians 6:11-15), that it is impossible for someone to fulfill the law (Romans 9:30-33), and that attempting to abide by the law is a curse.

11 Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for “He who through faith is righteous shall live”;[a] 12 but the law does not rest on faith, for “He who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed be every one who hangs on a tree”—

Galatians 3

When Paul mentions that Christ became a curse for us by being “hung on a tree,” he is referring to Jesus’ crucifixion. In Deuteronomy 21, being hanged on a tree (or crucified, in the Roman context) was a sign of being under God’s curse.

22 “And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is accursed by God; you shall not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance.

Deuteronomy 21

By using this imagery, Paul is saying that Jesus took upon Himself the curse that rightly belonged to humanity because of sin, fulfilling the Law’s demands and removing the curse from those who put their faith in Him.

Paul & Circumcsion

Paul speaks down on those who still chose to uphold circumcision after the death and resurrection of Jesus. That they are burdening themselves if they still choose to fulfill this law.

2 Now I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who receives circumcision that he is bound to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working[a] through love.

Galatians 5

Paul then goes on to rebuke the Jewish Christians who still encourage the laws of Moses.

10 For there are many insubordinate men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially the circumcision party; 11 they must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for base gain what they have no right to teach. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth.

Titus 1:10

Thus, it is Paul who single-handedly nullified the law, preaching that believers in Jesus are no longer bound by the law and are now part of a New Covenant. In Romans 7, Paul draws an analogy of a person’s covenant with God with that of a marriage covenant. Paul argues that just like how a covenant between a wife ends upon the death of her husband. Similarly, the death of Jesus ended the requirement of the covenant of the law, and therefore, a New Covenant was made.

7 Do you not know, brethren—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only during his life? 2 Thus a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives; but if her husband dies she is discharged from the law concerning the husband. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brethren, you have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 While we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit.

Romans 7

Where Did Paul Obtain His Teachings?

Interestingly, Paul never met Jesus and did not claim his understanding came from researching, studying, or talking to people who knew or heard directly from Jesus or people who were familiar with his teachings. Instead, he claimed that he gained his understanding through direct revelations he received from Jesus Christ.

11 But I let you know, brethren, [as to] the glad tidings which were announced by me, that they are not according to man. 12 For neither did I receive them from man, neither was I taught [them], but by revelation of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1

Since Paul claimed that he was getting his teachings from revelation and was not getting his theology from the direct teachings of Jesus or the disciples, this would make Paul a messenger.

Paul: Delusions of Grandeur

Paul claims that he was sent by Jesus and God Himself.

1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—

Galatians 1

Paul claims that what he preached was not his preaching but Jesus Christ’s preaching.

5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

2 Corinthians 4

Paul commanded his followers to imitate him as he insinuated that he was Christ.

1  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11

And as presented earlier, Paul claims to be Christ.

20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification[b] were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose.

Galatians 2

Paul Claims the True Gospel

Paul believed that his teachings of Jesus were the true Gospel of Christ. He expressed his astonishment and concern that the Galatians are quickly turning away from the teachings of the Gospel of Christ that he believed he was preaching to a different gospel, which he later clarifies is not truly another gospel but a distortion of the true Gospel (Galatians 1:7). His words are directed at the Galatian believers, criticizing their rapid departure from the core principles of Christianity according to him. This departure was influenced by what appears to be other teachers who were promoting a version of the Gospel that included adherence to Jewish law as necessary for salvation, contrary to Paul’s teaching of justification by faith in Christ alone.

⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel— ⁷ not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. ⁸ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. ⁹ As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1

To reinforce his authority in preaching the “true Gospel,” Paul goes so far as to state that he existed before this life and believed that he had Christ, who he viewed as a deity, inside him.

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and had called me through his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son in me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned to Damascus.

Galatians 1

Paul believed not only that his revelations were the true Gospel of Christ but that he was raised to heaven to receive the revelation that he was preordained to deliver to the Gentiles.

² I went up by revelation; and I laid before them (but privately before those who were of repute) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, lest somehow I should be running or had run in vain.

Galatians 2

Paul discusses his ascent to Paradise in receiving his revelations. He discusses this experience in the third person.

12 I must boast; there is nothing to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. ⁵ On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12

Paul goes on to claim that for the revelations he received, he was being persistently harassed by a messenger of Satan.

6 Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.

2 Corinthians 12

Jesus’ Theology vs. Paul’s Theology

For most people in the world, the Christianity of today is no longer the religion promoted by Jesus but actually a religion created by Paul under his New Covenant that took place after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Of the 27 books in the New Testament, Paul is attributed with writing 13 of them. Seven of these are believed to be entirely authentic and dictated by Paul, while the remainder were penned most likely by his followers, if not himself.

Paul’s writings are not only considered the oldest writings in the New Testament but have also influenced other books in the New Testament, including the Acts of the Apostles, which is believed to be written by Luke, a companion of Paul.

These writings of Paul have fundamentally altered the theological foundations of Christianity because they largely conflict with the direct teachings of Jesus. This becomes obvious when we consider that despite the remarkable breadth of Paul’s writings, they are mostly absent from most of Jesus’ teachings and life events, as detailed in the four Gospels. Notably missing from Paul’s epistles are the following critical elements, including:

• Jesus’s birth
• Most all of Jesus’ parables
• The temptation of Jesus by Satan
• Jesus’ baptism by John.
• Any mention of John the Baptist
• Any of Jesus’s miracles performed during his life
• Any mention of the Last Supper
• The prophecy of the destruction of the Temple
• Any mention of the specific events leading up to Jesus’ trial and crucifixion
• Any mention of the details of Jesus’ burial process or that his tomb was found empty

This is particularly troubling when considering that Paul claims that his gospel is the true Gospel of Christ. This shows that, according to Paul, all the teachings and events of Jesus’ life have no significance to what Paul believed Jesus’s true mission was. Instead of the teachings of Jesus, Paul’s theology is based on the following items, which are absent from the four Gospels.

1. The function of Jesus was his resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15)
2. Salvation comes through faith in Jesus and is unattainable by works alone. (Galatians 2, Romans 10)
3. The Law of Moses was no longer binding as a New Covenant was formed when Jesus was resurrected. (Galatians 3, 2 Corinthians 3)
4. This New Covenant is meant for the Gentiles and Jews (who should abandon the Law). (Galatians 2)

Since Paul’s teachings are fundamentally different than the message delivered by Jesus according to the four Gospels, it creates a conundrum for people who want to uphold both Paul’s words and the teachings of Jesus found in the Gospels. Because to uphold one would require voiding the other.

This is because, according to Paul, the teachings of Jesus were only meant for the Jews of his time, but Paul’s message was meant for all others till Judgement Day. This is why almost none of the teachings of Jesus from the four Gospels are found in the letters of Paul because, based on his theology, these teachings and events have no pertinence for salvation. According to Paul, the only thing necessary for salvation was the following:

9 because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. 13 For, “every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 10

This is why the only aspect of Jesus’s life that Paul cared about was his resurrection (Corinthians 15). So, someone who wanted to uphold the teachings of Jesus per the Gospels would be acting in vain if they also ascribed to Paul’s ideology.

¹ Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, ² by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. ¹¹ Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. ¹² Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; ¹⁴ if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷ If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.

1 Corinthians 15

Ironically, this new covenant and understanding was not taught by Jesus but only by Paul. Therefore, Christians must choose whose message they want to uphold, either Jesus or Paul.

⁵ For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 24

Many people today assume that the essence of Christianity is the teachings of Jesus. However, this is not the case. Christianity now centers not on the teachings of Jesus, but on the person of Jesus as God incarnate. It has shifted from a religion taught by Jesus to a religion about Jesus. Christians must ask themselves why they departed from the direct teachings of Jesus and how Jesus believed in what others, like Paul, believed about him. This discrepancy highlights a fundamental conflict between Jesus’ actual teachings and the inherited system’s portrayal of him.

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Further Reading:

Faith vs. Works (Paul the Anti-Christ)

Jesus on Identifying Hypocrisy