Pauls Authority

[TheListener]

I want to know if there is anything about salvation by grace which wasn't said by Paul or one of his students. Has Jesus ever mentioned this that I have missed?

[Radagast]

Why do you ask? You don't trust Paul?

-- Radagast

[TheListener]

If it contradicts Jesus then no. If it doesn't contradict him but merely complements him then yes.

[Radagast]

You might like to look at the parables of the Vineyard (http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/pa/pa_12.htm), the Talents (http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/pa/pa_17.htm), and the Prodigal Son (http://www.ccel.org/contrib/exec_outlines/pa/pa_28.htm).

Certainly the theology of Paul is consistent with these parables.

But I think you're on the wrong track regarding Paul. Read Acts 9:

... As he {Saul} neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
...
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"
...
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
This gives Paul's words authority too, which is why his letters are included in the canon of Scripture.

-- Radagast

[rogsr]

I believe that Jesus got into that issue when He spoke to Nicodemus in John Chapter 3. Jesus said, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." The wind(Holy Spirit) comes on it's own, which is to say, by grace. Look into it further so that you will discover the meanings of these things. Ponder it, and ask your Teacher to teach you.

I have learned, through many long debates with Jesus, that Paul's teachings always turn out to be correct and very profound when put through the filter of Christ's teachings. However, when you take Paul's teachings on their own they often times seem different and almost harsh. Paul's teachings are an extension of Christ's teachings, but many learn the teachings of Paul before the teachings of Christ, and that is bad theology. Do you know what I mean?

[TheListener]

Yep, thanks. :)


Just the biblical timelines at a glance tell me what I need to know anyway. :)

[BornAgainChristian]

I want to know if there is anything about salvation by grace which wasn't said by Paul or one of his students. Has Jesus ever mentioned this that I have missed?

Hmmm.... I think tht Paul and the others were manifesting (making clear) Jesus' teachings.

After all, the Bible writers were inspired by God. Everything that they've written God the Holy Spirit commanded them to write. Therefore, they all have athourity. :)

[plmarquette]

Paul was taught by the Holy Spirit , set apart to minister to the gentiles ,
and returned to Jerusalem 20 yrs later to compare notes with the 11
and was refreshed to find that his doctrines were consistant with theirs
see book of acts ...

[2Timothy2]

Paul was taught by the Holy Spirit , set apart to minister to the gentiles ,
and returned to Jerusalem 20 yrs later to compare notes with the 11
and was refreshed to find that his doctrines were consistant with theirs
see book of acts ...

Great point pl.

Also look at:

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:8-10 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1 Peter 1:18-21 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

And of course, John 1:12; 3:16-18. The idea of faith being counted as righteousness is also found throughout the OT. It IS how God works, and has not changed, since He does not change.