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Whether or not one believes in the popular theologies surrounding the divinity of Christ, it is obvious that he was a very advanced thinker for his time. He presented a philosophy of love, kindness and forgiveness, which was quite revolutionary for this point in history. He introduced the picture of a loving God (a "Heavenly Father"), a picture that is quite a different from the vengeful wrathful God that is found in the Old Testament:
Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get out of control and make fools of themselves in front of their enemies. So he stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, "Everyone who is on the Lord's side come over here!" So all the Levites gathered around him, and he said to them, "The Lord God of Israel commands every one of you to put on your sword and go through the camp from this gate to the other and kill your brothers, your friends, and your neighbors." The Levites obeyed, and killed about three thousand men that day. Moses said to the Levites, "Today you have consecrated yourselves as priests in the service of the Lord by killing your sons and brothers, so the Lord has given you his blessing." (Exodus 32:25-29)
Or this:
Elisha left Jerico to go to Bethel, and on the way some boys came out of a town and made fun of him. "Get out of here, baldy!" they shouted. Elisha turned around, glared at them, and cursed them In the name of the Lord. Then two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys to pieces. (2 Kings 2:23-24)
Praising people for killing their sons and brothers, or having forty-two boys killed horribly because of bad manners, is hardly what one would expect from a "Heavenly Father." However, this was the predominant view of God that was presented prior to the coming of Yeshua. Yeshua proposed a different outlook and advocated different actions than what the people were accustomed to at that time. To determine that Paul corrupted the Christian faith from within, it is necessary to consider whether Paul continued the changes that Yeshua had begun or if, in fact, he worked diligently to undo the work of Yeshua and returned to a view more in keeping with the one that is presented in the Old Testament.
I realize that such a thought seems preposterous to the reader already, but let me say that I am not a liar as Paul will be shown to be.
Answer for yourself: Have you the courage to read this article with an open mind?
Answer for yourself: Have you the courage to confront the facts concerning what you have been spoon-fed since childhood that is supposed to be the faith that Jesus desires you have?
If you do, then you will be greatly rewards for in this article, as others from Bet Emet Ministries, we will reveal to you have Paul changed the religion of Yeshua and transformed in from one of obedience to the commandments of God seen as fruit of our faith, into one concerned mainly with the cosmic identity of Christ. Either Paul shifted the influence of the message of Yeshua or else he didn’t.
Answer for yourself: Dare you dare look?
Let us examine doctrines and teachings where Yeshua is corrected by Paul:
This is what Yeshua had to say on this subject:
You have heard it said, "Love your friends, hate your enemies." But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the sons of your Father In heaven. For he makes his sun to shine on those who do good and to those who do evil. Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? Even the tax collectors do that! And if you speak only to your friends, have you done any" thing out of the ordinary? Even the pagans do that! You must be perfect—just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:43-48).
This was a revolutionary idea at that point in history, and it would be amazing if people would live up to it today!
Take a look at what Paul does with this same idea:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; FOR BY SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS UPON HIS HEAD (Romans 12:20)
Answer for yourself: Does Paul respond to his enemies out of love as Yeshua instructs and does it seem that he desires to be perfect before God?
In this same chapter, Paul also states:
Let love be genuine. (Romans 12:9)
No matter what you say, this is not genuine love, but rather deceit. Paul advocates what he calls love in order to defeat one's enemies. He reaches back into the Old Testament (Proverbs) and while making it sound as if he is preaching the same love of enemies that was taught by Yeshua, he in fact undoes Yeshua's work and returns us to the thoughts of the pre-Yeshua era.
Along with love for one's enemies, Yeshua talks about revenge:
You have heard that It was said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." But now I tell you: do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek too. (Matthew 5:38-39)
Here, Yeshua takes a quote from the Old Testament [Ex. 21:42, Lev. 24:20, Deut. 19:21], and directly contradicts what the people had been hearing in error.
Now consider if Paul is faithful to this idea:
Never take revenge, my friends, BUT INSTEAD LET GOD'S ANGER DO IT. For the scripture says: "I will take revenge, I will pay back, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19)
Once again, Paul is using words similar to Yeshua's but in fact is leaping over Yeshua and back into the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:35). While Yeshua advises people to rise above thoughts of revenge, Paul merely tells them that revenge will be theirs but that God will be the instrument of that revenge rather than themselves. And so, another of the ways of dealing with difficult people as advocated by Yeshua is cleverly undone by Paul.
Yeshua does not say very much concerning the status of women. There is, however, reference to the fact that women were helpful to Yeshua and his disciples:
Some women were there, looking on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joseph, and Salome. THEY HAD FOLLOWED JESUS WHILE HE WAS IN GALILEE AND HAD HELPED HIM. (Mark 15:40ff.)
There is also evidence that Yeshua considered it important for women to be interested directly in spiritual matters, as opposed to domestic chores (women's work.):
As Yeshua and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him In her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" The Lord answered her, Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but Just one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
Paul also seems to indicate that Yeshua was in favor of equality between the sexes:
It is through faith that all of you are God's sons in union with Christ Yeshua. You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. SO THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free men, BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN; you are all one in union with Christ (Galatians 3:26-28).
This sounds very good.
However, once again, after making a general statement that would seem to align him with the wishes of Yeshua. Paul deviates markedly when he gets down to the specifics:
As In all the churches of God's people, the women should keep quiet in the meetings. They are not allowed to speak; they must not be In charge. IF THEY WANT TO FIND OUT ABOUT SOMETHING, THEY SHOULD ASK THEIR HUSBANDS AT HOME. It is a disgraceful thing for a woman to speak in a church meeting (1 Corinthians 14:34-35).
Answer for yourself: Does this sound like there is no difference between men and women?
Take a look first at what Paul has to say about salvation:
But now God's way of putting people right with himself has been revealed. It has nothing to do with law, even though the Law of Moses and the prophets gave their witness to it. God puts people right with Him through their faith in Yeshua Christ. God does this to all who believe In Christ, because there is no difference at all: everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence. But by the tree gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Yeshua, who sets them free (Romans 3:21-24).
So, Paul is saying that since no one lives up to the ideals of God, people will be judged worthy as long as they merely have faith in Yeshua. Other factors, such as deeds and obedience to God's law, are not taken into consideration.
Now compare this idea to what Yeshua has to say about the subject:
NOT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ME "LORD, LORD" WILL ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. (Matthew 7:21)
And later:
For the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then HE WILL REWARD EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. (Matthew 16:27)
It is also interesting to note what James (the brother of Yeshua) had to say about this subject. (It is reasonable to assume that he would be quite familiar with Yeshua's views.)
My brothers, what good is it for someone to say that he has faith if his actions do not prove it? (James 2:14)
You see, then, that it is by his actions that a person is put right with God, and not by his faith alone. (James 2:24)
Answer for yourself: You must put your faith as a Christian in someone or something; who are you going to believe…James, Yeshua’ hand-picked Pastor of the church Yeshua said he was to build, and Yeshua who agree on the issue of salvation or Paul who contradicts both them and the other Apostolic writings in the New Testament?
One more passage just for good measure:
So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead. (James 2:26)
What a difference there is in the words of those who knew Christ personally (Peter and James) and the words of Paul. The tone of Peter's letters is exemplified in the following quote: I, who am an elder myself, appeal to the church elders among you. I am a witness of Christ's sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be revealed. I appeal to you to be shepherds of the flock that God gave you and to take care of it willingly, as God wants you to, and not unwillingly. Do your work, not for mere pay, but from a real desire to serve. Do not try to rule over those who have been put in your care, but be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the glorious crown which will never lose Its brightness. In the same way you younger men must submit yourselves to the older men. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble." Humble yourselves, then, under God's mighty hand, so that he will lift you up In his own good time. Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:1-7)
You can sense here the loving concern at selflessness that one would expect from a true follower of Yeshua.
Compare this with some typical quotes from Paul:
I beg you not to force me to be harsh when I come; for I am sure I can deal harshly with those who say that we act from worldly motives. (2 Corinthians 10:2)
Answer for yourself: Have you ever wondered what cause the Corinthian church had to even say that Paul acted from worldly motives (where there is smoke there is fire)?
And after you have proved complete loyalty, we will be ready to punish any act of disloyalty. (2 Corinthians 10:6)
Answer for yourself: Where is Yeshua's message of love in this response of Paul?
For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a different Yeshua, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the gospel you received from us! I do not think that I am the least bit inferior to those very special so-called apostles" of yours! (2 Corinthians 11:4-5)
The difference in tone is undeniable. One can only wonder what changes might have occurred had the teachings of Peter and James been accepted as the foundation of the Christian faith, rather than the teachings of Paul.
Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring Judgment on himself. For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of the man In authority? Then do what is good, and he will praise you, because he Is God's servant and carries out God's punishment on those who do evil. For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience (Romans 13:1-5).
This certainly seems to be ignoring the separation suggested by Yeshua:
So Yeshua said, "Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor and pay to God what belongs to God." (Luke 20:25)
It is also interesting to note that according to Paul's reasoning, Hitler, and Stalin were given their power through the will of God and deserved the respect of their people.
One more bit of evidence from Revelation should be pointed out here. When describing the second beast (Paul), it says: It had two horns like a lamb's horns, and it spoke like a dragon. (Revelation 13:11)
In other words, while giving the impression of being Christ-like (the Lamb), his words were those of the devil (the dragon).
Although there is no direct and open opposition to Paul in the Bible because such accounts have previously been edited out by the Gentile Church, it is inferred by the way Paul repeatedly defends himself against unnamed opponents. This is a very strong witness of the rejection of Paul and his Gospel by the Jerusalem Church. Listed below are a few examples:
As the above quotes indicate, there were many within the followers of Yeshua who opposed Paul.
Do your best to come to me soon. Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me, going off to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke Is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me in the work. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring my coat that I left en Troas with Carpus; bring the books too, and especially the ones made of parchment. Alexander the metalworker did me great harm; the Lord will reward him according to what he has done. Be on your guard against him yourself, because he was violently opposed to our message. NO ONE STOOD BY ME THE LAST TIME I DEFENDED MYSELF; ALL DESERTED ME. (2 Timothy 4:9-16)
In Paul's own words, there is sufficient evidence that many people took exception to his version of Christianity. This occurred more and more as men from James continually pursued Paul and un-did what he was teaching. I challenge you to read the New Testament and follow these "blood hounds" on the sent of Paul. The only problem is that the New Testament calls these men by a negative term today…."Judaizers". Because the original Apostles understood that the Covenant was not null and void and that the Law of God was still in effect in their day after the cross of Yeshua gives me no right to call them by the very negative term "Judaizers" as do the writers of the New Testament. This is again one way we are deceived when reading the New Testament. If you want to lump all the Apostles including James, Peter, and John and the boys under the mantle of "Judaizers" that is your prerogative. As for me I will continually strive to understand the dynamics involved in the censuring of Paul by the Jerusalem church as recorded in the New Testament. No wonder his apostleship and authority was questioned by James and the Jerusalem Church.
Answer for yourself: Are you to believe me because I write these articles?
No, but you should go back to the Bible and read the New Testament with these thoughts in mind. Then draw your own conclusions. Read first just the words of Yeshua in the four Gospels plus the letters of Peter (especially 1 Peter) and James. After reading these scriptures, imagine a Christian faith built upon this foundation and compare it with what resulted from the works of Paul!
This, as well as other articles of Bet Emet Ministries, have touched on some of the areas where it is apparent that Paul twisted the meanings and, in fact, undid many of the teachings of Yeshua. As you review the Bible, look for other evidences of Paul’s betrayal of Yeshua’s work. Remember…study to show yourself approved…not having to stand ashamed before God in the resurrection because you accepted “another Gospel” by believing Paul over James and Yeshua. Shalom.