Could it be that God’s inspired reasons given in scripture as prove of his choice of the Paul the Apostle serve as a greater scriptural attestation for Paul than it has for some of the other writers of scripture?
Paul's conversion experience is discussed in both the Pauline epistles and in the Acts of the Apostles. According to both sources, Paul was not a follower of Jesus and did not know him before his crucifixion. Paul's conversion occurred after Jesus' crucifixion. The accounts of Paul's conversion experience describe it as miraculous, supernatural, or otherwise revelatory in nature.
Before conversion Edit
Before his conversion, Paul, also known as Saul, was "a Pharisee of Pharisees", who "intensely persecuted" the followers of Jesus. Says Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians: "For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." (Galatians 1:13–14
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
— 1 Cor. 15:3–8, NIV
The Epistle to the Galatians chapter 1
I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. ...But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.
— Galatians 1:11-16, NIV
Acts of the Apostles
Acts 9
As he 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."
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Paul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
— Acts 9:3–9, NIV
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Don Stewart :: Why Are the Writings of the Apostle Paul Considered to Be Divinely Authoritative?
Don Stewart
The apostles not only accepted the Old Testament and Jesus' Word's as authoritative, they also began to see that their writings were on the same authoritative level. Being led by the Holy Spirit, they believed they were speaking for Christ. The Apostle Paul, for example, wrote thirteen letters that have been recognized as Holy Scripture by the Christian church. Who was this man? What evidence do we have to call Paul's writings Scripture?
Who Was Paul?
We have no physical description of Saul of Tarsus given to us in Scripture. Early tradition says that he was a small man with a bald head. No matter what he looked liked, his writings have become part of the Word of God as found in the New Testament.
He was born Saul of Tarsus - a city which is in modern-day Turkey. Tarsus had been part of the Greek world for some time. Although the family of Saul were Jews, Saul himself was a Roman citizen.
While still a young man Saul traveled to Jerusalem to train as a Rabbi. In Jerusalem, he became acquainted with a group of people who believed Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah. Saul relentlessly persecuted these people while all the time thinking that he was serving God.
The Conversion Of Saul Of Tarsus
While heading for Damascus to further jail believers in Jesus, Saul had a blinding vision that knocked him to the ground. The voice that spoke to Saul identified Himself as Jesus of Nazareth - the one whom he had been persecuting. Thus began one of the great turnarounds in history. The greatest antagonist of the Christian faith - Saul of Tarsus - became its greatest missionary - the Apostle Paul. During his lifetime he penned thirteen different works that have become part of the New Testament. It is impossible to overestimate the influence that Paul played in the spread of the Christian faith.
He Believed His Message To Be Divine
The first thing that must be noticed is that Paul believed his message to be divine. He wrote.
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37).
He wrote to the church at Thessalonica.
And for this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received from us the word of God's message, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Paul Spoke Of My Gospel
Paul spoke of "my gospel." He said the preaching of Jesus Christ had been kept secret but now had been revealed.
Now to him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith (Romans 16:25,26).
However, believing to have a divine message does not make it so. What evidence do we have of this message having been sent from God?
Paul Received Direct Revelation From The Lord
The Bible teaches that Paul received direct revelation from God. Paul wrote.
Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? (1 Corinthians 9:1).
After an encounter with the ascended Jesus on the Damascus road, Paul had it explained by Ananias:
The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know his will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of his mouth. For you will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard (Acts 22:14,15).
Disobeying His Writings Brings Discipline
Paul said that anyone who disobeyed his writings was to
be disciplined by the local church. He wrote.
If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame (2 Thessalonians 3:14).
To the Corinthians he wrote.
I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you (2 Corinthians 13:2-3).
Paul also wrote.
If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored (1 Corinthians 14:37,38).
His Writings Were Considered Scripture During His Lifetime
The final point is that the New Testament recognized Paul's writing as Scripture. Peter wrote:
Our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which some things are hard to understand, which those who are untaught and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the rest of the Scriptures (2 Peter 3:15,16).
The writings of Paul complete the New Testament. He was the chosen instrument to explain the meaning of the two comings of Jesus Christ.
Summary
Saul of Tarsus was a great enemy of the church. However he was converted on the road to Damascus while in the midst of persecuting Christians. He became the Apostle Paul - the greatest missionary the church has ever seen.
Paul was given the task of explaining the ministry of Christ to the Gentile (non-Jewish) world.
We find that he received direct revelation from the Lord. Paul also believed his message to be divine. The Apostle Peter confirmed Paul's words as Scripture. He was God's chosen instrument to reveal much about the central truths of the Christian faith. Paul also explained the necessity of the two comings of Christ.
Manifest destiny supports Paul as apostle, emissary, or ambassador, to the Gentiles. The writings of the other Biblical authors (except Paul's traveling companion Luke) never refer to Paul as an Apostle as in one of the twelve Apostles. Jesus makes no mention of a specific one or additional Apostle coming after him and going to the Gentiles. Nowhere in all of Scripture outside Paul's own writings does it ever refer to his writings as Authoritative or New Law.
**JESUS TOLD THE HOLY SPIRIT WHAT TO INSPIRE THE 8 WRITERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WHAT TO WRITE AS PER JOHN 16:12-14. AND SO JESUS IS THE **AUTHOR** OF THE ENTIRE NEW TESAMENT**!!
We know that both the Apostles Paul and Peter were both martyred by order of Nero Caesar in December AD 66. We also know that the last books of the New Testament were written except for Revelation were 2nd Timothy and 2nd Peter from AD 42 to AD 63. We also know that Paul wrote 2nd Timothy right before his death in December AD 66 by Paul's statement in:
2 Timothy 4:6,7: Paul said, For I am already being poured out like a drinlk offering, and the **TIME FOR MY DEPARTURE IS NEAR**!! I have fought the good fight , I have **FINISHED THE RACE**!!
We also know that 2 Peter was written just before his death in AD 66 by Peter's statement in:
2 Peter 2:13-15: Peter said, "I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know I will **SOON PUT IT ASIDE**...And I will
make every effort to see that after **MY DEPARTURE** you will always be abe able to remember these things.
All of the other books except Revelation had been inspired by the holy spirit from AD 42 to AD 63. And by AD 66 all these inspired books had been delivered to almost all of the Christian churches within the Roman Empire.
And so Paul's inspired words in 2 Timothy and Peter's inspired words in 2 Peter were written just before they went to heaven which was just before December AD 66.
John 16:12-14: Jesus says, "I have much more to say to you, more that you can now bear. But when he, the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will **GLORIFY ME** becacause it is **FROM ME**THAT HE WILL RECEIVE WHAT HE WILL MAKE KNOWN TO YOU**
And so the holy spirit inspired the 8 writers of the New Testament to say exactly what our Great God and Savior Jesus Christ told them to write!! And the last book of Revelation was also inspired by an angel of Jesus as per:
Revelation 22:16 "I, Jesus, have sent **MY ANGEL** to give you this testimony {All of Revelation}**FOR THE CHURCHES**!"
Hebrews 12:2: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the **AUTHOR** and **PERFECTER** of our Faith!
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesusus says, "**ALL AUTHORITY** in heaven and earth has been given to **ME**. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... Teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING** I have commanded!" {Which is the entire New Testament} And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age!!"
And so Paul's inspired words in 2nd Timothy in AD 66 about all Scripture being God Breathed included all the books of the NT except for Revelation.
Paul was inspired to write 2nd Timothy and Peter was inspired to write 2nd Peter just before being martyred by order of Nero Caesar in December AD 96. These were the last 2 books of the New Testament except for Revelation in AD 96.
All of the rest of the books of the inspired New Testament were written between AD 42 to AD 63 and were delivered to almost all of the Christian churches in the Roman Empire by AD 66.
And so Paul's inspired words in AD 66 in 2nd Timothy 3:15-17:4:1-3 included all the books in the NT except Revelation.
2 Timothy 3: 15-17; 4:1-3: You have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation **THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. All Scripture is **GOD-BREATHED** and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His Kingdom, I give you this charge: **PREACH THE WORD; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people {Like Chuckles} will not put up with sound doctrine!
And also Peter's inspired words in 2nd Peter in AD 66 include all of the New Testament books except Revelation!!
2nd Peter 1:20-21: Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the holy spirit . {As directed by Jesus in the NT}
2nd Peter 3:15-16: Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our **DEAR BROTHER PAUL** also wrote you with the **WISDOM THAT GOD GAVE HIM**! He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand {For the unsaved}, which ignorant and unstable people distort, {Like Chuckles} as they do other Scriptures to their own destruction {Eternal torment in hell}
Acts 22:24:15: Ananias said to Paul, "The God of our ancestors has **CHOSEN YOU** to **KNOW HIS WILL** and to see the Righteous One and **TO HEAR WORDS FROM HIS MOUTH**. **YOU WILL BE HIS WITNESS TO ALL PEOPLE** of what you have seen and heard.
Acts 26:16-18: The Lord Jesus said to Paul, "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you and **APPOINTED YOU** AS A SERVANT AND AS A WITNESS OF WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN AND WILL SEE OF ME**! I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes and turn then from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they my receive **FORGIVENESS OF SINS** and a place among those who **SANCTIFIED BY FAITH IN ME**!"
Acts 9:15: The Lord Jesus said to Ananias, "This man {PAUL} is **MY CHOSEN INSTRUMENT**to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel!"
I Peter 1:23-25: For you have been **BORN AGAIN**, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, **THROUGH THE LIVING AND ENDURING WORD OF GOD**! All people are like grass, and their glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the **WORD OF GOD ENDURES FOREVER**!! And this is the **WORD** that was preached to you!
Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus says, "**ALL AUTHORITY** in heaven and earth has been given to **ME**! Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... Teaching them to **OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED** {Which is the entire New Testament} And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age!"
Hebrews 12:2: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the **AUTHOR** and **PERFECTER** of our Faith!
John 12:48: Jesus says, "There is a **JUDGE** for the one who **DOES NOT ACCEPT MY WORDS** {The entire New Testament!} the very words I have spoken will **CONDEMN THEM AT THE LAST DAY!"
Things are either true or they aren't. If you can't tell true from false, then what does it matter what I tell you?
If God says something, it is true. If a man says something, then it may or may not be true. If Paul spoke by God, then I would say that is enough. If you say he didn't, then why should I take your word over his?
Your whole argument has been self-defeating unless you can show authority to speak of what Paul did or didn't do, and who he spoke his words by.
Sigh,...............Okay, look, Scriptural authority starts with Moses. Moses said one like him would come after him. This we believe is Jesus. Therefore Jesus has Scriptural authority.
Let me make this simple ~
WHERE DID JESUS GIVE SCRIPTURAL AUTHORITY TO PAUL???
