God sent the last of the old testament prophets (John the Baptist)  to introduce Jesus.  In fact Jesus said, “Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist.” (Luke 7:28)

Is Jesus greater than John the Baptist? According to John the Baptist he is:

John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, this was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me… He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (John 1:15, and 27)

John the baptist bore witness of Jesus,  claiming that even though Jesus came after him, Jesus was before him – this is a reference to his eternal existence.  John also says Jesus has the preference over him, and that he is not even worthy to unlatch the shoes of Jesus.

John who was as great as any prophet before him speaks of Jesus, not as an another prophet, but as someone unique and so different, that John sees himself as unworthy in his presence.

In fact John says: He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

John did not believe that Jesus was like the other prophets, John believed Jesus was from above.

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.” (John 3:31)

All Israel had been waiting in anticipation of “the prophet” who was to come. This prophet who was to come would be unlike all the other prophets, for he would be the Messiah, the redeemer, and the hope of all Israel. He would be the Savior of the world, and the one in whom the Gentiles would trust. He would be the very Son of God, begotten of God, unique from all other men.

When asked if he was “that prophet” John denied and said “I am not the Christ” (John 1:20-21). John declared that he was the one who came to announce the coming of that prophet who is the Messiah, the Son of God:

I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord. (John 1:23)

Jesus was more than a prophet, he was and is the LORD! Jesus’ ministry as a prophet was not like those prophets before him, for they spake on behalf of the Lord. Jesus spoke being the Lord. 

Unlike the other prophets who were chosen from among men, Jesus came down from above, not with a Word from God, but as the very Word of God in the flesh. He not only speaks the Word of God, he is the Word of God!

The writer of Hebrews says: God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of  all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…

Jesus is unlike all other prophets because he came down from above. In John 3:13 Jesus declared himself to the Son of man in heaven, who came down from heaven.

Jesus claimed to be the one the prophet Daniel described in Daniel 7: 

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the SON OF MAN came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)

Jesus was more than an ordinary prophet, he is the heavenly man who came down from God, eternally existing with God, and he is the only one who can reveal God and bring man near to God.

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven (John 3:13)

The apostle Paul referred to Jesus as “the Lord from heaven,” and ”the heavenly man.” (1 Corinthians 15:47-49)

No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:31-36)

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To read about KING JESUS, follow the link below:

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/king-jesus/

One of the prevalent  arguments among Muslims against the death of Christ is their gross misinterpretations of Hebrews 5:7

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared…

One Muslim wrote the following to me concerning the the text above, I have left his comment as it was originally written:

Micheal according your bible Jesus wasn’t die nor crucified,

Hebrew 5:7-8 confirmed that God had answered jesus’s prayer! Who in the day of his flesh he upper of a prayer with cries and tears to who was able to save him from death and he was heard becouse of his godly fear. Did God answer his prayer or not? If God did answer his prayer therefore he didn’t die. (end qoute)

Notice how he has interjected his own or should I say, his Muslim teachers own thoughts about the text. Hebrews 5 :7-8 does not say that Jesus did not die but that he prayed to God who was able to save from death and was heard.

Jesus was heard and though he was God’s Son, he learned obedience by the THINGS HE SUFFERED, and being made perfect he became the AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION to all who OBEY HIM.

Notice that Jesus is the “Author of Eternal Salvation to all who OBEY HIM.”

The sufferings mentioned in Hebrews 5:7 is a reference to his death. Jesus was made perfect (as our great High priest) through the things he suffered.

Being heard does not mean that God delivered Jesus from the cross  for it was the will of God for Jesus to give his life as the ransom for our sins. Jesus’ prayer did not result in his being delivered from the cross. It resulted in his being given the grace and strength to endure the cross.

This is understood from both Hebrews and the rest of the New Testament. It truly is amazing how some Muslims can take one or two verses out of its contextual setting while the book of Hebrews completely destroys the argument they are making with those verses.

The book of Hebrews expounds on the High Priestly ministry of Jesus who was enthroned at the right hand of God after his death and resurrection.

In 1:3, the writer of Hebrews tells us that after he had purged our sins, Jesus sat down on the right hand of God. In 2:9, he tells us “by the grace of God, he tasted death for every man.” In 2:14 he says, “through death, Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death, that is the devil.”

The author expounds on Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant which was established through his shed blood (Hebrews 8-9) and tells us of redemption through the blood of Christ (9:11-14) because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22).

In 10:10 he tells us that we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ who died for us, and in 10:19 gives us the invitation to come boldly into God’s presence through the blood of Jesus.

In 10:29 ; 12:22; and 13:20 he refers to the blood of Jesus as the blood of the covenant.  

Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith and we are exhorted to look to him for he endured the cross for us.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Muslims are taught by their leaders that Jesus Christ never died on the cross. Yet Jesus spoke OFTEN about his death and resurrection throughout the new testament.

• Matthew 16:21; 17:9, 22-23; 20:17-19; 26:1-2, 24, 31, 45; 26:51-56
• Mark 8:31; 9:9-11, 31-32, 10:32-34; 14:27, 43-50; 15:27-28
• Luke 9:21-22, 44-45; 17:24-25; 18:31-34; 22:37; 24:1-8, 13-27, 44-48
• John 18:31-32; 19:24, 28

Jesus also described His death (at the hands of sinful men) as that which was written in the scriptures and the prophets.

• Matthew 26:24: Mark 14:21
• Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:27
• Matthew 26:51-56; Mark 14:48-50
• Mark 15:27-28
• Luke 18:31-33; 22:37; 24:25-27, 44-49
• John 19:28, 37

Jesus described his death and resurrection as the sign of his Messiah-ship to the religious Jews.

• John 2:18-22; John 8:28-29
• Matthew 12:38-40; Matthew 16:1-4; Luke 11:29-30
• Luke 11:29-20

Muslims are taught by their leaders that Jesus Christ was replaced by Judas on the cross. Yet, Jesus Christ says that Judas is the betrayer, who betrayed him to those who carried out the crucifixion of Jesus.

• Matthew 17:22; 20:18; 26:2, 21-24, 45-50
• Mark 14:18, 21,41-42
• Luke 22:2-4
• John 13:18, 21; 19:11
• Psalm 41:9

Muslims are taught that Jesus is just a man and not divine even though Jesus accepted the worship of those who bowed before him.

• Wise men worshipped Jesus after his birth (Matthew 2:1-2, 11).

• A man with leprosy worshipped Jesus and was healed of his leprosy (Matthew 8:2-3).

• A Gentile ruler worshipped Jesus and his daughter was healed (Matthew 9:18, 25-26).

• His disciples worshipped Jesus: Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God (Matthew 14:33).
  
  The disciples worshipped Jesus as the Son of God. The uniqueness of Christ as the Son of God is worthy of worship. The writer of Hebrews says: For unto which of the angels said he at any time, thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him (Hebrews 1:5-6). The son-ship of Jesus is unique, because he is divine even as his Father, God, is divine. Jesus is more than a mere man, he is the divine Son of God.

• A man possessed with a legion of demons ran and fell at the feet of Jesus and worshiped Jesus. The man was delivered and his right mind was restored (Mark 5:5).

• A woman of Canaan worshipped Jesus and her daughter was healed (Matthew 15:22-28).

• A man whom Jesus healed of blindness worshipped Jesus and believed in him (John 9:35-38).

• The mother of two of Jesus’ disciples worshipped Jesus (Matthew 20:20).

• The women who came to the tomb worshipped Jesus after he appeared to them (Matthew 28:9).

• After his ascension, his disciples worshipped him (Luke 24:51-53).

The deity of Jesus is repeatedly attested to in the scriptures.

• Isaiah calls Jesus “the mighty God.” (Isaiah 9:6).

• Matthew calls Jesus  “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

• John calls Jesus “the word of God who was God in the beginning” (John 1:1).

• John tells us that all things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:3; see also verse 10).

• John tells us Jesus is THE WORD who was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (v.14-18).

• John the Baptist said of Jesus, “He that cometh after me is preferred before me: FOR HE WAS BEFORE ME.. (John 1:15, 30),

• Thomas (one of Jesus’ disciples) said unto Jesus, “MY LORD AND MY GOD” (John 20:28).

• Jesus himself spoke of his divinity when he said: What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up WHERE HE WAS BEFORE ? (John 6:62). And “BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM” (John 8:58).

• Jesus references his glory with the Father in his prayer in John 17: “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory WHICH I HAD WITH THEE BEFORE THE WORLD WAS” (John 17:5).

The apostle John quotes the words of the glorified Christ “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” and “ I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 1:8 and 21:6).

Jesus (being deity) was clothed with humanity and took the form or position of a servant (Philippians 2:1-5) though he is Lord of all. The King of glory came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He did not come to be served though he was worthy of this privilege.

Jesus took on human flesh to give us an example to follow and to give his life as a ransom for our sins. Through his resurrection from the dead he conquered death for all who will believe. Those who trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are cleansed from their sins by his precious blood and given new life through him.

The risen Christ is enthroned at the right hand of God (Acts 2:30-36) in fulfillment of the words of King David who prophesied: “the Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand till I make thine enemies your footstool” (Psalm 110:4).

The writer of Hebrews expounds on the exalted Christ at the right hand of God and says that God says that Jesus is both Lord and God: “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8).

Jesus Christ is the God-man. He fully God and fully man and is the only mediator between God and man. He fully identities with our human weaknesses while possessing all the divine qualities of God’s holy perfection. In Christ alone, God comes to man and man may approach God.

Because he is the mediator between God and man, his name has power in petitioning God in prayer (John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23) and the Holy Spirit is given in his name (John 14:26). Those who believe in him are given the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

The deity of Jesus Christ is attested to over and over again throughout the scriptures:

• By him, God created all things (John 1:3,10; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:14-18; Hebrews 1:2; 3:3-4).

• In him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9)

• Through him, God is going to judge the world (Acts 17:31; Romans 2:16).

Jesus is ONE with the Father (John 10:30-38) and Jesus is the expression of the very person of God.

• He who sees Jesus, sees the Father also (John 14:9).

• Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature (Colossians 1:15).

• Jesus is the express image of the person of God and the brightness of his glory (Hebrews 1:3).

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Timothy 3:16).

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For more teaching regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ in contrast to Islam follow the links below:

THE HEAVENLY MAN
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/16/the-heavenly-man/

JESUS AND THE WORKS OF GOD
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/27/jesus-and-the-works-of-god/

KING JESUS
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/king-jesus/

DID JESUS DENY BEING DEITY?
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/02/did-jesus-deny-being-deity/

REFUTING ISLAMIC INTERPRETATION OF HEBREWS 5:7-8
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/07/14/refuting-islamic-interpretation-of-hebrews-57/

JESUS, PAUL, AND THE LAW
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/jesus-paul-and-the-law/

DID PAUL FAIL TO PREACH REPENTANCE?
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/did-paul-fail-to-preach-repentance/

DID PAUL TEACH OTHERS TO EAT FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS?
https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/did-paul-teach-others-to-eat-food-offered-to-idols/

We have no shortage of prophets; at least no shortage of those who wanting to play prophet.

The problem with many of those who want to play around like they have God’s Word for others is that all too often, they themselves have not spiritually matured and are not grounded in the written Word of God.

The apostle Paul instructed Timothy not to put a novice in a position of leadership because one who is not firmly grounded in Christ can be ruined by pride.

There is a big difference in having the calling of a prophet and being actually set in the office of a prophet.

In Acts 9, God told Ananias to go and pray for Paul, who had just had an encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. God said, “He is A CHOSEN VESSEL OF MINE” (v.15).

Almost immediately (after his conversion) Paul began to preach the gospel. Yet it wasn’t until later that Paul was set in the office of apostle (see Acts 13;1-4).

Too many people are playing prophet, while others have no real understanding of the ministry of a prophet and this opens the door to sorcery. Unsespecting people unknowingly think prophets have a direct line of communication with God to tell them about their future or secret things that God wants them to know.

Seeking a word from God through a prophet is nothing different than seeking counsel from a fortune teller.

If you are a child of God you have the Spirit of God in you and He will lead you and guide you into all truth. God may use a prophet occasionally to confirm things, but generally speaking, the prophet’s ministry is expressed through his preaching and/or teaching ministry.

A prophet’s preaching and/or teaching ministry prepares people for things in a way the other ministry gifts may not. For example, a prophet may sense that persecution, or maybe lean times are coming and will be urged by the Lord to preach on that topic in advance.

The prophet will seek God and scripturally prepare the people, even if they don’t recognize that he is a prophet and God is preparing them through his teachings.

A true prophet doesn’t need to be called “prophet.” A true prophet ministers to the people by the gift of God to edify God’s people and to equip them with the Word of God. In this vein (or setting) God will sometimes speak directly through the prophet to an individual to confirm things regarding their personal life.

A new testament prophet doesn’t hold the same status as an old testament prophet because every believer can hear God’s voice under the new.

There is an old saying; the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree, and when it comes to prophecy many folks carry the same kind of thinking about prophecy as they do about the prophet’s ministry.

They tend to elevate prophecy as the pinnacle of ‘hearing God’ so that prophecy even trumps the clear teaching of the Bible. They think that through prophecy God is talking directly esteeming prophecy above sound Biblical teaching, This sort of ideology leads many into spiritual error.

The sound doctrine of scripture must always come first and anyone who thinks he is a prophet should be very cautious to grow in understanding the scriptures and in true humility and grace.

Prophets must walk circumspectly as they too can get off into error just as any other minister can.

If a person truly is a prophet, his top priority should be prayfully ministering the written Word of God accurately, otherwise he may lead people into error by ministering out of his own pride and the deception of occult spirits, rather than the Spirit of the Lord.

Among the arguments made by those who claim that Paul contradicted Jesus, is the argument that Paul contradicted Jesus with regards to the Law.

Is this so? To begin, let’s consider the following:

Throughout scripture, the Law is referred to as the Law of Moses some 23 times by the following witnesses:

• Joshua (Joshua 8:31, 32 and 23:6)
• Daniel (Daniel 9:11, 13)
• Luke (Luke2:22 and 24:44)
• Paul(Acts 13:39 and 28:23; 1 Corinthians 9:9)
• The Pharisees (Acts 15:5)
• John(John 7:23)
• The author of the book of Hebrews(Hebrews 10:28)
• The author of the book of 1 Kings (1Kings 2:3)
• The author of the book of 2 Kings(2 Kings 14:6 23:25)
• The author of the book of 2 Chronicles (2 Chronicles 23:18 and 30:16)
• The author of the book of Ezra(Ezra 3:2 and 7:6)
• The author of the book of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:1)
• Jesus and God, I saved the best for last (John 7:23, Malachi 4:4).

Moses was the one through whom God gave the law to the children of Israel to govern them as a nation. Time and time again the scripture says, “Moses commanded” or “Moses said” or “Moses gave.”

For example, in Matthew 19 the Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why did Moses command to give a writing of divorcement?” Jesus answered, “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts allowed you to put away your wives: but in the beginning it was not so” (v. 7-8).

The Pharisees specifically asked, “Why did MOSES give a writing of divorcement?” Yet the Law was given by God, through Moses, for the people (Deuteronomy 24:1-3).  Moses’ instructions were authoritative for the people of Israel, for through Moses, God  gave the Law to the children of Israel.

According to Jesus, the bill of divorcement was a law catered for the hard hearted and not God’s intent for marriage. God’s will is for a man to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife just as Jesus says above. In like manner, Paul says something very similar in Ephesians 5.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ~ Ephesians 5:22-28

As we can see from Paul’s words above, Paul was on the same page with Jesus in his view of marriage as a holy institution ordained by God.

Paul’s standard concerning husbands loving their wives actually exceeds the commandment given in Deuteronomy 24:1-3, which was given to regulate the hardhearted. Without question, Paul’s teaching regarding marriage is absolutely is in harmony with the teachings of Jesus.

Those who argue that Paul contradicted Jesus regarding the law think that Jesus taught that the Law would continue while Paul claimed it had been done away with. Yet, this seemingly contradiction is cleared up when the words of Jesus and the teachings of Paul are understood within their context.

First, let’s consider the words of Jesus in Matthew, chapter 5:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ~ Matthew 5:17-18

When Jesus said these words, he was not intending to imply that he had come as an enforcer of the Law, but rather to bring the Law it to its fruition through fulfillment.

Jesus was not an opponent to the Law or the message of the prophets. His mission was not to destroy (by discrediting) either one. Instead, his mission was to fulfill both by leading the people of God into the way of righteousness which is faith from a pure heart.

In Matthew 5 Jesus says – “you have heard it said…but I say to you” – referring to what the people had heard from the teachers of the Law.

The Law says, “Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.” But Jesus says, “whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (worthless), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

The letter of the Law says “thou shall not kill” but Jesus says keep your heart right towards all men. The law says “thou shall not commit adultery” but Jesus says don’t desire her in your heart. The law says “love your neighbor and hate your enemies” but Jesus says love your enemies.

The letter of the Law could not, and cannot give man a right heart and this is what is at the core of the issue. The letter of the Law merely deals with the outward actions of sinful men and does nothing to change his heart.

While the Law addresses man’s outward actions, Jesus Christ searches the reins and hearts (Revelation 2:23).

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. ~ Hebrews 4:12-13

When the Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus, they had every right according to the letter of the law to condemn her and to stone her. They had no desire to show mercy or to restore her. Jesus by the wisdom of God dispersed those who condemned her and set her free to sin no more. Those who condemned her wanted to enforce the law upon her, even though they were guilty of sin as well.

They were self righteous and used the Law as a weapon against others rather than teaching the Law to lead men into truth. If they had done the latter they would have recognized that Jesus is the Messiah and the Law would have then led them to faith in him.

Their fixation with the letter of the Law from their uncircumcised hearts, would not allow them to show mercy or compassion to those who were bound by sin and under the power of darkness.  They missed the weightier matters of the law which according to Jesus is mercy, faith, and justice (Matthew 23:23). Rather than liberating the people they used the Law to put heavy burdens on them (Matthew 23:4).

Jesus never employed the law to ensnare people. Instead, Jesus taught that the law was fulfilled by love (Matthew 7:12; 22:34-40) and demonstrated it by showing mercy and compassion on the people. Paul also taught that it is love which fulfills the law:

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. ~ Romans 13:8-10

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ~ Galatians 5:14

Paul actually refers to the fulfillment of the law through love as “ the law of Christ.”

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST. ~ Galatians 6:1-2

Paul’s doctrine regarding love fulfilling the Law is in perfect harmony with Jesus.

Jesus taught that all the prophets and the Law prophesied until God sent John the Baptist (Matthew 11:13). The ministry of John the Baptist was the great point of change from the administration of the Law of Moses through the nation of Israel, to the administration of Christ in the hearts of all who believe in him.

Through Christ, the Law of God is written in the mind and the heart of the child of God. Our conscience has been cleansed by the Blood of Jesus and we have been made alive together with Christ. His life abides in us and the righteousness of the Law is fulfilled in us through his love which is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

In those texts where Paul speaks of the Law being abolished, he is not referring to the necessity of obedience to God or righteous living. He is referring to the Law in the manner in which it made a distinction between the Jew and the Gentile.

The law given to Israel served as their constitution and rule to govern them as a theocracy. The Kingdom of God was manifested through Israel and one could not be a part of God’s Kingdom without becoming a member of the nation of Israel.

Israel was a theocracy, and the Law separated Israel from all other nations as the people of God. Yet, Israel was often very rebellious against God and did not serve him according to the Law God had given to govern them. Consequently Israel inherited the curse.

This is what Paul is dealing with when he addresses the Law as being annulled. The Kingdom of God is no longer a theocracy demonstrated through a physical nation. God’s Kingdom is in the heart of those who follow Jesus, and God’s people are in every nation.

Being circumcised and taking on Jewish identity through the letter of the law no longer has value with regards to covenant relationship with God. What matters is having a circumcised heart through Jesus Christ who died for his people.

In no way did Paul contradict Jesus regarding the law.

For more teachings regarding Paul please follow the links below:

DID PAUL FAIL TO PREACH REPENTANCE?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/06/04/did-paul-fail-to-preach-repentance/

DID PAUL TEACH OTHERS TO EAT FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/did-paul-teach-others-to-eat-food-offered-to-idols/

WERE JAMES AND PAUL ON THE SAME PAGE?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/24/were-paul-and-james-on-the-same-page/

PAUL AND THE JEWS RELIGION

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/02/27/paul-and-the-jews-religion/

WAS PAUL A RICH PREACHER?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/was-paul-a-rich-preacher/

PAUL’S GOSPEL

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/02/07/pauls-gospel/

PAUL AND HEAVENLY VISIONS

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/paul-and-heavenly-visions/

One of the arguments of those who claim that Paul’s teachings contradicted the teachings of Jesus is that Paul taught justification by faith alone without repentance.

Is this true?

To begin, consider Paul’s words to the elders of the church of Ephesus:

… Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Acts 20:18-20

Notice that Paul says that he taught “repentance toward God.”

In Acts 26, Paul testified of Jesus as he stood on trial before King Agrippa, and recounts how he previously lived as a zealous Pharisee who persecuted and put to death some of the followers of Jesus (v.4-11).  Beginning in verse 12 Paul recounts his experience on the road to Damascus where he was confronted by the Lord Jesus Christ (v 12-18). Paul then says the following:

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. ~ Acts 26:19-20 

Those who say that Paul did not teach repentance claim that Paul taught justification through faith alone and cite verses like Romans 4:4-5

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. ~ Romans 4:4-5

The context, to which the verses above belong, actually begins in chapter 1. Throughout Romans, Paul expounds on justification through Christ, in contrast to boasting in the works of the Law which separated the Jews from Gentiles.

To claim that Paul is teaching a salvation with no repentance in Romans 4 is the result of careless proof-texting. Paul has already spoken of the necessity of repentance in the second chapter of Romans

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Paul taught that the goodness of God leads ungodly men to repentance.

In Acts 13, Paul preached to the people and reminded them how John the Baptist had first preached repentance to all the people of Israel (v.24).

When Paul was in the city of Athens (Acts 17), he was stirred in his spirit because he saw that the whole city was give over to idolatry. When Paul found that they had made an altar with the inscription  – TO THE UNKNOWN GOD – Paul used it to preach the gospel to them. Paul’s message can be read beginning in verse 22. In verses 30-31 we read the following:

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. ~ Acts 17:30-31

Notice that Paul says that God has commanded “all men, everywhere to repent.” Paul says this within the context of the coming Day of Judgment, wherein God is going to judge men through Jesus Christ.

While at Lystra (Acts 14) Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel to the people and a man who had been crippled all his life was healed. This caused quite a stirring among the idolatrous people at Lystra who then attempted to worship Barnabas and Paul.

And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the Living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein… ~ Acts 14:11-15.

Notice that Barnabas and Paul preached to the people to turn from their idolatrous practices and serve the living God. Turning from idolatry to serve the Living God is repentance.

In Acts 15, the Jerusalem counsel (of which Paul and Barnabas were a part) concluded that the Gentiles in Antioch were brethren in Christ because they had “turned to God.”

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. ~ Acts 15:18-20

When Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus, Jesus said the following to Paul:

… I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. ~ Acts 26:16-18

Paul interprets this commission by Jesus as preaching repentance and that is why he says:

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. ~ Acts 26:19-20

Turning from sin and idols to serve the Living God is core to Paul’s doctrine regarding salvation through Jesus Christ. In Romans 11:26 Paul refers to Jesus as the deliverer who shall come out of Zion and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob.

Paul also says the following to the Thessalonians:

For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything. For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the Living and True God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

Later, in chapter 4 Paul says the following to the Thessalonians:

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his Holy Spirit. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7

These words to the Thessalonians regarding sanctification are consistent with Paul’s gospel which calls men not only to repentance, but to live holy and godly lives. Paul’s preaching and teaching of repentance is well documented throughout the New Testament, not only in the book of Acts, but in the epistles as well.

In 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, Paul confronts the Corinthians for the sin of fornication in their midst.

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. ~1 Corinthians 5:1-2

Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthians moved them to repentance. In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul says the following to them:

For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:8-11

Paul later expresses his concern about the lack of repentance of some among them.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:20-21

Paul did not preach a gospel void of repentance, nor did he teach doctrine void of repentance. In his letter to Titus Paul says the following:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. ~ Titus 2:11-15

Notice that Paul tells Titus that the saving grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts by living soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. This is consistent with the commission given to Paul by Jesus in the book of Acts, “… I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” ~ Acts 26:16-18

One only needs to read what Paul actually said (examples, Ephesians 4:21-32, Ephesians 5:3-13, Colossians 3:5-10, Romans 6) to understand that Paul’s gospel was not void of repentance and that Paul taught that we are to turn from sin and live godly and holy lives in the fear of the Lord.

For more teachings regarding Paul please follow the links below:

DID PAUL TEACH OTHERS TO EAT FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/05/31/did-paul-teach-others-to-eat-food-offered-to-idols/

WERE JAMES AND PAUL ON THE SAME PAGE?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/04/24/were-paul-and-james-on-the-same-page/

PAUL AND THE JEWS RELIGION

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/02/27/paul-and-the-jews-religion/

WAS PAUL A RICH PREACHER?

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/was-paul-a-rich-preacher/

PAUL’S GOSPEL

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/02/07/pauls-gospel/

PAUL AND HEAVENLY VISIONS

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/paul-and-heavenly-visions/

Once, there was a rich young ruler who called Jesus “good master.” Jesus responded by saying “Why callest thou me good? there is none is good, except one, that is, God.” ~ See Luke 18:18-25

Did Jesus deny being divine when he said this? If we extract these words from the context and from the whole of the revelation of Christ in the New Testament we might come to such a conclusion. However, Jesus’ words were a response to a rich young ruler whose heart was set on his possessions rather than following Jesus whom God had sent.

Jesus’ question wasn’t a denial of his deity. Instead, Jesus’ question was a challenge to this rich young ruler concerning his motives. Jesus often challenged people with thought provoking questions and throughout the New Testament, Jesus’ true identity was withheld from those whose hearts were not truly seeking after God.

When the rich young ruler boasted that he had kept all the commandments since his youth, Jesus told him that he lacked one thing.

Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.  ~ Luke 18:22

Matthew gives us a little more insight, telling us that the rich young ruler made the following claim: “All these things (the commandments) have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” ~ Matthew 19:20

Jesus’ response to “what do I lack?” was this:  “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” ~  Matthew 19:21

The rich young ruler went away sorrowful because he loved his possessions. By challenging this man, Jesus revealed his true motive, which wasn’t to follow Jesus at all costs. Jesus’s true identity as God in the flesh was withheld because the man did not truly have a heart to follow God.

On the contrary, those who sought to know the one true God came to the understanding that Jesus is the Son of God, and God revealed in the flesh.

Jesus said: “no man knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”  ~ Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22

We know from scripture that Jesus, was a teacher and a pastor (the good shepherd). He is also called a prophet. Yet this makes him no less divine. He is fully divine and fully perfect in his humanity with no discrepancies.

John the Baptist said, This was he of whom I spoke, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. ~ John 1:30

When Thomas (one of the original 12 apostles) saw the resurrected Christ, he cried out, “My Lord and my God.”  ~ John 20:26-28 

The author of Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) and tells us that God calls Jesus both Lord by God. ~ Hebrews 1:8, 10.

Being deity, Jesus clothed himself with humanity and took the form or position of a servant though he was Lord of all. The King of glory came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He did not come to be served though he was worthy of this privilege.

Jesus is as much divine as his Father who sent him is divine, for he came from the Father. Yet in his humanity, he is subordinate to the Father and when he walked among men he was completely dependent on the Father setting the example for us.

In his humanity, he is our example of how we ought to serve God, and in his deity he is the revelation of God to us all.

JESUS MADE CLAIMS WHICH TESTIFY OF HIS DEITY:

• Before Abraham was, I AM ~  John 8:58
• I AM the bread of life ~ John 6:35
• I AM the living bread ~ John 6:51
• I AM from above ~ John 8:23
• I AM the light of the world ~ John 8:12
• I AM the door of the sheep ~ John 10:9
• I AM the good shepherd ~ John 10:11
• I AM the Son of God ~ John 10:36
• I AM the resurrection and the Life ~ John 11:25
• I AM the way, the truth, and the life ~ John 14:6
• I AM the true vine ~ John 15:1
• I AM Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” ~ Revelation 21:6

JESUS WAS WORSHIPPED:

• By Kings, when he was a babe  ~ Matthew 2:11
• By a leper whom He healed ~ Matthew 8:2
• By Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue ~ Matthew 9:18
• By His disciples after He had walked on the water  ~ Matthew 14:33
• By a woman from Canaan, whose daughter Jesus delivered from demonic oppression ~ Matthew 15:25
• By Mary Magdalene and the other Mary after Jesus had risen from the dead ~ Matthew 28:9
• By the man whom Jesus delivered from a legion of demons ~ Mark 5:6
• By His disciples after he ascended into Heaven after His resurrection ~ Luke 24:52
• By the man whom Jesus healed of blindness ~ John 9:38
• By those in Heaven around God’s throne ~ Revelation 5:11-13

Through his Son, Jesus Christ, God has revealed himself to us all.

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. ~ 1 John 5:20

Bad theology doesn’t make a person a false teacher, or a deceiver, or a wicked person. Over the years, I have had to change my theology on various subjects because I am in continuous pursuit of the truth in every area.

If you had heard some of my teachings in the late 90’s, you would have recognize that it was straight out of the “prosperity gospel” playbook.

Those who teach that Paul contradicted the teachings of Jesus claim that Paul taught that it was OK to eat meat offered to idols in Romans 14,  1 Corinthians 8, and 1 Corinthians 10.

Is this correct?

To begin, it is important to remember that Paul was present at the Jerusalem counsel (Acts 15) and was one of the supporters of the decision made to exhort the Gentiles not to eat food offered to idols.

²² Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch WITH PAUL and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

²³ And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

²⁴ Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

²⁵ It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you WITH OUR BELOVED BARNABAS and PAUL,

²⁶ Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁷ We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

²⁹ That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Notice that Paul is mentioned in this letter (the letter encouraging the Gentiles not to eat things offered to idols) along with Barnabas as beloved and men who had hazarded thier lives for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Notice that James, along with the other apostles, and the elders, endorsed Paul in this letter to the Gentiles. With this in mind let’s consider Paul’s teachings in Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8, and 1 Corinthians 10.

Does Paul teach the Gentiles to eat things offered to idols?

FIRST, there is nothing in Romans 14 about meats offered to idols. Romans 14 is addressing meat or food, which is offensive to another brother. The teaching by Paul is to abstain from offending your brother by what you eat.

Those who claim that Paul is teaching it is OK to eat meat offered to idols in Romans 14 are carelessly proof-texting to support their claims. Paul’s exhortation in Romans 14 is most likely within a Jewish/Gentile context as Paul addresses the two cultural backgrounds throughout the book of Romans.

SECONDLY, Paul does not teach his followers to eat meat offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8, nor is he promoting such practices.

Paul is actually teaching the Corinthians to walk in brotherly love and not to use their liberty in Christ as an occasion for offending a brother or sister who is weak in their faith. Paul instructs the Corinthians to refrain from eating things offered to idols so they don’t damage the conscience of others.

Paul makes it clear that food – in and of itself – has no value with regards to our relationship with God because there is only one true God and he is the creator of all things. However, not all possess this liberating knowledge, and for the sake of those whose consciences are weak, Paul admonishes the Corinthians to refrain from foods which are offered to idols so as not to wound another believer’s conscience.

Paul continuously teaches the Gentile brethren not to eat food offered to idols, not because of superstitious reasons, but out of love for others. Love is the right motive in everything.

Throughout the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul repeatedly addresses the importance of abstaining from idolatrous practices.

In 5:10-11, Paul tells the Corinthians not to keep company with a person who is called a brother if he engages in idolatrous practices.

In 6:9 he tells them that idolaters have no part in the Kingdom of God.

In 10:7 he tells them not to be idolatrous like the Israelites who fell in the wilderness.

In 12:2 he reminds them that they were previously Gentiles who were carried away by dumb idols.

Paul certainly would not have warned the Gentile believers against idolatry and then turned around and taught them to eat things offered to idols.

It is ironic that some use 1 Corinthians to support their claim that Paul taught that it was OK to eat things offered to idols. On the contrary, Paul very specifically instructs the Corinthians to NOT to do such things.

FINALLY, Consider the following from 1 Corinthians 10:18-33. I have chosen the NLT for clarity.

18 Think about the people of Israel. Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?

19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods? 

20 No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to participate with demons. 

21 You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too. 

22 What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?

23 You say, “I am allowed to do anything” —but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 

24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. 

26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

27 If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. 

28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 

29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 

30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?

31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 

32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 

33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

Paul’s words concerning food offered to idols, is that “food” – in and of itself – has no virtue, however, food which has been offered to idols ought not to be eaten out of love for others.