Chattanooga Bible Conference
September 17-20, 2009
Accommodations and meals will be provided at no charge by offerings receieved.
Preaching Schedule:
Thursday 7:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am & 7:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am & 7:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am
Grace Bible Church
3827 Hixson Pike
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Monday, September 14, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Things Paul Could Not Do
(Phil. 4:13)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul, in writing to the Philippians, makes this statement which must be accepted within its context. Many people get all out of shape trying to appropriate the passage unto themselves IN EVERY THING in everyday life, but the truth in the verse can only be seen through obedience to I Cor. 2:13, "...comparing spiritual spiritual things with spiritual". For example, in Romans 7:14-19, Paul confesses that he is "...carnal, sold under sin," and says "...how to perform that which is good I find not." He tells the Galatians that the flesh and the Spirit "...are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:17). By comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, I know that Paul cannot be saying that he can do all things WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Therefore, we must accept Phil. 4:13 within its context. Obviously there are things that, according to the scriptures, cannot be done.
In this evil day (Eph. 6:13) where every thing shown on television from sports, news, movies, and sitcoms is filled with nakedness, pornography, and open discussions about sex, it seems that most television evangelists are competing for an audience. Instead of preaching the Word of God rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15), these preachers (male and female) seem to have the motive of competing for points in some form of ratings -- best acting, best production, best oration, best grammar, best hair pieces, best costumes, best panoramic view of the congregation, and last but by no means least, best NEW, NEW, NEW translation of the Bible.
There seems to be some concerted effort to stay away from Paul's doctrine (I Tim. 1:3, 2 Tim. 3:10). The power of the cross (I Cor. 1:18) and of the gospel (Rom. 1:16) is being supplanted by some supernatural, imaginary power received by the touch of the minister's hand, or by the suggestion that if one's faith is strong enough, this power can be obtained. Faith, however, no matter how strong, never brings anything into existence -- faith that pleases God (Heb. 11:6) simply says "Amen" to what God has already done.
If you can convince the public that you have the handle on some secret formula for great power, you can make a fortune selling it in mass. The public will break down your door to get to you, for in this day, power is what people are seeking. They stay up nights reading and thinking about it. They educate themselves to get it (think about that). They think it comes with wealth, so they buy lottery tickets to get it. (In fact, a large number of the influential men and women of this world get their power through the printing press! It's called money, but it is really paper colored with ink, and if they lose it they lose their power!) So, if you can convince people of some imaginary god (Gen. 6:5, Gen. 8:21, Rom. 1:23, 2 Cor. 4:4) who by faith and confession in him will give them power, they will "fall for it." Men would sell their souls ( Matt. 16:26) for a fleeting moment of power -- so they will try anything to get it, such as kneeling down and allowing some con-artist to lay hands on them.
Just about any and everything is being taught by religious leader to show that they have power over others:
-- power to heal
-- power to keep the law
-- power to live about sin, etc.
Question: How did Paul, the greatest Christian that ever lived since Jesus Christ, miss all this great power that is promised through television ministries and in thousands of churches in the United States?
Phil. 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." We have already seen that the verse must be accepted in the light of the context. If one is to follow Paul (see vs. 9, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do..."; and I Cor. 11:1, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ), then if you do what he said, you must learn to be content in any circumstance ("...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content", Phil 4:11). Can your TV evangelist do those things of verse 12 ("...to be abased...to be hungry...to suffer need")? How about you, can you suffer affliction graciously (vs. 14)? Paul is obviously not speaking of mighty and heroic deeds done in the sight of men whereby he gains applause and wealth.
Some things Paul could not do:
I. KEEP THE LAW --
Rom. 3:12: "...there is none that doeth good, not not one."
Rom. 3:19: "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."
Rom. 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Rom. 7:14: "...I am carnal, sold under sin."
Rom. 7:15-16: "...for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."
This brings up the question then, if Paul could not keep the law, why was the law given, and what is the answer the problem of his failure and inability to keep it? The answer is, the law taught Paul that he needed a Savior (Gal. 3:22-24, "...the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ...").
After Paul was saved, he saw that he was dead to the law and that the law was taken out of the way --
Rom. 7:4: "...ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ..."
Col 2:14: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"
Gal. 3:25: "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
Think about Gal. 3:19, "Wherefore then serveth the law?" -- why would God ask such a question if he commanded them to keep the law?
II. LIVE VICTORIOUSLY OVER SIN --
Rom. 7:19-20, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."
After salvation he saw that he was dead to sin --
Rom. 6:3: "...so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death..."
Rom. 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin."
Rom. 6:11: "...reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin..."
Gal. 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ..."
So, he claimed the truth of passages such as --
Col. 2:13: "And you...hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses"
Rom. 4:7-8: "...Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
III. PAUL COULD NOT SAVE HIMSELF --
Rom. 5:6: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
He was not given that overcoming power" given to tribulation saints --
Matt. 24:13: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
John 1:12: "...to them gave he power to become the sons of God..."
Acts 1:8: "...ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses (martyrs) unto me..."
Rev. 2:26: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end..."
Rev. 2:10-11: "be thou faithful unto death..."
Rev. 12:11: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
Rev. 3:5: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment..."
Rev. 3:21: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame..."
Since Paul was not given this overcoming power (nor could he be, compare Matt. 12:31-32 and I Tim. 1:12-14), he had to put his faith in and trust the one who overcame by dying the death of the cross in his place --
Phil. 2:8: "...he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross"
Rom. 4:25: "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification"
Rom. 5:19: "...so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous
IV. PAUL COULD NOT "BIND SATAN" (a favorite of many religious con-artists)--
Eph. 6:10-12: "...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the whiles of the devil."
2 Cor. 12:8-10: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not..."
V. PAUL COULD NOT HEAL THE SICK IN HIS LATER MINISTRY --
I Tim. 5:23: "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for they stomach's sake and thin often infirmities."
II Tim. 4:20: "...Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick."
Paul himself could not be healed --
II Cor. 12:8-10: "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice...he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee...Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities..."
In fact, from the time of Acts 16:10, God provided Luke, a physician, to travel with him wherever he went (Col. 4:14, 2 Tim. 4:11).
Doesn't it seem strange that none of Paul's followers could lay hands on him and heal him? Think of the numerous men of God in all those churches that he established, and yet there is no record of any of them having "a healing ministry"! It seems that all of the "great power of God" to perform miracles just leaped clear over the saved of several centuries and landed on the Oral Robertses and Benny Hinns of this world. Paul had a doctor with him for several years, but instead of complaining he said, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me," and again he said, "...I take pleasure in infirmities...for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
We can easily see that Paul's attitude was quite different from that of the modern day "miracle-working healers" who deceive the sick and crippled instead of teaching them to give glory to God, that in their circumstance is when the power of Christ will rest upon them, and that it is when they are weak and take pleasure in infirmities that they are strong -- but who is sufficient for these things? So God said, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths."
E.C. Moore
(Phil. 4:13)
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul, in writing to the Philippians, makes this statement which must be accepted within its context. Many people get all out of shape trying to appropriate the passage unto themselves IN EVERY THING in everyday life, but the truth in the verse can only be seen through obedience to I Cor. 2:13, "...comparing spiritual spiritual things with spiritual". For example, in Romans 7:14-19, Paul confesses that he is "...carnal, sold under sin," and says "...how to perform that which is good I find not." He tells the Galatians that the flesh and the Spirit "...are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:17). By comparing spiritual things with spiritual things, I know that Paul cannot be saying that he can do all things WITHOUT EXCEPTION. Therefore, we must accept Phil. 4:13 within its context. Obviously there are things that, according to the scriptures, cannot be done.
In this evil day (Eph. 6:13) where every thing shown on television from sports, news, movies, and sitcoms is filled with nakedness, pornography, and open discussions about sex, it seems that most television evangelists are competing for an audience. Instead of preaching the Word of God rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15), these preachers (male and female) seem to have the motive of competing for points in some form of ratings -- best acting, best production, best oration, best grammar, best hair pieces, best costumes, best panoramic view of the congregation, and last but by no means least, best NEW, NEW, NEW translation of the Bible.
There seems to be some concerted effort to stay away from Paul's doctrine (I Tim. 1:3, 2 Tim. 3:10). The power of the cross (I Cor. 1:18) and of the gospel (Rom. 1:16) is being supplanted by some supernatural, imaginary power received by the touch of the minister's hand, or by the suggestion that if one's faith is strong enough, this power can be obtained. Faith, however, no matter how strong, never brings anything into existence -- faith that pleases God (Heb. 11:6) simply says "Amen" to what God has already done.
If you can convince the public that you have the handle on some secret formula for great power, you can make a fortune selling it in mass. The public will break down your door to get to you, for in this day, power is what people are seeking. They stay up nights reading and thinking about it. They educate themselves to get it (think about that). They think it comes with wealth, so they buy lottery tickets to get it. (In fact, a large number of the influential men and women of this world get their power through the printing press! It's called money, but it is really paper colored with ink, and if they lose it they lose their power!) So, if you can convince people of some imaginary god (Gen. 6:5, Gen. 8:21, Rom. 1:23, 2 Cor. 4:4) who by faith and confession in him will give them power, they will "fall for it." Men would sell their souls ( Matt. 16:26) for a fleeting moment of power -- so they will try anything to get it, such as kneeling down and allowing some con-artist to lay hands on them.
Just about any and everything is being taught by religious leader to show that they have power over others:
-- power to heal
-- power to keep the law
-- power to live about sin, etc.
Question: How did Paul, the greatest Christian that ever lived since Jesus Christ, miss all this great power that is promised through television ministries and in thousands of churches in the United States?
Phil. 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." We have already seen that the verse must be accepted in the light of the context. If one is to follow Paul (see vs. 9, "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do..."; and I Cor. 11:1, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ), then if you do what he said, you must learn to be content in any circumstance ("...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content", Phil 4:11). Can your TV evangelist do those things of verse 12 ("...to be abased...to be hungry...to suffer need")? How about you, can you suffer affliction graciously (vs. 14)? Paul is obviously not speaking of mighty and heroic deeds done in the sight of men whereby he gains applause and wealth.
Some things Paul could not do:
I. KEEP THE LAW --
Rom. 3:12: "...there is none that doeth good, not not one."
Rom. 3:19: "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."
Rom. 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Rom. 7:14: "...I am carnal, sold under sin."
Rom. 7:15-16: "...for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I."
This brings up the question then, if Paul could not keep the law, why was the law given, and what is the answer the problem of his failure and inability to keep it? The answer is, the law taught Paul that he needed a Savior (Gal. 3:22-24, "...the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ...").
After Paul was saved, he saw that he was dead to the law and that the law was taken out of the way --
Rom. 7:4: "...ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ..."
Col 2:14: "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"
Gal. 3:25: "But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
Think about Gal. 3:19, "Wherefore then serveth the law?" -- why would God ask such a question if he commanded them to keep the law?
II. LIVE VICTORIOUSLY OVER SIN --
Rom. 7:19-20, "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me."
After salvation he saw that he was dead to sin --
Rom. 6:3: "...so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death..."
Rom. 6:7: "For he that is dead is freed from sin."
Rom. 6:11: "...reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin..."
Gal. 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ..."
So, he claimed the truth of passages such as --
Col. 2:13: "And you...hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses"
Rom. 4:7-8: "...Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."
III. PAUL COULD NOT SAVE HIMSELF --
Rom. 5:6: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
He was not given that overcoming power" given to tribulation saints --
Matt. 24:13: "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
John 1:12: "...to them gave he power to become the sons of God..."
Acts 1:8: "...ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses (martyrs) unto me..."
Rev. 2:26: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end..."
Rev. 2:10-11: "be thou faithful unto death..."
Rev. 12:11: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
Rev. 3:5: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment..."
Rev. 3:21: "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame..."
Since Paul was not given this overcoming power (nor could he be, compare Matt. 12:31-32 and I Tim. 1:12-14), he had to put his faith in and trust the one who overcame by dying the death of the cross in his place --
Phil. 2:8: "...he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross"
Rom. 4:25: "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification"
Rom. 5:19: "...so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous
IV. PAUL COULD NOT "BIND SATAN" (a favorite of many religious con-artists)--
Eph. 6:10-12: "...be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the whiles of the devil."
2 Cor. 12:8-10: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not..."
V. PAUL COULD NOT HEAL THE SICK IN HIS LATER MINISTRY --
I Tim. 5:23: "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for they stomach's sake and thin often infirmities."
II Tim. 4:20: "...Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick."
Paul himself could not be healed --
II Cor. 12:8-10: "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice...he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee...Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities..."
In fact, from the time of Acts 16:10, God provided Luke, a physician, to travel with him wherever he went (Col. 4:14, 2 Tim. 4:11).
Doesn't it seem strange that none of Paul's followers could lay hands on him and heal him? Think of the numerous men of God in all those churches that he established, and yet there is no record of any of them having "a healing ministry"! It seems that all of the "great power of God" to perform miracles just leaped clear over the saved of several centuries and landed on the Oral Robertses and Benny Hinns of this world. Paul had a doctor with him for several years, but instead of complaining he said, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me," and again he said, "...I take pleasure in infirmities...for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
We can easily see that Paul's attitude was quite different from that of the modern day "miracle-working healers" who deceive the sick and crippled instead of teaching them to give glory to God, that in their circumstance is when the power of Christ will rest upon them, and that it is when they are weak and take pleasure in infirmities that they are strong -- but who is sufficient for these things? So God said, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct they paths."
E.C. Moore
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
THINGS TO CONSIDER
By Steve Atwood
As you consider the following FACTS please keep in mind that the words of Paul in Romans through Philemon are the Words of CHRIST. However, many times they differ drastically from the words of Christ during his earthly ministry.
I. SALVATION:
FACT 1
UNDER THE KINGDOM MESSAGE AS UNDER THE LAW WORKS WERE ALWAYS A PART OF SALVATION, BUT UNDER GRACE SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT WITHOUT WORKS.
PETER: Act 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
PAUL: Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Eph 2:8 -9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
FACT 2
CHRIST SPECIFICALLY TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES AND OTHERS TO KEEP THE LAW. PAUL SAID WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW.
CHRIST: Mt 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Matt 23:1-3 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
JEWS: Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
PAUL: Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
FACT 3
THE TWELVE TAUGHT THAT WORKS WERE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION WHILE PAUL TAUGHT THEY WERE NOT.
JAMES: James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
PAUL: Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
FACT 4
BAPTISM IS A WORK AND WAS NECESSARY FOR ISRAEL'S SALVATION BUT HAS NO PLACE IN GOD'S PROGRAM FOR TODAY. WE ARE LIVING IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD. (EPHESIANS 3:1-6)
PETER: Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1 Pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filthiness of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
PAUL: Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
FACT 5
JESUS TAUGHT THAT FORGIVENESS WAS CONDITIONAL ON MAN FORGIVING OTHERS WHILE PAUL TAUGHT THAT WE ARE FORGIVEN BASED SOLELY ON WHAT CHRIST DID.
JESUS: Matt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
PAUL: Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
FACT 6
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THERE WAS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND YET PAUL SAID THAT THERE WAS FORGIVENESS FOR ALL SINS.
JESUS: Matt 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
PAUL: Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
II. THE GOSPEL
FACT 7
JESUS TOLD THE TWELVE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM WHILE PAUL WAS GIVEN THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
JESUS: Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
PAUL: Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.
FACT 8
PETER PREACHED THAT SINS WOULD BE BLOTTED OUT AT THE SECOND COMING WHILE PAUL PREACHED THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, THUS WE NOW HAVE FORGIVENESS. PETER NEVER PREACHES CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.
PETER: Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
PAUL: 1Cor 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
FACT 9
PETER PREACHED THAT CHRIST WAS RAISED TO SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID WHILE PAUL PREACHED THAT HE WAS RAISED FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION ACCORDING TO "HIS" GOSPEL.
PETER: Act 2:29-30 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn wit an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
PAUL: 2 Tim 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
III. MINISTRY
FACT 10
PETER WAS SENT TO BAPTIZE WHILE PAUL WAS SENT NOT TO BAPTIZE:
PETER: Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
PAUL: 1Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
FACT 11
JESUS WAS A MINISTER OF THE CIRCUMCISION (JEWS), AS WERE THE TWELVE, WHILE PAUL WAS THE MINISTER TO THE GENTILES
JESUS: Rom 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirming the promises made unto the fathers:
TWELVE: Matt 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
PAUL: Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
V. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
FACT 12
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO WORK FOR A LIVING SINCE THE KINGDOM WAS AT HAND WHILE PAUL SAID IF WE DIDN'T WORK THAT WE SHOULDN'T EAT.
JESUS: Matt 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
TWELVE: Acts 2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things common and sold their Possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
PAUL: 2Thes 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
FACT 13
JESUS TAUGHT CONCERNING PRAYER, ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE, AND YET PAUL WAS DENIED THIS PRIVILEGE AND WAS TOLD THAT GOD'S GRACE WAS SUFFICIENT.
JESUS: Matt 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
PAUL: 2 Cor 12:8-9 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
FACT 14
JESUS TOLD THE DISCIPLES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A SUPERNATURAL ENDOWMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, PAUL SAID THAT WE HAVE TO STUDY.
JESUS: Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
PAUL: 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
By Steve Atwood
As you consider the following FACTS please keep in mind that the words of Paul in Romans through Philemon are the Words of CHRIST. However, many times they differ drastically from the words of Christ during his earthly ministry.
I. SALVATION:
FACT 1
UNDER THE KINGDOM MESSAGE AS UNDER THE LAW WORKS WERE ALWAYS A PART OF SALVATION, BUT UNDER GRACE SALVATION IS A FREE GIFT WITHOUT WORKS.
PETER: Act 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
PAUL: Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Eph 2:8 -9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
FACT 2
CHRIST SPECIFICALLY TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES AND OTHERS TO KEEP THE LAW. PAUL SAID WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW.
CHRIST: Mt 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Matt 23:1-3 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
JEWS: Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
PAUL: Romans 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
FACT 3
THE TWELVE TAUGHT THAT WORKS WERE NECESSARY FOR SALVATION WHILE PAUL TAUGHT THEY WERE NOT.
JAMES: James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
PAUL: Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
FACT 4
BAPTISM IS A WORK AND WAS NECESSARY FOR ISRAEL'S SALVATION BUT HAS NO PLACE IN GOD'S PROGRAM FOR TODAY. WE ARE LIVING IN THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD. (EPHESIANS 3:1-6)
PETER: Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
1 Pet 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filthiness of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
PAUL: Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
FACT 5
JESUS TAUGHT THAT FORGIVENESS WAS CONDITIONAL ON MAN FORGIVING OTHERS WHILE PAUL TAUGHT THAT WE ARE FORGIVEN BASED SOLELY ON WHAT CHRIST DID.
JESUS: Matt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
PAUL: Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
FACT 6
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THERE WAS AN UNPARDONABLE SIN AND YET PAUL SAID THAT THERE WAS FORGIVENESS FOR ALL SINS.
JESUS: Matt 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
PAUL: Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
II. THE GOSPEL
FACT 7
JESUS TOLD THE TWELVE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM WHILE PAUL WAS GIVEN THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
JESUS: Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
PAUL: Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God.
FACT 8
PETER PREACHED THAT SINS WOULD BE BLOTTED OUT AT THE SECOND COMING WHILE PAUL PREACHED THAT CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS, THUS WE NOW HAVE FORGIVENESS. PETER NEVER PREACHES CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.
PETER: Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
PAUL: 1Cor 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
FACT 9
PETER PREACHED THAT CHRIST WAS RAISED TO SIT ON THE THRONE OF DAVID WHILE PAUL PREACHED THAT HE WAS RAISED FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION ACCORDING TO "HIS" GOSPEL.
PETER: Act 2:29-30 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn wit an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
PAUL: 2 Tim 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
III. MINISTRY
FACT 10
PETER WAS SENT TO BAPTIZE WHILE PAUL WAS SENT NOT TO BAPTIZE:
PETER: Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
PAUL: 1Cor 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
FACT 11
JESUS WAS A MINISTER OF THE CIRCUMCISION (JEWS), AS WERE THE TWELVE, WHILE PAUL WAS THE MINISTER TO THE GENTILES
JESUS: Rom 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirming the promises made unto the fathers:
TWELVE: Matt 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
PAUL: Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
V. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
FACT 12
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO WORK FOR A LIVING SINCE THE KINGDOM WAS AT HAND WHILE PAUL SAID IF WE DIDN'T WORK THAT WE SHOULDN'T EAT.
JESUS: Matt 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
TWELVE: Acts 2:44-45 And all that believed were together, and had all things common and sold their Possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
PAUL: 2Thes 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
FACT 13
JESUS TAUGHT CONCERNING PRAYER, ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE, AND YET PAUL WAS DENIED THIS PRIVILEGE AND WAS TOLD THAT GOD'S GRACE WAS SUFFICIENT.
JESUS: Matt 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
PAUL: 2 Cor 12:8-9 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
FACT 14
JESUS TOLD THE DISCIPLES THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A SUPERNATURAL ENDOWMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, PAUL SAID THAT WE HAVE TO STUDY.
JESUS: Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
PAUL: 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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