There are many who don't like Paul...some even think the 13 epistles the Holy Ghost had him pen shouldn't be in the Bible. But God must feel differently...because, he's in there! People also feel Paul is egotistic. But, we need to carefully consider every word of a verse to see what it actually says, we see that Paul doesn't puff himself up whatsoever...
Roman 11:13
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
...see, he says he is the 'least' but God, the Holy Spirit, had him write down that it is his office (and his role as apostle to the gentiles in that office) that is the issue. Similarly, the same holds true with any office of authority, we may not like WHO is in that office, but we had better RESPECT the office or we can find ourselves in deep, deep trouble--be it a child not respecting the authority of their parent or a citizen not respecting the authority of the presidency. Without intercession, the transgressor (child, citizen or sinner) will suffer the consequences of righteous judgment. (Remember, God is not a respecter of persons!)
It would behoove those who perceive--wrongly so--the grace believer's worship of Paul, do as the Bereans and search the scriptures to see whether such is the case. Therefore, what do the scriptures say of Paul?
1 Corinthians 14:37
If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:1
Let a man so account [look upon / think] of us [Paul and his followers], as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Clearly, God would have us acknowledge Paul…and along with that, goes respecting his office!
Also, why would God, the Holy Spirit, have Paul write (and preserve as scripture) the following...
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Corinthians 4:16
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
People can argue against Paul with man and maybe 'win' the debate, and they may even 'argue' with God, but it will only be to their detriment.
When we (those believers who trust solely in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ), stand before Him, we will not be able to say “My pastor said…” or “My mother/father/grandparents, etc., said…”
No, my friend, we will have no excuse because “God said…”
2 Timothy 2:15
Study [to see what He would have us know/believe, so as] to shew thyself [yourself!] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Although we enjoy freedom and liberty at the moment in our nation, with it comes responsibility. The same holds true spiritually for the liberty and freedom afforded us in this dispensation of grace. The world is not under the Law that held Israel in bondage, but every person on the planet earth is to live responsibily and will be held accountable, either at the Judgment Seat of Christ as a believer or at the Great White Throne Judgment as a nonbeliver. (Just to be clear on what 'belief' is necessary, it is the doctrine of the gospel of grace as given to our apostle Paul clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.)
Matthew 7:24-26
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
…and as the hymn writer wrote: “That Rock is Jesus….the only One.”
To Him be all glory!!
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