What would we believe in regarding the Gospel of Christ if Paul's writings were not part of the Bible?

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ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
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#1
If we try to imagine not knowing any of Paul's writings, remove them from our memory, what would it truly change in our understanding of scripture?
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Mat 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
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#2
If we try to imagine not knowing any of Paul's writings, remove them from our memory, what would it truly change in our understanding of scripture?
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Mat 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings
I believe that the core Gospel is pretty well fleshed out in the writings of John. Paul spoke much of how to conduct Church life. He did write some about Christian Liberty, but also spoke of ordinances. One must keep such things within their proper context and scope. Jesus (and Jesus alone) is still the only Way to the Father.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#3
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?
No. We would be following what Christ said in John 11:25,26. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? We would also be following what John said in John 1:12, 13, and what Christ said in john chapter 3.

But the fact of the matter is that God provided those epistles to further develop the Gospel and also explain in detail.
 

ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
974
596
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#4
No. We would be following what Christ said in John 11:25,26. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? We would also be following what John said in John 1:12, 13, and what Christ said in john chapter 3.

But the fact of the matter is that God provided those epistles to further develop the Gospel and also explain in detail.
Personally I do not see that the explanations given by Paul adds to what Christ already had said and did for us. To me What Jesus wrote and explained says it all in a clear way.
Did not Jesus explained in detail the commandments and even magnified the law? ( Matthew 5 )
why would GOD change his mind? is he not unchanging?
Also what does it mean to believe in Jesus, to me it means to follow his teachings and the commandments, he did teach them, said they would not pass away, Am I wrong to follow the teachings of Jesus and follow the commandments?

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

GOD Said in Mat 3:17 ; And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Am I wrong to follow the teachings of Jesus and follow the commandments?

Blessings
 

ThyKingdomComeSoon

Well-known member
Apr 1, 2023
974
596
93
#5
I believe that the core Gospel is pretty well fleshed out in the writings of John. Paul spoke much of how to conduct Church life. He did write some about Christian Liberty, but also spoke of ordinances. One must keep such things within their proper context and scope. Jesus (and Jesus alone) is still the only Way to the Father.
thank you for your answer I agree about the writings of John, What I am missing is church life, I will ponder on this.
You Guys are the closest thing to a church that I have.

Blessings.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,439
3,218
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#6
If we try to imagine not knowing any of Paul's writings, remove them from our memory, what would it truly change in our understanding of scripture?
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Mat 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings
If the gospels were the complete revelation of Christ, the Holy Spirit would not have needed to lead us into the Truth. So the question is moot. Lord Jesus explained the intent, not just the letter, of the Law during the sermon on the Mount. He also told the rich man "one thing you lack" even though that man kept the Law from his youth. It is obvious from the words of Jesus that He is superior to the Law and His godly demands on us are far higher than the requirements of the Law.

If I had only the gospels, I would be saying, "Who then can be saved"? If the Law abiding rich man went away despondent, I lived a far less righteous life than he did. I did not even know the whole Law, let alone obey it.

The early church had the Old Testament and the teachings of the apostles. The gospels were the last books (along with Revelation) to be written. If the gospels were all important, they would have been written first.

Everything is accomplished. Jesus cried out from the cross, "It is finished". The New Covenant is called new because it is new.

Finally, the Law was given to Israel, through Moses. Grace and Truth came through Jesus. If the Law was sufficient, grace and truth would unnecessary.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
10,602
4,522
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Almost Heaven West Virginia
#7
Same...

Either live a perfect life, just like Jesus
OR
Receive the gift of God, eternal life, through faith in His only begotten Son.

" For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:23

There are exactly 100 times the Gospel of John is in agreement when you use the complete and perfect Bible.
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,465
6,722
113
#8
If we try to imagine not knowing any of Paul's writings, remove them from our memory, what would it truly change in our understanding of scripture?
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Mat 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings
It seems no one ever notices the constant conflicts that arise when people construe Pall's letters and content as conflicting with t the teachings given us by Jesus Yeshua through His disciples.

All I can say to help in this area is, when Paul speaks on a subject, and it sounds off, go to what Jesus Yeshua has taught us, even to the Writings and Prophets of the Old Testament, . This always brings peace and satisfaction.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
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#9
Personally I do not see that the explanations given by Paul adds to what Christ already had said and did for us.
Paul wrote his epistles AFTER the resurrection of Christ, and showed that the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are central to the Gospel. But Christ focused on faith in Himself, which is also what Paul taught: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

And Christ never once said that salvation was based upon obedience to God's commandments. What He said to the rich young ruler is not about salvation through commandments at all but about his violation of the first three commandments. Neither did God ever say such a thing, since no man can keep His commandments perfectly.
 

Kroogz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2023
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346
63
#10
If we try to imagine not knowing any of Paul's writings, remove them from our memory, what would it truly change in our understanding of scripture?
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Mat 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings
I do believe that the majority of us would end up being modern day pharisees.The majority of us, being self righteous, would end up trying to emulate the Jews way of doing things. Follow the law the best we can and justify any of our shortcomings. All cleaned up on the outside but dead on the inside.

If we are honest with ourselves, Jesus packed so much in His ministry and taught on so many subjects to many differing groups......We cannot put it all into one cohesive unit.

Paul unpacks it for us. And teaches us how to APPLY what the Lord taught. Specifically, how to live the christian way of life and moving on to spiritual maturity.......Glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ to the maximum. His Life through us.

Paul teaches us how to perceive, metabolize and apply what the Lord taught in His ministry to the world.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,600
3,622
113
#11
If we try to imagine not knowing any of Paul's writings, remove them from our memory, what would it truly change in our understanding of scripture?
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Mat 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings
An incomplete Gospel..
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
3,505
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83
#12
The mosaic law would still remain intact as a wall that keeps the unholy sinners out of God's throneroom. Jesus would still have come to fulfil/complete that wall/law by keeping it's letter and spirit perfectly and installing himself as a door through which humans may enter as saints through faith in Him.
The mosaic law would still have been upgraded by Jesus to the higher standards of His sermon on the mount and His command to love all, even our enemies.
Gentiles would still have access to God by grace through faith.
The Holy Spirit would still have been poured out on all flesh, including every race, and the good news of Jesus' death for the sins of the world would still be preached to every creature.
We would have a lot less guidance on how all this is to be practically worked out with our private and corporate lives. There would probably be even more denominations and sects as we would have fewer certified apostolic landmarks by which to collectively navigate the material contained in the three gospels that exclude Luke, who attested to Paul's ministry, and Peter, James, John and Jude alone.

That's just for starters.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,159
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#14
Paul wrote his epistles AFTER the resurrection of Christ, and showed that the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are central to the Gospel. But Christ focused on faith in Himself, which is also what Paul taught: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

And Christ never once said that salvation was based upon obedience to God's commandments. What He said to the rich young ruler is not about salvation through commandments at all but about his violation of the first three commandments. Neither did God ever say such a thing, since no man can keep His commandments perfectly.
Salvation as we understand was not available before the cross. Paul as given an abundance of revelation of mysteries that was not known from the foundation of the world.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,159
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#15
If we try to imagine not knowing any of Paul's writings, remove them from our memory, what would it truly change in our understanding of scripture?
Would we being following the commandments, the law as Jesus says?

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.
Mat 5:18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings
Could anyone be saved today without Paul revelation? Could anyone be saved by reading Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,654
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Tennessee
#16
Paul's writings, if omitted from the bible, would basically make them irrelevant.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
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Tennessee
#18
I believe that the core Gospel is pretty well fleshed out in the writings of John. Paul spoke much of how to conduct Church life. He did write some about Christian Liberty, but also spoke of ordinances. One must keep such things within their proper context and scope. Jesus (and Jesus alone) is still the only Way to the Father.
For sure, brother.
 

selahsays

Well-known member
May 31, 2023
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#19
Personally I do not see that the explanations given by Paul adds to what Christ already had said and did for us. To me What Jesus wrote and explained says it all in a clear way.
Did not Jesus explained in detail the commandments and even magnified the law? ( Matthew 5 )
why would GOD change his mind? is he not unchanging?
Also what does it mean to believe in Jesus, to me it means to follow his teachings and the commandments, he did teach them, said they would not pass away, Am I wrong to follow the teachings of Jesus and follow the commandments?

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

GOD Said in Mat 3:17 ; And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Am I wrong to follow the teachings of Jesus and follow the commandments?

Blessings
… but then again, God Himself called Paul specifically.

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

- Romans 1:1-3,6 (NKJV)
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#20
Personally I do not see that the explanations given by Paul adds to what Christ already had said and did for us. To me What Jesus wrote and explained says it all in a clear way.
Did not Jesus explained in detail the commandments and even magnified the law? ( Matthew 5 )
why would GOD change his mind? is he not unchanging?
Also what does it mean to believe in Jesus, to me it means to follow his teachings and the commandments, he did teach them, said they would not pass away, Am I wrong to follow the teachings of Jesus and follow the commandments?

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

GOD Said in Mat 3:17 ; And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Am I wrong to follow the teachings of Jesus and follow the commandments?

Blessings
You are not wrong to follow the teachings of Jesus or the commandments that still apply. Where some people fail is that they do not recognize that the words of Paul are also the words of Jesus. If what Paul wrote is indeed scripture, it is God breathed. His words have equal authority with the rest of scripture. They are not merely his words...they are the words of Christ and build upon His foundation.
Just as we cannot fully understand the teaching of the OT without the NT, neither will we understand fully the teachings of Jesus apart from the epistles.
Another problem is that Jesus' teachings came before the cross. His ministry concerned predominantly the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The old covenant was still in effect. Thus, the law itself still applied with both its stipulations and consequences. This is not so for believers after the cross. There are no such consequences for those in Christ Jesus.