Christianity began with the appearance of John the Baptist who heralded the coming of Jesus Christ as Savior. After John's announcement, Jesus performed miracles and chose 12 disciples who preached the gospel to every one, baptizing them, adding converts to the church. Jesus designated Peter as head of the disciples and the church. The Jewish leadership rejected Jesus claims and conspired with the Romans to crucify him. After his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead and commanded his disciples to spread the gospel throughout the world. Following Jesus Ascension the disciples preached the gospel of Jesus death and resurrection to Jews and Gentiles. One of the chief opponents to the disciples was a rabbi named Saul. In a dramatic confrontation, God saved Saul, who became Paul. Paul joined Peter and the other apostles [the 12] and preached the same gospel as they, baptized, and preformed miracles.
The teaching above is a myth for one simple reason: the Scriptures do not support it. While it certainly contains elements of truth, its overall message is erroneous and has led to great confusion.
Much confusion has resulted from the Christian myth. In lieu of the myth the Scriptures teach the following:
John the Baptist, a prophet of Israel, under the law of Moses, heralded the coming of Jesus the Messiah. After John's announcement, Jesus preformed miracles and chose 12 disciples who preached the gospel of the kingdom to Jews only [with a couple of exceptions] baptizing, and adding converts to the Jewish church. Jesus designated Peter as head of the disciples and the Jewish church. The Jewish leadership rejected Jesus claims had conspired with the Romans to crucify him. After his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead and commanded his disciples to spread the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world beginning at Jerusalem. After Jesus Ascension the disciples continued to preach the gospel of the kingdom to Jews only and to keep the Mosaic law. One of the chief opponents of the disciples was a rabbi named Saul. In a dramatic confrontation, God saved Saul who became Paul, the apostle to the GentilesPaul did not join Peter and the other apostles. He did not preach the gospel of the kingdom. He preached the gospel of the grace of God: that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. He declared believers were not under the Mosaic law but under grace. Paul baptized and performed miracles but these activities ceased as the word of God neared completion. Paul proclaimed a new gospel, the gospel of the grace of God, the preaching of the cross.
We learned this by dividing rightly the word of truth.
Born-again Jerry
The teaching above is a myth for one simple reason: the Scriptures do not support it. While it certainly contains elements of truth, its overall message is erroneous and has led to great confusion.
Much confusion has resulted from the Christian myth. In lieu of the myth the Scriptures teach the following:
John the Baptist, a prophet of Israel, under the law of Moses, heralded the coming of Jesus the Messiah. After John's announcement, Jesus preformed miracles and chose 12 disciples who preached the gospel of the kingdom to Jews only [with a couple of exceptions] baptizing, and adding converts to the Jewish church. Jesus designated Peter as head of the disciples and the Jewish church. The Jewish leadership rejected Jesus claims had conspired with the Romans to crucify him. After his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead and commanded his disciples to spread the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world beginning at Jerusalem. After Jesus Ascension the disciples continued to preach the gospel of the kingdom to Jews only and to keep the Mosaic law. One of the chief opponents of the disciples was a rabbi named Saul. In a dramatic confrontation, God saved Saul who became Paul, the apostle to the GentilesPaul did not join Peter and the other apostles. He did not preach the gospel of the kingdom. He preached the gospel of the grace of God: that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. He declared believers were not under the Mosaic law but under grace. Paul baptized and performed miracles but these activities ceased as the word of God neared completion. Paul proclaimed a new gospel, the gospel of the grace of God, the preaching of the cross.
We learned this by dividing rightly the word of truth.
Born-again Jerry
