Posts Tagged ‘Paul’
Saul of Tarsus – God’s Untimely Born
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011Fall8Paul.mp3 by Eric M. Hamilton Ordinary Is God’s Extraordinary
Read MorePaul had to be married in order to judge criminal cases
Question: I read your answer and disagree. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin and to qualify to judge criminal cases he had to be legally married to the daughter of a priest. Paul’s job under the high priest was to root out the Christians. Look at the second small paragraph in the Tractate Sanhedrin. If…
Read MoreDid Paul keep the Sabbath?
Question: Hello, I read through your article about the Sabbath and how we don’t have to keep it today. There are many scriptures I could cite to the contrary, but will only cite these few. In Matthew 24:20, “breaking into what He was teaching about the time of the end just as the tribulation would be starting, Jesus had said ”when…
Read MoreWhat evidence is there that Paul was recognized by the other disciples or that Christ existed?
Question: Nice essay, a bit misleading but well written. We know of the arguments that Arius and Alexander had we know the outcome. We know of the Creeds (both of them) the exclusion of words from the aforementioned Creeds and the revisions thereof. How then, sir, can you make the statements that you made especially…
Read MorePaul’s Tentmaking
by James Shewmaker I have come to the conclusion that a lot of people have a misunderstanding of Paul’s tentmaking. When Paul left Berea due to an “invasion” by Thessalonican enemies, his companions stayed behind. Those brethren who escorted him to Achaia returned home, leaving Paul all alone. At the time that Paul met Aquila…
Read MoreWhy was Timothy put in prison in Rome?
Question: I was researching the web for any clues I might gain as to the author of Hebrews, when it was written, etc. and I found your web page. As you know, there are many theories. I tend to believe that it was Paul, possibly Luke — translating Paul’s Hebrew into Greek, while Paul was…
Read MoreThe Gospel Paul Preached
by Sean P. Cavender The book of Romans is Paul’s defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout the epistle, Paul details man’s sin, man’s need for justification, the conditions for justification, the effects of God’s grace, and the assurances of the child of God. He makes several statements of his dedication to preaching this…
Read MoreWas Paul a Sabbath Keeper?
by Benard Kagaga Always, when the Bible is given time as the word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17) to give us the clear way (John 14:6), when our minds reach a point of confusion (I Corinthians 14:33), given time with the Bible we will understand. When talking with the Sabbath keepers, we learn they hate…
Read MoreHow could the men with Saul hear and not hear the voice?
Question: Can you explain the seeming contradiction in these verses from Acts? Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man Acts 22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake…
Read More“The Letter to Laodicea” really refreshed my spirit
Question: I want to thanks your words in “The Letter to Laodicea.” They really refresh my spirit with joy. We should have more ministers sharing our thoughts with each other. Especially the last paragraphs commenting about Apostle Paul’s motive for Philemon’s epistle and his ways to ensure the right thing was done. It’s so needed…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say Sinai was in Arabia?
Question: I am a great admirer of your well-studied responses. I wanted to ask about a comment from the question; “Could Israel crossed the Red Sea on the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula?” In your response, you said, “Typically people wish to claim that Mount Sinai was on the Arabian Peninsula.” In Galatians 4:25…
Read MoreWhat was Paul’s thorn in the flesh?
Question: How are you? Can you help answer this question and elaborate on it? What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh, when Paul says he prayed three times that it may be removed? Answer: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given…
Read MoreWhy did Paul have Timothy circumcised after the council in Jerusalem?
Question: I was scanning the questions and found the Jewish lineage one. Timothy was counted as Jewish because of his mother. Paul circumcised him and we know that Timothy’s father was a Gentile while his mother and grandmother were Jewish. Why did Paul have Timothy circumcised after the council at Jerusalem? As stated in, “Was Hebrew…
Read MoreCan you tell me what the vow was that caused Paul to cut his hair?
Question: Can you tell me what the vow was that caused Paul to cut his hair? Answer: “So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a…
Read MoreA Prosperous Journey
by Walton Weaver via Truth Magazine Vol. XLIV: 10 p19 May 18, 2000 Paul had a great desire to go to Rome. He knew however that if such an opportunity presented itself, God would have to open up the way. His prayer that God might do this for him is given to us in Romans 1:10: “Making…
Read MorePreaching Like Paul
by Bobby Witherington via Guardian of Truth XXXVI: 3, pp. 80-82, February 6, 1992 There are many books that deal with preaching. Some are excellent. Some are not worth the paper and ink they require. Some are downright dangerous. But there is one book that not only reveals the value of preaching; it also reveals what constitutes…
Read MoreWas it a requirement to be married to be a member of the Sanhedrin court?
Question: Was it a requirement to be married to be a member of the Sanhedrin court? Was the Apostle Paul a member of the Sanhedrin, and if so, what happened to his wife? Answer: There was no requirement to be married to be a member of the Sanhedrin. By the days of Jesus, it was…
Read MorePaul’s Sons
by Earl Robertson via Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 6, June 2008. The relationship of Timothy and Titus to Paul as sons is spiritual, legitimate, and true — “legitimately born, not spurious,” says Thayer, pg. 119. They were true sons. Paul said Timothy was “a true child in the faith,” showing the sphere in which this…
Read MorePaul, Barnabas, and Us!
by Greg Gwin We received an email communication from a man named Joe. He is a member of the First Christian Church. He has been using the Internet to search for “people of like-minded faith.” In his letter, Joe explains what he sees as the necessary conditions before he can call someone his “brother.” “If…
Read MoreThe Chief of Sinners
by Ethan R. Longhenry “Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief: howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should…
Read MoreWas Paul married or a member of the Sanhedrin?
Question: Was Paul married? I believe to be a member of the Sanhedrin he was, but I understand the Bible does not indicate this. Answer: I know of no reference that indicates a member of the Sanhedrin had to be married. Just to be sure, I checked numerous references, including Jewish Encyclopedias, and found no…
Read MoreWasn’t Paul a Nicolaitan?
Question: I first read your article rebutting someone’s perspective on the Nicolaitans, then your main article. I am a little confused with your logic. You said, “You will find some who build complex arguments that the Nicolaitans came up with the clergy / laity system. It is all built around the fact that “people” is found in the…
Read MoreThe Marks of Jesus
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/TheMarksOfJesus.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Galatians 6:11-18 I. Paul battled much of his life with his own Jewish brethren A. They insisted on preserving the Law in many ways. B. A motivation is to be expected – Galatians 6:12 C. It appears some tried to justify it by appealing to Paul. 1. After all he had Timothy circumcised!…
Read MoreDid Paul really receive the Holy Spirit before his baptism?
I was just reading your answer to 1/24/2008’s question about Paul receiving the spirit before he was baptized. I could be mistaken, but I have never gotten from that passage that Paul received the Spirit before baptism. Ananias told Paul that he would receive his sight and then be filled with the spirit. Then, his sight was…
Read MoreI don’t think you proved Paul to be an apostle
Question: There are so much strife and debate among the world and believers in Christ that it seems to be a waste of time that we debate among ourselves. So please understand that I do not come in the spirit of debate, but truly searching the Scriptures to see if it is so. Sha’ul (Paul)…
Read MoreThe Prison Letters
Text: Colossians 4:7-18 I. Near the end of Paul’s third journey, he visited churches to gather funds to relieve the famine stricken brethren in Judea. – I Corinthians 16:1-9 A. Several of the churches sent representatives to travel with Paul – II Corinthians 8:16-24 B. Several of these men are named in Acts 20:1-4. Take special note…
Read MoreI would like to ask you about the book of Galatians and Paul
Question: I would like to ask you about the book of Galatians and Paul. I was reading this book for one of my Bible studies. I had not done so before in-depth, only certain verses. As I was studying and reading, it seemed to me that what Paul was saying here was to give us…
Read MoreHow did Paul learn the gospel?
Question: I was wondering about Paul. I have heard the theory that he went out to a certain place and maybe had been mentored or so to say by Jesus himself or had been mentored by someone when he was converted. I know McGarvey speaks on the subject a tad bit, but I was wondering…
Read MoreCould you explain the vow Paul took at Cenchrea?
Question: Can you please explain the vow Paul took at Cenchrea that made him cut off his hair recorded in Acts 18:18? Answer: Paul stated once, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as…
Read MoreWhere can I learn about Paul’s work?
Question: I need help with finding information about Paul’s labors, his ministry, his sufferings, and his imprisonment. Can someone please help as soon as possible? Answer: Most of the life of Paul is determined from the book of Acts, starting with the ninth chapter and proceeding to the end of the book. Other information is…
Read MoreObjections to Paul’s apostleship
Question: It seems Paul compromised what he taught and preached. It’s like me saying I’m going to a bar to get drunk and preach Christ Paul was a self-appointed apostle. When Christ chose the other twelve apostles, they were a witness to each other. Paul appears to be a bully and argued with everyone. He…
Read MoreWhy did Paul say he left Titus in Crete?
Question: I just discovered your website after searching the Internet for “Paul’s letter to the Laodiceans”. Your explanation is very interesting and has merit. Thank you for providing answers to so many questions that arise from time to time. Now that I think about it, I have a question: How do you explain Paul’s letter to Titus? …
Read MoreIn Galatians 5:12, is Paul actually wishing that some would emasculate themselves?
Question: In Galatians 5:12, is Paul actually wishing that those wanting to impose circumcision would emasculate themselves? Answer: The New King James Version renders this passage as: “I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!” The New International Version states: “As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole…
Read MorePaul’s Imprisonment
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Philippians 2:17-30 I. We all have a tendency to make assumptions about what does not appear A. Those assumptions help us to organize what we do know B. We do this whether we are trying to determine why someone walked by without saying “Hi!” or when we read the Bible. C. Yet, at…
Read MorePaul’s Fears
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Corinthians 7:4-7 I. What causes you to be afraid? A. Most of us face fears at different points of our lives. B. Most of our fears come from things that we cannot control or things we cannot for see. More fear is born of our imagination than is found in reality.…
Read MorePaul’s Fears
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. Guardian of Truth XXXI: 3, pp. 76-77, February 5, 1987 “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears” (II Corinthians 7:5). Paul admitting to fear? This is the man who had the courage…
Read MoreDid the apostle Paul keep the laws found in the Torah?
Question: Did the apostle Paul keep the laws found in the Torah? If so, why do people reject them today? Answer: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might…
Read MoreDid Paul sometimes drink wine?
Question: Paul said in Romans that he would eat no meat if it causes his brother to stumble or be offended. In the same context, he mentions wine a few verses later. I have concluded that he would neither eat meat or drink wine if it caused his brother to stumble or be offended. However,…
Read MoreWhat did Paul mean by “chiefest of the apostles”?
Question: What did Paul mean by “chiefest of the apostles” in II Corinthians 11:5? Answer: The context of this verse reads: “Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly–and indeed you do bear with me. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that…
Read MoreApostleship
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “Your church is not organized as the early church was. Where are your apostles?” Such was the contention of two Mormon “elders” who came to my door one day. It is not the only time I have heard such a question; there are several denominations that claim to have apostles, especially…
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