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Upon close inspection, it seems as though quite a lot of Paul’s testimony about Jesus was made up.
For example, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8……….”For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.
6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep.
7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.
8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.”
But wait a minute. Paul actually wasn’t there because he was not a disciple. He claims that when Jesus rose from the dead the first person to see him was Cephas.
But Mark “who was there” said something different:
Mark 16:9-10
9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, HE APPEARED FIRST TO MARY MAGDALENE, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
So according to Mark; Jesus did not appear to Cephas first…..he appeared to Mary Magdelene.
Paul also said that the next set of people to see him were the 12 disciples
But Luke says something different:
Luke 24:33
33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found THE ELEVEN and those who were with them gathered together,
So according to Luke there were 11 disciples; no longer 12……because as we know, Judas was dead.
Accusations that Paul was a liar trailed him everywhere he went, because the true apostles discredited his testimonies.
It is not surprising therefore that we find Paul often pleading in his letters that he was telling the truth.
Take a look:
2 Corinthians 11:31
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I AM NOT LYING
Galatians 1:20
20 Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I DO NOT LIE.
1 Timothy 2:7
7 I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I AM SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN CHRIST AND NOT LYING– a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Romans 9:1
1 I TELL THE TRUTH IN CHRIST, I AM NOT LYING, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit
Why does Paul need to constantly write in his letters that he is not lying? Why does everyone think that Paul is lying? ……..Is Paul a liar?
To be continued……..
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This what I call real talk, not just another fairy tale