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101 DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN JESUS AND PAUL

Christians have to decide whether to obey Jesus or to obey Paul.

(1)Jesus says we should beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1); but Paul proclaimed himself a Pharisee even as a Christian (Acts 23:6).

(2) Jesus warns that not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21); but Paul says everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

(3) Jesus asks men to preach the gospel (Matthew 28:18-19); but Paul says he did not receive his own gospel from men (Galatians 1:11-12).

 

(4) Jesus himself was circumcised (Luke 2:21); but Paul says if we are circumcised we would be estranged from Christ (Galatians 5:2-4). 

(5) Jesus says children of God are born spiritually (John 3:3); but Paul says children of God are adopted (Romans 8:15).

(6) Jesus says God must be the only father of believers (Matthew 23:9); but Paul proclaims himself the father of some believers (Philemon 1:10; 1 Corinthians 4:15).      

(7) Jesus says there is only one pastor and he is the one (John 10:16); but Paul says there are many pastors (Ephesians 4:11). 

(8) Jesus says there is only one teacher and he is the one (Matthew 23:8); but Paul says there are many teachers and that God ordained him as a teacher (1 Timothy 2:7). 

(9) Jesus says we should pray in private and not on street-corners (Matthew 6:5-6); but Paul says we should pray everywhere (1 Timothy 2:8).

(10) Jesus says we should not eat food sacrificed to idols (Revelation 2:14); but Paul says it does not matter if we eat food sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8:8; Romans 14:14).

(11) Jesus says we should not receive payment for preaching the gospel (Matthew 10:8); but Paul says we should receive payment for preaching the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:11).

(12) Jesus warns us to beware of thieves and robbers masquerading as pastors (John 10:1/8); but Paul admits to robbing churches in the name of receiving wages from them (2 Corinthians 11:8).

(13) Jesus asks us to baptise as we preach the gospel (Matthew 28:19); but Paul dismisses the importance of baptism (1 Corinthians 1:17).

(14) Jesus says in preaching the gospel we should build on other men’s foundations (John 4:38); but Paul says he is determined not to build on other men’s foundations (Romans 15:20).

(15) Jesus says we should not swear or curse (Matthew 5:34-37); but Paul swears and curses (2 Corinthians 1:23; Galatians 1:9).

(16) Jesus is against the use of deception (John 1:47); but Paul boasts of using deception (2 Corinthians 12:16).

(17) Jesus says we should disregard public opinion (Luke 6:26; John 15:18-19); but Paul actively courts public opinion (1 Corinthians 10:33; 1 Corinthians 9:20-22).

(18) Jesus says God is not the God of the dead (Luke 20:38); but Paul says God is the God of the dead (Romans 14:9).

(19) Jesus says believers will never die (John 11:26); but Paul says believers died with Christ (Romans 6:8).

(20) Jesus says he was a ransom for only some people (Matthew 20:28); but Paul says Jesus was a ransom for everybody (1 Timothy 2:6).

(21) Jesus says some men are righteous (Matthew 13:17; Matthew 23:35); but Paul says no one is righteous (Romans 3:10).

(22) Jesus says he is not the saviour of the righteous (Matthew 9:12-13); but Paul says Jesus is the saviour of all men (1 Timothy 4:10).

(23) Jesus says the kingdom of God has been taken away from Israel (Matthew 21:43); but Paul says all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26).

(24) Jesus says God does not desire sacrifices (Matthew 9:13); but Paul says God sacrificed Jesus to himself (1 Corinthians 5:7).

(25) Jesus says he did not come to abrogate the law (Matthew 5:17-18); but Paul says Jesus abrogated the law (Romans 10:4; Colossians 2:14).

(26) Jesus says salvation is by works (Matthew 7:21; Matthew 21:28-31); but Paul says salvation is not by works but by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9).

(27) Jesus says our trespasses will only be forgiven if we forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15); but Paul says all our trespasses have already been forgiven (Colossians 2:13).

(28) Jesus says our receiving mercy depends on our being merciful (Matthew 5:7); but Paul says our receiving mercy depends entirely on God’s discretion (Romans 9:16).

(29) Jesus says we will be justified by our own words (Matthew 12:37); but Paul says we are justified by faith (Romans 3:28).

(30) Jesus says eternal life is very costly (Matthew 19:29; Luke 14:28-33); but Paul says eternal life is a free gift (Romans 6:23).

(31) Jesus says eternal life is attained by hearing and acting on his words (John 5:24); but Paul says eternal life is attained by grace (Romans 5:21).

(32) Jesus says God’s commandments give life (Matthew 19:17); but Paul says God’s commandments bring death (Romans 7:10; 2 Corinthians 3:7).

(33) Jesus says all God’s commandments are summed up in two commandments; love God and love your neighbour (Matthew 22:37-40).  But Paul says all God’s commandments are summed up in only one commandment; love your neighbour (Galatians 5:14; Romans 13:9).

(34) Jesus says we should love our enemy because we want to be like God, our Father (Matthew 5:44-45); but Paul says we should love our enemy in order to pour coals of fire on his head (Romans 12:20).

(35) Jesus warns us to beware of anyone who tells us the time is at hand (Luke 21:8); but Paul tells us the time is at hand (Romans 13:12).

(36) Jesus called only twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-5; Matthew 19:28); but Paul claims Jesus called more than twelve apostles; including himself among others (Romans 1:1; Romans 16:7).

(37) Jesus was declared to be the Son of God many times before his death and resurrection (Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 16:15-17; Matthew 17:5); but Paul says Jesus was declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection (Romans 1:4).

(38) Jesus says we should seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33); but Paul says we should seek glory, honour and immortality (Romans 2:7).

(39) Jesus preaches the gospel of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23); but Paul preaches his own gospel (Romans 2:16); the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).

(40) Jesus says: “All liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone” (Revelation 21:8); but Paul says God’s truth increased through the lies he told (Romans 3:7).

(41) Jesus says the word of God is truth (John 17:17); but Paul says the gospel can be preached with falsehood (Philippians 1:18).

(42) Jesus says if we witness about ourselves our witness is false (John 5:31; John 7:18); but most of what we know about Paul is what he witnesses about himself (2 Corinthians 11:22-33).

(43) Jesus says we should follow him (Matthew.16:24); but Paul says we should follow him (Philippians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 4:16).

(44) Jesus says he is a man of flesh and blood (John 8:40; Luke 24:39); but Paul says Jesus is a spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45) who merely looked like a man (Philippians 2:7; Romans 8:3).

(45) Jesus teaches his disciples to pray and gives us prayer guidelines (Luke 11:1-4); but Paul says believers don’t know how to pray (Romans 8:26).

(46) Jesus says there will be eating and drinking in the kingdom of God (Luke 22:29-30); but Paul says the kingdom of God is not in eating and drinking (Romans 14:17).

(47) Jesus says God is greater than he is (John 14:28); but Paul says Jesus is equal with God (Philippians 2:6).

(48) Jesus said on the cross that the work of salvation was finished (John 19:30); but Paul says he completed what Jesus failed to finish (Colossians 1:24).

(49) Jesus says we should obey his commandments (John 14:15); but Paul issues his own commandments and insists we should obey them (1 Corinthians 7:10-12; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 1 Timothy 2:11-12).

(50) Jesus says the word he speaks is the word of God (John 8:26; John 14:10/24); but Paul says the word he speaks is the word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

(51) Jesus delivered sinners from Satan (Luke 4:18; Matthew 12:27-29); but Paul delivered sinners to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:4-5).

(52) Jesus says we should not call people fools otherwise we would be in danger of judgment (Matthew 5:22); but Paul called people fools (1 Corinthians 15:35-36; Galatians 3:1).

(53) Jesus says Abel, Adam’s direct son, was righteous (Matthew 23:35); but Paul says all Adam’s descendants are unrighteous (Romans 5:12/19; Romans 3:10).

(54) Jesus says remission of sins comes through repentance (Luke 24:47); but Paul says remission of sins comes through cleansing by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14).

(55) Jesus says we should love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:44); but Paul wished his enemies would be castrated (Galatians 5:12).

(56) Jesus prevented a woman caught in adultery from being stoned to death (John 8:1-11); but Paul directed that an adulterous man’s flesh be destroyed (1 Corinthians 5:4-5).

(57) Jesus says we can know if something is sinful through our conscience (Luke 12:55-57); but Paul says without the law we cannot know if something is sinful (Romans 7:7)

(58) Jesus says if God is for us, the whole world would be against us (John 15:18-19); but Paul says if God is for us, no one would dare to be against us (Romans 8:31).

(59) Jesus says the heavenly Father gives us “good things” (Matthew 7:11); but Paul says the heavenly Father gives us “all things” (Romans 8:32).

(60) Jesus says only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21); but Paul says heaven is only for those who have been predestined to salvation (Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:23-24).

(61) Jesus is the Saviour in the gospel according to Jesus (John 3:16-17); but Paul is the saviour in the gospel according to Paul (Romans 11:14). 

(62) Jesus says only a few of those called by God will ultimately be chosen (Matthew 22:14); but Paul says all those called by God will ultimately be chosen (Romans 11:29).

(63) Jesus says some things are of the devil (John 8:44); but Paul says all things are of God (2 Corinthians 5:18; Romans 11:36).

(64) Jesus says we should not retaliate and offers us no satisfaction for wrongs done to us (Matthew 5:38-39); but Paul teaches that revenge will be ours, only that God will be the instrument of that revenge (Romans 12:19). 

(65) Jesus refused to be subject to the authority of the devil even though the devil is the ruler of this world (Luke 4:5-8; John 14:30); but Paul says we should be subject to the governing authorities of this world (Romans 13:1).

(66) Jesus says we should beware of the ruling authorities of this world because they will persecute us (Matthew 10:17-19); but Paul says we should not beware of the ruling authorities of this world because they are not a terror to good works (Romans 13:3-4).

(67) Jesus says God’s ministers don’t take up the sword and don’t even fight (Matthew 26:52; Matthew 5:39); but Paul says God’s ministers take up the sword and use them (Romans 13:3-4).

(68) Jesus says we should love our enemies (Matthew 5:44); but Paul says we should love our neighbour (Romans 13:9-10).

(69) Jesus says our good will be spoken of as evil (Matthew 10:25); but Paul says we should not allow our good to be spoken of as evil (Romans 14:16).

(70) Jesus says he who is acceptable to God will not be approved by men (John 15:18-19; Luke 16:15); but Paul says he who is acceptable to God will be approved by men (Romans 14:18).

(71) Jesus resurrected bodily as a man with flesh and blood (Luke 24:39-43); but Paul says flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50).

(72) Jesus kept company with sinners (Matthew 9:10-13); but Paul says we should not keep company with sinners (1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:6).

(73) Jesus says he will build his church by himself (Matthew 16:18); but Paul says he is the wise “master builder” who lays the foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3:10). 

(74) Jesus sets captives free (Luke 4:18); but Paul says slaves should remain as slaves (1 Corinthians 7:20-24).

(75) Jesus says sons of God should be servants of men (Matthew 20:25-28); but Paul says sons of God should not be servants of men (1 Corinthians 7:23).

(76) Jesus asks us to provide services to our fellow men out of a sense of duty (Luke 17:7-10); but Paul says our services should be rendered in exchange for material rewards (1 Corinthians 9:7-11).

(77) Jesus berated the Jews for keeping their man-made traditions instead of the commandments of God (Mark 7:6-9); but Paul established new man-made traditions for Christians (1 Corinthians 11:2-7).

(78) Jesus says he is the first and the beginning of God’s creation (Revelation 1:11; Revelation 3:14); but Paul says Jesus is second to Adam (1 Corinthians 15:47).

(79) Jesus says the believer is his relative (Mark 3:35); but Paul says the believer is Jesus’ wife and body (Ephesians 5:30-32; 1 Corinthians 12:27).

(80) Jesus says the kingdom of God is meant for little children (Matthew 18:3-4); but Paul says we should put away childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11).

(81) Jesus says the kingdom of God is for little children (Matthew 18:3-4); but Paul says children are slaves and not sons of God (Galatians 4:1-3).

(82) Jesus says we should determine a true prophet by his fruits (Matthew 7:16/20); but Paul says we should determine a true prophet by the extent to which he agrees with him (1 Corinthians 14:37-38).

(83) Jesus says he will never leave us and will always be with us (Matthew 28:20; John 14:16); but Paul says Jesus is not with us while we are alive (2 Corinthians 5:6).

(84) Jesus cautions his disciples against exercising authority over men (Matthew 20:25-26); but Paul claims Jesus gave him authority over men (2 Corinthians 10:8).

(85) Jesus says false prophets will do great signs and wonders (Matthew 24:24-25); but Paul says true apostles of Christ will do great signs and wonders (2 Corinthians 12:12).

(86) Jesus says the children of Abraham will do the works of Abraham (John 8:39); but Paul says the children of Abraham will have the faith of Abraham (Galatians 3:5-7).

(87) Jesus says we should be like him (Luke 6:40); but Paul says we should be like him (Galatians 4:12).

(88) Jesus says the fruit of the Spirit is what a man says (Luke 6:44-45); but Paul says the fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22-23).

(89) Jesus says we should give him our burdens to carry (Matthew 11:28-30); but Paul’s says we should carry our own burdens (Galatians 6:5).

(90) Jesus says we should not discriminate (Matthew 5:45); but Paul says we should discriminate in favour of believers (Galatians 6:10).

(91) Jesus says none of the Pharisees kept the law (John 7:19); but Paul says he kept all the laws of Moses as a Pharisee (Philippians 3:6).

(92) Jesus says the believer will be raised up from the dead on the last day ((John 6:39-40); but Paul says the believer has already been raised up with Christ (Colossians 3:1).

(93) Jesus says we don’t need to increase our faith, all we need is faith as a mustard seed (Luke 17:5-6); but Paul talks about increasing the faith of the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

(94) Jesus presents a framework where people are fed mercifully when they are hungry (Matthew 6:26, Matthew 25:41-46); but Paul says those who don’t work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

(95) Jesus says he has come to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13); but Paul says Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

(96) Jesus says our acts of righteousness should not be done before men (Matthew 6:1-4); but Paul says we must make sure our acts of righteousness are evident to all men (1 Timothy 4:15).

(97) Since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, men continue to die (Acts 12:1-2); but Paul says Jesus abolished death (2 Timothy 1:10).

(98) Jesus raised certain people from the dead during his ministry (Mark 5:41-42; John 11:43-44); but Paul says Jesus was the first person to rise from the dead (Acts 26:23).

(99) Jesus says except we become like little children, we will not inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 18:3); but Paul appointed and glorified church elders in every city he went (Titus 1:5).

(100) Jesus says our works of righteousness must exceed those of the scribes and the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20); but Paul says our works of righteousness don’t count (Titus 3:5-6; Galatians 2:16).

(101) Jesus says he did not come to bring peace on earth (Matthew 10:34); but Paul says Jesus established peace on earth (Ephesians 2:15-17). 

Whose report do you believe? 

I only believe the report of Jesus Christ.

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