Lecture Notes: Understanding the Pauline Paradox

Introduction

• Presenter: 119 Ministries
• Topic: The relevance of the Bible today, focusing on the teachings of Paul.
• Key Focus: Testing teachings against the Bible to verify truth.
• Purpose of Series: To clarify misunderstandings about Paul's teachings regarding the law of God.

Foundational Teachings

• Pre-requisites: Familiarity with Acts 10, Acts 15, Part 1 of Pauline Paradox, Deuteronomy 13 Test, Heaven and Earth, and the Law of God.
• Teachings available for free at testeverything.net.

The Importance of Testing Teachings

• Teach what the scripture clearly states, refrain from personal interpretation.
• Focus: Word of God, not personal or others' interpretations.
• Faith: Should be in the Word of God, not in individuals.

Understanding Salvation and Obedience

• Salvation: By faith; works cannot save us.
• Obedience: How to practice the Word of God post-salvation.
• Christ's Example: Obeying God’s commandments as a reflection of our faith.
• John's Test of Faith: Keeping commandments as proof of knowing Him (1 John 2:3-4).

Christ's Commandments and Paul's Teachings

• Christ's Life: Observed commandments, Feast Days, Sabbaths, dietary laws.
• Paul vs. Christ: Paul followed Christ’s example; Christ as the focus of faith, not Paul.
• Misunderstanding Paul: Paul not to be discarded but understood contextually.

The Law of God

• Debate: Has the law of God changed?
  • Two Perspectives: One believes it changed, the other doesn't.
  • Only one perspective is correct according to scripture.
• Purpose of Study: To bring clarity on how to live out our faith according to scripture.

Instructions from God

• Faith and Practice: True faith results in practicing God's Word.
• Misunderstandings: Many believe the law changed, which contradicts scripture.
• Warnings of Lawlessness: Misinterpretations of Paul’s letters leading to lawlessness.

Paul's Context and Accusations

• False Accusations: Accused of teaching against Moses, similar to accusations against Stephen and Christ.
• Acts 6 and 7: False accusations of Stephen and Christ changing God's law.
• Paul’s Transformation: From persecutor to follower of Christ.

Acts and Paul’s Defense

• Paul's Defense: Defended against accusations of teaching against the law.
• Consistent Message: Paul continued to keep and teach God’s law.
• James’ Defense: Paul walks orderly, observing the law.

Paul's Teachings and the Law

• Romans: Justification not only by hearing but doing the law (Romans 2:13).
• Grace and Law: Not contradictory; law is established through faith (Romans 3:31).
• Delight in the Law: Paul delighted in God's law (Romans 7:22).
• Law of Love: Fulfillment of the law through love (Romans 13:8-10).

Conclusion of Acts

• Continued Teachings: Paul taught from the law of Moses and prophets until the end.

Upcoming Topics

• Future Teachings: Clarification of Paul’s teachings, understanding in context.