Straw Man Arguments (part 3)

I ended the last post by saying that we must consider what the apostle Paul says and follow him. That point brings up another common straw man argument against right division. 

"I follow Christ, not Paul." 

Sounds real pious, doesn't it? The implication is that we follow Paul as a man, but nothing could be further from the truth! Paul rebuked those at Corinth who were following him as a man. He ALSO rebuked those who said they were of Apollos, Peter, and even Christ (1 Cor. 1:11-12). Scofield wrote in his introduction to 2 Corinthians, "It is evident that the really dangerous sect in Corinth was that which said, "and I of Christ" (1 Cor. 1:12). They rejected the new revelation through Paul of the doctrines of grace; grounding themselves, probably, on the kingdom teachings of our Lord as "a minister of the circumcision" (Rom. 15:8); seemingly oblivious that a new dispensation had been introduced by Christ's death. This made necessary a defence of the origin and extent of Paul's apostolic authority." 

After Paul rebuked those at Corinth who were following him as a man, he went on to instruct them to follow him! 

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (1 Cor. 3:10)

Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. {17} For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (1 Cor. 4:16-17) 

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. (1 Cor. 7:17)

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1)

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (1 Cor. 14:37)

We are not to follow Paul as a man (isn't that obvious?!) but as the divinely appointed pattern and spokesman for the Body of Christ in this present age. All the words in his thirteen inspired epistles are the words of God, not his own words. The apostle Peter recognized Paul's epistles as scripture and "All scripture is given by inspiration of God". 

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; {16} As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Pet. 3:15-16)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Tim. 3:16) 

The words in Romans through Philemon are just as much the words of Christ as the words in Matthew through John! In reference to what he taught in 1 Tim. 6:1-2, the apostle Paul said:

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; {4} He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, {5} Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. (1 Tim. 6:3-5)

The risen and glorified Christ from heaven revealed mysteries for this present age through His chosen vessel, the apostle Paul. Just as Christ sent the 12 apostles to the 12 tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28), He sent Paul to the Body of Christ (Col. 1:24-29). How can you reject Paul's authority and yet claim to follow Christ?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (John 13:20)

God raised up Moses to be His spokesman to the nation of Israel. He took him up on a mount in Arabia (Sinai is in Arabia, Gal. 4:25) and revealed the Law to him. When Israel departed from the Law of Moses they were in apostasy. Likewise, God raised up Paul to be His spokesman to the Body of Christ. He took him out into Arabia (Gal. 1:17) and revealed mysteries to him. We are living in days of apostasy because the professing church has departed from the distinctive message and ministry of Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul warned about this apostasy in his last inspired letter. 

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. {14} That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. {15} This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. (2 Tim. 1:13-15)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; {4} And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

The apostle Paul again and again talks about and defends his distinct message and ministry. He magnified his office as the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). Why do so many Christians try to diminish what God has magnified? Paul was not puffed up about himself.

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. {10} But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor. 15:9-10)

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Eph. 3:8)

I want to close this post by challenging those who claim they follow the teachings of Christ in the Gospel records. I understand that Christ taught many moral principles in His earthly ministry that still apply today, but have you ever really thought about Rom. 15:8?

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: (Rom. 15:8)

In His earthly ministry Christ was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24) and He taught pure law (Matt. 5:17-20). Do you really follow the teachings of Christ in the Gospel records? How about these, for example:

And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. (Matt. 8:4) 

... Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: {6} But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. {7} And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. {8} Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. {9} Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, {10} Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. (Matt. 10:5b-10)

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? {17} And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matt. 19:16-17)

Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, {2} Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: {3} All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (Matt. 23:1-3) 

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. {33} Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. (Luke 12:32-33) 

The last words of Christ are not found in the "Great Commission". Christ continued to speak from heaven through His apostles and the books of Acts through Revelation are the words of Christ! To try and pit the words of Christ against the words of Paul is to deny the inspiration of scripture.