All those out there that deny, diminish, blend, or outright reject the Apostle Paul's unique ministry to the gentiles with the gospel of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV) given to him by Jesus Himself, it would benefit them to study the rebellion Korah made against Moses, whom God also sent with a specific message for God's people at that time.
1) Korah’s Rebellion Against MosesWhile the book of Numbers Is not direct instruction to the body of Christ (our direct instruction Is found in Romans through Philemon KJV), it also states in 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV that all scripture is profitable for among other things, reproof and correction. Is there a lesson to be learned here about how God reacted to Korah's rebellion against Moses?
Numbers 16:3 KJV And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?
Korah's rebellion:
- Questioned and Rejected Moses leadership even though He was made leader by God Himself (“Ye take too much upon you”).
- Questioned and Rejected Moses doctrine even though Moses was given the doctrine by God Himself. (“seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them”) was false doctrine.
- Their false doctrine trusted in their own selves/works for salvation, rejecting the word of the Lord. (“seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them;”).
God took this offense by Korah and his followers as unacceptable, dangerous rebellion and a matter of life and in the case of Korah and his followers, it was punishable by death.
2) Churchianity’s Rebellion Against The Apostle Paul
The word gentile in the Bible means someone not born of Israel. (Currently the nation of Israel is counted as a gentile nation in unbelief). You are a gentile. The Lord Jesus Christ sent the Apostle Paul to you, a gentile, as YOUR messenger.
Acts 26:16-18 (KJV) But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
The Lord Jesus HIMSELF called the Apostle Paul a chosen vessel to bear Jesus’ name to you and I, gentiles.
Acts 9:15 KJV
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
The Apostle Paul stated that he was given his gospel by no man but by Jesus Himself and that it was for the gentiles AND it was different than the gospel that Jesus gave Peter and the twelve for Israel during Jesus' earthly ministry, which Jesus Himself stated was for Israel, NOT gentiles:
Matthew 15:24 KJV But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 10:5-6 KJV These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Galatians 1:11-12 KJV But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:7-9 KJV But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
The Apostle Paul knew and stated that he was the Apostle to the gentiles and the importance of the office he held. No other Apostle made a claim to the gentiles. Jesus Christ stated He sent Paul as the Apostle to the gentiles:
Romans 11:13 KJV
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
The Apostle Paul said we will be judged by the gospel he taught, given to him by Jesus Himself for the gentiles:
Romans 2:16 KJV
In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Lastly, the Apostle Paul stated and directly repeated himself that hose that teach any gospel other than the unique one he was given to Jesus for the gentiles are ACCURSED.
Galatians. 1:8-9 KJV But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Now let’s revisit Korah’s rebellion against Moses and see the similarity of Churchianity’s rebellion against the Apostle Paul.
Korah's rebellion:
- Questioned and Rejected Moses leadership even though He was made leader by God Himself (“Ye take too much upon you”).
- Questioned and Rejected Moses doctrine even though Moses was given the doctrine by God Himself. (“seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them”) was false doctrine.
- Their false doctrine trusted in their own selves/works for salvation, rejecting the word of the Lord. (“seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them;”).
Churchianity’s rebellion:
- Questioned and Rejected The Apostle Paul’s leadership to the gentiles even though He was made leader by God Himself (“Ye take too much upon you”) = similar rejections of the Apostle Paul are:
Other people will mock Paul saying he was a false apostle, a liar, his words dont matter and should not be in the Bible , and also they say “good luck with Paul as your Savior” (I have never heard anyone claim the Apostle Paul was their savior).
They will also sneer, “you only listen to the Apostle Paul because you don’t want to keep God’s laws and commandments” … Paul was a false prophet … Paul was a liar and a heretic, he shouldn’t be in the Bible.”
- Questioned and Rejected The Apostle Paul's doctrine even though the Apostle Paul was given the doctrine by God Himself. (“seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them”) was false doctrine.
They claim they are now spiritual Israel and claim the covenant promises made to Israel boasting against them even though they do not keep Israels’ law or Jesus’s words in Matthew Mark Luke John. the Bible teaches Israel’s program is on hold until the fulness of the gentiles comes in (meaning until all gentiles who will be saved are saved), then Israels’ program will resume after the rapture. (Romans 9-11 KJV).
- Their false doctrine trusted in their own selves/works for salvation, rejecting the word of the Lord. (“seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them;”).
Most of Churchianity teaches that human works (repent turn from your sins, Israel’s water baptism, clean up your life, obedience to the law, avoidance of sin, either saves them and/or keeps them saved and makes them holy). This has cause many to be lost and unsaved, spiritually stagnant, or ineffective in their new identity if they are saved. This is the most dangerous tool satan has in his toolbox in my opinion. Mixing in human performance to be saved and or stay saved is the sin of Galatians 1:8-9 KJV.
Galatians 5:4 KJV Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.God death with Korah’s rebellion swiftly and conclusively as this rebellion was the most dangerous thing for His people and many could be led astray. God viewed rebellion against Moses, whom God had sent as rebellion against God Himself.
God currently is not judging sins directly and immediately as He did with Korah and his followers. That type of judgment will begin after the rapture of the church, which could be any moment.
However, those that treat the Apostle Paul the same was as Korah and his followers treated Moses, may just find that although they sound spiritual and emotional (I follow Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:12 KJV), they just might be opposing God !!!
1) To be saved believe and trust the simple gospel that saves - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV Trust ONLY in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for your salvation !
2) After you are saved: - Romans 12:2 KJV - To grow in God's grace and learn about your exciting new identity and future then renew your mind daily with sound doctrine, which is the instruction that Jesus gave the Apostle Paul for us Romans through Philemon KJV
3) Earn rewards in heaven now by applying sound doctrine (Romans through Philemon KJV) in your life - 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 KJV
Grace and Peace !!!
For more info my blog is : GraceNotWorks dot com
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