Christ's Teachings vs. Paul's Teachings

This paper looks at how the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul relate to each other. Some people think they contradict, but that’s not the case. Jesus laid the groundwork for the Gospel, but there were still things to explain. The Holy Spirit helped Paul understand these deeper teachings. So, Paul’s writings don’t go against Jesus. Instead, they add to His message and show how it applies to everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, in the New Covenant.

Jesus knew He had more to say. In John 16:12-13, He told His disciples, “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them at the present time. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” They weren’t ready to get everything right away. Paul, led by the Spirit, shares how Jesus’ lessons work for everyone. Many think Paul’s teachings clash with Jesus, but they actually build on what Jesus set up.

Jesus gave us the basics of our faith. He called people to repent and believe in the Gospel, as seen in Mark 1:15, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the gospel.” He said that believing in Him is what gives us eternal life. In John 3:16, He said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” In John 14:6, He made it clear, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” He taught that loving God and others is the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:37-40 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” He also made it clear that He didn’t get rid of the Law but fulfilled it. Matthew 5:17 says, “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” However, He didn’t explain everything in detail, and that’s where the Holy Spirit came in with Paul’s help.

Paul had a special job to explain how Jesus’ work fits into everyday life, especially for Gentiles. He made it clear that salvation is by grace alone, not by the works of the Law. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” He taught that being right with God comes from faith, not from following the Law. Galatians 2:16 says, “A person is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:28 confirms, “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” He showed that all believers, Jew and Gentile, are one in Christ. Ephesians 2:14-16 says, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall… so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 also speaks of the Church as one body, made up of many members, all united in Christ. He also gave guidelines on how believers should function in the Church, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Romans 12:6-8.

It might seem like Paul says different things than Jesus, but they actually fit together really well. Paul clarifies and explains Jesus’ message rather than contradicting it. Jesus talked about faith, and Paul described how it works without the Law. Jesus talked about Gentiles joining the Kingdom, and Paul laid out how that happens. Jesus promised the Spirit to guide us, and Paul explained more about that guidance.

The Bible also tells us that Jesus did and said many things that are not written down. John 20:30 says, “So then, many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book.” John 21:25 says, “But there are also many other things which Jesus did, which, if they were written in detail, I expect that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” These verses remind us that what we have in the Bible gives us just what we need to know for salvation and spiritual growth. Jesus said He taught the essentials but also promised that the Holy Spirit would lead them into more truth. God made sure that the Scriptures have what we need to guide our faith. This shows that Paul’s teachings link back to Jesus’ and reveal more of the same truths, thanks to the Holy Spirit.

John 16:12-13 helps us see how Jesus’ and Paul’s messages connect. Jesus laid the groundwork, and Paul explained how to follow it. They don’t conflict; they go hand in hand to show God’s plan for salvation and living as Christians.

Plus, Paul wasn’t the only apostle writing to the Church. Others like Peter, James, and John also wrote to guide believers. Their letters match Jesus’ teachings and give even more help for the Church to live in faith. Together, all these writings create a complete message from God for His people.

______________________________________________________________________________

“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”

I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.

Feel free to share this with others. Let’s encourage one another in faith!

Please reach out at: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. (1 Timothy 1:12)