Paul: An Apostle or a Liar? by Mikayl Yahya Used with Permission

Mikayl Yahya
PAUL: AN APOSTLE OR A LIAR?

Paul claimed he was destined to be an apostle from birth:

“When it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.” (Galatians 1:15)

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1)

Paul also claimed he received this commission from Jesus (PBUH)

“So that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20;24)

“I certify to you…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 1;8,)

Paul claimed that he was specifically chosen to preach his gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews).

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God; that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:16)

The Bible says that Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as one of the “Twelve”, not Paul:

“And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1;26)

Yet Paul still insisted he was an Apostle:

“Am I am not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1)

“If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless…” (1 Corinthians 9:2)

Paul claimed that his (Paul’s) gospel had been established at the beginning of the world and kept secret until it was revealed to him:

“Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began…” (Romans 16;25)
“And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” (Ephesians 6:19)

Paul claimed that every other gospel apart from his own was accursed:
“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.” (Galatians 1;9)

“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.” (Galatians 1;11)

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” ( 2 Corinthians 11;4)

Paul claimed that anyone who did not understand his gospel was lost:

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” (2 Corinthians 4:3)

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.” (Galatians 1:6)

Paul claimed that he was the one appointed to be the guardian of the true gospel:

“The glorious gospel of the blessed God…was committed to my trust.” (1 Timothy 1;11)

“Moreover… I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand.” (1 Corinthians 15:1)

“If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made minister.” (Colossians 1:23)

Paul claimed that on Judgement Day it would be his (Paul’s) gospel by which mankind would be judged:

“God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” (Romans 2;16)

Paul claimed that the alleged resurrection of Jesus was only first revealed through his gospel:

“Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” (2 Timothy 2;8)

Paul claimed that he first preached his Gospel to the Galatians:

“Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.” (Galatians 4;13)

Paul claimed that he first preached his Gospel to the Macedonians:

“And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” (Acts 16;10)

Paul claimed to be the spiritual “father” of his disciples:

“For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers…” (1 Corinthians 4;15)

Paul claimed that his followers were his spiritual children and “begotten” by him:

“For in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 4;15)

Paul claimed that the preaching of his gospel to the Gentiles was necessary for their salvation:

“That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:16)

Paul claimed that his gospel was revealed to him divinely:

“But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.” (Galatians 1:11)

“For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.” (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

Paul’s gospel must have been different to that taught by the other Apostles, for he felt compelled to go to Jerusalem and teach them it:

“Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.” (Galatians 2:1-2)

Believers are called to Christ through the Gospel of Paul:

“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

Paul said we were to be followers of him in contradiction to the instruction of the Prophet Jesus (PBUH):

The Prophet Issa (PBUH): “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men’. (Matthew 43;19). Paul said, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” (1 Corinthians 4;16)

Paul’s confused position on the nature of God:
PAUL: “Christ…is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)”

“One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:5-7)

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him”. (1 Corinthians 8:6)

According to Paul, only he understood the true nature of Jesus (PBUH):
“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” (2 Corinthians 11:3-5)

According to Paul, Jesus was only revealed through him:
“It pleased God…by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; I conferred not immediately with flesh and blood (Galatians 1:15-16)

Paul’s account of his encounter with the “risen Jesus”:

“It came to pass that, as I made my journey and had come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground and heard a voice saying unto me, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?’ And I answered, ‘Who art Thou, Lord?’ And He said unto me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.’ And those who were with me saw indeed the light and were afraid, but they heard not the voice of Him that spoke to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said unto me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there it shall be told thee of all the things which are appointed for thee to do.’ And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.” (Acts 22:6-11)

Contradictory accounts:

Paul claimed that the men who were with him saw a strange light but they didn’t hear anyone speaking. Luke, one of Paul’s closest companions, stated that the men, ‘stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no man (Acts 9:11).

Paul Despised the other Apostles:

“I was not a whit behind those ‘superfine’ apostles. (2 Corinthians 11:5) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:13)

“I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind those ‘superfine’ apostles, though I be nothing.” (2 Corinthians 12:11)

Incredibly, after spending three years preaching his gospel abroad, he did not meet with the other apostles when he had the opportunity:

“Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went into Arabia and returned again unto Damascus.” (Galatians 1:15-20)
“It pleased God…by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; I conferred not immediately with flesh and blood (Galatians 1:15-16)

“After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles save James, the Lord’s brother. Now [about] the things which I [wrote], behold, before God, I lie not.” (Galatians 1:18-20)

The true believers at Jerusalem shunned Paul and refused to meet with him:
“And when Saul [Paul] was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26).

Why would Paul claim that he wasn’t lying about this matter?

The only reason Paul saw James was because James summoned him and suggested he had been lying in his epistles about whether believers were required to follow the Law of God:

“And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and. . .[James said]. . . Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.“ (Acts 21: 18-30)

What Prophet Jesus (PBUH) said about the Law:

‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew 5: 12-19)

What Paul said about the Law:

“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.” (Galatians 2:19)

“All that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. [Acts 13:39]

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment.” [Acts 15;24]

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin”. [Romans 3;20]

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets.” [Romans 3:21]

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” [Romans 3:28]

“For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect.” [Romans 4:14]

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” [Romans 6:14]

“What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” [Romans 6:15]

“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ.” [Romans 7:4]

“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. [Romans 7:6] For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. [Romans 8:2]”

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” [1 Corinthians 6:12]

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” [1 Corinthians 10:23]

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” [Galatians 2:16]

“For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. [Galatians 2:19]

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” [Galatians 2:21]

“This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” [Galatians 3:2]

“But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” [Galatians 3:11]

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” [Galatians 3:13]

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” [Galatians 3:19]

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” [Galatians 3:23]

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” [Galatians 3:24]

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” [Galatians 5:4]

“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” [Galatians 5:18]

“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” [Ephesians 2:15]

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” [Hebrews 10:1]”
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” [Ephesians 2:15]

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” [Galatians 3:19]

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” [Galatians 3:13]

Paul claimed that neither the Jews nor the Gentiles were under the Law after the alleged death of Jesus:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” [Romans 10:4]

Paul claimed to perform mighty signs and wonders:

“Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God… I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Romans 15:19)

Even Paul admitted that the followers of Shaitan would make these claims:

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders!” (2 Thessalonians 2:9)

Jesus (PBUH) specifically warned of those such as Paul:

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24)

Paul claimed to know the names of those in God’s “Book of Life”

“And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Philippians 4:3)

Paul believed there was nothing wrong with deceiving people if it drew them into his religion:

“To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22)

“But be it so, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.” (2 Corinthians 12:16 KJV)

Let us look at this verse in other versions of the Bible:

“I did not myself burden you; but, being crafty, I caught you with guile.” (AMP)
“I was not a burden to you; but, crafty fellow that I am, I took you with trickery!” (CJB)
“I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you by guile”. CEV)
”But be it that I charged you not: yet for as much as I was crafty, I took you with guile.” (GW)
“I have not been a burden to you, but because I was crafty, I took you by cunning.” (TLB)
“I did not myself burden you. But, being crafty, I caught you with deception.” (WEB)

Now some Bible versions do something very strange: They translate these verses in a different way:

“It is clear that I was not a burden to you, but YOU THINK that I was tricky and used lies to catch you.” (ERV)
“We all know that I didn’t place a burden on you, but in spite of that YOU THINK I’m a con artist who fooled you with a trick.” (CEB)
You will agree, then, that I was not a burden to you. But SOMEONE WILL SAY that I was tricky, and trapped you with lies. (GNT)
“You agree that I wasn’t a burden to you. MAYBE that’s because I was trying to catch you off guard and trick you.” (CJB)

Notice that these translations introduce words into the text, such as, “you think”, “someone will say” and “you say”. This gives the impression not that Paul was admitting to being a deceiver and a liar, but that he was accusing his disciples of thinking such thoughts. However, THESE WORDS DO NOT APPEAR IN THE ORIGINAL TEXT, as you can check by visiting good Interlinear translations.

“Let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That you might be justified in your words, and might be victorious when you are judged. But if our unrighteousness promotes the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous, one who would take vengeance? (I speak as a man).” God forbid.” (Romans 3:1-7)

Here Paul is saying that if our sinfulness makes God’s righteousness look all the greater, then ordinarily we should not complain. But then he adds a caveat to this:

“For if the truth of God has grown greater through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather – as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say – ‘Let us do evil, that good may come?’ whose damnation is just.”

Here Paul seems to be saying that “the end does NOT justify the means”, and that we should be condemned if we say that any good can come from our evil works. But that is EXACTLY what Paul DOES argue, for he has just stated that God’s righteousness becomes all the brighter when contrasted with our own sin! Only Paul could condemn deceit and then justify it in the same breath. And it is DECEIT that he is talking about, for he prefixes his argument with the now famous words, “Let God be true, but every man a liar”!

That Paul was being hypocritical was evident even to his followers, for Paul himself said, “as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say”. Well, that’s because he DID say it.

Finally, we should remember these words of Paul (1 Corinthians 9:19-23):

“For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”

Again, Paul reverts to using the “the ends justifies the means” argument that he earlier criticised. The words “I became” here in the Koine Greek are “egenomEn” which mean to “become” or “to appear as”. Now some have argued that Paul simply meant that he changed his approach and preaching style to suit his audience; when he was talking to Jews, he would talk to them in a way Jews would understand, and so on. But what is there to brag about here? Don’t we all do this when trying to explain something to someone – adjust our delivery to suit the person concerned? It is obvious that Paul meant something more than this, for he goes on to explain that by doing this he had patently performed some sort of sacrifice: “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” How would simply adjusting the way we talk to others enable us to boast, “And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.”?

Verses 16 and 17 give us a clue, and indicate that whatever it means Paul wasn’t entirely comfortable with it:

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

Notice, “necessity is laid upon me”. He is admitting to doing something here that is under compulsion, but not to do it would result in a greater sin; a failure to preach the gospel effectively.

In verse 17 he concludes: “For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”

And all of this is supposed to come about just because he altered his method of presenting the gospel? Why would altering one’s delivery style ever be “against our will”?

The truth is that Paul isn’t referring here to simply “adjusting his style of delivery” when preaching the gospel. He is saying that he was pretending to be someone he wasn’t to those he preached. When preaching to a Jew, he would speak as if he really was a Jew. When preaching to a Greek, he would give them the impression that he really was a Greek. As the Good News Translation puts it, “So I become all things to all people, that I may save some of them BY WHATEVER MEANS POSSIBLE [italicisation mine].”

It is clear, then; if Paul had to pretend to be a Roman to win over a Roman, then he would. If he had to pretend to be a Greek to win over a Greek, then he would. The only thing that mattered was that they accepted the Gospel, and if it took lies and trickery to do it, then so be it. In fact, some of Paul’s own followers hearing the letter being read out were there because he had employed this very artifice. NOW we can see, then, what he meant when he said, “…nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with deceit”.

Paul doesn’t make any apologies for this, for he argues, “Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you.”

Again, the ends justified the means. Paul is telling them, “Don’t think I’m sorry for tricking you; I did it to help and edify you”.

If you’d like to see a perfect example of what happened when Paul tried to lie about his real beliefs and teachings, then go to Acts 21 where he tried to trick James the Apostle, but alas, he came undone…and yes, that also is IN YOUR BIBLE.

The alleged “crucifixion” and Resurrection of Prophet Jesus (PBUH)

In Matthew 17:22-23, Jesus (PBUH) allegedly said, “The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.”

Now we can see from this that Jesus (PBUH) was making a prophecy regarding his crucifixion and resurrection, yes? And as a true Prophet, we know that EVERY SINGLE PROPHECY he made would come true.

Now suppose that the prophecy DIDN’T come true; suppose that he WASN’T crucified. What would that have meant? I t would have made Jesus (PBUH) a FALSE PROPHET, yes? He would have made a prophecy that didn’t come true.

But then we come to the Garden of Gethsemane. Here (Luke 22;42) we find Jesus (PBUH) supposedly praying to God, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Now although Jesus (PBUH) does say that it is the will of God that must take precedence, nevertheless he DOES ask that, if it is possible, the “cup” (that is, his impending crucifixion) be “removed” from him. I haven’t been able to find a single Christian scholar who denies that Jesus (PBUH) was here asking God that, if it were possible, he should be allowed to avoid the terrible fate that awaited him.

But this is where the problem lies. Jesus had ALREADY prophesied in Matthew 17:22-23 that he WOULD be killed and raised on the third day. Now, if Jesus’ (PBUH) prayer to God that he be allowed to avoid the crucifixion had been fulfilled, then that means that his prophecy in Matthew 17 could not have been fulfilled, and this would have made him a FALSE PROPHET. After all, in Deuteronomy 18:22 it says, “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”

So, what does all of this mean? It means that Jesus (PBUH) allegedly ALREADY KNEW he was going to die before he went into the Garden of Gethsemane. It means that, when he asked God to help him avoid the crucifixion, he KNEW that he had already prophesied that he WOULD be crucified. This means that he was asking God to change events in such a way that it would have MADE him into a false prophet!

Do you think that Jesus (PBUH) would have REALLY asked God to do something that would have changed him from a true prophet into false prophet?

Muslims don’t think so,
Like · · January 26 at 8:26am