The Saint Paul Approved Church:
Where is it and What does it do?
March 20, 2014
G.D.O'Bradovich III
background
Apprentice Tyler mentioned "the Paul approved church" during one of his monologues. One wonders how the Paul approved church behaves and if the Roman or Greek churches are modeled on St. Paul, or if their traditions differ from and predate Saint Paul's influence.
allegory
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. Galatians 4:24
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Romans 7:2-4
For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Romans 7:2-4
Saint Paul allegorizes the Law of remarriage to illustrate that we are dead in Christ and not under the Law. The importance of allegory for Saint Paul can not be overstated.
baptism of the dead
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 1 Corinthians 15: 29
Although St. Paul expressly states we baptize the dead, neither the Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox Churches have a tradition of baptism of the dead. Interestingly, the Mormon church baptizes the dead. Why an American church follows St. Paul's teaching, but the Roman and Orthodox churches do not is inexplicable.
Although St. Paul expressly states we baptize the dead, neither the Roman Catholic or Greek Orthodox Churches have a tradition of baptism of the dead. Interestingly, the Mormon church baptizes the dead. Why an American church follows St. Paul's teaching, but the Roman and Orthodox churches do not is inexplicable.
heresy
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 1 Corinthians 11: 19
The St. Paul approved church has heretics, divisions and contentions.
Craft and Guile
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
2 Corinthians 12: 16
2 Corinthians 12: 16
Saint Paul was "Crafty" and caught the Corinthians with "guile".
motive for preaching
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Philippians 1: 18
Saint Paul is unconcerned about the motives for teaching about Christ. This is the epitome of the ends justifying the means.
Saint Paul is unconcerned about the motives for teaching about Christ. This is the epitome of the ends justifying the means.
ignorance of jesus' life
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 Corinthians 2: 2
The Paul approved church is not concerned with the life of Jesus, only his death and resurrection. This lack of interest is not found in the Roman or Greek Churches as shown below:
1 Corinthians 2: 2
The Paul approved church is not concerned with the life of Jesus, only his death and resurrection. This lack of interest is not found in the Roman or Greek Churches as shown below:
Dec. 25 The Nativity
Jan. 6 The Epiphany Feb. 2 The Presentation Aug. 6 The Transfiguration |
Luke 2: 1-20, Matthew 1:18-24
Matthew 2:1-12 Luke 2:22-24 Luke 9:28-36, Matthew 17: 1-7 |
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35
Saint Paul seems ignorant of Jesus' life-he never quotes from the four Gospels. When Saint Paul does quote Jesus, this is not confirmed by any New Testament book. The modern reader assumes Saint Paul knew the Gospel stories, but there is strong evidence this is not the case. If Saint Paul knew the Gospels (Matthew 24:23-26) where Jesus expressly states that if one says the Christ is in the desert, do not believe it and do not go out to the desert, Saint Paul would realize that it was not Christ he met on the road to Damascus.
The life of Christ is either unimportant to Saint Paul's theology or Saint Paul knew nothing about the life of Christ, because there was nothing to know. Either conclusion is startling.
Acts 20:35
Saint Paul seems ignorant of Jesus' life-he never quotes from the four Gospels. When Saint Paul does quote Jesus, this is not confirmed by any New Testament book. The modern reader assumes Saint Paul knew the Gospel stories, but there is strong evidence this is not the case. If Saint Paul knew the Gospels (Matthew 24:23-26) where Jesus expressly states that if one says the Christ is in the desert, do not believe it and do not go out to the desert, Saint Paul would realize that it was not Christ he met on the road to Damascus.
The life of Christ is either unimportant to Saint Paul's theology or Saint Paul knew nothing about the life of Christ, because there was nothing to know. Either conclusion is startling.
the resurrection is not past
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 2 Timothy 2:18
Saint Paul is stating that either the resurrection will occur or, possibly, that the resurrection is ongoing process. No one doubts the future general resurrection was taught by Saint Paul and the past resurrection of Jesus, also taught by Saint Paul, therefore we must conclude that the resurrection being referred to is not in the past nor in the future, but in the present.
Saint Paul is stating that either the resurrection will occur or, possibly, that the resurrection is ongoing process. No one doubts the future general resurrection was taught by Saint Paul and the past resurrection of Jesus, also taught by Saint Paul, therefore we must conclude that the resurrection being referred to is not in the past nor in the future, but in the present.
conclusion
Allegory is rarely used, as most churches make explicit statements. The Mormon church is the only church we know that baptizes the dead. Heretics are expelled from church, not held in high regard. It is impossible to know if either craftiness or false motives are present when people are talking about Jesus. All churches relate the events and parables of Christ's life and no church teaches that the resurrection is an happening in the present.
The Paul approved church does not exist and I doubt if it ever did, for if it did exist, it has died out since neither the Roman nor the Greek churches adhere to the seven principles or ideas presented by Saint Paul. We can confidently conclude the writings of Saint Paul do not predate the founding of the Greek church simply because if the Orthodox Church knew about the baptism of the dead, there would be a Liturgy for the Baptism of the Dead. In my mind this is compelling evidence that the writings of Saint Paul came after the liturgies and traditions had been in place. The readings of the Apostle have not affected the Orthodox Church as the reading and studying of Saint Paul's letters continue to be divisive the Protestant Churches.
Regarding the splintering of the Western Church into thousands of factions, Saint Paul would be in agreement: for "they which are approved may be made manifest among you."
The Paul approved church does not exist and I doubt if it ever did, for if it did exist, it has died out since neither the Roman nor the Greek churches adhere to the seven principles or ideas presented by Saint Paul. We can confidently conclude the writings of Saint Paul do not predate the founding of the Greek church simply because if the Orthodox Church knew about the baptism of the dead, there would be a Liturgy for the Baptism of the Dead. In my mind this is compelling evidence that the writings of Saint Paul came after the liturgies and traditions had been in place. The readings of the Apostle have not affected the Orthodox Church as the reading and studying of Saint Paul's letters continue to be divisive the Protestant Churches.
Regarding the splintering of the Western Church into thousands of factions, Saint Paul would be in agreement: for "they which are approved may be made manifest among you."