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  • .......... THE LETTERS OF PAUL





Paul's wrote letters to the churches which he had founded
trying to rectify the errors in their ways,
the errors in their lifestyles,
or misunderstandings.

Not all of the letters attributed to Paul in the Bible came from his hand.
Scholars only support his authorship of seven of the fourteen;
First Thessalonians, Galatians,1 and 2 Corinthians
Philipians, Philemon, and Romans.

It can be seen that even these seven have been heavily edited
to incorporate later concepts of the embryo church.
We have no copies dated earlier than
a century after they were written.
ample time for "corrective" action!
(much the same could be said of the Gospels, of course)
In his letters Paul refers consistently to the Gospel that he preached.
It can only be assumed that this was what he described in Romans (about 56AD).
Paul argues that believers can be assured of their hope in salvation,
having been freed from the bondage of sin by putting their faith in Jesus.
This promise is open to everyone since everyone has sinned.
Jesus' death on the cross makes believers dead to the law.
(but believers in what?)

Thessalonians Thessalonians

Paul praises the people for their adherence to the Gospel
and adherence to the ways of the churches in Judea.
He urges them to avoid sexual immorality
and spells out his ideas about that.
He writes of the return of Jesus
and what happens after we die.

GALATIANS GALATIANS

"If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!"
The letter starts with a load of self-justification of Paul's ministry
and then speaks against those who rely on The Law for salvation.
"Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God,
because the righteous will live by faith."

Paul goes on to point out how a Christian should behave,
contrasting the Fruit of the Spirit with the Acts of the Flesh.
Accepting circumcision is seen as rejecting the Spirit
to adhere to The Law for unholy pirposes.


CORINTHIANS CORINTHIANS

In each chapter Paul addresses an aspect of Christian lifestyle,
seemingly trying to reallign his converts to the teaching of Jesus
after preaching and teaching the Messianic message of his theology
and,perhaps, the salvatory nature of the crucifixion.