Words matter...

[Right Divider]

An honest reader cannot read Paul's epistles and miss the way that he uses words that differ so greatly from the twelve, etc.

Take the word(s) "disciple*" [eg. disciple, disciples]

In the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the word(s) appear 226 times... in Paul's epistles: ZERO.

 

[Derf]

An honest reader cannot read Paul's epistles and miss the way that he uses words that differ so greatly from the twelve, etc.

Take the word(s) "disciple*" [eg. disciple, disciples]

In the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the word(s) appear 226 times... in Paul's epistles: ZERO.

I never saw that before. Funny that the authors of Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, and Revelation ALSO never used the word disciple. They are soooooo different from the 12.

Now, what were you going to say about that difference?

Edit: I forgot Jude. He never used it either.

 

[Right Divider]

I never saw that before. Funny that the authors of Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, and Revelation ALSO never used the word disciple. They are soooooo different from the 12.

Some of those books WERE written by the 12.

Now, what were you going to say about that difference?

Those other books all come post the Fall of Israel (that includes Paul's epistles).

The doctrine in Paul's epistles is different from that of all the other Hebrews authors. That is because Paul was given a different commission.

The books of the New Testament contain distinct doctrinal instructions depending on the author and the target audience. Examining Paul's epistles (Romans through Philemon) alongside the rest of the New Testament reveals clear differences in the gospel preached, the requirements for justification, and the status of Israel.​

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The table below contrasts these core doctrinal areas.​

Doctrinal Category​	Matthew through John, Early Acts, and Hebrews through Revelation​	Paul's Epistles (Romans through Philemon)​
The Primary Message​	The Gospel of the Kingdom: The announcement that the prophetic kingdom promised to David is at hand (Matthew 4:23, Matthew 24:14).​	The Gospel of the Grace of God: The proclamation of salvation based entirely on the finished work of Christ on the cross (Acts 20:24, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).​
The Target Audience​	The Circumcision (Israel): Jesus limited his earthly ministry to Israel (Matthew 15:24), and the Apostles targeted the circumcision (Galatians 2:7-9).​	The Uncircumcision (Gentiles / All Men): Paul was sent directly to the Gentiles as the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11:13, Galatians 2:7-9).​
The Basis of Justification​	Faith and Works: Belief accompanied by physical actions, law-keeping, and enduring to the end (James 2:24, Matthew 24:13).​	Faith Alone without Works: Complete justification by grace through faith, entirely apart from the deeds of the law (Romans 4:5, Ephesians 2:8-9).​
Water Baptism​	Required for Remission: Necessary for the remission of sins and entering the kingdom program (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38).​	Not Part of the Commission: Paul explicitly states that Christ did not send him to baptize, but to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:17).​
The Believing Body​	The Nation of Israel: A kingdom of priests and a holy nation under the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:8-10, 1 Peter 2:9).​	The Body of Christ: A new creation where the middle wall of partition is broken down, making Jew and Gentile equal (Ephesians 2:14-16, Colossians 3:11).​
The Divine Program​	Prophecy: Information spoken by the mouth of holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21).​	The Mystery: Information kept secret since the world began, revealed exclusively to and through Paul (Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:1-9).​

Examples of Direct Doctrinal Contrast​

You can see these differences clearly when comparing specific verses on the same topic.​

On Justification:​

• The Circumcision Writers: James 2:24 states, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
• Paul: Romans 4:5 states, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

On the Scope of Ministry:​

• Jesus in the Gospels: Matthew 10:5-6 commands, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles... But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
• Paul: Romans 11:13 states, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office."

P.S. I understand that you are "anti-Pauline" and will oppose any and all distinctions between his ministry and the ministries of the others.