I have no argument with either God or Paul. I have an argument with those who would elevate the words of a bishop of the Church above the words of God. Anyone who follows Paul to the exclusion of Jesus Christ is not Christian. It is exemplified in various heresies identified during the first millennium after Christ.
Nobody is forcing you to believe it, but to continue to deny it sure cuts into your credibility.
Let's look at whose credibility is in question. Anyone who produces prose to the effect that disagreement with them equals disagreement with God has effectively lost the argument.
Actually, you DO seem to have an argument with BOTH God and Paul. It is IMPOSSIBLE to "follow Paul to the exclusion of Jesus Christ", Mark.
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in ME FIRST Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING." 1 Tim. 1:1.
So..what do you do with this Scripture? Paul says, through the Holy Spirit, that Paul would be a pattern to those who should believe on Jesus Christ to life everlasting. Not only that, but that in Paul FIRST would Christ shew forth ALL LONGSUFFERING. To those HEREAFTER...HEREAFTER WHAT?? HEREAFTER PAUL.
Can it be any clearer? Jesus Christ had mercy on Paul, Paul is the pattern for us to follow as he followed Christ. Not Peter and the 11. You would be following them and their gospel of the Kingdom, which is to Israel, and which is in abeyance now, until the fullness of the Gentiles be brought in.
Those who are in heresy situations are those who are using PETER and the 11 as patterns to follow to life everlasting. According to Jesus Christ. You may not like what you read, but that doesn't change the truth of God's word. You follow the wrong pattern, you end up in deceit and heresy. Paul is the pattern Jesus Christ set forth during this age of grace, the Church the Body of Christ. Peter is the pattern Jesus Christ set forth during the age of the law, His earthly ministry, and the Millennial Kingdom, the Millenial Church.
It's no wonder some cannot tell others just what the gospel is, if works are part of salvation, if Christ is going to literally return to this earth, if they are "spiritual Israel", what "Upon this rock" means, if there are priests today, whether men can forgive sins, and on and on. They are following a pattern for another: ISRAEL. And NOT the pattern for the Body of Christ.
ANd the only way to grope out of the maze they have created for themselves is to depend on traditions, doctrines of men, fables, and volumes and volumes of man's supposed "brilliance" to shore up their beliefs. Because the pattern Christ gave them to follow during this time is ignored for a pattern that belongs to someone else. It's like your wife making you a suit following the pattern she has for her favorite dress.
Yes you do...
I have an argument with those who would elevate the words of a bishop of the Church above the words of God.
None of the apostles were bishops...Just as no bishops have ever been apostles...
You apparently then figure Jesus was done speaking when he ascended to heaven...You also apparently do not beleive that Jesus continued to reveal his plan to and thru the apostle Paul even tho the scriptures tell us otherwise...And that Peter recognized those new revelations as scripture...
It is exemplified in various heresies identified during the first millennium after Christ.
As it turns out, the only heretical religion in the bunch was the one you are affiliated with; the accuser of the brethren...
Oh? You mean like the pope, the magisterium, and *Holy Tradition* trumping the God-breathed, Holy Spirit inspired word of God?
Yeah, I have a problem with that as well, which is part of the reason I no longer identify as a Catholic.
Anyone who follows Paul to the exclusion of Jesus Christ is not Christian.
No argument there. But seeing as nobody is doing that, I don't see the point in bringing it up; it's certainly not relevant to the discussion.
Anyone who produces prose to the effect that disagreement with them equals disagreement with God has effectively lost the argument.
Is someone making that claim that you bring that red herring up?
Got an example? Hmmm?