"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." (Romans 1:1 RSV)
OK, sure.
I will say that Paul's words are the hardest to believe.
In moments of doubt I can envision a clever and brilliant man, working for the Roman authorities who, I hope, was contacted by God and then created the modern church. I hope he has not led the world astray.
I say this not to damage the Church(as if I could), but because I believe the worst in people sometimes, and it is easier to have faith in God than in man.
Don't you think the creator of the Universe can handle his own publishing? Is that so hard to grasp?
Paul is not the only person who asserts this. Luke also claims in Acts that Paul was called by Jesus personally.
I will say that Paul's words are the hardest to believe.
How so? Why are words of Paul more deserving of disbelief than the words of Revelation?
In moments of doubt I can envision a clever and brilliant man, working for the Roman authorities who, I hope, was contacted by God and then created the modern church.
If he was working for the Roman authorities, why would he be imprisoned and almost beaten to death by the Roman authorities?
I hope he has not led the world astray.
What he wrote is Scripture. Saying that Paul led the world astray is functionally equivalent to saying that God actively deceives us.
I say this not to damage the Church(as if I could), but because I believe the worst in people sometimes, and it is easier to have faith in God than in man.
I agree. Therefore I believe the Word of God and what the Word of God says about His servant Paul.