[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you all so very much for sharing your testimony and insights!

Concerning certitude and Paul:

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called [me] by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. – Galatians 1:11-19

That anyone would hold Peter or Apollos or James over Paul – or Paul over them - is troubling per se. All of their testimony points to Christ. Indeed, all of Scripture points to Christ because the Holy Spirit points to Christ.

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. – I Cor 3:1-7

We should beware any religious authority, assembly or belief that seeks glory for itself.

As Dr. Eckleburg quoted it:

"But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." -- 2 Corinthians 10:17

To God be the glory!

[kosta50]

That anyone would hold Peter or Apollos or James over Paul – or Paul over them - is troubling per se

To the contrary. The two (and St. peter included with St. James) did not historically get along as well. Thye represented two divergent branches of Christianity.