There has been a new trend questioning the authenticity of the Apostle Paul.
How Do we know He is authentically an apostle?
The Bible is preserved
If The Bible is the work of God then it follows that God is responsible for preserving His word.
psalm 119:89
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."
So here we see the Old Testament stating that the word will be preserved forever in heaven. So there has to be a specific manuscript making up God's Word as opposed to an unknown series of experiences or messages.
psalm 12:The words of the Lord are pure words:
as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
7 Thou shalt keep them, O Lord,
thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever."
The mention of purity in the revelation implies the modern concept of inerrancy
Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God."
Isaiah 34:16:Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them."
The revelation of God is referred as a singular manscript. A "book"
1 peter 1:23 being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."
Here preservation of the world is earthly revelation giving us the Gospel and assuring us of the new birth. The so the Word is a singular manuscript for The christian churches.
matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
The Lord Jesus's words are not in doubt since the are preserved.
2 peter 1:20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
Inspiration is the work of God and not man. God did not make mistakes it is the way he wanted it.
Paul is historical
Critical scholars by and large agree as to the historical authenticity of the apostle Paul and Luke. The reason is that historians have come to realize that even works of fiction can convey real historical facts when motivated. The ancient poets of greek and roman society were by and large considered like prophets who gave their spiritualize interpretation of history. Thus you could extract historical data from them as a secondary source.
We can see this in Homer's Illiad.
"The historicity of the Iliad has been a topic of scholarly debate for centuries and forms one part of the Homeric Question. The Iliad recounts the Trojan War between the city of Troy and a coalition of Mycenaean Greek states, leading to the destruction of Troy. While researchers of the 18th century had largely rejected the story of the Trojan War as fable, the discoveries made by Heinrich Schliemann at Hisarlik reopened the question. The subsequent excavation of Troy VIIa and the discovery of the toponym "Wilusa" in cuneiform Hittite correspondence has made it plausible that the Trojan War cycle was at least remotely based on a historical conflict of the 12th century BC, even if the poems of Homer remembered the event only through the distortion of four centuries of oral tradition."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_the_Iliad
Luke's writings have been verified to be accurate in terms of archaeology..
"Sir william Ramsay is regarded as one of the greatest archaeologist ever to live. He was trained in the german historical school of the mid-nineteenth century. As a result he was taught that the book of acts was a product i the mid 2nd century a.d. He was firmly convoced of this belief and set out to prove this teaching. However he was compelled to a complete reversal of his beliefs due to the overwhelming evidence uncovered in his research. He spoje of this when he said 'I may fairly claim to have entered on this investigation wuthout prejudice in favor of the conclusion which I shall now seek to justify to the reader. on the contrary. I began with a mind un favorable to it, for the ingenuity and rks of fictionapparent completeness of Tubingen theory had at one time quite convinced me. It did not then lie in my line of life to investigate the subject minutely; but more recently found myself brought into contact with the book of acts as an authority of the topograhy, antiquities and society of Asia Minor. It was gradually borne upon me that in various details the arrative showed marvelous truth. In fact, beginning with the fixed idea that the work was essentially a second century composition, and ever relying on its evidence as atrustworthy for first century conditions, I gradually came to find it a useful ally in some obscure and difficult investigations.'"
ST. Paul the Travelor and the Roman Citizen Bakerhouse books 1962
Josh McDowell Evidence rhat Demands a Verdict pg 72-73
Paul and Luke were not geographers though. The only reason Paul and luke would have such accuracy is if they were truly there.
So if Paul was honest about his writings and accurate as well the documents at minimum are worthy source material.
As worthy source material, the evidence in acts and galatians confirming Paul's acceptance among the apostles was a valid recording.
Paul himself shows a clear rejections of fables
1 tim. 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."
1 timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
2 Tim. 4:4
and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Titus 1:14
not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
Why would he oppose fables if he was using them?
Paul is essential
Not only does paul write two thirds of the New testament but most of the NT is affected by him. Luke and Mark were disciples of his. Also the apostles seemed to have adjusted their later writings in light of revelation given to Paul.
Paul is the last apostle
1 corinthians 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time"
Acts 1:21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection."
Paul is claiming to be an apostle. but not as a brag. He considers himself lower than the others because he persecuted people for believing in Christ.
Paul is accepted by the apostles
2 peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. "
philemon 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Paul performed miracles"
Paul is mentioning Nark and luke the authors of two gospels as his associates.
Ephesians 3:1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:"
Paul's role is very unique in the sense That Paul's Apostleship was focused on the gentiles which, in fact, was the rest of the world. Even more powerful is the fact that this is true. Paul's writings reached the entire world. just as he said!
Paul's credentials
Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Acts 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."
philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
There were basic conditions for one to be considered a prophet. Besides the obvious show of miracles, one need to be an authentic Hebrew and Paul was an ultra superior example of Hebrew citizenship.
Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
here, Paul isdirectly speaking with Jesus Christ.
9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake."
Paul's vision is confirmed with a vision from Ananias
Paul had miraculous authenticity
Galatians 2:8 (for he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Paul was prophesied
mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
This inspired revelation is needed"
Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17 the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."
acts 21:37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people."
1 corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:"
Paul is universally accepted in christendom
The catholic church, EOC, evangelicals protestants, baptist, even many cults like jehovahs witnesses, Mormons and others all accept Paul in their canons. Even Marcion who rejected most of the NT accept the inspiration of paul!
If we had a lower view of scripture; it is natural for us to refer to church authority. Yet across the board traditions all agree as to the Prophetic marks and nature of Paul. There is more unity on this subject than even the trinity!
If the people of God are the pillar and ground of truth that Paul is a legitamite apostle.
Heresy is demonic in nature
1 timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; "
2Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
So the concern of orthodoxy is here tied into spiritual warfare. So if Paul is both concerned with honesty and spiritual warfare then he must be an indivdual in his mind seeking the things of christ.
Also when we see the wide variety of cults popping up in the last 300 years we see that this is fufilled bible prophecy.
