THE INSPIRATION AND AUTHORITY OF THE APOSTLE PAUL
by
Keith Hunt
Saints in Christ, do you LOVE the truth of the Bible? Do
you "hunger and thirst after righteousness"? Are you willing to
be "corrected" by the word of truth? Are you willing to put
aside your ideas, your "pet theories" your "sacred cows" your
"prejudices" and dig deep, searching the scriptures for the whole
truth and nothing but the truth? Oh, I do hope so brethren, I do
hope so.
If you can answer YES to the above questions then I believe
you will rejoice with what you will see coming. Please refrain
from jumping to any beliefs you think I have UNTIL the very end,
for the complete picture will not come till it is over, for as
the popular sports saying of today goes: "It's not over till it's
over."
The subject is 1 Corinthian 7:17 and the words: ".....And so
ordain I in all churches." Just what was the "authority" of
Paul? How much did he have in the churches of God?
The big question is this word "ordain." Let's begin.
The first Greek scholar I quote, is Jay P.Green. From his
"Interlinear Bible" we read: ".....And so in the churches all I
COMMAND."
The second Greek scholar I quote is George Ricker Berry,
from his "Interlinear Greek - English New Testament." He
translates: "....and thus in the assemblies all I ORDER."
The Greek scholar Ferrar Fenton(who studied Hebrew and Greek
for 50 years before he was willing to translate the Bible)
renders this as: "....I ORDER the same in all the assemblies."
The GROUP of Greek scholars that wrote the Amplified Bible
render this as: ".....This is my ORDER in all the churches."
The Lamsa Bible(from Ancient Eastern Manuscripts) translates
as: "....And this I COMMAND also for all the churches."
The Greek scholars of the "New Century Version"(also called
The Everyday Bible) rendered the Greek as: ".....This is a RULE I
MAKE in all the churches."
J.B. Phillips was a Greek scholar, in his "The New Testament
in Modern English" he translated it this way: ".....This is the
RULE I LAY DOWN in all the churches."
The Greek word rendered as "ordain" in the KJV is
DIATASSOMAI or DIATASSOO. It is TASSO(used by itself in
Mat.28:16; Luke 7:8; Acts 13:48;15:2;22:10;28:23; Rom.13:1; 1
Cor.16:15. That's every place it is used, see Englishman's Greek
Con.page 720), together with DIA. We'll see what that's all
about later.
The ANALYTICAL GREEK LEXICON (1977/78 edition) says on this
word: "....to arrange, make a precise arrangement; to prescribe;
to direct; to charge; to command; to ordain....."
Now on to the Greek scholar VINE. From his "Vine's
Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words"
page 34, under "appoint" number 6, we read:
"diatassoo....1299(Strong's), a STRENGTHENED FORM of No.5(dia,
'through,' intensive), frequently denoted 'to arrange, appoint,
prescribe,' ..........See COMMAND, No.1, ORDAIN, ORDER."
You can see what he says about those words as from the same
Greek on pages, 111/112; 450;
This word "diatassoo" is used ONLY 16 TIMES in the NT. Here
is every place it is found: Mat.11:1; Luke 3:13; 8:55; 17:9,10;
Acts 7:44; 18:2; 20:13; 23:31; 24:23; 1 Cor.7:17; 9:14; 11:34;
16:1; Gal.3:19; Titus 1:5 (Englishman's Greek Con.page 148).
Now start to look at them.
Mat.11:1.
Jesus did not "suggest" - He did not "I would appreciate it
if you would desire to do." Jesus COMMANDED(Greek Interlinear by
Berry and Green). Jesus gave ORDER, set down the RULE to His
disciples. Putting it in the best kindest English, Jesus laid
down the specific rules He expected His followers to specifically
obey.
Luke 3:13.
Publicans or Tax collectors were to collect taxes as they
were COMMANDED(Greek Interlinear by Green) to by the requirements
of the rules, orders, of the Government.
Luke 8:55.
Jesus ORDERED(Greek Inter. by Green), DIRECTED(Greek Inter.
by Berry), He did not "well if you think you would like to" or
"if you are so inclined, give her some food."
Oh, I'm sure Jesus was polite and loving, but the fact is He
still specifically gave out a STRONG "this do" not a "maybe
suggestion."
Luke 17:9,10.
The word is translated COMMANDED in both places by Green and
Berry in their Greek Interlinears. A servant is hired and
employed by his master to follow ORDERS, RULES, COMMANDS, not "do
his own thing" or "follow the command if he thinks he will."
We as Christians(verse 10) are COMMANDED to obey certain orders,
rules, commandments(Mat.19 concerning entering into eternal
life). This word "diatassoo" is a POWERFUL strong word, not a
word used for "suggest" or the like.
Acts 7:44.
God COMMANDED(Greek Inter. by Green and Berry) Moses to
build the tabernacles. He did not "It would be nice for you to
consider this."
Acts 18:2.
Claudius had ORDERED(Greek Inter. by Berry and Green),
COMMANDED(KJV), the Jews to depart. It was not just a
"suggestion" by him, and he had some authority(the Roman army) to
back it up.
Acts 20:13.
Green translates "having been arranged." Berry as the KJV
"appointed." Now with what we have seen so far about this Greek
word, do you suppose this "arrangement" or "appointment" was
without specific laid down order, just "well if you feel it good
in your heart to do" attitude? If it was then Paul could have
missed the boat, it was laid down as an arrangement for him to
board that ship.
Acts 23:31.
Berry translates as ORDERS, Green as "appointed," the
scholars of the KJV render it COMMANDED. Soldiers are trained to
follow ORDERS, specifics given to them as laid down in
commandments, not "do this if you fancy doing it."
Acts 24:23.
Green and Berry give ORDERED in their Interlinears. The KJV
scholars, COMMANDED. Felix did not give "suggestions" to the
centurion. He laid down the rules and the specific orders for
the centurion to specifically obey.
1 Cor.9:14.
Berry renders it as "did order." Looking at the verse 13,
did God "suggest" the ones doing the service of the holy things
partake of the altar, or did He not ORDER, COMMAND, lay the rule
down, that they should? Paul uses this set rule, this
commandment of the Lord as proof that servants of God in the NT
age can "live off the gospel." They can be supported by the
physical food and the like from those they preach and teach the
gospel to. But Paul in the situation with the people at Corinth
voluntarily chose not to exercise this commandment of the Lord.
1 Cor.11:34.
Green and Berry stay with the KJV here - "set in order."
Look at what Paul had just instructed them on, how to observe the
Passover service. No small "well if you are so inclined to do"
but some very specific rules laid down as received "of the Lord"
which he had previously given them(verse 23). Now with what we
see about this word "diatassoo" and how it is used so far in the
NT, do you suppose when Paul came to them he was going to bring
"ideas to follow if they were so inclined" or "it may be nice to
do this if you are so led"?
1 Cor.16:1.
Berry gives "directed" while Green is "charged." The KJV
scholars "order." Again, with how this word is used in the
powerful strong majority of cases seen, do you think
Paul was NOT laying down specific rules, orders, directives, for
them to obey, but only wishy-washy suggestions? He goes on to
lay it out quite specifically. There was to be "no gathering when
I come" so they were to lay things up in store before he arrived.
I see that as a specific rule or order or directive by Paul for
them to obey.
Gal.3:19.
Berry and Green both stay with the KJV here. This is perhaps
the most hard to understand verse where this Greek word is used.
I will recommend you use BARNES' NOTE ON THE NT (Bible
commentary) to get the truth on this whole section of Galatians.
Yet the Greek word as used in the NT shows this was not a "wish"
or "suggestion" by the angels, a "take it or leave it as you
please" attitude.
Titus 1:5.
Berry and Green translate as "ordered." Did Paul go on to
lay down specifics to Titus? Oh, you bet he did. No "do as you
wish, think up your own rules on this matter." Paul was very
specific as to laying down rules of qualifications for
elders/overseers. How this word is used in the NT makes it clear
Paul was speaking with some authority.
The honest researcher of this word "diatassoo" looking at all the
evidence as presented in the 16 places where this word is used in
the NT, the context used in, can only come to the obvious
conclusion, unless some "sacred cow" idea is to be held on to
regardless of the plain truth of the facts.
We should now be able to correctly understand 1 Cor.7:17. Berry
tenders it as "order" while Green gives "command." Paul was
inspired of the Lord to set down rules, order, commandments,
governing that which Paul addressed. It was holy scripture that
he was writing.
LOOK AT PAUL
He was brought to repentance and conversion by Jesus Christ
PERSONALLY! (Acts 9). Jesus personally talked to Him! Who since
the death of the apostle John CAN CLAIM THAT? Tell me if you can!
Paul was taught by Jesus PERSONALLY! (Gal.1). Who since the death
of John the apostle CAN CLAIM THAT? Tell me and prove it to me
if you can! It was told to another person HOW Paul would be used
by the Lord (Acts 9:15). Other prophets and teachers in the
church were told Paul and Barnabas were chosen to be sent, to be
apostles(ones sent forth) - Acts 13:1-3. Paul was used to RAISE
UP many churches. God wrought "special miracles by the hands of
Paul" (Acts 19:11). It is not recorded that anyone else could do
that particular miracle as mentioned in Acts 19:12. Paul could
speak in "tongues" (1 Cor.14:18). Paul was caught up to the
third heaven once (2 Cor.12:1-7). Paul was used and inspired by
the Lord to write pure none contradictory God breathed SCRIPTURE
(2 Peter 3:15,16).
ALL THIS AND MORE was in ONE man!! Who since the death of the
apostle John CAN CLAIM SUCH A THING? Tell me if you can. You
think you have someones name, I will show you a liar and a hot
air balloon.
Paul KNEW his position with God, knew how he had been called and
chosen for the work, knew how Jesus had personally trained him.
He knew that the things he wrote were the scriptures and
teachings and commandments of the Lord (1 Cor.14:37). Who since
the apostle John can CLAIM SUCH A THING? Tell me and I will show
you a fraud and false prophet! Paul was used in a unique way
for many things by the Eternal. And with all that special power,
gifts, and grace shown and given to him, he was HUMBLE and taught
people to not think of themselves above what they aught, to look
on others as better than themselves. WHAT A MAN! He was inspired
to tell us he was also a sinner (Rom.7) as we are - without God,
he was just wretched.
Put yourself back in time as living when Paul was living. You see
and hear all God was doing through him - MIGHTY WORKS! MIRACLES!
PREACHING AND TEACHING LIKE NO OTHER! How would you "respect"
Paul? Proving yes, that what he taught was correct (as the
Bereans did - Acts 17), but then after that fact, knowing WITHOUT
A DOUBT he was one mighty instrument in God's hands, HOW WOULD
YOU RESPECT PAUL? Would you believe he DID HAVE some authority
to lay down rules, directives, orders, commandments, from God to
the churches? Well the truth of the matter is brethren, Paul sure
felt he did and MANY churches of God believed he did also, as
well as the true Elders of the Lord, Peter, Timothy, Titus, being
a few of them.
It is time to see the PLAIN TRUTH about Paul, to acknowledge HOW
God used him, and the AUTHORITY and INSPIRATION he had in the
work of the Lord among the churches of God while he lived.
NOW AS FOR TODAY
Did Paul teach church "hierarchy"? Did Paul preach church
"hierarchy"? Did he teach a system of church government as many
were exposed to under the Worldwide Church of God? NO! NO! NO!
Not on your life, as they say. Paul was taught personally by
Christ. And Jesus taught ANYTHING BUT an hierarchical church
system to be employed by his disciples(see Luke 22:24-27). I have
written page after page proving this to be so.
There was NO HIERARCHY in the NT apostolic church of God. And
Paul would have been one of the FIRST to denounce such a teaching
as HERESY and false doctrine.
Now understand this, get this correct, never let anyone tell you
different about what I teach. NO ONE BUT NO ONE SINCE THE DEATH
OF THE APOSTLE JOHN CAN LAY DOWN RULES, ORDERS, COMMANDMENTS FOR
THE CHURCHES OF GOD(as Paul did). NO SCRIPTURE IS BEING WRITTEN
TODAY BY MEN, NO SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN WRITTEN BY ANY MAN SINCE THE
DEATH OF JOHN!
That time is OVER! All any minister today can do is PREACH THE
WORD already written, as best he understands it, growing in grace
and knowledge. He can give his judgment on matters which do not
have a "thus saith the Lord" only to the best of his knowledge
and ability. That's why Paul was inspired to write for all time:
"Prove all thing, hold fast to that which is good." He knew
AFTER the scriptures of the NT were written that NO MAN would be
used like he was to write God breathed scripture.
NO MAN TODAY is anywhere CLOSE to being an apostle Paul, or being
used in the way Paul was used by God, any man claiming he is, is
a clown of immense proportions.
Will there ever be someone like an apostle Paul before Jesus
returns? Well yes, there will be. In fact there will be TWO such
persons. During the last three and one half years of this age,
God will send two witnesses to do His work. They will be in the
city of Jerusalem. They will be able to perform MIRACLES with
mighty power. They will preach the absolute pure truth of God's
word. They will KNOW they are from God, and that the Lord is with
them as He was with Paul, and Peter, and John. THERE WILL BE NO
QUESTION ABOUT IT!! Such will be THEIR authority in the church
of God. None until then can claim that authority.
IF YOU ARE LIVING DURING THOSE DAYS OF THE WORK OF GOD'S TWO
WITNESSES, AND THEY SHOULD GIVE, LAY DOWN DIRECTIVES, ORDERS,
RULES, COMMANDMENTS, FOR THE CHURCHES OF GOD, FOR THE PEOPLE OF
GOD TO FOLLOW............WOULD YOU OBEY?
AAAAHHHH! Now do we understand 1 Cor.7:17?
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