My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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Galatians 2:19-20 … To be crucified with Christ<br />
(05/02/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but the Spirit of<br />
Christ who lives through me.” ~ Paul (Galatians 2:19-20)<br />
Oh, if only this were true – if only this were more than mere hollow words<br />
from one of Christianity‟s very first false prophets. For if this verse were indeed<br />
true – if Paul had truly been a vessel for “the Spirit of Christ”, then the fruit of that<br />
tree would be a Christian church and a Christian priesthood and a Christian dogma<br />
verrrrrry different (far more accepting, far more humble, and far more compassionate)<br />
then the ones we see <strong>to</strong>day … And yet a “false prophet” is quite exactly what Paul<br />
is & was – indeed, he is of the same bent as the “false teacher” of whom Jesus<br />
himself warned us (see Matthew 15:13-14, Mark 7:6-8, Luke 12:1 in conjunction with<br />
Acts 23:6, Acts 26:5, Galatians 1:14 & Philippians 3:4-5, see John 5:43 in conjunction<br />
with Acts 13:9, & see Matthew 24:26 in conjunction with Acts 9 & Galatians 1:11-12) …<br />
Please consider the following biblical facts that support this contention:<br />
*Where Paul thinks being “crucified with Christ” means <strong>to</strong> worship Jesus as<br />
a divine being (see Romans 1:4, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 5:18, Romans 10:9 et al),<br />
Jesus himself begged us all not <strong>to</strong> do so (see Mark 10:18, John 5:41, John 7:16, John<br />
8:50-54, John 12:44 et al) and encouraged us <strong>to</strong> follow his Way of Love instead<br />
(see Matthew 7:21-24, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 24:12-14, John 13:15-<br />
<strong>17</strong> et al) … *And where Paul claims <strong>to</strong> have sacrificed himself <strong>to</strong> “the Spirit of<br />
Christ”, his obvious arrogance and flagrant self-interest betrays the opposing<br />
reality (see Acts 20:26, Romans 11:13-14, 1 Corinthians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 12:2, 2<br />
Corinthians 9:10-11, 2 Corinthians 10:<strong>17</strong>-18, Galatians 1:7, Galatians 6:10-<strong>17</strong>,<br />
Philippians 2:15, Philippians 3:<strong>17</strong> et al)<br />
… *And where Paul claims the “the<br />
Spirit of Christ” is living through him,<br />
his actions show that this is indeed not<br />
the case (see Acts 16:37-39, Acts 22:25-<br />
29, Acts 23:1-10, Acts 24:10-20, Acts<br />
25:8-12, Romans 15:27, 1 Corinthians<br />
9:4-14, Galatians 6:6 et al) and his<br />
teachings reflect exactly the opposite<br />
(see 1 Corinthians 15:1-14 in contrast with<br />
Matthew 10:7 & Matthew 24:12-14 -- also<br />
Romans 8:18 & 1 Corinthians 15:23-28 et<br />
al in contrast with Matthew 22:32, Luke<br />
<strong>17</strong>:20-21 & John 5:25 et al).<br />
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