Our Doctrine Comes From Paul's Inspired Writings Let's not be ignorant of Paul's writings, but study them and apply them to your lives and walk worthy of our Lord.

I came across this article written by Matthew McGee, and I just had to share the second half of it (shaded in gray below) here on my blog, since I agree passionately with the point he raises.

It is sad to say that too many people in our churches today are not aware that the content of Paul's epistles are written directly to them today, and are crucial for their edification and encouragement. People either think that Paul is a second rate apostle and dismiss his writings, or they set Paul's writings aside because they think it is of less importance than the red letter teachings of Jesus Christ. Little do they know that literally ALL of Paul's writings might as well be in red letters too, since He received it all directly from the risen and glorified Christ.

The important thing to realize is that the 3-years of Jesus earthly ministry was specific to the Jews. Galatians 4:4-5 reads, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Jesus was born into the world as a Jew, to save the Jews! Jesus' focus was NOT of Gentiles at this point! Why? Because this was the current plan of God based on the covenant He made with Abraham; ---that through the Jews all the nations of the world shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3). God had to save the Jews first, so that they could be His vehicle of blessing to the Gentiles. So, if Jesus had to focus his attention on the Gentiles during his earthly ministry, He would actually be in breech of God's covenant to Abraham. This is why you will find almost no interaction between Jesus and Gentiles during his earthly ministry. His is also why Jesus says the following,

Matt 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 

A few chapters later Jesus encounters a Gentile woman pleading Him to heal her daughter. Again Jesus says, (paraphrasing) ... "I am not sent at this time to minister to Gentiles", and, "I cannot take the bread (blessings) that belong to the children (Jews) at this time, and give it to the dogs (Gentiles)". (Yes, Gentiles were loosely called 'dogs' in that time since Jews saw them as defiled, lawless and godless idol worshippers.)

Matt 15:24-26 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 

So, the point of this post (inspired by Matthews article), is to draw your attention to the fact that there is VERY little in the Old Testament, the four Gospels, and the last 9 Jewish Epistles that is address to and written to us [Gentiles]. Of course we can glean important information from these books for our learning, but when it comes to our gospel and our doctrine (instructions and principles that directs our lives and lifestyles today), it is ALL contained in the writings of Paul, Romans to Philemon. If you dismiss Paul's writings, you are dismissing and resisting the very instructions that Jesus Christ Himself gave to the church today.

I leave you with this scripture written by Paul, the [one] apostle to the church, the Body of Christ (Rom.11:13),

1 Cor.14:37-38 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 

Lets not be ignorant of Paul's writings, but study them and apply them to your lives and walk worthy of our Lord, (Col.1:9-10).

Referenced article written by Matthew McGee

I once heard a very good Bible teacher say "Have you ever noticed how Paul hardly ever mentions Christ's earthly ministry? He focuses on the ascended Lord." So, while I was reading Romans through Hebrews, I also made a list of verses that made reference to Jesus Christ prior to the cross.

Only three specific events that occur between the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ are mentioned. Note that all three of these relate directly to His death, and all occur within 24 hours of it:

1. His betrayal. (1 Corinthians 11:23)
2. The Lord's supper. (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
3. His appearance before Pilate. (1 Timothy 6:13)

Two other general characteristics of His earthly ministry were also mentioned.

1. He pleased not Himself. (Romans 15:3)
2. He was tempted. (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus Christ being tempted could also be considered a specific event referring to Satan's visit after the 40 days in the wilderness.

I also found some verses dealing with the lineage of Jesus Christ or with Old Testament types. While these are not events of Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, I have listed them here because they occurred prior to the cross:

1. He was of the seed of David according to the flesh. (Romans 1:3)
2. He came as a Jew. (Romans 9:5)
3. The Deliverer would come out of Zion. (Romans 11:26)
4. He was the Rock. (1 Corinthians 10:4)
5. He was of the seed of David. (2 Timothy 2:8)
6. He was of the tribe of Judah. (Hebrews 7:14)

Questions

Where are all the healings, miracles, parables, and sermons of Christ's earthly ministry? Why does Paul not write more about them? 

Paul writes,

2 Corinthians 5:15-16 that Christ "... died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more."

Therefore, Paul's epistles center around our ascended Lord Jesus Christ (and not the earthly ministry of Jesus which was specific to the Jews).

Important Conclusion

Unfortunately most pastors and teachers spend almost all of their time teaching Christ's earthly ministry from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with only infrequent study of Paul's epistles. 

1. We must realize that Paul is "... the Apostle to the Gentiles ..." (Romans 11:13) and "... the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles ..." (Romans 15:16), 
   
   
2. We must realize that his message was given to him by revelation from our risen Lord Jesus Christ and specifically for the Church, the Body of Christ (Galatians 1:11-12). All scripture is given for our learning, and there is much to be learned from all of God's Word. However, Paul is our apostle, whether we are Jew or Gentile, and to neglect the epistles of Paul is to neglect God's teaching for us in this present dispensation of grace.