1 Tim
2:5-7 (ESV) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all,
which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was
appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a
teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
NOTE: Apparently,
some had challenged Paul's claim of apostleship, for it seems unusual for him
to point out, quite dramatically, that he is not lying. Paul didn't grow into
the position of apostle, but he was appointed an apostle. He was also appointed
a preacher. The Greek word for preacher means herald or crier, a proclaimer.
Paul was appointed to proclaim the good news to Gentiles--it was an appointed
task. He also carries the authority of an Apostle. Ultimately, Paul would write
the majority of NT instruction. It's sad, there are always those who want to
attack another or prove others wrong on some point. I'm not saying we should
accept something either, just because another says it. But when the point is
not known one way or another, why argue? Paul had a good argument for his
conversion, and there were multiple eyewitnesses. It happened in public and not
private, yet people still challenged him. Today, we do have the word of God
(complete) to challenge claims. Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses makes claims of
exclusivity but lack eyewitnesses to the events. Additionally, their teaching
is not in accordance with the word of God, which came from truly appointed men,
like Paul. On these points we can disagree, but where there is no evidence,
those things probably should not be argued.
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