How much of Jesus' teachings did Paul personally witness?

[JimG]

He eventually went to Jerusalem…three years after his conversion and spoke to only James and Peter…there seemed to be some tension between his teaching the Gentiles and their ministry at this time to the Jews. Christianity eventually conformed to Pauline understanding as the dominant view after the fall of Jerusalem.

Yes, I think that there was some tension, due to the existence of some Christians who can be referred to as “Judaizers” who insisted that one must first become Jewish in order to become Christian. It’s also noteworthy that in the very early days after the resurrection, Christian disciples continued to go to synagogue and Temple for prayers. But that was pretty much settled for them when the Jewish authorities kicked them out and said that they were no longer welcome. The Council of Jerusalem resolved the matter for those Gentiles that Paul was converting.

 

[Reuben_J]

Hmmmmmm. I think Paul claims that he was taught by direct revelation and that he received his teaching from the Lord…not any of the apostles.

Paul was an apostle by direct divine revelation unlike those who were appointed by Jesus physically. This is my speculation, but being an apostle in this manner, he would certainly receive divine inspiration much more than the other apostles, otherwise where else was his wisdom coming from?

In any case, he certainly was an apprentice of the more senior members of the early Christians. In Acts 11:25-26, Barnabas sent by the church in Jerusalem to Antioch, went to Tarsus to fetch him and they stayed together for one year to instruct the people of Antioch, where they made many converts who would be known as Christians for the first time. Surely the time spent together here was very useful for him to learn from Barnabas and to confirm his own revelation.

Noted with Jesus, that one is never too late and still receives the same portion of pay (refer the parable of the workers of the vineyard). Saul of Tarsus later became Paul, a great Christian evangelist to the Gentiles.

 

[Thorwald]

Agreed. And the moment the Catholic Church teaches anything contrary to sacred scripture is the day I will leave it.

A Christian organization/church body, can have the most righteous written doctrines that are possible. It is the teachings of ‘members’ within these organizations/bodies, that are often in question, more so, at times, than the doctrines themselves. Many of the so-called Christian doctrines, however, within different ‘bodies’ can easily be seen at times, to be against the Word of God. The world as we are living in today, has so many different ‘Christian bodies’, that it is often difficult for a newly saved person to discern which faith/doctrines to believe in and follow. This is very, very sad. The ungodly acts of specific ministers/teachers, has not helped the situation. These ‘acts’ are not found to have polluted just one Christian faith, but have in fact ‘defiled’ many. Fortunately, God gave us His Word, so that we can judge what we see and hear, against His Word.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

Hmmmmmm. I think Paul claims that he was taught by direct revelation and that he received his teaching from the Lord…not any of the apostles.

I agree, Paul speaks several times of mystical experiences of direct contact with the risen Lord. It is not believed that he ever met or saw Jesus prior to these post-resurrection experiences.