The Word or the Term "Gospel" in the Letters of Paul: Part V: 1 - Paul and the Word of the Lord 2 - Paul and the Holy Spirit 3 - Paul and the Revelation 4 - Paul and the Old Testament 5 - Paul and the Words of Jesus 6 - Paul and the Four Gospels 7 - Paul and his letters

Chapter II

The Word or the Term Gospel in the New Testament

The contradictions, discrepancies and differences between the principles and concepts of the Gospels and the principles and concepts of the Old Testament, as is shown in the previous chapter, are insufficient and not enough alone to prove that it's a new religion, unrelated with the religion of the prophets of the children of Israel, and were not written by the revelation or inspiration of the Holy Spirit, from the point of view of the churches. The Gospels authors and the rest of the New Testament authors, especially Paul, who was fully aware these contradictions, discrepancies and differences, or more precisely, he who has founded them, for this he sought in his letters to  justify these contradictions, discrepancies and differences, as shown previously, and considered that this issue is not because of difference sources, but the principles and the concepts of his beliefs have been hidden from all of the former prophets, and has been revealed to him and his followers! As in the following texts:

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

1 Corinthians 2:8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Ephesians 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles —

Ephesians 3:2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,

Ephesians 3:3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,

Ephesians 3:4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),

Ephesians 3:5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

Ephesians 3:6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

Ephesians 3:7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Ephesians 3:9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 3:10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 3:11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began

Romans 16:26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith —

In these texts Paul says that the principles and concepts which based on worshiping three gods, who incarnated in the flesh, or at least one of them, according to the faith of every church of the various churches, and they had been flogged, and mocked and spat on them, and crucified and died; was a secret hidden from all Prophets, and that this mystery has not been revealed to anyone else, but only to him and the saints!

This is true in this sense only, because there is no one of the former prophets had spoken about such as this perception about the LORD the Creator of the heavens and the earth, but what is the reality of this mystery which Paul had spoken about?

The reality of this mystery can be recognized by comparing it with the other mysteries which Paul had told to his followers, as in the following text:

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed —

In this text Paul reveals another mystery, which was not known by anyone else before him, and has not been seen by anyone else after him, which is that he and his followers would not pass away until the next coming of Jesus, which is what he says more clearly in the following text:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Yet, unfortunately, the history has shown that this mystery was not true, and he and his followers had fallen asleep, and after them dozens of generations, thus, the failure to achieve this mystery shows that the first mystery is not true, and is not from the Revelation or by the Word of the Lord, because if it was from the Revelation or by the Word of the Lord; it should not contradicts the texts of the revelation in the Old Testament that confirms the greatest fact in the cosmos; which is the Oneness of the LORD the Creator, and worship Him alone, and the lack of the true gods with Him or beside Him, and with the clarity of this fact, but I will mention text from the Old Testament refutes all the words of Paul and the others that the Lord the Creator of the heavens and the earth hid some secrets from the former prophets, which is as follows:

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

The Lord the Creator does not say any word unless it is a clear; and reveals His secret to the prophets, especially His Oneness, and the lack of the true gods with Him or beside Him, who participated with Him in creating the heavens and earth, or deserve to be worshiped with Him or beside Him, thus, this text invalidates all the words of Paul and the others about hiding the mystery of the Trinity.

The insistence of the New Testament authors and the churches considering that the New Testament and their beliefs are an extension of the Old Testament and its principles and concepts, requires us to examine the Gospels in the New Testament objectively and subjectively, i.e., study the meaning of the word Gospel, and the places mentioned therein, and the purpose of writing the Gospels, and the methods and ways of writing, and the lost Gospels which are mentioned in the Letters of the New Testament. As well as study the texts of the Gospels which were quoted from the Old Testament. This will give us a clear idea of the reality of the Gospels, and if they had been written by the revelation or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit or not, and the sources that were relied on to write the Gospels.

The Word or the Term "Gospel" in the Letters of the New Testament

The Letters of the New Testament are a collection of letters talking about the disciples after Jesus ascension into heaven, whether by talking about their lives and their activities as the letter Acts of the Apostles and some of Paul's letters, or by trying to resolve the practical and theological problems which they have faced at that time, such as a warning of the differences that were taking place among the disciples and the followers, or to prove that Jesus is the Christ, and he who was intended in the prophecies of the Old Testament, or to prove that the Law no longer binding them, not only the circumcision, or the Sabbath but even the rest of the laws, and other issues that summoned the research and debate at that time, and the last letter is the book of Revelation, which is talking about the signs of the End of Time, and the end of life on Earth.

These letters will be significantly helpful in our search for the true meaning of word "gospel", because they talk about how the disciples' preaching was, and the sources which they had relied upon.

The Word or the Term "Gospel" in the Letters of Paul

Paul the Apostle is the most important figure in the Christianity faith, he who established its principles and concepts, and defended it, as it appears in the Acts of the Apostles and his letters, which are considered part of the New Testament, which are fourteen letters, so, how did Paul preach?

Did he preach through the four Gospels or through his own gospel?

And if he had preached through his own Gospel; what are the sources of this Gospel?

And if he has his own Gospel, what is his position on it, and what is the position of the churches on his Gospel?

Finally, are there other Gospels except the four Gospels and the Gospel of Paul, and what is his position on them?

These questions and others will be answered through studying the word "gospel" in Paul's Letters, and due to its importance and numerous texts, will be divided into several sections, the first is the texts that talk about the Gospel of God, the second is the texts that talk about the Gospel of Christ, the third is the texts that talk about the Gospel of Paul himself, the fourth is the Position of Paul on his Gospel, the Position of Paul on those who have hid his Gospel, the Position of the Churches on the Gospel of Paul and the Lost Gospels in Paul's Letters, the fifth is Paul and the Word of the Lord, Paul and the Holy Spirit, Paul and the Revelation and Paul and the Old Testament, the sixth is Paul and the words of Jesus, Paul and the Four Gospels and Paul and his letters, below is a review to them.

Part V:

1 - Paul and the Word of the Lord

2 - Paul and the Holy Spirit

3 - Paul and the Revelation

4 - Paul and the Old Testament

5 - Paul and the Words of Jesus

6 - Paul and the Four Gospels

7 - Paul and his letters

Paul and the Word of the Lord

The Old Testament filled with the texts that are attributed to the Lord the Creator of the heavens and the earth, which is called the Word of the Lord in which we read that the Lord the Creator of heavens and earth had spoken with the prophets, especially with Moses, so what about Paul, did the Lord speak with him, or did he receive the word of the Lord, whether directly or through the Revelation or the Spirit, and What did he mean of the Word of the Lord in his letters?

1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

In this text Paul says that what he has written in his letters is the commandments of the Lord!

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.

New International Version

1 Thessalonians 2:13 Because when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

In this text Paul says that what he preaches is the Word of God, and not the word of men, so what is the reality of the word of God which was preached by Paul, and the commandments of the Lord that was written by him?

Let's read the following text:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

In this text Paul says that he would not die and the others with him until the Lord Jesus himself descends from heaven, and shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air, and says that he said this by the Word of the Lord!

It is well-known that Paul has died and those who with him, and they have not been caught up together in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air, and dozens of generations have passed away after them, and Jesus did not descend from heaven yet!

So, if what he has said and written is the word of the Lord, it should be achieved as the promises of the prophets in the Old Testament have been achieved.

Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

Act 13:47 "For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth’."

In this text Paul says that what he was talking about is the word of the God, but he did not say that he has received these words directly, and rather than that he quoted text from the Old Testament, which is what he had done during his preaching, as well as in his letters. And this text was written in the Old Testament before him hundreds of years; yet no one of the former prophets has understood this meaning from it, as Paul understood, in spite of this, they did not turn to the Gentiles, which means that Paul has used term 'the word of the Lord' to refer to the texts of the Old Testament and his understanding and interpretation of them, and not intended that he had received words from the Lord directly, as was the case with the Prophets of Israel!

Paul and the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment — and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

In this text Paul says that he thinks that he has the Spirit of God, so what he meant by the spirit of God that mentioned here?

Let's read the following text:

Hebrews 10:15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,

Hebrews 10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"

Hebrews 10:17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

In this text Paul, or the author of this Letter, shows clearly the meaning of the spirit of God who he thought that he has it, by saying that the Holy Spirit witnesses to him. So how did the Holy Spirit witness to him?

Paul did not talk about the appearance of the Holy Spirit to him, or that he has received revelation through the Holy Spirit, but quoted text from the Old Testament and said that the Holy Spirit also witnesses to him!

This is a clear evidence of the meaning of the term 'the Holy Spirit' that mentioned by Paul and the rest of the New Testament authors  and the churches, which is the texts of the Old Testament that have been quoted by them, and their Interpretation.

Despite this clear text that shows the true meaning of the Holy Spirit, let's agree with Paul concerning his thinking that he has the Spirit of God, who was with the Prophets of Israel, and ask why the churches did not keep the Gospel which was preached by Paul; while they kept the four Gospels which none of their authors said that they have the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God, or have written through it?!

This confirms that he didn't have the Spirit of God which was with the Prophets of Israel, especially that he has violated all the principles and concepts of the Old Testament, and the most important is his saying about the multiplicity of gods and his calling to worship three gods, as is shown previously.

Moreover, the lack of fulfillment of his prophecies which have been announced by him, as in the previous text in which he declared that he would not die until the second coming of Jesus. So, if what he said about that he has the Spirit of God is true; his prophecies should be accomplished and be fulfilled.

Paul and the Revelation

We have read previously in some texts the saying of Paul that he has received his gospel through the revelation, including the following text:

Galatians 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

Galatians 1:12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

New International Version

- I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:11-12)

Nevertheless, the churches did not keep this Gospel, which indicates one of two things, either that he did not tell the truth about that he had received the revelation, especially that he violated the principles and concepts of the Old Testament, as shown previously, or that he had received revelation, but the churches did not comply it, and did not keep his Gospel, which indicates that their preaching is not the same preaching of Paul!

Paul and the Old Testament

One of the most astonishing and surprising and striking things, and reveals the truth of the revelation and the word of the Lord and the Spirit of the God, which Paul has mentioned in his letters, is his relationship with the Old Testament, despite all the criticisms made by him against it, and violated all principles and concepts and Commandments, as shown previously, including the following texts:

Galatians 2:15 "We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,

Galatians 2:16 "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

New International Version

- We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:15-16)

Galatians 2:21 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

King James Version

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

New International Version

Galatians 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!.

Hebrews 7:18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

Hebrews 7:19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

Ephesians 2:15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.

King James Version

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace.

New International Version

Ephesians 2:15 By abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.

Galatians 5:2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

Galatians 5:3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Galatians 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Romans 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

King James Version

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Despite all these texts, and others, he only had relied in his preaching on what is written in the Old Testament to demonstrate what he believes, for this he has quoted hundreds of texts from the Old Testament in his Letters, while he did write down stories or sayings which consistent with the four Gospels only a few texts! And he said that he says no other things than those which the prophets and Moses had said, as in the following text:

Act 26:22 "Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come.

And he recommended Timothy to give attention to reading and learning the Old Testament, for it is able to make him wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, and to prove that Jesus is the Christ! As in the following texts:

2 Timothy 3:14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 

2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

2 Timothy 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

In this text Paul says that the Old Testament books are able to attain the salvation for the human through faith which is in Christ Jesus, in spite of what he has mentioned about it previously!

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

King James Version

1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

New International Version

1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

In this text Paul asked Timothy to devote himself to the public reading from the Old Testament, to preaching and teaching!

Also, he was eager to keep the Old Testament near him, as in the following text:

2 Timothy 4:13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come — and the books, especially the parchments.

In this text Paul asked Timothy to bring the books and the parchments of the Old Testament because it is needed in his debates and his preaching, as will be shown later.

This contradictory position between his rejection of the principles and concepts of the Old Testament; and his commitment its texts to preach what he believes; indicates that what he said about the revelation and the word of God and the Spirit means the texts of the Old Testament and his interpretation of those texts.

Paul and the Words of Jesus

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

Hebrews 1:2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

In this text Paul says, or the author of the Letter, that God has spoken to them in these last days by his son, and here I will not discuss whether the author of the Letter to the Hebrews is Paul or another one, as many scholars say, this is not our issue in this book, but let’s agree with the churches that Paul is the author, and ask how many Jesus' words written by Paul in his fourteen Letters?!

1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,

1 Timothy 6:4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,

King James Version

1 Timothy 6:4 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

Revised Standard Version

1 Timothy 6:4 If any one teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching which accords with godliness,

Bible in Basic English

1 Timothy 6:4 If any man gives different teaching, not in agreement with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the teaching which is in agreement with true religion,

English Standard Version

1 Timothy 6:4 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,

World English Bible Version

1 Timothy 6:4 If anyone teaches a different doctrine, and doesn't consent to sound words, the words of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

Wycliffe Version

1 Timothy 6:4 If any man teach otherwise, and accordeth not to the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to that teaching that is by piety [and to the teaching that is after piety],

The Codex Sinaiticus Translation

1 Timothy 6:4 If any one teach otherwise, and assent not to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the teaching which is according to godliness.

In this text Paul warns of the teachings that do not agree with the true words, or wholesome words, of Jesus, and the question that arises here is how many words that had been written by Paul in his Letters and attributed to Jesus?

The answer is that Paul did not write only a few sayings which were attributed to Jesus, and I will talk about them in detail in this book or later in a special study about the Letters of Paul, but now I will mention the text which I think that it is the only text in which Paul has clearly quoted a saying of Jesus as is written in the four Gospels, which is as follows:

1Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;

1Corinthians 11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

1Corinthians 11:25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

So what does Paul  mean by his previous words that "God has spoken to them by Jesus", and "If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ"; nevertheless he did not mention only a few words that were attributed to Jesus, while he quoted dozens of texts from the Old Testament, who he certainly did not mean in the previous texts the four Gospels because they had been written after decades of his Letters?!

Paul and the Four Gospels

Indeed, I can say that Paul never hear or see or know anything about the four Gospels for two things, either they were not written in his time, or he did not consider them as distinctive books that should be cited from them, as evidenced by several issues.

The first is that he did not mention them, or cited from them in his Letters at all.

The second is that he recommended Timothy to read the Old Testament, and he was personally keen to be the Old Testament near him, (2Timothy 4:13), while he did not write such these things concerning the four Gospels.

The third is that his will to Timothy in his Letter was in the last years of his life, so if the four Gospels had been written or were the subject of keen interest, he should mention the four Gospels to Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

New International Version

- For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:6-7)

The fourth is that Mark and Luke are some of his followers, and they were assisting him in his preaching, and when he was alive he considered himself not less than the Apostles, therefore how he compares himself to some of his followers? Moreover he was saying that he has a gospel, which he has not received it from a man, or he taught it; rather has received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

So the four Gospels, as I said, either they were not written at the time of Paul, or he considered that they do not have anything more than what he has; should be cited from them, unlike what he did with the Old Testament, so he quoted hundreds of texts from it, while did not write only a few texts in line with what is written in the four Gospels, as well as he contradicted with the four Gospels in some other stories, as in the following texts:

1 Timothy 6:13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate,

1 Timothy 6:14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

In this text Paul says that Jesus witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, and this contrasts what is written in the four Gospels, for it is written that Jesus remained silent during the trial, as in the following texts:

Matthew 26:63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"

Matthew 27:14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.

Mark 15:5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Luke 23:9 Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing.

John 19:9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer.

As we read that Jesus did not speak during the trial, so how Paul wrote that he witnessed the good confession before Pilate?!

Ephesians 2:17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.

In this text Paul says that Jesus preached the Gentiles!

And this contradicted with what is written in the four Gospels that Jesus was not sent except to the lost sheep of Israel, as in the following texts:

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.

Matthew 10:6 "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

Matthew 15:22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."

Matthew 15:23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."

Matthew 15:24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Matthew 15:25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"

Matthew 15:26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs."

As well as he contradicted with the Gospels in the story of the Jesus' appearance to the disciples by saying that Jesus has appeared to the twelve disciples.

1 Corinthians 15:5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

While the Gospels authors wrote that Jesus has appeared to eleven disciples, because Judas has betrayed him, as in the following text:

Mark 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.

So these contradictions between these stories and others raise many questions on the reliability of historical events in the Gospels and the sources, which were relied upon by the Gospels authors?

Paul and his Letters

Unlike what we have read previously about the position of Paul on the four Gospels, we find it attaches great importance to his letters, and he was eager to read it in various churches, as in the following texts:

Colossians 4:16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

1 Thessalonians 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

He was also very keen to commit to what is written in his letters and warns of anyone who doesn't obey what is written in his letters, as in the following texts:

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

2 Timothy 1:15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

In this text Paul asks Timothy to uphold the words which he has heard from him about faith and love, which are in Christ, and did not ask him to keep the four Gospels or the revelation that he, i.e., Paul, had received through the Holy Spirit, as was the case with the Prophets of the children of Israel!

Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

In this text Paul asks his followers to do the things which they have learned and received and heard and seen in him, and this saying is of the clearest words that demonstrate several things:

The first is that Paul never heard anything about the four Gospels!

The second is that he has not received a revelation or an inspiration through the Holy Spirit, as is the case with the Prophets of the children of Israel.

The third is that he did not have any sayings or teachings of Jesus, for this asked them to do his words!

And this will be clearer in the following text:

2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

In this text Paul asks Timothy to commit his words to the faithful men who will be able to teach others, and did not ask him to commit to the words of Jesus, and this proves what we have talked about previously, and this issue was confirmed in the following text:

2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.

2 Thessalonians 3:15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Furthermore, he considered that what he writes is the commandments of the LORD, as in the following text:

1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

And he was keen to keep them, as in the following text:

1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

He also has warned of any teachings which are contrary to what is written in his letters, as in the following texts:

1 Timothy 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

In these texts we notice that Paul warns of not avoid foolish disputes about genealogies. Despite this warning, the Gospels authors did not avoid it, especially Matthew and Luke who had written two different genealogies of Jesus, which caused a wide controversy over the centuries concerning the reasons that made them to write different names for those who are supposed to be fathers of Jesus, (Matthew 1: 1-17) and (Luke 3: 2338).

Moreover, he was keen to make sure that the Letters circulating are original Letters, not fake, as in the following text:

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,

2 Thessalonians 2:2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

For this he showed to them how he writes his letters, to be sure that the Letters are original, and not fake, as in the following text:

2 Thessalonians 3:17 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write.

Even though this care and pay attention for his Letters, he had written many texts in which confirm that he had not received them through the revelation or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as is written in the following texts:

1 Corinthians 7:25 Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 7:26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress — that it is good for a man to remain as he is:

In this text Paul says that he has no commandment from the Lord, but gives his judgment, so, if he had received the revelation or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; should show this thing instead of giving his judgment away from the words of the Lord!

1 Corinthians 7:35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

In this text Paul says that what he has spoken about is for the profit of his followers! So, if he had received the revelation or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; he should show this.

1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment — and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

In this text Paul says that what he says is according to his judgment, as he was thinking that he has the spirit of God, but what raises doubts on the credibility of the Paul's thinking, including what is stated above, is what he had written in the following texts:

1 Corinthians 7:6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.

In this text Paul shows that what he says is as a concession, not as a commandment, and this indicates that what he had written was not a revelation or an inspiration, because if so, he will not say these words, and this will be shown clearly in the following text:

1 Corinthians 7:12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.

In this text Paul says that what he says is his own words, and not the words of the Lord!

2 Corinthians 9:1 Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you;

In this text Paul says that what he had written is superfluous, and this indicates that his Letters have not been written by the revelation or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, because the Spirit or the Revelation has no superfluous words from the Lord Creator of the heavens and the earth!

Hebrews 11:32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:

In this text Paul says that he has no enough time to write about Gideon and Barak and Samson, and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets, and this is clear evidence that what he had written was not through the revelation or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, because if so, what is the need to the time to write, for he will be in this case as a mediator, not as an author!

For this he added two names, no one in the whole world knows anything about them, in his second Letter to Timothy, as in the following text:

2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith.

Hebrews 13:22 And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words.

In this text Paul says that he wrote a few words to exhort his followers, and this also indicates that what he had written was away from the revelation and the Spirit, because if he had written through them; he will not write these words, because he will be a mediator, not as an author, as he is in fact.

Hebrews 9:5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

This text demonstrates clearly the previous texts, because he said that he cannot speak about some things in detail, and this indicates a lack of receiving the revelation, because if so, it requires him to deliver what he had received from the revelation in detail, and does not hide anything of it.

Hebrews 5:11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

This text invalidates all the texts that talk about receiving Paul the revelation, as well as his saying that he has the spirit of God, because he stated that he has much to say, and hard to explain, and the words of the Lord is not hard to explain, as shown previously.

Thus, if so, and what he has of knowledge and teachings were from the revelation or inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it will not be hard to explain!

And what it clearly demonstrates that he did not write his Letters through the revelation or the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is the following text:

2 Corinthians 2:4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

In this text Paul declares that the way, or the method or the approach of writing his Letters is the same way of those who do not have the revelation or the inspiration of the Spirit, for this he feels much affliction and anguish in his heart, especially that all those whom in Asia have turned away from him; so, he wrote his Letter to the Corinthians to express his feelings and to make them know the love which he has so abundantly for them.

Finally, Peter has mentioned Paul's letters in the Second Letter, and called to read them, without mentioning anything about the four Gospels, with the warning that Paul's Letters contain things that are hard to understand! As in the following text:

2 Peter 3:15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

2 Peter 3:16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

New International Version

- Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand,

Which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15-16)

Although, Peter was aware of the importance of the Paul's Letters for preaching Jesus as a Christ, and for the faith, he also was aware that these Letters have contained information hard to understand, and this indicates that he doesn't believe that they had been written through the revelation or inspiration of the Holy Spirit!

Through this careful reading of the texts of the Paul's Letters that have mentioned the word "gospel" or gospel of God or the gospel of Christ or my gospel or our gospel or the gospel, or the gospel of peace; we conclude that he had used them to refer to his way of preaching, and not to a certain book, which is his understanding and his interpretation of the texts and the prophecies of the Old Testament by saying "as it is written", "through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures", "according to the Scriptures" and "by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations" and so on!