In the dark days after the crucifixion, the disciples huddled within their room, afraid for their very lives. After Yeshua’s appearance, their faith was restored. 40 days later, the spirit of God poured down upon them, giving them the powers of prophecy and healing.

So far, so good.

Their mission was to proclaim the message to the Hebrews, one in which they were faithful. At this time, Peter and James were in charge so to speak.

The disciples, like Yeshua, had no intention of creating a church. To them, men of Jewish faith, such an idea was abhorrent. It was heresy.

“Upon this rock I shall build my church,” was added generations later. Yeshua never said it!

That statement is absolute blasphemy!
Yeshua came to fulfil the law, not to change it.

Then came Paul.

Born Saul, a citizen of Tarsus, he was a Roman citizen. Though he bought this. He was also Jewish, and a Pharisee to boot. This truly evil man had spent some time killing the followers of Yeshua with glee. His hands were stained with the blood of the innocent.
He was blinded by the wrath of God, he did stagger to the home of a Hebrew believer, and he was healed. From this point on however, he made a grab for power.

As Acts claims, he went to the Damascus synagogue and began to preach that Yeshua was the Son of God. Of course, those there recognised him as the bloodthirsty beast who had enjoyed murdering the faithful. How he escaped with his life, I have no idea.
After his escape, he headed for Jerusalem to join the disciples of Yeshua. They did not believe his claims of course until Barnabas spoke up in Saul’s defence. Now, from my viewpoint, Saul and Barnabas had come to a deal. After having so much power as killer of the faithful, he was determined to set up his own religion with himself as absolute leader.

Of course, this would split the faithful and ensure its disappearance among the Hebrew believers. History records this final event.

I suspect gold changed hands and an agreement that Barnabas would be his number 2. This would explain Barnabas extraordinary intervention.
During his stay, he argued with the Greek faithful and again had to flee to Tarsus.

He reappears at Antioch, Syria, with Barnabas in tow, and sailed to Cyprus. While there, they came across a chap called Bar-Yeshua, a Hebrew. This man claimed to be a prophet and was a friend of the governor.

Now Saul and Barnabas regarded this individual as so dangerous to their plan that they cursed him until he was blind. I suspect violence was used to achieve this result. Soon after they headed for Perga, Turkey, where he spoke about God and Yeshua. It was here that he done what was not authorised. He claimed that God had sent him to preach to the Gentiles. He did all this without the sanction of the disciples, therefore without authority from God.

The first schism was well underway, as he had planned all along.
Of course, he and his companion had to flee again.

They arrived in Lystra, as recorded in Acts, where an event took place that confirms my belief.

While there, the locals gave Barnabas the name Zeus, Chief of the Greek God’s and Saul the name Hermes.

As Hebrews, this was rejection of their heritage, and outright blasphemy. If they had truly been speaking the word of God, they would never have accepted such pagan titles. What is further proof of their ungodly behaviour is this. The priest of the Greek Pantheon arranged animal sacrifice in their honour, another incredible act of blasphemy.

This shows clearly that Saul and Barnabas cared nothing about their Hebrew religion and nothing for the emerging Hebrew Christian faith. At that time centred in Jerusalem.

Of course, the local Hebrews were enraged by their behaviour and had them stoned, a punishment decreed by God through Moses.
Unfortunately, they survived.

When he and Barnabas returned to Antioch, they reported the Gentile conversion but hid their act of blasphemy. Had they been honest men, the Pauline heresy would have ended there.

Soon after their arrival, a delegation came from Jerusalem. Obviously, the alarming news of Saul’s activity had reached the disciples. The two-man delegation was despatched to sort them out. Lance the boil shall I say.

The delegation demanded that new converts must obey the Law of Moses and be circumcised. Saul and Barnabes show their contempt for the Hebrew faith and Christology by arguing against such an edict.
After the row, they were taken to Jerusalem under some duress. They were again warned by the disciples, that converts must follow the Law of Moses. A compromise was worked out by Peter and James in order to prevent the split getting any worse.

Under this plan, new converts were expected to follow the Law of Moses, eating sacred food and keeping away from sexual immorality. Saul and Barnabas returned to Antioch with the letter. They had won the first round.

A little later Saul wanted to tour the area and Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with him. Saul had other ideas and after a major row, they separated.

Sometime later Saul and Silas were arrested and thrown in prison while visiting Thyatira. Only Saul’s Roman citizenship saved their lives.

Again, while Roman troops were killing the faithful elsewhere, Saul relied on them to save his neck.

While in Athens, Saul again entered pagan shrines, a violation of Moses Law.

After many travels, he returned to Jerusalem and met James once more. At this meeting, he was reminded of his recent activity. Particularly that activity which encouraged new converts to abandon the Law of Moses. Again, proof of Saul’s contempt.

Soon after this, Saul and four Gentiles went to the Temple to report how many days sanctification would last. Gentiles were not allowed to enter, and is proof once more of his contempt. Before the seven days were up however, a group of Hebrews arrived denouncing them for their blasphemous behaviour. This charge included defiling the Temple by bringing in the Gentiles.

Once more, he was rescued by Roman troops. It was during this time that we find out that he bought his Roman citizenship. Not only was he a blasphemer, he was also a traitor to his own people.
The Romans however were suspicious and took him before the Sanhedrin. At this location, he showed further contempt by insulting the High Priest, Ananias. As things got sticky, he reminded them that he too was a Pharisee. This created a row and once more Roman troops had to rescue him.

While he was safely within their fort, the Hebrews plotted to kill him. In order to save his life, the fort commander sent him to Governor Felix. However, the High Priest and his group tracked him down.

Incensed no doubt by his blasphemy, they laid charges. Paul defended himself as recorded, claiming to adhere to the Law of Moses. This was blatantly untrue. Saul was revealed here, to be a liar and schemer to boot.

After a protracted hearing, he appealed to the Emperor himself. He had this right as a citizen of Rome. Obviously, he feared for his life.

A little later, the master escapologist headed for Rome under guard. However, a storm wrecked the ship and he ended up in Malta. Around three months later, he arrived in Rome, still under guard. While there, he was placed under house arrest.

At this time he wrote a number of letters, the contents of which breaks the Law of Moses. These letters also reveal his anti-Semitism. Romans 2:17 is the offending passage. This theme continues from then on.

As time passed the schism within the Christ movement grew larger. Those who followed Saul outnumbered those who followed the disciples. Saul also accused other believers of immoral behaviour.
These letters also introduce the blood right as practiced today.
He convinced his hearers that consuming the blood and body of Christ would remove their sin. Not only is this outright blasphemy, it also introduces paganism into the Christ movement. As a paid up Roman citizen he would have had pagan beliefs.

Paul has effectively turned modern practitioners into pagans. Eating flesh, drinking blood is the act of cannibalism. Okay, I know it’s only symbolic, but my argument stands.

The last supper was not meant to be commemorated. Yeshua himself said, “Do this in memory of me.” He did not say, “This is my body. This is my blood.” As a Hebrew, this would have been abhorrent and blasphemous. He also knew his time was up.

The bread/wine was to be enjoyed by his disciples after his death, as a means of remembrance only. Saul was responsible for creating and perpetuating this heresy.

Later on in these letters, he even suggests that if the Holy Spirit guides you, you could say “A curse on Yeshua.”

I suggest this reveals Saul’s true nature.

In Galatians, he confesses in another letter that Peter the disciple was wrong. He clearly intends to widen the schism and make it permanent. His bid for power was obviously gaining pace.
A little later, he attacks the Law of Moses openly. He said that those obeying the law lived under a curse. His anti-Semitism was on full display here.

In another letter, Ephesians, Saul places Yeshua above God. Outright blasphemy does not cover this crime. The Son is beneath his Father. He also suggests the growing church is the body of Christ. Blasphemy again.

How he kept getting away with this, I have no idea. Why his readers believed it, is even more astonishing. He continues like this throughout the letter.

Under the Law of Moses, he deserved death by stoning. No wonder he was determined to destroy it.

What happened to Saul in the end?

The final Saul letter went to Philemon. After this, he is mentioned no more.

Christian tradition strongly suggests that he died in Rome as a martyr. This happened around AD 64 under Nero.

I accept it.

However, his crimes are something else. Today’s church, which Yeshua did not intend to create, is built on lies, blasphemy and heresy.
Saul is responsible for this.

The rock on which it is built, shall crumble into dust.

This series shall continue...

In the dark days after the crucifixion, the disciples huddled within their room, afraid for their very lives. After Yeshua’s appearance, their faith was restored. 40 days later, the spirit of God poured down upon them, giving them the powers of prophecy and healing.

So far, so good.

Their mission was to proclaim the message to the Hebrews, one in which they were faithful. At this time, Peter and James were in charge so to speak.

The disciples, like Yeshua, had no intention of creating a church. To them, men of Jewish faith, such an idea was abhorrent. It was heresy.

“Upon this rock I shall build my church,” was added generations later. Yeshua never said it!

That statement is absolute blasphemy!
Yeshua came to fulfil the law, not to change it.

Then came Paul.

Born Saul, a citizen of Tarsus, he was a Roman citizen. Though he bought this. He was also Jewish, and a Pharisee to boot. This truly evil man had spent some time killing the followers of Yeshua with glee. His hands were stained with the blood of the innocent.
He was blinded by the wrath of God, he did stagger to the home of a Hebrew believer, and he was healed. From this point on however, he made a grab for power.

As Acts claims, he went to the Damascus synagogue and began to preach that Yeshua was the Son of God. Of course, those there recognised him as the bloodthirsty beast who had enjoyed murdering the faithful. How he escaped with his life, I have no idea.
After his escape, he headed for Jerusalem to join the disciples of Yeshua. They did not believe his claims of course until Barnabas spoke up in Saul’s defence. Now, from my viewpoint, Saul and Barnabas had come to a deal. After having so much power as killer of the faithful, he was determined to set up his own religion with himself as absolute leader.

Of course, this would split the faithful and ensure its disappearance among the Hebrew believers. History records this final event.

I suspect gold changed hands and an agreement that Barnabas would be his number 2. This would explain Barnabas extraordinary intervention.
During his stay, he argued with the Greek faithful and again had to flee to Tarsus.

He reappears at Antioch, Syria, with Barnabas in tow, and sailed to Cyprus. While there, they came across a chap called Bar-Yeshua, a Hebrew. This man claimed to be a prophet and was a friend of the governor.

Now Saul and Barnabas regarded this individual as so dangerous to their plan that they cursed him until he was blind. I suspect violence was used to achieve this result. Soon after they headed for Perga, Turkey, where he spoke about God and Yeshua. It was here that he done what was not authorised. He claimed that God had sent him to preach to the Gentiles. He did all this without the sanction of the disciples, therefore without authority from God.

The first schism was well underway, as he had planned all along.
Of course, he and his companion had to flee again.

They arrived in Lystra, as recorded in Acts, where an event took place that confirms my belief.

While there, the locals gave Barnabas the name Zeus, Chief of the Greek God’s and Saul the name Hermes.

As Hebrews, this was rejection of their heritage, and outright blasphemy. If they had truly been speaking the word of God, they would never have accepted such pagan titles. What is further proof of their ungodly behaviour is this. The priest of the Greek Pantheon arranged animal sacrifice in their honour, another incredible act of blasphemy.

This shows clearly that Saul and Barnabas cared nothing about their Hebrew religion and nothing for the emerging Hebrew Christian faith. At that time centred in Jerusalem.

Of course, the local Hebrews were enraged by their behaviour and had them stoned, a punishment decreed by God through Moses.
Unfortunately, they survived.

When he and Barnabas returned to Antioch, they reported the Gentile conversion but hid their act of blasphemy. Had they been honest men, the Pauline heresy would have ended there.

Soon after their arrival, a delegation came from Jerusalem. Obviously, the alarming news of Saul’s activity had reached the disciples. The two-man delegation was despatched to sort them out. Lance the boil shall I say.

The delegation demanded that new converts must obey the Law of Moses and be circumcised. Saul and Barnabes show their contempt for the Hebrew faith and Christology by arguing against such an edict.
After the row, they were taken to Jerusalem under some duress. They were again warned by the disciples, that converts must follow the Law of Moses. A compromise was worked out by Peter and James in order to prevent the split getting any worse.

Under this plan, new converts were expected to follow the Law of Moses, eating sacred food and keeping away from sexual immorality. Saul and Barnabas returned to Antioch with the letter. They had won the first round.

A little later Saul wanted to tour the area and Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with him. Saul had other ideas and after a major row, they separated.

Sometime later Saul and Silas were arrested and thrown in prison while visiting Thyatira. Only Saul’s Roman citizenship saved their lives.

Again, while Roman troops were killing the faithful elsewhere, Saul relied on them to save his neck.

While in Athens, Saul again entered pagan shrines, a violation of Moses Law.

After many travels, he returned to Jerusalem and met James once more. At this meeting, he was reminded of his recent activity. Particularly that activity which encouraged new converts to abandon the Law of Moses. Again, proof of Saul’s contempt.

Soon after this, Saul and four Gentiles went to the Temple to report how many days sanctification would last. Gentiles were not allowed to enter, and is proof once more of his contempt. Before the seven days were up however, a group of Hebrews arrived denouncing them for their blasphemous behaviour. This charge included defiling the Temple by bringing in the Gentiles.

Once more, he was rescued by Roman troops. It was during this time that we find out that he bought his Roman citizenship. Not only was he a blasphemer, he was also a traitor to his own people.
The Romans however were suspicious and took him before the Sanhedrin. At this location, he showed further contempt by insulting the High Priest, Ananias. As things got sticky, he reminded them that he too was a Pharisee. This created a row and once more Roman troops had to rescue him.

While he was safely within their fort, the Hebrews plotted to kill him. In order to save his life, the fort commander sent him to Governor Felix. However, the High Priest and his group tracked him down.

Incensed no doubt by his blasphemy, they laid charges. Paul defended himself as recorded, claiming to adhere to the Law of Moses. This was blatantly untrue. Saul was revealed here, to be a liar and schemer to boot.

After a protracted hearing, he appealed to the Emperor himself. He had this right as a citizen of Rome. Obviously, he feared for his life.

A little later, the master escapologist headed for Rome under guard. However, a storm wrecked the ship and he ended up in Malta. Around three months later, he arrived in Rome, still under guard. While there, he was placed under house arrest.

At this time he wrote a number of letters, the contents of which breaks the Law of Moses. These letters also reveal his anti-Semitism. Romans 2:17 is the offending passage. This theme continues from then on.

As time passed the schism within the Christ movement grew larger. Those who followed Saul outnumbered those who followed the disciples. Saul also accused other believers of immoral behaviour.
These letters also introduce the blood right as practiced today.
He convinced his hearers that consuming the blood and body of Christ would remove their sin. Not only is this outright blasphemy, it also introduces paganism into the Christ movement. As a paid up Roman citizen he would have had pagan beliefs.

Paul has effectively turned modern practitioners into pagans. Eating flesh, drinking blood is the act of cannibalism. Okay, I know it’s only symbolic, but my argument stands.

The last supper was not meant to be commemorated. Yeshua himself said, “Do this in memory of me.” He did not say, “This is my body. This is my blood.” As a Hebrew, this would have been abhorrent and blasphemous. He also knew his time was up.

The bread/wine was to be enjoyed by his disciples after his death, as a means of remembrance only. Saul was responsible for creating and perpetuating this heresy.

Later on in these letters, he even suggests that if the Holy Spirit guides you, you could say “A curse on Yeshua.”

I suggest this reveals Saul’s true nature.

In Galatians, he confesses in another letter that Peter the disciple was wrong. He clearly intends to widen the schism and make it permanent. His bid for power was obviously gaining pace.
A little later, he attacks the Law of Moses openly. He said that those obeying the law lived under a curse. His anti-Semitism was on full display here.

In another letter, Ephesians, Saul places Yeshua above God. Outright blasphemy does not cover this crime. The Son is beneath his Father. He also suggests the growing church is the body of Christ. Blasphemy again.

How he kept getting away with this, I have no idea. Why his readers believed it, is even more astonishing. He continues like this throughout the letter.

Under the Law of Moses, he deserved death by stoning. No wonder he was determined to destroy it.

What happened to Saul in the end?

The final Saul letter went to Philemon. After this, he is mentioned no more.

Christian tradition strongly suggests that he died in Rome as a martyr. This happened around AD 64 under Nero.

I accept it.

However, his crimes are something else. Today’s church, which Yeshua did not intend to create, is built on lies, blasphemy and heresy.
Saul is responsible for this.

The rock on which it is built, shall crumble into dust.

This series shall continue...

NOW, just imagine. The stories that have made up the New Testament have had over 2000 years of such input. Still after 2000 + years there is still so much room between the line for the addition of new dogma.

Everyone's religious beliefs are ultimately of their own making.