Paul The Persecutor

Seeking the True Teachings of Yeshua

Brothers and sisters, we come together today to seek truth—not the truth of men, but the pure and undistorted teachings of Yeshua, our Savior. In this quest, we must examine the role of Paul, who shaped much of the New Testament. But can we truly say he followed the path of Yeshua, or did his teachings, drawn from his own past and ambitions, lead us away from the Savior’s message?

The Dark Past of Paul (Saul): Persecutor of Christians

Let us begin by remembering who Paul was before his conversion. Paul, once known as Saul, was no friend to the early followers of Yeshua. He was a persecutor, a man of violence, and a zealot bent on destroying the early Church. He stood by approvingly as the righteous Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 7:58-8:1), and he went from house to house, dragging men and women into prison because they dared to follow Yeshua (Acts 8:3).

This was not a man seeking truth—he was a man seeking to stamp it out. He sought authority from the high priest to hunt down Christians in foreign cities, to bring them back in chains (Acts 9:1-2). His threats and acts of violence struck fear into the hearts of early believers (Acts 9:1). This is the man who claimed later to have had a vision that transformed him—but how can we trust his words when they came from such a history of violence?

Paul’s Teachings: Diverging from the Message of Yeshua

Even after his supposed conversion, Paul’s teachings often contradict the clear and radical words of Yeshua. Where Yeshua taught us to give freely and love unconditionally, Paul often emphasized conditions and rules that seem more in line with Roman authority than with the gospel of love.

For instance, in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Paul writes, “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” Contrast this with Yeshua’s own words: “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). Paul’s harsh stance on labor overlooks the mercy and compassion that Yeshua demonstrated. Yeshua never turned anyone away, nor did He make blessings conditional on one’s ability to work.

Paul’s writings often reflect the harshness of empire rather than the generosity of Yeshua. He emphasized submission to authority, teaching in Romans 13 that every authority is established by God, and therefore, we must submit to governing powers. Yet Yeshua Himself often stood in opposition to the corrupt authorities of His time, challenging them with truth and love. Are Paul’s words truly the words of Yeshua, or do they reflect a desire to blend Yeshua’s message with the demands of the Roman empire?

Paul’s Authority: A Claim Without Yeshua’s Commission

We must also consider how Paul claimed his authority. Unlike the other apostles, Paul never met Yeshua in the flesh. He never walked with Him, never witnessed His miracles firsthand, and never heard Him preach. Instead, Paul claimed his apostleship through a vision—a vision that no one else could verify.

Yeshua Himself warned us about false prophets and teachers. In Mark 13:22, He said, “For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” Should we not be cautious of a man who persecuted the Church and then claimed authority without the direct commission of Yeshua? Are his words truly those of a disciple, or do they come from a man who sought to impose his own understanding upon the faith?

A Call to Return to Yeshua’s True Teachings

Brothers and sisters, it is time to return to the true and pure teachings of Yeshua. It is time to reject the distortions and additions that have entered our faith through Paul’s writings. Yeshua taught us to love our enemies, to give without expecting in return, to show mercy to all, and to forgive endlessly. His message was one of radical love, humility, and grace.

We do not need the words of a man who once persecuted the very followers of Yeshua. We need only the words of Yeshua, the true Savior, who showed us the way to God through love and compassion. Paul’s teachings often serve the needs of empire and hierarchy, but Yeshua’s teachings serve the Kingdom of Heaven, where love reigns supreme.

Following Yeshua Alone

Let us reject the false teachings of Paul and return to the simplicity and purity of Yeshua’s message. Let us follow the Savior Himself, whose words are enough to guide us to salvation, peace, and love. In Yeshua’s name, we find the true path to God—a path free from the distortions of men.