Atheists’ Myths: Part 3Atheists’ Myths: Part 3

Richard DeemRichard Deem

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather

around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to

hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2

Timothy 4:3-4)

Atheist Myth #3: Christianity Was

Invented by Paul, Not Founded by Jesus of

Nazareth

Atheist Myth #3: Christianity Was

Invented by Paul, Not Founded by Jesus of

Nazareth

Paul Invented Christianity?

Atheists claim that Paul invented the majority of Christian doctrines

Jesus did not teach the majority of doctrines taught by Paul

Paul did not know anything about the Jesus of the gospels, but just knew the “Cosmic Christ”

Paul Meets Jesus

"But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' "(Acts 22:6-8)

"But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' "(Acts 22:6-8)

Did Paul Invent the Christian Doctrines?Did Paul Invent the

Christian Doctrines?

Basic Doctrines Taught Throughout the Bible

DoctrineFirst

Taught

Taught by

Jesus Paul OthersAtonement by death on a cross

Isaiah 53:5-12, Zechariah 12:10, Psalm 22:16

Matthew 10:38, 16:24, 26:28, Mark 8:34, 14:24, Luke 9:23, 14:27, 22:20, John 12:32-33

1 Corinthians 1:18, 11:25, Ephesians 2:8, 16, Colossians 1:20, 2:14

John 1:29, 36, Acts 8:32, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 2:24, Revelation 5:12-14, 7:14

Believe in Jesus for eternal life

Job 19:25-26

Matthew 19:29, Mark 10:29-30, Luke 9:24, John 3:16

Romans 5:21, 6:23, 1 Timothy 1:16, Jude 1:21

Acts 11:17-18, 1 John 5:11

Basic Doctrines Taught Throughout the Bible

DoctrineFirst

Taught

Taught by

Jesus Paul OthersRighteousness comes by faith

Genesis 15:6, Habakkuk 2:4

Mark 11:22, Luke 7:50

Romans 1:17, 3:22, 3:25-26, 4:3, 9, 11, 13, 5:17, 9:30, 10:4, 10, Galatians 3:6, 11, Philippians 3:9

Hebrews 11:4, 7, 2 Peter 1:1

Justification by faith

Isaiah 53:11

Luke 7:50, 8:12 Mark 16:16, John 3:18, 5:24

Romans 3:28, 30, 5:1, 18, Galatians 2:16, 3:8, 24

James 2:23

Basic Doctrines Taught Throughout the Bible

DoctrineFirst

Taught

Taught by

Jesus Paul OthersForgiveness of sin through faith

2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 86:5, Jeremiah 31:33-34

Matthew 9:2, 6, 26:27-28, Mark 2:5, 10-11, Luke 5:20, 24, Acts 26:18

Ephesians 1:7, 4:32, Colossians 1:13-14, 2:13, 3:13

Luke 1:76-77, Acts 2:38, 5:31, 10:43, 13:38, Hebrews 10:18-20, James 5:15, 1 John 1:7-9, 2:12

Repentance Isaiah 1:27, 30:15, Ezekiel 18:32

Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15, Luke 5:32, 13:3, 24:46-47

Romans 2:4, 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Matthew 3:2, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38, 17:30, 20:21, 2 Peter 3:9

Paul Knew Jesus’ TeachingsTeaching Paul Jesus

Parable of sower 1 Corinthians 3:6-10 Matthew 13:1-23Stumbling stone Romans 9:33 Matthew 18:7Ruling against divorce 1 Corinthians 7:10 Mark 10:11Support for apostles 1 Corinthians 9:14 Luke 10:7Institution of Lord's supper 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Matthew 26:26-28Command concerning prophets 1 Corinthians 14:37 Matthew 23:34Lord's return 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Matthew 24:1-51Blessing of the persecuted Romans 12:14 Luke 6:27 Don't repay evil with evil Romans 12:17 and 1

Thessalonians 5:15Mark 12:12-17

Pay taxes to authorities Romans 13:7 Mark 9:42No stumbling block Romans 14:13 Mark 9:42Nothing is unclean Romans 14:14 Mark 7:15Thief in the night 1 Thessalonians 5:2 Luke 12:39Peace among yourselves 1 Thessalonians 5:13 Mark 9:50Peace with everyone Romans 12:18 Mark 9:50Do not judge Romans 13:10 Luke 6:37

Did Paul Know the Real Jesus?

Did Paul Know the Real Jesus?

Paul: The Man JesusPhysical Attribute Verses

Jesus came into the world 1 Timothy 1:15, Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus was seen by Paul 1 Corinthians 9:1

Jesus was a man Romans 5:15, 1 Timothy 2:5, Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus was flesh Romans 1:3, 8:3, 9:5, 2 Corinthians 5:16, Ephesians 2:14-15, 1 Timothy 3:16

Jesus ate and drank 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Jesus bled  Romans 3:24-25, 5:9, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:25, 27 Ephesians 1:7, 2:13, Colossians 1:20

Jesus was crucified 1 Corinthians 1:13, 23, 2:2, 8, 2 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 3:1, Philippians 2:8

Jesus died Romans 5:6, 8, 10 6:3, 5, 9-10, 8:34, 14:9, 15, 1 Corinthians 8:11, 11:26 15:3, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Galatians 2:21, Philippians 2:8, 3:10, Colossians 1:22, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, 5:10

Jesus was raised from the dead

Romans 1:4, 4:24-25, 6:4-5 9, 7:4, 8:11, 34, 9:17, 10:9, 1 Corinthians 6:14, 15:4, 12-17, 20, 2 Corinthians 4:14, 5:15 Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:20, Colossians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:14

Conclusion

The core doctrines of Christianity are taught not only by Paul, but also by Jesus, the apostles, and Old Testament saints.

The atheist claim that Paul invented Christianity is a myth

More In-Depth Research Papers

Paul Invented Christianity? Is the Founder of the Christian Religion Paul of Tarsus or Jesus of Nazareth?

History of the Bible: How The Bible Came To Us

The Bible Has Been Changed Over the Centuries From the Original?

More Atheist Myths

GodAndScience.org