42.......Following Paul

We should be followers of Paul for it is written by Paul "...be ye followers of me." ( I Cor. 4:16). But what exactly does this statement entail? When Peter asked about John (John 21), Jesus said not to worry about John, but "follow thou me". Paul states in Thessalonians (IIThess. 3:7,9) that we should follow him because of his example of orderly conduct and not to follow disorderly would-be leaders ( the same is given in Phil.3:17). In the book of Revelation we are seen as followers of the Lamb. And in Ephesians as followers of God. Again, following is presented in I Thessalonians as "having become followers of us, and of the Lord"(I Thess. 1:6).

Now Paul is our apostle (the apostle of the gentiles) (Romans 1:1 and 11:13) and he has the rule over us (Heb. 13:7) and we must hold fast to the doctrines of grace (Heb. 13:9). This is true no matter how much trouble the apostle Peter has in understanding Paul and the doctrines of grace (II Peter 3:16)( Acts 13:43)! Furthermore, christians will depart from Paul in areas such as a womans proper place and activity at much peril. Today we hear from brother 'Steadfast' and his great Bible knowledge and he says that Paul did not understand thus and so and therefore we will allow women to preach etc.,etc. Beware of those who would replace Paul and yes...Martin Luther as our proper leaders. The same would-be leaders would replace the KJV. Follow Paul !!!!!!

But (I hear a protesting whine) Paul didn't understand this and that and he said not to be followers of Apollos or Cephas or Christ or Paul in I Corinthians. Wait a minute...not to follow Christ. No...he said not to be devisive and have a thousand different churches. But yes...he said follow my example and my doctrine of grace and mark those who are not spiritualy minded (Phil. 3:17). Now the sum of the matter is contained in the books of the Corinthians (I Cor. chapter 4 and 11:1). Who is our Apostle? Who wrote half of the New Testament? Who was given special revelations in the heavenlies? Are you a follower of James? Are you a follower of Peter? Are you a follower of the twelve apostles? Are you a follower of Judas? Are you a follower of some religious system? If you would follow Christ, you must follow Paul!