Jesus' Words Only

Jesus's Warning About Competitor With Signs & Wonders

Paul in 2 Cor. 12:12 said what proved his validity: "The things that mark an apostle—signs and wonders—were done among you with great perseverance." Paul in Romans 15:19 likewise said: "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ." The Greek roots for signs and wonders were "semeion" and "teraton."

But Jesus was concerned precisely about the "signs and wonders" prophets misleading Christians. ( Matt. 7:15-23, viz., v. 22; 24:11, 24.) Jesus warns of the false prophets in Mark 13:22. They "shall show signs and wonders to  seduce, if possible, even the elect." The Greek roots were "semeion" and "teraton" -- the same words as what Paul claimed proved his validity. Jesus said they will be "ravening wolves" in "sheep's clothing" (Matt. 7:15.) - that is "false prophets" who claim to be Christians.

God Identified From What Tribe This Ravening Wolf In Sheep's Clothing Would Come From

Did God send a prophecy to warn us about one who would claim to follow Christ but inwardly was a "ravening wolf" as Jesus called him? And did God tell us from what tribe? Indeed, God did so.

Jacob in Genesis prophesied a warning of a"ravening wolf" from the tribe of Benjamin who would come in the latter days. This was the same time "Shiloh" (Prince of Peace) would come, and who would be from Judah (i.e., the Messiah). The Benjamite Wolf prophesy is in Gen. 49:27. [For full discussion of the Benjamite Wolf prophecy, see this link.]

Thus, Jesus's words about a "ravening wolf" in sheep's clothing (Matt. 7:15) -- one who would claim to be one of Christ's sheep -- is taken right from Gen. 49:27. Jesus used this label to depict one who is not a true sheep but wears sheep's clothing to appear like a sheep. Genesis prophesied this would be a "ravening wolf" from the tribe of Benjamin. Who could this "ravening wolf" claiming to be a "sheep" from the tribe of Benjamin possibly be?

The Book Jesus's Words Only

In line with the above, an attorney in the book Jesus Words Only argues the inspired New Testament consists of Jesus' words only. Paul's status is questioned. First, Paul never made a valid prophecy. Second, Paul must be rejected under Deut. 13:5 because he taught the Law of Moses was nullified (unlike Jesus who said in Matt. 5:17-19 that it continues, and that the greatest in the kingdom would teach its principles). Lastly, Jesus most likely intended we understand Paul was the person in Rev. 2:2 whom the Ephesians put on trial and proved was a false apostle. This Ephesus trial is alluded to in Acts ch. 19 where after 3 months of Paul teaching at the Ephesus congregation, the same Ephesus assembly expelled Paul. Paul refers to his trial in Ephesus several times as well, referring to "Asia" -- the region of which Ephesus was the capital.

Quizz #1 -18 multiple-choice questions based on Jesus Words Only book with instant scoring at end - created with Galli's Quizfaber program. Citations to JWO are in the question if you need to look up source of answers. Let me know how you like this quizz. Added April 21, 2010.

The Riddle of Paulinism in a Painting

Can you find the imagery of Paulinism on the left versus those of the Apostolic gospels on the right? Jonathan, the painting's creator, explains the symbolism at this link.