Would you rather have revelation or be an expert in knowledge of the Scripture?
Religion obstructs our perspective! Think about it. Paul is the perfect example. He was the top upcoming Pharisee and was charged with eradicating what was thought to be a cult of Christian believers. His education was superior to all others, and he would have earned his Ph.D. in Theology if it existed then. Yet, he had no revelation even though he was an expert on the Old Testament.
It took a revelatory encounter with Jesus Himself to turn Saul into Paul, from an enemy to the vital supporter of Christ he became. This is why we must not let a person with the prefix “Dr.” in front of his or her name determine the credibility of the message and/or writing being promoted.
It is all about revelation from Above, not intellectual prowess or a person’s charismatic nature. We must submit to The Holy Spirit in everything we hear and read. The essence of Paul’s teachings is centered around Jesus being resurrected from the dead and is alive today. Paul’s personal encounter with the resurrected Jesus changed him completely. His doctorate in religion was of no consequence.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 15:
12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up-if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
Jesus’ resurrection separates Him from all the philosophers for they had no credible evidence to support their views. Their teaching was and is vain, empty of Truth!
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Ephesians chapter 1:
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your Love for all the saints,
16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Is our faith in vain? How big is Jesus in us? Isn’t it all about our expectations and orientation of who we are in Christ? It has nothing to do with studying constellations, Old Testament Law, types and shadows, or Biblical numerology. I’ve been there and done that and missed vital aspects of Paul’s revelation. Now, that is being corrected… thankfully!
It is all about Who we know, not what we know.