Galatians 2:19-20 … To be crucified with Christ (05/02/17)
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but the Spirit of Christ who lives through me.” ~ Paul (Galatians 2:19-20)
Oh, if only this were true – if only this were more than mere hollow words from one of Christianity’s very first false prophets. For if this verse were indeed true – if Paul had truly been a vessel for “the Spirit of Christ”, then the fruit of that tree would be a Christian church and a Christian priesthood and a Christian dogma verrrrrry different from those we have today …
And yet a “false prophet” is quite exactly what Paul is & was – indeed the same “false teacher” of whom Jesus himself warned us (see Matthew 15:13-14, Mark 7:6-8, Luke 12:1 in conjunction with Acts 23:6, Acts 26:5, Galatians 1:14 & Philippians 3:4-5, see John 5:43 in conjunction with Acts 13:9, & see Matthew 24:26 in conjunction with Acts 9 & Galatians 1:11-12) … Please consider:
*Where Paul thinks being “crucified with Christ” means to worship Jesus as a divine being (see Romans 1:4, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 5:18, Romans 10:9 et al), Jesus himself begged us all not to do so (see Mark 10:18, John 5:41, John 7:16, John 8:50-54, John 12:44 et al) and encouraged us to follow his Way of Love instead (see Matthew 7:21-24, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 19:21, Matthew 24:12-14, John 13:15-17 et al) …
*And where Paul claims to have sacrificed himself to “the Spirit of Christ”, his obvious arrogance and flagrant self-interest betrays the opposing reality (see Acts 20:26, Romans 11:13-14, 1 Corinthians 3:2, 1 Corinthians 12:2, 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, 2 Corinthians 10:17-18, Galatians 1:7, Galatians 6:10-17, Philippians 2:15, Philippians 3:17 et al) …
*And where Paul claims the “the Spirit of Christ” is living through him, his actions show that this is indeed not the case (see Acts 16:37-39, Acts 22:25-29, Acts 23:1-10, Acts 24:10-20, Acts 25:8-12, Romans 15:27, 1 Corinthians 9:4-14, Galatians 6:6 et al) and his teachings reflect exactly the opposite (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-14 in contrast with Matthew 10:7 & Matthew 24:12-14 — also Romans 8:18 & 1 Corinthians 15:23-28 et al in contrast with Matthew 22:32, Luke 17:20-21 & John 5:25 et al).
As such, when we read such self-laudatory verses from Paul, we are to think more on the Elohim – the fallen angel deceivers of Genesis, whose teachings & admonitions we are to firmly denounce – than we are of anyone saintly or prophetic (indeed, read Acts 26:12-15 with Luke 10:18 in mind to get a more accurate reflection of Paul’s true theological status).
On a brighter note, what is accurate about this verse is the fact that we all must do as Paul says herein – namely, that we indeed must all “take up our cross” of self-sacrifice for others (see Matthew 16:28) and follow The Way of Christ by giving others active expressions of selfless Love (see John 13:15-17) – especially the enemies in our lives (see Matthew 5:43-48, unlike Paul – see Romans 1:32 & 1 Corinthians 5:4-5) and especially the downtrodden in our communities (see Matthew 25:35-40, also unlike Paul – Colossians 3:22 et al).
Amen … Let it be so.
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