Paul and Jesus: Do their teachings agree with one another?

Did Jesus and Paul teach the same thing?

by Matt Slick | Dec 11, 2008 | Questions, Other

Many critics, Muslims included, say that Paul contradicted Jesus and hijacked Christianity. So, I spent some time going through the words of Christ in the words of Paul to find any similarities. I was surprised to find how many things that both said that are identical and some things that are not perfectly identical or very similar. In fact, I was finding so many similarities in my research that I decided to just stop and publish what I found.

By looking at the information below, you will quickly learn that Paul did not hijack Christianity. He expanded on what Jesus said.

Access to God the Father is through Jesus
1. Jesus
  1. John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
  2. Matthew 11:27, “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”
2. Paul
  1. Ephesians 2:18, “for through Him [Jesus] we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”
All, the “all” given to Christ
1. Jesus
  1. John 6:39, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”
  2. John 17:2, “even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.”
  3. John 17:9, “I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 5:18, “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
Authority, Jesus has all authority
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 9:6, “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.”
  2. Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.“
2. Paul
  1. Ephesians 1:20–21, “which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
Bears witness of Jesus, both testify of Jesus.
1. Jesus
  1. John 6:45, ““It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.“
  2. Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
  3. John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 3:24, “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;”
  2. 1 Corinthians 2:2, “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.”
  3. Galatians 5:1, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
Beware of false teachers
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 7:15, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”
  2. Matthew 16:6, “And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.””
  3. Matthew 24:23–25, “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There He is,’ do not believe him. 24 “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. 25 “Behold, I have told you in advance.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 16:17, “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”
  2. Philippians 3:2, “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.”
  3. Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”
Chosen, People are chosen by God/Jesus
1. Jesus
  1. Matt. 22:14, “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
  2. Mark 13:20, “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.”
  3. John 15:16, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”
  4. Acts 9:15, “But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel'”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 11:7, “What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened.”
  2. Colossians 3:12, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;”
  3. 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
  4. 2 Timothy 2:10, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”
Communion Supper
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 26:27–28, “And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.“
  2. Luke 22:20, “And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.”
  4. John 6:51, “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
2. Paul
  1. 1 Corinthians 10:16, “Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?”
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:28–29, “But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.”
  3. 2 Corinthians 3:5–6, “Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
Eternal Destruction
1. Jesus
  1. Mark 3:29, “but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.”
  2. Matthew 25:46, “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””
2. Paul
  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:9, “These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
Eternal Life is through Jesus
1. Jesus
  1. John 6:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”“
  2. John 6:47, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.”
  3. John 10:28, “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 5:21, “so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
  2. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
False teachers will arise and deceive people before Jesus returns
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 24:3, 11–12, “As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”” 11 “Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”
2. Paul
  1. 1 Timothy 4:1–3, “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”
  2. 2 Timothy 4:3–4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
Follow Jesus
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 4:19, “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'”
  2. Matthew 8:22, “But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 13:13–14, “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
God the Father is not seen
1. Jesus
  1. John 6:46, “Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God; He has seen the Father.”
2. Paul
  1. 1 Timothy 6:14–16, “that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He [God] will bring about at the proper time – He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”
Humility
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 20:26, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”
  2. Mark 9:35, “Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.””
  3. Luke 18:14, ““I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.””
2. Paul
  1. Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”
  2. Colossians 3:12–13, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.”
Indwelling of the believer by Jesus
1. Jesus
  1. John 14:20, ““In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
  2. John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 8:10, “If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.”
Indwelling of the believer by the Holy Spirit
1. Jesus
  1. John 14:17, “that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
2. Paul
  1. John 14:17, “that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
Jesus, at the right hand of the Father
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 22:42–45, “What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying, 44 ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I PUT YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET” ’? 45 “If David then calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?””
2. Paul
  1. Romans 8:34, “who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”
  2. Ephesians 1:20, “which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,”
Judgment, you will be judged the way you judge
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 7:2, “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 2:1, “Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.”
Justification by faith alone
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 7:22–23, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’“
  2. Luke 18:9–14, “And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
  3. John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.“
2. Paul
  1. Romans 3:28, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”
  2. Romans 4:5, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,”
  3. Galatians 2:21, ““I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.””
Law, is not removed, but fulfilled
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.” 18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
  2. Luke 16:17, ““But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.”
2. Paul
  1. Gal. 3:17, “What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.”
  2. Galatians 3:21–24, “Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:20–21, “To the Jews I became as a Jew so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.”
Love people
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 5:43–44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
  2. John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  3. John 15:12, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 12:14, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
  2. Romans 12:19–21, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. 20 “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
  3. 1 Cor. 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.”
Persecution will come to the believers
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 10:16–18, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”
  2. Luke 21:12, “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake.”
2. Paul
  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:4, “therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure.”
  2. 2 Timothy 3:10–11, “Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!”
Repentance, turning from sin
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
  2. Mark 1:15, “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”“
  3. John 8:11, “She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.””
2. Paul
  1. 2 Corinthians 12:21, “I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced.”
  2. 2 Timothy 2:24–25, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,”
Resurrection of Jesus, bodily
1. Jesus
  1. Luke 24:46, “and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,”
  2. John 2:19–21, “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” 21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.”
2. Paul
  1. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
Resurrection, of people by Jesus
1. Jesus
  1. John 6:39-40, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. 40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”“
2. Paul
  1. 1 Corinthians 6:14, “Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.”
  2. 2 Corinthians 4:14, “knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.”
Return of Jesus is with the angels
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 24:30–31, “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. 31 “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
2. Paul
  1. 1 Thess. 4:16–17, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
Sacrifice, Jesus is the sacrifice
1. Jesus
  1. John 12:32-33, “‘And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.’ 33 But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.”
  2. John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 8:3, “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,”
  2. Ephesians 5:2, “and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
  3. 1 Corinthians 5:7, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.”
Salvation by faith, not works
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 7:22–23, “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’”
  2. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.“
  3. John 6:40, “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 3:28, “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”
  2. Romans 4:5, “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness,”
  3. Titus 3:4–5, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”
Sanctification, avoiding sin
1. Jesus
  1. John 17:15–17, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. 16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
  2. Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'”
  3. John 8:11, “She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.””
2. Paul
  1. 1 Thess. 4:1–7, “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.”
Scripture, appeal to
1. Jesus
  1. Matt. 4:4,7, 10, “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’… 7 Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’ ”
  2. Matthew 21:13, “And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”“
  3. Luke 24:46, “and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,”
2. Paul
  1. Romans 1:1–3, “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,”
  2. Romans 4:3, “For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.””
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
  4. Galatians 3:8, “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.””
Sin is a legal debt
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
    1. Jesus said this in the prayer of “Our Father who is in Heaven”. The parallel passage is where Jesus says, “forgive us our sins for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.” (Luke 11:4).
  2. John 19:30, “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
    1. “It is finished,” in the Greek is ‘tetelestai’ which is a legal term signifying a legal debt is paid in full.
2. Paul
  1. Col. 2:14, “having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
Sinful nature of man
1. Jesus
  1. Matthew 15:19–20, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 “These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.””
2. Paul
  1. Ephesians 2:3, “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”