Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
The speaker points to 2 Peter 3:15–16 (“as they do to the rest of the Scriptures”) and 1 Corinthians 14:37 (“commandments of the Lord”) to insist Paul’s teaching here is Jesus’ command; what does that reveal about God’s willingness to bind consciences through apostolic writing, and where do modern evangelicals tend to resist that?
Another way to ask: If Paul’s words here are treated as the Lord’s command, what does that show about God using the apostles’ writing to require obedience? Where do many evangelicals push back against that kind of authority today?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
According to the speaker, God binds believers through apostolic writings because the apostles speak with the Lord’s authority, and other apostles (like Peter) recognize those letters as Scripture. He suggests modern resistance shows up when people dismiss Paul as “not Jesus,” or treat obedience as unnecessary unless it affects salvation.
- He quotes 2 Pet. 3:15–16 to show Paul’s letters are classed with Scripture: people twist Paul “as they do to the rest of scriptures.”
- He cites 1 Cor. 14:37: “the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord,” and concludes: “The things that Paul is writing to us are the commandments of Jesus.”
- He notes Paul distinguishes personal opinion by prefacing it (“I, not the Lord” in 1 Cor. 7), and says Paul does not do that in 1 Cor. 11.
- He mentions some say “Paul, his words aren’t scripture,” and others argue “Jesus didn’t say it, so we don’t need to do it.”
- He critiques a salvation-centered reduction: “every time you bring up anything to do with obedience” people say it doesn’t matter.