Muslims claim Paul is a false apostle Part 4

Muslim claim:

Evidences that Paul was a False Apostle

4– He wasn’t approved by the 12 apostles (he also didn’t witness Jesus nor his ascension nor his claimed cross and resurrection):

“For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:12 ESV)

“was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;” “nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:16-17 ESV)

“When Peter came to Antioch, I told him face to face that he was wrong.” (Galatians 2:11 CEVUK)

“Jesus, who is known as Justus, sends his greetings. These three men [Aristarchus, Markos, and Justus] are the only Jewish followers who have worked with me for the kingdom of God. They have given me much comfort.” (Colossians 4:11 CEV)

As for “Evidences that Paul was a False Prophet,” you claim as such evidence:

4- He wasn’t approved by the 12 apostles (he also didn’t witness Jesus nor his ascension nor his claimed cross and resurrection):

To establish this claim you cite Galatians 1:12. I will cite the God’s Word translation for its greater clarity:

Gal 1:11  I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Good News I have spread is not a human message.
Gal 1:12  I didn’t receive it from any person. I wasn’t taught it, but Jesus Christ revealed it to me. (GW)

The Gospel of Christ which Paul preached was not his own invention but was communicated to him directly by our Lord Jesus Christ.

In interpreting the Bible we must take care to include all the relevant evidence that applies to the subject being studied. You violated this rule of interpretation by failing to cite this text from Galatians:

Galatians 2:9
9  And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
King James Version

Paul and Barnabas were given the “right hand of fellowship” by the chief leaders of the Church, Peter, James, and John, which is solid irrefutable evidence that Paul was approved by the lead apostles.

Further evidence of this approval is found in the record of the first church council at Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15:

Act 15:1  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Act 15:2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Act 15:4  And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

After hearing the testimony of Paul and Barnabas, James rendered the decision of the council and authorized that a letter declaring the same be sent with Paul and Barnabas, in the company of two of their own company, a letter which stated:

Act 15:23  And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Act 15:24  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
Act 15:25  It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Act 15:26  Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Act 15:27  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

Lastly, we read in the second and last of Peter’s letters, written near the end of his life, of his regard for Paul:

2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
2Pe 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:18  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

What I have shared with you constitutes actual evidence that proves that Paul was accepted by Peter, James, and John and the whole church as an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, utterly refuting your claim to the contrary.

As for “Evidences that Paul was a False Prophet,” you claim as such evidence:

5– He was learned and been taught Pre-Claims (didn’t deny the education):
“As Paul was defending himself in this way, Festus shouted, “Paul, you’re crazy! Too much education is driving you crazy!” Paul replied, “I’m not crazy, Your Excellency Festus. What I’m saying is true and sane.” (Acts 26:24-25 GW)
Arabic translations say “Too much books”.

The fact that Paul was highly educated has no bearing upon any claim that Paul was a false apostle. Paul was appointed by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to a broad spectrum of peoples and He gave Paul the message and the wisdom to convey that message far and wide.

6– He expelled the believers from Jerusalem (indicates he had forces with him Pre-Claim):

You have correctly noted Paul’s pre-conversion extreme enmity against all who believed in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul was given the authority by the officials in Jerusalem to seek out and capture every follower of the Way that he could find.

Paul had men who accompanied him to assist in this task.

Paul was fully engaged in this task when he was present at the stoning of Steven. Paul heard the message Steven proclaimed.

As I read the record in the book of Acts I see evidence that Paul was among those who unsuccessfully debated Steven in the synagogue of Cilicea:

Act 6:8  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
Act 6:9  Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
Act 6:10  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

The following account records that the authorities used strong-arm tactics to arrest Steven under false pretense.

But notice the mention of Cilicia. Cilicia was a province of Asia Minor, of which Tarsus was the capital. Paul or Saul was known as “Saul of Tarsus,” which confirms the connection I have made.

Despite all his great education, Paul was unable to withstand the force of the evidence and argument proclaimed by Steven that Jesus is the Messiah.

This weighed heavily upon Paul’s conscience until his conversion on the Damascus Road when Paul encountered in person our Lord Jesus Christ.