2Co 12:2-4 "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. (3) And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— (4) how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
What we know about Paul the Mystic began on his journey to Damascus to persecute the church. That was his first mystical experience. Prior to that from all we know, Paul was simply a trained rabbi that sat at the feet of Gamaliel, a student of the venerated Hillel. It is important however to realize that Paul had two influences throughout his ministry. It is difficult to separate the mystical Paul from the rabbinical Paul. This is the source of most of the confusion surrounding Paul's teaching. Let me give a clear example of what I am writing about. Here are two passages that show both Paul's. The first is the mystical, and the second is the rabbinical. Rom 5:20 "Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more," and Rom 6:1-2 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? (2) Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" The confusion comes into play when we let the voice of the rabbinical Paul over-ride the mystical Paul. In effect, Romans 6:1-2 nullifies Romans 5:20. At least, in my time in evangelical Christianity most pastors and teachers have had the rabbinical Paul quash the mystic.
This is only important insofar as it either establishes or negates, the love, mercy, and grace of God. My view is that it is ONLY unconditional grace, which produces the love within an individual that will lead to genuine supernatural transformation. In this way, Paul the rabbi negates the important revelation received by Paul the mystic. In reality, it is Paul the mystic that adds clarity to the message of Jesus. Jesus ministered in two ways. He taught what it means to love, and what love actually looks like. He also demonstrated the ethereal supernatural nature of the world by suspending physical laws. In my view, it is very likely that Jesus did preform these supernatural feats because there are many reported in Mark's gospel which is considered to be the first gospel written. I am not of the number that doubts the miracles. The truth of the matter is this. Jesus as the incarnate Logos, creative Word, was able to spiritually take advantage of the fact that the world we occupy is basically composed of energy without corporeal substance. In other words, the one who sustains the world with his powerful word, can change it by his word.
My point is this. Paul the mystic is important in our understanding and Paul the rabbi is not. As Jesus taught us how to love and act loving, Paul the mystic gave us the supernatural formula for being transformed into love itself. His formula was simply to be transformed by the renewing of the mind. Renewing the mind to what? The mercy and grace of God! See, that is what drives the love train. It is the unconditional, unwavering, unimaginable, and inexhaustible love of God that is the catalyst. New covenant people, new creations, have no business concerning themselves with Paul the rabbi. If it had a positive purpose at all, it was limited to the conditions of the first century and the melding of Jews and Gentiles. I really do not believe it had a purpose beyond Paul's compulsion to hang on to his Judaic beginnings.
Paul the mystic, the one who was taken up into the third heaven, receive revelation that is crucial to progressing as a follower of Jesus. He discovered that we are seated in heavenly places in Christ. The heavenly places are synonymous with the quantum/ethereal level where all of the material world is created and sustained. He was told that Christ followers were the body of Jesus. That means that Christ followers are the hands, feet, voice, and mind of Jesus here on earth. This is revelation of the mystical union that all disciples should have. He was made aware that the first purpose in creation was redemption. It was to the praise of God's glorious grace and it was not to praise God per se but to be so convinced of God's mercy, love and grace that we could not help but love God! Not just a little bit but really, really, really, love God with ALL our heart, ALL our soul, and ALL our strength! It was to love God so much that it would transform us into love itself. Paul the rabbi was still concerned with rules. Paul the mystic saw a glimpse of the freedom of the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God!
My prayer is that we will all be able to begin to discern the difference between Paul the mystic and Paul the rabbi, and appreciate the revelation he received without the constraint of his rabbinical fears.
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