The Cult of Paul

Contrast #16: Paul's pious boasting and Jesus' humble quietude...

While there are admittedly exceptions to this generality found within the Scriptures - with Paul sometimes writing reservedly^{(e.g. Paul's letter to Philemon.)} and Jesus every now and then booming his message with fervor,^{(e.g. Matthew 23 or Luke 11:37-52.)} for the most part it holds true that Paul was fond of brash boasting while Jesus preferred the peace of calm teaching or spiritual solitude. Whereas Paul regularly enters local synagogues to cajole, debate, and/or argue,^{(See Contrast #17.)} Jesus is far more often seen retreating to pray alone.^{(Matthew 14:23, 26:36-39, Mark 1:35, 6:46, 14:32-25, Luke 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 22:41-42, John 17.)} Whereas Paul frequently compliments himself and boasts in [his own] sufferings,^{Romans 5:3. See also Romans 15:17, 1 Corinthians 4:9—13, 9:15, 15:10, 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, 6:4—10, Galatians 1:24, Colossians 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 2:2}, Jesus encouraged his followers to do exactly the opposite.^{(Matthew 5:10-11, 6:1-4, 16-18, 10:39, Luke 6:22-23. Note also his Father not my will but yours be done prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42.)} Whereas Paul openly ,glorified [his own] ministry,^{Romans 11:13} Jesus refused to do so; stating quite plainly that he could do nothing on [his] own,^{John 5:30} that he accepted the glory of no human beings,^{John 5:41} and that if I glorify myself, that glory means nothing.^{John 8:54. See also Matthew 4:10, 18:3-4, 23:12, Mark 10:18, John 6:15, 12:44} Whereas Paul encouraged others to loudly praise Christ and publicly worship Jesus,^{(Romans 10:9-13, 1 Corinthians 12:3, 14:4-5, 2 Corinthians 1:19—20, Philippians 2: 10-11, Colossians 1:15-17.)} Jesus encouraged his followers to pray only to God and to do so in secret silence.^{(Matthew 6:5-6, 33-34, John 4:23.)}

Finally, whereas Paul saw "signs and wonders" as proof of his divine apostleship,^{(see Acts 14:1-3, Romans 15:18-19, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 12:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:5.)} Jesus often refused to engage in such showboating^{(Matthew 12:38-39, 16:2-4, Mark 6:4—6, 8:12. See also Matthew 24:24, John 4:46-48, and especially John 20:29's Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.)} and frequently refused to accept responsibility for any of his supposed "miracles".^{(Matthew 8:1-3, 9:22-24, 9:29-30, 15:28, 17:19-20, Mark 1:40-44, 5:19, 34-39, 7:36, 8:26, 9:23, 10:52, Luke 5:12-14, 8:39, 8:48, 8:50—52, 17:19, 18:42, John 5:19, 6:15, 11:4.)}