Did Paul write Hebrews?

[grower]

Nobody knows who wrote Hebrews. It seems a lot like Paul's other writings, but in all the other epistles he signed his name at the end. As a journalist, I look at Hebrews and see pretty quickly that either (a) Paul did NOT write Hebrews, or (b) he had a new transcriptionist that didn't work out, since he never used him on another letter.

Paul never met a comma he didn't like. He was the king of run-on sentences. And Hebrews has periods. All through it. It is well-written, more polished than Paul's letters. My guess as to who wrote Hebrews? Apollos, maybe. He was a contemporary of Paul's, a well-educated and eloquent Jew. Second to him, maybe Barnabus. Barnabus was more humble (it seems from scripture) than Paul, so maybe that's why the document is unsigned. But I never got the impression that Barnabus was a scholar who would write a treatus explaining how the old and new covenants fit together.

Anyway, what does everyone else think?

[ByGraceAlone]

In my opinion, the benediction and the closing have "Paul" written all over them. Read chapter 13 verses 20-25 and see what you think.

[MsPaulRevere]

God wrote Hebrew's.

[Shinmen Takezo]

Questions about Paul/Saul:

How many years after the crucifixtion did Jesus allegedly appear to Saul on that dusty road? Were there witnesses? Did Jesus walk Saul/Paul into a meeting with the other apostiles and say, "dudes, this is Paul, formerly that A-hole, Saul the tax collector, and I want him to be one of you apostiles--any questions?"

I am wondering how this guy elevated himself to the level of apostile. To me he seems like an opportunist Benny Hinn of that era who eventually wound up being a defacto leader of the Christian movement. At one point he even has James jailed in Jerusalem for some reason.

I am not a fan of Paul if you can tell, nor do I believe his story of Jesus appearing to him on that road as he traveled. To me it seems like he recognized a good thing and did a Joseph Smith and claimed Jesus appeared to him in order to put himself into a position of power.

[Remnant777]

I didn't think that punctuation marks and sentence breaks and paragraphs
were put in till much later.

[bbwx]

I am not a fan of Paul if you can tell, nor do I believe his story of Jesus appearing to him on that road as he traveled. To me it seems like he recognized a good thing and did a Joseph Smith and claimed Jesus appeared to him in order to put himself into a position of power.

First of all, Jesus Christ Himself chose Paul as His apostle:

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

Secondly, Paul was acknowledged by the whole church at Jerusalem as an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:22Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas,

And then, this is some of what Paul experienced.

2Co 11:24-31 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Gal 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

This is written by Peter the Apostle:

2 Peter 3:14-16: Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

It might be helpful for those wondering about Paul to consider the following:

It is my understanding that Jesus said plainly that he came to the Jews, the circumcision and not to any others. Jesus did not send his 12 apostles to the gentiles, in fact he forbid them to go to the gentiles and they didn't for ten or twenty years.

It was years after Lord Jesus' ascension that he called and sent Saul/Paul specifically to the gentiles.

All the while the 12 were keeping the law of the Jews in their personal lives.
So apparently, Jesus wanted it that way UNTIL the time was right to send a specially prepared apostle to the gentiles. Why?

1 Cor 1:22-24 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

Paul makes it quite clear that he was not taught by any man or any apostle or other believer, but that he was taught directly by Lord Jesus while living in Arabia for three years.

It seems that Jesus knew that a different approach would be needed for these divergent groups. It was and still is difficult for even a believer to give up serving the law and put faith in God's grace. If you discount the writings of Paul then you have to rip up and throw away half of the New Testament.

[Shinmen Takezo]

First of all, Jesus Christ Himself chose Paul as His apostle:

Act 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

And just who saw this other than Paul himself!?

[Shinmen Takezo]

Paul makes it quite clear that he was not taught by any man or any apostle or other believer, but that he was taught directly by Lord Jesus while living in Arabia for three years.

Uh huh!
And this is also what Joseph Smith claimed as well if I remember correctly.

Was anyone there with him with JC as well?!

[grower]

And just who saw this other than Paul himself!?

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: but their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. -- Acts 9:10-25


Peter himself acknowledged the calling of Paul:
. . .even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 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. 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. -- 2nd Peter 3:15-17

[packyderms_wife]

Questions about Paul/Saul:

How many years after the crucifixtion did Jesus allegedly appear to Saul on that dusty road? Were there witnesses? Did Jesus walk Saul/Paul into a meeting with the other apostiles and say, "dudes, this is Paul, formerly that A-hole, Saul the tax collector, and I want him to be one of you apostiles--any questions?"

I am wondering how this guy elevated himself to the level of apostile. To me he seems like an opportunist Benny Hinn of that era who eventually wound up being a defacto leader of the Christian movement. At one point he even has James jailed in Jerusalem for some reason.

I am not a fan of Paul if you can tell, nor do I believe his story of Jesus appearing to him on that road as he traveled. To me it seems like he recognized a good thing and did a Joseph Smith and claimed Jesus appeared to him in order to put himself into a position of power.

If you pick up a bible and read Acts chapter 9 you will have the anwsers to your questions. In the off chance you don't own a bible here's an online source http://www.blueletterbible.org

K-