#158 – Why Paul's Churches Won Early Christianity
03/26/25 • 49 min
What if Paul’s vision of Christ reshaped Christianity in ways Jesus’ own brother, James, never intended? In this episode, we explore the intense clash between Paul’s Christ movement and the Jesus movement, led by James in Jerusalem, as they battled over the faith’s direction. Paul’s independent gospel, born from a divine encounter, drove him to spread his message to Gentile cities like Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, outpacing the Jewish-focused Jesus movement. As the Jerusalem community waned after the city’s fall in 70 AD, Paul’s universal vision took root, defining the Christianity we know today. Join Nate and Shelby as they uncover these pivotal shifts, question Paul’s authority, and ask: could the Jesus movement have changed history if it had prevailed? Tune in to rethink the origins of your faith.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected]
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#apostlepaul #earlychristianity #biblepodcast
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Christ Movement
03:03 Understanding Paul and His Background
05:31 The Conflict with Jerusalem Leadership
08:35 Paul's Independent Revelation
11:40 The Divergence of Movements
16:28 The Tension of Jewish Customs
19:01 The Jerusalem Council and Gentile Inclusion
22:45 Paul's Distinct Gentile Christianity
25:13 The Expansion of Paul's Movement
35:22 Grassroots Movement and Rituals
40:19 The Decline of the Jesus Movement
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What if Paul’s vision of Christ reshaped Christianity in ways Jesus’ own brother, James, never intended? In this episode, we explore the intense clash between Paul’s Christ movement and the Jesus movement, led by James in Jerusalem, as they battled over the faith’s direction. Paul’s independent gospel, born from a divine encounter, drove him to spread his message to Gentile cities like Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, outpacing the Jewish-focused Jesus movement. As the Jerusalem community waned after the city’s fall in 70 AD, Paul’s universal vision took root, defining the Christianity we know today. Join Nate and Shelby as they uncover these pivotal shifts, question Paul’s authority, and ask: could the Jesus movement have changed history if it had prevailed? Tune in to rethink the origins of your faith.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected]
Become a member and get:
1. Bonus episodes and aftershows
2. All full-length, ad-free episodes
3. Access to Heretical Together (our private community of 350+ listeners)
Become a member: almostheretical.com/premium
#apostlepaul #earlychristianity #biblepodcast
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Christ Movement
03:03 Understanding Paul and His Background
05:31 The Conflict with Jerusalem Leadership
08:35 Paul's Independent Revelation
11:40 The Divergence of Movements
16:28 The Tension of Jewish Customs
19:01 The Jerusalem Council and Gentile Inclusion
22:45 Paul's Distinct Gentile Christianity
25:13 The Expansion of Paul's Movement
35:22 Grassroots Movement and Rituals
40:19 The Decline of the Jesus Movement
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
#157 – James vs. Paul: The Battle in Early Christianity History
(Part 1 here) Who should guide your faith—James, Jesus’ brother, or Paul, the visionary apostle? We dive into early Christianity history to explore a battle of beliefs. James rooted his leadership in the Jewish roots of Christianity, blending faith with works. Paul preached faith alone, shaping a global faith. We uncover their clash—faith and works: Paul vs James—through the Didache and the Ebionites’ rejection of Paul. Tune in to decide whose voice speaks to you today.
Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email [email protected]
Become a member and get:
1. Bonus episodes and after shows
2. All full-length, ad-free episodes
3. Access to Heretical Together (our private community of 350+ listeners)
Become a member: almostheretical.com/premium
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
Bonus: Did Paul Get the Gospel Wrong?
This is a preview of one of our bonus episodes. To get the full bonus episode (43 minutes long), click here.
Did Paul’s vision of Jesus redefine faith, or did James’ focus on works hold the truth? In this bonus episode, we tackle your burning questions about faith vs. works, Paul’s outsized role in Christianity, and what might have been if the Jesus movement prevailed. Join Nate and Shelby as they dive into listener debates, challenge assumptions, and rethink biblical narratives. Share your thoughts in the comments—what do you think Christianity would look like without Paul?
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