Please fill me in. Why the lack of respect for the Work of Paul?
Against the gospels and what Jesus said, Paul seems to have invented "Gentile Christianity". At least that's the accusation, particularly by folks who can't relate Jesus' words and the way church is now done. Paul/Saul was designated an apostle "as of one born out of time", by Jesus himself. How? Road to Damascus conversion experience and thirteen years in Arabia, where he was taught the gospel he had to explain to the Jerusalem elders upon his return. (An apostle had to be an eyewitness of the risen LORD.)
People take the epistles Paul wrote as he spread this gospel to be outside of Jesus' words, particularly about church matters. They'd prefer sticking with the Sermon on the Mount "beatitudes" as how Christians are to live and evangelize. Timothy, Paul's protege, was reminded the gospel Paul preached could be summarized thus. "Never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David's family and that he was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach." 2 Timothy 2:8 NLV. (Sounds pretty close to what Jesus was all about.)
