Hmm... Well something changed! When Christ came SOMETHING changed! Do we even consider there was a gospel before Christ came? It was foretold, yes... It was said a change was coming. But that is still a change.
I am of the mindset that it didn't change but was in development with Paul. There was a change, but that happened in Matthew 11:12-13 and Luke 16:16. The law and prophets were until John the Baptist. The change came with Jesus Christ and was not fully manifested and completed until Paul finished. Maybe Paul's ministry was the butterfly to the caterpillar that Jesus started as and went into the cacoon.
(Yea... That's going to be real popular! Just remember folks... Without the caterpillar there is no butterfly! And I am just saying "maybe")
Paul indeed brought forth the message of Grace through faith that JESUS established. He didn't invent it, he uncovered what Jesus did. It was there since the death of Jesus and even before. But it was revealed by Paul.
If you tell a man that God is demanding no good works of him whatsoever, no religious observances or church ordinances, that God is not asking him to undertake any duties at all,
But Richard... this is where I disagree. If you are talking about all kinds of wacky rituals, I agree. Even water baptism... It's ok, it was done but no... Not required. But if you are talking strictly attending Church, I have a problem. Because the same Paul that revealed Grace also set forth an orderly ministry and rules for church. And unless you think the Holy spirit left him at that point but returned when he spoke of Grace, you have a problem.
Grace comes through faith.
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
You cannot hear the Word without a preacher who is sent by God.
That's not me saying that, it's not James and it isn't even directly Jesus saying it (though he indirectly did)... That comes from the pen of PAUL!
with Grace, he didn't demand a bunch of rules or regulations on the flesh. But he set up a system of how to conduct Church. He st up practices during the service and govt of the Church.
Or am I wrong? Did he not? I have given you the verses! What I got back was a somber tail of how it's such a shame that some don't believe the message of Grace and how some feel we must go to Church... Bla, bla bla...
Yet... You never deal directly with Paul's writing when it comes to going to Church and how it should be run.