What Did Paul Believe About Jesus? A Comprehensive Guide to Pauline Theology

Have you ever wondered what the Apostle Paul thought about Jesus’ life, earthly ministry, and resurrection? From His birth and family to His teachings, the Last Supper, betrayal, crucifixion, and bodily resurrection, Paul’s letters offer a comprehensive look at the pivotal moments in Jesus’ life and their lasting impact on Christianity.

In this study of Pauline theology, you will discover:

• How Paul’s epistles consistently affirm Jesus’ human birth, family, and lineage from David.
• The ways Paul wove Jesus’ earthly teachings—such as the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord’s Supper, and the command to love—into his letters.
• Paul’s firm theology of Jesus’ betrayal, trial before Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, burial, and victory over death.
• The historical eyewitness accounts of the risen Christ, including Paul’s own dramatic encounter on the Damascus road.

1. Paul Believed Jesus Was Born as a Human

Paul’s writings make it clear that Jesus’ birth as a human being was an essential part of God’s plan for salvation. Paul consistently believed that Jesus was born as a human and entered history as the promised Messiah:

• “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.” – Galatians 4:4–5
• “concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 1:3–4
• “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:6–7
• “For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh.” – Romans 8:3

2. Paul Believed Jesus Had Family and Disciples

Paul’s mention of “the brothers of the Lord” aligns with the belief that Jesus was born into a family with siblings, highlighting His shared humanity and normal familial relationships:

• “But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.” – Galatians 1:19
• “Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?” – 1 Corinthians 9:5

3. Paul Believed in Jesus’ Teachings and Example

Paul frequently incorporated Jesus’ ethical teachings and commands into his letters to guide early Christian communities:

• The Lord’s Supper: “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
• Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse… Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:14–21
• Marriage and Divorce: “To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.” – 1 Corinthians 7:10–11
• Love and Forgiveness: Jesus taught: “Love your neighbor as yourself” – Matthew 22:39. Paul echoes this command directly: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:8–10. Paul also repeats this in his letter to the Galatians: “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” – Galatians 5:14

4. Paul Believed Jesus Instituted the Lord’s Supper

Paul firmly believed that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist. This belief is clearly articulated in Paul’s writings, especially in 1 Corinthians, where he recounts the events of the Last Supper and Jesus’ instructions to His disciples:

• “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
• “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.” – 1 Corinthians 11:27–29
• “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” – 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

5. Paul Believed in Jesus’ Betrayal

Paul explicitly references the night of Jesus’ betrayal and the hostility of those who handed Him over to be killed:

• “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23
• “For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:14–15

6. Paul Believed Jesus Testified Before Pontius Pilate

Paul’s belief that Jesus testified before Pontius Pilate is expressed in his pastoral letter to Timothy:

• “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession,” – 1 Timothy 6:13

7. Paul Believed in the Crucifixion

Paul’s belief in the crucifixion of Jesus was a central pillar of his theology and teachings. He emphasized the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross as the means of redemption and reconciliation between God and humanity. Here are all nine ways Paul articulated his belief in the crucifixion:

• “but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:23–24
• “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree'” – Galatians 3:13
• “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
• “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” – Romans 6:6–7
• “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14
• “But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case, the offense of the cross has been removed.” – Galatians 5:11
• “It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” – Galatians 6:12
• “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” – Philippians 2:8
• “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ.” – Philippians 3:18

8. Paul Believed Jesus Truly Died

Paul’s belief in Jesus’ physical death is central to his theology and is expressed throughout his letters:

• “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:6–8
• “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” – 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
• “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” – Romans 6:3–5
• “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:8

9. Paul Believed Jesus Was Buried

Here are the key references from Paul’s letters that affirm his explicit belief in Jesus’ burial:

• “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
• “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” – Romans 6:4
• “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” – Colossians 2:12

10. Paul Believed Jesus Rose From the Dead

Paul’s belief in the bodily resurrection of Jesus was the absolute cornerstone of Christian faith, signifying Jesus’ victory over sin and death and offering hope for eternal life. Here are the passages from Paul’s letters that clearly illustrate his belief in Jesus’ resurrection:

• “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
• “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:12–14
• “but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” – Romans 4:24–25
• “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” – Romans 6:4–5
• “knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.” – 2 Corinthians 4:14
• “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:14
• “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.” – Romans 8:11

11. Paul Believed in Eyewitnesses of the Risen Jesus

Paul emphasized the numerous historical appearances of the risen Jesus—including his own encounter—to validate the resurrection’s authenticity:

• “And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” – 1 Corinthians 15:8
• On the Road to Damascus (Acts 9:3–6): Paul saw a blinding light and heard the voice of Jesus: “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.” – Acts 9:3–6
• The Full Eyewitness Record (1 Corinthians 15:3–8): “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3–8

12. Paul Believed in Emulating Jesus’ Lifestyle

Finally, Paul continually encouraged believers to follow the humble, loving example set by Jesus:

• “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
• “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am ‘timid’ when face to face with you, but ‘bold’ toward you when away!” – 2 Corinthians 10:1
• “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:5–7
• “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:2

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Apostle Paul believe about Jesus? Paul believed that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who was born of a woman as a human descendant of David, lived a sinless life, instituted the Last Supper, was betrayed, testified before Pontius Pilate, was crucified on the cross, died for our sins, was buried, and bodily rose from the dead on the third day as witnessed by hundreds of eyewitnesses, including Paul himself.

Did Paul write about Jesus’ earthly life and teachings? Yes! While Paul focused heavily on the theology of the cross and resurrection, his letters frequently reference Jesus’ family (“the brothers of the Lord”), His teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (Romans 12:14–21), His command on marriage and divorce (1 Corinthians 7:10–11), His institution of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23–26), and His command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Romans 13:8–10; Galatians 5:14).

Why is Paul’s witness to the resurrection so historically significant? In 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, Paul preserves an early Christian creed that lists multiple eyewitness appearances of the risen Jesus—to Cephas (Peter), the twelve disciples, more than 500 brothers at one time (most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote), James, all the apostles, and finally to Paul himself.

Conclusion

The Apostle Paul’s writings bridge the historical life of Jesus with the saving power of the Gospel. From His human birth and family to His teachings, the Last Supper, betrayal, crucifixion, burial, and triumphant resurrection, Paul saw every detail of Jesus’ life and finished work as central to our faith. May studying Paul’s deep theological insights encourage you to imitate Christ in humility and love! Share this study with a friend or explore more of our New Testament teachings on Adonai Yeshua!