Nazarenes vs. Paul: Part 2 – Two Gospels at War
The first disciples didn’t follow Paul. They followed Yeshua – the Hebrew teacher who called them to obey YHWH (God) fully.
They were called Nazarenes – a sect that never disappeared but was hunted, discredited, and erased by Rome and Greek influence.
By 70 AD, Jerusalem was burning. Rome destroyed the Temple. And while the dust still settled, Paul’s letters were already gaining traction in Gentile churches—churches that had never walked with Yeshua.
The Nazarenes: Still Keeping Torah
Called Notsrim in Hebrew
Known to Romans as a Jewish sect
Still attending synagogues and keeping the commandments
Based in Jerusalem under James (Ya’akov), brother of Yeshua
Kept circumcision, Sabbath, clean foods, and biblical feasts
They followed Jeremiah 31:31–34: YHWH would write His Torah on their hearts, not abolish it.
Paul: A Competing Gospel Rises
Paul never followed Yeshua during His life. He never heard the Sermon on the Mount. He claimed revelation from visions (Galatians 1:12).
Taught freedom from Torah
Rejected circumcision as required
Preached a “mystery gospel” no other apostle preached
Paul had to prove himself to the elders in Jerusalem (Acts 21:20–26), yet his letters tell a different story.
Conflict Comes to Light
By 90 AD, the original apostles were gone. Gentile churches rose. The Roman empire and false teachers silenced the Hebrew voice.
Early writings (e.g., Recognitions of Clement) describe Peter rebuking a figure like Paul:
"You have opposed the law of God… You set yourself up above the apostles… You are the enemy."
Even church historians like Epiphanius admitted: “The Nazarenes rejected Paul.”
Different Roots, Different Fruits
Nazarenes Pauline Churches
Origin Jerusalem, 33 AD Asia Minor, 50–65 AD
Language Aramaic and Hebrew Greek
Foundation Torah + Yeshua’s teaching Grace without Torah
View of Paul Rejected as false Main apostle to Gentiles
Lifestyle Torah-observant, Sabbath, Feasts Sunday worship, no Torah
Why This Still Matters
Paul’s teachings became the foundation of Roman Christianity. But Yeshua never abolished the Torah. He said:
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” – Matthew 5:17
The Nazarenes weren’t legalists. They were faithful. They walked in covenant, not in rebellion. They were the true branch.
Let the Truth Shine Again
The world was given Paul’s version. But the original gospel has never died. It’s waiting to be restored — word by word, name by name, story by story.
The Nazarene path is the narrow path — not easy, but real.
Next in Part 3: We’ll uncover how the Roman church erased the Nazarene records and elevated Paul’s letters above Yeshua’s own words. Names will be named. History will speak.