Christianity, at its core, is centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus that the way to reconciliation with God is made possible, as He Himself stated in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The teachings and actions of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels, form the foundation upon which Christianity is built. His command to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-40) encapsulates the essence of Christian living.

The Apostle Paul, a key figure in the New Testament, played a significant role in the early spread of Christianity and in the theological development of the church. His letters to the early Christian communities make up a considerable portion of the New Testament and provide deep insights into Christian doctrine and practice. However, Paul’s teachings and writings were always grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul encourages believers to “follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul’s role was not to found a new religion separate from that of Jesus but to interpret, explain, and spread the teachings of Jesus to both Jews and Gentiles, thus extending the reach of the message of Christ.

The question of whether Christianity is a religion of Jesus or Paul might arise from the observation that much of Christian doctrine is articulated through Paul’s writings. It is important to understand that Paul’s teachings are deeply rooted in the teachings and person of Jesus Christ. Paul saw his mission as bringing the Gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—to the world. In Galatians 1:11-12, Paul emphasizes that the gospel he preached was not something man-made but a revelation from Jesus Christ himself: “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”

Therefore, Christianity is fundamentally a religion of Jesus Christ, built upon His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Paul, along with the other apostles and early Christians, played a crucial role in bearing witness to Jesus, spreading His teachings, and establishing communities of believers. The heart of Christianity remains the person and work of Jesus Christ, with Paul serving as a significant messenger and interpreter of Christ’s continuing impact on the world.