Who Continued the Teaching of Jesus? Paul or Muhammad?

Dr. Tim Orr

Throughout history, various religious figures have claimed to carry forward the message of Jesus, but few have had as significant an impact as the Apostle Paul and the Prophet Muhammad. Both men are revered as key figures in Christianity and Islam, respectively, and both shaped the religious and social landscapes of their time. However, a crucial question remains: Did either of them truly continue the teachings of Jesus? This question is not just theological but historical, as it impacts how we understand the transmission of Jesus’ message and the development of major world religions.

To determine who remained faithful to Jesus’ mission, we must first identify what Jesus taught. His message, as recorded in the Gospels, centered on the Kingdom of God, salvation by grace through faith, love and forgiveness, His death and resurrection, and the Great Commission. By comparing these teachings with the messages of Paul and Muhammad, we can assess who truly carried Jesus' vision forward. This exploration is not about personal preference but about weighing historical and theological evidence.

Understanding the Core Teachings of Jesus

The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality, Not a Political Entity

One of the most defining aspects of Jesus' message was His emphasis on the Kingdom of God. Unlike earthly kingdoms defined by political power, Jesus described His kingdom as something that operates within the hearts of believers. In Mark 1:15, He declared, “The time has come… The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” This kingdom was not based on military conquest or political control but accessible through faith and repentance. Jesus consistently framed His mission by inaugurating this kingdom, which He described as present and future (Luke 17:20-21). Rather than advocating for violent overthrow of governments or territorial expansion, He emphasized spiritual transformation that would begin in the heart and manifest through love, justice, and righteousness.

Jesus further illustrated this concept through parables, such as the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32) and the Parable of the Yeast (Matthew 13:33). These stories reveal that the Kingdom of God would start small but grow to influence the world. His refusal to establish an earthly government confounded many, including His disciples, who initially expected a political Messiah. Instead, Jesus taught that His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36). This theme remains central to Christianity, as believers are called to live as citizens of God's kingdom rather than pursue power through worldly means. Any true continuation of Jesus’ teachings must uphold this fundamental spiritual vision.

Salvation by Grace: The Heart of Jesus' Message

Another key element of Jesus’ teaching was salvation by grace through faith. Unlike the prevailing Jewish belief at the time that emphasized adherence to the Law as a means of righteousness, Jesus taught that salvation was a gift from God, received through faith rather than human effort. In John 3:16, He famously stated, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This message fundamentally challenged legalistic interpretations of the Law, emphasizing that a relationship with God was based on faith and trust rather than ritual observance.

Jesus reinforced this point through His interactions with sinners, such as the tax collector Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) and the repentant woman who anointed His feet (Luke 7:36-50). In both cases, He extended forgiveness not because of their good deeds but because of their faith. He contrasted this with the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, who relied on their works to justify themselves. By doing so, Jesus clarified that God’s grace was extended to all, regardless of social status or religious background. Paul later carried forward this radical emphasis on grace but was notably absent from Muhammad’s teachings.

Paul: The Faithful Messenger of Jesus' Teachings

Paul’s Teaching on the Kingdom of God

Paul’s writings affirm Jesus’ message about the Kingdom of God. Throughout his letters, Paul describes believers as those who have been “transferred into the kingdom of the Son” (Colossians 1:13). He consistently taught that the kingdom was not about earthly power but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). His missionary work was dedicated to spreading the reality of this kingdom among both Jews and Gentiles, reinforcing Jesus’ vision of an inclusive spiritual community.

Furthermore, Paul repeatedly warned against reducing Christianity to a set of external rules and political ambitions. In Philippians 3:20, he reminds believers that “our citizenship is in heaven,” urging them to focus on spiritual realities rather than worldly status. This echoes Jesus’ statement that His kingdom was “not of this world” (John 18:36). Paul’s alignment with Jesus' teachings on the kingdom is evident in his efforts to establish churches based not on political dominance but on faith, discipleship, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Emphasis on Salvation by Grace

Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace is one of the clearest continuations of Jesus’ message. He famously wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” This statement aligns with Jesus’ teachings in John 3:16 and Luke 18:9-14, reinforcing that righteousness comes from faith, not human effort.

Moreover, Paul’s transformation illustrates this principle. As a former Pharisee, he once relied on his religious zeal to prove his righteousness. Yet, after encountering Jesus, he realized that salvation depended entirely on God’s mercy (Philippians 3:7-9). His writings in Romans and Galatians further develop this theme, arguing that the Law was never meant to save but to point people to Christ (Galatians 3:24). By consistently upholding salvation by grace, Paul faithfully preserved the core message of Jesus.

Muhammad: A Divergent Message

A Shift from the Kingdom of God to a Political System

While Islam acknowledges Jesus as a prophet, it denies His crucifixion, which is the central event in Christian theology. The Quran states in Surah 4:157, “And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but [another] was made to resemble him to them.” This verse forms the foundation of the Islamic belief that Jesus was not crucified but was instead taken up to heaven. At the same time, another person—possibly Judas Iscariot or someone else—was made to appear like Him. The denial of the crucifixion is rooted in the Islamic theological concept of divine intervention, where God would not allow a true prophet to suffer such a humiliating fate. However, this interpretation contradicts the New Testament and historical sources, both Christian and secular, that affirm Jesus’ crucifixion as a historical fact (Evans, 2008; Habermas, 2004). The earliest followers of Jesus, including His disciples and Paul, consistently proclaimed His death and resurrection as the cornerstone of their faith, making the Islamic denial a significant theological divergence.

The Kingdom of God, as presented in the Gospels, is spiritual, but Muhammad established an earthly theocracy, intertwining religious law with political governance. Whereas Jesus taught unconditional love and commanded His followers to forgive even their enemies, Muhammad's teachings included commands for military expansion and retributive justice. Furthermore, the Islamic concept of salvation is based on a scale of good and bad deeds rather than God's grace. It fundamentally differs from Jesus' teaching that salvation is a gift to those who believe in Him.

Salvation in Islam: A Works-Based System

Another major divergence is Muhammad’s teaching on salvation. The Quran states that salvation depends on a person’s deeds outweighing their sins (Surah 23:102-103). This legalistic framework places the burden of righteousness on human effort rather than on God’s grace. In contrast, Jesus’ teaching emphasized that salvation is a divine gift, not something that can be earned (John 3:16).

Furthermore, Islam lacks an assurance of salvation. In Surah 46:9, Muhammad himself is uncertain about his eternal fate. This is strikingly different from Jesus’ promises of eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 10:28). The contrast is clear: whereas Jesus and Paul emphasized grace, Muhammad introduced a system dependent on human works, which is inconsistent with Jesus' message.

Conclusion: Paul, Not Muhammad, Continued Jesus’ Teachings

The question of who truly continued the teachings of Jesus is not merely a theological debate; it is a matter of historical evidence and doctrinal consistency. When we examine the core teachings of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels—His emphasis on the Kingdom of God, salvation by grace, love, and forgiveness, the significance of His death and resurrection, and the Great Commission—it becomes evident that Paul, not Muhammad, remained faithful to His message.

Ultimately, the answer to who continued Jesus' teachings is not subjective interpretation but the evidence itself. Paul faithfully carried forward Jesus' message, reinforcing His radical call to faith, grace, and love. Muhammad, by contrast, introduced a new system that significantly altered Jesus’ original message. For those seeking the authentic continuation of Jesus' teachings, Paul—not Muhammad—is the true apostolic successor.

References

Evans, C. A. (2008). Fabricating Jesus: How Modern Scholars Distort the Gospels. IVP Academic.

Habermas, G. (2004). The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus. Kregel Publications.

Wright, N. T. (2013). Paul and the Faithfulness of God. Fortress Press.

Tim Orr is a scholar of Islam, Evangelical minister, conference speaker, and interfaith consultant with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry. He holds six degrees, including a master’s in Islamic studies from the Islamic College in London. Tim taught Religious Studies for 15 years at Indiana University Columbus and is now a Congregations and Polarization Project research associate at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University Indianapolis. He has spoken at universities, including Oxford University, Imperial College London, the University of Tehran, Islamic College London, and mosques throughout the U.K. His research focuses on American Evangelicalism, Islamic antisemitism, and Islamic feminism, and he has published widely, including articles in Islamic peer-reviewed journals and three books.