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[[Saint Paul]] (previously Saul of Tarsus, who studied at the feet of [[Gamaliel|Rabban Gamaliel]]), shows in his letters indications that he, as a rabbi acknowledged and authorized by the Great Sanhedrim in Jerusalem, knew the esoteric doctrines and traditions of Judaism "far beyond those of my contemporaries". He counted all of this as "rubbish" compared to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and him 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.''"  

[[Saint Paul]] (previously Saul of Tarsus, who studied at the feet of [[Gamaliel|Rabban Gamaliel]]), shows in his letters indications that he, as a rabbi acknowledged and authorized by the Great Sanhedrim in Jerusalem, knew the esoteric doctrines and traditions of Judaism "far beyond those of my contemporaries". He counted all of this as "rubbish" compared to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and him 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.''"  

The letter to the [http://usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Colossians&ch= Colossians] is an informed refutation and rebuttal of esoteric philosophy and empty mystical practices. Paul desired that they might "''have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.''" Against the doctrine of the utterly transcendant ''Ein Sof'' with its emanations of ten Sefirot and all kabbalistic practices he wrote:{{quotation|[Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether '''thrones''' or '''dominions''' or '''principalities''' or '''authorities'''--all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. '''''For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell''''', and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven ... See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to '''''Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily''''' ... Let no one disqualify you, insisting on selfabasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? (Colossians 2:8-9 18-20 RSVCE, ''boldface emphasis added'')}}

The letter to the [http://usccb.org/bible/scripture.cfm?bk=Colossians&ch= Colossians] is an informed refutation and rebuttal of esoteric philosophy and empty mystical practices. Paul desired that they might "''have all the riches of assured understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.''" Against the doctrine of the utterly transcendent ''Ein Sof'' with its emanations of ten Sefirot and all kabbalistic practices he wrote:{{quotation|[Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether '''thrones''' or '''dominions''' or '''principalities''' or '''authorities'''--all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. '''''For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell''''', and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven ... See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to '''''Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily''''' ... Let no one disqualify you, insisting on selfabasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the universe, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? (Colossians 2:8-9 18-20 RSVCE, ''boldface emphasis added'')}}

Similarly, the letter to the Hebrews says immediately at the beginning: "He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power."

Similarly, the letter to the Hebrews says immediately at the beginning: "He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power."

===Saint John and Saint Peter===

===Saint John and Saint Peter===