My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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Acts 26:16-18 … To Rise & <strong>to</strong> Stand<br />
(04/07/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />
“Get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared <strong>to</strong> you <strong>to</strong> awaken these<br />
purposes: both <strong>to</strong> serve and <strong>to</strong> testify <strong>to</strong> the things in which you have seen me …<br />
<strong>to</strong> open others‟ eyes; that they may then turn from the darkness in<strong>to</strong> the Light.”<br />
~ unknown (Acts 26:16-18)<br />
First & foremost, it is critical <strong>to</strong> understand that this particular passage is not<br />
directly quoting Jesus Christ, but rather shows Paul quoting a spiritual entity that<br />
he assumed was the spirit of Jesus Christ; a spirit that was not only not the spirit<br />
of Jesus Christ, but in all likelihood was a spiritual opponent thereof … Consider<br />
the following facts that support this claim:<br />
A) This particular account of Paul‟s supposed “conversion” on the Road <strong>to</strong><br />
Damascus was <strong>to</strong>ld by Paul himself – a man with a proven penchant for<br />
passive-aggressive manipulation – a man with a notably low level of selfesteem<br />
who frequently spoke <strong>to</strong> build himself up with others, not <strong>to</strong> liberate<br />
them with Truth (see Acts 20:20-21, Romans 11:13-14 + Romans 15:<strong>17</strong>, 1<br />
Corinthians 15:10 + 1 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 2:1-4, 2<br />
Corinthians 6:6-10, 2 Corinthians 7:2-10, 2 Corinthians 8:2-8, 2 Corinthians 8:24, 2<br />
Corinthians 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:7, 2 Corinthians 12:19-21, Galatians 1:24 & 1<br />
Thessalonians 2:2+10 et al) …<br />
B) The entity that spoke <strong>to</strong> Paul demanded that he “testify <strong>to</strong> the things in<br />
which you have seen me” (i.e. the things he had “looked upon” that day – see the<br />
Greek eides in Strong‟s #3708), and yet Luke (the author of Acts) points out that<br />
Paul did not look directly at his mysterious visi<strong>to</strong>r at all (indeed, he was actually<br />
cowering in fear with his eyes averted instead – see Acts 26:14), and that Paul was<br />
actually blinded for three days immediately after the encounter (see Acts 9:8 &<br />
Acts 22:11) …<br />
C) Interestingly enough, after regaining his sight, Paul was then inspired <strong>to</strong> go<br />
forth and preach a gospel that was directly opposed <strong>to</strong> The Way of Christ as taught<br />
by Jesus in the Gospels (contrast 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 & Romans 10:9 with Matthew<br />
10:7 & Matthew 24:12-14, contrast Romans 6:5 with Luke <strong>17</strong>:20-21, contrast Romans<br />
14:9 with Luke 20:38, contrast Romans 8:3 with Mark 10:18, contrast Romans 8:3 with<br />
Matthew 9:13, contrast Romans 8:9 with John 12:47-48, contrast Romans 12:2 with<br />
Matthew <strong>17</strong>:24-27 & Matthew 22:15-22 et al) …<br />
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