"[V]isions, dreams, and miracles as a means for establishing [authority]...are some of the most dangerous imaginable in their ability to produce falsehood and deception amongst the unwary." (E.L.Martin, Secrets of Golgatha (1996) at 218-19.)

Relevant

A Joomla! Template for the Rest of Us

 

Questions?

Please enter your questions, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. As an anti-spam measure, we ask that you re-type the code you see in the box below, prior to clicking "Send Message"

Gary Says Ananias' Quoting Jesus Proves Paul's Validity

Gary's Letter of October 15, 2010

God himself chose Paul and said: Acts 9:15-16 "But the Lord said to him,: and "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

I'd say that sticking to Paul's teachings, that have withstood both tests and trials throughout two millennia, is better than to hold on to what some theologian has to say (Quote 2).

My Reply

First of all, "chosen" for what? It does not say "apostle" -- the key issue. In Jesus' Words Only, I assume Paul was chosen as a "witness," -- which is what it says is his role in this verse -- the Greek word is "martus" and likewise in the 2 other vision accounts in Acts 22 and 26.

Second, as to the quote in Acts 9:15, how do you know Ananias is a prophet? I point out in my book that there is 0% evidence. In all other Scripture, a prophet must be proven, and not assumed. God gives specific tests so we are not misled, e.g., Deut. 13:1-5.

Thus, based upon a claim of Ananias as a prophet you then invest someone else who has no proof of prophecy -- Paul -- and you by circular evidence have made Paul a prophet by means of an unsubstantiated assumption that Ananias is a prophet.
 
 
Of course, you also have Jesus' own requirement that two witnesses are necessary to prove one's status. Jesus applied that to His status as "Son of God." (Jesus had Yahweh speek from heaven twice in front of 2 witnesses or more -- once at His baptism and once at His transfiguration.) Ananias is just one witness. It does not match up with what Jesus requires.

 

Thus, on multiple levels, those who cite Ananias are not using Biblical tests -- Berean-like tests.... At best you can cite Ananias to prove Paul was chosen as a "witness," nothing more. The title "Apostle" alludes Paul in each of the 3 vision accounts in Acts 9, 22, and 26. Most important, Paul's status is not confirmed by two witnesses, even as a chosen "witness!" 

Blessings,
Doug