Acts 26:16-18 … To Rise & to Stand (04/07/17)
“Get up and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you to awaken these purposes: both to serve and to testify to the things in which you have seen me … to open others’ eyes; that they may then turn from the darkness into the Light.” ~ unknown (Acts 26:16-18)
First & foremost, it is critical to understand that this passage is not directly quoting Jesus Christ, but rather shows Paul quoting a spiritual entity that he assumed was the spirit of Jesus Christ; a spirit that was not only not the spirit of Jesus Christ, but in all likelihood was a spiritual opponent thereof … Consider the following facts that support this claim:
A) This particular account of Paul’s supposed “conversion” on the Road to Damascus was told by Paul himself – a man with a proven penchant for passive-aggressive manipulation – a man with a notably low level of self-esteem who frequently spoke to build himself up with others, not to liberate them with Truth (see Acts 20:20-21, Romans 11:13-14 + Romans 15:17, 1 Corinthians 15:10 + 1 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 2:9, 2 Corinthians 2:1-4, 2 Corinthians 6:6-10, 2 Corinthians 7:2-10, 2 Corinthians 8:2-8, 2 Corinthians 8:24, 2 Corinthians 9:5, 2 Corinthians 11:7, 2 Corinthians 12:19-21, Galatians 1:24 & 1 Thessalonians 2:2+10 et al) …
B) The entity that spoke to Paul demanded that he “testify to the things in which you have seen me” (i.e. the things he had “looked upon” that day – see the Greek eides in Strong’s #3708), and yet Luke (the author of Acts) points out that Paul did not look directly at his mysterious visitor at all (indeed, he was cowering in fear with his eyes averted instead – see Acts 26:14), and that Paul was actually blinded for three days immediately after the encounter (see Acts 9:8 & Acts 22:11) …
C) Interestingly enough, after regaining his sight, Paul was then inspired to go forth and preach a gospel that was directly opposed to The Way of Christ as taught by Jesus in the Gospels (contrast 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 & Romans 10:9 with Matthew 10:7 & Matthew 24:12-14, contrast Romans 6:5 with Luke 17:20-21, contrast Romans 14:9 with Luke 20:38, contrast Romans 8:3 with Mark 10:18, contrast Romans 8:3 with Matthew 9:13, contrast Romans 8:9 with John 12:47-48, contrast Romans 12:2 with Matthew 17:24-27 & Matthew 22:15-22 et al) …
D) Jesus actually warned his followers of false prophets like Paul (compare Matthew 15:13-14 with Galatians 1:14 & Philippians 3:4-5, compare John 5:43 with Acts 13:9, and compare Matthew 24:26 with Acts 9 & Galatians 1:11-12) …
E) Jesus even described Satan’s fall from Heaven in a way that was eerily similar to the way Paul described his encounter with the blinding spirit on the Road to Damascus (see Luke 10:18).
Secondly, and independently of all the aforementioned, note that having the wherewithal to stand on our own feet is always a precursor to exuding real & selfless Love – which was the one thing Jesus wanted us all to Do; the one thing required for us to Walk his Way and thereby enter his Kingdom (see Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 24:12-14 & Matthew 25:35-40 et al) …
And finally, note as well that Jesus did not come to directly save anyone (his words, not mine), but rather to “open their eyes” to The Way of Christ – that they might choose themselves to walk its gentle course, and save themselves thereby (see John 13:15-17).
Amen … Let it be so.
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