That’s exactly as I told you: You are beyond repair. Can you prove to me that Paul was after Christians in Damascus? No, you cannot, because there isn’t even the slightest hint at that.
But then, again, were they Nazarenes? I’ll prove it to you. After three years, when Paul went up to Jerusalem with the purpose to
join the Nazarenes and was allowed a probation time on a trial basis, and went thoughout Jerusalem preaching that Jesus was the Messiah, son of God, and that he had resurrectged, the local Jews had him within reach to condemn him to death for preaching apostasy in Jerusalem, when the Nazazrenes saved him and shipped him back to Tarsus where he belonged.
After 14 years Paul returned, was arrested and taken to Court by Ananias, the High Priest with a Lawyer to condemn him. But because of what the Nazarenes had done by saving his life 14 years before, Tertullus, the Lawyer accused Paul as a ringleader of the Sect of the Nazarenes. You can read this in Acts 24:1-9.
Now, do you understand what Sect of Nazarenes was that Lawyer talking about? They are the disciples of Jesus according to the New Way, which would make converts from even among the Pharisees. I hope I helped you this time.
Ben:
Gabriel of 12:
Quit bumping your head against the goad Ben: Here is your proof. Saul before he became a Christian Paul was given authority to persecute ALL Jews who were following “The Way of the Nazorean Jesus” to whom all of his followers recognized as Christians. Please enjoy your read, I pray it open your eyes from such foolish arguments you have placed here;
Nazorean is the title given Jesus in the Kerygma 2:22, 4:10
It is also recorded as the one Paul persecuted and his (Jesus followers) Kerygma 22:8, 26:9
In other words, “The Way” has become the “Catholic Church”, Jesus the Nazorean, and any one who followed the Nazorean is a Christian.
Acts 7:54-60 you have Saul = Paul witnessing the martyrdom of the very first Christian St. Stephen.
Acts 8: 1
Now Saul was consenting to his execution. On that day, there broke out a severe persecution of the church in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made a loud lament over him. 3 **Saul, meanwhile, was trying to destroy the church; 3 entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment. 4 Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.**Acts 9: 1 **Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way, 2 he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, **a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 He said, “Who are you, sir?” The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
Acts 9: 10 **There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias,
and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, 12 and (in a vision) he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay (his) hands on him, that he may regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones 4 in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.” **
Acts 26: 1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may now speak on your own behalf.” So Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense. 9 **I myself once thought that I had to do many things against the name of Jesus the Nazorean, 10 and I did so in Jerusalem. I imprisoned many of the holy ones with the authorization I received from the chief priests, and when they were to be put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 Many times, in synagogue after synagogue, I punished them in an attempt to force them to blaspheme; I was so enraged against them that I pursued them even to foreign cities. 12 "On one such occasion I was traveling to Damascus with the authorization and commission of the chief priests. ** (
Do you still need more proof that Paul persecuted Christians, who were followers of the Nazorean Jesus or recognized by the early Jews as Nazoreans.These scriptures make it clear that Saul now Paul had written authority from the Chief priests to persecute Christians in Damascus here when Paul was on trial before a King Aggrippa in his CONFESSION.)
13 At midday, along the way, O king, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions. 14 We all fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.’ 3 15 **And I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the Lord replied, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
19 “And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
20 On the contrary, first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout the whole country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached the need to repent and turn to God, and to do works giving evidence of repentance.
26 The king knows about these matters and to him I speak boldly, for I cannot believe that (any) of this has escaped his notice; this was not done in a corner. 8
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? 9 I know you believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You will soon persuade me to play the Christian.” **
Peace be with you
