The author of Acts quotes Deuteronomy 18:18 and says that this is referring to Jesus, but I disagree–
Interestingly it wasn’t just the author simply quoting a passage but rather Luke recording Peter quoting such a passage. I’m not sure if you know that, but I thought I would clarify just in case.
Acts 3:21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people. ’
24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.
25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ’
26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness. "
What is the earliest Islamic source you have closest to the time of Muhammad that quotes Deut 18:18 and applies it to Muhammad? Thank you.
The episode of Paul’s conversion experience on the Damascus road is narrated in vivid detail in Acts, but Paul never mentioned it in any of his letters. He says that he saw Jesus Christ and that he had a revelation, but that could mean anything. If Paul’s conversion was as elaborate as Acts describes, surely, Paul would’ve appealed to it to prove his calling.
As you say, he did make mention of it; but his works would prove his testimony. In one of the passages where he mentions his revelation he immediately explains his old life as proof of his revelation:
Galatians 1:12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.
14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, { Greek b set me apart from my mother’s womb b } and who called me by his grace
16 was pleased to reveal his Son to { Greek b in b } me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles
Not only that, but the author of Acts also contradicts Paul. Paul, in the book of Galatians, says that after his conversion he went straight to Arabia, while in Acts, it says that Paul went straight to Jerusalem.
I’m writing based on my memory. I can give you the references if you want (I’ve got several Bibles in my room).
"I did not immediately consult with anyone; { Greek b with flesh and blood b }
17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days."
Obviously Paul wasn’t making up that he stayed in Arabia for three years; I’m not sure what he would profit from a lie like that. And the Acts makes no mention of his journey, but that does not mean that he wasn’t there.
And yes, I would love the “straight to Jersualem” passage.
Look at these two parallels of Paul being lowered by a basket in Damascas:
Acts 9:23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him,
25 but his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
1 Corin 11:32 At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me,
33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
Surely you believe this story then?
