Looking for Jesus according to Mark

[Rxlx]

JLG I'll have to quote your own sentence back to you: 'My answer: we definitely don’t read the same Bible!'

Paul's conversion was just a few days.
Acts 9:18 ;And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19; And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20; And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

STRAIGHTAWAY Definition: 'straight away. If you do something straight away, you do it immediately and without delay.'

 

[JLG]

JLG I'll have to quote your own sentence back to you: 'My answer: we definitely don’t read the same Bible!'

Paul's conversion was just a few days.
Acts 9:18 ;And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19; And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20; And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

STRAIGHTAWAY Definition: 'straight away. If you do something straight away, you do it immediately and without delay.'

- Let’s have a look at the book of Acts written by Luke in chapter 9

- From Jerusalem (10) to the synagogues in Damascus (11) with a letter from the high priest to bring back men and women bound to Jerusalem (12)!

- On his way to Damascus (13), Saul has a vision!

- It is Jesus whom he is persecuting!

- He must get into the city (Damascus)!(14)

- The men traveling with him hear a voice but don't see anything!

- Saul is blind!

- They took him by the hand to Damascus!(15)

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- He can’t see for three days! (1)

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- He neither eats nor drinks!

- Jesus speaks to a disciple named Ananias in a vision!

- Jesus tells him to look for Saul and lay his hands on him to recover sight!

- But Ananias is afraid because he knows why Saul is here!

- Jesus tells him he has chosen him to bear his name to the nations and the people of Israel!

- And Jesus says that he will show him (To indicate, intimate, suggest, show, prove. From hupo and deiknuo; to exhibit under the eyes, i.e. to exemplify.) what Saul must suffer for his name!

- So Ananias does according to what Jesus tells him!

- He calls him brother!

- He adds that Jesus has sent him so he can recover sight and receive holy spirit!

- Something like scales fall from his eyes and he recovers his sight!

- He gets up and is baptized and eats some food and recovers!

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- He stays for some days with the disciples in Damascus! (2) (16)

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- Then he begins preaching in the synagogues about Jesus!

- But people know he used to say the contrary and put people into prison!

- He gets more and more efficient about his new teaching!

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Now when many days had passed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him. (3)

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- So the Jews want to kill him!

- But Saul hears about it!

- They control all the exits so he can’t get away!

- So his disciples help him escape in a basket!

- Saul arrives in Jerusalem (17) and tries to join the disciples!

- But they are afraid of him!

- They don’t believe him!

- Barnabas leads him to the apostles and he can tell them about the vision and about his preaching work in Damascus! (18)

- Then he stays with them in Jerusalem (19) and preaches about Jesus to the greek-speaking Jews!

- But they want to kill him!

- So the brothers take him to Caesarea (20) and then to Tarsus (21)!

 

[JLG]

- Now let’s have a look at Galatians, a letter written by the apostle Paul!

- Galatians 1:12

(Paul emphasizes the divine origin of his gospel message, distinguishing it from human teachings. This assertion underscores the authority and authenticity of his apostleship, which was often questioned by opponents. In the context of the early church, where oral tradition and teachings from apostles were crucial, Paul’s claim highlights the unique nature of his calling. This phrase connects to Galatians 1:1, where Paul states he is an apostle not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.)

(Paul contrasts his experience with the typical rabbinical education of the time, which involved extensive study under a teacher. His background as a Pharisee, educated under Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), would have been well-known. By stating he was not taught the gospel in this traditional manner, Paul emphasizes the supernatural aspect of his knowledge. This distinction is crucial in affirming the divine authority of his message, aligning with the prophetic tradition where God directly reveals His will to His chosen messengers.)

(The term "revelation" indicates a direct and divine disclosure, a concept familiar in Jewish and early Christian contexts. This revelation is akin to the experiences of Old Testament prophets who received God’s word directly. Paul’s use of this term aligns his experience with those of figures like Moses and Isaiah, who were given divine messages to deliver to God’s people. This revelation is foundational to Paul’s authority and the content of his gospel, as it bypasses human mediation.)

(Paul attributes the source of his revelation directly to Jesus Christ, affirming the risen Lord’s active role in guiding and commissioning His apostles. This personal encounter with Christ is documented in Acts 9:3-6, where Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus is described. The phrase underscores the continuity of Christ’s work post-resurrection, as He continues to reveal Himself and His will to His followers. This direct revelation from Christ serves as a type of theophany, similar to God’s appearances in the Old Testament, and reinforces the divine authority of Paul’s message.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:13

- Saul speaks about his former way in Judaism!

- He persecuted the church of God!

- He tried to destroy it!

(Paul begins by referencing his past, which was well-known among early Christians. His "former way of life in Judaism" indicates his deep roots in Jewish tradition and law. Paul was a Pharisee, a sect known for strict adherence to the Law of Moses (Philippians 3:5). This background provided him with a thorough understanding of Jewish customs and beliefs, which he later used to argue for the truth of the Gospel. His transformation from a devout Jew to a follower of Christ highlights the power of the Gospel to change lives.)

(Paul's persecution of the church is documented in Acts 8:3 and Acts 9:1-2, where he is described as ravaging the church and imprisoning believers. This persecution was driven by his zeal for Jewish law and his belief that the followers of Jesus were blasphemers. His actions were in line with the Jewish leadership's stance against the early Christian movement, which they saw as a threat to their religious authority and traditions.)

(Paul's intent to destroy the church underscores the intensity of his opposition. The Greek word used here for "destroy" implies a complete and utter annihilation. This reflects the early church's precarious position and the significant challenges it faced from both Jewish and Roman authorities. Paul's later conversion and role as a leading apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15) serve as a powerful testimony to the transformative power of Christ, illustrating that even the most ardent opponent can become a devoted follower.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:14

- He made more progress in Judaism than many of his contemporaries!

- He was extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers!

(Paul, formerly known as Saul, was a Pharisee and a student of Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law (Acts 22:3). His advancement in Judaism indicates his deep commitment and understanding of Jewish law and traditions. This advancement suggests a rigorous education and a high level of respect within the Jewish community. His contemporaries would have been other young men studying the law, possibly in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish learning. This phrase highlights Paul's former life and dedication to the Jewish faith before his conversion to Christianity, emphasizing his credibility and authority in discussing Jewish law and traditions.)

(Paul's zeal for the traditions of his fathers refers to his fervent adherence to the oral laws and customs passed down through generations, which were highly esteemed in Pharisaic Judaism. This zeal is evident in his initial persecution of Christians, as he believed he was defending the purity of the Jewish faith (Philippians 3:5-6). The traditions of his fathers include the Mosaic Law and additional oral traditions that Pharisees held in high regard. His zeal can be compared to figures like Phinehas (Numbers 25:11) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:10), who were also known for their fervent defense of God's laws. This phrase underscores the radical transformation in Paul's life, from a zealous defender of Jewish traditions to a passionate apostle of Christ, illustrating the power of the gospel to change hearts and redirect zeal towards the truth of Jesus Christ.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:15,16

- God revealed His son in him so he could preach Him among the nations! (when)

- He did not consult (To consult with, communicate, impart. From pros and anatithemai; to lay up in addition, i.e. to impart or to consult.) with flesh (Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ) and blood (Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.)!

(This phrase highlights the divine initiative in Paul's conversion and calling. The revelation of Jesus Christ to Paul was a supernatural event, as described in Acts 9:3-6, where Paul encounters the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. This revelation was not just external but internal, transforming Paul from a persecutor of Christians to an apostle. The concept of Christ being revealed "in" Paul suggests an intimate and personal transformation, aligning with the idea of Christ living in believers (Galatians 2:20). This internal revelation is a fulfillment of the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:33, where God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people.)

(Paul's mission to the Gentiles was a significant shift in the early Christian movement, which initially focused on Jewish audiences. This calling aligns with God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his seed (Genesis 12:3). Paul's role as the apostle to the Gentiles is further confirmed in Acts 13:47, where he cites Isaiah 49:6, emphasizing the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's salvation plan. The cultural and historical context of the Roman Empire, with its diverse population and extensive network of roads, facilitated the spread of the Gospel to non-Jewish communities.)

(Paul emphasizes his independence from human authority in receiving the Gospel message. This phrase underscores the divine origin of his apostolic authority, as he did not seek validation or instruction from other apostles or human leaders immediately after his conversion. This is consistent with his argument in Galatians 1:11-12, where he insists that the Gospel he preaches is not of human origin. The phrase "flesh and blood" is a Semitic expression referring to human beings, highlighting the contrast between divine revelation and human wisdom. This independence is crucial for establishing Paul's credibility and the authenticity of his message to the Galatian churches.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:17

- He did not go up to Jerusalem (11) to the apostles!

- He went into Arabia! (12)

- And he returned to Damascus!(13)

(Paul emphasizes his independence from the original apostles, highlighting that his gospel message was not influenced by them. This underscores the divine origin of his revelation. Jerusalem was the center of early Christianity, where the apostles resided. By not consulting them, Paul asserts the authenticity and authority of his direct encounter with Christ. This is significant in establishing his apostolic authority, as seen in Acts 9:26-30, where Paul later visits Jerusalem but only after his initial ministry.)

(Arabia, in this context, likely refers to the Nabatean Kingdom, which included parts of modern-day Jordan and Saudi Arabia. This journey signifies a period of reflection and preparation for Paul. It is reminiscent of Moses' time in Midian (Exodus 2:15) and Elijah's journey to Horeb (1 Kings 19:8), both of whom spent time in the wilderness before significant ministry. This period allowed Paul to deepen his understanding of the gospel and prepare for his mission to the Gentiles.)

(Damascus is where Paul first encountered Christ on the road (Acts 9:3-6). His return there signifies the continuation of his ministry and the beginning of his public proclamation of the gospel. Damascus was a significant city in the Roman Empire, with a diverse population, making it a strategic location for spreading the Christian message. This return also connects to Acts 9:19-22, where Paul begins to preach in the synagogues, confounding the Jews by proving that Jesus is the Christ.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:18

- Only after (Then, thereafter, afterwards. From epi and eita; thereafter) three years (1) he got up to Jerusalem (14) to confer with (To get acquainted with, visit. From a derivative of eido; to be knowing, i.e. to visit for information) Cephas (Of Chaldee origin; the Rock; Cephas, a surname of Peter)!

- And he stayed with him fifteen days! (2)

(This phrase indicates a significant period of time following Paul's conversion before he visited Jerusalem. The three-year period suggests a time of preparation and revelation, possibly spent in Arabia and Damascus (Galatians 1:17). This time frame emphasizes Paul's independence from the original apostles, underscoring that his gospel message was received directly from Christ (Galatians 1:12).)

(Jerusalem was the center of early Christianity and the location of the original apostles. Paul's journey to Jerusalem marks a pivotal moment in his ministry, as it was the first time he sought to connect with the established church leadership. This visit underscores the importance of unity and validation within the early church, as well as Paul's respect for the apostolic authority.)

(Cephas, also known as Peter, was one of the leading apostles and a key figure in the early church. The term "confer" suggests a meeting of mutual respect and exchange of ideas, rather than seeking instruction or approval. This encounter highlights the relationship between Paul and Peter, two foundational pillars of the church, and their shared mission despite different backgrounds and callings.)

(The duration of Paul's stay with Peter was relatively short, indicating a focused and purposeful visit. This brief period suggests that while Paul valued the connection with Peter, his primary mission and message were already established. The fifteen days allowed for personal interaction and fellowship, reinforcing the unity and shared purpose among the apostles.

This verse as a whole emphasizes the divine origin of Paul's apostleship and message, while also acknowledging the importance of fellowship and unity within the early church leadership.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:19

- He doesn’t see any apostle except James, Jesus’ brother!


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- Galatians 1:20

- Saul says that he is not lying!


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- Galatians 1:21

- Then (3) he goes to the regions (15)

(The use of "regions" indicates a broader geographical area rather than a specific city, suggesting Paul's ministry was expansive and not limited to urban centers. This approach aligns with his strategy of reaching both Jews and Gentiles across various locales.)

of Syria (16)

(Syria was a significant Roman province during Paul's time, with Antioch as a major city where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). This area was a hub for early Christian activity and missionary work. Paul's presence here underscores the importance of Syria in the early church's expansion and the strategic role of Antioch as a base for missions.)

and Cilicia!(17)

(Cilicia, located in modern-day Turkey, was a Roman province known for its diverse population and trade routes. Tarsus, Paul's hometown, is in Cilicia, which may have provided him with cultural and social connections to aid his ministry. This region's inclusion highlights Paul's personal ties and the strategic importance of Cilicia in reaching both Jewish and Gentile audiences.)


(Paul's journey to these regions reflects the fulfillment of his calling to be an apostle to the Gentiles, as foretold in Acts 9:15. His travels demonstrate the early church's expansion beyond Judea and Samaria, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and laying the groundwork for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:22

- He says he is personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea (18) that are in Christ!

(Paul emphasizes his lack of personal interaction with the Judean churches. This highlights his independence from the original apostles and underscores the divine origin of his gospel message. His conversion and calling were direct from Christ, not through human intermediaries. This phrase also reflects the early church's rapid expansion, where not all believers were familiar with each other, even prominent figures like Paul.)

(The churches of Judea were among the earliest Christian communities, established soon after Pentecost. Judea, the region surrounding Jerusalem, was the heart of Jewish religious life and the birthplace of the Christian church. These churches were likely composed of Jewish converts who were familiar with the apostles and the teachings of Jesus. Paul's reference to these churches underscores the geographical spread of Christianity and the diversity within the early church.)

 

[JLG]

- Galatians 1:23

- He says they only heard about the man who formerly persecuted them and was now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy!

 

[Rxlx]

But I'll stick with what the Bible says: Acts 9: 20 ;And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

- Galatians 1:22

- He says he is personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea (18) that are in Christ!

(Paul emphasizes his lack of personal interaction with the Judean churches. This highlights his independence from the original apostles and underscores the divine origin of his gospel message. His conversion and calling were direct from Christ, not through human intermediaries. This phrase also reflects the early church's rapid expansion, where not all believers were familiar with each other, even prominent figures like Paul.)

(The churches of Judea were among the earliest Christian communities, established soon after Pentecost. Judea, the region surrounding Jerusalem, was the heart of Jewish religious life and the birthplace of the Christian church. These churches were likely composed of Jewish converts who were familiar with the apostles and the teachings of Jesus. Paul's reference to these churches underscores the geographical spread of Christianity and the diversity within the early church.)

Judea was the southern half of Israel filled with Jews - the same Jews who today hate Jesus and deny he is the son of GOD.

GOD had clearly decided Paul was to seek out the lost sheep - aka the Ten Lost Tribes who at that date were spreading out from the Caspian area on their way to north Europe, Scandinavia and the British Isles which they reached in the late 300s AD as the Roman were withdrawing south to go back across the channel to try protect Rome from the invaders from the East.

 

[Rxlx]

Jesus met Saul on the road to Damsacus?
He spent thrre days blind and no doubt pondering all that he'd heard about Jesus's preachings and added to the fact that he'd been brought up a Jew with full knowledge of the Law and Prophets: Acts 22:3; 'I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.'

As a well learned Jew he would be well familiar with the belief that a Messiah would come.
Plus during the time he'd been listening to Stephen preaching before being stoned and then arresting and listening to the other martyrs he would be very well familiar with the Gospel and how it complemented the law even if he didn't accept it when he was persecuting the Chrsitians.

 

[JLG]

Interesting. I get most of my quotes from the KJV and some from the ASV where they didn't remove the name of the Living God, Jehovah/Yahweh, as the KJV did. And which one do you read then?

- I usually take biblehub. As everywhere there are many mistakes. But there is an interlinear and a dictionary at the same time!

 

[JLG]

Interesting. I get most of my quotes from the KJV and some from the ASV where they didn't remove the name of the Living God, Jehovah/Yahweh, as the KJV did. And which one do you read then?

- By the way, do you know the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts chapter 5?

 

[JLG]

- Apparently, it is important to remember more facts about the apostle Paul and the world in which he lived!

- We should never forget the context even if everyone does it all the time in all areas!

- Everyone acts as if the Bible was today’s book!

- So I will continue to say it again and again!

- The Bible tells us about people who were completely different!

- The Bible is written mainly in two languages which have nothing to do with each other, ancient Hebrew very limited because it was people who raised cattle (a word can be translated by several words in modern languages), ancient Greek extremely rich because it belonged to the most developed culture that the world has known (the language is so rich that there is no equivalent in modern languages)!

- The Bible was written on parchments, we must forget the books we know today!

- There were no chapters, verses or punctuation! (They simply wrote down all the messages God was giving them so that readers could receive them in full, not in little bits. It's a bit like delivering an important letter to someone; we present it to them in whole, not in little bits.)

- The apostle Paul lived during the time of the Roman Empire, which involved particular institutions, culture, economy and means of transportation that had nothing to do with ours!

- We live in a time when states seek to close in on themselves, the Roman world was a multicultural world!

- the Roman Empire had a population of 50 million inhabitants with very different statuses (Roman citizens and non-citizens, people from the cities and those from the countryside, free men and slaves, men and women, civilians and soldiers)!

- Rome had a population of approximately 1,000,000, Ephesus (650,000), Antioch of Syria (500,000), Tarsus (300,000) and Jerusalem (25,000)!

- In the Empire, there was a common culture, people spoke and thought Greek, Latin would not become a universal language until much later!

 

[JLG]

- Now let’s get deeper!

- In Acts 9, Luke concentrates on Saul’s conversion, his preaching work and his stay in Jerusalem!

- He mainly mentions Damascus and Jerusalem and at the end Caesarea and

Tarsus !

- When he speaks about time, he only mentions days (three days, several days, after many days)

Now let’s have a look at Acts 9:20

[Saul] promptly began to proclaim
ἐκήρυσσεν (ekēryssen)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2784: To proclaim, herald, preach. Of uncertain affinity; to herald, especially divine truth.

- We see promptly in English but in Ancient Greek we only get a verb !

- There is no adverb of time !

- Nothing is precise !

 

[JLG]

- Now if we look at Galatians chapter 1, the letter written by Paul, it is completely different, there is a lot more precision or details!

- He gets Jesus’ vision !

- Galatians 1:16:

I did not rush to consult
προσανεθέμην (prosanethemēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4323: To consult with, communicate, impart. From pros and anatithemai; to lay up in addition, i.e. to impart or to consult.

with flesh
σαρκὶ (sarki)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

blood,
αἵματι (haimati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 129: Blood, literally, figuratively or specially; by implication, bloodshed, also kindred.

- Once again, here we have only a verb, but the translation adds “I did not rush to consult” instead of I did not consult!

Galatians 1:17

nor
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

did I go up
ἀνῆλθον (anēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 424: To come up, go up, ascend. From ana and erchomai; to ascend.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Jerusalem
Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2414: The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

apostles
ἀποστόλους (apostolous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

[who came] before
πρὸ (pro)
Preposition
Strong's 4253: A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to.

me,
ἐμοῦ (emou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

I went
ἀπῆλθον (apēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 565: From apo and erchomai; to go off, aside or behind, literally or figuratively.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Arabia
Ἀραβίαν (Arabian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 688: Arabia, the district south of Palestine. Of Hebrew origin; Arabia, a region of Asia.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[later]
πάλιν (palin)
Adverb
Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand.

returned
ὑπέστρεψα (hypestrepsa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 5290: To turn back, return. From hupo and strepho; to turn under, i.e. To return.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Damascus.
Δαμασκόν (Damaskon)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1154: Damascus. Of Hebrew origin; Damascus, a city of Syria.

Galatians 1:18

Only after
Ἔπειτα (Epeita)
Adverb
Strong's 1899: Then, thereafter, afterwards. From epi and eita; thereafter.

three
τρία (tria)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5140: Three. Or neuter tria a primary number; 'three'.

years
ἔτη (etē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.

did I go up
ἀνῆλθον (anēlthon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 424: To come up, go up, ascend. From ana and erchomai; to ascend.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

Jerusalem
Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2414: The Greek form of the Hebrew name: Jerusalem. Of Hebrew origin; Hierosolyma

to confer with
ἱστορῆσαι (historēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2477: To get acquainted with, visit. From a derivative of eido; to be knowing, i.e. to visit for information.

Cephas,
Κηφᾶν (Kēphan)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2786: Of Chaldee origin; the Rock; Cephas, a surname of Peter.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I stayed
ἐπέμεινα (epemeina)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1961: (a) I remain, tarry, (b) I remain in, persist in. From epi and meno; to stay over, i.e. Remain.

with
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

fifteen
δεκαπέντε (dekapente)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1178: Fifteen. From deka and pente; ten and five, i.e. Fifteen.

days.
ἡμέρας (hēmeras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

Galatians 1:19

But
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I saw
εἶδον (eidon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

none
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

other
ἕτερον (heteron)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different.

apostles
ἀποστόλων (apostolōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

except
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

James,
Ἰάκωβον (Iakōbon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2385: The same as Iakob Graecized; Jacobus, the name of three Israelites.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord’s
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

brother.
ἀδελφὸν (adelphon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 80: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. A brother near or remote.

21Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.

- Paul concentrates on Jesus’ vision!

- His preaching activity had nothing to do with the apostles in Jerusalem!

- He only saw Peter and James and only after three years!

- In fact, there were two heads:

- One in Jerusalem!

- And another one in Asia!

- The two stories concentrate on different topics!

- We have to be careful not to jump to conclusions!

 

[JLG]

Pekka said:

Why do men do the opposite of what Yah.weh want?

- My answer:

- If we think about animals living in small or big groups, we may take into account the fact that dominant males want to get all females!

- They want power!

- We find hierarchy!

- It is never enough!

- They look for their own satisfaction, their own desires!

- If we think about men, we can say the same!

- When some angels went down to the earth and became demons, they started behaving the same way!

- When we think about the devil, we can say it is the same!

- He is jealous of Yah.weh!

- He wants human beings to worship him!

- He is quite successful but there will always be some human beings that will stay faithful to Yah.weh!

- Why do the majority of angels stay faithful to Yah.weh?

- It means everlasting life and the opportunity to work for the creator of the universe and the source of incredible wisdom!

- What about Adam and Eve?

- Two different cases!

- Eve was attracted by her own desire and she listened to the devil who told her she would become like a god!

- Adam didn’t want to lose his wife!

- He chose his wife instead of Yah.weh!

- He lost everlasting life and condemned his descendants to death!

- His descendants have always done the same thus there is no difference!

- So the real question is why do some human beings stay faithful to Yah.weh?

- It means everlasting life and the opportunity to work for the creator of the universe and the source of incredible wisdom!

- Our society is extremely primitive and superficial!

- it is based on man’s tradition opposed to Yah.weh’s wisdom!

- Men took advantage of Yah.weh’s patience!

- But it has limits!

- But men will have the possibility to recover perfection!

- And Yah.weh won’t tolerate any rebellion!

- Then we will see with our eyes what paradise means!

- Something which is totally impossible to imagine with our human limitations and constantly watching men’s failures!

 

[Jubulations49]

You must be an Egyptian slave trader or a mahatma Ghandi Indian nationalist theosophist. Stop running around looking for Jesus on the streets and in the fields with Sennacherib and Pharaoh, you Baal worshiping spy. If I catch you in my town, I’ll horsewhip your Philistine ass back to Pakistan with Baalam and his talking donkey.