I have printed your response. After re-formatting, using .5” margins, .3” header and footer, with 10 pitch Arial text for your words and 8 pitch Arial text scripture references, I have a total of nine full 8x11 pages to consider.
Nevertheless, I have completed an initial perusal of what you have written. I see apples mixed with oranges, lemons, limes, and even vegetables, as if they are all one and the same, so it is going to take some time to sort it all out piece by piece for a comprehensive response. There was, however, one segment that really stuck out as being a potential signal or sign to me that it is I who may be “wasting time,” not you, as you suggested in your personal note to me.
Here is the text from the segment that indicates to me your complete failure to understand basic English language usage and word definitions:
”2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
”You give this verse showing that the circumcision had some question about Paul's ministry. But you never gave the context. Here it is...
”2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
”Paul had been writing TO THE CIRCUMCISION. Okay, now, where is this letter if we do not have it today? I know that it is Hebrews which is why Paul's salutation appears on the end of it. Paul's salutation appears at the END of his epistles to validate it. He does put a salutation on the beginning (except for Hebrews) but the token salutation came at the end.
”2 Thessalonians 3:17-18 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
”All of Paul's letters end with some wording of "grace be with you". You find that on Hebrews.
Hebrews 13:24-25 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.
My response and concerns are related to your statement above:
Please check your dictionary when you have the time to do so. “Salutations” come at the beginning of a letter, whereas “valedictions” come at the end of a letter. Paul did not say, “The salutations and valedictions of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.”
My concern is this. If you cannot logically apply the simple clue stated in 2 Thes. 3:17 as it applies to Paul’s epistles, what am I to think about your basic cognitive ability to understand more complex issues and facts???
First of all, the 13 epistles that Paul wrote, from Romans to Philemon, all started with the same exact word: “Paul.” That is the “salutation” in every epistle he wrote included within scripture. Hebrews starts with the word “God.” Paul is not God. God is not Paul.
Where does it say Paul wrote one letter [“this letter”] to the “circumcision,” as you state? Paul wrote numerous letters to the “circumcision” believers. If you study Paul’s epistles carefully, you will find plenty that is directed at his brethren [“the circumcision”]. But, you may have trouble picking this out because you lump every believer under both gospels into one gospel group.
Paul did not write Hebrews. You can trust that fact as much as you can trust that Book being the word of God. Completely!
A few more questions and I’ll close this to keep it somewhat short:
1.) Seeing as how you thoroughly disagree with me on what was going on in Galatians 1:17. Please tell me what Paul got from the Lord there in Arabia [Galatians 1:17] that “separated him from his mother’s womb?”
2.) Also please pinpoint precisely what chapter(s) and verse(s) in the book of Acts correspond to the same chronological point in history with Paul there in Arabia, in Galatians 1:17?
3.) As far as that meeting described in Galatians 2, please tell me if you think that corresponds with a meeting between those two in Acts 15, or Acts 11, or elsewhere according to your study?
|
