Category: Scriptural Cases

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Scriptural Case – Do the Hebrew scriptures describe the cause of the Thorn in Paul’s Flesh?

Isaiah 41:21 “Present your plea,” says the Lord; “present your strong points,” says the King of Jacob.

Scriptural Case: Do the Hebrew scriptures describe the cause of the Thorn in Paul’s Flesh in the New Testament?

The New Testament:

2 Corinthians 12:7 (King James Version) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Hebrew Scriptures:

Numbers 33:55 (Tanakh Hebrew Bible) But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the Land from before you, then those whom you leave over will be as spikes in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they will harass you in the land in which you settle.

Joshua 23:13 (Tanakh Hebrew Bible) Know of a certainty that the Lord your God will not drive these nations out from before you, anymore; and they will be a snare and an obstacle to you, and a goad in your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.

Judges 2:3 (Tanakh Hebrew Bible) And I also said, ‘I will not drive them out from before you, and they will be pokers to you and their gods will be a stumbling block to you.’ ”

1 Samuel 16:14 (King James Version) But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

Did Saul (also known as Paul), abandon his original mission to drive inhabitants from off the land in the New Testament?

Acts 9:1 (King James Version) And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

(Quote from Jesus Christ in the New Testament)

Matthew 24:5 (King James Version) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Acts 9:19-21 (King James Version) 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. 21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Act 16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

Based upon the scriptural argument above, can you conclude from the Hebrew scriptures (Tanakh) what the Invisible Thorn in Paul’s Flesh is?

 

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Scriptural Case – Matthew 15:24 the Lost vs Found in the New Testament

 

Scriptural case: If Jesus only came for the “lost” members of Israel, where are the “found” members of Israel resting?

Matthew 15:24-27 (King James Version)
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

(Paul in the New Testament includes the Gentiles)

Romans 1:16 (King James Version) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Deuteronomy 4:2 (King James Version)
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

Peter was a true disciple of Jesus Christ and spent time with him. Paul had a brief encounter in Acts with a voice that claimed to be Jesus. Peter is found teaching Gentiles to uphold the law and Paul publicly calls him out that if he can’t follow the laws, why teach the Gentiles to obey them? It’s too hard? Is Paul suggesting putting the laws down and starting a new religion that will appeal to people? Rather than keep trying even if you fail so your soul can grow and be perfected? Remembering that Lord’s hand is stretched out still?

Galatians 2:14 (King James Version) “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews.

Tanakh/Hebrew Scripture:

Isaiah 8:20 (King James Version) “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

New Testament Scripture:

1 John 1:7 (King James Version) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Tanakh/Hebrew Scripture:

Exodus 20:3-6 (King James Version) 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Psalm 49:7–9 (King James Version) 7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him: 8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, And it ceaseth for ever:) 9 That he should still live for ever, And not see corruption.

Ezekiel 18:20-23 (King James Version) 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?

Isaiah 43:10 (King James Version)
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.

Isaiah 44:6 (King James Version)
6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.

Isaiah 43:7 (King James Version)
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Isaiah 42:6 (King James Version)
6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

(Global warming issue and changing the sabbath day)

Isaiah 24:4 (King James Version) The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. 6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Jeremiah 10:18 (King James Version) For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so. 19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous; but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it. 20 My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent anymore, and to set up my curtains.

Based upon the scriptures above would it make sense for Jesus Christ to come for the “lost,” and then be required to convince the “found,” of new doctrine? The found members of Israel were upholding the laws and testimonies found in the Hebrew scriptures. They worship the God of Israel, the Creator of heaven and earth, and they oppose idolatry.

 

Isaiah 8:20 King James Version “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”

 

 

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Scriptural Case – Isaiah 7:14

Isaiah 41:21 “Present your plea,” says the Lord; “present your strong points,” says the King of Jacob.

Scriptural Case – Is Isaiah 7:14 depicting the future virgin birth of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? Or the birth of Isaiah’s son Maherhalalhashbaz?

Isaiah 7:14 (JPS Tanakh) Therefore, the Lord, of His own, shall give you a sign; behold, the young woman is with child, and she shall bear a son, and she shall call his name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

  1. The Hebrew word for “virgin” also can mean “young woman.”
  2. Even if the word “virgin,” is proper, the verse doesn’t apply to the Messiah. The Messiah is referenced in Isaiah 11 as coming from the genealogy of Jesse and that requires a mother and father.
  3. If the word “young woman,” is the proper translation, it’s discussing the “Prophetess” in the very next chapter.
    • Isaiah 8:1 (JPS Tankah) And the Lord said to me, “Take for yourself a large scroll, and write on it in common script, to hasten loot, speed the spoils.
      2 And I will call to testify for Myself trustworthy witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.”
      3 And I was intimate with the prophetess, and she conceived, and she bore a son, and the Lord said to me, “Call his name Maher-shalal-hash-baz.

4.  The use of the term “Immanuel” in Isaiah 7:14 is also noted in Isaiah 8:8, describing the prophetic meaning behind Mahershalalhashbaz’s name.

    • Isaiah 8:8 (JPS Tankah) And it will penetrate into Judah, overflowing as it passes through, up to the neck it will reach; and the tips of his wings will fill the breadth of your land, Immanuel.

5. The “sign” in Isaiah 7:14 isn’t the “virgin birth.” Isaiah 8:18 informs us the “sign” is Isaiah and his sons.

    • Isaiah 8:18 (JPS Tanakh) Behold, I and the children whom the Lord gave me for signs and for tokens in Israel, from the Lord of Hosts, Who dwells on Mount Zion.

6. Based on the scriptural case above, do you believe beyond a reasonable doubt that Isaiah 7:14 is describing Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

7. Do you believe beyond a reasonable doubt that Isaiah 7:14 is describing the birth of Mahershalalhashbaz in the very next chapter?

I welcome your feedback and comments.

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Scriptural Case – Isaiah 11

1. Do you believe the Hebrew scriptures is the word of God? If so, may I ask you a question? How do you personally decipher, whether or not to accept or reject the New Testament? The Book of Mormon? Or other books?

2. Do you agree that you must read the Hebrew scriptures and then cross reference to prove any scriptural case?

3. Do you agree that you can’t write scripture without real life events and witnesses? You have to go to the Hebrew scriptures and cross reference the witnesses and historical events to prove a scriptural case in order to accept or reject doctrine?

4. Do you support the criminal justice system’s method of proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt?

5. Do you support the legal system’s method of not permitting hearsay, opinion, conclusions based on how you feel or personally held irrelevant belief systems?

Scriptural Case – Is (Isaiah 11) discussing Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

Isaiah 41:21 “Present your plea,” says the Lord; “present your strong points,” says the King of Jacob.

New Testament Claim: Jesus is the Prophesized Messiah depicted in Isaiah 11

  1. Isaiah 11:1 And a shoot shall spring forth from the stem of Jesse, and a twig shall sprout from his roots. 
  2. The Messiah will be from the bloodlines of Jesse, (the tribe of Judah). The Messiah will come from his roots.
  3.  Per the book of Numbers (in the Hebrew scriptures), the tribe identity is determined from the Father.
    • Numbers 1:2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by families following their fathers’ houses; a head count of every male according to the number of their names.
    • Numbers 1:18 and they assembled all the congregation on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees according to their families according to their fathers’ houses; according to the number of names, a head count of every male from twenty years old and upward.
  4. Jesus Christ was conceived by a virgin named Mary without sexual relations and adopted by Joseph.
    • Matthew 1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
    • Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
    • Matthew 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

5. You could argue that the “roots of Jesse” and his “genealogy” could be linked to Mary (remember tribe identity is confirmed through Father). Even if you argue this, Isaiah 11 requires genealogy and that requires the natural conception process, involving a man and woman.

Isaiah 11 doesn’t include any information regarding the Messiah being born by a virgin without a human father. Based on the scriptural argument above, can you conclude beyond a reasonable doubt, that Isaiah 11 is discussing Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

Before you comment, please review the scriptural case for Isaiah 7:14.