Question: What is Paul’s defence on his Apostolic authority?
He took the whole of the “Conversion experience with the Risen Jesus” (Acts 9), the “Raising to the 3rd Heaven”, and his time in Arabia to the Jewish Priesthood in Jerusalem, where he reminded the gathering of the prophecies of the failure of Israel re. Idolatry etc. (Acts 7:37–51!
In Acts 15, the differing opinions are considered, and the outcome is a unity and declaration (Acts 15: 1–24).
Paul is then approved by the Jerusalem Council; but as he had been a favourite of the Sanhedrin, he was given resistance at every opportunity, to the point that many plots were hatched against him!
He Evangelised forcefully at all the Synagogues, and before Rulers and Kings, with power, and strong responses were forthcoming especially before King Agrippa, who said “almost you persuade me to become a Christian"!
He relied prayerfully on Jesus in each hardship; and when eventually he was accused in a plot, he “appealed to Caesar” as a Roman Citizen!
At his last Synagogue Witness; the Jews made a joint declaration approved by the Sanhedrin; to state that they rejected Christ Jesus as their Messiah; and that their messiah was yet to come to them, and would be of human parents!
This is the teaching that has gone out from them since; and will not end until the events of Zech.12:10; after which their mourning will be great; but they will then be Saved by Almighty God directly; (Ezek. 39:21–29)!
See: Apostle Paul's Conversion (Study).
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