Questioning Paul
Volume 1: The Great Galatians Debate
Chapter 12 part 6
You don’t need me to tell you that Sha’uwl was the plague of death... Yahowah affirmed this in no uncertain terms in Chabaquwq / Habakkuk – 666 years in advance no less.
You don’t need me to tell you that Paul was a false prophet… We now know that he failed all of Yahowah’s tests in Dabarym / Deuteronomy 13 and 18.
You don’t need me to tell you that Sha’uwl lied… We now know that his testimony regarding our means to become part of God’s family was in complete conflict with Yahowah’s Towrah and Yahowsha’s testimony.
You don’t need me to explain what happened on the road to Damascus. Paul confessed to the crime. And in this regard, Yahowsha’ would be remarkably specific about who the wannabe Apostle saw on the road to Damascus. Describing Satan’s fall from heaven, and our dominion over him, Luke 10:18LEB, translates Yahowsha’ saying:
"But then (de) He said (eipon) to them (autois – addressing the seventy witnesses He had sent out), I saw (theoreo – I was watching) the Adversary, Satan (ton Satanan – the Devil who opposes; a transliteration of the Hebrew satan – adversary and antagonist who slanders and accuses in opposition), as (hos – like and similar to, approximating) lightning, a bright beam of flashing light (astraphe – a ray of light in the form of a natural, weather-based phenomenon like lightning; from astrapto – a shining and dazzling object) from (ek – out of) the heavens (tou ouranos – the sky and the spiritual abode of God), having fallen (pipto – descending to a lower realm, now prostrate, bowed, failed, and inadequate). Behold (idou – now pay attention, indeed), I have given you (didomi umin – I have offered and provided to you all) the authority, ability, and opportunity (ten exousia – the legal jurisdiction and authorization, the control, power, choice, and right) to trample (tou pateo – to step and tread under foot, to crush, subdue, subjugate, and devastate), being superior to (epano – being above and having authority over), serpents (ophis – venomous snakes which serve as a metaphor for Satan and his fellow demons) and scorpions (kai skorpios – poisonous insects which sting and supernatural demonic powers, from skopos, skeptics who conceal). So upon (kai epi) the entirety of (pas – all of) the Adversary’s (tou echthros – the hated and odious hostile enemy’s) power (dynamis – ability and rule, capability and strength, especially the performance of miracles), therefore (kai), you (umas) will absolutely never be harmed by his fraudulent deceit (ouden ou me adikeo – will not be injured by his wrongdoing and injustice or his violation of the standard)." (Luke 10:18-19LEB)
Now, let’s compare that to Paul’s depiction of what he experienced: "But (de) to me (moi) it happened (ginomai – it came to be), traveling (poreuomai – going to) and (kai) approaching (engizo – nearing) Damascus (te Damasko – a transliteration of Damaskos, the capital of Syria; from the Hebrew Dameseq, a compound of dam and tsedeq: justice torn asunder leaves the righteous weeping) around noon (peri mesembrian – near midday), suddenly and unexpectedly (exaiphnes – unforeseen and immediately) from (ek – out of) the sky (tou ouranou – the atmosphere (singular masculine)), a nearby lightning strike (periastraphai – lightning glittering roundabout, shining brightly all around, flashing nearby; a compound of peri – about, near, and concerning, and astrape – lightning, a beam or flashing ray of bright light which dazzles (aorist as a moment in time unrelated to any plan, active and thus doing the flashing or striking, and infinitive, turning glittering into a verbal noun)), sufficient and adequate (hikanos – enough) light (phos) about (peri – around and concerning) me (eme)." (Acts 22:6LEB)
Paul’s depiction is exactly as Yahowsha’ had described the fall of Satan. Paul even used the same words. So it is remarkable that Christians the world over disregard the accurate prophecy to embrace the false prophet.
He even went on to say: "And (kai) do not (ou) wonder (thauma – marvel at this miraculous vision, nor be amazed in admiration), for indeed (gar), he (autos), the Adversary Satan (Satanas), changes his appearance (metaschematizo – masquerades, disguising himself, transforming his image) into (eis) a spiritual, heavenly messenger (angelos – divine representative) of light (photos)." (2 Corinthians 11:14LEB) How’s that for an admission of guilt?
You don’t need me to tell you who Sha’uwl heard on that frightful day. The false prophet already did so by quoting the false god, Dionysus… "And everyone (te pas) of us (emon) having fallen down (katapipto – having descended from one level to another, lower one) to the earth (eis ten ge), I heard (akouo – I paid attention, listening, comprehending, and obeying) a voice (phone – a sound, crying out) saying to me (lego pros ego – speaking according to me) in the (te) Hebrew (Hebrais) language (dialektos), ‘Sha’uwl, Sha’uwl (Saoul, Saoul – a transliteration of the Hebrew name, Sha’uwl, meaning "Question Him," a designation synonymous with She’owl – the pit of the dead), Why (tis) are you actually pursuing me (dioko me – are you following me, really striving with such intense effort to reach me, hastening and zealously running toward me)? It’s hard (skleros – it’s demanding and difficult, even rough, harsh, violent, and cruel, especially offensive and intolerable) for you (soi) to resist (laktizo – to kick, to strike with the heel) against (pros) the goad (kentron – a pointed sharp stick used to prick and prod and thus control animals featuring the stinger of a deadly scorpion with the power to ruin and kill, making resistance vain or perilous)." (Acts 26:14LEB)
Paul deliberately put a pagan proverb into the aberration’s mouth in the third of his three depictions of his conversion experience in Acts 26:14LEB, wherein he was defending himself before King Agrippa.
Paul’s citation as you now know came from Euripides’ The Bacchae, where "rebelling against the goad" was used to describe the consequence of personally having to endure the havoc and madness that would be wrought by the Greek god, Dionysius, on the kingdom if someone refused to worship him. But before we reconsider why Dionysius was chosen by Paul (or Satan), please note the intersection between the "scorpions" in Yahowsha’s demonic reference and Sha’uwl’s quote. This too is telling.
When we examine the myths which grew out of Satan’s religious counterfeits, we find that the closest pagan parallel to Yahowsha’ is Dionysius, which is why he was chosen. Just as Yahowsha’s blood is represented by wine, Dionysius (Bacchus in Roman mythology) was the god of wine. He died each fall but was reborn at the Winter Solstice (December 25th on the Julian Calendar), and then was supposedly resurrected each spring. This "renewal," became an annual religious festival celebrating the promise of an afterlife. Held over the course of five days each Spring, the Dionysia set the stage for the Christian replacement of Passover, Un-Yeasted Bread, and First-Born Children, with Palm Sunday ("Passion Sunday"), Maundy Thursday ("institution of Communion"), Good Friday ("death and burial of Jesus Christ"), Holy Saturday (where "Jesus rested in the grave"), and Easter Sunday occurring during the last week of the Babylonian festival of Lent, where there was great weeping for Tammuz – the son of the sun.
Just as Yahowsha’ had a divine father (Yahowah) and a mortal mother (Mary), Dionysius is said to have had a divine father (Zeus (the father of the gods)) and mortal mother (Semele). And by his death and resurrection, Dionysius was responsible for liberating his believers and thereby providing the faithful with eternal salvation, in complete harmony with being liberated from the Torah by way of faith in Paul’s Gospel. And lest we forget, Paul’s beloved Charis, the Roman Gratia, were the progeny of Dionysus and Aphrodite. And I wouldn’t be surprised that Paul was inspired in this regard by the reverence he experienced in Lystra, Galatia in 48CE, where he and Barnabas were worshiped as Zeus (king of the gods) and Hermes (messenger of the gods).
You don’t need me to tell you that Paul deceived believers when he claimed to have represented Yahowsha’… Seventeen years in advance of the day they would benefit from this advice, Yahowsha’ warned His Disciples to be especially wary of the likes of Paul. His Olivet Discourse began with:
"And Yahowsha’ (ΙΣ), having responded judgmentally (apokrinomai – having answered using discernment to separate fact from fiction; a compound of apo – from, and krino – separation, thereby being discriminating), said to (eupen – spoke to) them (autos – speaking of His Disciples), ‘It’s important that you are observant and that you pay attention, presently being aware and perceptive (blepete – choose to look closely and watch out, consider carefully and be discerning, think so that you understand (present active imperative)), lest (ue) someone (tis) will try to cause you to wander away from the truth (planeon umas – he will intentionally deceive and will probably try to delude you, attempting to lead you astray (aorist active subjunctive). (24:4LEB)
In a private meeting in which only His Disciples were present, Yahowsha’ "told them to pay attention and to be careful, lest someone will cause you to wander away from the truth, deceiving and deluding you." Since this warning was stated specifically to and for the Disciples, might this someone be Paul, and the occasion be the Yaruwshalaym Summit? And if not him, who? If not then, when?
"For (gar – because) many (polys) will come (erchomai) in (en – [from Papyrus 70]) My (mou) name (onoma – reputation), saying (lego – claiming), ‘I (ego) represent (eimi – am, exist for, belong to, and I stand for) the (o) Ma’aseyah (ΧΣ – a placeholder used to convey Ma’aseyah, the Implement Doing the Work of Yah). And so (kai) many (polys) they will mislead (planaomai – they deceive and delude, causing to go astray).’" (Mattanyah / Yah’s Gift / Matthew 24:5LEB)
I would count the billions of Christians who have been led away from Yahowah and His Torah, who have been deceived and deluded by Paul’s Gospel of Grace, as "many." In fact, it would be impossible to identify another individual who has misled more people than Paul. And as for Yahowsha’ saying "them" instead of "him," just as was the case in Ephesus, Paul had a posse comprised of his own disciples.
"Then (tote) if (ean) someone (tis) might say (eipon – may speak) to you (umeis), ‘Behold (idou – indeed, suddenly now, look, and pay special attention, emphasizing that), here in this place (hode), the Ma’aseyah (o ΧΣ),’ or (e), ‘In this case, over there (hode),’ you should not think that this is trustworthy or reliable (me pisteuo)" (Mattanyah / Yah’s Gift / Matthew 24:23LEB)
Paul claimed to have seen the Ma’aseyah on the road to Damascus, and then again in Arabia. And he is the only one to have made such a claim within the lifetimes of Yahowsha’s audience—the Disciples. So the sandal still fits him, and he alone.
"Because (gar) those pretending to be useful implements Doing the Work of Yahowah (pseudochrestui) and (kai) false prophets (pseudoprophetai) will arise and take a stand (egeiromai – arousing and stirring the comatose), and (kai) they will give (didomi – they will claim the authority to provide, offer or bestow) many great (megas – significant and surprising, important and astonishing) signs (semeion) and (kai) wonders (teras – miraculous and portentous events) in order to (hoste – therefore as a result to) momentarily deceive and mislead (planao – to in a moment in time attempt to delude, temporarily wandering away from the truth so lead astray (aorist active)), if possible (ei dynatos – if able), even (kai) those who choose to be called out (tous eklektos – those who select and are selected because of the word, from ek, out of, and legos, the Word).’" (Mattanyah / Yah’s Gift / Matthew 24:24LEB)
When Paulos took his stand against God and rose up before Yahowsha’s Disciples in Yaruwshalaim and tried to impress them by bragging about the "signs and wonders" he had performed, using the exact same phrasing Yahowsha’ had warned them about, they should have remembered this conversation and responded appropriately. And so should we. Paul continues to fail every test: Yahowsha’s and Yahowah’s.
Yahowsha’ would be even more specific regarding Paul, tailoring His prophetic prediction to reflect the wannabe Apostle’s boast that he would meet with Yahowsha’ in Arabia—the ultimate Scriptural wilderness—and then report this myth to the Disciples...
"Pay close attention (idou – indeed look, being especially observant, encouraging the listener to focus upon this subject), I’ve told you this beforehand, forewarning you (proeipon umin – I have spoken to you about this previously, predicting in advance that it will actively and actually occur in your future (perfect active indicative)). (24:25) Then when, therefore (ean oun – indeed when the condition is met and surely), someone says to you (eiposin umin), ‘Look, suddenly (idou – calling everyone’s attention to emphasize a narrative), in the wilderness (en te eremo – in a deserted, remote, and uninhabited place in the desert) it is currently present (estin – it is presently, actively, and actually (present tense, active voice, indicative mood in the third person, singular and thus "it exists," and not "I exist"),’ you should not leave (me exerchomai – you ought not go forth). Indeed, you (idou – emphasizing this to you) in the (en tois) inner room (tameion – the reserved and secure chamber of a household and storehouse where [the Spirit] will be distributed) should not consider this to be truthful (me pisteuo – you should not think that this is reliable)." (Mattanyah / Yah’s Gift / Matthew 24:25-26LEB)
Juxtapose this with Paul’s claim to have encountered the Messiah on the road to Damascus, and then to meeting with Him in Arabia, and we discover that once again, Paul is not only a perfect fit for this warning, he is the only candidate who made these claims within the lifetimes of Yahowsha’s audience. So either Yahowsha’ erred in this prophecy, or He was warning us not to trust Sha’uwl’s claims. And let us not forget, Yahowsha’ told His Disciples that when He returned, everyone on earth would see Him simultaneously, not just one man.
You don’t need me to tell you that Paul and his traveling companions were the only men who claimed to be Apostles in Ephesus during the short time span covered in the Revelation 2 prophecy…
"I am aware of and recognize (oida) your (sou) works and undertakings (ergon – the things you have responded to and have engaged in), the difficult and exhausting encounters (kai ton kopos – the bothersome trouble burdens encountered), and your (sou) unswerving and enduring perseverance (kai ten hypomone – continual steadfastness and unwavering dependability, fortitude under circumstances where others would succumb) and that (kai oti) you cannot possibly accept, tolerate, support, nor endure (ou dynamai bastazo – you haven’t the will, desire, ability, or state of mind to take up with, walk along side of, lift up, or carry forward, advance, sustain, or promote) that which is incorrect, immoral, injurious, pernicious, destructive, or baneful (kakos – errant, wicked, wrong, evil, harmful, noisome, morally corrupt, diseased, culpable, mischievous, demonic, or hurtful having an ill effect, a bad nature which is not as it ought to be, and a mode of thinking, feeling or acting which is invalid).
And you have observed, examined, and objectively tested (kai peirazo – you have scrutinized, coming to learn the nature and character of others through enquiry, judging them and catching the mistakes of) those who claim and maintain (tous phasko – those who say, affirm, profess, declare, promise, or preach) of themselves (eautous) that they are (eimi) apostles (apostolos – special messengers who are prepared and sent forth) but are not (kai ouk eisin). And (kai) you have found them (heurisko autos – you have examined and scrutinized them, you have come to understand, discovering and learning through closely observing them that they are) false, deceitful, and deliberate liars (pseudes – are pretending to be something they are not, they are erroneous deceivers)." (Revelation 2:2LEB)
Frankly, this prediction is so specific, it’s a wonder Paul’s reputation survived it. Especially relevant in this regard is that Ephesus was the only city listed among the seven described in Yahowsha’s Revelation letters where Paul and his pals were known to have preached. And it is the only one with a warning against false Apostles. Surely this is not a coincidence.
While Revelation is a prophetic book, Yahowsha’s commendation relative the Ephesians was written in the present and past tense. And that is significant because Yahowchanan scribed Revelation in 69 CE, less than seven years after Sha’uwl wrote his letter to the Ephesians, and within close proximity of Sha’uwl’s lonely and isolated death. So considering the fact that Paul and his traveling companions were the only men who claimed to be Apostles in Ephesus during this short span of time, Yahowsha’ was calling Sha’uwl an "errant, demonic, deceitful, charlatan." We are without excuse. Christians cannot claim that they were not warned about this devil.
But there is even more to this prediction than just a scathing indictment against Paul in the form of praise for not acquiescing to his false teachings. Yahowsha’ would go on to suggest that while the Ephesians rejected the "self-proclaimed Apostle," they ingested some of his poison: "Nevertheless, I hold (echo – regard, count, and consider) this against (kata – in opposition to, as something that is depressing about, a downer concerning) you, that you have forsaken (aphiemi – laid aside and sent away, departed from and left, dismissed, divorced, neglected, abandoned, and rejected) your first (protos – foremost, most important, influential, honorable, and desirable) love (agape – familial devotion, benevolence, object of affection, and moral and caring friendship). Remember (mnemoneuo – be mindful of, think about, make mention of and respond to) therefore the source from whence (pothen – the place, origin, and condition from where and why) you have descended from a higher place to a lower one (ekpipto – fallen and dropped away, become thrust down and lowered, gone from standing upright to prostrate, bowing down and falling under judgment, overcome by the attack of demonic spirits who bring grief, terror, and death). Change your perspective and attitude and think differently (metanoeo – reconsider and change your mindset) and bring forth the most first, foremost, most desirable, most important and influential investments of your time, works and deeds, or else I will come suddenly and remove your light from its place unless you reconsider, change your perspective, your thinking, and your attitude (metanoeo)." (Revelation 2:4-5LEB)
The Ephesians were eventually swayed by Paul and thus they forsook God’s Word—the Towrah. We cannot love God without first coming to know Him – which occurs when we study His Towrah. Further, the lone path to a loving Covenant relationship with God is through His Invitations to be Called Out and Meet—which is the Way of the Towrah.
The proof that Paul and his associates preached in Ephesus, that they presented a contrarian view to that of Yahowsha’s Disciples, and thus singled themselves out as being the deceitful liars who were falsely claiming to be apostles, is recorded by Luke. And while we considered this evidence previously in the 5th chapter, when it comes to knowing the truth, a little reinforcement is always a good idea – especially when myths are prevalent and the consequences are so extreme. So then once again corrected and amplified modestly from the Nestle-Aland McReynolds Interlinear’s presentation, here is the testimony which demonstrates conclusively that Paul and his disciples represented the false apostles of whom Yahowsha’ spoke:
"But it became in the Apollos to be in Corinth, Paulos, having gone through the uppermost parts, came down to Ephesus so as to find some Disciples. (19:1) But he said against and regarding them, ‘If conditionally, spirit holy you received having trusted the ones but not him, then not spirit holy there is we heard.’ (19:2) He said, ‘But into what then were you immersed?’ And they said, ‘Into Yahowchanan’s immersion.’ (19:3) But Paulos said, ‘Yahowchanan immersed immersion of change mind to the people, saying to the coming after him that they might believe this is in the Iesous.’ (19:4) So having heard, they were immersed into the name of the Lord Iesou. (19:5) And having set on them the hands of Paulou, it came, the spirit of the holy on them. They were speaking but in tongues and were uttering prophecy. Were but the all men as twelve." (Acts 19:1-7LEB)
While it is impossible based upon the writing quality to know for certain what actually happened, it appears that Paul was threatened by the information he received from Apollos in Corinth. He knew that his message was vastly different than Yahowsha’s Disciples, and he was convinced that one or more of them was treading upon his turf by speaking to these Gentiles. So he headed south, arriving in Ephesus to find the Disciples who had challenged him. When he arrived, rather than meeting with Shim’own or Yahowchanan, Sha’uwl sought to undermine them, suggesting that the Spirit they received as a result of responding to Yahowchanan was not the right spirit – substituting one of his own.
Then this dialogue gets a bit murky because Paul’s next sentence has two hypothetical conditions, three buts, and a negation in the original Greek text. Navigating through them, it appears that Paul was troubled by the idea that the Ephesians had been immersed in Yahowchanan’s message. So Paul immediately claimed that Yahowchanan had instituted unauthorized changes. He then questioned the nature of the spirit they had received. So after listening to Paul’s contrarian view, a dozen Ephesians were re-baptized by Paul, with Paul laying his hands on them. This then imbued these men with an entirely different spirit, one which caused them to blather on in tongues, believing that they were inspired prophets. But whatever they were saying, the twelve were now Sha’uwl’s disciples, just as Yahowsha’ had chosen twelve.
It is telling, however, that Yahowsha’ never once immersed or baptized anyone, so there is no need for it and no established way to do it. Therefore, it was absurd to suggest that Yahowchanan’s technique was wrong and Sha’uwl’s was right. Further, baptism is not the means Yahowah or Yahowsha’ designated to receive the Set-Apart Spirit. There is no mention of it anywhere in the Towrah. And adding insult to injury, when the Spirit came upon those who were set apart in Yaruwshalaim on Seven Sabbaths, they were empowered to speak the languages of the nations surrounding Yisra’el. They were not baptized, there was no laying on of hands, they knew nothing of Sha’uwl, they did not speak in tongues, and they did not prophesize.
Unfortunately, Paul was just warming up. "But having gone into the synagogue he was preaching fearlessly for three months, disputing (dialegomai – arguing and contending) and persuading (peitho – to coax followers to become disciples and to seduce them to obey) about the kingdom of the god." (Acts 19:8LEB)
Next we find Sha’uwl’s hypocrisy in full bloom. He presented his "Gospel of Grace" as the alternative to obeying God’s Torah, which he presents as an onerous set of laws. And while there is no Hebrew word for "obey," and while Torah does not mean "law," Sha’uwl routinely demanded that his audience obey him...
"But as some were being stubborn (sklerynomai – were being hard headed and obstinate, even offensive and intolerable, refusing to listen) and they were disobedient (apeitheo – they were disobeying, refusing to believe, rejecting faith, being noncompliant, rebellious, and insubordinate), speaking abusively of and maligning (kakologeo – cursing and maligning, insulting and denouncing) the way before the crowd. Having revolted against, forsaken, and alienated them (aphistamai – abandoned, avoiding association with them), he appointed and marked off boundaries, separating (aphorize – he set aside and excluded in an attempt to get rid of) the Disciples (tous mathetes – those who had been taught by and followed Yahowsha’) through daily disputes (dialegomai – arguments and speeches presenting a different message) in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. (19:9) And this took place for two years so that everyone residing the Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Judeans and Greeks." (Acts 19:9-10LEB) (We are continuing to rely on the Nestle-Aland’s McReynolds English Interlinear to recount Paul’s testimony, while augmenting and clarifying it using the most highly regarded lexicons.)
If you recall, Yahowsha’ specifically stated that there were some in Ephesus who did not believe the false apostle, a reality which has been resoundingly born out in Paul’s own words. And while Yahowsha’ praised the Ephesians for rejecting the liar and his lies, Sha’uwl saw them differently. The very people Yahowsha’ commended, Sha’uwl condemned, calling them "sklerynomai – stubborn, hardheaded, and obstinate, even offensive and intolerable, for refusing to listen." Based upon skleros, Paul viewed those he could not beguile as "hard, harsh, and rough men who were stern, intolerant, offensive, and violent." That’s almost funny considering the source.
Sha’uwl went on say that his rivals were apeitheo, which means that he saw the Disciples as being "insubordinate" because they "disobeyed him and rejected his faith." If that doesn’t take your breath away, considering whom he was rebelling against, you may want to check your pulse. One of the most egotistical and presumptuous men to ever purport to speak for God called the Disciples God had chosen "apeitheo – disobedient," and that was because they "apeitheo – refused to believe" him when his message differed from the one God had conveyed to them in word and deed.
Paul was laying down the law, his law, to which everyone had to obey or suffer the consequences. There was a new Lord in town.
Contentious to the bitter end, Paul once again bragged of "dialegomai – arguing against and disputing" the Disciples because their "thinking was markedly different." But this time, Paul was not to be found in the synagogue – in the place where those seeking to learn about Yahowah considered His Towrah. Sha’uwl turned instead to the "Tyrannos Schole," where Tyrannos denotes "the Lord is a Tyrant." There should be no mistaking that Paul’s Lord was indeed a despot seeking supremacy. And Paul was lecturing on his behalf.
It is a fact little known, but if Paul’s preaching is reflected in his letters, he never accurately conveyed anything Yahowsha’ said. In just one of his thirteen letters, he made a brief passing attempt, citing a few words Yahowsha’ spoke about Passover, albeit taking His testimony completely out of context while misquoting Him. So rest assured, when Sha’uwl claims that everyone in Asia heard him "preach the word of the Lord," he was preaching Satan’s mantra. Reinforcing this reality, Yahowah consistently refers to the Adversary as "ba’al – lord" because Satan craves supremacy, mastery, control, obedience, subordination, enslavement, and ownership." Sha’uwl’s predilection for these very same things is revealing.
Yahowah and Yahowsha’ routinely tell us that "dunamis – ability, inherent power, miracles, signs, and wonders" typify braggadocios false prophets. But since Christians don’t listen to either, they typically associate such things with God. And yet here, Paul is saying that God had nothing to do with them. His supernatural power and his extraordinary mastery and skill were the work of his hands, conceived, fashioned, and brought forth without God’s assistance.
"The ability to perform miraculous miracles and powerful supernatural wonders (dynamis) and not having obtained in association with the god (te ou tas tygchano o theos – having disclaimed an experience with, having disavowed happening upon or meeting with, even relationship with God) were performed through the hands of (dia ton cheiron – by way of the person, authority, control, and power of) Paulou." (Acts 19:11LEB)
I realize that this sounds too incriminating to be true, not unlike Paul admitting to being both insane and demon-possessed. So I encourage skeptics to verify the meaning of te (likewise and corresponding to, serving as the marker of a relationship), ou (constituting a negation and denial), tas (the definite article in the accusative form), and especially tygchano for yourself. It was negated in this statement by "ou – not in any way" and precedes "tas theos – of God." Therefore, in this context it denotes "having disclaimed an experience with God, having disavowed happening upon or meeting with God, and of not having a relationship with God." And while that’s indicting, by turning to tygchano’s secondary connotation, we find Paul admitting to "not hitting the mark regarding extraordinary and unexpected performances which require uncommon skill." Therefore, it appears that the very attitude which got Satan expelled from heaven was now afflicting Paulou.
And his legend grew with these fanciful claims..."Also that upon the weak was to be carried away from the skin of him, handkerchiefs or aprons and to be settled upon them the illnesses and annoying spirits (pneumata ta poneros – worthless, morally corrupt, seriously faulty, toilsome, and wicked spirits) to depart out and leave." (Acts 19:12LEB)
Paul is claiming that napkins or aprons were placed upon his skin and then carried to those who were sick, and that as a result annoying spirits were exorcised from the diseased. This is creepy in the extreme, not unlike today’s charlatans who fleece their flock by pretending to heal the sick during religious spectacles. It is another case of Paul claiming to be divine. But this time he was also incriminating himself by suggesting that "evil spirits" cause "disease" and must be "exorcised" to heal the "sick."
The "spirits to depart out" were called "poneros – annoying, burdensome, harassing, troublesome, wicked, corrupt, worthless, faulty, and criminal." It is the same revolting word Paul associated with "the old system" which he later identified as the Torah. And here, the Spirit associated with Yahowchanan, Yahowsha’s most beloved Disciple, was the one rejected by Sha’uwl and replaced by another of his choosing during the rebaptism. So I suspect that the reason Paul saw the Set-Apart Spirit as "annoying" is that She was opposed to everything he said and did.
When Paul’s own testimony is considered as a legacy of Yahowsha’s denunciation of the apostles of Ephesus, he alone is convicted of that crime. His confession was also scribed in his first letter to Timothy.
"Paulos, Apostle of Christou Iesou by mandate, command, and direct order of God, deliverer of us, and Christou Iesou, the hope of us, (1:1) to Timothy, genuine, lawful, and legitimate child in faith, grace, mercy, peace from god, father, and Christou Iesou, the Lord of us. (1:2) In as much as I pleaded with you to remain longer and continue on in Ephesus while I was proceeding to Macedonia in order that you might command certain individuals not to teach a different doctrine..." (1 Timothy 1:1-3LEB)
As clearly as words allow, Paulos was confessing to the crime Yahowsha’ told us had been committed in Ephesus. Sha’uwl admitted that Ephesus was the primary battleground in his war against Yahowsha’s teaching as it had been conveyed through Yahowchanan – their first love. Having fought for years against both, Paul would deploy every resource to keep God’s emissaries at bay.
Seeking to undermine the Torah with its long genealogies (wherein the beneficiaries of the Covenant are documented), Paul wrote: "...nor give oneself over to myths and fables or endless genealogies with unlimited family lineages, or whatever worthless speculation and aimless arguments they maintain and cling to instead of, alternatively, the administration and oversight of god in the faith or belief system." (1 Timothy 1:4LEB)
"They were disabled through avoidance, straying and turning away by meaningless conversations, idle and empty talk, senseless and vain words. (1:6) Deciding and desirous of being teachers of the Towrah, not ever providing nor understanding, considering, or comprehending it, neither in what they say nor what they are concerned about and state with such confidence, insisting upon, maintaining, and proclaiming so assuredly. (1:7)
But we have come to be somewhat aware that the good use of the Towrah is if conditionally someone might deal with it correctly in accordance to the rules. (8) Having realized this, the Towrah is not in place for the righteous or saved, but for the Towrahless, for the disobedient who are not subject to religious beliefs, for unholy sinners and disobedient outcasts who are mistaken, for those who are accessible and open-minded who kill their own fathers, and for murderers of their own mothers, those slaughtering mankind, (9) for the sexually immoral and perverted, for homosexual pedophiles and sodomites, for slave traders and kidnappers, for liars and perjurers who provide false witness, and also if some other, different, or alternative thing be opposed to the accurate and sound doctrine (10) in accord with the beneficial message of the brilliant and glorious, the blessed and fortunate god which was entrusted to me, myself." (1 Timothy 1:8-11LEB)
With this confession, Yahowsha’s warning regarding the false apostles operating in Ephesus becomes nearly as incriminating as Yahowah’s prophetic revelation in Habakkuk.
End of part 6