Snoopy Approaches Acts

[GordW]

That's fascinating, thanks @unsafe.

Back to the text.
I wonder why the writer used a eunuch (riding a chariot, no less) as his main character. This lends an exotic or fanciful air to the story and it reminds me of a parable.

THe eunuch would be on the outside of Jewish religious practices, even if converted to Judaism they would still be counted as an outsider on account of the castration. SO the story is about one who, despite having some degree of status due to their role in a foreign court, is welcomed into the fold even though they are a category often seen as flawed. This passage has been used in discussions about LGBTQ+ inclusion

 

[paradox3]

The story could foreshadow how far the Good News of Jesus will extend.

 

[Mendalla]

A eunuch is a man who has been castrated for the purpose of trusted servitude in a royal household (see Esther 1:10; 4:4; and Daniel 1:9). A king would often castrate his servants to ensure they would not be tempted to engage in sexual activity with others in the palace (specifically, the royal harem) or to prevent their plotting an overthrow (eunuchs were incapable of setting up a dynasty of their own).

Eunuchs were often incredibly powerful in the cultures that had them for this reason. They had the ear of the ruler and often functioned like a cabinet minister/secretary in some respects.

So there's the aspect of the eunuch that @GordW mentions.

But there's also the aspect of him being a person of influence.

And it is interesting that he is Ethiopian, because Ethiopia was a region that had a strong Christian presence early on and the Ethiopian church is still around and quite unique in a number of regards.

 

[unsafe]

AI ---there are 3 types of eunuchs ---described by Jesus

The primary scripture passage discussing eunuchs in the Bible is Matthew 19:10-12. Jesus, in response to his disciples' question about marriage, identifies three types of eunuchs: those born that way, those made eunuchs by others, and those who choose to live as eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. This passage is often interpreted as an endorsement of celibacy for those who feel called to it, rather than a literal endorsement of castration.

Here's a breakdown of the key points:

• The Context:
  Jesus is discussing marriage and divorce, and his disciples express concern about the difficulty of the marital commitment.
  
  • Those born without the capacity for sexual reproduction.
    
    
  • Those who have been made eunuchs by others.
    
    
  • Those who choose to live as eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of God, indicating a life of celibacy.
    
• Interpretation:
  The passage is not an endorsement of self-castration but rather a recognition that some individuals are called to a life of celibacy for religious reasons. This is supported by the fact that Jesus is discussing the challenges of marriage and the disciples' response about the difficulty of remaining celibate.
  
  
• Celibacy and the Kingdom:
  The concept of "making oneself a eunuch" for the kingdom is interpreted as a commitment to celibacy and a focus on serving God, rather than a literal physical act, according to some interpretations of the Bible.
  
  • Acts 8:26-40: This passage describes Philip encountering and baptizing an Ethiopian eunuch, who was a royal official.
    
    
  • 1 Corinthians 7:29-40: Paul discusses the benefits of singleness for ministry, highlighting the importance of stewardship of time and focus.

 

[paradox3]

Agree that Matthew's Gospel is using "eunuch" metaphorically when it outlines the three types

 

[unsafe]

The story could foreshadow how far the Good News of Jesus will extend.

I agree with you here
This chapter is not about what religion the man was ---it is about how far the Gospel is extending from being preached ----this man if not Jewish --got a scroll of Isaiah some how or from someone and was reading it -the right Faith is being inbirthed in him ---his heart was changed and Philip gave him the Spiritual interpretation and he was baptised -----so he became a convert to following the One WAY --of Jesus to Salvation ---

SO the story is about one who, despite having some degree of status due to their role in a foreign court, is welcomed into the fold even though they are a category often seen as flawed. This passage has been used in discussions about LGBTQ+ inclusion

So I disagree to the first part of your statement here -----that he was welcomed into the fold even though his group are seen as flawed -----

He was welcomed into the Fold because he was seen by Philip as reading God's word and was willing to have it explained to him what the Scripture was really saying and upon hearing the truth of Faith the Word believed it and wanted to be Baptised ---

We are all flawed ----in need of a Saviour ----and this man understood that -----


The last part of your statement here -----about this passage being used to include the LGBTQ Plus community in God's fold is ridiculous ----in my view -----there is only one way According to Scripture to be included in the Fold ----do as the eunuch did ---Get into God's word ---
and receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour ---otherwise your not accepted into the Fold As per Scripture ----

 

[BetteTheRed]

THe eunuch would be on the outside of Jewish religious practices, even if converted to Judaism they would still be counted as an outsider on account of the castration.

They weren't counted as a member of the minyan - the 10 adult males required to perform Jewish ceremonies.

Further, Jewish tradition recognizes 7 different genders, and there's a difference between "voluntary" and "involuntary" male to female trans persons.

I think eunuchs are a fascinating examination of the history of gender definitions and boundaries.

 

[paradox3]

Interesting that eunuchs have been part of several cultures historically.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Interesting that eunuchs have been part of several cultures historically.

The record, in most cultures, is of a high level of recognition of the fluidity of gender and expression.

 

[paradox3]

The record, in most cultures, is of a high level of recognition of the fluidity of gender and expression.

Not sure eunuchs fit under this umbrella. Only rarely was the procedure undergone voluntarily. And it had a high mortality rate.

But the survivors occupied a niche in society so there's that.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 9:1-9

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 9:1-9 - New English Translation

The Conversion of Saul - Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats to murder the Lord’s disciples, went to the high priest and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, either men or women, he could bring them as prisoners to...

www.biblegateway.com

Saul is proceeding on his way to Damascus. He has a plan to find believers and take them to Jerusalem as prisoners.

Suddenly a light from heaven flashes around him. He falls to the ground and hears Jesus asking, "Why are you persecuting me?"

Jesus tells Saul to enter the city and await further instructions. His traveling companions are speechless because they hear the voice but see no one.

Saul cannot see at this point so his companions lead him into Damascus. For three days he remains blind and does not eat or drink.

 

[paradox3]

So three days of darkness. Sound familiar?

There has been much speculation that an epileptic seizure caused this incident. But what type? Some say frontal lobe. Others say temporal lobe.

Putting all that aside, it is a dramatic conversion story. It reassures us that great change in our views is possible. And a new life in Christ!

 

[Mendalla]

There has been much speculation that an epileptic seizure caused this incident. But what type? Some say frontal lobe. Others say temporal lobe.

Yeah, that's been around as long I have been, maybe longer. However, I am not sure that it matters much. Who's to say that God that can't speak through a seizure, right?

So three days of darkness.

Can't get much more symbolic than that. And I think that points to the real story here. It's not really relevant whether Saul had a seizure, because this three days of darkness really casts it as a effectively a death and resurrection moment for him. Leading to ...

Putting all that aside, it is a dramatic conversion story.

And possibly the most famous conversion story in the history of the faith. Saul's conversion really changed the course of the Christ movement, with the work he does as Paul eventually steering the fledgling movement onto the path that became "Christianity" as we know it. Basically, he turns out to be the visionary executive who puts the startup on its path to success, mainly by refocusing their messaging onto the Gentile market. So it is rather fitting that his conversion is dramatic given how dramatic his impact on the history of the church ended up being.

Of course, what makes it most dramatic is that Saul is an enemy of the faith at the start of chapter 9. Someone who is already a Christian might change their views on some issues or beliefs, but it is unlikely to be as dramatic. It's a gear shift rather than a 180 turn. But for someone who is a non-believer or even an anti-believer, a conversion is going to come across as more dramatic. Few of us would be that dramatic, of course, since I don't think anyone here is heading out with letters of marque to hunt down Christians. But even for me, a wayward agnostic who left the faith, it would take something pretty dramatic to turn me back onto that course. Can you imagine what it would take to get Pavlos or chansen to start following Christ? That's probably closer to what we see here.

 

[unsafe]

So here in these first few verses we see a Sinner persecuting God's chosen Nation -----all because they follow THE WAY -----they are hunted like animals and when caught they are bound -----

Persecution then to God's Chosen ---- ---and Persecution today of God's chosen -----so this hatred for followers of the Way has been going on for a long time ----

At least Saul gives them warning by going to the High priest ----he doesn't come like a thief in the night -------

And Notice in verse 2 ----the Way is mentioned here not Christianity ---as this term doesn't come into play till later ---man made term Folks -------

2 and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.

Verse 3 ------and this isn't magic here Folks ----this is a real deal that is transforming a Sinner into being a Saint -----

3 As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ];

I say -----This isn't Saul having a seizure or a brain malfunction as some may think -----this is the Born Again experience in a profound manner -----

Jesus Speaks to Saul ----and confronts him about his persecution ------and Folks we will all go in front of God one day and He will confront us about our lives ---

So this could be a foreshadowing for us to take note of ??????

So now we see how God deals with Saul to have him do God's will -----Saul goes through a physical blindness ----why blindness -----

My view here -----this blindness shows God's power and authority and that this was a serious take over to get Saul to surrender to Following God and do His will --Saul was living in Darkness absent of any light ---he was entrenched in his sinful life style -----and in need of a serious awakening ----Saul needed the opening of the eyes of his hardened heart ------and Jesus gave it to him ----

Interesting that the men with Saul heard the voice of Jesus but could not see Him ----their eyes Spiritually veiled -----this is true of unbelievers today ----they are spiritually blinded ---a veil covers the eyes of this world -----

Saul is blinded for 3 days ----which is the number of divine perfection ==completeness and wholeness ---and he also Fasted for that time ------he was crucifying his flesh bringing it into subjecting ----

Saul is then taken to Damascus.-----

The Born Again experience is felt differently for different people ------some have a profound experience --some a subtle experience ----

AI


A born-again conversion experience, is typically followed by a person having changes in behavior, relationships, and a greater sense of purpose----

Emphasis on Sharing the Faith:
Many born-again Christians feel compelled to share their faith with others, leading to evangelism and outreach.

Ongoing Spiritual Growth:
Conversion is often viewed as a starting point for a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and discipleship.

I say
My Born Again experience was not as profound as Saul's by any means-------- but my transformation was profound to me ----my personality took a 180 degree turn in an instant ----the veil that covered my Spiritual Eyes came down and I saw things different -----I felt an enlightenment and a Peace throughout my whole body -----it was remarkable -----and everyone that knew me could not get over the change in me --- I never looked back to my old life --I just wanted to move forward in my Faith walk with Christ -----

 

[paradox3]

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. Acts 11.

 

[paradox3]

Paul will give two first person accounts of this story later in Acts. He will also mention it a few times in his letters.

I was thinking the narrative showed up more than once in the NT.

 

[Mendalla]

Yeah, it is one of the better attested stories outside of some of the Jesus stories that appear in multiple Gospels and sometimes in other sources. Of course, most of those attestations are from Paul himself so it's still very much his own interpretation of his own subjective experience. Doesn't tell us much about what really happened, only what he experienced.

 

[unsafe]

Some believe that Saul was riding a horse on the road to Damascus and fell from the horse onto the ground when the light from heave surrounded him ----

There is nothing in scripture to say that Saul was riding a horse at any time on his journey to Damascus ---it does say that the people who were with him let him by the hand to Damascus

Verse 8 -------So they led him by the hand into Damascus

So they were on Foot--------and later in Acts Paul gives a time line for this event happening ----and if you do some research you will see that the Pharisees and Jews prayed near noon ---so even if there were a horse there he would not have been on it as it was prayer time --which is the time he gives for this light event happening later in Acts ----

Now here you see just how some can put their own spin on scripture and with their Human interpretation spit out wrong Doctrine ----and feed it to their flock ------

AI
The phrase "Saul riding a white horse" refers to the biblical figure Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul the Apostle, and his experience on the road to Damascus. While the Bible doesn't explicitly state he was on a white horse, the imagery of a white horse is prominent in Revelation, symbolizing victory and conquest, and has become associated with Paul's conversion narrative.

• Artistic Interpretations:
  Many artistic depictions of Paul's conversion show him falling from a white horse, possibly influenced by the symbolism in Revelation and the legend of the Golden Legend.

 

[paradox3]

This is the first time I have heard about Saul/ Paul on a white horse @unsafe. Interesting tradition which supports his credibility.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 9: 10-19

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 9:10-19 - New English Translation

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias,” and he replied, “Here I am, Lord.” Then the Lord told him, “Get up and go to the street called ‘Straight,’ and at Judas’ house look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. For he is praying, and he has...

www.biblegateway.com

The Lord addresses Ananias in a vision and tells him to go find Saul. Initially Ananias protests but he is told, "Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel" (v.26).

And Saul will suffer for the sake of His name.

Ananias places his hands on Saul. He says he has been sent so Saul will see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Something like scales falls from Saul's eyes. He gets up and is baptized. After taking some food his strength returns.