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"Reality Search" Kit |
| Michelle Nailon B.Arts, B.Theol., M.Theol., Grad.Dip.Theol. |
Version Four (of "Reality Search" Analysis) Five Pivotal TextsAnalysis and Paraphrase by Michelle NailonSample Page at Random, page 235 |
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Section E - "Recognise Authority in the Range of Figures" |
| (Passage from 2nd part of Acts 23:25-24:27) .... (Tertullus speaking on behalf of Ananias the High Priest). However though I do not want to hinder you further I implore you to hear us briefly in your forbeaance. For, having found this man (Paul) to be a pestilence and moving sedition amongst all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the Nzarene sect, who also tried to profane the temple and whom we also arrested. You will be able to see (this) for yourself on havig examined all these things so that you will fully know what we accuse him of. And so the Jews also joined in alleging that all these things were the case. And Paul answered when the Governor signalled him to speak. "For many years you have been a judge over this nation, and you understand it. I therefore cheerfuylly defend myself. As you are able to know, about twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they did not find me in the temple discoursing with anyone. Nor was there a crowd collecting, either there nor in the synagogues, nor throughout the |
city. Nor are they able to prove to you what they accuse me of. But I confess this to you, as they say, that according to 'the way', in which they say that I worship the ancestral God in a sect, and believing all things according to the law and all that was written in the prophets. I also have hope in God, like these people. I believe in a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust. By this I have always exercised a blameless conscience towards God and men. After years and much almsgiving to my nation I arrived with offerings. They found me, on having been purified in the temple, neither with a crowd nor with an uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia who it may behove you to have brought forward and (let them) accuse me if they have anything against me. Or let them say how they found misdeeds against me while I stoood before the council. Only with one voice have I cried out amongst them concerning a resurrection | of a dead person. I am being judged about this to-day before you. Then Felix postponed the session wanting to know more exactly about the things concerning 'the way' saying "When Lysias the chilarch comes down, I will determine things regarding yourself." So, commanding the centurion to keep hi and to have indulgence and allow his own people to attend him, and after some das after arriving, Felix with Drusilla his wife who was a Jewess sent for Paul. He heard from him about his faith in Christ Jesus. He (Paul) told hm about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment. Becoming afraid Felix answered. "Go along for the present but I will send for you later on." At the same time he was hoping that Paul would give him money. So he sent for him more frequently and conversed with him. Two years went by until Felix received a successor, that is, Porcius Festus. And, wishing to show a favour to the Jews, Felix left with Paul still in prison. |
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The message of Jesus was "for all nations". But the Jews here show they thought of Christians as "the Nazarene sect" within Judaism. Jesus identified himself as "the son of man" that is, the 'son of humankind'. In justice to his message the New Testament texts are written in terms of facing outwards and away from the identification of Jesus with a sect. Regarding the matter here at hand, Felix has put his finger on the problem. This is not about descrating the Temple but about 'the way'. The Jews apparently saw "the way" as the basis of a sect which rejected the Jewish law. Paul saw it as coming from mainstream Judaism and as its fulfilment. Luke - "Acts of the Apostles" - Launch the Society "Reality Search - Version Four" |
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Postscript Page 235, chosen at random, illustrates some of the process in which the "Reality Search" analysis and paraphrase and commentaries were written. The analysis for instance, was virtually completed before it was realised there is an integral connection made by the gospel writers between a "law" society and "time" and then an "order" society and "place". In terms of page 235, when the paraphrase was being made from the literal text, this section as with others in "Acts" was quite hard to understand. Established translations appeared in fact harder to understand than the literal translation itself (cf. Rev A Marshall). The verses relating to 'the way' and 'the Nazarene Sect' as shown on page 235, were not paraphrased as clearly as possible because of the historical confusion in which Paul is talking. | This was realised somewhat more later on, especially in the writing of the novelette "Bethany". In light of later realisation, a paraphrase of these verses could have been made as follows, "But I confess this to you. According to "the way" in which I worship the ancestral God, and which according to them is in a sect, I continue to believe all things acording to the law and all .... etc." By the time the commentary was made at the end of page 235, it was realised Paul saw a difference between "the way" and "the Nazarene sect". But a simplification of the paraphrase on these lines was not made. The text raises a number of questions. Was there a Nazarene Sect or not? The Jews in Rome believed so. Was there a connection between the members of such a sect and the Essenes? Did the "sect" at some stage view Paul as a leader and then later on as someone to oppose? |
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