1001 Errors in the Christian Bible

Acts -- Errors 731-736

#731

Acts 15: (KJV)

15 “And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.”

This is from:

Amos 9: (JPS)

11 “In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old;
12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations, upon whom My name is called, saith HaShem that doeth this.”

Note that Amos (JPS) is describing the restoration of the Davidic line and a prediction of dominion of this line over the Nations. The supposed quote in Acts leaves out the part about the Davidic line’s dominion over the Nations.

# 732

Acts 16: (KJV)

6 “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,”

Compare to Matthew 28: (KJV)

18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Apparently “Luke’s” spirit forgot about “Matthew’s” Jesus’ command to teach all nations. This is likely just an apology for “Luke’s” knowledge that the Asia of his time was not being convinced by words which was a theological impossibility for Christianity. Thus the excuse that the Christians were not proselytizing Asia because the spirit told them not to. Asia would need to be conquered by Christian force, not words. Something the all knowing Gospellers didn’t know.

# 733

Acts 16: (KJV)

21 “And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.”

It wouldn’t have been unlawful at this time to teach Jewish customs to Roman citizens. It’s possible though that this narrative by “Luke” is historical, that she simply recorded an untrue statement by characters in her narrative. The second sentence though, non Jewish magistrates renting their clothes, is likely not historical (made up) as this was a Jewish custom and one would be hard pressed to find other examples of non Jews of the time Acting this way.

# 734

Acts 16: (KJV)

31 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Compare to Matthew 19: (KJV)

17 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

So, who are you going to have faith in, “Luke’s” Paul or “Matthew’s” Jesus? So, who ya gonna call on, holy ghost busters!

# 735

Acts 17: (KJV)

1 “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:”

Acts 17:1 is the only supposed evidence that exists that there was any Jewish community in Thessalonica at this time. There is no other written evidence and no archeological evidence. Lack of the article before “synagogue of the Jews” communicates this was one of a number of synagogues. Were there Jews here at this time? Probably. Were there a number of synagogues here at this time without getting any mention by any other authors or leaving any archeological evidence? Probably not.

# 736

Acts 17: (KJV)

29 “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.”

There are many translation issues here. “The” before “offspring” above is before “God” in the Greek. It’s written in declinable form but “Luke” may have intended to mean “the God”. KJV’s “Godhead” should be “divine” which most moderns use. Predictably, because of these translation problems you also have textual variation (surprise). In any case, compare to John 1: (KJV)

1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

“Luke” says the Divine is not fleshy or by man’s device. “John” says the most important thing the Divine ever did was done in the flesh by man’s device. Doesn’t sound like these two “authors” intended to be in the same book.

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