How Important is Truth?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

no, rather YOU Daniel Alicea have drawn a conclusion and used your conclusion as the basis of your assertion. That's called circular reasoning. I am simply pointing out a biblical truth that I have done more than enough to substantiate...that jews called each other brothers because they were Jews.

Originally Posted by rrford

This one is beyond me why he can't just admit that the term "Brother" as referecned had nothing to do with the Body of Christ. (I can assure you the Jews Simon was speaking to DID NOT consider themselves to be in the body of Christ. )

Originally Posted by stmatthew

"Brother"

adelphos {ad-el-fos'}


1) a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother

2) having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman

3) any fellow or man

4) a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection

5) an associate in employment or office

6) brethren in Christ

a) his brothers by blood

b) all men

c) apostles

d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Pride is a sin.

No Prax, I think it is you that have problems with logic, inferring and decoding

1. I made no assertion ... but asked a question ... albeit a rhetorical question "Is this the same Ananaias that called Saul a brother before baptizing him?

2. What biblical truth have you proven other than in the context of Acts 2 and 3, Paul addressed his national kinsman as 'brethren' ... a truth indeed ... yet RR would like to apply adelphos to " admit" that the term "Brother" as referenced in Acts 9 had nothing to do with the Body of Christ.

If this assertion be true than adelphos must apply as national kinsman in all cases it is used in the NT... he insists it's a tautology.

Is adelphos, a word with multiple meanings' ... that ALWAYS mean a kinsman?? ... or does Paul and other writers also use it to mean ... brother of blood or brother in Christ ... am I to now state this applies in the cases where Paul addresses the Church?

Example:

The word "set" had over a dozen meanings in the English language ...

If I use CIRCULAR REASONING then I will pick one from my handy dandy dictionary and apply it in all instances ... HOW FOOLISH IS THAT???

3. When examining words with multiple meaning all GOOD READERS must use context clues to examine and infer it's significance.

CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT.

1. Aldephos is one used in the plural ... in Acts 2 and 3. Peter is formally addressing a crowd of national brethren in an attempt to convert them to the Gospel ... understandable considering the public venue, purpose and audience of non-Christian believers.

Futhermore in no way however ... as Praxeas implied does the fact that he states that they murdered Jesus ... imply that he DOES NOT THINK THAT ALL OF US ARE NOT GUILTY OF HIS DEATH.

2. Lets examine the usage of brother by Ananias in full context ...

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." 11 The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is there praying, 12 and (in a vision) he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay (his) hands on him, that he may regain his sight."

Notice God has used a supernatural calling of Ananias to go to pray for Saul's healing ... and confirms this vision to reaffirm it is divine.

13 But Ananias replied, "Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones 4 in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name."

Ananias protests at first .... he's scared of a murderous Paul and says he has done EVIL THINGS TO YOUR HOLY ONES. He fears for his life and/or possible imprisonment. He hasn't heard that Paul has converted ... he's still got old info.

15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites, 16 and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name."

God reassures Ananias once again that Paul has been chosen.

17 So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, "Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit." 18 Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, 19 and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength. 5 He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus

Ananias obeys God's command and enters the house Paul is in ... and uses the term "adelphos" as his first words to Paul.

Now .... there are some possible reasons for this greeting:

1. He was being polite and addressing a kinsman ... who by the way he feared and considered EVIL.


2. He was scared out of his mind and though he'd soften Paul up by calling him brother


or


3. He was convicted by the Holy Spirit ... based on the revelation of what Paul had experience already and God's purpose for Saul's life ... hence ... based on this totality of events and conviction calls Saul brother ... as in brother in the body of Christ.

Which of these scenarios is most REASONABLE ... all are possible ... but using CONTEXT ... which meaning of brother is being used????

Or will PRIDE GET IN THE WAY????