There are no contradictions in the Bible...simply ignorance on man's behalf.
1. What "scriptures"? The Gospels hadn't been written yet.
Answer: The Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus referred to Jonah as an example of rising the third day. Also Ps.16:10-11
2. What "twelve"? Judas was dead and Thomas didn't see Jesus until 8 days later.
Answer: The original disciples were simply called "The Twelve". Matt.26:20, 47; Mark 4:10; Luke 8:1; John 20:24.
3. There were over 500 "brethren" (believers) who saw Jesus fly into the sky?
Answer: This is not correct. The Bible does not say 500 saw Him ascend.
4. You've said, "born out of due time" means "miscarriage". What does that mean?
Answer: I already told you...Paul did not feel worthy to be a disciple. As John Gill states: "one born out of due time: or "as an abortive"; not that he was really one, but like one: several learned interpreters think the apostle refers to a proverbial way of speaking among the common people at Rome, who used to call such supernumerary senators in the times of Augustus Caesar, who got into the senate house by favour or bribery, "abortives", they being generally very unworthy persons; and therefore calls himself by this name, as being in his own opinion a supernumerary apostle, and very unworthy of that office"
5. Where was the Jewish chief prosecutor, Paul, when Jesus was driving the priests so nuts they met on Passover Eve just to conspire against him?
Answer: I do not know. The Bible is silent on this issue. Many of the experts believe Saul had not reached a position of authority during Jesus' ministry.
6. Why would faithful Christians be in denial about the resurrection of Jesus only a few years after the event if it was such a matter of obvious recent reality, witnessed by hundreds who could testify what they saw? Why does Paul appeal to "scriptures" and not obvious historical reality?
Answer: These verses do not state anyone was denying the resurrection of Jesus. Their concern was their own resurrection from the dead. Read the verses again.
7. So we can confirm that there were 120 believers after Jesus had been carried into the sky. What happened to Paul's 380+ other believers?
Answer: Remember that when Jesus was crucified Jews from all over the nation came to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus arose two days after this celebration. The most likely answer is that the 500 were there from out of town. Jesus ascended 40 days after His resurrection...most folks had gone home. Now this is just speculation on my part...the Bible does not say. I fail to see why this is such a hang-up for you. Maybe the other 380 couldn't make it to that particular supper that night.
8. And why does Acts say Jesus hung around for 40 days before the ascension and yet Luke's Gospel says Jesus flew up into the sky on the day of his resurrection and reunion with the disciples?
Answer: The Bible does not say in Luke that He ascended the day of His resurrection. It says He went to Emmaus the same day He arose. Luke is silent concerning what day He ascended.
Nope. No contradictions.
1. What "scriptures"? The Gospels hadn't been written yet.
Answer: The Old Testament Scriptures. Jesus referred to Jonah as an example of rising the third day. Also Ps.16:10-11
2. What "twelve"? Judas was dead and Thomas didn't see Jesus until 8 days later.
Answer: The original disciples were simply called "The Twelve". Matt.26:20, 47; Mark 4:10; Luke 8:1; John 20:24.
3. There were over 500 "brethren" (believers) who saw Jesus fly into the sky?
Answer: This is not correct. The Bible does not say 500 saw Him ascend.
4. You've said, "born out of due time" means "miscarriage". What does that mean?
Answer: I already told you...Paul did not feel worthy to be a disciple. As John Gill states: "one born out of due time: or "as an abortive"; not that he was really one, but like one: several learned interpreters think the apostle refers to a proverbial way of speaking among the common people at Rome, who used to call such supernumerary senators in the times of Augustus Caesar, who got into the senate house by favour or bribery, "abortives", they being generally very unworthy persons; and therefore calls himself by this name, as being in his own opinion a supernumerary apostle, and very unworthy of that office"
5. Where was the Jewish chief prosecutor, Paul, when Jesus was driving the priests so nuts they met on Passover Eve just to conspire against him?
Answer: I do not know. The Bible is silent on this issue. Many of the experts believe Saul had not reached a position of authority during Jesus' ministry.
6. Why would faithful Christians be in denial about the resurrection of Jesus only a few years after the event if it was such a matter of obvious recent reality, witnessed by hundreds who could testify what they saw? Why does Paul appeal to "scriptures" and not obvious historical reality?
Answer: These verses do not state anyone was denying the resurrection of Jesus. Their concern was their own resurrection from the dead. Read the verses again.
7. So we can confirm that there were 120 believers after Jesus had been carried into the sky. What happened to Paul's 380+ other believers?
Answer: Remember that when Jesus was crucified Jews from all over the nation came to Jerusalem for the Passover. Jesus arose two days after this celebration. The most likely answer is that the 500 were there from out of town. Jesus ascended 40 days after His resurrection...most folks had gone home. Now this is just speculation on my part...the Bible does not say. I fail to see why this is such a hang-up for you. Maybe the other 380 couldn't make it to that particular supper that night.
8. And why does Acts say Jesus hung around for 40 days before the ascension and yet Luke's Gospel says Jesus flew up into the sky on the day of his resurrection and reunion with the disciples?
Answer: The Bible does not say in Luke that He ascended the day of His resurrection. It says He went to Emmaus the same day He arose. Luke is silent concerning what day He ascended.
Nope. No contradictions.
