If you want to accept it, go ahead. I don't. It doesn't make sense that everyone around him, his friends, his family, his followers, even his enemies, didn't really understand his mission until after he died. That's ... odd. Why would that be?
.... You've just proved my point, that you've apparently ‘already’ determined Jesus is NOT the Messiah, and you are here to prove that he isn't in order to sustain your position
If people ask me questions, I like to answer them. As I have said before, if you don't want to hear it, stop asking.
Which would account for you saying you would believe Josephus over Paul, though Paul himself spent time with Christ.
But Paul didn't believe until after it was all over. When Jesus was no longer around to contradict him.
Unfortunately you contradicted yourself by saying...”I'm wondering why he made “certain” that they believed.” When in fact back thread your question was...”why DIDN'T he make them believe.”
No, he made certain his followers believed that he was eligible for the throne: he was born in Bethlehem, descended from David, but not through Solomon.
What he did NOT make certain of was that they understood his mission the way YOU understand it: the saving of souls. The most logical reason: that wasn't his mission.
...You are wrapping yourself in knots here.
No, you are misunderstanding my point. I am not sure if you are doing it on purpose or not.
Better that you accept the fact they had a choice to believe or not what Jesus said and did...as do all even now.
Sure. His followers clearly believed he was there to be King of Israel. His enemies did not. But none of them believed in the posthumous, Paul-created version of Jesus: a savior of souls for heaven.
Interesting your saying you not only read and reference Josephus, but you "cleave" to his writings......but you indeed said before you "Only" use the KJ version as a point of reference.
No, I said that was the only version of the BIBLE that I'll use.
It's important to consider that Jewish people are, for the most part, purposely blinded by God to who Jesus is and the facts supporting Him. This is of course for the Gentiles advantage.....proving again Gods great love for all mankind.
It's always enlightening to talk to people who can read God's mind
.....” Paul didn’t believe until after it was all over. When Jesus was no longer around to contradict him”....
You really need to clarify when and how Paul met Christ....your statement sounds as though you certainly have your facts wrong.
..((If you want to accept it, go ahead. I don’t.))
Thank you for finally saying you don’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah outright rather than be evasive. ..and it would appear you are not open to thinking otherwise.....further that you’re dodging anything which requires a sound response.
..(( As I have said before, if you don’t want to hear it, stop asking))
Your’re once again confused...this thread has ‘long past answering your questions’...it’s about “Defending the Gospel of Jesus Christ” ...there is a difference.
Nothing else in your post warrents further response. Already been addressed.
It's always a challenge to talk to people who can't read the Bible for what it says.