Answering Alleged Bible Contradictions Surrounding Paul’s Conversion

Here are alleged Bible contradictions that we answered:

 

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Bible Contradiction? Who survived to see the promised land during the Exodus?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Who survived to see the promised land during the Exodus?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Only Caleb

“Certainly all the people who have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have put Me to the test these ten times and have not listened to My voice, 23 shall by no means see the land which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who were disrespectful to Me see it. 24 But as for My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring him into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.” (Numbers 14:22-24)

Both Caleb and Joshua

“those men who brought the bad report of the land also died by a plague in the presence of the Lord. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land.” (Numbers 14:37-38)

“But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For the Lord had said of them, “They shall certainly die in the wilderness.” And not a man was left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” (Numbers 26:64-65)

“So the Lord’s anger burned on that day, and He swore, saying, 11 ‘None of the men who came up from Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; for they did not follow Me fully, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun; for they have followed the Lord fully.’” (Numbers 32:10-12)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Balaam curse the Israelites?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Balaam curse the Israelites?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

Balaam was hired to curse the Israelites.

“No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, may ever enter the assembly of the Lord, 4 because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.” (Deuteronomy 23:3-4)

Balaam cursed the Israelites, but God turned his curse into a blessing.

“Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, rose up and fought against Israel, and he sent messengers and summoned Balaam the son of Beor to curse you. 10 But I was not willing to listen to Balaam. So he had to bless you, and I saved you from his hand.” (Joshua 24:9-10)

“On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud as the people listened; and there was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite was ever to enter the assembly of God, 2 because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.” (Nehemiah 13:1-2)

No

Balaam refused the curse the Israelites

“And he took up his discourse and said, “From Aram Balak has brought me, Moab’s king from the mountains of the East, saying, ‘Come, declare Jacob cursed for me, And come, curse Israel!’ 8 How am I to put a curse on him upon whom God has not put a curse? And how am I to curse him whom the Lord has not cursed?” (Numbers 23:7-8)

“Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together; and Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times!” (Numbers 24:10)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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The Skeptic Annotated Bible Getting Hung Up with KJV use of “Unicorns” in the Bible

 

The Skeptic Annotated Bible website under the “Science and history” criticism of the book of Psalms notes that the King James Version talk about unicorns.

 

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Bible Contradiction? How many generations were between Levi and Moses?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many generations were between Levi and Moses?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Three generations

“And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; and the length of Levi’s life was 137 years. 17 The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, according to their families. 18 And the sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel; and the length of Kohath’s life was 133 years. 19 And the sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their generations. 20 Now Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, and she bore him Aaron and Moses; and the length of Amram’s life was 137 years.” (Exodus 6:16-20)

“The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 The sons of Kohath were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And the sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” (1 Chronicles 6:1-3)

“David divided them into divisions according to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 7 Of the Gershonites there were Ladan and Shimei. 8 The sons of Ladan were Jehiel the first, and Zetham and Joel, three. 9 The sons of Shimei were Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran, three. These were the heads of the fathers’ households of Ladan. 10 The sons of Shimei were Jahath, [b]Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These four were the sons of Shimei. 11 Jahath was the first and Zizah the second; but Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they became a father’s household, one group for duty. 12 The sons of Kohath were four in number: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.” (1 Chronicles 23:6-12)

Ten generations

“Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. 23 Then he went in to his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son, and he named him Beriah, because misfortune had come upon his house. 24 His daughter was Sheerah, who built lower and upper Beth-horon, as well as Uzzen-sheerah. 25 Rephah was his son along with Resheph, Telah his son, Tahan his son, 26 Ladan his son, Ammihud his son, Elishama his son, 27 Non his son, and Joshua his son.” (1 Chronicles 7:22-27)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did the men with Paul hear the voice?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did the men with Paul hear the voice?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes, they heard the voice.

“The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.” (Acts 9:7)

No, they didn’t hear the voice.

“And those who were with me saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.” (Acts.22:9)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? How many sons does God have?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many sons does God have?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

God has only one son (Jesus).

“The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18)

“By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.” (1 John 4:9)

God has many sons.

“the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:38)

“that the sons of God saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not remain with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of mankind, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.” (Genesis 6:2-4)

“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.” (Exodus 4:22)

“They will come with weeping, And by pleading I will bring them; I will lead them by streams of waters, On a straight path on which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.”” (Jeremiah 31:9)

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6)

“Again, there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord.” (Job 2:1)

““I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have fathered You. 8 Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth as Your possession.” (Psalm 2:7-8)

“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and with strokes of sons of mankind,” (2 Samuel 7:13-14)

“On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:6-7)

““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,” (John 1:12)

“so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,” (Philippians 2:15)

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Whoever is led by the Spirit of God is a son of God.

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God.” (Romans 8:14)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Paul go to Jerusalem immediately after his conversion?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Paul go to Jerusalem immediately after his conversion?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple.” (Acts 9:26)

No

“to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:16-17)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Were the men with Paul knocked to the ground?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Were the men with Paul knocked to the ground?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes, they fell to the ground.

“And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’” (Acts 26:14)

No, they remained standing.

“The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.” (Acts 9:7)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Is it OK to curse people?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Is it OK to curse people?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Do not curse anyone.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)

No

“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha!” (1 Corinthians 16:22)

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8-9)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Should we try to please others?

 

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Should we try to please others?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.” (Romans 15:2)

“just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.” (1 Corinthians 10:33)

No

“For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Did Paul see Jesus on the road to Damascus?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Did Paul see Jesus on the road to Damascus?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Yes

“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 9:1)

“and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.” (1 Corinthians 15:8)

No, he was blind and “saw no man.”

“Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.” ( Acts 9:8)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? What must a congregation do if it sins through ignorance?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: What must a congregation do if it sins through ignorance?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Kill a young bull.

“‘Now if the entire congregation of Israel does wrong unintentionally and the matter [a]escapes the notice of the assembly, and they commit any of the [b]things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, and they become guilty; 14 when the sin [c]which they have [d]committed becomes known, then the assembly shall offer a [e]bull of the herd as a sin offering and bring it in front of the tent of meeting. 15 Then the elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before the Lord, and the bull shall be slaughtered before the Lord. 16 Then the anointed priest is to bring some of the blood of the bull to the tent of meeting; 17 and the priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil. 18 He shall then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the Lord [f]in the tent of meeting; and all the rest of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting. 19 And he shall remove all its fat from it and offer it up in smoke on the altar. 20 He shall also do with the bull just as he did with the bull of the sin offering; he shall do the same with it. So the priest shall make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven. 21 Then he is to bring the bull out to a place outside the camp and burn it just as he burned the first bull; it is the sin offering for the assembly.” (Leviticus 4:13-21)

Kill a young bull and a young goat.

“then it shall be, if it is done unintentionally, [a]without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one bull as a burnt offering, as a soothing aroma to the Lord, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat as a sin offering. 25 Then the priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the sons of Israel, and they will be forgiven; for it was an unintentional wrong, and they have brought their offering, an offering by fire to the Lord, and their sin offering before the Lord, for their unintentional wrong. 26 So all the congregation of the sons of Israel will be forgiven, as well as the stranger who resides among them, for guilt was attributed to all the people through an unintentional wrong.” (Numbers 15:24-26)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? How should Sabbath-breakers be punished?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How should Sabbath-breakers be punished?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

They should be exiled.

“Therefore you are to keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it must be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.” (Exodus 31:14)

They should be killed.

“Therefore you are to keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it must be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.” (Exodus 31:14)

“For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.” (Exodus 31:15)

“For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.” (Exodus 35:2)

“Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation; 34 and they placed him in custody, because it had not been decided what should be done to him. 35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 So all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him [a]to death with stones, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Numbers 15:32-36)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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Bible Contradiction? Was Solomon David’s second or fourth son by Bathsheba?

 

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Was Solomon David’s second or fourth son by Bathsheba?

Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:

Second

“Then Nathan went to his house. Later the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s [a]widow bore to David, so that he was very sick…Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and slept with her; and she gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. Now the Lord loved him,” (2 Samuel 12:15, 24)

Fourth

“These were the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four by Bath-shua the daughter of Ammiel;” (1 Chronicles 3:5)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:

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