Paul’s Sister and Nephew

[Dan Unterbrink]

Scholars have questioned how Paul, supposedly from Tarsus, could have wielded such authority around Jerusalem at such a young age? It follows that Paul’s sister and nephew (Acts 23:12-22) would have also lacked the necessary credentials to play a part in Paul’s rescue from the Jews. But, according to Robert Eisenman, Paul was really the Herodian Saul, and his nephew was Julius Archelaus, son of the Temple Treasurer (James, the Brother of Jesus, p. 969). This added information may explain the nephew’s connections concerning the plot against Saul/Paul.

Daniel T. Unterbrink
Author of Judas of Nazareth

[Wootah]

Scholars have questioned how Paul, supposedly from Tarsus, could have wielded such authority around Jerusalem at such a young age? It follows that Paul’s sister and nephew (Acts 23:12-22) would have also lacked the necessary credentials to play a part in Paul’s rescue from the Jews. But, according to Robert Eisenman, Paul was really the Herodian Saul, and his nephew was Julius Archelaus, son of the Temple Treasurer (James, the Brother of Jesus, p. 969). This added information may explain the nephew’s connections concerning the plot against Saul/Paul.

Daniel T. Unterbrink
Author of Judas of Nazareth

Moderator Comment
Hi Daniel,

Most of the forum requires that threads contain a question for debate. Please consider rephrasing your post as a debate question.

Wootah

Please review the Rules.


______________

Moderator comments do not count as a strike against any posters. They only serve as an acknowledgment that a post report has been received, but has not been judged to warrant a moderator warning against a particular poster. Any challenges or replies to moderator postings should be made via Private Message to avoid derailing topics.

[ThePainefulTruth]

Scholars have questioned how Paul, supposedly from Tarsus, could have wielded such authority around Jerusalem at such a young age? It follows that Paul’s sister and nephew (Acts 23:12-22) would have also lacked the necessary credentials to play a part in Paul’s rescue from the Jews. But, according to Robert Eisenman, Paul was really the Herodian Saul, and his nephew was Julius Archelaus, son of the Temple Treasurer (James, the Brother of Jesus, p. 969). This added information may explain the nephew’s connections concerning the plot against Saul/Paul.

Daniel T. Unterbrink
Author of Judas of Nazareth

So the question is, where did Paul get his authority?

As Eisenman points out, he was a Herodian. That being the case, it would have been the source of his Roman citizenship. Either one of those would have increased his status, and he probably inherited wealth along with theml.

[Dan Unterbrink]

[Replying to post 3 by ThePainefulTruth]

The questions concern authority and the supposed birth place for Saul/Paul. If Paul were Herodian and had connections to the Temple, then did he really come from Tarsus? And, if he did not come from Tarsus, then how much of Acts can be trusted?

Daniel T. Unterbrink
Author of Judas of Nazareth

[ThePainefulTruth]

[Replying to post 4 by Dan Unterbrink]

Trust but verify springs to mind? But being a Herodian enforcer for the High Priest would fit. Doing that as a Pharisee wouldn't. Luke, Acts and the whole Bible have problems, but there are many ways to deduce the Truth, such as using a source against itself via external or other internal bits of evidence.