Contradictions and Paradoxes in Acts 15:16

Check out Contradictions Catalog of Acts 15:16 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts Acts 15:16. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

Is God's Promise Inclusive or Exclusive? Dissecting Biblical Contradictions

Learn how Acts 15:16 contradicts Acts 15:14, Galatians 3:28, Matthew 10:5-6 and Romans 11:25

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According to Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, God promises to come back and fix the special tent, or "tabernacle," where people used to worship. This means God wants to help everyone be close to Him again, just like in the past.

Acts 15:16: After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

Contradiction with Acts 15:14

This verse speaks about God visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name, seemingly suggesting an inclusion of Gentiles, while Acts 15:16 refers to rebuilding the fallen tabernacle of David, which implies a focus on Israel.

Acts 15:14: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Contradiction with Galatians 3:28

This verse says there is neither Jew nor Greek, suggesting a removal of distinction between Jews and Gentiles, whereas Acts 15:16 focuses on rebuilding something specific to Jewish heritage.

Galatians 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Contradiction with Matthew 10:5-6

Here, Jesus instructs His disciples to go only to the lost sheep of Israel, seemingly contradicting the idea in Acts 15:16 that might involve outreach to Gentiles following the rebuilding.

Matthew 10:5-6: These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Contradiction with Romans 11:25

This verse describes a mystery that Israel has experienced hardening until the full number of Gentiles has come in, seeming to conflict with the immediate rebuilding mentioned in Acts 15:16.

Romans 11:25: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [blindness: or, hardness]

Paradox #1

The contradiction or inconsistency around that verse might involve the difference between the early Christian teachings and the Jewish traditions of the time. Some believe that the quote attributed to God's promise about rebuilding suggests a continuity with Jewish heritage, while others see it as showing a shift toward embracing non-Jewish believers. This tension between Jewish roots and expanding to Gentile audiences was a significant issue in early Christianity.

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