"But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" Acts 5:22 RSV. This is clear enough to me that the apostles rejected the Sanhedrin's alleged jurisdiction
Paul is outside my jurisdiction
Luke offers sooo much Paul support, the guy whose book you seem to selectively argue out of.
At least those on our side, say we argue from inspiration, but by your own words, you are arguing from a book, you think not to be inspired! You have said, "no one witnessed Paul", well a gospel writer did, and so did James and Peter, and others.
Look at the Luke support for the apostle Jesus chose..
Peter called Paul’s writings scripture in 2 Peter 3:16.
James called Paul his beloved brother who risked his life for the Lord in Acts 15. Peter also called Paul his beloved brother in 2 Peter 3.
When Luke says the Holy Spirit in Acts 13, sent out Paul, along with the prophets sending him, that does support Paul, largely.
When Luke says Paul was a chosen instrument, as spoken by the Lord in acts 9:15, repeated in Acts 26, that does indeed support Paul.
When Luke records Ananias a disciple going to Paul in Acts 9, that does witness Paul for sure.
Luke called Paul an apostle.
A Jewish prophet named Silas, started churches with Paul. There is a good one!
When the demons in acts 19, recognized the same Spirit in Paul, as Jesus, that does support Paul? Same as Acts 16, with the divination girl, the demons recognized a high ranking authority.
In other words, in the gospels, when demons cried out when they saw Jesus, it was out of fear, and they knew his authority. We have no problem thinking that pertaining to the Lord. So likewise, in Acts 19, they recognized Paul, as a high ranking authority a soldier, as they mentioned Paul, along side of the highest one, Jesus! In a strange way, it was a compliment, like here also...
Acts 16:16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
Then, with authority..
Acts 16:18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.
When the very respected Barnabas, the man of faith in Acts 4 and 11, went to get Paul, that is quite an endorsement.
When Luke records Jesus in acts 18, 22, 23, telling Paul to keep going, without any correction to his message, that does not witness Paul?
When an angel of God in acts 27 supports Paul, that is quite an amazing endorsement and confirmation.
When Bible knowing Aquila and Priscilla travel with Paul, that does not confirm Paul? Did they have correct Paul scripturally as they did Apollos? Nope.
When the council in acts 15 agreed with Paul, and his gospel, as per the recorded event seen in Galatians 2, that does prove Paul’s Gospel of grace for sure.
When Torah knowing Timothy travels with Paul, along with Luke himself, that does not support Paul?
Do the miracles recorded by Luke, Acts 19:11 etc, saying GOD did miracles through Paul, testify about Paul? Yes!
Luke records Peter and James saying not to burden the church with the yoke of law in Acts 15, same as how Paul referred to the law and it being a yoke. Good doctrinal testimony there, great confirmation from the other apostles.
The churches of Judea, praised God, because of Paul, Galatians 1:24,
When Luke says the Word of the Lord, was spread by Paul in Acts 19 and elsewhere, that is a powerful testimony, and quite an honor.
Acts 14:3 at Iconium, Luke says God was testifying to the grace Paul preached, that saved Jew and Greek. The Gospel of grace, that of Acts 20:24.
In Acts 19:6, Luke records that after Paul placed his hands on some disciples, they received the Holy Spirit, spoke in tongues, and prophesied. Good witness there too…
Acts 16, God sent an earthquake to free Paul, pretty good testimony there too. I wouldn’t mind God doing that for me. Seems like Paul’s mission was very important to the Lord, his chosen instrument had a very high calling.
In Acts 24, Paul confronted Felix about adultery, that took Holy Ghost guts, to say that to the one who had power over him, in that situation. Paul would also not succumb to the seeming bribe from Felix.
Acts 26, before King Agrippa, Paul tried to convert him, wow, more guts to do while in captivity, to those who had power over Paul, relative power though, God was in charge.
Imagine getting stoned in Lystra, and then go back there, Acts 14:21 Oh my!
And…not to mention, centuries later, Paul’s writings inspired by the Spirit, are still leading people to Christ.
And….they are so deep and rich, confirming the origin is the Spirit, by their richness and revelation, that one could spend a life time, just studying Romans, and see new things.
Paul, quite a guy, beaten, shipwrecked several times, stoned, cold, hungry, floating a day and night at sea, working to support himself, he was put in prison, beaten with rods, slandered, whipped by the synagogue leaders 5 times, having his back opened up, all for the love of his Lord.
