Expert: Sal - 2/9/2005

Question
I have some questions about scripture.  I haven't been able to find the answers to these questions and hope you can help me.

Matthew 11:21  Where are the miracles in  
                            Corozain?

Matthew  23:2  Where is the chair of Moses?

Acts 20:35  When and where did Jesus say, "It
                    is more blessed to give than to
                    receive"?

Matthew 2:23  Where do the prophets speak?

2 Timothy 3:8  Who are Jannes and Jambres?

Jude 1:9  Where is the dispute?

Jude 1:14  Where is the prophecy?

Thank you,

Les  

Answer
Dear Les:

Great to hear from you again.

1)   Matthew 11:21 relates that Jesus did in fact perform miracles in Chorazin. They were apparently not recorded. St. John explicitly tells us that Jesus did many things that were not recorded (see John 21:25).
2)   Matthew 23:2 shows that Jesus did not believe in Sola Scriptura. Nowhere in the Jewish Bible is the office of “the Chair of Moses” established. The Chair of Moses is found in the Jewish oral tradition. It signifies teaching authority. Whoever “sat” on the Chair of Moses had authority over God's people. “Do everything and observe everything they tell you,” said our Lord. The authority of the Chair of Moses is now in the Chair of Peter upon which sits the Pope.
3)   Acts 20:35 is proof that St. Paul accepted oral tradition, therefore, he was not a sola scripturist. This quote of our Lord is not recorded in the Gospels.
4)   Matthew 2:23 contains a prophecy that is not recorded in the Old Testament. This prophecy was apparently passed on orally. This, again, shows that the Jews did not believe in Sola Scriptura.
5)   II Timothy 3:8 names the two magicians that opposed Moses in Egypt (see Exodus 7:11). St. Paul could only know these men's names by his acceptance of oral tradition something that Protestants would never dream of doing.
6)   Jude 1:9 reveals a dispute that is not recorded elsewhere in Scripture. The non-canonical “Assumption of Moses” contains this story.
7)   Jude 1:14 contains a prophecy of Enock recorded only here and in the non-canonical “Book of Enock”.

Have a great day!
Your friend, Sal