I saw this in Acts -
20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
But I can't find it anywhere else.
Yet Acts 1:1 says that all of Jesus' teachings should be there, so where is it?
2006-11-06 12:48:12 · 14 answers · asked by skeptic 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Paul SAYS Jesus said this, but it isn't anywhere to be found in the Gospels. Possibly Jesus never said it, or maybe Paul made it up; Or, possibly, one of the hundreds of "editors" of the bible thought it was a nice sentiment and added it.
2006-11-06 12:56:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You won't find it anywhere else.
It is an example of oral tradition, or, teaching that was passed down verbally, under the superindendence of the Holy Spirit.
The Jews were as much dependent of oral Tradition as they were the written word. That is the way it was for thousands of years, including Christians. Sacred Tradition, the ones rejected by some Protestants, but practiced by the early Church, pre-date the canon of the Bible. The evidence is available for anyone who wants to see it. Tradition and scripture are not conflicting means of transmission of the Word of God, but complimentary.
Since the protestant revolt, some Christians condemn all forms of Tradition, even while they make up their own, such as Sunday worship itinerary, or wedding protocol. Jesus only condemned ONE form of tradition, which was phoney, man-made tradition that was a cheap excuse for the scribes and Pharisees not give honor to their parents. (Matthew 15:3-9 and Mark 7: 8-13)
Tradition is not a dirty word.
http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2006/10/tradition-is-not-dirty-word.html
None of the following can be found in the Gospels or the Old Testament.
A) Eph.5:14 Therefore it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give you light."
B) 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated --
C) Jude 14 It was of these also that Enoch in the seventh generation from Adam prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads,
15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
What is the Relationship Between Scripture and Tradition?
http://www.chnetwork.org/journals/authority/authority_9.htm
.
.
2006-11-06 21:26:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you remember at the end of the Gospel of John (John 21:25) it says that if all the words and says of Christ were to be written down, there would not be enough books to contain it all.
These words of Jesus are not recorded in the Gospels. Obviously, not all of Jesus' words were written down, this saying may have been passed on orally through the apostles.
2006-11-06 21:34:26 · answer #3 · answered by robin rmsclvr25 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not by friend make the mistake of thinking that 'if a word does not exist; the concept does not'.
That philosophy is one of the things that has possibly lead to so many abuses of God's word.
In crude terms love gives (primary, or receives graciously secondarily), pride gets.
2006-11-06 21:00:58 · answer #4 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because you can't find it doesn't mean it didn't happen!
Jesus even relieved himself behind a bush, but because it isn't recorded doesn't mean it didn't happen.
It is written that He even did many more Miracles even that weren't recorded.
John 20:30
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
2006-11-06 20:58:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus GAVE the gift of salvation through parables, He taught parables that led to other people's salvation.
He did not receive...
2006-11-06 20:51:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's the only place it was written, you have to trust the writer that Jesus said it.
2006-11-06 20:53:20 · answer #7 · answered by Mark Fidrater 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that the actual words "it is better to give than to receive" came from Macy's department store for marketing purchases and to get you in the store to buy buy buy.
2006-11-06 20:53:41 · answer #8 · answered by kickinupfunf 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Read the book of Mathew from start to finish and you shall find it my frend.
2006-11-06 20:52:37 · answer #9 · answered by ditzhitz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is better to receive.
Receive the gifts of God.
Nothing can compare to His gifts.
2006-11-06 20:53:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋