Bible Interpretation - Acts-Revelation

8. Exercise #2: Interpreting Paul's Conversion

We now have an overview of the Acts of the Apostles and we have gained a few insights into its metaphysical meaning. Let's now try to put this insight into practice by metaphysically interpreting the well-known story of the conversion of Paul. Remember that the creative process is Mind-Idea-Expression. We will begin by establishing a consciousness of oneness with God-Mind, then we will allow Divine Ideas to flow into consciousness and we complete the process by allowing those divine ideas to Express themselves in our finished interpretation. 

GOD-MIND

1. Pray, Meditate, Center

2. Read the story

¹²”With this in mind, I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, ¹³when at midday along the road, your Excellency, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my companions. ¹⁴When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ ¹⁵I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The Lord answered, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. (Acts 26:12-18)

IDEA

3. Paraphrase the story in your mind.  Our mind retains information in pictures and images. By paraphrasing the story we enhance our ability to perceive the flow of divine ideas that God-Mind sends into our consciousness.

4. Chart or list all of the important nouns and verbs.  Divine ideas are not “grasped;”  rather, they “flow.”  Which words seem to be speaking to you? Look closely at the nouns and verbs and try to pick out those words that may have special metaphysical meaning.  Put these in the left column.

5.  Define the words metaphysically.  Take each word individually, without regard to the whole story.  What does each word seem to be conveying to us in our higher consciousness?  Use the MBD or The Revealing Word to see how Charles Fillmore understood the words. Do these interpretations ring true for you?  If not, insert your own interpretation.  Place them in the center column.

EXPRESSION

6.  Create clunky interpretation from definitions.  As with step 3, the clunky version allows us to “play” with the metaphysical meaning of the story without the need to translate it into literary form.  Using what you have placed in the left and center column, write out a clunky version in the right column.

7.  Create a refined version and include a bottom line statement.  Keep the following in mind.  When interpreting the Bible there is an “intersection” between the story and the metaphysical meanings of the words with one’s own state of consciousness.  This means two things.  First, all persons are capable of interpreting the Bible metaphysically when they allow the Bible story to dwell in their higher consciousness. Second, there are no incorrect interpretations.