Now on to Ephesians. Ephesians, at its core, is about being a part of the family of God. Here's chapter 1: http://www.esvbible.org/Ephesians+1/
Paul begins with his usual greeting introducing himself and encouraging his reader in the name of Jesus.
God has given us every blessing from Heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ. He decided before creation that one day, He would adopt us through the actions of Jesus. Jesus set us free from our sins. Because he revealed His plan through Jesus, we now have every wisdom and insight we need in this world. We already know the Good News of what Jesus did for us. In believing this news, God placed His seal, the Holy Spirit, over us as a promise that He would one day give us our inheritance in Him.
Paul says he knows of the faith in Jesus the Church of Ephesus has, and for that reason, he praises God for them and continually prays that the Spirit will guide them. When we see believers doing good work for the Lord, we should thank God for them because if they do what God has planned, then they are probably expanding the Kingdom of God. Paul prays that God gives them wisdom so that they can fully understand the awesome kingdom that God has given us to inherit or to begin to understand how unlimited His power is. He showed that power when He not only raised Christ from the dead but also placed Him in the highest position in Heaven. He is above any worldly leader. As a church, we are Christ's body.
Finally, I think for the first time since I initially fell behind in my studies, I have caught up to the equivalent of having one quiet time a day since I began. Now, I pray that I will stay on top of things.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Galatians 6
http://www.esvbible.org/Galatians+6/
Paul calls upon the Galatians to help each other in their spiritual journeys. If you see some one struggling with something along the way, point it out to them and help them through it so that they can grow closer to God. Do so in a gentle way, however, because you don't want them to withdraw into those ways of the corrupt nature. Additionally, be careful not to be tempted by such things. If anyone thinks you're important when you're really not, you only fool yourself. Examine yourself and be proud of your own accomplishments, but do not compare them to what others have done.
You reap what you sew. If you plant in your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. If you plant in your spiritual nature, you harvest eternal life. Sometimes, living always in the spiritual nature can feel exhausting, but if we stick with it, the end result is everlasting life. Do what is good for everyone.
Paul summarizes and tells them again that these false teachers tell them that they need to change their bodies in order to follow Christ. In reality, it is the heart that needs to change. The false teachers want the believers to circumcise themselves in order to brag about their bodies. Paul again proves that his cause comes from God when he tells them that all he wants to brag about is what happened on the cross. When Paul became a believer, he left his relationship with the world behind. Essentially, he doesn't care what the world thinks of him as long as he follows what God tells him to do, and he encourages all the other believers to do the same. It doesn't matter if you're circumcised or not. What matters is where your heart is.
Paul calls upon the Galatians to help each other in their spiritual journeys. If you see some one struggling with something along the way, point it out to them and help them through it so that they can grow closer to God. Do so in a gentle way, however, because you don't want them to withdraw into those ways of the corrupt nature. Additionally, be careful not to be tempted by such things. If anyone thinks you're important when you're really not, you only fool yourself. Examine yourself and be proud of your own accomplishments, but do not compare them to what others have done.
You reap what you sew. If you plant in your corrupt nature, you will harvest destruction. If you plant in your spiritual nature, you harvest eternal life. Sometimes, living always in the spiritual nature can feel exhausting, but if we stick with it, the end result is everlasting life. Do what is good for everyone.
Paul summarizes and tells them again that these false teachers tell them that they need to change their bodies in order to follow Christ. In reality, it is the heart that needs to change. The false teachers want the believers to circumcise themselves in order to brag about their bodies. Paul again proves that his cause comes from God when he tells them that all he wants to brag about is what happened on the cross. When Paul became a believer, he left his relationship with the world behind. Essentially, he doesn't care what the world thinks of him as long as he follows what God tells him to do, and he encourages all the other believers to do the same. It doesn't matter if you're circumcised or not. What matters is where your heart is.
Galatians 5
http://www.esvbible.org/Galatians+5/
Paul tells the Galatians that Christ freed you to give you the benefits of freedom, but if you reject this freedom by enslaving yourself to the laws, then you cut yourself off from Christ, and, in doing so, fall from God's favor. As far as Jesus is concerned, it does not matter if you follow some of Moses' rules, like circumcision, until they get in the way of your faith in Him when they hinder the relationship. Paul wonders who it was that influenced the Church of Galatia so greatly as to re-believe in Moses' teachings to gain God's favor. To further convince them who they deal with, Paul tells the Galatians that the people who mislead them do not come from God as Paul does. He says that yeast quickly spreads through dough. It only took a few people to start believing the misleading words, and soon the belief spreads throughout the whole church. On the other hand, do not use the freedom to live in corrupt nature. Even Moses' Teachings boil down to loving your neighbor as yourself. There are two opposing natures at work inside of you, according to Paul: the spiritual nature and the corrupt nature. They always oppose each other and desire the opposite of what the other wants. The promise made to Abraham essentially says that after we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can more easily follow our spiritual nature. When we do so, we no longer need to follow Moses' Teachings. The effects of the corrupt nature (I would list my own examples, but Paul's seem to last even until today): illicit sex, perversion, drunkenness, envy, conflicts, jealousy, etc. keep you out of the Kingdom of God. The spiritual nature leads to the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against the fruit of the spirit because they are good. If we live by our spiritual nature, we need to commit and conform to our spiritual nature.
Paul tells the Galatians that Christ freed you to give you the benefits of freedom, but if you reject this freedom by enslaving yourself to the laws, then you cut yourself off from Christ, and, in doing so, fall from God's favor. As far as Jesus is concerned, it does not matter if you follow some of Moses' rules, like circumcision, until they get in the way of your faith in Him when they hinder the relationship. Paul wonders who it was that influenced the Church of Galatia so greatly as to re-believe in Moses' teachings to gain God's favor. To further convince them who they deal with, Paul tells the Galatians that the people who mislead them do not come from God as Paul does. He says that yeast quickly spreads through dough. It only took a few people to start believing the misleading words, and soon the belief spreads throughout the whole church. On the other hand, do not use the freedom to live in corrupt nature. Even Moses' Teachings boil down to loving your neighbor as yourself. There are two opposing natures at work inside of you, according to Paul: the spiritual nature and the corrupt nature. They always oppose each other and desire the opposite of what the other wants. The promise made to Abraham essentially says that after we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can more easily follow our spiritual nature. When we do so, we no longer need to follow Moses' Teachings. The effects of the corrupt nature (I would list my own examples, but Paul's seem to last even until today): illicit sex, perversion, drunkenness, envy, conflicts, jealousy, etc. keep you out of the Kingdom of God. The spiritual nature leads to the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against the fruit of the spirit because they are good. If we live by our spiritual nature, we need to commit and conform to our spiritual nature.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Galatians 4
http://www.esvbible.org/Galatians+4/
Paul uses another tactic to explain this principle. He tells the Galatians that when an inheritance is set forth in a will. The heir can't touch the money until a time the parent set forth. Instead, the heir is under the protection of guardians. Before God sent His Son into the world, the principles of the world were guardians over people. Without something to bridge the gap of sin between man and God, the only way man could hope to attain entrance into Heaven was through following all of the rules. When God sent Jesus, He had His own Son killed to free people who had been slaves to this law. Now, they have freedom to worship God and do right by their own accord. God has made those with faith His children and His heirs. We can now receive the inheritance promised to Abraham. Paul is so angry because before the Galatians knew God, they were slaves to rules or false gods. Now, God has given them freedom because of their faith, but they have turned back to their slavery to the way the world tells them to live. Paul begins to doubt the work he did there. Today, there are many Christians who dedicate themselves to working hard to provide for their families because that is what the world's teachings say. Earn enough money for your family to live comfortable, but you have been freed from that. God will provide for you if you have faith. Just listen to what the Holy Spirit says.
Paul tells the Galatians that he wishes they would become like him because he once became like them. Wherever he went, Paul acted like and took on the customs of the natives, unless it contradicted his faith. Then, he could show the people how much better his ways are. He didn't flat out reject their ways from the start. He took them on as his own, but God used that to show the people that their ways may work for a time but in the end, only God's ways will make you truly happy and save you. even though Paul was ill when he visited Galatia, the people opened their hearts to him as if he was God's messenger and helped him regain his strength. Now, they listen to people trying to turn them away from Paul. Sure, they also have the Galatians best interests in mind but for a bad reason. Paul says if he was dictating this to them, he would change his tone to puzzlement.
Paul recounts the story of Abraham's two sons. One was born of natural ways to a slave woman, but he was born a slave. The other was born by spiritual ways and he was born free. We are like the son who was born free when we put our faith in Jesus.
Paul uses another tactic to explain this principle. He tells the Galatians that when an inheritance is set forth in a will. The heir can't touch the money until a time the parent set forth. Instead, the heir is under the protection of guardians. Before God sent His Son into the world, the principles of the world were guardians over people. Without something to bridge the gap of sin between man and God, the only way man could hope to attain entrance into Heaven was through following all of the rules. When God sent Jesus, He had His own Son killed to free people who had been slaves to this law. Now, they have freedom to worship God and do right by their own accord. God has made those with faith His children and His heirs. We can now receive the inheritance promised to Abraham. Paul is so angry because before the Galatians knew God, they were slaves to rules or false gods. Now, God has given them freedom because of their faith, but they have turned back to their slavery to the way the world tells them to live. Paul begins to doubt the work he did there. Today, there are many Christians who dedicate themselves to working hard to provide for their families because that is what the world's teachings say. Earn enough money for your family to live comfortable, but you have been freed from that. God will provide for you if you have faith. Just listen to what the Holy Spirit says.
Paul tells the Galatians that he wishes they would become like him because he once became like them. Wherever he went, Paul acted like and took on the customs of the natives, unless it contradicted his faith. Then, he could show the people how much better his ways are. He didn't flat out reject their ways from the start. He took them on as his own, but God used that to show the people that their ways may work for a time but in the end, only God's ways will make you truly happy and save you. even though Paul was ill when he visited Galatia, the people opened their hearts to him as if he was God's messenger and helped him regain his strength. Now, they listen to people trying to turn them away from Paul. Sure, they also have the Galatians best interests in mind but for a bad reason. Paul says if he was dictating this to them, he would change his tone to puzzlement.
Paul recounts the story of Abraham's two sons. One was born of natural ways to a slave woman, but he was born a slave. The other was born by spiritual ways and he was born free. We are like the son who was born free when we put our faith in Jesus.
Galatians 3
http://www.esvbible.org/Galatians+3/
Paul doesn't understand what happened to the Galatians. It seems as though they do not fully understand what Jesus' crucifixion means. He reminds them that they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, not by following rules or laws. The Holy Spirit could not dwell in people if they could only receive Him through following rules and laws because we would constantly have to work at it. Instead, we first believe and receive the Holy Spirit; thus, we enter the Kingdom of God. Then, we follow the rules He has set out for us because our true faith means we love Him so much, that we couldn't imagine doing anything to hurt Him. Later, Paul also brings up the example of miracles. He says that miracles come from a Spiritual Gift that God gives, not by something amazing we as humans have done. As a great example, look at Abraham. First, Abraham had faith in God. Next, God chose Him to save all people. God didn't say to look at all of these rules that Abraham must follow in order to win God's favor. He received favor through faith. God knew from the beginning that non-Jewish people could win God's approval through faith, and he used Abraham to make it happen. Abraham is Jesus' ancestor, so God told Abraham that all people will be blessed through Abraham. In this way, when we accept our place as sibling of Christ, we are all descendants of Abraham by faith. Unlike what the Galatians have been misled to believe, those who rely on their own god deeds to get to Heaven will find themselves in Hell. Paul even brings to light something that the Pharisees seem to miss in Moses' Teachings. Scripture says that anyone who doesn't obey everything in Moses' Teachings is cursed. In Moses' Teachings, Moses says the person with God's approval lives by faith. Laws have nothing to do with gaining faith but as I said before, it is by our faith that we follow the laws. Christ took on the curse of the world. It is impossible for people not to sin. We have all broken all ten of the commandments (we'll get to them in the Old Testament); therefore, we are all cursed. The only way the curse could break is by Jesus taking on all of the world's curse and dying for it.
This next part is a little daunting because Paul shows the relationship between two interrelated things. First, there is the promise to Abraham. In this promise God told him all people would be saved by his descendant (singular). Then, 430 years later, Moses wrote the laws that God spoke to him. In the promise, God said that faith was all that was required, but now He's given laws. What are we to make of this? God shows us what wrong is through Moses' laws. We need to know why we are cursed and need a savior; otherwise, it would be impossible to have faith. When the Scripture says the world is controlled by sin and that's why a Savior is needed, we need to know what constitutes sinning. Before Christ, Moses' laws were set in place as a guardian. They guarded the promise that we would be saved by the wrongdoings outlined in Moses' laws. Once Jesus came, there was no need for this guardian. Now, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us between right and wrong instead of the laws. Listen to the Holy Spirit instead of Moses' Teachings now because the Holy Spirit gains His knowledge of right and wrong directly from God. So, Moses's laws require circumcision for gaining God's approval, but when we have sons today and ask the Holy Spirit what to do, He says it doesn't matter. As long as he grows up to have faith in Jesus Christ, it won't matter if he's circumcised or not. Take something like lying. Moses' Teachings say it is wrong. When you get in a situation when you can lie, the Holy Spirit says it's wrong. There are also things that come up today that Moses' Teachings do not cover because they come from so far back, but we do have the Holy Spirit as a living guide.
Paul doesn't understand what happened to the Galatians. It seems as though they do not fully understand what Jesus' crucifixion means. He reminds them that they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, not by following rules or laws. The Holy Spirit could not dwell in people if they could only receive Him through following rules and laws because we would constantly have to work at it. Instead, we first believe and receive the Holy Spirit; thus, we enter the Kingdom of God. Then, we follow the rules He has set out for us because our true faith means we love Him so much, that we couldn't imagine doing anything to hurt Him. Later, Paul also brings up the example of miracles. He says that miracles come from a Spiritual Gift that God gives, not by something amazing we as humans have done. As a great example, look at Abraham. First, Abraham had faith in God. Next, God chose Him to save all people. God didn't say to look at all of these rules that Abraham must follow in order to win God's favor. He received favor through faith. God knew from the beginning that non-Jewish people could win God's approval through faith, and he used Abraham to make it happen. Abraham is Jesus' ancestor, so God told Abraham that all people will be blessed through Abraham. In this way, when we accept our place as sibling of Christ, we are all descendants of Abraham by faith. Unlike what the Galatians have been misled to believe, those who rely on their own god deeds to get to Heaven will find themselves in Hell. Paul even brings to light something that the Pharisees seem to miss in Moses' Teachings. Scripture says that anyone who doesn't obey everything in Moses' Teachings is cursed. In Moses' Teachings, Moses says the person with God's approval lives by faith. Laws have nothing to do with gaining faith but as I said before, it is by our faith that we follow the laws. Christ took on the curse of the world. It is impossible for people not to sin. We have all broken all ten of the commandments (we'll get to them in the Old Testament); therefore, we are all cursed. The only way the curse could break is by Jesus taking on all of the world's curse and dying for it.
This next part is a little daunting because Paul shows the relationship between two interrelated things. First, there is the promise to Abraham. In this promise God told him all people would be saved by his descendant (singular). Then, 430 years later, Moses wrote the laws that God spoke to him. In the promise, God said that faith was all that was required, but now He's given laws. What are we to make of this? God shows us what wrong is through Moses' laws. We need to know why we are cursed and need a savior; otherwise, it would be impossible to have faith. When the Scripture says the world is controlled by sin and that's why a Savior is needed, we need to know what constitutes sinning. Before Christ, Moses' laws were set in place as a guardian. They guarded the promise that we would be saved by the wrongdoings outlined in Moses' laws. Once Jesus came, there was no need for this guardian. Now, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us between right and wrong instead of the laws. Listen to the Holy Spirit instead of Moses' Teachings now because the Holy Spirit gains His knowledge of right and wrong directly from God. So, Moses's laws require circumcision for gaining God's approval, but when we have sons today and ask the Holy Spirit what to do, He says it doesn't matter. As long as he grows up to have faith in Jesus Christ, it won't matter if he's circumcised or not. Take something like lying. Moses' Teachings say it is wrong. When you get in a situation when you can lie, the Holy Spirit says it's wrong. There are also things that come up today that Moses' Teachings do not cover because they come from so far back, but we do have the Holy Spirit as a living guide.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Galatians 2
http://www.esvbible.org/Galatians+2/
Paul says that fourteen years after he was saved, he and Barnabas went to Jerusalem with Titus to see the important Christian figures. They needed to show how they spread the Good News to the non-Jews in order to ensure they did not waste their time. Titus was Greek, and no one forced him to be circumcised. Circumcision is a Jewish law, but the apostles did not care that Titus was not circumcised because being a Christian is not about following rules. Paul talked to the important Christians, and they agreed that Paul and his followers should continue to spread the Good News to non-Jewish people, and Peter, James, and John and their followers would continue to spread the Good News to the Jewish people. They only asked Paul to remember the poor, which he was sure he did.
Paul talks about a time when he called Peter out in front of a crowd. While Peter ate with non-Jewish people to help spread the Good News, he stopped as soon as some Jewish Christians arrived to where he was. He was afraid of the people who believed circumcision is necessary to be a Christian. If that was not bad enough, many people, including Barnabas, began to join him in avoiding non-Jewish people. Paul had no choice but to tell Peter how hypocritically he acted. People are not Christians because of following laws or doing things on their own. Paul says that when he followed all of the rules, it killed him. People are Christians, saved, and God's people through faith. Otherwise, Christ's death meant nothing.
Paul says that fourteen years after he was saved, he and Barnabas went to Jerusalem with Titus to see the important Christian figures. They needed to show how they spread the Good News to the non-Jews in order to ensure they did not waste their time. Titus was Greek, and no one forced him to be circumcised. Circumcision is a Jewish law, but the apostles did not care that Titus was not circumcised because being a Christian is not about following rules. Paul talked to the important Christians, and they agreed that Paul and his followers should continue to spread the Good News to non-Jewish people, and Peter, James, and John and their followers would continue to spread the Good News to the Jewish people. They only asked Paul to remember the poor, which he was sure he did.
Paul talks about a time when he called Peter out in front of a crowd. While Peter ate with non-Jewish people to help spread the Good News, he stopped as soon as some Jewish Christians arrived to where he was. He was afraid of the people who believed circumcision is necessary to be a Christian. If that was not bad enough, many people, including Barnabas, began to join him in avoiding non-Jewish people. Paul had no choice but to tell Peter how hypocritically he acted. People are not Christians because of following laws or doing things on their own. Paul says that when he followed all of the rules, it killed him. People are Christians, saved, and God's people through faith. Otherwise, Christ's death meant nothing.
Galatians 1
Next, I'm going to move to some short letters of Paul that are often clumped together and are found together in the Bible: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. I have read most of each of the books before but never altogether in their entireties with the exception of Philippians. So, we start with Galatians, and here's the chapter: http://www.esvbible.org/Galatians+1/
Paul begins by reminding the Church in Galatia that he receives his missions from God, not man. No person orders Paul where to go because he only goes where the Holy Spirit leads him. Like in Corinthians, he begins with a greeting talking about how great God is and how he has extended so much to us through Jesus.
Paul starts off pretty angry because the Galatians are turning away from God so quickly after Paul left when people spreading false teachings about Christianity came about. Paul traveled to Galatia during his extensive travelling and had great success with the Galatians, but they now leave for false good news. Paul tells them that anyone who teaches any good news that is different from the Good News, should be condemned to hell. These people are only out to confuse people and take them away from God. They want to gain a following for themselves instead of for Christ. Paul says he doesn't say this to please people because if he wanted to please people, he would not be a servant of Christ. Sometimes, doing things that are what Christ wants us to do are not considered the popular things to do, but we must stick to what Jesus teaches us because Christ only has our best interests in mind.
Paul tells the Galatians that the message he spreads does not come from people but from God Himself. We know Paul's story from Acts, and the Galatians had heard it from Paul. He was the most devout Jew there was in his age group, and he followed all the rules. That is why he wanted the church gone so badly: it didn't follow Jewish rules though it was made, at that point, entirely of Jewish people. Then, the Lord told Paul that it was his job to tell non-Jewish people that Jesus is the Good News. When Paul heard the Lord, he did not ask other people what they though; he went fo it because he trusted God and His plan. It wasn't even until three years later that Paul met with any of the apostles, and when he did, he only met with Peter. The only thing the churches in Judea knew about him was that he once persecuted the church, but now he spreads it. God used Paul despite his past after he became a believer.
Paul begins by reminding the Church in Galatia that he receives his missions from God, not man. No person orders Paul where to go because he only goes where the Holy Spirit leads him. Like in Corinthians, he begins with a greeting talking about how great God is and how he has extended so much to us through Jesus.
Paul starts off pretty angry because the Galatians are turning away from God so quickly after Paul left when people spreading false teachings about Christianity came about. Paul traveled to Galatia during his extensive travelling and had great success with the Galatians, but they now leave for false good news. Paul tells them that anyone who teaches any good news that is different from the Good News, should be condemned to hell. These people are only out to confuse people and take them away from God. They want to gain a following for themselves instead of for Christ. Paul says he doesn't say this to please people because if he wanted to please people, he would not be a servant of Christ. Sometimes, doing things that are what Christ wants us to do are not considered the popular things to do, but we must stick to what Jesus teaches us because Christ only has our best interests in mind.
Paul tells the Galatians that the message he spreads does not come from people but from God Himself. We know Paul's story from Acts, and the Galatians had heard it from Paul. He was the most devout Jew there was in his age group, and he followed all the rules. That is why he wanted the church gone so badly: it didn't follow Jewish rules though it was made, at that point, entirely of Jewish people. Then, the Lord told Paul that it was his job to tell non-Jewish people that Jesus is the Good News. When Paul heard the Lord, he did not ask other people what they though; he went fo it because he trusted God and His plan. It wasn't even until three years later that Paul met with any of the apostles, and when he did, he only met with Peter. The only thing the churches in Judea knew about him was that he once persecuted the church, but now he spreads it. God used Paul despite his past after he became a believer.
Acts 28
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+28/
The men soon discover that they are on an island called Malta. The people there are very kind and invite them to sit by their fire because the da was still rainy and cold. Paul, always earning his keep with his hosts, helps collect firewood. When he puts some brush into the fire, a poisonous snake jumps out a bites his hand and hangs there. All of the natives see this and tell each other that he must be a murderer who tried to escape fate by sea, but justice prevailed in the end. Paul, however, shook the snake into the fire and was unharmed. When the people saw that he did not swell up and die, they decided he must be a god. They took him to the governor, whose father lay ill. Paul prayed and healed the man. After that, all of the other sick people on the island went to Paul and he healed them through the Holy Spirit. God sometimes sends people into areas of the world who may have never heard the name of Jesus before. This can be a scary notion, but it can also be exciting because everything you tell them is new and different. The people were so pleased with Paul that they gave him and his men all of the equipment that they needed when they set sail again.
Paul and company continue to bounce around from city to city on their way to Rome. When they finally arrived in Rome, Paul was trusted enough to live by himself with just a guard.
Paul went before a Jewish council in Rome and told them that he was there because the Jews accused him of preposterous cromes in order to stop him from spreading the Good News. The Roman officials in Jerusalem wanted to let him go, but the Jews would not allow it, so Paul felt like he had no other choice than to appeal his case to the emperor. The Jews told him that they wanted to hear what he had to say because no one had sent any word from Jerusalem about his crimes. The next day, even more people showed up to hear him, and he spoke about Jesus and Salvation and the Kingdom of God. Many people in attendance believed, while others continued to disbelieve. In the end, the Jews left arguing with themselves when Paul told them that the non-Jews accept God's messages easier because of what the prophet Isaiah said about the Jews closing their eyes and ears to God despite the fact that he reveals himself to them. After that incident, Paul rents a house in Rome and stays there for two years. Throughout that time, he spreads God's word, and no one tries to stop him.
The men soon discover that they are on an island called Malta. The people there are very kind and invite them to sit by their fire because the da was still rainy and cold. Paul, always earning his keep with his hosts, helps collect firewood. When he puts some brush into the fire, a poisonous snake jumps out a bites his hand and hangs there. All of the natives see this and tell each other that he must be a murderer who tried to escape fate by sea, but justice prevailed in the end. Paul, however, shook the snake into the fire and was unharmed. When the people saw that he did not swell up and die, they decided he must be a god. They took him to the governor, whose father lay ill. Paul prayed and healed the man. After that, all of the other sick people on the island went to Paul and he healed them through the Holy Spirit. God sometimes sends people into areas of the world who may have never heard the name of Jesus before. This can be a scary notion, but it can also be exciting because everything you tell them is new and different. The people were so pleased with Paul that they gave him and his men all of the equipment that they needed when they set sail again.
Paul and company continue to bounce around from city to city on their way to Rome. When they finally arrived in Rome, Paul was trusted enough to live by himself with just a guard.
Paul went before a Jewish council in Rome and told them that he was there because the Jews accused him of preposterous cromes in order to stop him from spreading the Good News. The Roman officials in Jerusalem wanted to let him go, but the Jews would not allow it, so Paul felt like he had no other choice than to appeal his case to the emperor. The Jews told him that they wanted to hear what he had to say because no one had sent any word from Jerusalem about his crimes. The next day, even more people showed up to hear him, and he spoke about Jesus and Salvation and the Kingdom of God. Many people in attendance believed, while others continued to disbelieve. In the end, the Jews left arguing with themselves when Paul told them that the non-Jews accept God's messages easier because of what the prophet Isaiah said about the Jews closing their eyes and ears to God despite the fact that he reveals himself to them. After that incident, Paul rents a house in Rome and stays there for two years. Throughout that time, he spreads God's word, and no one tries to stop him.
Acts 27
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+27/
Finally, the time comes for Paul to go to Rome. Luke and many of Paul's other disciples, who are in Caesarea go with him. First, the travel on a ship headed for Myra in Lycia. The captain of this ship treated Paul very kindly and gave him every comfort. He was able to see his friends freely and do pretty much anything else he wanted to. Again, the captain of this ship probably saw that there was something different about Paul because he followed Jesus. Do people see you as living differently because of Jesus? It should be a good different. The only problem with the first ship was that they were sailing against the wind and had to take tough routes. When the ship arrived in Myra, the captain found Paul, Paul's followers, and the other prisoners going to Rome a new ship. This change brought problems galore. After a few days at sea, the wind stopped, rendering the ship useless. Ships back in this time could move fairly rapidly if the wind filled the sails, but even if this ship was large enough to house oars, having men row the ship was a slow process, especially over such a great distance. They finally found the southern shore of Crete, but still had trouble sailing near it. Eventually, they arrived at a port and took some time there. They had lost so much time that the day of fasting had already passed. They should already be in Rome, but they've only made in as far as Crete (consult a map for help of where these places are). While they're stopped at the port in Crete, Paul tells the shipmen that they should stay awhile longer because if they continue now, they will lose the cargo and the ship on the voyage, and everyone onboard will have their lives changed. Obviously, God does not agree with man's timing of when Paul should arrive in Rome, so He has already come up with His own time. Paul may have this information about the disastrous journey because God wanted to show that He gave them a chance to follow God's timing. The captain, however, had more powerful people pushing him from the other opinion, so he decided to sail on. They wanted to reach the northern side of Crete to spend the winter since it was a more pleasant place to spend the winter. After they set out, the wind picks up, and the men running the ship think that their plan will work; however, the next day, a huge storm blows over them. It throws them violently around the sea, and the men had to lower the sail and reinforce the life boats. Later, they threw off the cargo and finally, the shipping equipment. For days the storm tortured them. In the end, Paul stood among them and told them that they should have listened to him because he had heard an angel of God speak. The good news is that the angel said that while the ship and the cargo would be destroyed, the people would all be safe. Paul predicts that they will soon hit an island.
Two weeks passed and the company was still at sea. At midnight on the fourteenth day, they thought they were approaching land, so they let down a rope that sank 120 feet. Later, they tried again, and the rope sank only 90 feet. The shipmen were afraid they'd hit rocks, so they dropped the anchors. Some of the crew wanted to release the lifeboat in order to escape while they pretended to fix the front anchor, but you can't trick God, and when he revealed the plan to Paul, Paul and the head officer foiled it. Their only hope was to wait for morning to see if they could run the ship ashore. Before daybreak, Paul encouraged the people to eat. No one had eaten since the beginning of the storm and since God had promised not to let the storm kill them, they shouldn't let themselves die of starvation. He then took bread, blessed God in front of everyone and they all ate. After they ate, they felt better. In the morning, the people didn't recognize the island, but they decided their best bet was to run the ship ashore. They hit a sandbar before they made it. The front of the ship would not budge, and the back was destroyed by waves. The crew wanted to kill the prisoners to prevent them from escaping, but the guards would not allow it because they wanted to save Paul. Then, all of the men went ashore.
Finally, the time comes for Paul to go to Rome. Luke and many of Paul's other disciples, who are in Caesarea go with him. First, the travel on a ship headed for Myra in Lycia. The captain of this ship treated Paul very kindly and gave him every comfort. He was able to see his friends freely and do pretty much anything else he wanted to. Again, the captain of this ship probably saw that there was something different about Paul because he followed Jesus. Do people see you as living differently because of Jesus? It should be a good different. The only problem with the first ship was that they were sailing against the wind and had to take tough routes. When the ship arrived in Myra, the captain found Paul, Paul's followers, and the other prisoners going to Rome a new ship. This change brought problems galore. After a few days at sea, the wind stopped, rendering the ship useless. Ships back in this time could move fairly rapidly if the wind filled the sails, but even if this ship was large enough to house oars, having men row the ship was a slow process, especially over such a great distance. They finally found the southern shore of Crete, but still had trouble sailing near it. Eventually, they arrived at a port and took some time there. They had lost so much time that the day of fasting had already passed. They should already be in Rome, but they've only made in as far as Crete (consult a map for help of where these places are). While they're stopped at the port in Crete, Paul tells the shipmen that they should stay awhile longer because if they continue now, they will lose the cargo and the ship on the voyage, and everyone onboard will have their lives changed. Obviously, God does not agree with man's timing of when Paul should arrive in Rome, so He has already come up with His own time. Paul may have this information about the disastrous journey because God wanted to show that He gave them a chance to follow God's timing. The captain, however, had more powerful people pushing him from the other opinion, so he decided to sail on. They wanted to reach the northern side of Crete to spend the winter since it was a more pleasant place to spend the winter. After they set out, the wind picks up, and the men running the ship think that their plan will work; however, the next day, a huge storm blows over them. It throws them violently around the sea, and the men had to lower the sail and reinforce the life boats. Later, they threw off the cargo and finally, the shipping equipment. For days the storm tortured them. In the end, Paul stood among them and told them that they should have listened to him because he had heard an angel of God speak. The good news is that the angel said that while the ship and the cargo would be destroyed, the people would all be safe. Paul predicts that they will soon hit an island.
Two weeks passed and the company was still at sea. At midnight on the fourteenth day, they thought they were approaching land, so they let down a rope that sank 120 feet. Later, they tried again, and the rope sank only 90 feet. The shipmen were afraid they'd hit rocks, so they dropped the anchors. Some of the crew wanted to release the lifeboat in order to escape while they pretended to fix the front anchor, but you can't trick God, and when he revealed the plan to Paul, Paul and the head officer foiled it. Their only hope was to wait for morning to see if they could run the ship ashore. Before daybreak, Paul encouraged the people to eat. No one had eaten since the beginning of the storm and since God had promised not to let the storm kill them, they shouldn't let themselves die of starvation. He then took bread, blessed God in front of everyone and they all ate. After they ate, they felt better. In the morning, the people didn't recognize the island, but they decided their best bet was to run the ship ashore. They hit a sandbar before they made it. The front of the ship would not budge, and the back was destroyed by waves. The crew wanted to kill the prisoners to prevent them from escaping, but the guards would not allow it because they wanted to save Paul. Then, all of the men went ashore.
Acts 26
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+26/
Paul begins to tell his story in order to defend himself in front of Agrippa. He tells the king that the only reason he stands on trial today is because he believes God keeps his promises. The Jews claim to believe that God is all powerful, yet they cannot believe that He can bring someone back to life. Then, he tells the whole story of how he despised the church, tried to bring it down by arresting and persecuting believers, and finally changed his ways on the road to Damascus. Furthermore, he tells the king that he has done exactly what God has asked him to do: spread the Good News to Jews and gentiles, important and non-important people. God even put him on trial that day so that he could speak the Good News in front of all of those present. Festus calls PAul crazy, but Paul simply says everything he's said is sane and true. Paul doesn't think Festus understands because the governor is not familiar with the Jewish ways; however, Paul wants Agrippa to hear him because the king believes in the prophets and Moses. King Agrippa asks Paul if he expects him to become a Christian right then, and Paul responds that he wishes everyone listening would convert so that they could live for eternity in Heaven and be spared from Hell. Paul even hopes his enemies are saved. When all of the people leave the court, they discuss how Paul could have been let go if he hadn't appealed his case to the emperor. But God had a plan for PAul to go to Rome, and He is behind everything, actively controlling our circumstances.
Paul begins to tell his story in order to defend himself in front of Agrippa. He tells the king that the only reason he stands on trial today is because he believes God keeps his promises. The Jews claim to believe that God is all powerful, yet they cannot believe that He can bring someone back to life. Then, he tells the whole story of how he despised the church, tried to bring it down by arresting and persecuting believers, and finally changed his ways on the road to Damascus. Furthermore, he tells the king that he has done exactly what God has asked him to do: spread the Good News to Jews and gentiles, important and non-important people. God even put him on trial that day so that he could speak the Good News in front of all of those present. Festus calls PAul crazy, but Paul simply says everything he's said is sane and true. Paul doesn't think Festus understands because the governor is not familiar with the Jewish ways; however, Paul wants Agrippa to hear him because the king believes in the prophets and Moses. King Agrippa asks Paul if he expects him to become a Christian right then, and Paul responds that he wishes everyone listening would convert so that they could live for eternity in Heaven and be spared from Hell. Paul even hopes his enemies are saved. When all of the people leave the court, they discuss how Paul could have been let go if he hadn't appealed his case to the emperor. But God had a plan for PAul to go to Rome, and He is behind everything, actively controlling our circumstances.
Acts 25
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+25/
Shortly after Festus comes to power, the Jewish officials urge him to bring Paul to them to be tried in Jerusalem, but God was looking out for Paul and told them that he would return to Caesarea soon to try Paul there, and that if they wanted to, they could go with him to accuse Paul. After a few days, the party went to Caesarea and accused Paul of many serious crimes, but they could not prove them. Festus, however, did not want to upset the Jews, so he told Paul if he really had nothing to hide, he would go with them to Jerusalem to be tried in court there. Christians should not lay down and let their honor in Jesus Christ be marred by untrue accusations, so Paul tells Festus that he is being tried the proper way in the emperor's court and makes an appeal to the emperor, and Festus, after speaking to his advisors, agrees to let Paul make his case before the emperor.
King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea to congratulate Festus. When they arrive, the governor tells them about Paul's case and how it came to him. From his end, it looks as if the Jews are arguing about their own religion and a man named Jesus who is dead, but Paul sas has come back to life. Festus is very confused about what is going on since he is not familiar with Christianity. The Jewish officials seek the death penalty, but Festus doesn't think Paul has done anything to deserve that. Instead, Paul appealed his case to the emperor, but Festus doesn't have any charges to send with him to Rome. King Agrippa says he would like to hear Paul. The governor agrees that the idea is wonderful, and that way, Agrippa can form clear accusations.
Shortly after Festus comes to power, the Jewish officials urge him to bring Paul to them to be tried in Jerusalem, but God was looking out for Paul and told them that he would return to Caesarea soon to try Paul there, and that if they wanted to, they could go with him to accuse Paul. After a few days, the party went to Caesarea and accused Paul of many serious crimes, but they could not prove them. Festus, however, did not want to upset the Jews, so he told Paul if he really had nothing to hide, he would go with them to Jerusalem to be tried in court there. Christians should not lay down and let their honor in Jesus Christ be marred by untrue accusations, so Paul tells Festus that he is being tried the proper way in the emperor's court and makes an appeal to the emperor, and Festus, after speaking to his advisors, agrees to let Paul make his case before the emperor.
King Agrippa and Bernice arrive in Caesarea to congratulate Festus. When they arrive, the governor tells them about Paul's case and how it came to him. From his end, it looks as if the Jews are arguing about their own religion and a man named Jesus who is dead, but Paul sas has come back to life. Festus is very confused about what is going on since he is not familiar with Christianity. The Jewish officials seek the death penalty, but Festus doesn't think Paul has done anything to deserve that. Instead, Paul appealed his case to the emperor, but Festus doesn't have any charges to send with him to Rome. King Agrippa says he would like to hear Paul. The governor agrees that the idea is wonderful, and that way, Agrippa can form clear accusations.
Acts 24
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+24/
After five days, Governor Felix hears Paul's case. The chief priest, Ananias, goes to Caesarea with an attorney, Tertullus. When the trial began, Tertullus began discussing the Jewish officials' hollow claims: that Paul starts quarrels among the Jews, that he spreads the word of the Nazarene sect, and that he uses the temple in a way that violates tradition. Then, Paul has his turn to defend himself. Paul says that he came to Jerusalem twelve days ago to worship, and no one can testify that he started a crowd in the temple because he didn't. The officials cannot even prove their accusations because their accusations are so vague that there is nothing to prove. Even though Paul admits he's a Christian, which is the Nazarene sect, he still hasn't technically done anything wrong. The Jewish officials are so afraid of losing power that they need Paul out of the way. Because Paul has followed everything God has told him to do, he has been blessed in his work. If the people start following Christ and His teachings, they won't need the Pharisees and their teachings, and the Pharisees love their power. They will do anything to keep it. Paul goes on to say that as a Christian, he follows Abraham's God and Moses's teachings; in fact, when he was arrested, his accusers took him while he performed a purification ceremony. Additionally, he says that no mob was with him but only a few Jews from Asia, and if they had seen him do any wrong, they would be there to accuse him. Felix had already heard some of the Christian teachings, so he dismissed the court and said he's pass judgement later. Later, he sent guards to bring him Paul. When Paul arrived before Felix, Felix had Paul tell him more about Jesus Christ. Paul talked for a while, but then Felix sent him away to digest this information. This went on for two and a half years. Sometimes, it takes a lot longer to get through to some people than others, but if we are to minister to such a person, God will keep putting that person in our lives. Eventually, Felix was replaced as governor, but as a final favor to the Jews, he left Paul in jail.
After five days, Governor Felix hears Paul's case. The chief priest, Ananias, goes to Caesarea with an attorney, Tertullus. When the trial began, Tertullus began discussing the Jewish officials' hollow claims: that Paul starts quarrels among the Jews, that he spreads the word of the Nazarene sect, and that he uses the temple in a way that violates tradition. Then, Paul has his turn to defend himself. Paul says that he came to Jerusalem twelve days ago to worship, and no one can testify that he started a crowd in the temple because he didn't. The officials cannot even prove their accusations because their accusations are so vague that there is nothing to prove. Even though Paul admits he's a Christian, which is the Nazarene sect, he still hasn't technically done anything wrong. The Jewish officials are so afraid of losing power that they need Paul out of the way. Because Paul has followed everything God has told him to do, he has been blessed in his work. If the people start following Christ and His teachings, they won't need the Pharisees and their teachings, and the Pharisees love their power. They will do anything to keep it. Paul goes on to say that as a Christian, he follows Abraham's God and Moses's teachings; in fact, when he was arrested, his accusers took him while he performed a purification ceremony. Additionally, he says that no mob was with him but only a few Jews from Asia, and if they had seen him do any wrong, they would be there to accuse him. Felix had already heard some of the Christian teachings, so he dismissed the court and said he's pass judgement later. Later, he sent guards to bring him Paul. When Paul arrived before Felix, Felix had Paul tell him more about Jesus Christ. Paul talked for a while, but then Felix sent him away to digest this information. This went on for two and a half years. Sometimes, it takes a lot longer to get through to some people than others, but if we are to minister to such a person, God will keep putting that person in our lives. Eventually, Felix was replaced as governor, but as a final favor to the Jews, he left Paul in jail.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Acts 23
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+23/
While Paul stood before the council, he said that he had a clear conscience about everything he said about the Lord. At that moment, someone strikes Paul, and Paul loses it. He calls them hypocrites and asks how they can strike one of their own for supposedly breaking Moses's teachings when the very strike itself breaks Moses's teachings. Some members of the council were Pharisees while others were Sadducees. When they begin discussing what Paul has done, an intense fight breaks out. The Sadducees do not believe the dead will come back to life or that there are angels or spirits, but the Pharisees do believe in all of that. After the fight gets so intense that Paul's life looks endangered right on the spot, the officer takes him back to jail. There, the Lord tells him that he's done well and will do more good when he goes to Rome.
Forty Jews come up with a plot to murder Paul and ask God to curse them if they eat or drink anything before he dies. They go to the Jewish council to announce their plan. They tell the council to ask the officer to send Paul over so that they can get more information from him, but the forty will kill him before he arrives. The plan would have worked, but one of Paul's nephews discovers the plan and warns Paul and the officer. The officer calls together two of his best men and has them assemble a team to take Paul to the governor. Because this case gets so complicated, the officer decides to let the governor decide what to do. God has promised that Paul will do great things in Rome, and so he spares Paul's life in Jerusalem.
While Paul stood before the council, he said that he had a clear conscience about everything he said about the Lord. At that moment, someone strikes Paul, and Paul loses it. He calls them hypocrites and asks how they can strike one of their own for supposedly breaking Moses's teachings when the very strike itself breaks Moses's teachings. Some members of the council were Pharisees while others were Sadducees. When they begin discussing what Paul has done, an intense fight breaks out. The Sadducees do not believe the dead will come back to life or that there are angels or spirits, but the Pharisees do believe in all of that. After the fight gets so intense that Paul's life looks endangered right on the spot, the officer takes him back to jail. There, the Lord tells him that he's done well and will do more good when he goes to Rome.
Forty Jews come up with a plot to murder Paul and ask God to curse them if they eat or drink anything before he dies. They go to the Jewish council to announce their plan. They tell the council to ask the officer to send Paul over so that they can get more information from him, but the forty will kill him before he arrives. The plan would have worked, but one of Paul's nephews discovers the plan and warns Paul and the officer. The officer calls together two of his best men and has them assemble a team to take Paul to the governor. Because this case gets so complicated, the officer decides to let the governor decide what to do. God has promised that Paul will do great things in Rome, and so he spares Paul's life in Jerusalem.
Acts 22
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+22/
Paul recounts the story of how he joined Jesus' disciples. He talks about how he initially persecuted the church and had the approval of every Jewish high council to tie up and imprison any believer until their persecution. He tells them that he had orders from a high priest to tie up the believers in Damascus and bring them to Jerusalem. On the way, Paul was blinded by a bright light, and he heard a man ask why Paul persecuted him. When Paul asked who the man was, he said it was Jesus. The men around Paul had seen the light, but they did not understand what the voice said. On the other hand, Paul heard the voice tell him to wait in town for further instructions. While he was in town, Ananias came to him and restored his sight. Paul instantly believed and was baptized. Not long after the whole encounter, he fell into a trance and heard the Lord speak to him. God told him that he had to leave Jerusalem because the Jews heard about what had happened and plotted to kill him. Paul also heard that he was to be a great missionary who would spread the Good News to distant lands. At first, Paul says he had trouble believing what he heard because many people knew that he had arrested many believers and approved of the stoning of Stephen; however, the Lord told him that he would teach to the non-Jewish people. Up until that moment, the crowd had been silent, but that notion set them off and they went crazy: yelling for Paul's execution, throwing dirt, and taking off their coats. The guard took him inside and told the other guards to tie him up and question him while they beat him, but Paul asks how they can do this to a Roman citizen. The head guard has a bad feeling about it, so he asks his superior, who tells him that if the man is a Roman citizen, it would be illegal to tie him up and beat him. The head guard immediately has him untied.
Curiosity still got the better of the officer, so after he released Paul, he ordered the Jewish council to meet so that the guard could hear the charges the Jews brought against Paul.
Acts 21
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+21/
Paul, Luke, and company travel around for a little while longer and eventually find a ship that stops at Tyre. When they arrive, they search for the disciples there, and when they find them, they stay and listen to what they have to say. The disciples in Tyre tell Paul not to travel to Jerusalem because the Holy Spirit speaks through them. Once Paul leaves, his company goes with him, and the disciples in Tyre with their entire families even go to see him off.
Pauls travels lead him to Caesarea. The group stays with a disciple there who has four daughters who speak from God. It is important to listen to other believers because it is entirely possible that it is actually the Holy Spirit speaking through them. Another believer ties Paul up with his own belt and warns him that this same thing will happen if Paul goes to Jerusalem. When Paul's disciples hear about this, they try to persuade him not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul asks them why they act so cowardly. After they discover they cannot possibly persuade him, they see that it is really the will of God that sends them to be captured and most likely martyred in Jerusalem.
Paul's journey into Jerusalem is quite smooth. When he arrives, he meets up with James and the others. They tell him that they are afraid for his life. a rumor started in Jerusalem that Paul told Jews to turn away from Moses's Teachings. This made the Jewish officials so angry that they plan to kill Paul. The believers in Jerusalem tell him he should take some men and go through the purification process with them to show the Jews that he indeed follows Moses's teachings. Paul follows through and almost a week passes. After that week, people discover Paul is in Jerusalem, and a riot breaks out. The crowd grabs Paul and takes him to the court. The mob begins accusing him of all sorts of preposterous notions about making the Jewish temples unclean. A Roman soldier hears the mob and goes to discover what the problem is. Some of the crowd says one thing and others say something completely different. The soldiers become so confused that they decide to take Paul to the Roman court and have to carry him above the mob.
Paul stops the lead soldier and asks if he can speak to the Jews in the crowd. The guard is confused about who Paul is and asks him if he is the Egyptian who started a terrorist movement a while back. Paul answers that he is actually Jewish, so the guard lets him speak. Paul quiets the crowd and speaks.
Paul, Luke, and company travel around for a little while longer and eventually find a ship that stops at Tyre. When they arrive, they search for the disciples there, and when they find them, they stay and listen to what they have to say. The disciples in Tyre tell Paul not to travel to Jerusalem because the Holy Spirit speaks through them. Once Paul leaves, his company goes with him, and the disciples in Tyre with their entire families even go to see him off.
Pauls travels lead him to Caesarea. The group stays with a disciple there who has four daughters who speak from God. It is important to listen to other believers because it is entirely possible that it is actually the Holy Spirit speaking through them. Another believer ties Paul up with his own belt and warns him that this same thing will happen if Paul goes to Jerusalem. When Paul's disciples hear about this, they try to persuade him not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul asks them why they act so cowardly. After they discover they cannot possibly persuade him, they see that it is really the will of God that sends them to be captured and most likely martyred in Jerusalem.
Paul's journey into Jerusalem is quite smooth. When he arrives, he meets up with James and the others. They tell him that they are afraid for his life. a rumor started in Jerusalem that Paul told Jews to turn away from Moses's Teachings. This made the Jewish officials so angry that they plan to kill Paul. The believers in Jerusalem tell him he should take some men and go through the purification process with them to show the Jews that he indeed follows Moses's teachings. Paul follows through and almost a week passes. After that week, people discover Paul is in Jerusalem, and a riot breaks out. The crowd grabs Paul and takes him to the court. The mob begins accusing him of all sorts of preposterous notions about making the Jewish temples unclean. A Roman soldier hears the mob and goes to discover what the problem is. Some of the crowd says one thing and others say something completely different. The soldiers become so confused that they decide to take Paul to the Roman court and have to carry him above the mob.
Paul stops the lead soldier and asks if he can speak to the Jews in the crowd. The guard is confused about who Paul is and asks him if he is the Egyptian who started a terrorist movement a while back. Paul answers that he is actually Jewish, so the guard lets him speak. Paul quiets the crowd and speaks.
Acts 20
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+20/
After the aforementioned riots quieted down, Paul gathered his disciples and told them he was leaving for Macedonia. He went through the region and spoke much about Jesus. Then, he went to Greece and stayed for six months.
Right after Paul decided to leave for Syria, he discovered that the Jews were trying to kill him again. Even though this happens time after time for Paul, he never gives up on God. Maybe his life would be less dangerous if he didn't do the work God called him to, but it certainly would be much less fulfilling. Instead of his original plan, Paul decided to head back to Macedonia. He left with man of his disciples, and Luke with some others joined them later. Luke recounts that when he arrived, Paul was teaching for his last night in the city of Troas and spoke well past midnight. By the window sat a young man. While Paul spoke, the young man began growing sleepy. After a time, he fell asleep and down from the third story window to his death. All of the people listening to Paul rushed downstairs to see what had happened. Paul told them not to worry because the boy was still alive. No sooner had he spoken these words that the boy sat up, went back upstairs, and ate with all of the others.
When they leave from Troas, Paul travels to the city of Assos on foot because he probably stopped along the way to teach in some of the cities along the way. Luke and some others traveled by sea to prepare a ship and pick Paul up in Assos. From there, they traveled around to some of the islands that Paul could not get to to teach on foot. They also hit some mainland cities, but Paul avoided Asia altogether. He decided he wanted to get back to Jerusalem for the Pentecost if possible.
Paul calls together all of the spiritual leaders of Ephesus to Miletus. There, he discusses many matters with them. He tells them that they know how well he served the Lord and did not avoid telling them anything about His plan. If God reveals things to us, we should share them with others. Paul spoke in front of crowds despite the fact that people wanted to kill him. Still during those times of danger, he worshipped God. It's so easy to worship God when things run smoothly, but the true test of faith comes in praising God even when our luck seems down. Paul warned the Jews and the Greeks that they need to change their ways or they will hurt only themselves. Now, Paul wishes to return to Jerusalem. He does not know what will happen to him there. He may be arrested or killed. The Holy Spirit tells him that imprisonment waits in all the cities along the way. However, Paul says that he does not place much value on his own life. He wants to finish the race. The Holy Spirit sent Paul on all of these journeys that have turned out alright thus far, and Paul wants to finish them, even if suffering may be involved. Paul finally broaches the topic that he does not believe he will see any of these officials again. He reminds them once more that he held nothing back from them, and their spiritual deaths are not his fault. As soon as he leaves, Paul knows that people will come through and try to destroy people's faith. Some of these people come up with good arguments, but do not let them confuse or upset you because as long as you believe, God will prove His existence, and you know that eternal life is not far away. Additionally, people within the church will try to corrupt what Paul has done in order to gain their own following. There are churches around today where the preacher has taken the spotlight from Jesus. That is not what his job is, and those people should be set straight. You should worship Jesus and not the ones who teach about Him; to add pressure, Paul tells these church officials that God's message is in their hands now, and it is up to them to spread it. Paul leaves for them an example: he did not work for money or presents and he always earned his keep wherever he was. Finally, he prays for the churches and weeps with their leaders.
After the aforementioned riots quieted down, Paul gathered his disciples and told them he was leaving for Macedonia. He went through the region and spoke much about Jesus. Then, he went to Greece and stayed for six months.
Right after Paul decided to leave for Syria, he discovered that the Jews were trying to kill him again. Even though this happens time after time for Paul, he never gives up on God. Maybe his life would be less dangerous if he didn't do the work God called him to, but it certainly would be much less fulfilling. Instead of his original plan, Paul decided to head back to Macedonia. He left with man of his disciples, and Luke with some others joined them later. Luke recounts that when he arrived, Paul was teaching for his last night in the city of Troas and spoke well past midnight. By the window sat a young man. While Paul spoke, the young man began growing sleepy. After a time, he fell asleep and down from the third story window to his death. All of the people listening to Paul rushed downstairs to see what had happened. Paul told them not to worry because the boy was still alive. No sooner had he spoken these words that the boy sat up, went back upstairs, and ate with all of the others.
When they leave from Troas, Paul travels to the city of Assos on foot because he probably stopped along the way to teach in some of the cities along the way. Luke and some others traveled by sea to prepare a ship and pick Paul up in Assos. From there, they traveled around to some of the islands that Paul could not get to to teach on foot. They also hit some mainland cities, but Paul avoided Asia altogether. He decided he wanted to get back to Jerusalem for the Pentecost if possible.
Paul calls together all of the spiritual leaders of Ephesus to Miletus. There, he discusses many matters with them. He tells them that they know how well he served the Lord and did not avoid telling them anything about His plan. If God reveals things to us, we should share them with others. Paul spoke in front of crowds despite the fact that people wanted to kill him. Still during those times of danger, he worshipped God. It's so easy to worship God when things run smoothly, but the true test of faith comes in praising God even when our luck seems down. Paul warned the Jews and the Greeks that they need to change their ways or they will hurt only themselves. Now, Paul wishes to return to Jerusalem. He does not know what will happen to him there. He may be arrested or killed. The Holy Spirit tells him that imprisonment waits in all the cities along the way. However, Paul says that he does not place much value on his own life. He wants to finish the race. The Holy Spirit sent Paul on all of these journeys that have turned out alright thus far, and Paul wants to finish them, even if suffering may be involved. Paul finally broaches the topic that he does not believe he will see any of these officials again. He reminds them once more that he held nothing back from them, and their spiritual deaths are not his fault. As soon as he leaves, Paul knows that people will come through and try to destroy people's faith. Some of these people come up with good arguments, but do not let them confuse or upset you because as long as you believe, God will prove His existence, and you know that eternal life is not far away. Additionally, people within the church will try to corrupt what Paul has done in order to gain their own following. There are churches around today where the preacher has taken the spotlight from Jesus. That is not what his job is, and those people should be set straight. You should worship Jesus and not the ones who teach about Him; to add pressure, Paul tells these church officials that God's message is in their hands now, and it is up to them to spread it. Paul leaves for them an example: he did not work for money or presents and he always earned his keep wherever he was. Finally, he prays for the churches and weeps with their leaders.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Acts 19
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+19/
Paul travels to Ephesus and finds that many of the people there are already baptized; however, when he asks them if they received the Holy Spirit, they claim the never heard of Him. This answer baffles Paul, and he asks them how they could possibly be baptized if they do not have the Spirit. The Ephesians say that they were baptized in the way of John the Baptist. Paul scoffs at them and tells them that John only baptized for repentance, or changing your ways to those of God. Paul tells the Ephesians that they must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so he baptizes them, and the Holy Spirit instantly fills them. Paul takes up speaking in Synagogues in Ephesus, but the non-believers are so stubborn that they refuse to believe anything he says. Again, sometimes people will find any fault in what you say or simply just refuse because they are not ready or do not want to believe. Paul finally gives up and moves on to the city of Tyrannous in the Province of Asia. While he stays in Asia, God does amazing things through Paul. People would take pieces of his clothing to those who were sick, and it would heal them or cast out their demons. Paul had so much faith in God and such a great connection to the Holy Spirit that anything was possible for him. God fills you as much as you let Him, so you could unlock the ability to do great things if you just let God take control in your life. Many people in people used to travel around casting spirits out of people in the name of Jesus who Paul talks about. Some sons of a Jewish High Priest did that when the demon grew angry at them and attacked them. This event showed the people that they needed to have the most extreme faith in Jesus, and sometimes, they may not have as much faith as they think. When the people realized this, many of them confessed to performing spells or joining an occult. At that time, the people burned all of the books from unholy practices and found the cost to be around 50,000 silver pieces, but they knew that God is worth more than all of the money in the world. After Paul sees how all of the people change their ways, he fells called to visit Rome itself, so he sends two of his disciples ahead of him and stays awhile in Asia.
A silversmith in Ephesus, who made silver statues of the goddess Artemis, heard about the work Paul did and grew angry. He called together his workers and others who did similar work to express his feelings. This man told them that Paul told the people that gods made by human hands are not gods at all. All of those present thought Paul had some reason to put them out of business; furthermore, they thought that Artemis was the great goddess of Ephesus, so they began to riot. The formed a crowd out of confusion and took two of the men who travelled with Paul to the theatre. Once they arrived, the confusion continued and no one really knew why they were there. Many decided that Alexander must be the cause, so they had him speak. When they realized that he was Jewish, some began shouting that Artemis is the goddess of Ephesus. The whole time, Paul wanted desperately to defend his men, but all of his disciples, including some city officials, urged him to remain at a safe distance. Finally, a city clerk took control and said that everyone knew Artemis is the goddess of Ephesus, and the believers have not stolen from her temples or defaced them; in fact, they were all in danger at the moment of being accused of forming a mob for no reason, so he sent them away.
Paul travels to Ephesus and finds that many of the people there are already baptized; however, when he asks them if they received the Holy Spirit, they claim the never heard of Him. This answer baffles Paul, and he asks them how they could possibly be baptized if they do not have the Spirit. The Ephesians say that they were baptized in the way of John the Baptist. Paul scoffs at them and tells them that John only baptized for repentance, or changing your ways to those of God. Paul tells the Ephesians that they must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so he baptizes them, and the Holy Spirit instantly fills them. Paul takes up speaking in Synagogues in Ephesus, but the non-believers are so stubborn that they refuse to believe anything he says. Again, sometimes people will find any fault in what you say or simply just refuse because they are not ready or do not want to believe. Paul finally gives up and moves on to the city of Tyrannous in the Province of Asia. While he stays in Asia, God does amazing things through Paul. People would take pieces of his clothing to those who were sick, and it would heal them or cast out their demons. Paul had so much faith in God and such a great connection to the Holy Spirit that anything was possible for him. God fills you as much as you let Him, so you could unlock the ability to do great things if you just let God take control in your life. Many people in people used to travel around casting spirits out of people in the name of Jesus who Paul talks about. Some sons of a Jewish High Priest did that when the demon grew angry at them and attacked them. This event showed the people that they needed to have the most extreme faith in Jesus, and sometimes, they may not have as much faith as they think. When the people realized this, many of them confessed to performing spells or joining an occult. At that time, the people burned all of the books from unholy practices and found the cost to be around 50,000 silver pieces, but they knew that God is worth more than all of the money in the world. After Paul sees how all of the people change their ways, he fells called to visit Rome itself, so he sends two of his disciples ahead of him and stays awhile in Asia.
A silversmith in Ephesus, who made silver statues of the goddess Artemis, heard about the work Paul did and grew angry. He called together his workers and others who did similar work to express his feelings. This man told them that Paul told the people that gods made by human hands are not gods at all. All of those present thought Paul had some reason to put them out of business; furthermore, they thought that Artemis was the great goddess of Ephesus, so they began to riot. The formed a crowd out of confusion and took two of the men who travelled with Paul to the theatre. Once they arrived, the confusion continued and no one really knew why they were there. Many decided that Alexander must be the cause, so they had him speak. When they realized that he was Jewish, some began shouting that Artemis is the goddess of Ephesus. The whole time, Paul wanted desperately to defend his men, but all of his disciples, including some city officials, urged him to remain at a safe distance. Finally, a city clerk took control and said that everyone knew Artemis is the goddess of Ephesus, and the believers have not stolen from her temples or defaced them; in fact, they were all in danger at the moment of being accused of forming a mob for no reason, so he sent them away.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Acts 18
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+18/
Paul goes to Corinth after he is laughed out of Athens. He stays with a tentmaker there so that he is able to pay for his stay through labor. He teaches Scripture in the Synagogue on worship days. First, he just tries to win them over by finding common ground with them and hanging out with them. Then, he begins teaching about how salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ. The Jewish people don't listen to him and throw him out, so he decides to teach to non-Jewish people. He has much more success with them. Paul stays in Corinth for a year and a half. When a new governor ruled in Greece, the people took Paul in front of him and accused him of teaching ways of worship contrary to Moses's teachings. The new governor, however, does not care. He says that he will not get involved with the ways Jews worship.
Paul continues to travel and teach. Many of the places where his letters go are mentioned in Acts: Ephesus and Galatia here. He also returns to Antioch for a while. It's important to return to your home church to strengthen your own faith with friends in your past. God continues to call Paul to travel and teach the Good News throughout the land.
A man named Apollos lived in Ephesus, and he taught ver accurately about Jesus, but he did not know all that much about who Jesus was and what he was all about, so some of Paul's disciples from Corinth took him under their wing and taught him what he needed to know. Then, he felt called to Greece, so the believers in Ephesus helped him get there, and he did great work spreading the Good News there.
Paul goes to Corinth after he is laughed out of Athens. He stays with a tentmaker there so that he is able to pay for his stay through labor. He teaches Scripture in the Synagogue on worship days. First, he just tries to win them over by finding common ground with them and hanging out with them. Then, he begins teaching about how salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ. The Jewish people don't listen to him and throw him out, so he decides to teach to non-Jewish people. He has much more success with them. Paul stays in Corinth for a year and a half. When a new governor ruled in Greece, the people took Paul in front of him and accused him of teaching ways of worship contrary to Moses's teachings. The new governor, however, does not care. He says that he will not get involved with the ways Jews worship.
Paul continues to travel and teach. Many of the places where his letters go are mentioned in Acts: Ephesus and Galatia here. He also returns to Antioch for a while. It's important to return to your home church to strengthen your own faith with friends in your past. God continues to call Paul to travel and teach the Good News throughout the land.
A man named Apollos lived in Ephesus, and he taught ver accurately about Jesus, but he did not know all that much about who Jesus was and what he was all about, so some of Paul's disciples from Corinth took him under their wing and taught him what he needed to know. Then, he felt called to Greece, so the believers in Ephesus helped him get there, and he did great work spreading the Good News there.
Acts 17
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+17/
Paul and Silas travel to Thessalonica, and Paul teaches and discusses Scripture at a synagogue for three consecutive days of worship. Many Jews, especially Greeks who had recently converted to Judaism and wives of many proper men joined Paul and believed. This notion, of course, irked the Jewish officials, so they started a mob and got them rioting. People set against Jesus and His teachings will use whatever fuel they can find to put an end to what He has to say. The crowd goes to Jason's house to look for Paul and Silas, but they don't find them. Instead, they take Jason and some other believers before the city officials and accuse them of partnering with people who break the law by declaring Jesus is the true king. When the law directly contradicts the Bible, the Bible should hold priority in what we follow at risk of any Earthly punishment because nothing can be worse than eternal separation from God. When the officials realized they didn't really have anything on Paul and Silas, they let them pay some bonds and go. That night, the believers smuggled Paul and Silas out of the city. God will provide for you if you trust Him. He will destroy the weapons that the Enemy uses against you and protect you. Nothing can change His perfect plan.
Paul and Silas travel to Berea and continue teaching in Synagogues. The people in this city were more open-minded to what Paul and Silas had to say. Sometimes we come across people who will not listen to us no matter what, and other times we find people who have come so far along the way on their search to fill the void that they need the answer and are ready to accept it when they find it's true. When Paul would speak of Scripture, the people of Berea would look it up and follow him. The Thessalonians, however, discovered what was happening in their neighboring city and sent people to upset and confuse the people there. The believers sent Paul to the seacoast, but Timothy and Silas stayed behind.
Paul sails to Athens and sends back instructions for Paul and Silas to join him. While he stays in Athens, he begins seeing many statues to false gods and grows upset. He teaches the Good News, but what he says confuses some people but interests most. What Jesus did is something that is very confusing: God living as a human, miracles, and the dead raising to life. The people take Paul before a council because the people in Athens enjoy learning about new things. Paul tells them that he reads on the plaques of the statues that they are dedicated to the unknown god. Then, he tells them that he knows of this unknown god. Sometimes, people have the right idea, but they don't realize what it is they need in their lives. He talks about all the wonderful things God has done from creating the world to Adam and Eve to Jesus coming back to life. Many members of the council laugh at Paul, but when he leaves the council, some people follow him because they are now believers.
Paul and Silas travel to Thessalonica, and Paul teaches and discusses Scripture at a synagogue for three consecutive days of worship. Many Jews, especially Greeks who had recently converted to Judaism and wives of many proper men joined Paul and believed. This notion, of course, irked the Jewish officials, so they started a mob and got them rioting. People set against Jesus and His teachings will use whatever fuel they can find to put an end to what He has to say. The crowd goes to Jason's house to look for Paul and Silas, but they don't find them. Instead, they take Jason and some other believers before the city officials and accuse them of partnering with people who break the law by declaring Jesus is the true king. When the law directly contradicts the Bible, the Bible should hold priority in what we follow at risk of any Earthly punishment because nothing can be worse than eternal separation from God. When the officials realized they didn't really have anything on Paul and Silas, they let them pay some bonds and go. That night, the believers smuggled Paul and Silas out of the city. God will provide for you if you trust Him. He will destroy the weapons that the Enemy uses against you and protect you. Nothing can change His perfect plan.
Paul and Silas travel to Berea and continue teaching in Synagogues. The people in this city were more open-minded to what Paul and Silas had to say. Sometimes we come across people who will not listen to us no matter what, and other times we find people who have come so far along the way on their search to fill the void that they need the answer and are ready to accept it when they find it's true. When Paul would speak of Scripture, the people of Berea would look it up and follow him. The Thessalonians, however, discovered what was happening in their neighboring city and sent people to upset and confuse the people there. The believers sent Paul to the seacoast, but Timothy and Silas stayed behind.
Paul sails to Athens and sends back instructions for Paul and Silas to join him. While he stays in Athens, he begins seeing many statues to false gods and grows upset. He teaches the Good News, but what he says confuses some people but interests most. What Jesus did is something that is very confusing: God living as a human, miracles, and the dead raising to life. The people take Paul before a council because the people in Athens enjoy learning about new things. Paul tells them that he reads on the plaques of the statues that they are dedicated to the unknown god. Then, he tells them that he knows of this unknown god. Sometimes, people have the right idea, but they don't realize what it is they need in their lives. He talks about all the wonderful things God has done from creating the world to Adam and Eve to Jesus coming back to life. Many members of the council laugh at Paul, but when he leaves the council, some people follow him because they are now believers.
Acts 16
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+16/
Paul meets a man named Timothy in the city of Lystra. Timothy would later join Paul on his many mission trips and help write a few of the letters to churches, including 2 Corinthians. Paul wort 1 and 2 Timothy to this man. Paul knows that Timothy is a believer, his mother is originally Jewish, and his father is Greek. Paul really wants Timothy to join him, but he knows how some of the churches around the area he travels feel about the Greeks, so he circumcises Timothy. Together, they travel and strengthen the churches around Lystra. This story is important because it introduces Timothy and his relationship with Paul.
Paul and Silas could not travel to the region of known Asia because the Holy Spirit would not allow it. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit has to prepare people before missionaries can get through to them. If He has not done so, the missionaries could cause more harm than good. The same can be true for individuals. Listen to the Holy Spirit. You will know if He wants you to teach to a person you're talking to or not. Don't be a detrimental cause of Spiritual damage. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit can also keep you away from teaching one individual because He wants you to focus on another individual. Paul has a dream while he tries to go to Asia that a man from Macedonia calls for Paul to save the people there. When Paul awakens, he tells those who are with him, and they immediately head for Macedonia. Luke is with Paul at this point because he uses the pronoun "we."
Paul, Silas, Luke, and the others in their company ended up in the city of Philippi, which is a leading city in Macedonia. Paul usually travels to leading cities in the region because he hoped that if a leading city begins to change its ways an believe in Christ as the Lord and Savior, then the other cities will follow suit, or listen to missionaries from the leading cities more readily. They meet a woman named Lydia while they are in Philippi. She listens to them and believes because God compels her to. God sent these disciples to Macedonia, so He was not going to leave them hanging or abandon them to do the job on their own. Because God started to make His presence known there, He sent the disciples there to help. Also, this woman is important because she shows that we cannot convert people on our own. We need God to want us to be talking to these people, and to be doing so filled with and through the Holy Spirit. Soon after this encounter, Paul and Silas tried to keep teaching, but a woman, who was demon possessed, followed them around and shouted after them. Paul became irritated with this woman and cast out the demon. This demon had also told fortunes that made the woman's owners rich, so they were angry that Paul had released the demon. They had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten and thrown in solitary confinement, but God had a plan to turn this into an occasion to make something good come out. Around midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns in jail. Suddenly, a violent earthquake struck and opened all of the prison doors. The guard was so afraid that the prisoners had escaped that he planned to kill himself, but Paul called out to him and showed him that they were all still there. The guard asked what it took to be saved. The guard saw the difference between these men who had Jesus as their Savior and those who did not. That night, the guard and his family believed. The next day, the officials announced that they were releasing Paul and Silas and even apologized to them. God needed them to go to jail in order to save more people. God doesn't always do things the way you think He should,m but that is what makes Him God
Paul meets a man named Timothy in the city of Lystra. Timothy would later join Paul on his many mission trips and help write a few of the letters to churches, including 2 Corinthians. Paul wort 1 and 2 Timothy to this man. Paul knows that Timothy is a believer, his mother is originally Jewish, and his father is Greek. Paul really wants Timothy to join him, but he knows how some of the churches around the area he travels feel about the Greeks, so he circumcises Timothy. Together, they travel and strengthen the churches around Lystra. This story is important because it introduces Timothy and his relationship with Paul.
Paul and Silas could not travel to the region of known Asia because the Holy Spirit would not allow it. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit has to prepare people before missionaries can get through to them. If He has not done so, the missionaries could cause more harm than good. The same can be true for individuals. Listen to the Holy Spirit. You will know if He wants you to teach to a person you're talking to or not. Don't be a detrimental cause of Spiritual damage. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit can also keep you away from teaching one individual because He wants you to focus on another individual. Paul has a dream while he tries to go to Asia that a man from Macedonia calls for Paul to save the people there. When Paul awakens, he tells those who are with him, and they immediately head for Macedonia. Luke is with Paul at this point because he uses the pronoun "we."
Paul, Silas, Luke, and the others in their company ended up in the city of Philippi, which is a leading city in Macedonia. Paul usually travels to leading cities in the region because he hoped that if a leading city begins to change its ways an believe in Christ as the Lord and Savior, then the other cities will follow suit, or listen to missionaries from the leading cities more readily. They meet a woman named Lydia while they are in Philippi. She listens to them and believes because God compels her to. God sent these disciples to Macedonia, so He was not going to leave them hanging or abandon them to do the job on their own. Because God started to make His presence known there, He sent the disciples there to help. Also, this woman is important because she shows that we cannot convert people on our own. We need God to want us to be talking to these people, and to be doing so filled with and through the Holy Spirit. Soon after this encounter, Paul and Silas tried to keep teaching, but a woman, who was demon possessed, followed them around and shouted after them. Paul became irritated with this woman and cast out the demon. This demon had also told fortunes that made the woman's owners rich, so they were angry that Paul had released the demon. They had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten and thrown in solitary confinement, but God had a plan to turn this into an occasion to make something good come out. Around midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns in jail. Suddenly, a violent earthquake struck and opened all of the prison doors. The guard was so afraid that the prisoners had escaped that he planned to kill himself, but Paul called out to him and showed him that they were all still there. The guard asked what it took to be saved. The guard saw the difference between these men who had Jesus as their Savior and those who did not. That night, the guard and his family believed. The next day, the officials announced that they were releasing Paul and Silas and even apologized to them. God needed them to go to jail in order to save more people. God doesn't always do things the way you think He should,m but that is what makes Him God
Friday, November 18, 2011
Acts 15
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+15/
Paul and Barnabas hear many people telling that all male believers must be circumcised, like Jewish men, in order to be accepted by Christ. Paul and Barnabas try to cast out these rumors because they are untrue. God does not worry about what you look like or what you physically do to yourself, as long as you set your heart right. The believers in Antioch, however, send Paul and Barnabas the Jerusalem to speak to the apostles. After much debate, Peter recounts the tale of how the Lord told Peter the He cleansed the non-Jewish people, and the Holy Spirit has already filled many non-Jewish believers. Jesus did not dies to cleanse one group of people, so God does not discriminate between people groups any longer. James says that the prophets spoke of this, and in the next quotation, the prophet does say all the people who aren't Jewish in particular. So the church elders come up with a few things from Jewish teachings that they think carry over from Christ's teachings and write a letter to the Church in Antioch that the rumors they have heard are untrue, and they list the rules they think believers should follow. Then, they send Silas and Judas with Paul and Barnabas to deliver this. Since Silas and Judas have the Spiritual Gift of prophecy, they speak at great length to the church before the church sends them back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas stay even longer.
After some time, Paul told Barnabas that they should travel to all of the lands where they spread the Good News and check on the progress of the churches there. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them, but Paul did not think John Mark should be allowed to go with them since he abandoned them before and did not help them work. Paul and Barnabas ended up disagreeing so strongly on this point that they split ways. Barnabas took John Mark with him, and Paul took Silas with him.
Paul and Barnabas hear many people telling that all male believers must be circumcised, like Jewish men, in order to be accepted by Christ. Paul and Barnabas try to cast out these rumors because they are untrue. God does not worry about what you look like or what you physically do to yourself, as long as you set your heart right. The believers in Antioch, however, send Paul and Barnabas the Jerusalem to speak to the apostles. After much debate, Peter recounts the tale of how the Lord told Peter the He cleansed the non-Jewish people, and the Holy Spirit has already filled many non-Jewish believers. Jesus did not dies to cleanse one group of people, so God does not discriminate between people groups any longer. James says that the prophets spoke of this, and in the next quotation, the prophet does say all the people who aren't Jewish in particular. So the church elders come up with a few things from Jewish teachings that they think carry over from Christ's teachings and write a letter to the Church in Antioch that the rumors they have heard are untrue, and they list the rules they think believers should follow. Then, they send Silas and Judas with Paul and Barnabas to deliver this. Since Silas and Judas have the Spiritual Gift of prophecy, they speak at great length to the church before the church sends them back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas stay even longer.
After some time, Paul told Barnabas that they should travel to all of the lands where they spread the Good News and check on the progress of the churches there. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them, but Paul did not think John Mark should be allowed to go with them since he abandoned them before and did not help them work. Paul and Barnabas ended up disagreeing so strongly on this point that they split ways. Barnabas took John Mark with him, and Paul took Silas with him.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Acts 14
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+14/
Paul and barnabas repeated what they had done in Antioch near Pisidia in Iconium. They preached in the Synagogues, and many Jews and gentiles believed. There were still some Jewish officials, however, who did not believe what Paul and Barnabas had to say, and they began to poison the minds of the gentiles who listened to Paul and Barnabas. Even still, Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly about the Lord. Do not be ashamed of Him or what He has done and can do because He is truly amazing. If you are true to Him, He will keep you safely in His plan. He will use you to better the world. Eventually, some of the people in Iconium decided to attack Paul and Barnabas and stone them, so Paul and Barnabas escaped and continued spreading the Good News in nearby cities. They never lost hope in Jesus' cause, even though they were persecuted everywhere they went and had to flee for their lives. They trusted that the Lord knew what He was doing. God always knows what He is doing. Speak freely about Him with no fear.
Sometimes, people just will not listen to what you have to say about Jesus. Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra. Paul saw a man who could not stand and healed him. The people who saw him do this thought he must be a god, so they took Paul and Barnabas to the temple to sacrifice bulls to. When the apostles heard what was happening, they were infuriated. They told the people that they were human and came to speak of the one, true God. They began speaking about how great God is, but the people did not heed them and sacrificed to them anyway. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium ended up showing and turning the people in Lystra against Paul and Barnabas. The people tried to stone Paul, and when they thought he was dead, they dragged him from the city. There, the disciples rescued him. Although God may be on your side, the Enemy is strong in those who are unsaved. They can be so blind to what you tell them the Good News, and they reject it. Be careful because they can even turn violent like in the Middle East or China.
Paul and Barnabas went back through the cities they had travelled to in order to ensure that the churches in each of those cities were in trustworthy and capable hands. They had the church choose leaders that they thought were filled with the Holy Spirit. Then, Paul and Barnabas prayed for each leader and entrusted them to the Lord. Finally, they had completed the mission God had given them, so they headed back to Antioch in Syria to be with the disciples there. It is important after doing missions to leave the people in capable hands. It is also important to complete the mission before you leave or to entrust it to people who can complete it.
Paul and barnabas repeated what they had done in Antioch near Pisidia in Iconium. They preached in the Synagogues, and many Jews and gentiles believed. There were still some Jewish officials, however, who did not believe what Paul and Barnabas had to say, and they began to poison the minds of the gentiles who listened to Paul and Barnabas. Even still, Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly about the Lord. Do not be ashamed of Him or what He has done and can do because He is truly amazing. If you are true to Him, He will keep you safely in His plan. He will use you to better the world. Eventually, some of the people in Iconium decided to attack Paul and Barnabas and stone them, so Paul and Barnabas escaped and continued spreading the Good News in nearby cities. They never lost hope in Jesus' cause, even though they were persecuted everywhere they went and had to flee for their lives. They trusted that the Lord knew what He was doing. God always knows what He is doing. Speak freely about Him with no fear.
Sometimes, people just will not listen to what you have to say about Jesus. Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra. Paul saw a man who could not stand and healed him. The people who saw him do this thought he must be a god, so they took Paul and Barnabas to the temple to sacrifice bulls to. When the apostles heard what was happening, they were infuriated. They told the people that they were human and came to speak of the one, true God. They began speaking about how great God is, but the people did not heed them and sacrificed to them anyway. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium ended up showing and turning the people in Lystra against Paul and Barnabas. The people tried to stone Paul, and when they thought he was dead, they dragged him from the city. There, the disciples rescued him. Although God may be on your side, the Enemy is strong in those who are unsaved. They can be so blind to what you tell them the Good News, and they reject it. Be careful because they can even turn violent like in the Middle East or China.
Paul and Barnabas went back through the cities they had travelled to in order to ensure that the churches in each of those cities were in trustworthy and capable hands. They had the church choose leaders that they thought were filled with the Holy Spirit. Then, Paul and Barnabas prayed for each leader and entrusted them to the Lord. Finally, they had completed the mission God had given them, so they headed back to Antioch in Syria to be with the disciples there. It is important after doing missions to leave the people in capable hands. It is also important to complete the mission before you leave or to entrust it to people who can complete it.
Acts 13
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+13/
Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark left for Antioch again with three other friends. While they stayed there, they served as prophets for the Church at Antioch. Eventually, the Lord spoke to them and told them that they needed to release Saul and Barnabas from service so that they could do the work God called them to do. They left with John Mark and spread the word to distant places. The governor of Cyprus at the time sent for them because he wanted to hear the word of God. There was a false prophet there, however, who claimed he spoke from God, although he was truly just an astrologer. When Barnabas and Saul began to teach, Elymas, the false prophet, tried to distort what the apostles taught to keep the governor from believing. At that moment, the Holy Spirit filled Saul, and he cursed Elymas and told him the Lord would blind him for a time until he learned his lesson for trying to distort God's message. As soon as Saul finished speaking, the Lord blinded Elymas. The governor believed in God from that moment and was amazed by His teachings.
Paul, as he becomes known as somewhere around this time in his journey, and Barnabas head to Antioch near Pisidia. There, John Mark heads back to Jerusalem. They attend a service at synagogue, where the teachers talk about Moses and the prophets. Then, they ask Paul and Barnabas if they have anything to add. Paul stands up and talks about how God chose their ancestors to grow to a great nation of people, delivered them from Egypt, removed the seven tribes from Canaan for them, gave them the judges, gave them Samuel, gave them a king when they asked, gave them David with the Lord's favor. Finally, God sent a Savior to the world in Jesus Christ, and even before Him, God sent John the Baptist to warn the people of His coming. God has always had the Jews' desires and needs in mind. Paul says that the Jewish officials, however, did not know Moses' teachings despite the fact that they were supposed to uphold those teachings. They executed Jesus, which just fulfilled what the prophets said. They did not understand what the prophets had written, so they did not realize that they were doing exactly what was written. They killed Him, but God brought Him back to life, and He appeared to people around Jerusalem. In the same way, God will bring all those who believe in Jesus as their Lord a and Savior back to life. God never fails when He promises something, as He proved when He brought Jesus back to life. Jesus' body did not decay. You will not find His remains because He rose from Heaven in His body. The Jews loved the message, and invited Paul and Barnabas to speak the next day on the same subject. When the Jewish officials saw the crowds, they became jealous of Paul and Barnabas and began contradicting whatever Paul said. Paul and Barnabas say that they had to speak to the officials first, but since they rejected it, they moved on. Paul and Barnabas say that when we reject God's Good News, we find ourselves unworthy of Everlasting Life. At this time, an uprising began in Antioch. Today, there are Spiritual Uprisings all through Africa and Asia. The Lord will help spread the message, but in the way He created the universe, He needs our help to do it. Go out and speak to the lost, and help save them. The gentiles loved Paul and Barnabas's message, and they praised the Lord; however, the Jews kicked them out of their region, so Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium.
Barnabas, Saul, and John Mark left for Antioch again with three other friends. While they stayed there, they served as prophets for the Church at Antioch. Eventually, the Lord spoke to them and told them that they needed to release Saul and Barnabas from service so that they could do the work God called them to do. They left with John Mark and spread the word to distant places. The governor of Cyprus at the time sent for them because he wanted to hear the word of God. There was a false prophet there, however, who claimed he spoke from God, although he was truly just an astrologer. When Barnabas and Saul began to teach, Elymas, the false prophet, tried to distort what the apostles taught to keep the governor from believing. At that moment, the Holy Spirit filled Saul, and he cursed Elymas and told him the Lord would blind him for a time until he learned his lesson for trying to distort God's message. As soon as Saul finished speaking, the Lord blinded Elymas. The governor believed in God from that moment and was amazed by His teachings.
Paul, as he becomes known as somewhere around this time in his journey, and Barnabas head to Antioch near Pisidia. There, John Mark heads back to Jerusalem. They attend a service at synagogue, where the teachers talk about Moses and the prophets. Then, they ask Paul and Barnabas if they have anything to add. Paul stands up and talks about how God chose their ancestors to grow to a great nation of people, delivered them from Egypt, removed the seven tribes from Canaan for them, gave them the judges, gave them Samuel, gave them a king when they asked, gave them David with the Lord's favor. Finally, God sent a Savior to the world in Jesus Christ, and even before Him, God sent John the Baptist to warn the people of His coming. God has always had the Jews' desires and needs in mind. Paul says that the Jewish officials, however, did not know Moses' teachings despite the fact that they were supposed to uphold those teachings. They executed Jesus, which just fulfilled what the prophets said. They did not understand what the prophets had written, so they did not realize that they were doing exactly what was written. They killed Him, but God brought Him back to life, and He appeared to people around Jerusalem. In the same way, God will bring all those who believe in Jesus as their Lord a and Savior back to life. God never fails when He promises something, as He proved when He brought Jesus back to life. Jesus' body did not decay. You will not find His remains because He rose from Heaven in His body. The Jews loved the message, and invited Paul and Barnabas to speak the next day on the same subject. When the Jewish officials saw the crowds, they became jealous of Paul and Barnabas and began contradicting whatever Paul said. Paul and Barnabas say that they had to speak to the officials first, but since they rejected it, they moved on. Paul and Barnabas say that when we reject God's Good News, we find ourselves unworthy of Everlasting Life. At this time, an uprising began in Antioch. Today, there are Spiritual Uprisings all through Africa and Asia. The Lord will help spread the message, but in the way He created the universe, He needs our help to do it. Go out and speak to the lost, and help save them. The gentiles loved Paul and Barnabas's message, and they praised the Lord; however, the Jews kicked them out of their region, so Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium.
Acts 12
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+12/
King Herod devoted himself to taking down the church through some of its key members. There are people like this today, who criticize Rick Warred (Purpose Driven Life), Rob Bell (pastor in California and maker of Nooma video series), and John Eldredge (Wild at Heart). Herod executed John's brother James, and his execution pleased the Jews so much that Herod looked to execute Peter next. He arrested Peter during Passover and planned to put him on trial after the holy days. The church prayed for Peter constantly. The power of prayer is strong. God listens to prayer. God always answers, but it happens on His time and in His way. In this case, He waited until the day before Herod planned to try Peter. Then, He sent an angel to the prison. The angel filled Peter's cell with light, and told Peter to go with him. Instantly, Peter's chains fell off, and the cell opened to give them a way out. At first, Peter thought He must be dreaming. Even Peter forgets the power of the Lord. Nothing can hold back or block God. No jail can hold Him, not even the Temple can contain Him. Even when we try to block Him from our hearts, He works His way in. Once they safely left the city, the angel left Peter, and he realized what had happened. Peter knew that God intended to save him from the fate Herod planned for him. He ran to the home of Mary, mother of John Mark. A servant named Rhonda answered the door, and when she realized Peter stood outside, she ran back upstairs to tell the believers who were there praying for him. They did not believe her. They did not believe in the power of their prayers. They thought they could explain God and how He would answer them, but He does not do what people expect Him to do. That is why the world did not end when the Catholic church believed and will not when the Mayans predicted. God will not conform to the human way of things. Finally, the believers at Mary's house went downstairs to see Peter. When they saw that it was truly him, they were overjoyed. He tried to keep them silent because he knew Herod would come after him, but he told them to tell the other believers that he was still alive.
Herod went into the city of Caesarea to negotiate with some cities that had upset him. He began making a speech, and the people declared that he must be a god. So God struck him dead at that moment because he did not give the glory to God. Never take credit for yourself about what God has done. After this incident, the Word of God continued to spread.
King Herod devoted himself to taking down the church through some of its key members. There are people like this today, who criticize Rick Warred (Purpose Driven Life), Rob Bell (pastor in California and maker of Nooma video series), and John Eldredge (Wild at Heart). Herod executed John's brother James, and his execution pleased the Jews so much that Herod looked to execute Peter next. He arrested Peter during Passover and planned to put him on trial after the holy days. The church prayed for Peter constantly. The power of prayer is strong. God listens to prayer. God always answers, but it happens on His time and in His way. In this case, He waited until the day before Herod planned to try Peter. Then, He sent an angel to the prison. The angel filled Peter's cell with light, and told Peter to go with him. Instantly, Peter's chains fell off, and the cell opened to give them a way out. At first, Peter thought He must be dreaming. Even Peter forgets the power of the Lord. Nothing can hold back or block God. No jail can hold Him, not even the Temple can contain Him. Even when we try to block Him from our hearts, He works His way in. Once they safely left the city, the angel left Peter, and he realized what had happened. Peter knew that God intended to save him from the fate Herod planned for him. He ran to the home of Mary, mother of John Mark. A servant named Rhonda answered the door, and when she realized Peter stood outside, she ran back upstairs to tell the believers who were there praying for him. They did not believe her. They did not believe in the power of their prayers. They thought they could explain God and how He would answer them, but He does not do what people expect Him to do. That is why the world did not end when the Catholic church believed and will not when the Mayans predicted. God will not conform to the human way of things. Finally, the believers at Mary's house went downstairs to see Peter. When they saw that it was truly him, they were overjoyed. He tried to keep them silent because he knew Herod would come after him, but he told them to tell the other believers that he was still alive.
Herod went into the city of Caesarea to negotiate with some cities that had upset him. He began making a speech, and the people declared that he must be a god. So God struck him dead at that moment because he did not give the glory to God. Never take credit for yourself about what God has done. After this incident, the Word of God continued to spread.
Acts 11
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+11/
When Peter returned to Jerusalem from Cornelius's house, the Christians who believed only Jews could convert to Christianity could not believe that Peter had stayed at the home of a gentile and eaten his food with him. Peter, however, knew he completed a task the Lord set before him, so he told the people who had been criticizing him everything that happened. First, he told them about the dream with all of the animals that the voice in heaven told him the Lord and cleaned. Then, he talked about how as soon as he came out of the trance, the men from Cornelius arrived to take Peter with them. Finally, he told how Cornelius heard an angel tell him that he needed to fetch Peter so that Peter could tell him and his family and friends a message that would save their lives. After Peter spoke to them, they received the Holy Spirit just like the Jews who came to believe. In the end, no one doubted that Peter had done what the Lord intended for him to do. If the Lord sets up a situation in your life where he wants you to act, you will usually have no doubt that He has set this up for you. Peter realized this at Cornelius's house, and the other believers in Jerusalem realized this after Peter told his story. They all began to praise the Lord because he accepts all people. They did not know this before cornelius because in the Old Testament, the Jews were God's chosen people, and He favored and protected them above all others. Now, it is up to us to choose Him to be treated that way.
Following Stephen's execution, some of the believers scattered as far as Antioch. Once there, they began preaching the Good News to the Jews who lived there. Later, others joined them and spoke to the Greeks about Jesus. A large number of people believed there, and in Antioch, the believers were called Christians for the first time. When word about the church in Antioch reached Barnabas, he travelled to Antioch to see what had happened. He was pleased by what God had done in kindness. He encouraged them to remain faithful to the Lord, and then he left to find Saul. He and Saul taught at the Church in Antioch for a year. Finally, some prophets came from Jerusalem and predicted famine throughout the world. The believers in Antioch gathered up everything they could afford and sent it with Barnabas and Saul when they left for Jerusalem. The early church sets a really good example of giving. We should give whatever we can honestly afford to the church or to those in need. Here, the people in Antioch do both since the church is in need.
When Peter returned to Jerusalem from Cornelius's house, the Christians who believed only Jews could convert to Christianity could not believe that Peter had stayed at the home of a gentile and eaten his food with him. Peter, however, knew he completed a task the Lord set before him, so he told the people who had been criticizing him everything that happened. First, he told them about the dream with all of the animals that the voice in heaven told him the Lord and cleaned. Then, he talked about how as soon as he came out of the trance, the men from Cornelius arrived to take Peter with them. Finally, he told how Cornelius heard an angel tell him that he needed to fetch Peter so that Peter could tell him and his family and friends a message that would save their lives. After Peter spoke to them, they received the Holy Spirit just like the Jews who came to believe. In the end, no one doubted that Peter had done what the Lord intended for him to do. If the Lord sets up a situation in your life where he wants you to act, you will usually have no doubt that He has set this up for you. Peter realized this at Cornelius's house, and the other believers in Jerusalem realized this after Peter told his story. They all began to praise the Lord because he accepts all people. They did not know this before cornelius because in the Old Testament, the Jews were God's chosen people, and He favored and protected them above all others. Now, it is up to us to choose Him to be treated that way.
Following Stephen's execution, some of the believers scattered as far as Antioch. Once there, they began preaching the Good News to the Jews who lived there. Later, others joined them and spoke to the Greeks about Jesus. A large number of people believed there, and in Antioch, the believers were called Christians for the first time. When word about the church in Antioch reached Barnabas, he travelled to Antioch to see what had happened. He was pleased by what God had done in kindness. He encouraged them to remain faithful to the Lord, and then he left to find Saul. He and Saul taught at the Church in Antioch for a year. Finally, some prophets came from Jerusalem and predicted famine throughout the world. The believers in Antioch gathered up everything they could afford and sent it with Barnabas and Saul when they left for Jerusalem. The early church sets a really good example of giving. We should give whatever we can honestly afford to the church or to those in need. Here, the people in Antioch do both since the church is in need.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Acts 10
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+10/
There is a man named Cornelius, who is God fearing man, and leads his whole household religiously. He gave freely to the poor and prayed to God. One day, he had a vision that an angel came down to him and told him that the Lord had seen what he has done and heard his prayers, and that he should send for Simon Peter immediately. Cornelius did as he was told. Good works for God don't go unnoticed. God sees everything you do, and He will reward you for all of the good deeds you do, but remember, no good deeds are good enough to get you into Heaven, only Jesus Christ can do that. Also, God hears your prayers. There is never a time when God doesn't listen to you. When you pray, you will be heard.
Meanwhile, as Cornelius's men travel to fetch Peter, Peter goes up onto the roof to pray. He grows hungry and has food prepared for him. While it's being prepared, he falls into a trance. In his vision, an angel brings a sheet full of four-legged animals, reptiles, and birds from the sky and tells Peter to kill and eat them, but Peter says that he can't eat anything unclean. The angel tells him that they must be clean if the Lord has made them clean. This happens three times before Peter wakes up. Afterwards, he is very confused as to what this vision must mean. As he awakens, Cornelius's men arrive where Peter is staying and ask for him. The Holy Spirit tells Peter that they are okay and to go with them, so he invites them to stay the night, and they all depart the next morning.
When Peter arrives to Cornelius's house, Cornelius immediately falls to the ground and begins worshipping him. This frustrates Peter and he tells Cornelius to get up because Peter is just a man. After he enters the house, he comments on how wrong it is considered for a Jew to associate with a gentile. But he knows the Holy Spirit sent him there for a reason, so he asks Cornelius why he sent for Peter. Cornelius told him the whole story of what had happened with the angel, including what the angel said to him. Peter at once understands that God no longer plays favorites. At the beginning, the Jews were God's chosen people. They could receive salvation while other races of people couldn't, but Jesus is the Lord to everyone. So Peter tells them the gospel and the Holy Spirit enters them, just as it entered the Jews. The Jews with Peter were amazed that such a thing could happen, but Peter commanded them to baptize all who had just received the Spirit. The first gentiles were saved that day.
There is a man named Cornelius, who is God fearing man, and leads his whole household religiously. He gave freely to the poor and prayed to God. One day, he had a vision that an angel came down to him and told him that the Lord had seen what he has done and heard his prayers, and that he should send for Simon Peter immediately. Cornelius did as he was told. Good works for God don't go unnoticed. God sees everything you do, and He will reward you for all of the good deeds you do, but remember, no good deeds are good enough to get you into Heaven, only Jesus Christ can do that. Also, God hears your prayers. There is never a time when God doesn't listen to you. When you pray, you will be heard.
Meanwhile, as Cornelius's men travel to fetch Peter, Peter goes up onto the roof to pray. He grows hungry and has food prepared for him. While it's being prepared, he falls into a trance. In his vision, an angel brings a sheet full of four-legged animals, reptiles, and birds from the sky and tells Peter to kill and eat them, but Peter says that he can't eat anything unclean. The angel tells him that they must be clean if the Lord has made them clean. This happens three times before Peter wakes up. Afterwards, he is very confused as to what this vision must mean. As he awakens, Cornelius's men arrive where Peter is staying and ask for him. The Holy Spirit tells Peter that they are okay and to go with them, so he invites them to stay the night, and they all depart the next morning.
When Peter arrives to Cornelius's house, Cornelius immediately falls to the ground and begins worshipping him. This frustrates Peter and he tells Cornelius to get up because Peter is just a man. After he enters the house, he comments on how wrong it is considered for a Jew to associate with a gentile. But he knows the Holy Spirit sent him there for a reason, so he asks Cornelius why he sent for Peter. Cornelius told him the whole story of what had happened with the angel, including what the angel said to him. Peter at once understands that God no longer plays favorites. At the beginning, the Jews were God's chosen people. They could receive salvation while other races of people couldn't, but Jesus is the Lord to everyone. So Peter tells them the gospel and the Holy Spirit enters them, just as it entered the Jews. The Jews with Peter were amazed that such a thing could happen, but Peter commanded them to baptize all who had just received the Spirit. The first gentiles were saved that day.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Acts 9
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+9/
Saul, who later becomes Paul and writes most of the New Testament including Corinthians that we studied earlier, walks the road to Damascus because he has permission from the chief priest to destroy the church there and arrest the believers. As he goes on his way, a blinding light hits him and knocks him to the ground asking why Saul persecuted him. Blinded by the experience, Saul asks who speaks to him, and the voice says it is Jesus. Jesus tells Saul to go into the city and wait for further instruction. Jesus will not let anyone stand against Him and try to eliminate the church. God will stop all who try. He stopped Saul in the Bible, but later stopped the Roman empire when Constantine converted to Christianity, all the way to Stalin, who tried to kill the church starting in Russia. All of these men eventually failed before their plans made it too far. After Saul arrived in Damascus, he could not see for three days and refused to eat or drink. Across town, the Lord spoke to a man named Ananias. He told the man to go across town to Judas's house where he would find Saul; Ananias was to heal Saul. Ananias did not approve of this plan. He heard about Saul and knew the things that he did to the church. He tried to explain these things to God, but of course God knew them, and Ananias's logic did not work of God. A lot of times, we try to do the same things Ananias tried. We reason with the Lord when He tells us to do things that we do not want to. We make excuses and try to show God that we are right and know what we say; however, God is really the one who knows what is right. In this instance, the Lord said that he chose Saul to spread the gospel throughout the lands. Ananias sees that God has a plan and knows best, so he goes to Judas' house to heal Paul of his blindness. Immediately, the Holy Spirit filled Saul and after his baptism, he ate and drank, so he received his strength back. He stayed in Damascus for a while, spreading the Word in synagogues. His teachings confused the people in Damascus because they knew who he was and what he had done. They did not understand that Jesus has the power to change anyone who comes to Him and will accept anyone no matter what their past. When the Jews heard Saul gained power by spreading that Jesus was the Messiah, they decided they must kill him. Saul, however, learned about their plot and escaped the city. He left for Jerusalem to join the other disciples. At first, they could not believe that Saul really believed; however, Barnabas took interest in him, and took him to the apostles. Saul began arguing with the Greek-speaking Jews, and they also planned to murder him, so the disciples sent him away. With Saul on the church's side, their was peace in the church.
Peter travelled around as a missionary. When he came to one place, he saw a man who had been paralyzed for eight years and confined to a cot. Peter told him that Jesus healed him and to pick up his cot and go. Aeneas, the formerly paralyzed man, did so. Later, all the people in the town saw that he could walk and had become a believer.
While this was happening, a disciple, Tabitha, who lived in a nearby town, grew ill and died. When the disciples heard about this, they sent men to Peter to tell him about what happened, so Peter went to where Tabitha lived and found that the people had already prepared her body for burial. Peter sent them away and prayed. When he finished, Tabitha rose and stood. She was alive. Peter, a mere man, had just brought some one back to life. The people around him were all amazed, and many of them became Christians that day.
Saul, who later becomes Paul and writes most of the New Testament including Corinthians that we studied earlier, walks the road to Damascus because he has permission from the chief priest to destroy the church there and arrest the believers. As he goes on his way, a blinding light hits him and knocks him to the ground asking why Saul persecuted him. Blinded by the experience, Saul asks who speaks to him, and the voice says it is Jesus. Jesus tells Saul to go into the city and wait for further instruction. Jesus will not let anyone stand against Him and try to eliminate the church. God will stop all who try. He stopped Saul in the Bible, but later stopped the Roman empire when Constantine converted to Christianity, all the way to Stalin, who tried to kill the church starting in Russia. All of these men eventually failed before their plans made it too far. After Saul arrived in Damascus, he could not see for three days and refused to eat or drink. Across town, the Lord spoke to a man named Ananias. He told the man to go across town to Judas's house where he would find Saul; Ananias was to heal Saul. Ananias did not approve of this plan. He heard about Saul and knew the things that he did to the church. He tried to explain these things to God, but of course God knew them, and Ananias's logic did not work of God. A lot of times, we try to do the same things Ananias tried. We reason with the Lord when He tells us to do things that we do not want to. We make excuses and try to show God that we are right and know what we say; however, God is really the one who knows what is right. In this instance, the Lord said that he chose Saul to spread the gospel throughout the lands. Ananias sees that God has a plan and knows best, so he goes to Judas' house to heal Paul of his blindness. Immediately, the Holy Spirit filled Saul and after his baptism, he ate and drank, so he received his strength back. He stayed in Damascus for a while, spreading the Word in synagogues. His teachings confused the people in Damascus because they knew who he was and what he had done. They did not understand that Jesus has the power to change anyone who comes to Him and will accept anyone no matter what their past. When the Jews heard Saul gained power by spreading that Jesus was the Messiah, they decided they must kill him. Saul, however, learned about their plot and escaped the city. He left for Jerusalem to join the other disciples. At first, they could not believe that Saul really believed; however, Barnabas took interest in him, and took him to the apostles. Saul began arguing with the Greek-speaking Jews, and they also planned to murder him, so the disciples sent him away. With Saul on the church's side, their was peace in the church.
Peter travelled around as a missionary. When he came to one place, he saw a man who had been paralyzed for eight years and confined to a cot. Peter told him that Jesus healed him and to pick up his cot and go. Aeneas, the formerly paralyzed man, did so. Later, all the people in the town saw that he could walk and had become a believer.
While this was happening, a disciple, Tabitha, who lived in a nearby town, grew ill and died. When the disciples heard about this, they sent men to Peter to tell him about what happened, so Peter went to where Tabitha lived and found that the people had already prepared her body for burial. Peter sent them away and prayed. When he finished, Tabitha rose and stood. She was alive. Peter, a mere man, had just brought some one back to life. The people around him were all amazed, and many of them became Christians that day.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Acts 8
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+8/
Saul approves of Stephen's execution. After his death, widespread persecution ensued against the church. All of the believers except the apostles scattered. Saul TRIED to destroy the church. He dragged men and women out tof their homes and threw them into prison. Still today governments try to persecute the church, but it still exists because God backs it. He will not let anything bring the church to total collapse. The fact that we exist today after the event depicted in this chapter proves that point.
God always has a plan, and everything that happens is a response to this master plan. Because the church went into widespread panic on the day of Stephen's execution, the believers spread around the lands to share the Good News. Phillip went to Samaria and began showing God's works, performing miracles, and sharing Jesus' teachings. The Samaritans were amazed and many of them believed. Phillip ran into trouble when he encountered a man, named Simon, who claimed to perform magic. The Lord, however, compelled Simon's heart, and he too came to believe. When the apostles in Jerusalem received word about what occurred in Samaria, Peter and John went to give them the Holy Spirit. They prayed on their way that the Spirit would enter the Samaritans, and when they arrived and put their hands on the Samaritans, they could sense that He had entered them. When the apostles were about to leave, the Samaritans asked them if they could pay to do the same miracles as the disciples. Peter and John grew angry and said that they should be ashamed of themselves for trying to buy God's gifts because they are gifts, not products. They can only be given and received, not earned and not bought. They tell the Samaritans that they better pray that God changes their ways. Simon fears what Peter and John have said and asks that they pray for him. He sees that the power of prayer is strong.
Phillip hears the Spirit tell him to go out into the desert, so he listens. Phillip knew how to be in a position to listen to the Spirit. God is constantly in communication with us through the Spirit, but we have to allow ourselves to be in the position to listen. Then, we must obey. While Phillip is out in the desert, he comes across a carriage that the Spirit tells him to stick close to. In the carriage is an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah. Phillip asks him if he knows what the prophet is saying. The Ethiopian says that he needs a guide through the passage. The passage is about the death of Jesus. Phillip starts there and uses the opportunity to share the entire Good News with the man. Our God is not passive and submissive; He directly affects our lives. God will give you an opportunity to witness, so you better be ready to take it. In just that short conversation, the official asks for Phillip to baptize him, and he believes.
Saul approves of Stephen's execution. After his death, widespread persecution ensued against the church. All of the believers except the apostles scattered. Saul TRIED to destroy the church. He dragged men and women out tof their homes and threw them into prison. Still today governments try to persecute the church, but it still exists because God backs it. He will not let anything bring the church to total collapse. The fact that we exist today after the event depicted in this chapter proves that point.
God always has a plan, and everything that happens is a response to this master plan. Because the church went into widespread panic on the day of Stephen's execution, the believers spread around the lands to share the Good News. Phillip went to Samaria and began showing God's works, performing miracles, and sharing Jesus' teachings. The Samaritans were amazed and many of them believed. Phillip ran into trouble when he encountered a man, named Simon, who claimed to perform magic. The Lord, however, compelled Simon's heart, and he too came to believe. When the apostles in Jerusalem received word about what occurred in Samaria, Peter and John went to give them the Holy Spirit. They prayed on their way that the Spirit would enter the Samaritans, and when they arrived and put their hands on the Samaritans, they could sense that He had entered them. When the apostles were about to leave, the Samaritans asked them if they could pay to do the same miracles as the disciples. Peter and John grew angry and said that they should be ashamed of themselves for trying to buy God's gifts because they are gifts, not products. They can only be given and received, not earned and not bought. They tell the Samaritans that they better pray that God changes their ways. Simon fears what Peter and John have said and asks that they pray for him. He sees that the power of prayer is strong.
Phillip hears the Spirit tell him to go out into the desert, so he listens. Phillip knew how to be in a position to listen to the Spirit. God is constantly in communication with us through the Spirit, but we have to allow ourselves to be in the position to listen. Then, we must obey. While Phillip is out in the desert, he comes across a carriage that the Spirit tells him to stick close to. In the carriage is an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah. Phillip asks him if he knows what the prophet is saying. The Ethiopian says that he needs a guide through the passage. The passage is about the death of Jesus. Phillip starts there and uses the opportunity to share the entire Good News with the man. Our God is not passive and submissive; He directly affects our lives. God will give you an opportunity to witness, so you better be ready to take it. In just that short conversation, the official asks for Phillip to baptize him, and he believes.
Acts 7
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+7/
While Stephen is on trial, he begins defending himself by speaking about what happens in the five books of Moses. In this time, if Jewish men received an education, all of their learnings revolved around the Torah and Jewish laws. Stephen obviously learned these when he was young and committed them to memory. His accusers claimed he slandered Moses, so he showed them how amazing he really found Moses and his writings. He speaks of Jewish history starting with when God promised Abraham that He would give him descendant that outnumbered the stars in the sky. At the time, that promise seemed impossible to keep because Abraham did not even have a son. Lo and behold, generations later, the Israelites threatened to outnumber the Egyptians, who were the most prosperous people on Earth at the time. God also promised Abraham that his descendants would eventually become slaves to a foreign people for 400 years before God would send someone to lead them to the Promised Land. Long after Abraham's death, his grandson, Jacob, had twelve sons. They were all jealous of Joseph, one of the younger sons. They sold him into slavery, but he found favor with the Pharaoh, and Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the land and the palace. Later, when famine struck, Joseph's brothers and father took refuge in Egypt where Joseph took pity on them and allowed them to live in the palace with him. God fulfilled another promise: he sent Abraham's descendants to a foreign land. Years later, long after the deaths of Joseph, his brothers, and that Pharaoh, another Pharaoh took over Egypt, and he hated the Jews. Because he hated the so much, he enslaved them and forced them to leave their newborn babies outside to die. God fulfills another promise. However, Moses's parents saw that their baby boy looked so beautiful that they hid him for three months, so he could grow strong. Stephen spins his Biblical knowledge to show that he does not slander Moses but supports him. When they finally left him outside, the Pharaoh's daughter found him and raised him as her own son. He continues to show that he knows God favored Moses and used him to lead his people out of slavery. Stephen admits in open court that Moses did right by God even when the other Israelites did wrong, and Moses paid for those wrongdoings with the Israelites. At the end of his story, Stephen asks how the Pharisees could be so stubborn, heartless, and disobedient. He says that the actively oppose the Holy Spirit just like their ancestors before them. The Jewish leaders always opposed the prophets for the same reason they oppose the apostles. The Jewish officials are afraid of Jesus because when the people begin to worship and follow Him, they will no longer follow the Jewish leaders. Therefore, they killed all of them in order to try and stop the word of Jesus' coming from spreading, but God did not let that happen. He even had it included in His Holy Book. Furthermore, these Jewish leaders killed Jesus, the man who all of the prophets, including Moses predicted. God promised the world a savior, and Stephen says that if God came through in all of His other promises, then He had to come through in this promise, too. The Pharisees were so stubborn, however, when they felt their power diminish that they executed Jesus. The Pharisees claim to uphold Moses' teachings, but they do not even follow them.
While Stephen testified, the council refused to listen to what he had to say, but the Holy Spirit filled Stephen so much so that when he looked up, he saw God in Heaven with Jesus at his right hand. When he tried to tell the officials, shouted at him. The council members and the crowd grew so furious with what Stephen had to say that they rushed at him. They threw him out of the city where they began to stone him. Stephen, as a true believer, knew that Jesus would give him eternal life, so he did not fear death. He would have much more feared changing his opinion and rejecting God. As he knelt, prepared to die for his cause, he asked Jesus to accept his spirit. Finally, right before he died, he asked the Lord not to hold this sin against the people because they are misled. All the while, the Jewish men in the crowd lay their coats at the feet of a man named Saul. Saul was a Jewish official whose main intent was to destroy the church. The people laid their coats at his feet to signify that they supported him and his cause.
While Stephen is on trial, he begins defending himself by speaking about what happens in the five books of Moses. In this time, if Jewish men received an education, all of their learnings revolved around the Torah and Jewish laws. Stephen obviously learned these when he was young and committed them to memory. His accusers claimed he slandered Moses, so he showed them how amazing he really found Moses and his writings. He speaks of Jewish history starting with when God promised Abraham that He would give him descendant that outnumbered the stars in the sky. At the time, that promise seemed impossible to keep because Abraham did not even have a son. Lo and behold, generations later, the Israelites threatened to outnumber the Egyptians, who were the most prosperous people on Earth at the time. God also promised Abraham that his descendants would eventually become slaves to a foreign people for 400 years before God would send someone to lead them to the Promised Land. Long after Abraham's death, his grandson, Jacob, had twelve sons. They were all jealous of Joseph, one of the younger sons. They sold him into slavery, but he found favor with the Pharaoh, and Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the land and the palace. Later, when famine struck, Joseph's brothers and father took refuge in Egypt where Joseph took pity on them and allowed them to live in the palace with him. God fulfilled another promise: he sent Abraham's descendants to a foreign land. Years later, long after the deaths of Joseph, his brothers, and that Pharaoh, another Pharaoh took over Egypt, and he hated the Jews. Because he hated the so much, he enslaved them and forced them to leave their newborn babies outside to die. God fulfills another promise. However, Moses's parents saw that their baby boy looked so beautiful that they hid him for three months, so he could grow strong. Stephen spins his Biblical knowledge to show that he does not slander Moses but supports him. When they finally left him outside, the Pharaoh's daughter found him and raised him as her own son. He continues to show that he knows God favored Moses and used him to lead his people out of slavery. Stephen admits in open court that Moses did right by God even when the other Israelites did wrong, and Moses paid for those wrongdoings with the Israelites. At the end of his story, Stephen asks how the Pharisees could be so stubborn, heartless, and disobedient. He says that the actively oppose the Holy Spirit just like their ancestors before them. The Jewish leaders always opposed the prophets for the same reason they oppose the apostles. The Jewish officials are afraid of Jesus because when the people begin to worship and follow Him, they will no longer follow the Jewish leaders. Therefore, they killed all of them in order to try and stop the word of Jesus' coming from spreading, but God did not let that happen. He even had it included in His Holy Book. Furthermore, these Jewish leaders killed Jesus, the man who all of the prophets, including Moses predicted. God promised the world a savior, and Stephen says that if God came through in all of His other promises, then He had to come through in this promise, too. The Pharisees were so stubborn, however, when they felt their power diminish that they executed Jesus. The Pharisees claim to uphold Moses' teachings, but they do not even follow them.
While Stephen testified, the council refused to listen to what he had to say, but the Holy Spirit filled Stephen so much so that when he looked up, he saw God in Heaven with Jesus at his right hand. When he tried to tell the officials, shouted at him. The council members and the crowd grew so furious with what Stephen had to say that they rushed at him. They threw him out of the city where they began to stone him. Stephen, as a true believer, knew that Jesus would give him eternal life, so he did not fear death. He would have much more feared changing his opinion and rejecting God. As he knelt, prepared to die for his cause, he asked Jesus to accept his spirit. Finally, right before he died, he asked the Lord not to hold this sin against the people because they are misled. All the while, the Jewish men in the crowd lay their coats at the feet of a man named Saul. Saul was a Jewish official whose main intent was to destroy the church. The people laid their coats at his feet to signify that they supported him and his cause.
Acts 6
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+6/
There were two groups of Christians at this time: the Greeks and the Hebrews. The Greeks were jealous of the Hebrews because they were God's chosen people before Christ came. They began complaining that their widows were not as well taken care of, especially when food was passed out. The twelve apostles found this to be ridiculous because since Christ, there are no chose people, only people who have chosen Christ. The apostles said that they could not take time to solve this because they were called to keep spreading the word. They told the other disciples to choose seven men to administer these complaints. The men were chosen and prayed over. Whenever this new church does anything, they start by praying over it. Then, the word of God continued to rapidly spread, and even priests in Jerusalem converted.
Some Jewish men from a Synagogue nearby began to despise Stephen because he was so filled with the Holy Spirit that he could not lose a spiritual argument. Stephen was so filled by the Holy Spirit that he was always able to say the right things and make the right points that allowed him to win. These men, however became so frustrated that they lied to have Stephen arrested. They claimed that he was slandering God and Moses. People got up and lied about what he had said in order to stop him. When people become desperate to stop Jesus, the only thing they can do is lie because Jesus is the truth.
There were two groups of Christians at this time: the Greeks and the Hebrews. The Greeks were jealous of the Hebrews because they were God's chosen people before Christ came. They began complaining that their widows were not as well taken care of, especially when food was passed out. The twelve apostles found this to be ridiculous because since Christ, there are no chose people, only people who have chosen Christ. The apostles said that they could not take time to solve this because they were called to keep spreading the word. They told the other disciples to choose seven men to administer these complaints. The men were chosen and prayed over. Whenever this new church does anything, they start by praying over it. Then, the word of God continued to rapidly spread, and even priests in Jerusalem converted.
Some Jewish men from a Synagogue nearby began to despise Stephen because he was so filled with the Holy Spirit that he could not lose a spiritual argument. Stephen was so filled by the Holy Spirit that he was always able to say the right things and make the right points that allowed him to win. These men, however became so frustrated that they lied to have Stephen arrested. They claimed that he was slandering God and Moses. People got up and lied about what he had said in order to stop him. When people become desperate to stop Jesus, the only thing they can do is lie because Jesus is the truth.
Acts 5
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+5/
The story of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, is a little scary even today. They sold their land and had pledged to give the money they received to the apostles, but when they sold the land, they kept some of the money from the disciples. The Holy Spirit told Peter what happened, and when Ananias arrived, Paul asked him why he let Satan fool him into thinking he could trick the Holy Spirit. He said that while he owned the property, it was truly his, and after he sold it, he could have done whatever he liked with the money, but he promised God that he would give it to the apostles. Ananias lied to God, and for that, he dropped dead right there. That's scary. Never forget that GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING! There's nothing you can think or do that will fool Him or that He won't see. Additionally, God show how powerful and fierce He can be. We tend to think of God and Jesus as those paintings in church of the skinny guy with the beard and long hair who's always gentle. God has limitless power. He can kill a man who would not have died at that moment for any other reason. We do not serve a meek God. Later, Sapphira arrived, and she had not heard about what had happened to her husband, so when Peter asked her if they had turned over all of the money to the apostles from the property, she said that they had. Peter aks how she and Ananias could test the Lord, and she too dropped dead in front of all of them. When the people heard this story, they were terrified, as we should be when we read it today. Do not test the Lord because he will win.
At this time, the apostles performed many miracles through the Holy Spirit. This amazed the people, and more and more of them began joining the church. Right from the beginning, the church grows exponentially. God begins an uprising. He will not let His church die, so if there are people doing His work, He will bless them and they will prosper in their work. Even those who were too afraid to believe took their sick into the presence of Peter hoping that if his shadow landed on them the sick would be healed. There are always people searching for God all around us. They are searching for the cure to life and what can close the gap in their heart.
The Jewish officials were still afraid of the apostles and their news at this time. They feared God because if the people listened to God and gave all of their worship to Him, then they would have no true power over the people. They thrived over the fines and keeping the laws. The apostles were spreading the word of Jesus quickly because the Holy Spirit blessed them and their work. He spoke through them to convey the message of Jesus. The officials threw them in jail, but that night, an angel appeared and released them from their holdings. He told them to go to the temple courtyard and begin teaching the people about Jesus. When the officials looked in the prison for them the next day, they could not find the apostles. They finally got word that the apostles had moved to the courtyard and began teaching about Jesus. When the officials heard this, they were furious. They took the apostles to court and told them that they have already been told and will be told again to stop spreading Jesus' word. One of the officials among them tells the others that if this movement is truly of human origin, then the Jewish leaders should not worry because there have been similar movements in the past that have failed. He also says, however, that if the movement comes form God, it will not fai, and it will gain huge support. This "movement" is still here today and as strong as ever. God backs Christianity. God has proved through the lasting effects of this movement that Jesus was no mere man but truly the Son of God. Before the council of Jewish officials frees the apostles, they beat them to discourage them from spreading Jesus' word. This only fuels them because it shows that if the officials are that afraid of them, then they must truly be making great progress.
The story of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, is a little scary even today. They sold their land and had pledged to give the money they received to the apostles, but when they sold the land, they kept some of the money from the disciples. The Holy Spirit told Peter what happened, and when Ananias arrived, Paul asked him why he let Satan fool him into thinking he could trick the Holy Spirit. He said that while he owned the property, it was truly his, and after he sold it, he could have done whatever he liked with the money, but he promised God that he would give it to the apostles. Ananias lied to God, and for that, he dropped dead right there. That's scary. Never forget that GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING! There's nothing you can think or do that will fool Him or that He won't see. Additionally, God show how powerful and fierce He can be. We tend to think of God and Jesus as those paintings in church of the skinny guy with the beard and long hair who's always gentle. God has limitless power. He can kill a man who would not have died at that moment for any other reason. We do not serve a meek God. Later, Sapphira arrived, and she had not heard about what had happened to her husband, so when Peter asked her if they had turned over all of the money to the apostles from the property, she said that they had. Peter aks how she and Ananias could test the Lord, and she too dropped dead in front of all of them. When the people heard this story, they were terrified, as we should be when we read it today. Do not test the Lord because he will win.
At this time, the apostles performed many miracles through the Holy Spirit. This amazed the people, and more and more of them began joining the church. Right from the beginning, the church grows exponentially. God begins an uprising. He will not let His church die, so if there are people doing His work, He will bless them and they will prosper in their work. Even those who were too afraid to believe took their sick into the presence of Peter hoping that if his shadow landed on them the sick would be healed. There are always people searching for God all around us. They are searching for the cure to life and what can close the gap in their heart.
The Jewish officials were still afraid of the apostles and their news at this time. They feared God because if the people listened to God and gave all of their worship to Him, then they would have no true power over the people. They thrived over the fines and keeping the laws. The apostles were spreading the word of Jesus quickly because the Holy Spirit blessed them and their work. He spoke through them to convey the message of Jesus. The officials threw them in jail, but that night, an angel appeared and released them from their holdings. He told them to go to the temple courtyard and begin teaching the people about Jesus. When the officials looked in the prison for them the next day, they could not find the apostles. They finally got word that the apostles had moved to the courtyard and began teaching about Jesus. When the officials heard this, they were furious. They took the apostles to court and told them that they have already been told and will be told again to stop spreading Jesus' word. One of the officials among them tells the others that if this movement is truly of human origin, then the Jewish leaders should not worry because there have been similar movements in the past that have failed. He also says, however, that if the movement comes form God, it will not fai, and it will gain huge support. This "movement" is still here today and as strong as ever. God backs Christianity. God has proved through the lasting effects of this movement that Jesus was no mere man but truly the Son of God. Before the council of Jewish officials frees the apostles, they beat them to discourage them from spreading Jesus' word. This only fuels them because it shows that if the officials are that afraid of them, then they must truly be making great progress.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Acts 4
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+4/
The Jewish officials, for the most part, still don't believe, so they arrest John and Peter. However, since they spoke when God gave them the opportunity, the number of believers that day rose to 5,000. When Peter and John go on trial, they are asked who gave them the authority to perform this miracle, which people, including Jesus, were asked again and again throughout John. When Peter answers, Luke makes it clear that Peter is not speaking of his own authority, but that he is filled with the Holy Spirit. He, of course, says that Jesus is the one who healed the man. Then, he makes new teachings saying that Jesus iss the cornerstone, and that there is nowhere else to safely build you lives upon. Jesus is the firm foundation. Peter spoke this in such a beautiful way. Once the officials discovered that Peter and John had no education, they were amazed. They realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus and yet they could not discount them because the man they healed was still with them, so they sent John and Peter away for deliberations. God will provide for you if you are working for His good. He gave Peter and John freedom in that the man was with them in front of the Jewish officials. This also prevented the officials to say anything against Jesus because they could not claim that the lame man had not been healed. The Jewish officials became afraid of the power John and Peter could gain with the people in Jerusalem, but they also knew that there was nothing they could do to stop them at that moment. They decided to threaten the apostles to stop the spread of Jesus and His word. When confronted, Peter says that God wants the people to hear what He says and that they will therefore not stop speaking about what they saw and heard during their time with Jesus. The authorities continued to threaten, but there was no point because Peter and John truly believed in Jesus' message. If we truly believe as they did, then there is no threat that should sway our beliefs. Nothing can amount to eternity separated from God.
After the officials free Peter and John, they go back to the other apostles, and all of them pray about what has happened and what is still to come. They acknowledge that through Jesus' entire life, God fulfilled what He promised to do. They pray that He would continue to follow His plan because it is perfect. In His plan, all people come to Him through Jesus, but it is a plan that takes a long time because the Enemy is tricky. God has what the Enemy doesn't: unlimited power. God can prove His majesty through whatever means He cares to because there is no limit to what He can do.
The apostles of the time all embraced the Spiritual Gift of voluntary poverty. They gave up everything they owned for the greater good of spreading the Good News. At the time, there was no way to make money by doing so. The apostles, therefore, shared everything, so that they would want for nothing. Additionally, the believed that God would come through for them, so He always provided just enough.
The Jewish officials, for the most part, still don't believe, so they arrest John and Peter. However, since they spoke when God gave them the opportunity, the number of believers that day rose to 5,000. When Peter and John go on trial, they are asked who gave them the authority to perform this miracle, which people, including Jesus, were asked again and again throughout John. When Peter answers, Luke makes it clear that Peter is not speaking of his own authority, but that he is filled with the Holy Spirit. He, of course, says that Jesus is the one who healed the man. Then, he makes new teachings saying that Jesus iss the cornerstone, and that there is nowhere else to safely build you lives upon. Jesus is the firm foundation. Peter spoke this in such a beautiful way. Once the officials discovered that Peter and John had no education, they were amazed. They realized that Peter and John had been with Jesus and yet they could not discount them because the man they healed was still with them, so they sent John and Peter away for deliberations. God will provide for you if you are working for His good. He gave Peter and John freedom in that the man was with them in front of the Jewish officials. This also prevented the officials to say anything against Jesus because they could not claim that the lame man had not been healed. The Jewish officials became afraid of the power John and Peter could gain with the people in Jerusalem, but they also knew that there was nothing they could do to stop them at that moment. They decided to threaten the apostles to stop the spread of Jesus and His word. When confronted, Peter says that God wants the people to hear what He says and that they will therefore not stop speaking about what they saw and heard during their time with Jesus. The authorities continued to threaten, but there was no point because Peter and John truly believed in Jesus' message. If we truly believe as they did, then there is no threat that should sway our beliefs. Nothing can amount to eternity separated from God.
After the officials free Peter and John, they go back to the other apostles, and all of them pray about what has happened and what is still to come. They acknowledge that through Jesus' entire life, God fulfilled what He promised to do. They pray that He would continue to follow His plan because it is perfect. In His plan, all people come to Him through Jesus, but it is a plan that takes a long time because the Enemy is tricky. God has what the Enemy doesn't: unlimited power. God can prove His majesty through whatever means He cares to because there is no limit to what He can do.
The apostles of the time all embraced the Spiritual Gift of voluntary poverty. They gave up everything they owned for the greater good of spreading the Good News. At the time, there was no way to make money by doing so. The apostles, therefore, shared everything, so that they would want for nothing. Additionally, the believed that God would come through for them, so He always provided just enough.
Acts 3
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+3/
The beginning of the next story closely matches the story found in John 5 about the sick man who sits by the pool. In this story, the man has given into his condition. He thinks that there is no way he can ever be healed because he has been crippled since birth. If you know any handicap people, you probably have never seen them miraculously healed. This is because of a lack of faith. They lack faith that they can be healed, and those around them who are believers lack faith that they can make a difference. The man is just trying to make the best of his current situation. That is, after all, what the world tells us to do. Use what the world gives you to the best of your abilities. This is another lie from society. Jesus wants so much more for you. If we all gave into the situations we found ourselves in, we would submit to death. Jesus would have come and died for nothing. He came to save us, so that our situations did not have to remain the same. We can spend eternity with Him in Heaven. He goes to the same gate everyday and asks for handouts. One day, Peter and John happen to walk by this man, and he asks them for a handout. Peter says he can give the man so much more. Peter doesn't have any money, but he says through the power of Jesus Christ, the man is healed. It instantly becomes true. We have so much more to give people than simply what the world tells them will help. We can give people the opportunity to live forever in the presence of Jesus Christ. Peter also says that he doesn't have any money but he can offer more. We can't all give the same amounts of the same thing. First, that would only solve a few of the countless needs in the world, and second, God doesn't give all of us the same cards to play. We all have different amounts of different worldly resources.. Maybe one person can take off a week from work to go on a mission trip because God gave them time, but another person is busy bringing glory to God through a job or a project, but they have a lot of money that can go to financing a mission trip. But we all also have different Spiritual Gifts. Paul had the gift of healing, but nowadays, that's a rarer gift, and people instead receive different gifts from the Sprit. After the people see and hear about what has happened, they all go to glorify Peter and John. Peter grows irritated at these people and tells them that it is impossible for a mere man to do what has just been witnessed. Peter did not heal the man through his own power. He needed God to get his work done. He also uses the moment to witness to the people who have gathered. First, he speaks to what humans respond to: what they can see, hear, feel, etc. He recounts the story of Christ's final days. Then, he sites scripture. Teachings are perfectly true when they come from the word because Jesus is the Word, and the Bible is God's Holy Book.
The beginning of the next story closely matches the story found in John 5 about the sick man who sits by the pool. In this story, the man has given into his condition. He thinks that there is no way he can ever be healed because he has been crippled since birth. If you know any handicap people, you probably have never seen them miraculously healed. This is because of a lack of faith. They lack faith that they can be healed, and those around them who are believers lack faith that they can make a difference. The man is just trying to make the best of his current situation. That is, after all, what the world tells us to do. Use what the world gives you to the best of your abilities. This is another lie from society. Jesus wants so much more for you. If we all gave into the situations we found ourselves in, we would submit to death. Jesus would have come and died for nothing. He came to save us, so that our situations did not have to remain the same. We can spend eternity with Him in Heaven. He goes to the same gate everyday and asks for handouts. One day, Peter and John happen to walk by this man, and he asks them for a handout. Peter says he can give the man so much more. Peter doesn't have any money, but he says through the power of Jesus Christ, the man is healed. It instantly becomes true. We have so much more to give people than simply what the world tells them will help. We can give people the opportunity to live forever in the presence of Jesus Christ. Peter also says that he doesn't have any money but he can offer more. We can't all give the same amounts of the same thing. First, that would only solve a few of the countless needs in the world, and second, God doesn't give all of us the same cards to play. We all have different amounts of different worldly resources.. Maybe one person can take off a week from work to go on a mission trip because God gave them time, but another person is busy bringing glory to God through a job or a project, but they have a lot of money that can go to financing a mission trip. But we all also have different Spiritual Gifts. Paul had the gift of healing, but nowadays, that's a rarer gift, and people instead receive different gifts from the Sprit. After the people see and hear about what has happened, they all go to glorify Peter and John. Peter grows irritated at these people and tells them that it is impossible for a mere man to do what has just been witnessed. Peter did not heal the man through his own power. He needed God to get his work done. He also uses the moment to witness to the people who have gathered. First, he speaks to what humans respond to: what they can see, hear, feel, etc. He recounts the story of Christ's final days. Then, he sites scripture. Teachings are perfectly true when they come from the word because Jesus is the Word, and the Bible is God's Holy Book.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Acts 2
As usual, here's the chapter: http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+2/
All of the believers were together when the Holy Spirit came among them. He came to them as flaming tongues. God is often depicted as fire because fire can be warm and pleasant like a hearth or violent and raging like a wildfire. He came as a tongue because after He entered them, they all began to speak in other languages that were not there own. Speaking in tongues, as the disciples were doing, is a Spiritual Gift, and with the Holy Spirit came Spiritual Gifts to all people. That is where Spiritual Gifts come from. People all around Jerusalem heard what was going on, and all of those who were visiting from other lands heard their native languages. They were amazed. No one knew how it happened, but they knew what it was for because each believer filled with the Spirit was telling of the glory of God.
After the moment of all the disciples speaking in tongues, Peter, as the leader of the apostles, stood up in front of the crowd to explain what they had just witnessed. He told them that another prophecy had been fulfilled. This one is found in Joel. Joel speaks about the power of the Holy Spirit and some of the Spiritual gifts it will give people. Some will speak in tongues, others will have visions, and others still will work miracles. Peter goes on to say that the only way Jesus could have provided such a powerful resource is if He really was the Son of God. His power is above anything we can know. He defeated even death. Up to this point, all men died, but not Jesus. He visited with death for a few days but rose again. Death itself could not hold Him. David wrote a prophesy about that when he said the God will not abandon him to death, and that the Lord is always with him. God raised Jesus from the dead, and Peter says all of the people listening to him witnessed that. There is no way to avoid believing because it so obvious, but sometimes it just has to be pointed out to us. The people are very upset by what Peter says and ask him what to do. He tells them that they must turn away from their current ways and take up the ways of Jesus. They must ask Him to forgive them of their sins. 3,000 people believed that day.
Luke describes what life was like for the early Christians. Everything they do, they do with joy and love. That is how we should live our lives now. When we interact with people, we should spend all our moments loving them. We should fellowship with other believers. We should remember how lucky we are to know the truth about Jesus, and we should find pure joy in that. When the disciple lived this way, they added new believers to their group everyday.
All of the believers were together when the Holy Spirit came among them. He came to them as flaming tongues. God is often depicted as fire because fire can be warm and pleasant like a hearth or violent and raging like a wildfire. He came as a tongue because after He entered them, they all began to speak in other languages that were not there own. Speaking in tongues, as the disciples were doing, is a Spiritual Gift, and with the Holy Spirit came Spiritual Gifts to all people. That is where Spiritual Gifts come from. People all around Jerusalem heard what was going on, and all of those who were visiting from other lands heard their native languages. They were amazed. No one knew how it happened, but they knew what it was for because each believer filled with the Spirit was telling of the glory of God.
After the moment of all the disciples speaking in tongues, Peter, as the leader of the apostles, stood up in front of the crowd to explain what they had just witnessed. He told them that another prophecy had been fulfilled. This one is found in Joel. Joel speaks about the power of the Holy Spirit and some of the Spiritual gifts it will give people. Some will speak in tongues, others will have visions, and others still will work miracles. Peter goes on to say that the only way Jesus could have provided such a powerful resource is if He really was the Son of God. His power is above anything we can know. He defeated even death. Up to this point, all men died, but not Jesus. He visited with death for a few days but rose again. Death itself could not hold Him. David wrote a prophesy about that when he said the God will not abandon him to death, and that the Lord is always with him. God raised Jesus from the dead, and Peter says all of the people listening to him witnessed that. There is no way to avoid believing because it so obvious, but sometimes it just has to be pointed out to us. The people are very upset by what Peter says and ask him what to do. He tells them that they must turn away from their current ways and take up the ways of Jesus. They must ask Him to forgive them of their sins. 3,000 people believed that day.
Luke describes what life was like for the early Christians. Everything they do, they do with joy and love. That is how we should live our lives now. When we interact with people, we should spend all our moments loving them. We should fellowship with other believers. We should remember how lucky we are to know the truth about Jesus, and we should find pure joy in that. When the disciple lived this way, they added new believers to their group everyday.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Acts 1
I think that it's a good idea to go now back to Acts and look at what happened after John's story finished up through when Paul gets his start for the Lord. Acts is the only history book in the New Testament. Here's how it goes: http://www.esvbible.org/Acts+1/
Acts was written by Luke, who also wrote one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the Gospels). He starts with a brief introduction explaining the backstory of this book. He says that he wrote another book that detailed the life of Christ from birth to death to resurrection to ascension. Luke says that before He was taken back to Heaven, He left instructions with the disciples through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus stayed with the disciples for forty days after the resurrection and did amazing things to prove that He was still alive. Then, when Jesus knows that it is almost time for Him to leave the disciples permanently, He tells them that the time has come for Him to make good on the promis of the Holy Spirit. The disciples ask Him if that means that He will restore the Kingdom of Israel, but He tells them that they cannot predict the timing of God. He sets His own timetables, and humans have no control over them. People cannot predict when God will do things, and I think that He chooses not to do things when people predict just to show them that He has all of the authority in the universe, and no being with a finite mind can possibly predict His timing. With the Holy Spirit, the disciples receive power. This power should be used to carry the Good News all around the Earth. Then, He was taken to Heaven. A cloud surrounded Him so that they could not see Him. Jesus has to remain mysterious in His ways because we, as humans, simply do not have the ability to understand Him. After the ascension, all of the disciples just stand around looking at the sky. While they are doing so, two men in white (Angels of the Lord) appear out of nowhere and tell them to stop that foolishness. They say He will come back to Earth the way in which He went to Heaven. That means He will come back already as a man instead of as an infant as He did the first time, no one will be able to calculate the exact time of the second coming as none predicted when He would ascend, and no one will see Him coming as He was hidden from them by a cloud when He went to Heaven. It wouldn't really make sense for Christ to come flying down from the sky in front of everyone and expect them to believe He is the Son of God based purely on faith.
The disciples leave the Mount of Olives, which is the last place Jesus' human form touched the Earth, and they went back to where they were staying and gathered with about 120 people. They devoted themselves to prayer. The first thing they wanted to do, and their primary purpose was to pray about everything. The church was just beginning so think of all that they must of had to pray for. The list today hasn't gotten any shorter, it has just transformed a bit since the early days of the church. Peter says that much of what the earlier prophet predicted had come true throughout their time with Jesus. In addition, we the reader learn that Judas has died. He bought a large piece of land with the money he earned from betraying Jesus and fell to his death there while his insides spilled out. The scripture said that his land should be deserted, which happened after he died. There was no one to live there. And someone had to take his place in order to help the other disciples spread what they had witnessed in their time with Jesus all over the world. They narrow their selection down to two men, and they prayed about which one they should accept, and eventually determined it was to be a man named Matthias.
Acts was written by Luke, who also wrote one of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote the Gospels). He starts with a brief introduction explaining the backstory of this book. He says that he wrote another book that detailed the life of Christ from birth to death to resurrection to ascension. Luke says that before He was taken back to Heaven, He left instructions with the disciples through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus stayed with the disciples for forty days after the resurrection and did amazing things to prove that He was still alive. Then, when Jesus knows that it is almost time for Him to leave the disciples permanently, He tells them that the time has come for Him to make good on the promis of the Holy Spirit. The disciples ask Him if that means that He will restore the Kingdom of Israel, but He tells them that they cannot predict the timing of God. He sets His own timetables, and humans have no control over them. People cannot predict when God will do things, and I think that He chooses not to do things when people predict just to show them that He has all of the authority in the universe, and no being with a finite mind can possibly predict His timing. With the Holy Spirit, the disciples receive power. This power should be used to carry the Good News all around the Earth. Then, He was taken to Heaven. A cloud surrounded Him so that they could not see Him. Jesus has to remain mysterious in His ways because we, as humans, simply do not have the ability to understand Him. After the ascension, all of the disciples just stand around looking at the sky. While they are doing so, two men in white (Angels of the Lord) appear out of nowhere and tell them to stop that foolishness. They say He will come back to Earth the way in which He went to Heaven. That means He will come back already as a man instead of as an infant as He did the first time, no one will be able to calculate the exact time of the second coming as none predicted when He would ascend, and no one will see Him coming as He was hidden from them by a cloud when He went to Heaven. It wouldn't really make sense for Christ to come flying down from the sky in front of everyone and expect them to believe He is the Son of God based purely on faith.
The disciples leave the Mount of Olives, which is the last place Jesus' human form touched the Earth, and they went back to where they were staying and gathered with about 120 people. They devoted themselves to prayer. The first thing they wanted to do, and their primary purpose was to pray about everything. The church was just beginning so think of all that they must of had to pray for. The list today hasn't gotten any shorter, it has just transformed a bit since the early days of the church. Peter says that much of what the earlier prophet predicted had come true throughout their time with Jesus. In addition, we the reader learn that Judas has died. He bought a large piece of land with the money he earned from betraying Jesus and fell to his death there while his insides spilled out. The scripture said that his land should be deserted, which happened after he died. There was no one to live there. And someone had to take his place in order to help the other disciples spread what they had witnessed in their time with Jesus all over the world. They narrow their selection down to two men, and they prayed about which one they should accept, and eventually determined it was to be a man named Matthias.
2 Corinthians 13
http://www.esvbible.org/2+Corinthians+13/
Paul writes that he is coming again to Corinth. He says he has already warned them, but he is warning them again that if they do not clean up their acts before he gets there, he will not spare them. They asked him how strong and powerful God is, and Paul says that he will show them if he finds that people with sinful pasts have not changed their ways. We do not serve a weak God. We do not serve a timid God. We serve a God who will strike down armies and make a whip to kick merchants out of the temple. He has the ultimate authority over us now, and again He will not be weak. He may have been weak once, while He hung dying on the cross, but that time passed, and now He stands in the Father's strength. Paul urges them to honestly look at themselves to make sure that they stil believe in the Christian faith. He tells them to test themselves to see if they will stand firm in their beliefs. Paul says that he and his followers passed the test, but that's not what he wants to prove. He wants to prove that the world may say you're failing the test of life, but only God can tell you if you are really succeeding or failing. When you speak about God, you cannot go wrong. The truth will come out. Paul tells the Corinthians that he is glad that they are so strong while he is weak, and that he is praying for their improvement. He already said that the strength of the Lord comes when we are weakest, so because the Corinthians think that they are so strong, they will not accept the strength of the Lord.
Paul ends the letter with a pleasant farewell in which he tells them that they should work on improving their lives by striving to follow the teachings of Jesus more closely. Paul hopes that they will be well until he can make it to see them next.
Paul writes that he is coming again to Corinth. He says he has already warned them, but he is warning them again that if they do not clean up their acts before he gets there, he will not spare them. They asked him how strong and powerful God is, and Paul says that he will show them if he finds that people with sinful pasts have not changed their ways. We do not serve a weak God. We do not serve a timid God. We serve a God who will strike down armies and make a whip to kick merchants out of the temple. He has the ultimate authority over us now, and again He will not be weak. He may have been weak once, while He hung dying on the cross, but that time passed, and now He stands in the Father's strength. Paul urges them to honestly look at themselves to make sure that they stil believe in the Christian faith. He tells them to test themselves to see if they will stand firm in their beliefs. Paul says that he and his followers passed the test, but that's not what he wants to prove. He wants to prove that the world may say you're failing the test of life, but only God can tell you if you are really succeeding or failing. When you speak about God, you cannot go wrong. The truth will come out. Paul tells the Corinthians that he is glad that they are so strong while he is weak, and that he is praying for their improvement. He already said that the strength of the Lord comes when we are weakest, so because the Corinthians think that they are so strong, they will not accept the strength of the Lord.
Paul ends the letter with a pleasant farewell in which he tells them that they should work on improving their lives by striving to follow the teachings of Jesus more closely. Paul hopes that they will be well until he can make it to see them next.
2 Corinthians 12
http://www.esvbible.org/2+Corinthians+12/
Paul moves on to talk about revelations and visions. He says he knows someone who was snatched up one day and taken to Heaven before being put back on Earth. This could have happened spiritually or physically. Paul does not know which happened. The Lord works in mysterious ways. We cannot hope to know all the ways of the Lord while we live here on Earth. Whenever we think we have Him figured out, He will reveal more to us to teach that He is the infinite, all powerful God, and we have finite minds that cannot comprehend what is infinite. The man had such an incredible vision that there are no words that can describe what he saw. That's what's waiting for us when we die. Something that will blow our minds so much that there are no words in existence that can capture what it truly is. Paul says that he could brag about his own visions, but he doesn't because he would rather have God validate his ability through the people he has reached. Even the apostle Paul is tempted by Satan, and he knows it. That's one way to avoid temptation is to find the areas where you know Satan can strike, will strike, or has struck. That way, you are prepared. You have a defense because you know what areas of your life need the most prayer and you can direct your attention that way. God told Paul that His power is greatest when Paul is weak. God doesn't help those who don't need help or won't accept it. Paul says that is why he only brags about his weakness. If he does so, he gets to experience and show Christ's strength.
Paul does not understand why the Corinthians have turned away from him and towards what he calls super-apostles. He says he did everything for them that they could need to see or experience or know in order to believe that he truly was an apostle from God. He didn't even ask them for help. When he returns, he still won't ask them. He sees himself as a parent to the Church at Corinth because he teaches them the ways of Christ and the Good News. He says a child should not provide for a parent, but it should be the other way around. Paul will give them whatever it takes so that they will listen. It's not possessions that Paul wants, it's people. Everyone has this amazing opportunity to live forever in the most indescribable place, so Paul wants everyone to have the chance to enjoy it.
Paul discusses how the people in Corinth have not changed since their conversions. So many times we refuse to give up our old ways because they are what we are used to or they are easier or more fun and pleasant. God sets His rules in place to look out for us. Each rule he sets has a reason for our better good. Paul says he grieves when he sees sinful people who have not changed after claiming to be Christians for so long.
Paul moves on to talk about revelations and visions. He says he knows someone who was snatched up one day and taken to Heaven before being put back on Earth. This could have happened spiritually or physically. Paul does not know which happened. The Lord works in mysterious ways. We cannot hope to know all the ways of the Lord while we live here on Earth. Whenever we think we have Him figured out, He will reveal more to us to teach that He is the infinite, all powerful God, and we have finite minds that cannot comprehend what is infinite. The man had such an incredible vision that there are no words that can describe what he saw. That's what's waiting for us when we die. Something that will blow our minds so much that there are no words in existence that can capture what it truly is. Paul says that he could brag about his own visions, but he doesn't because he would rather have God validate his ability through the people he has reached. Even the apostle Paul is tempted by Satan, and he knows it. That's one way to avoid temptation is to find the areas where you know Satan can strike, will strike, or has struck. That way, you are prepared. You have a defense because you know what areas of your life need the most prayer and you can direct your attention that way. God told Paul that His power is greatest when Paul is weak. God doesn't help those who don't need help or won't accept it. Paul says that is why he only brags about his weakness. If he does so, he gets to experience and show Christ's strength.
Paul does not understand why the Corinthians have turned away from him and towards what he calls super-apostles. He says he did everything for them that they could need to see or experience or know in order to believe that he truly was an apostle from God. He didn't even ask them for help. When he returns, he still won't ask them. He sees himself as a parent to the Church at Corinth because he teaches them the ways of Christ and the Good News. He says a child should not provide for a parent, but it should be the other way around. Paul will give them whatever it takes so that they will listen. It's not possessions that Paul wants, it's people. Everyone has this amazing opportunity to live forever in the most indescribable place, so Paul wants everyone to have the chance to enjoy it.
Paul discusses how the people in Corinth have not changed since their conversions. So many times we refuse to give up our old ways because they are what we are used to or they are easier or more fun and pleasant. God sets His rules in place to look out for us. Each rule he sets has a reason for our better good. Paul says he grieves when he sees sinful people who have not changed after claiming to be Christians for so long.
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