fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383 
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Post by fearnot on Apr 26, 2019 11:39:31 GMT -5
Acts 17: 10-15
Paul and Silas in Berea
v.10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
v.11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
v.13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
v.14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.
v.15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
So once again Paul has to escape in the night. This time he and Silas go to a small town, called Berea.
As usual, Paul goes to the synagogue ( to the Jew first).
It's interesting, when we read they were more 'noble'.....one might at first think, of nobility that comes by birth ( like kings, queens, counts, dukes, etc etc)....people 'rich' in power, status, money and so on.
But in this case, being 'noble' is equated with examining scripture....what could make a person more 'rich', 'powerful' etc. The Bereans did this examining of scripture with eagerness, not as a chore that they slog thru.
They did not just take the Word of someone else ( no matter how brilliant. learned, etc.), but they checked it out for themselves and are a good example for Christians today.
The result was that many believed, and, as God would have it, some were in fact of the 'nobility' of man ( I guess you could almost say they were twice noble LOL).
But just like clockwork, or day and night, the seasons etc.
Here comes trouble!!!
The Jews from Thessalonica came and stirred up the crowds and once again Paul and Silas had to flee, this time to Athens.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 26, 2019 11:45:28 GMT -5
Yesterday, I accidentally made a double post.....so I am using the space for today's post. So it seems like I did today's post the day before, but did not. LOL
Acts 17:16-21
Paul in Athens
v.16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
v.17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
v.18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
v.19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
v.20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”
v.21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
In Athens Paul was greatly disturbed by all the idols ( which are demonic in nature) and thus he went daily to the synagogue and marketplace to reason with the people.
The people reacted differently to him, some just considered him a 'babbler' ( sort of like a crazy guy?), while others thought he was talking about some new gods.
The Epicureans and Stoics ( supposedly great philosophers, but I think just sadly deceived).
They brought him to the Areopagus in order to get a better understanding of what he was teaching, for much of it seemed strange to them.
Apparently many people in that city spent much of their time, telling or hearing something 'new'. It reminded me of how addicted people are today of the internet, and endless temptation to learn something new.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 28, 2019 16:20:04 GMT -5
Acts 17:22-34
Paul Addresses the Areopagus
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[
25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”
33 So Paul went out from their midst.
34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
So Paul starts by mentioning that he noticed how 'religious' they were.
He bring us that they had an alter to an 'unknown' god, and explains that is the God who made everything. Not only that but God does not dwell in temples and He does not need anything from man, as he made man.
And that men should seek their Creator, tho He is not really far from us.
Paul goes on to say since we are God's offspring, then God is not an idol made of silver or stone etc.
There was a time. because God was merciful he overlooked the paganism , but such kindness ought to lead men to repent. And the fact is, there will be a day of judgement.
The proof is in the resurrection of Jesus.
But when Paul spoke of resurrection from death so scoffed, others wanted to hear more, while others believed like Dionysius, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 28, 2019 22:16:05 GMT -5
Acts 18: 1-17
Paul in Corinth
1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,
3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,
13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews,
it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
16 And he drove them from the tribunal.
17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
It is easy to see how our country was soooo blessed for a time,
without terrible persecution from the devil, fallen angels, and not a lot of trouble from non-believers, but clearly that time is ending.
As we can see, no matter where Paul goes, the enemy is not far behind.
Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met Aquila and Priscilla, tent makers by trade, as was Paul.
I can't explain why, but that always strikes me as odd. It must be some sort of residual snobbery on my part. It seems, that because Paul was so brilliant and highly educated, he would have had a more 'prestigious' line of work ( like a tutor, or doctor or something).
But in fact, I know from experience that 'sewing' can be very calming, relaxing and satisfying, so its not that I don't think cannot be a creative art....it just always seemed odd for it to be Paul's profession for some reason?
Anyway, Paul followed his usual routine, and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Paul began devoting himself completely to the word...something we all can work on doing also.
And as usual the Jews opposed and reviled him, but this time Paul does something very different....
he shook out his garments and said to them, ( among other things):
"From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
(Opposition is growing stronger all over the world against Christianity and Christians in today's world).
So perhaps this was the turning point from: to the Jew first,
and then the Gentiles ,
to now mostly focusing on the Gentiles?
It seems Paul kept his promise immediately and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a Gentile.
But God's word reaped results, as it always does ( eventually) .
For example, Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household.
And many others believed and were baptized.
The next 2 verses must have thrilled and encouraged Paul greatly:
"And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,
“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
Once again, the Jews made a united attack on Paul.
It seemingly never ends,
and I guess that is why we are told to put on the whole armor of God....
because in this life, we are soldiers in a war ( spiritual war for souls, and the enemy is fierce and unrelenting).
The Jews brought Paul up to Gallio the procouncil, however, it turned out that Gallio was not interested :
He said: “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.
But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
Well, Praise the Lord....Paul gets a respite.... yeah!
But these Jews seemed to be totally deranged .....
I guess because they did not get their way ( like a 2 year old having a temper tantrum)
they seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal.
But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
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Post by Cindy on Apr 29, 2019 9:58:43 GMT -5
Acts 17: 10-15
Paul and Silas in Berea
v.10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.
v.11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
v.13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
v.14 Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.
v.15 Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.
So once again Paul has to escape in the night. This time he and Silas go to a small town, called Berea.
As usual, Paul goes to the synagogue ( to the Jew first).
It's interesting, when we read they were more 'noble'.....one might at first think, of nobility that comes by birth ( like kings, queens, counts, dukes, etc etc)....people 'rich' in power, status, money and so on.
But in this case, being 'noble' is equated with examining scripture....what could make a person more 'rich', 'powerful' etc. The Bereans did this examining of scripture with eagerness, not as a chore that they slog thru.
They did not just take the Word of someone else ( no matter how brilliant. learned, etc.), but they checked it out for themselves and are a good example for Christians today.
The result was that many believed, and, as God would have it, some were in fact of the 'nobility' of man ( I guess you could almost say they were twice noble LOL).
But just like clockwork, or day and night, the seasons etc.
Here comes trouble!!!
The Jews from Thessalonica came and stirred up the crowds and once again Paul and Silas had to flee, this time to Athens.
One of the most important things we get from the Bereans is how they determined that what they were being told was true. They used scripture to determine the truth, NOT their feelings and not their experiences! This is upheld in other scriptures as well of course. The most important in my mind being when Peter tells about his experience of seeing the transfiguration of Jesus. Now that was an amazing experience and very emotional! Yet after telling about the experience, Peter says “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19–21) In other words, experiences and feelings are one thing, but scripture alone speaks the truth. So if the experience and or feelings don't line up with scripture, then they simply aren't true! To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. NKJV Isaiah 8:20.
Yesterday, I accidentally made a double post.....so I am using the space for today's post. So it seems like I did today's post the day before, but did not. LOL
Acts 17:16-21
Paul in Athens
v.16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
v.17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
v.18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”—because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
v.19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
v.20 For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”
v.21 Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.
In Athens Paul was greatly disturbed by all the idols ( which are demonic in nature) and thus he went daily to the synagogue and marketplace to reason with the people.
The people reacted differently to him, some just considered him a 'babbler' ( sort of like a crazy guy?), while others thought he was talking about some new gods.
The Epicureans and Stoics ( supposedly great philosophers, but I think just sadly deceived).
They brought him to the Areopagus in order to get a better understanding of what he was teaching, for much of it seemed strange to them.
Apparently many people in that city spent much of their time, telling or hearing something 'new'. It reminded me of how addicted people are today of the internet, and endless temptation to learn something new.
Epicurean philosophy taught that the chief end of man was the avoidance of pain. Epicureans were materialists—they did not deny the existence of God, but they believed He did not become involved with the affairs of men. When a person died, they believed his body and soul disintegrated. Stoic philosophy taught self-mastery—that the goal in life was to reach a place of indifference to pleasure or pain. The MacArthur study Bible
Epicureans believed in no personal, physical afterlife. “Enjoy life now” was their motto (a form of hedonism). Stoics asserted that humans must live in harmony with nature (i.e. god). They also did not believe in a personal afterlife. Luke the Historian
Acts 17:22-34
Paul Addresses the Areopagus
22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[
25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’
29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”
33 So Paul went out from their midst.
34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
So Paul starts by mentioning that he noticed how 'religious' they were.
He bring us that they had an alter to an 'unknown' god, and explains that is the God who made everything. Not only that but God does not dwell in temples and He does not need anything from man, as he made man.
And that men should seek their Creator, tho He is not really far from us.
Paul goes on to say since we are God's offspring, then God is not an idol made of silver or stone etc.
There was a time. because God was merciful he overlooked the paganism , but such kindness ought to lead men to repent. And the fact is, there will be a day of judgement.
The proof is in the resurrection of Jesus.
But when Paul spoke of resurrection from death so scoffed, others wanted to hear more, while others believed like Dionysius, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
“God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—” (Romans 3:25)
“In the past, he let all nations go their own way.” (Acts 14:16)
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
Acts 18: 1-17
Paul in Corinth
1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,
3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,
13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.
15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
16 And he drove them from the tribunal.
17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 30, 2019 10:21:18 GMT -5
How weird even Leonard saw me doing it yesterday arrrggghhh
I especially remember writing about Paul being a tent maker by trade and how that somehow seemed kind of odd to me.
I must have maybe X it out, instead of posting it?
So I will have to do it again, plus today's.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 30, 2019 10:58:48 GMT -5
Acts 18:1-17
Paul in Corinth
1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,
3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,
13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.
15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
16 And he drove them from the tribunal.
17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
This is a shorter version of what I wrote yesterday.
Paul the goes to Corinth where he meets up with husband and wife Aquila and Priscilla, tent makers like he. Somehow I thought Paul might have been a tutor, or something to do with the intellect. However, My own experience ( in the past) is sewing can be very calming and creative.
As was his habit he went to the Jews first ( and some Gentiles) and reasoned with them in the synagogue
He is an outstanding example for us in that Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. We too ought to be occupied with the word.
But, as usual, they opposed and reviled him, ....but this time he did something different
he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent.
From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
I am thinking this may have been a major turning point for Paul's ministry.....no longer the Jew first, but from now on the Gentiles.
And Paul acted immediately on it by going to the house of a Gentile named Titius Justus.
Thus many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
And the Lord encourages Paul saying in a vision And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,
“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
That can also be an encouragement to us today.
I guess there is no way around it, opposition will almost always come.
And so as usual....
the Jews made a united attack on Paul , and brought him to the proconsul, Gallio .
But Gallio would have none of what he deemed the Jews:
'questions about words and names and your own law'.
The Jews like a bunch 2 year olds having a temper tantrum, because they did not get their own way, beat Sosthenes,the ruler of the synagogue.
But Gallio would not budge ( in a way, like a wise who mom will not cave when her 2 year old has a tempter tantrum!)!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on Apr 30, 2019 12:04:46 GMT -5
Acts 18: 18-21
Paul Returns to Antioch
v.18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
v.19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
v.20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined.
v.21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
v.22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.
v.23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
After a time Paul set sail for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila went with him.
At the town Cenchreae he cut his hair because of a vow.
Then when they came to Ephesus he left Priscilla and Aquilla there.
He did go into the synagogue there but when asked to stay awhile longer he said no, but if God should so will, he would return.
He sails on to Caesarea and greeted the church, and then off to Antioch, where he spent some time there.
Then he traveled throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, encouraging and strengthening the disciples.
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Post by Cindy on May 1, 2019 10:02:26 GMT -5
How weird even Leonard saw me doing it yesterday arrrggghhh
I especially remember writing about Paul being a tent maker by trade and how that somehow seemed kind of odd to me.
I must have maybe X it out, instead of posting it?
So I will have to do it again, plus today's.
Acts 18:1-17
Paul in Corinth
1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,
3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.
8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,
13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”
14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint.
15 But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.”
16 And he drove them from the tribunal.
17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
This is a shorter version of what I wrote yesterday.
Paul the goes to Corinth where he meets up with husband and wife Aquila and Priscilla, tent makers like he. Somehow I thought Paul might have been a tutor, or something to do with the intellect. However, My own experience ( in the past) is sewing can be very calming and creative.
As was his habit he went to the Jews first ( and some Gentiles) and reasoned with them in the synagogue
He is an outstanding example for us in that Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. We too ought to be occupied with the word.
But, as usual, they opposed and reviled him, ....but this time he did something different
he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent.
From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
I am thinking this may have been a major turning point for Paul's ministry.....no longer the Jew first, but from now on the Gentiles.
And Paul acted immediately on it by going to the house of a Gentile named Titius Justus.
Thus many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.
And the Lord encourages Paul saying in a vision And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,
“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,
10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
That can also be an encouragement to us today.
I guess there is no way around it, opposition will almost always come.
And so as usual....
the Jews made a united attack on Paul , and brought him to the proconsul, Gallio .
But Gallio would have none of what he deemed the Jews:
'questions about words and names and your own law'.
The Jews like a bunch 2 year olds having a temper tantrum, because they did not get their own way, beat Sosthenes,the ruler of the synagogue.
But Gallio would not budge ( in a way, like a wise who mom will not cave when her 2 year old has a tempter tantrum!)!!
See Acts 13:46; Acts 18:6; Acts 26:20; Acts 28:28, etc.
When Paul shook out his clothes, it was the same as shaking the dust off his feet, he was actually obeying what Jesus had told his disciples to do: “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.” (Matthew 10:14) He was also obeying what we're told in the OT: “When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.” (Ezekiel 3:18–19) Paul took the passage from Ezekiel very seriously, as we should too. That's why he made sure he told everyone about Jesus. It wasn't his job to convert them, that's the Holy Spirit's job; but it was his job to inform them, just as it's our job as well.
I think it's kind of funny that first Crispis and his family get saved and leave the synagogue, then Sosthenes takes his place, get beaten, gets saved and leaves too! (that is of course if it's the same man Paul mentions here: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,” 1 Corinthians 1:1) So the Jews would have had to find a third leader for themselves lol!
Acts 18: 18-21
Paul Returns to Antioch
v.18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow.
v.19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
v.20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined.
v.21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
v.22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.
v.23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
After a time Paul set sail for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila went with him.
At the town Cenchreae he cut his hair because of a vow.
Then when they came to Ephesus he left Priscilla and Aquilla there.
He did go into the synagogue there but when asked to stay awhile longer he said no, but if God should so will, he would return.
He sails on to Caesarea and greeted the church, and then off to Antioch, where he spent some time there.
Then he traveled throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, encouraging and strengthening the disciples.
Also, the vow Paul made had nothing to do with his salvation. It was the limited Nazarite vow and simply showed devotion to the Lord. We're not told when he made the vow...it could have even been before he was saved.
Another important thing to notice is that because Paul took Priscilla and Aquila with him, it shows that he felt there was sufficient leadership there so that they wouldn't be needed. He always made sure that each place had leaders who had become mature in their faith.
This reminded me that even though Paul had that amazing experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus that converted him, he never used his experience to get either Jews or Gentiles to come to faith. Instead, he reasoned with them from God's Word. With Jew's he showed them how Jesus fulfilled the prophesies and with Gentiles he started with creation.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 1, 2019 11:03:27 GMT -5
That is a good point about Paul not using his experience with Jesus to try to convert people but rather scripture. I think I would have been tempted to do so. But I know its the Word that is living and God's Spirit does the convicting.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 1, 2019 11:35:24 GMT -5
Acts 18:24-28
Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus
v.24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
v. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
v.26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
v.27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,
v. 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
What struck me about Apollos was that he was competent in the scriptures. What an honor to have that said about a person, would that it were true for all Christians, starting with me.
But alas, I doubt I will live long enough, still, I will do what I can with what time I have left.
Not only that but he was fervent in the spirit and he taught accurately of God. I think we need so many more Christians like that, but alas, it seems like we have less and less. Still we are blessed with a remnant of Godly Christians and Christian pastors.
The other thing that amazed me ( and it always does with whatever Christian has this ability) he spoke boldly.
Even so, we need each other,
and so,
Priscilla and Aquila after hearing him,
they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
That reminds me of what you do for me here ( tho I am not fearless and bold, still :-)
Apollos then went to Achaia and greatly helped those there, as well as refuting the Jews in public...
showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Tho Apollos was an eloquent man....he used the scriptures, not his eloquence.
Well he may have done so ( used eloquence),
as he used the scriptures to prove Jesus was God
but, he did not rely on his human gift,
but rather, God's Word.
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Post by Cindy on May 2, 2019 12:09:31 GMT -5
That is a good point about Paul not using his experience with Jesus to try to convert people but rather scripture. I think I would have been tempted to do so. But I know its the Word that is living and God's Spirit does the convicting.Acts 18:24-28
Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus
v.24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
v. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
v.26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
v.27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,
v. 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
What struck me about Apollos was that he was competent in the scriptures. What an honor to have that said about a person, would that it were true for all Christians, starting with me.
But alas, I doubt I will live long enough, still, I will do what I can with what time I have left.
Not only that but he was fervent in the spirit and he taught accurately of God. I think we need so many more Christians like that, but alas, it seems like we have less and less. Still we are blessed with a remnant of Godly Christians and Christian pastors.
The other thing that amazed me ( and it always does with whatever Christian has this ability) he spoke boldly.
Even so, we need each other,
and so,
Priscilla and Aquila after hearing him,
they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
That reminds me of what you do for me here ( tho I am not fearless and bold, still :-)
Apollos then went to Achaia and greatly helped those there, as well as refuting the Jews in public...
showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Tho Apollos was an eloquent man....he used the scriptures, not his eloquence.
Well he may have done so ( used eloquence),
as he used the scriptures to prove Jesus was God
but, he did not rely on his human gift,
but rather, God's Word.
competent - having requisite or adequate ability. synonyms SUFFICIENT, adequate, acceptable. I must be a very poor teacher and partner if you really think you're not competent in knowing and understanding God's Word after all the years we've been working on it together. We started working together in January of 2012, so we've been at this for 7 and a half years now!
It's important to notice in this section how Priscilla and Aquila handled the problem of him not knowing about Jesus, even though he taught the scriptures correctly up to that point. Many of us today would have publicly stopped him and made a scene about him not knowing the full truth. That's not how they handled it though and God put this here so we'd know how to handle something like this. They took him aside privately, and invited him to their home. Once there, they explained about Jesus, His death and resurrection, and what Jesus taught about Christian living, about loving others, forgiveness etc. If he had rejected what they taught him, then he would have become a false teacher. But he didn't. The Holy Spirit was at work in him, and he took it all in and understood that Jesus was the Messiah and went on to become a great teacher and witness for Christ.
One other thing we should notice, is that each place Paul went to speak, regardless of how long or short his stay was, he left behind people that were well grounded in God's Word and able to teach other believers and help them grow in their faith. No one was left floundering or wondering what to do with the information about Jesus, or how to live the Christian life. They were taught all that and taught to count the cost too for the cost is high. They didn't tell people that life would be a bed or roses, or that they'd be healthy, and wealthy. They told them that they'd suffer and go through trials, but that Jesus would reward them far above anything they could even imagine having here. Sadly we don't see much, if any of this today. When people "witness" today, they're lucky if they hear the basic gospel message and are then left to figure out the rest themselves.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 2, 2019 12:10:10 GMT -5
Acts 19: 1-10
Paul in Ephesus
v.1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.
v.2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
v.3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.”
v.4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
v.5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
v.6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
v. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
v.8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
v.9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
v.10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Now Paul comes to Ephesus and found some disciples. He asks them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed and they did not even know anything about the Holy spirit.
It seems they might have still been followers of John the Baptist, and had been baptized the baptism of John which was of repentance.....
but they did not really know of Jesus, and therefore had not received the Holy Spirit.
There were 12 of these men and they did receive the Holy Spirit.
Paul stayed for about 3 months speaking boldly, reasoning and persuading them about God's kingdom.
But of course, opposition came when some became stubborn and were in unbelief.
They spoke evil of the Way....not unlike what is ramping up in our time.
It got so bad thaaat Paul withdrew from the synagogue and instead they went to the hall of Tyrannus.
This continued for 2 years, so that many in Asia (both Jews and Greeks) heard the Word of the Lord.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 2, 2019 12:20:45 GMT -5
I wondered how long it had been:
"We started working together in January of 2012, so we've been at this for 7 and a half years now"!
I was thinking that competent would be sort of like John MacArthur who has spent most of his whole life in studying scripture. I know that even people like him will never come to the end of studying learning etc. the Bible, but that was what I was thinking the word competent meant.
And even so Apollos did not have even some of the basics.....
So I tho I was thinking it was more like an expert, master etc.
I guess capable is more the correct meaning.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 3, 2019 10:09:15 GMT -5
Acts 19:11-20
The Sons of Sceva
v.11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
v.12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
v.13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
v.14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.
v.15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
v.16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
v.17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
v.18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.
v.19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
v.20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
I am not sure if there are miracles and also extraordinary miracles, but the fact that handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched Paul, seems to not be something for today, but rather something perhaps at the beginning of the church?
It was the faith in God rather than the material or even Paul that cured people of diseases and evil demons.
However, it appears the seven son of Sceva were greatly confused and thought they could control God's miracles themselves.
So when two of the brothers tried it on a demon possessed man, they said:
"I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims"
Which pretty much shows they themselves did not believe, but they were trying to work magic by words....tying their coattails to Paul and somehow to Jesus.
Actually the evil spirit, kind of set their foolish straight by replying to them:
“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
Magic is not a miracle and just reciting words is not faith....and to do this, can have severe
consequences ( sometimes sooner or later). For these two brothers it was immediate, as the evil spirit leaped on them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Nevertheless, God was able to use their foolishness for the good of many others, because this became know to other and fear came on them. The name of the Lord Jesus was extolled
It turns out many of the believers had practiced magic before conversion and now they confessed that and brought all their magic books to be burned ( which turned out to be a lot of money had been spent in the purchase of these books).
There is a part of me that wishes some evil books were burned.....burning and banning books is no longer tolerated.....tho, I think the day may not be too far off, when the world will be ok with at least one book to be banned and burned.....the Bible.
Which is why, I am making some effort in memorizing again. I want to ramp up my memorizing even more.
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Post by Cindy on May 3, 2019 10:46:05 GMT -5
Acts 19: 1-10
Paul in Ephesus
v.1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.
v.2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
v.3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.”
v.4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.”
v.5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
v.6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
v. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
v.8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.
v.9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
v.10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Now Paul comes to Ephesus and found some disciples. He asks them if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed and they did not even know anything about the Holy spirit.
It seems they might have still been followers of John the Baptist, and had been baptized the baptism of John which was of repentance.....
but they did not really know of Jesus, and therefore had not received the Holy Spirit.
There were 12 of these men and they did receive the Holy Spirit.
Paul stayed for about 3 months speaking boldly, reasoning and persuading them about God's kingdom.
But of course, opposition came when some became stubborn and were in unbelief.
They spoke evil of the Way....not unlike what is ramping up in our time.
It got so bad thaaat Paul withdrew from the synagogue and instead they went to the hall of Tyrannus.
This continued for 2 years, so that many in Asia (both Jews and Greeks) heard the Word of the Lord.
When Paul arrived back in Ephesus, he met twelve men who professed to be Christian “disciples” but whose lives gave evidence that something was lacking. Paul asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2) The question was important because the witness of the Spirit is the one indispensable proof that a person is truly born again (Rom. 8:9, 16; 1 John 5:9–13), & you receive the Spirit when you believe on Jesus (Eph. 1:13). Their reply revealed the vagueness & uncertainty of their faith, for they did not even know that the Holy Spirit had been given! They knew that there was a Holy Spirit, & that the Spirit would one day baptize God’s people. It is possible that these men were Apollos’ early “converts” & therefore did not fully understand what Christ had done. Why did Paul ask about their baptism? Because in the Book of Acts, a person’s baptismal experience is an indication of his or her spiritual experience. Acts 1–10 records a transition period in the history of the church, from the Apostles’ ministry to the Jews to their ministry to the Gentiles. During this transition period, Peter used “the keys of the kingdom” (Matt. 16:19) and opened the door of faith to the Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8:14ff), and finally to the Gentiles (Acts 10). It is important to note that God’s pattern for today is given in Acts 10:43–48: sinners hear the Word, they believe on Jesus Christ, they immediately receive the Spirit, and then they are baptized. The Gentiles in Acts 10 did not receive the Spirit by means of water baptism or by the laying on of the Apostles’ hands (Acts 8:14–17). The Bible exposition commentary I wondered how long it had been:
"We started working together in January of 2012, so we've been at this for 7 and a half years now"!
I was thinking that competent would be sort of like John MacArthur who has spent most of his whole life in studying scripture. I know that even people like him will never come to the end of studying learning etc. the Bible, but that was what I was thinking the word competent meant.
And even so Apollos did not have even some of the basics.....
So I tho I was thinking it was more like an expert, master etc.
I guess capable is more the correct meaning.
Acts 19:11-20
The Sons of Sceva
v.11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,
v.12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
v.13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
v.14 Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.
v.15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
v.16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
v.17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled.
v.18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their practices.
v.19 And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver.
v.20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.
I am not sure if there are miracles and also extraordinary miracles, but the fact that handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched Paul, seems to not be something for today, but rather something perhaps at the beginning of the church?
It was the faith in God rather than the material or even Paul that cured people of diseases and evil demons.
However, it appears the seven son of Sceva were greatly confused and thought they could control God's miracles themselves.
So when two of the brothers tried it on a demon possessed man, they said:
"I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims"
Which pretty much shows they themselves did not believe, but they were trying to work magic by words....tying their coattails to Paul and somehow to Jesus.
Actually the evil spirit, kind of set their foolish straight by replying to them:
“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”
Magic is not a miracle and just reciting words is not faith....and to do this, can have severe
consequences ( sometimes sooner or later). For these two brothers it was immediate, as the evil spirit leaped on them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Nevertheless, God was able to use their foolishness for the good of many others, because this became know to other and fear came on them. The name of the Lord Jesus was extolled
It turns out many of the believers had practiced magic before conversion and now they confessed that and brought all their magic books to be burned ( which turned out to be a lot of money had been spent in the purchase of these books).
There is a part of me that wishes some evil books were burned.....burning and banning books is no longer tolerated.....tho, I think the day may not be too far off, when the world will be ok with at least one book to be banned and burned.....the Bible.
Which is why, I am making some effort in memorizing again. I want to ramp up my memorizing even more.
No, their faith didn't cure them hon. God cured them. Just as when Jesus healed people, some believed, some didn't; some had faith, some had none at all. Some believed afterward, but many didn't. In this case though, the miracles caused the gospel to spread like wildfire in Asia. We tend to think people must have faith to be cured, but the Bible says the opposite. God chooses who's cured and when and how. Faith is a gift from God and so is healing. He grants it any way He chooses.
The price of the scrolls and books amounted to about $8,500 in 1961, so it would be a lot more then that now! $8,500 in 1965 = $68,594.19 in 2019 so it would be even more then that as we skipped 4 years.
It's quite possible that the Bible will be banned, if not now, then during the Tribulation. I feel the same way and am trying to memorize as much as I can. 
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 4, 2019 11:17:15 GMT -5
Acts 19:21-41
A Riot at Ephesus
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.
24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.
25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.
26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.
27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel.
30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.
32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.
34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.
38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”
41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
There is no getting around it. There is evil and sin in this world, and together they will fight to the bitter end against God and His chosen. They might seem almost gone for awhile, but they always regroup and come back with a vengeance!
So now in Ephesus, evil is back and is furious. Idols and money, two things the unsaved find worthy of starting a riot about.
It seems like this all started with a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis....and he gained a lot of wealth this way. Turns out he was beginning to lose business because of the Way.
So he gathered other men in similar trade and got them all fired up by saying:
"Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods."
But to really convict them he further stated:
And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Well that did it!!
"When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
So the city was filled with the confusion....it seems like confusion is one of satan's tricks.
That is why it is important to know what you believe and why, our God is not a God of confusion.
so the people went to the theater but the assembly was in confusion....most of them did not know why they had come together"
This reminds me of the 60's or 70's when I went will thousands of other hippies, activists etc. to Washington to protest the war. Honestly, I had no idea of what the war was about, why we were protesting....except some vague notion of we should all 'love' and have 'peace'.
I was actually in great confusion, and was just a 'useful idiot' like a puppet....with a wooden head, just dancing as someone pulled the strings. And there was a lot of violence and clashes with the police....over what, I had no real idea, except I was convinced the police were the bad guys too. So sad!
Anyway, the crowd dragged Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel, with them.
Paul wanted to go but his friends would not allow him.....when things like this get to the boiling point, violence and even deaths may not be far away.
Finally tho, the town clerk was able to quiet the crowd, and said whatever the grievances were they should be settled in court.
It might be that this idol was carved from a meteorite?
Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky
And that makes me think of Islam because they have some ' black stone' they worship.
All of which makes me think of satan once again counterfeiting the real......
Jesus is the cornerstone and the rock of our salvation.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 5, 2019 10:15:37 GMT -5
Acts 20:1-6
Paul in Macedonia and Greece
1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.
3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,
6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
You might think that after constant trials and tribulations, Paul might get so tired that he might just figure he had done what he could, and now just rest.....but no, he determined to finish the race God set before him.
So after the uproar, he called the disciples and encouraged them.
He was not deterred, and he uplifted others rather than sink into despair.
After all a riot is not a small thing.
If we had such a riot here today, people would be spending months in counseling.
Not only was he not intimidated, he simply went forward and on to Macedonia, and continued to encourage the believers.
He then stayed 3 months in Greece, when of course......
satan once again attempted to attack him thru a plot by the Jews, and so he returned to Macedonia.
In the next verses we see how the church is growing .
After the feast of unleavened bread he came to Troas, and stayed for seven days.
Paul is such an amazing example, he does not give up to discouragement, but continues to do God's will and trusts in the Lord, no matter what the enemy throws at him.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 5, 2019 17:41:16 GMT -5
I don't know if you were aware Warren Wiersbe died on May 2nd?
He is with the Lord now.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 6, 2019 10:17:59 GMT -5
Acts 20:7-16
Eutychus Raised from the Dead
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”
11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.
12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.
15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
I couldn't help but think when reading this, how many in the church today, can barely get through sitting in church for an hour.....so I don't think we can fault this young man. After all he came there instead of going out to a pub or just going home to sleep.
However, it seems like Paul talked almost all night.
But around midnight a young man named Eutychus (perhaps very tired from a long hard day at work?) sank into a deep sleep, and because he was sitting by a window, he fell down 3 stories. Luke, a doctor said he was dead, but God worked a miracle thru Paul, and the young man was resurrected.
What seems wonderful to me, is Paul's totally trust in the Lord. I think if it had been me, I might have been so shaken by that event, I could not have gone on conversing until morning, however that is what Paul did.
And the resurrection of the boy brought great comfort to the saints, not only that he was brought back to life, but also that demonstrated to them and to us, God's great power.
The next morning they left and set sail.
Paul had decided not to go to Ephesus, because he wanted to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
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Post by Cindy on May 6, 2019 10:38:03 GMT -5
Acts 19:21-41
A Riot at Ephesus
21 Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22 And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way.
24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen.
25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.
26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.
27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29 So the city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel.
30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him. 31 And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater.
32 Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd.
34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess.
38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.”
41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
There is no getting around it. There is evil and sin in this world, and together they will fight to the bitter end against God and His chosen. They might seem almost gone for awhile, but they always regroup and come back with a vengeance!
So now in Ephesus, evil is back and is furious. Idols and money, two things the unsaved find worthy of starting a riot about.
It seems like this all started with a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis....and he gained a lot of wealth this way. Turns out he was beginning to lose business because of the Way.
So he gathered other men in similar trade and got them all fired up by saying:
"Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods."
But to really convict them he further stated:
And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”
Well that did it!!
"When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
So the city was filled with the confusion....it seems like confusion is one of satan's tricks.
That is why it is important to know what you believe and why, our God is not a God of confusion.
so the people went to the theater but the assembly was in confusion....most of them did not know why they had come together"
This reminds me of the 60's or 70's when I went will thousands of other hippies, activists etc. to Washington to protest the war. Honestly, I had no idea of what the war was about, why we were protesting....except some vague notion of we should all 'love' and have 'peace'.
I was actually in great confusion, and was just a 'useful idiot' like a puppet....with a wooden head, just dancing as someone pulled the strings. And there was a lot of violence and clashes with the police....over what, I had no real idea, except I was convinced the police were the bad guys too. So sad!
Anyway, the crowd dragged Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in travel, with them.
Paul wanted to go but his friends would not allow him.....when things like this get to the boiling point, violence and even deaths may not be far away.
Finally tho, the town clerk was able to quiet the crowd, and said whatever the grievances were they should be settled in court.
It might be that this idol was carved from a meteorite?
Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky
And that makes me think of Islam because they have some ' black stone' they worship.
All of which makes me think of satan once again counterfeiting the real......
Jesus is the cornerstone and the rock of our salvation.
Yes, Paul wanted to go, as all he could think about was what a fantastic opportunity to preach the gospel it would be!  That's great that you saw the connection between their idol and our "rock!
There's an important thing to learn here at the end when the official makes his statement though. He clears Paul and his friends of any crime! That shows us that the persecution of the Christian church was incited by unbelieving Jews and not by the Romans. Paul had this same kind of official approval in Philippi (Acts 16:35–40) and in Corinth (Acts 18:12–17); and would receive it again after his arrest in Jerusalem.
Acts 20:1-6
Paul in Macedonia and Greece
1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.
2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.
3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,
6 but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
You might think that after constant trials and tribulations, Paul might get so tired that he might just figure he had done what he could, and now just rest.....but no, he determined to finish the race God set before him.
So after the uproar, he called the disciples and encouraged them.
He was not deterred, and he uplifted others rather than sink into despair.
After all a riot is not a small thing.
If we had such a riot here today, people would be spending months in counseling.
Not only was he not intimidated, he simply went forward and on to Macedonia, and continued to encourage the believers.
He then stayed 3 months in Greece, when of course......
satan once again attempted to attack him thru a plot by the Jews, and so he returned to Macedonia.
In the next verses we see how the church is growing .
After the feast of unleavened bread he came to Troas, and stayed for seven days.
Paul is such an amazing example, he does not give up to discouragement, but continues to do God's will and trusts in the Lord, no matter what the enemy throws at him.
I don't know if you were aware Warren Wiersbe died on May 2nd?
He is with the Lord now. |
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Post by Cindy on May 7, 2019 9:19:18 GMT -5
Acts 20:7-16
Eutychus Raised from the Dead
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
9 And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”
11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.
12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.
15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
I couldn't help but think when reading this, how many in the church today, can barely get through sitting in church for an hour.....so I don't think we can fault this young man. After all he came there instead of going out to a pub or just going home to sleep.
However, it seems like Paul talked almost all night.
But around midnight a young man named Eutychus (perhaps very tired from a long hard day at work?) sank into a deep sleep, and because he was sitting by a window, he fell down 3 stories. Luke, a doctor said he was dead, but God worked a miracle thru Paul, and the young man was resurrected.
What seems wonderful to me, is Paul's totally trust in the Lord. I think if it had been me, I might have been so shaken by that event, I could not have gone on conversing until morning, however that is what Paul did.
And the resurrection of the boy brought great comfort to the saints, not only that he was brought back to life, but also that demonstrated to them and to us, God's great power.
The next morning they left and set sail.
Paul had decided not to go to Ephesus, because he wanted to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.
Paul treated the boy in a similar way that Elijah and Elisha did. (1 Kings 17:21; 2 Kings 4:34–35)
What's neat is that they'd just celebrated the Lord's supper together, remembering the Lord's death and resurrection; then Eutychus falls and dies, and God uses Paul to resurrect him, proving the power of what they'd just celebrated!
It's true what you said about the church today, that they can barely get through sitting in church for an hour, and many think that a sermon that lasts for more then 30 minutes is way to long. They want to get in and out as quick as they can so they can say they did their duty. But those who love the Lord, and love His Word, could easily sit all day listening to His Word being explained and shown how to apply it. Because for them, nothing is more important then the Lord and they love Him and his Word more then anything.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 7, 2019 11:08:23 GMT -5
Acts 20: 17-38
Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,
27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Paul tells the elders that he served the Lord with humility, tears and with trials.
I am thinking this might be a standard for us as well. Jesus did say we would have trials, and we need to not think highly of ourselves but be humble.
He also did not shrink from declaring anything that was profitable.
I am thinking Paul's love for the Lord Jesus must have been immense, because he seemingly did not fear people. Tho he loved people and spent his life giving them the gospel, he loved Jesus way more.
There are things in the gospel that people do not want to hear and it offends many and makes them incensed and super angry.
I sadly can only concluded Paul had so much more and a greater love than I for people and more importantly for our Lord Jesus. I certainly want so badly to be bold and fearless like Paul, but there is no comparison at all. However, I am not totally despairing, as I know God is still working on me, and tho I may never be a Paul, I may yet be more bold, less cowardly and more loving.
If that was not enough, Paul goes on to tell them: "I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[d] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me".
Knowing in advance, imprisonment and more afflictions awaited him, did not stop Paul!!
It reminds me of the verse that says without faith it is impossible to please God. I think Paul ( in part?) faced all these hurtful, unpleasant trials, by being certain that it would all work to the good, for Paul, for other people and to God be the glory.
Furthermore Paul also stayed super humble: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God"
I think one of my problems with fear of sharing or talking about my faith, love of Jesus and salvation, and being combined with lack of true love for others, etc.
is, I am still way too concerned about getting my feelings hurt,
if when sharing the gospel, they get angry, lash out and 'hurt my feelings'.
That is not being like Paul, in not accounting my life of little value ( it is valuable, but not in a self-centered way, is what I mean).
Paul then goes on to say:
"I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things...."
Well, that certainly came true, and is still true today. We still have fierce wolves, in Christendom, speaking twisted things.
However, what to do?
Paul commended them to God and to the word of his grace, which (was) and is able to build you/us up and to give you/us the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
He then reminds them ( and us/me): "we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive".
Then they prayed and accompanied him to the ship.
I think reading and studying the Bible and prayer are perhaps the very best weapons for all manner of trials.
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Post by Cindy on May 8, 2019 13:20:24 GMT -5
Acts 20: 17-38
Paul Speaks to the Ephesian Elders
17 Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;
20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,
21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all,
27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Paul tells the elders that he served the Lord with humility, tears and with trials.
I am thinking this might be a standard for us as well. Jesus did say we would have trials, and we need to not think highly of ourselves but be humble.
He also did not shrink from declaring anything that was profitable.
I am thinking Paul's love for the Lord Jesus must have been immense, because he seemingly did not fear people. Tho he loved people and spent his life giving them the gospel, he loved Jesus way more.
There are things in the gospel that people do not want to hear and it offends many and makes them incensed and super angry.
I sadly can only concluded Paul had so much more and a greater love than I for people and more importantly for our Lord Jesus. I certainly want so badly to be bold and fearless like Paul, but there is no comparison at all. However, I am not totally despairing, as I know God is still working on me, and tho I may never be a Paul, I may yet be more bold, less cowardly and more loving.
If that was not enough, Paul goes on to tell them: "I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by[d] the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me".
Knowing in advance, imprisonment and more afflictions awaited him, did not stop Paul!!
It reminds me of the verse that says without faith it is impossible to please God. I think Paul ( in part?) faced all these hurtful, unpleasant trials, by being certain that it would all work to the good, for Paul, for other people and to God be the glory.
Furthermore Paul also stayed super humble: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God"
I think one of my problems with fear of sharing or talking about my faith, love of Jesus and salvation, and being combined with lack of true love for others, etc.
is, I am still way too concerned about getting my feelings hurt,
if when sharing the gospel, they get angry, lash out and 'hurt my feelings'.
That is not being like Paul, in not accounting my life of little value ( it is valuable, but not in a self-centered way, is what I mean).
Paul then goes on to say:
"I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things...."
Well, that certainly came true, and is still true today. We still have fierce wolves, in Christendom, speaking twisted things.
However, what to do?
Paul commended them to God and to the word of his grace, which (was) and is able to build you/us up and to give you/us the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
He then reminds them ( and us/me): "we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive".
Then they prayed and accompanied him to the ship.
I think reading and studying the Bible and prayer are perhaps the very best weapons for all manner of trials.
Again you're right about Paul loving the Lord Jesus so much more than anyone or anything else. He lived for Jesus, not because of some sense of duty or out of fear, but simply because he loved Jesus so very much. Paul loved Jesus the way Jesus loves the Father. The neat thing is that the more time we spend in God's Word and prayer, the more our love for God and Jesus will grow. Whether we realize it or not, we're imitating Paul, because our love for the Lord is growing daily, and the more it grows, the less fear we will have about anything or anyone. That's why Paul spoke to Timothy about speaking to people about the gospel or admonishing those who need it. For a long time I didn't pay attention to the context of this very familiar verse, but that's what it's all about, and as such is a great encouragement to us: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” (2 Timothy 1:7–9) And Paul continues talking about this for a while after this. It's a great part to read to encourage us to speak up.
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:24)
Again, I love what Wiersbe says about this: "God gave you natural life, but He also gave you spiritual life through faith in Jesus Christ. God made you and God saved you. The life you have, physically and spiritually, is the gift of God. It was the will of God that was uppermost in Paul’s life. His life was not a treasure for him to guard; it was a treasure for him to invest by yielding to Christ. The important thing is that we obey the rules, keep running for the prize, and stay in the correct lane. If we do, then God will reward us at the end of the course. If we fail to run as we should, we will lose our reward. We need to feed on the Word of God, breathe the pure air of heaven as we pray, and rest in the Lord and trust Him for the strength we need. One of the worst things a runner can do is keep looking back. Paul's sole purpose is to serve his master and please him. “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor. 4:2). The steward must one day give an account of his ministry, & Paul was ready for that day. The next picture is that of the witness, “testifying of the Gospel of the grace of God”. The word means “to solemnly give witness,” and it reminds us of the seriousness of the message and of the ministry. As we share the Gospel with others, it is a matter of life or death. Paul was a faithful witness both in the life he lived and the message he preached."
Being afraid of our feelings being hurt is something we all have to deal with. But when we examine our fear with the Lord's help, we discover that the fear comes because we love ourselves more then we love God or other people. Because we love ourselves more, we want to protect ourselves, and our feelings. We don't want to trust God to protect us and to do what's right by us. We think we know better and we trust our feelings more then we trust God and His Word, even though He's told us that our feelings (and thoughts like that) are corrupted. So, in the long run it boils down to being part of our sin nature and the only cure is to grow in our love for God and others. We do that through daily time spent in the Bible and prayer and praise. (I often forget to add that last part - praise - but it's very important too!) Listen to what the apostles say about this:
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:15–16) Amazing, if we're spending that time with God in His Word daily, then by actually applying it and speaking the truth in love even though it scares us, that will cause us to grow in our love for God and others! Isn't that so much like our Lord? He always seems to give us answers after we obey Him, not before, and in this case, our love will grow even more AFTER we've obeyed Him and spoken the truth in love!!! I see it as a major booster shot of love being given to us when we've obeyed Him! Also, when we obey, it actually helps the whole body of Christ to grow!
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3–4) Again, our faith will grow as our love for God and others grows, and that will increase all the fruits of the Spirit in us!
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18) Here's we're actually commanded to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus, and that, as we've seen, increases our love. To grow in grace means to become more like the Lord Jesus, from whom we receive all the grace that we need (John 1:16).
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:10–12) He continues with more even after this. And again we see that growing in the knowledge of God, causes us to be strengthened with power and bear fruit for Him in our life.
So you can see, it's all about being in God's Word with Him, praying, and praising Him every single day, that will cause us to grow in our love for Him and for others. I'm sure you can easily see why the church is anemic and weak now, falling captive to sin and the doctrines of demons, since most people who claim to be Christians don't spend time in their Bible at all and often the only time they hear it is if it's read at church or they see a verse on facebook! (Just as Paul warned!)
Then, after that very dire warning, Paul says: ““Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32) See how that links together with all the verses I quoted above? He's commending us to spend time daily in God's Word with Him, as that's what renews our minds, and grows our love for God and others, which removes fear, increases self discipline, (self control) and enables us to abide in Christ instead of ourselves, living and speaking the truth in love in His power, not in our own measly strength.
Yes, reading and studying the Bible with the Lord, praying and praising Him are the very best and in fact the only weapons for all of our life, to make us victors instead of victims!" Which is why I'm always pushing people to spend time with the Lord in His Word every day so constantly! I know people must be sick of hearing it, but it's so important and so few actually do it. It breaks my heart to see people walking around like the walking dead, when they should be and could be living joyous and victorious lives in Christ. I have one answer for people who ask me things like, "how can I grow in my faith?" "How can I have God's peace?" "how can I stop worrying so much?" "how can I be a better parent/grandparent?" "how can I ever forgive the person who hurt me?" "how can I have more joy in my life?" The answer to all those and many more is: spend more time with the Lord in His Word every day! the more time we spend with Him, the faster we'll grow!
 you're doing great! Keep up the good work!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 8, 2019 13:50:17 GMT -5
Acts 21:1-16
Paul Goes to Jerusalem
21 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.
4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed
6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the and stayed with them for one day.
8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.
16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Paul journeys on towards Jerusalem.
They stay in Tyre for 7 days. While there he sought out the disciples and those disciples through the Spirit were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
I guess Paul was being given information ( or perhaps more confirmation, of what God's will for him would be in Jerusalem).
When Paul was leaving Tyre all the disciples and their family, went to the beach and prayed with Paul and his companions .
A reminder to me, that prayer is always necessary.
They then stay in Caesarea, with Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, who had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
I have a feeling the 4 daughters who prophesied caused and causes a lot of false gospel
( tho that is not its intention) .
It's one of those things if a person does not read the whole counsel of God, then they can make all sorts of false claims:
like:
women were allowed to prophesy in church back then, and therefore should do so now.
However this verse did not say where they prophesied ,and, woman were NOT to teach men....
People might wrongly use this verse for the Pentecostal movement,
and for people using their imagination for having a 'word from the Lord'......
thus bring a curse on themselves because they are 'adding to the Bible'.
They may wrongly use it to say, woman prophets were plentiful in those days,
and must be in ours as well.
But this passage of scripture only mentions 4 virgin daughters.
Further it should be noted, these 4 woman did not do the prophesying to Paul!!!
Instead, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
I think its important to state it again: although Paul was right there, as were the 4 virgins,
they did NOT prophesied to Paul,
rather...... Aqabus came from Judea to do so.
Well, what Aqabus had to say was not exactly fun and games.
Once again if it were me, I would have been sorely tempted and probably so fearful, I would not have continued on the Jerusalem!!
In fact, the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
I would have convinced myself, that the people there were only confirming a 'smart' choice!!
But not Paul!! He always looked to the Lord!!!
His answer to them is super important to Christians today.
First, we have to beware of putting ourselves and others ( for safety sake) above God,
and at the same time, being discouraging to them.
We may think we are just being loving, when with our tears, we encourage them to do the safe thing,
the thing that will probably keep them from getting or being killed.
However, we should considered what Paul said:
"Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
And perhaps instead, our answer should be: “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
I am not suggesting there might not be times, ( like for example) when perhaps a person wanting to go to a very dangerous part of the world as a missionary....they might not be ready,
and we might council them to wait a short bit.
But, I know for myself, cowardliness runs deep in my soul, because I am nor focused on letting the will of the Lord be done and in trusting Him.
So not only do I need to be aware of trusting God more, but of not discouraging others due to my being cowardly.
And so ......Paul went on to Jerusalem.
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Post by Cindy on May 9, 2019 9:00:56 GMT -5
Acts 21:1-16
Paul Goes to Jerusalem
21 And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.
4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed
6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the and stayed with them for one day.
8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.
16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Paul journeys on towards Jerusalem.
They stay in Tyre for 7 days. While there he sought out the disciples and those disciples through the Spirit were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
I guess Paul was being given information ( or perhaps more confirmation, of what God's will for him would be in Jerusalem).
When Paul was leaving Tyre all the disciples and their family, went to the beach and prayed with Paul and his companions .
A reminder to me, that prayer is always necessary.
They then stay in Caesarea, with Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, who had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
I have a feeling the 4 daughters who prophesied caused and causes a lot of false gospel
( tho that is not its intention) .
It's one of those things if a person does not read the whole counsel of God, then they can make all sorts of false claims:
like:
women were allowed to prophesy in church back then, and therefore should do so now.
However this verse did not say where they prophesied ,and, woman were NOT to teach men....
People might wrongly use this verse for the Pentecostal movement,
and for people using their imagination for having a 'word from the Lord'......
thus bring a curse on themselves because they are 'adding to the Bible'.
They may wrongly use it to say, woman prophets were plentiful in those days,
and must be in ours as well.
But this passage of scripture only mentions 4 virgin daughters.
Further it should be noted, these 4 woman did not do the prophesying to Paul!!!
Instead, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
I think its important to state it again: although Paul was right there, as were the 4 virgins,
they did NOT prophesied to Paul,
rather...... Aqabus came from Judea to do so.
Well, what Aqabus had to say was not exactly fun and games.
Once again if it were me, I would have been sorely tempted and probably so fearful, I would not have continued on the Jerusalem!!
In fact, the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
I would have convinced myself, that the people there were only confirming a 'smart' choice!!
But not Paul!! He always looked to the Lord!!!
His answer to them is super important to Christians today.
First, we have to beware of putting ourselves and others ( for safety sake) above God,
and at the same time, being discouraging to them.
We may think we are just being loving, when with our tears, we encourage them to do the safe thing,
the thing that will probably keep them from getting or being killed.
However, we should considered what Paul said:
"Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
And perhaps instead, our answer should be: “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
I am not suggesting there might not be times, ( like for example) when perhaps a person wanting to go to a very dangerous part of the world as a missionary....they might not be ready,
and we might council them to wait a short bit.
But, I know for myself, cowardliness runs deep in my soul, because I am nor focused on letting the will of the Lord be done and in trusting Him.
So not only do I need to be aware of trusting God more, but of not discouraging others due to my being cowardly.
And so ......Paul went on to Jerusalem.
You said: "I have a feeling the 4 daughters who prophesied caused and causes a lot of false gospel" But that's not said anywhere here. Instead they're reported as true prophets. It's said that the early church regarded them as important sources of information. Women were and are prophets and it is acceptable to the Lord. Even Paul said: “And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved.” (1 Corinthians 11:5) In other words, there was a right way and wrong way to do it, but it was permissible. The office of prophet or Prophetess is entirely different of that of a Pastor. Paul also commands us all, men and women: “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)
As far as them not giving a prophecy to Paul goes, we don't know that. All we know for sure is that Agabus is the one that we're told about. Yes these verses, like any others, can be misunderstood and used for false teaching and women are not to hold the office of Pastor or have authority over men in the Church. Yet these women are not said to have done that. We're simply told they were prophetesses. We can therefore assume that since they were mentioned in God's Word and nothing bad was said about them, that they were humble, obedient servants of the Lord, and only did as He directed them to do.
I agree that Paul was very brave to continue on as he always did, knowing that persecution always awaited him. The only good thing about Agabus' prophecy was that it didn't involve death, so Paul was able to say basically, "Why are you so upset? I'm ready to die for Christ, and yet this is less then death, so why should I be concerned?"
As far as you being a coward, we all all. The good thing is that the Lord will give us the strength we need, when we need it if we're abiding in Him. And that's what He did for Paul. So what we're seeing here and in all of Acts, isn't a strong man doing his thing, but rather a weak man, relying on God's strength, and being strengthened by God continually as he needed it. Paul tells us a number of times things like: “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”” (Acts 23:11) “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.” (2 Timothy 4:17) “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.” (Acts 18:9) And other times, the Lord sent an angel to strengthen and encourage him. He will do the same for us too when it's needed. Even Paul admitted like you do how weak he was, but he rejoiced in his weakness! “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 9, 2019 9:58:55 GMT -5
Oh I didn't mean the 4 woman were not real prophetesses, or that they caused false gospels....but that people who do promote false gospels may point to them as a reason to believe woman should preach in church, and God still gives new words thru woman.....in other words people may misuse this part of scripture.....
not that there was anything wrong with them.
And you are right, the word does not say if they also gave Paul any words from God, they may have, it just does not say one way or the other.
I still manage to write in a confusing way....sigh
So I am glad you do the corrections because someone might have read, or may read, at some point, what I wrote and be confused, so thank you!!!!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 9, 2019 11:37:33 GMT -5
Acts 21: 17-26
Paul Visits James
17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
[26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
I am a bit confused by this passage.
It kind of seems like Paul was unto the Jews being a Jew. Still, on the other hand it seems strange because it almost seems like James was telling Paul, you have to be a part of 4 mens vows (?) to show the jews you do NOT you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
Why that is confusing to me, is that Jesus freed us from the Law of Moses....not that we shouldn't obey the 10 commandments, but because we are sinners, we do still sin, and cannot be saved by our obedience to the Law.
Anyway, this is to me a bit confusing. I guess the idea was to satisfy the Jews to know Paul was an honest person, who was not being offensive to them....something like that? I am thinking the Jews thought he was just being disrespectful and this was to show he was not, and stop that slander of Paul by showing he respected the Mosaic law .
However, it was not imposed on the Gentiles.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,383
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Post by fearnot on May 9, 2019 20:47:59 GMT -5
Acts 21: 27-36
Paul Arrested in the Temple
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
Seems like fake news and lies have always been, and its are not without consequences, in this case the plan is to kill Paul.
The Jews has seen Paul with Trophimus the Ephesian in the city, and from that, they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
These men clung to the law and hated grace and love. Their hearts seemed so hardened, they were will to murder Paul, without giving him a trial ( maybe even knowing it was all a lie?).
However, it was not time for Paul to die yet, and so he is rescued by
roman soldiers, but even as he is being taken away, the Jews are demanding his death.
But they are sadly also closing their hearts to the gospel.
I think the lesson is we do have to count the cost of belonging to Jesus.
Paul did what the Lord wanted, even tho it meant being hated ( Jesus did say we would be hated because He was hated).
I think I have a hard time obeying because I don't like or want to suffer, I want 'peace' and comfort, and that often takes priority over love of Jesus.
But that does not really satisfy because I am losing out on the joy of doing what my Savior wants me to.
Therefore, Paul is a great example for me.
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Post by Cindy on May 10, 2019 10:37:49 GMT -5
Oh I didn't mean the 4 woman were not real prophetesses, or that they caused false gospels....but that people who do promote false gospels may point to them as a reason to believe woman should preach in church, and God still gives new words thru woman.....in other words people may misuse this part of scripture.....
not that there was anything wrong with them.
And you are right, the word does not say if they also gave Paul any words from God, they may have, it just does not say one way or the other.
I still manage to write in a confusing way....sigh
So I am glad you do the corrections because someone might have read, or may read, at some point, what I wrote and be confused, so thank you!!!!
Acts 21: 17-26
Paul Visits James
17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
[26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
I am a bit confused by this passage.
It kind of seems like Paul was unto the Jews being a Jew. Still, on the other hand it seems strange because it almost seems like James was telling Paul, you have to be a part of 4 mens vows (?) to show the jews you do NOT you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
Why that is confusing to me, is that Jesus freed us from the Law of Moses....not that we shouldn't obey the 10 commandments, but because we are sinners, we do still sin, and cannot be saved by our obedience to the Law.
Anyway, this is to me a bit confusing. I guess the idea was to satisfy the Jews to know Paul was an honest person, who was not being offensive to them....something like that? I am thinking the Jews thought he was just being disrespectful and this was to show he was not, and stop that slander of Paul by showing he respected the Mosaic law .
However, it was not imposed on the Gentiles.
The Judaizers were spreading false reports that Paul was teaching Jewish believers to forsake their heritage. But Paul hadn't abandoned his Jewish heritage or customs. He told Gentiles, not Jews, that they didn't need to follow the Jewish customs and traditions. But there's nothing wrong with a Jewish believer continuing to follow their customs and traditions as long as they realize that those things can't save them, that only Jesus can do that.
Because Paul had just returned from spending time with Gentiles in gentile territory, he was ceremonially unclean. (meaning he couldn't go into the temple). He had to go through a ritual purification before participating in the temple. They wanted Paul to pay for the others when they got their heads shaved as that was considered an act of piety and would show he hadn't abandoned his heritage. Keep in mind too that Paul had taken the same Nazirite vow which symbolized total devotion to God earlier. (It's noted in Acts 18:18.)
What they were desperately trying to do was bring unity to the Chruch. To let the Jewish brothers know that nothing bad was being said or taught about Moses and the law to other Jewish believers, and let the Gentiles know that they weren't under any obligation to follow those laws or customs. They thought that by having Paul do this, it would show the Jewish believers that the rumors they'd heard were just that....rumors and nothing more. Unfortunately, it backfired on them.
This continued to be a problem in the church for quite some time. That's why Paul spoke about it in 1 Corinthians 8:7–13, 1 Corinthians 10:23–33, and Colossians 2:16–17. After 70ad when the temple was destroyed, this particular problem grew less and less as time went on, as the Church became more and more separated from Judaism until they were two separate entities.
Acts 21: 27-36
Paul Arrested in the Temple
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
I see you haven't done this one yet, so I'll try and check tomorrow if I have time. Love you! |
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That's great that you saw the connection between their idol and our "rock!
you're doing great! Keep up the good work!
!!
