Acts 23

Paul is brought before the council - the Sanhedrin - they were trying to figure out why the Jews had accused him and of what. Paul states, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day." v.1 Can you say that? I can't. Quite a statement. The High-Priest, Ananais was a brutal leader, and corrupt. After Paul spoke he commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. John MacArthur, "An illegal act in keeping with Ananias' brutal character. The verb translated 'strike' is used of the mob's beating of Paul and the Roman soldier's beating of Jesus. It was no slap in the face, but a vicious blow." Paul calls Ananias a "whitewashed wall". I love that...I'll have to remember that. He was meaning that Ananias was in violation of the law himself, for having him arrested for nothing. But you were not allowed to talk back to a High-Priest, so Paul ends up apologizing to the man that just had him struck, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people."v.5

The Bible really shows how Barbaric the times of Christ and the early church was. I can't get over the physical damage and torture that was constantly poured onto the apostles. Just reading about scourging, stoning, being stretched out to be whipped with metal throngs on the end of a tether, etc. really brings home the fact that these Disciples of Christ truly believed their message and trusted completely in the One that sent them. What would I have done? Do you remember that little girl at Columbine that would not recant her belief in Christ and the shooter killed her? I wonder if I could even stand in that way. I guess you don't know until the time presents itself. The idea of physical pain is tough for me...I can't even go to the dentist without complete and total dread. LOL But it doesn't have to be physical...it could mean standing up and representing Christ when asked or any verbal opportunity that presents itself to share the Gospel. I am doing this more and more at work. It's funny, since I've started this blog, the chance to talk with co-workers and customers about what I am learning has brought opportunity and I am taking those windows to share.

Moving on. The Sanhedrin - the council - was made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, two different theological groups of Jews. Paul had been a Pharisee. So here, for help, he appeals to the Pharisees for support. Sort of a 'divide and conquer' tactic. John MacArthur, "The Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament, or the Book of the Law) as divinely inspired Scripture. Since they claimed that the Pentateuch did not teach that there would be a resurrection, they rejected it. The Pharisees, however, believed in the resurrection and afterlife. Their beliefs were thus closer to Christianity than those of the Sadducees. Significantly, the Scripture records the conversion of Pharisees but not of Sadducees." So sure enough, the Pharisees defend Paul and say, "We find nothing wrong with this man..." v.9 An uproar starts again and the commander rescues Paul and throws him in the barracks to save his life. Protective custody, if you will.

The next night, the Lord stood at Paul's side - wow! - and said, "Take courage, for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also." v.11 A comfort? It was, because Paul's desire had been to go to Rome.

This chapter in itself could be a movie! So, the Jews plot to kill Paul. Paul's nephew hears of the plot and reports it to the commander. The commander knows he needs to get Paul out of Jerusalem to save his life. He has him moved by horseback in the night, with a letter explaining to Governor Felix, to Caesarea. Gov. Felix hides him in his official residence. Gov. Felix says, I will hear your case."

Acts 22

Before they throw Paul into the barracks, they let him stand on the steps and address the people. He gives a long account of his life, of being born a Jew, becoming a pharisee and killing Christians. He then tells of his conversion on the road to Damascus. What I learned about the road to Damascus is kinda cool. "But it happened that I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me," v. 7 In my commentary it says, " Paul's reference to the time of day emphasizes how bright the light from heaven really was. It outshone the sun at its peak." Wow!

So the people took his story all the wrong way and prepared to stone him. The roman commander ordered Paul into the barracks to be stretched out and flogged for interrogation. He got out of it, however, by telling them that he was a roman citizen; for it was illegal to torture a roman citizen without cause or trial.

Acts 21

I am now listening to the Bible on CD. These actors have put out a set that plays like a radio show. So cool...making Acts much easier to follow. Then I come home and take a look at it in my study Bible. I am learning a lot, much more than I put here. There is too much.

In Caesarea, Paul meets Philip the evangelist - the only one in scripture actually called an evangelist - a term widely used today. We call our kind of church, evangelical. Anyway, Philip had five virgin daughters that were prophetesses. Interesting: Virgin most likely meaning that they had been called by God for special ministry, according to John MacArthur. Luke doesn't reveal what their prophecy was for Paul but does talk about the prophecy of Agabus. (Now, there's a name! LOL)

Agabus takes Paul's belt and binds Paul's feet and hands, "This is what the Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and will deliver him into the hand of the gentiles.' v. 11

Of course, Luke and the others were begging him not to go. Paul's answer, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." v.13 Paul goes to Jerusalem 4 different times. My question: why was Paul so insistent on returning to Jerusalem time and time again or why did God want him to go more than once with all the danger there? The only answer I really come up with is that Jerusalem was the hubbub of the world at that time and was a large city and Paul's mission was to spread the gospel to the world so Jerusalem would be the place to get the message out. Also, the Jews were Paul's people as well as God's chosen.

They get to Jerusalem and meet up with James, Jesus' brother, also the head of the Jerusalem church. I've always wondered about Jesus' half brothers and sisters. What might that have been like? I wonder what insights they might be privy to and maybe even had a stronger faith having grown up with Christ and witnessed His close relationship with God. I wonder if they got in trouble as kids and what they thought that Jesus never did. Did they notice? Was Jesus Mary's favorite? I wonder what the sibling dynamic was?

So, Paul gets arrested as predicted. According to John MacArthur, they had 3 charges against him:
1. They were accusing Paul that he taught Jews to forsake their heritage.
2. Paul opposed the law.
3. Blaspheming or defiling the temple.
In America none of these things would get us arrested or even noticed. I wonder if in the 3rd world countries if people get arrested for such things. I mean even the one guy on the cross next to Jesus had only been a thief. Quite a punishment for robbery.

The crowd starts to beat Paul to death but he is rescued by a Roman Commander. However, it was this commander that bound Paul in chains before he even knew the reason the Jews were angry.

I sang the below song at a retreat last weekend and it really lifts my spirit. I think of Paul in chains and how his spirit was lifted even with them on!

Acts 20

Here we have mention in v. 7 of the church gathering on the first day of the week, Sunday, that obviously continues today. Wow. They gathered for worship on Sunday because that was the day of Christ's resurrection. Note: The Christian church is under the New Covenant and is not required to observe the Saturday Sabbath as demanded by Moses under the Old Covenant.

In Troas, they gather in the upper room and Paul starts to talk for hours...until midnight! Man, I've known pastors like that in the past. LOL So a young man in v. 9 is sitting in the windowsill and falls asleep listening to Paul (like my husband in church) and falls out of the window to the ground below and dies. - I had no idea this story was in here, and don't know why I am finding the scene so comical. - Paul embraces the boy and brings him back to life.

After this, Paul is in a hurry to get to Jerusalem by the day of Pentecost. "I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God." v. 22-24 He then encouraged the people because he was pretty sure they would never see them again.

Jerusalem.

Acts 19

Paul is in Ephesus. "God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out". v 11-12 This gave me the picture of someone ripping apart Elvis' clothes just to have a part of him...LOL! Back in the ancient world they believed that "power" could be transmitted...they even believed that Paul's shadow could heal.

Miracles needed to happen by the apostles because there was no New Testament to confirm the validity of their message. Do miracles happen today? Of course. But if you need a miracle, how do you make it happen? We have no apostles to touch their robes or lay hands on us. I have been dealing with a bad rash on my face for two weeks that won't go away. It is painful and ugly; I work with the public. How do I get the miracle of healing when I need it so desperately. Prayer has not seemed to work. I mean I know God heard my prayers but I didn't get the miracle. Did I not believe enough? I guess maybe the everyday miracle for us in the 21st century is the doctors and the medicines that make it possible to heal even the most difficult of diseases that would have been impossible for those in the ancient world...even if it takes some time to do so.

Ephesus was the home of the Temple of Diana (Artemis) - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Idol worship was rampant and is what Paul was having to deal with. If you'd like to read about it and see a picture go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Artemis. People still worship her, it, today!

I thought I'd have some fun with this. Remember?

Acts 18

My name, Donna, is supposed to mean "Lady" but I think a more accurate meaning would be "Procrastination"! Always have, always will. That is part of the reason I wanted to read through the New Testament in a year because I thought it would give me some sort of a deadline - always work better with deadlines. However, I am now officially 5 days behind on my blog. But hey, it is more consistent reading in the Bible than I have done in years. And the last time I read all the way through Acts was when I was a senior in high school. The book means something completely different to me now. But that is why the Bible is called, "The Living Word of God"; it changes and fits your life as you grow and require different insight.

I see some familiar names in this chapter. Aquila and Priscilla and Apollo. I also like that Paul is visiting Corinth and Ephesus for the first time because those are a couple of my favorite letters in the New Testament. Good to see his first visits to these cities before he wrote those letters.

How great it would have been to be Aquila and Priscilla, Paul's good friends. They were sort of the first husband and wife team of the Christian church before Billy and Ruth Graham, Bill and Gloria Gaither, and many dear couples that I have known in the church, growing up, that were mentors of mine. Aquila, Priscilla and Paul were all tent makers. Hmm. I don't think I would have wanted to be a tent maker. I wonder what kind of issues Priscilla was dealing with the women of Corinth, back then.

Paul was getting pretty tired of the Jews rejection of the Good News. "But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, 'Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.'". v6 Can you blame him? I could only imagine the constant slams of doors in his face or public ridicule. But the Lord came to him in a vision for encouragement, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city." v.9-10 Corinth was one of Paul's longest visits: a year and a half.

From there he went to Antioch with Priscilla and Aquila, then onto Ephesus where he will meet Apollo. Apollo had been a follower of John the Baptist and knew the scriptures "he was mighty in the scriptures" v.24 and was doing some fantastic speaking but needed some refining. So Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and "and explained to him the way of God more accurately." v.26 Apollo would travel and be a powerful speaker. "...for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ." v.28

Below, some great shots! Remember...

Acts 17

The little group continues onto Thessalonica and were gaining converts but the Jews here were on the war path, creating mobs against our guys. One of the most serious crimes of the Roman Empire: "...and they all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." v.7 So Paul and Silas were outta there!! They went on to Berea and were gaining converts but the Jews from Thessalonica didn't like that they were proclaiming Christ in Berea either, so they sent crowds stirring up all kinds of agitation. I don't know why they couldn't have minded their own business. This just shows you how powerful the name of Jesus is and how scared they were. If there was no strength in the name of Jesus then no one would have cared and gone to such lengths to keep it quiet. Not so for any other religious name, from Mohamed to Buddha; no other name carries the power of Jesus, or the reaction.


Paul takes off for Athens where Silas and Timothy will join him. Interesting: "Athens was home to the most renowned philosophers in history, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who was arguably the most influential philosopher of all." John MacArthur. It was also home to many, many idols. The philosophers in Athens called Paul an "idle babbler" meaning that they thought him an amateur philosopher...and were not taking him seriously.


Paul came across an idol alter: "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD" v.23. Wow, I guess they thought they were covering all their bases. But Paul takes this opportunity to deliver a wonderful sermon introducing them to the God who made the world and the Lord Jesus Christ. You should take the time to read this, it's great. v. 24-31

Acts 16

Timothy joins Paul and Silas on their journey. Timothy was a young man but was a great asset for missionary service because he was both Jewish and Gentile. His dad had been Greek. "So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. v.5

I caught something - so proud of myself - in v.10 when the narrative goes from the third person to the first person. Luke, the writer of Acts had joined Paul, Silas and Timothy. When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. Anyway, thought that was kinda cool, sort of like we were there with Luke.

Along the way they come upon a "Medium" that could see into the future being used by her masters for money. The apostles rid her of the demon, but that made her masters very angry because they lost their cash cow. The masters come up with some lame excuse, Jews vs Romans, that gets Paul and Silas arrested and thrown into the stocks. Curious as to why Luke and Timothy were not. Interesting note on the stocks: "This particular security measure was designed to produce painful cramping so the prisoner's legs were spread as far apart as possible." John MacArthur.

I didn't know the story of the medium but I do know, very well, the story that takes place next. An earthquake comes and breaks open the jail and every one's chains so they could run free. Now, a Roman Soldier who lets a prisoner escape would be put to death. Paul somehow managed to convince everyone to stay where they were, not escape, and in turn saves the jailer's life. This example of charity brought that Roman Soldier and all his household to believe on the Lord Jesus and were saved. Makes you think, huh? What example are we out there in the world...to do the right thing even if it is in detriment to ourselves but a help to others. Our witness in the world is never more seen by the unbeliever than when we do something that no one else would ever consider doing.

And speaking of something no one would ever do: Paul and Silas were sitting in their stocks, legs spread apart, legs cramping and were singing! "...Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them...: v.25 That love for God and faith brought on the earthquake.

Acts 15

The Jerusalem Council

There were some huge differences between the Jews and the Gentiles back in the day. The Jews had the laws of Moses and a Book they followed to the letter. The Gentiles had not and did not. So bringing such diverse folk under one roof to worship and proclaim Jesus, though right, had it's challenges. The Jews wanted the Gentiles to be circumcised - plus a bunch of other rules - to show salvation. However, Paul was teaching that no works brought on salvation, only submission and belief in Christ.

The Jerusalem Council was a conference held in about 49 a.d. with the church (delegates) of Antioch (including Paul and Barnabus) and the church (delegates) of Jerusalem. They came to meet on some of these rules and how they should be handled. The Jews really only knew one way to Salvation and what Paul was saying seemed new...note: it was not new. Salvation was always about belief and faith and submission and never about works. But still, some of these laws needed to be addressed.

"The conclusion of the Jerusalem Council, which determined that Gentiles did not have to be circumcised, was a sweeping victory for Paul's understanding of Christianity. Speaking for the council, the apostle Peter declared, 'We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we (Jews) shall be saved in the same manner as they (the gentiles)'. v. 11" {Quote from Nelson's Bible Dictionary.} This decision set a sort of precedent for salvation to be grounded in faith alone...but they would have to learn to be careful and sensitive to the Jewish background - the beliefs they had grown up with. What if the council had ruled differently? hmm...just a question.

One other notion came to mind in this chapter. There is another Judas that is brought up in v.22. Of course, not the same Judas, a new one that did work with Paul. My thought...if I were to a write a fictional book of characters I would never repeat the same name, especially the same name as the "villain". It brings confusion, lessens the drama of the villain, etc. The Bible is filled with the same names being used over and over for different people. For me, proof...the Bible is not fiction! Am I not right! Kidding, of course...

Acts 14

The farther I get into Acts, the tougher it is too keep reading. I am finding it very dry...I am sure there is a lot of wisdom to be pulled from these chapters, I am just not seeing them. One note is that physically I seem to be getting attacked - my face today looks like a puffer fish and the doctor doesn't know why - so maybe my concentration is not as it should be. I'm normally a pretty healthy person so I am wondering why these off-the-wall ailments keep showing up, one after the other...hmmm...just a question.

One thing I learned today was that while Paul and Barnabus were in Lystra they healed a lame man. The people saw the man get up and walk so they decided that Paul and Barnabus were Zeus and Hermes from mythology!! LOL The people even wanted to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabus. Boy was Paul mad! They were not hearing his message.

The second thing I learned is that Paul was stoned - to the point the Jews thought he was dead and dragged him out of the city - but survived. The disciples were standing around him when he got up! Up and back to work. Wow. Up and back to the city to carry on. How strong his belief how deep his love and commitment to his glorious Jesus, whom he met on the road to Damascus.

Part of their work as they go from city to city is to encourage the new disciples, the new converts and the new churches. Verse 23 is the second time the word elders is used. The young churches needed elders for example, support and leadership when Paul or one of the other apostles were not present. The same is true today in our churches.

Acts 13

First some general information according to my Bible's commentary: Chapter 13 marks a turning point in Acts. The first 12 chapters focused on Peter, the remaining chapters will focus around Paul and his ministry with the gentiles. Also, from here on out Saul will be known as Paul. Saul is his Hebrew name and Paul is his Roman name. Here he is traveling with Barnabas.

The biggest thing that goes on in this chapter is Paul's lengthy speech in the synagogue on the Sabbath day, where he pretty much gives the story of the Jewish people starting with the wandering in the desert and ending with Jesus' Resurrection. He proclaims, "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses." v. 38-39 The people loved his message and were begging for more; good news since he was speaking to Jews.

Then Paul makes the announcement that he received from the Lord, "I have placed you as a light for the gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the end of the earth."v. 47 So off they go.

Acts 12

We see James, the brother of John put to death. He was the first of the apostles to be martyred. He was arrested along with Peter and though James was killed, Peter was rescued by an angel and escaped from the jail. James and Peter were two of the four closest to Jesus so why one was spared over the other is just a question.

Note on the historic aspect of this book: during these days an historian named Josephus was living and wrote about many goings-on with the kings, the killings (martyrs) of the apostles and disciples, and the rise of the Christian church. If you ever want an "objective" view of this history you can read Josephus. There are many books printed of his writings. He was sort of the "CNN" of the day.

Acts 11

"Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God." v. 1 "the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning..." v.15 "

"Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life." v. 18 This was prophesied in Isaiah: "Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen One in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations." Isaiah 42:1 "...and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations," Is 42:6

This is huge: "He says, " It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth". Is 49:6

So, essentially, this is a love letter to us who were not born Jewish - God's chosen people - God had all along determined that we would be saved as well and that God's final Lamb to be sacrificed would be the One to do it.

I have been singing this song for two days...one of my favorites. It is a beautiful video...enjoy.


Note, v. 26 back in Acts, "the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch."

Acts 10

Note: I am way behind on my blog. On top of finishing my recovery of my ACL repair, I broke a tooth! Yep...really? LOL This is huge, however...three steps to saving the remaining tooth, with the procedure tomorrow being the worst: A Root Canal! Kill me now. So I've had a few sleepless nights and I'm sure will not get much tonight. Aaugh!! Anyway...

As of now, I have come to the realization that my writing on some of these chapters in Acts will be short. The book is so much a history book, that I really don't have much to add...just kind of matter-of-fact with truths about the beginnings of the Christian church.

Peter was a Jew through and through and knew very well the teachings of the Old Testament. To keep the Jews safe during their wanderings and etc., God had given them very specific rules to follow as to what to eat and who they could befriend. But Jesus was the New Covenant that now had come and Peter was learning how to let go of old rules. - How many of us "old dogs" are into learning new tricks? You have to also remember that breaking an old tradition law sometimes resulted in prison or death so to trust Jesus and do something new, I'm sure was very difficult. "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." v. 15

Peter says, "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ..." v. 36 "" ...through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." v. 43

But for us, here in the west, mostly being Gentiles (not Jews) this following verse is huge: "...the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the gentiles also." v.45 Wow! Yea!!