The Sanhedrin plot an ambush on Paul. Hmm...politicians, huh? LOL Felix tries to get him moved to Jerusalem so they could pounce and kill him before he ever gets there. But Paul, before Festus, appeals to Caesar, which was his right as a Roman citizen to be tried before the emperor and in Rome. So their plot was foiled.
Currently, Festus has Paul standing before King Agrippa. I thought this was interesting - helps me see a time line - from John MacArthur: "King Agrippa. Herod Agrippa II, son of the Herod who killed James and imprisoned Peter. He was the last of the Herods, who play a prominent role in NT history. His great-uncle, Herod Anitpas, was the Herod of the gospels, while his great-grandfather, Herod the Great, ruled at the time Jesus was born. Though not the ruler of Judea, Agrippa was well versed in Jewish affairs. Bernice. Not Agrippa's wife, but his consort and sister. (Their sister, Drusilla, was married to the former governor, Felix). Their incestuous relationship was the talk of Rome, where Agrippa grew up. Bernice for a while became the mistress of Emperor Vespasian, then of his son, Titus, but always returned to her brother." Here in Acts 25 King Agrippa enters the auditorium where Paul is to be brought; "So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium..." v23 Note: without the commentary I would have assumed "amid great pomp" was due to the King entering, not the scandal. Wow. How do people like John MacArthur get this stuff. I love the history. Maybe I should read a book on the history of Acts. Anyway...
Festus declares to King Agrippa, "...you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer. Bit I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death; and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him." v.24-25 You go Festus!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Acts 24
Well, guys, I have already written this post, saved it as a draft, and when I went back to it, it was gone!! Aaugh!! Not good. I guess God wanted me to reread Acts 24. LOL
The Jewish people hire a lawyer to present their case against Paul before Gov. Felix. The attorney begins by shmoozing Felix...like any good lawyer, right? LOL Wondering why Luke chooses to mention it here. Verses 3-5 The greatest charge the Jews had against Paul was that they claimed he was a rebel and was stirring up sedition (rebellion).
Paul starts his defence; Luke also shows here that Paul did not begin with flattery but reminds Felix that he, the Gov., was very up on Jewish customs and laws. Paul reminds him, " But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." v. 14-15
Note: After reading this post my husband asked about what it meant: The resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Check out this website: http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1329-the-resurrection-of-the-wicked. Interesting reading. From the few sources I read, Paul is referring to the bodies being raised into eternal life, something the pharisees believed and the sadducees did not. Both kinds of bodies will be resurrected to either stand before God in judgement or stand before God for reward. One commentary said something interesting...they said that those who never heard of God would be judged only on their works while on earth. Sounds good, I just don't know where they got that and if it is Biblical. I do know that God knows the heart.
The great hope of the Jewish people was the resurrection and that is exactly what Paul was giving them. Wow. Would I have recognized it if I had been this first century Jew? Like today, God had to open the hearts and minds of those He was going to call. So since He has called me today, I would have been called then. Paul ends his defense with, "For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today." v.21
Felix keeps Paul in custody, but with some freedoms. Paul witnesses to Felix when summoned. "But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come, Felix became frightened..." v. 25 Paul gets on Felix's bad side here, because Felix does not possess these qualities - "Living with a woman he had lured away from her husband, Felix obviously lacked righteousness and self-control." John MacArthur. So Paul stays stuck in prison for 2 more years to the end of the Governor's term.
My Life is in You, Lord!
The Jewish people hire a lawyer to present their case against Paul before Gov. Felix. The attorney begins by shmoozing Felix...like any good lawyer, right? LOL Wondering why Luke chooses to mention it here. Verses 3-5 The greatest charge the Jews had against Paul was that they claimed he was a rebel and was stirring up sedition (rebellion).
Paul starts his defence; Luke also shows here that Paul did not begin with flattery but reminds Felix that he, the Gov., was very up on Jewish customs and laws. Paul reminds him, " But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." v. 14-15
Note: After reading this post my husband asked about what it meant: The resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Check out this website: http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1329-the-resurrection-of-the-wicked. Interesting reading. From the few sources I read, Paul is referring to the bodies being raised into eternal life, something the pharisees believed and the sadducees did not. Both kinds of bodies will be resurrected to either stand before God in judgement or stand before God for reward. One commentary said something interesting...they said that those who never heard of God would be judged only on their works while on earth. Sounds good, I just don't know where they got that and if it is Biblical. I do know that God knows the heart.
The great hope of the Jewish people was the resurrection and that is exactly what Paul was giving them. Wow. Would I have recognized it if I had been this first century Jew? Like today, God had to open the hearts and minds of those He was going to call. So since He has called me today, I would have been called then. Paul ends his defense with, "For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today." v.21
Felix keeps Paul in custody, but with some freedoms. Paul witnesses to Felix when summoned. "But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come, Felix became frightened..." v. 25 Paul gets on Felix's bad side here, because Felix does not possess these qualities - "Living with a woman he had lured away from her husband, Felix obviously lacked righteousness and self-control." John MacArthur. So Paul stays stuck in prison for 2 more years to the end of the Governor's term.
My Life is in You, Lord!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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."
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."
Monday, March 29, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, March 26, 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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?
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?
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