“The
activities of the 14 Apostles” PETER C1 = Upper room C2 = Pentecost C3 = The lame beggar
C5 = Ananias & Sapphira C6 = Stephen C7 = Stephen C8 = Philip C9 = Paul’s conversion C11 = Christians at Antioch C12 = Peter in prison PAUL TAKES
OVER C13 = Paul’s TRIP 1 C14 = Paul’s TRIP 1 C15 = Jerusalem Council C16 = Paul’s TRIP 2
C17 = Paul’s TRIP 2 C18 = Paul’s TRIP 2 & 3 C19 = Paul’s TRIP 3 C20 = Paul’s TRIP 3 C21 = Paul’s TRIP 3 C22 = Paul held in Jerusalem C23 = Paul held in Jerusalem C24 = Paul held in Caesarea C25 = Paul held in Caesarea C26 = Paul held in Caesarea C27 = Paul’s trip to Rome C28 = Paul’s trip to Rome |
“THE
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES”
(Luke the
Physician writes
Acts around 63AD)
Luke
writes Acts with
Paul just having ended his prison sentence of two years (62-63AD) (Acts
28:30)
There is massive confusion
in understanding
the book of Acts. People see the word “church”
(Acts 2:47) and automatically think
“Ahh! The Christian church.”
Wrong!!!
As
a result,
people end up
believing and
doing things that belong to another time and
dispensation.
This why we are to rightly divide the word.
Put it this way, hell is
full of good
people who believed the wrong thing that their denomination taught.
There are four
types of churches & all are different –
1. Israel in the desert was called
the church (Heb
2:12). This is obviously not the Christian church of being dead in Christ (Col 1:24; 1Thess 4:16)
2. Jesus the Messiah says to tell
it unto the
church (Matt 18:17). This is obviously not the Christian church of
being dead
in Christ. Why? He hadn’t died yet (Col 1:24; 1Thess 4:16)
3. Then
there is the church that Peter
addresses (Acts 2:47). To get the Holy Ghost they first had to be water
baptized. How can this be Christian?
4. Then
there are the seven Christian churches of Paul
to which he writes. Paul said he didn’t come to water baptize.
All of the above have
different
doctrines and so we must be EXTREMELY
cautious before we lurch off into talking about “The Church”.
Dear Reader, you’ve heard
it
repeatedly said
“Oh, let’s
get back to
the early Acts churches!”
No! This is
wrong!!!
Why? These
are the acts
of the apostles!
Different churches,
different times,
different doctrines,
different instructions for
different
dispensations,
different rules, different
regulations.
4 WAYS TO
GET GET SAVED
IN ACTS!
In any
dispensation
every sinner is SAVED by doing what God tells them to do.
Those saved in Acts
2:38 were not saved as those in Acts 16:30.
Those saved in Acts
8:12,15 were not saved like those in Acts 10:47.
There are four
different ways to get saved in the book of Acts alone.
The book of Acts is one of
the most
‘dangerous’ books in the Bible outside of Matthew
and Hebrews for getting messed up
with false doctrines.
No-one today gets the Holy
Spirit by
water baptism (Acts 2) or tongues (Acts 2).
No-one today has to be
baptised to
receive the Holy Spirit (Gal 3:14; Acts 10:47).
No-one today has to have
hands laid on
him to get the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15-17)
Dear Reader, see it for
what it is –
Christians are to be
followers of Paul
as he follows Christ.
As Christians do we follow
Christ?
Absolutely! AND PAUL SHOWS US HOW!
But Christ was not a
Christian. Christ
was a Jew.
If we directly follow
Christ the
Messiah’s doctrine to get saved we will end up in hell.
Moses had a church, Christ
the Messiah
had a church, Peter had a church
and Paul has a church.
Which one are
you going to have?
DEFINITION:
“ALL
HERESIES ARE 100% BIBLE
TRUTHS
WRONGLY
TAKEN FROM
ANOTHER TIME”
Where do all
heresies
come from?
Not rightly
dividing the
three books of MATTHEW, ACTS, HEBREWS
THE TWO
HALVES OF ACTS
First half:
Peter Ch
1-12 – Peter’s
gospel
…Peter
said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sins (that are
past), and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost. Acts 2:38
To believe this today will
send you to hell.
Second half:
Paul Ch
13-28 – Paul’s
gospel
… Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved .. Acts
16:31
These first twelve chapters
seem like “chaos” - but they aren’t.
Until Paul comes on the
scene with his 1st trip (45-48 AD) and
subsequent writing of Galatians in 50 AD there is a transition phase of
twelve
years from the cross
in 33 AD to 45 AD.
So we have this incredible
mixture for twelve years of
believing Christ is the Messiah, loss of salvation, water baptisms,
believing
Jesus is the Saviour, redemption from sins, the various apostles and
disciples of
Philip, Stephen, Peter, John, James Zebedee, James the half-brother of
Jesus,
the opposition of the hardliners in Moses, prophets, remission of sins,
tongues,
healings, baptisms – you name it!
THE DANGERS
1. The book of Acts (indeed
Matthew and Hebrews) is not a lucky dip of close your eyes,
stick your
finger in Chapter X Verse Y, and pull out any fact you want.
2. Any Pastor attempting to
imitate any of the acts of the Apostles in the book of Acts is merely
demonstrating his ignorance of the scriptures.
The
title says it all – THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.
After
the
canon of the New Testament was closed with the Book of Revelation,
there are no
more Apostles, or indeed, prophets.
What
we have today are Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists.
THE HISTORY
1. There had been 1900 years
of Abraham
2. Layered over with 1400
years of Moses
3. This was followed by John
the Baptist and his gospel
4. This was followed by
Christ the Messiah and his kingdom of heaven gospel
5. WE THEN
HAVE TWELVE YEARS OF THIS SEEMING “CHAOS” IN ACTS 1-12.
6. Then Paul appears on the
scene with 20 years of his gospel of Jesus the Saviour
7. Throw in dreadful
misunderstanding of the books of Acts, Matthew and Hebrews
Who do you believe? Is it
just pot luck? Pig in a poke?
CHAPTER
SUMMARIES
PETER
Ch 1-12
Ch 1 = Upper room assembly
Ch 2 = Pentecost; Peter
addresses the men of Israel
Ch 3 = The lame beggar
Ch 4 = Peter & John in
prison
Ch 5 = Ananias &
Sapphira
Ch 6 = The seven
appointments
& Stephen
Ch 7 = Stephen
Ch 8 = Philip
Ch 9 = Paul’s conversion
Ch 10 = Cornelius &
Gentile
acceptance
Ch 11 = Christians at
Antioch
Ch 12 = Peter in prison
PAUL TAKES
OVER
Ch 13 - 28
Ch 13 = 1st
Trip (13-14
– 2 chapters)
Ch 14 = 1st
Trip
Ch 15 = Jerusalem
Council
Ch 16 = 2nd Trip
(16-18.5 - 2.5 chapters)
Ch 17 = 2nd
Trip
Ch 18 = 2nd
Trip, 3rd Trip (18.5-21.5
- 3
chapters)
Ch 19 = 3rd
Trip
Ch 20 = 3rd
Trip
Ch 21 = 3rd
Trip
Ch 22 = Paul held at
Jerusalem
Ch 23 = Paul held at
Jerusalem
Ch 24 = Paul held at
Caesarea
Ch 25 = Paul held at
Caesarea
Ch 26 = Paul held at
Caesarea
Ch 27 = Trip to Rome (27 – 28.5
– 1.5
chapters)
Ch 28 = Trip to Rome
CH 1
Infallible proofs; Christ
goes to
heaven; the Upper Room assembly; Matthias chosen
1:1-5
INFALLIBLE PROOFS
1:1
The former treatise
This
treatise
is the gospel of Luke. A treatise is an exact, formal and systematic
essay on a
particular subject and deals with actual evidence and facts – in this
case the
doings and teachings of Christ.
have I
made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus (Jesus the
Saviour
not Christ the Messiah) began both to do
and teach,
Luke
has written the gospel of Luke in 57AD, to a most excellent Theophilus
(Luke
1:3), a Roman official of high rank. Now in 60AD, Luke writes again to
him to
inform him of the Acts of the Apostles.
Most
excellent is a term reserved for high Roman officials as evidenced
by the following
Claudius
Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. Acts
23:26
It seemed
good to me also, having had perfect
understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in
order, most excellent Theophilus, Luke
1:3
1:2
Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through
the Holy
Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
Jesus
gives commandments to his Apostles. Are
Christians under any laws and commandments of God? Absolutely. Paul
says If any man
think himself to be
a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I
write unto
you are the commandments of the Lord.
1 Cor 14:37
This
refutes
the false argument used by many today that “We are not under the law
any more,
we are under grace.” Christ gave his apostles commands and Paul also
gives
commands to Christians today. As Paul says should sin abound because we
are
under grace, God forbid.
1:3 To
whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible
proofs,
being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to
the
kingdom of God:
To whom
also he shewed himself alive after
his passion
The
word “passion” is only used once in the Bible. What do you hear today?
Everyone’s passionate about this or that. “I’m passionate about my job”
and so
on. No, they are not! It’s a bastardisation of the word. To experience
passion
is to pay the penalty of having God’s wrath placed on you, being
sinless, for
the sins of the world. That’s passion. It is having God turn away from
you as
you become sin. No. People might be excited, or happy or fulfilled
about
something but it is not passion. No. Used once for one man at one point
in time
and never to be repeated.
by many
infallible proofs, being seen of them
forty days,
For
forty days after the cross Jesus leaves no-one in any doubt that he had
risen.
1. To
Mary Magdalene early morning (Mk 16:9-10)
2. To
the other women early morning (Matt 28:9-10)
3. To
the two disciples on the way to Emmaus (Mk 16:12-13)
4. To
Peter sometime that day ((Lk 24:34)
5. To
the eleven that night (Mk 16:14)
6. To
the eleven a week later with Thomas present (Jn 20:26-29,30-31)
7. To
the seven beside the Sea of Galilee (John 21)
8. To
the eleven in Galilee and 500 others (1Cor 15:5-8)
9. To
James (1Cor 15:7)
10. Final appearance at the Ascension (Mark 16:19)
11. To
Paul as one born out of due time (1Cor 15:8).
and
speaking of the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God:
Yes,
the time for the kingdom of heaven here on earth had passed. Jesus has
now shed
his blood for the whole world and it’s time for Paul’s gospel of direct entry into the kingdom of God.
Previous
to this, the best people could do was to go to Abraham’s bosom and wait
to be collected
by Jesus after the cross -
Wherefore
he saith, When he ascended up on high, he
led captivity captive, and gave
gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended,
what is it but that he also descended
first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the
same also
that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:8-10
1:4
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that
they should
not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,
which, saith
he, ye have heard of me.
This
promise of the Father is that of the Spirit and called the
promise of the Spirit and also
called that holy Spirit of promise and the
promise of the Holy Ghost.
That the
blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the
promise of the Spirit through faith. Gal 3:14
In whom ye
also trusted,
after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in
whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise, Eph 1:13
Therefore
being by the right hand of God exalted,
and having received of the Father the
promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now
see and
hear. Acts 2:33.
1:5 For
John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy
Ghost
not many days hence.
And were baptized of him (John) in Jordan, confessing their
sins. Matt 3:1-4,5-6
When Jesus
talks to
Nicodemus Jesus
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God. John 3:5
We
notice that they were to be baptised with
the Spirit not in the Spirit.
Today
Pastors are wrong in seeing this as a big spiritual bath filled with
the Holy
Ghost into which people plunge and swim and swish about in. Having a
wash in the Spirit. Wrong!
To be
born of the Spirit is to have the Holy Ghost baptise you into the death
of
Christ. This happens once when you get saved.
Furthermore,
…
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38
So we have
Peter
confirming water baptism to receive the Holy Ghost.
1:6-11
CHRIST’S ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN
1:6
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him,
saying, Lord,
wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
The
disciples were still anxious to know when Christ would establish his
kingdom here
on earth with Israel as its head. No, this time had passed. It’s now
kingdom of
God time.
1:7 And
he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which
the Father hath put in his own power.
Yes,
Jesus Christ’s kingdom on earth will happen in about 2,000 years time
after the
tribulation and Armageddon where he will rule with a rod of iron. (Rev
19:15).
1:8 But
ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and
ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
But ye
shall receive power, after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you:
Upon
you and not permanently indwelling you.
and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost
part of
the earth.
This
is Jesus’ commission to the disciples. This is not yet the gospel of
Paul.
1:9 And
when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up;
and a
cloud received him out of their sight.
1:10
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up,
behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel;
1:11
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven?
this same Jesus (the
Saviour not Christ the Messiah), which
is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye
have seen
him go into heaven.
At the
rapture 2,000
years later, Jesus comes back to meet his church in the clouds as well.
Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:17
1:12-14
THE UPPER ROOM
1:12
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,
which is
from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
1:13
And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room,
where abode
both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas,
Bartholomew,
and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and JUDAS
THE
BROTHER OF JAMES
(this is Lebbaeus Thaddaeus)
Matthew
10:2 |
Mark 3:16 |
Luke 6:14 |
Lebbaeus with
surname Thaddaeus |
Thaddaeus |
Judas the
brother of James – this is Lebbaeus Thaddaeus |
1:14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication,
with the
women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
These
were his actual brothers (Matt 13:55)
1:15-26
MATTHIAS CHOSEN
1:15
And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples,
and
said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
There
were 120 disciples but only 12 apostles
1:16
Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled,
which
the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas,
which was
guide to them that took Jesus.
There
was a prophecy concerning Judas
1:17
For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this
ministry.
1:18
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and
falling
headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
1:19
And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as
that
field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The
field of
blood.
1:20
For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be
desolate,
and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
A
bishoprick is the office of a bishop. Ps 109:8 and also Ps 69:25
1:21
Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time
that
the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
1:22
Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he
was taken
up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his
resurrection.
There
are a few people strutting around today who think they are apostles.
Well, they
would have to be pretty old, say about 2,000 years old, and been around
since
John the Baptist and been with Jesus and observed his resurrection.
1:23
And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus,
and Matthias.
1:24
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts
of all
men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
1:25
That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from
which Judas
by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
1:26
And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias;
and he
was numbered with the eleven apostles.
At
this stage casting lots was still acceptable to God.
CH 2
Pentecost;
Peter
addresses the men of Israel
2:1
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with
one
accord in one place.
2:2 And
suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it
filled all the house where they were sitting.
It wasn’t a wind that was blowing but only
the sound of wind. The Spirit of God
and the Holy Ghost is also associated with the wind elsewhere (Jn 3:8).
2:3 And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat
upon each
of them.
It wasn’t fire but it looked like fire “…as
of fire…”
2:4 And
they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
A
tongue is an actual, known, legitimate, proper, spoken language
2:5 And
there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation
under
heaven.
2:6 Now
when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were
confounded,
because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
2:7 And
they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are
not all
these which speak Galilaeans?
2:8 And
how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
2:9
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, and
in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
2:10
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya
about
Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
2:11
Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the
wonderful
works of God.
There were
17 known languages mentioned.
1. To
speak in a tongue was to speak a known language.
2. These
languages were supernaturally given
by God and not learnt.
3. All
languages were understood by the men
that were present.
4. Interpreting
and translating a tongue was God given and was not a
learnt skill.
5. No
tongue speakers or interpreters would have learnt these languages
beforehand.
6. Tongues
were never given for praying to God.
7. Tongues
were given for men to speak to other
men never for prayer
8. There
were no Christians at Pentecost.
9. Tongues,
known or unknown, are never for
Christians (1Cor 14:22)
10. Praying
in tongues was unheard of.
11. Speaking
in tongues was solely for unbelieving
Jews.
12. Tongues
for the Jew were never for praying
13. Tongues
were given for men to speak to other
men never back to God.
14. Paul mocks unknown tongue speakers by saying
“Go home and speak to God. I, Paul,
know nothing about speaking in unknown tongues” Note that he doesn’t
say “Go
home and pray to God.”
15. Tongues
were a sign of judgment upon Israel. Why? God was now speaking to the
world in
other languages. Previous to this, God spoke to man only in Hebrew.
That time
had finished. Israel has rejected Jesus and put him on the cross. God
said
“Right then! I’m putting you, Israel, to one side for 2,000 years, and
my blood
will be for all men.”
16. Question to the self-appointed and deluded
frauds of today “Oh by the way, which language do you speak? There are
only
seventeen to, pick from.” (Acts 2:9-11)
17. Paul only ever prayed and sang with
understanding. (1Cor 14:15).
18. Now let’s suppose one of the apostles began to
speak in Chinese at Pentecost. This would be an unknown tongue as there
were no
Chinese present. So in this case Paul, in chapter 14 of First
Corinthians,
would say “Shut up please! You are a fraud. God would not give you the
ability
to speak in Chinese if no Chinese were present. You are speaking in an
unknown
tongue. No-one understands you. Be quiet and go home and talk to God if
you
must, but not here thank you very much! And by the way, I speak, not
pray, to
God. Go and sort it out with him. You are out of order. I know nothing
about
what you are doing!”
19. Dear Reader, if you ever come across a person
who professes to speak in tongues my advice is to RUN A MILE! THEY ARE
FRAUDS!
THEY ARE LIARS! THEY ARE PUFFED UP! THEY ARE IMPOSTERS! THEY ARE CLOUDS
WITHOUT
WATER!
20. They say “Oh but I speak in the tongue of an
angel.” What lies! They aren’t angels! How can they speak in the tongue
of an
angel? Paul says “Though I could …”. But he can’t because he is not an
angel.
|
Proper languages |
Not a language |
Class 1 Tongues - known |
√ |
|
Class 2 Tongues - unknown |
√ |
|
Class 3 Today’s
babble |
|
× |
In summary:
If you
want to speak in tongues there are several conditions:
1. It
has to be done before 70AD.
2. There
must be unbelieving Jews present
3. You
must speak in one of the seventeen languages of Acts 2:9-11
2:12
And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to
another, What
meaneth this?
2:13
Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
New
wine is newly pressed and is unfermented wine. That is really mocking
someone
as it implies the speakers were crazy with no excuses – they couldn’t
even
blame the wine.
2:14
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and
said
unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be
this known
unto you, and hearken to my words:
2:15
For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the
third
hour of the day.
That’s
9 am
2:16
But THIS IS THAT which was
spoken by the prophet Joel;
What
does “this is that” mean?
Was
Pentecost the fulfilment of Joel?
If so,
the following questions arise about the prophecy in Joel 2:28-31,32
28
And it
shall come to pass afterward, that I
will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall
dream dreams, your young men shall
see visions:
29 And also upon the
servants and
upon the handmaids in those days will I
pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth,
blood, and fire, and pillars
of smoke.
31 The sun
shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood,
before the great
and the terrible day of the LORD come.
32And it shall come to
pass, that whosoever shall call on
the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount
Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
DELIVERANCE, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom
the LORD
shall call. Joel 2:28-32
1. Was
Pentecost the last days? NO. The men at Pentecost knew that Joel was a
prophecy
for the future.
2. Was
God’s Spirit poured out on all flesh at Pentecost? NO. Only on the men
present
at Jerusalem. In Joel, God’s Spirit will be poured out on all
flesh – every man, woman and child in Israel in the tribulation
and “…they shall look upon me whom they
have pierced…” Zech 12:10
3. Did
the sons and daughters at Pentecost prophesy? NO
4. Did
the young men at Pentecost see visions, and the old men dream dreams? NO
5. Did
the servants and handmaidens at Pentecost prophesy? NO. There were none
present.
6. Were
there wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood,
and fire,
and vapour of smoke? NO
7. Did
the sun turn into darkness, the moon into blood? NO
8. Was
Pentecost the great and notable day of the Lord? NO
Whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered/saved. YES!
This is called salvation in
Acts but a physical
deliverance in Joel whereupon the Lord will open their eyes. God allows Peter, when addressing the
Pentecost crowd, to take the deliverance of Israel in
the Tribulation of
Joel and put it into the context of salvation here in Acts.
And it
shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be SAVED.
Acts 2:21
And
it shall come to pass, that whosoever
shall call on the name of the LORD shall be DELIVERED:
Joel 2:32
But
there are four common factors of Joel
and Pentecost:
1. The
Jew was under the judgment of God.
Previous to Pentecost, God spoke to man only in the Hebrew language
through the
prophets and so on. At Pentecost God is saying that they are being ‘put
aside’
for 2,000 years as God will speak to men in all languages.
2. God’s
Spirit present at both times – at
Pentecost it’s the sound of wind.
3. Fire – in Joel
it’s
actual but at Pentecost it’s symbolic
with “…cloven tongues like as of fire…”. Fire
in the
scriptures represents judgment and punishment not
purification, energy and zeal to serve the Lord. We have hell
fire (Matt 5:22) for example and Jesus with eyes as of fire in the
Revelation
(Rev 1:14,Rev 2:18) and the lake of fire (Rev 19:20). In Joel it will be
actual
physical judgment but at Pentecost it is the symbolic judgment of the SOUND of the wind and tongues AS
of fire.
4. Calling
on the name of the Lord to be saved (Acts) and delivered (Joel)
The
end result being to get both groups of people to call on the name of
the Lord
and get delivered/saved.
In JOEL we have Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered
(Joel 2:32)
The
prophecy in
Joel comes to fruition in the seven year Tribulation when “…
I will pour upon the house of
David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace
and of supplications: and they shall
look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him,
as one
mourneth for his only son,
and shall be in bitterness for
him, as one that is in bitterness for his
firstborn.” Zech 12:10
At PENTECOST,
Now when
they heard this, they were pricked in their
heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts
2:37-38
The men at
Pentecost were
calling on the name of the Lord to be saved as the Jew will in the
Tribulation.
So
what is the meaning of THIS IS THAT
(Acts 2:16)?
THIS Spirit (in Acts
2) is the same as THAT Spirit (in
Joel) bringing about judgment at two
different times at two different events and one with “actual
fire” and the other “as
of fire”. It is the self-same Spirit and not a different one.
This judgment
at
Pentecost is the same as that judgment
in Joel with the end result being to call on the name of the Lord.
You see
the
Pentecost mockers were saying to the tongue speakers “You have an evil
spirit.”
Similar to when they accused Christ of having a devil. Peter refutes
this by
saying “Not so! Be assured that the Spirit in operation here at
Pentecost is
the same one as that prophesied through Joel. THE EVENTS
THAT ARE HAPPENING HERE AT PENTECOST ARE NOT THE
FULFILMENT OF THOSE IN JOEL. You’ll have to wait another 2,000
years for
that. The only connections between Joel and Pentecost is judgment,
God’s Spirit, fire and you calling on the name of the Lord to be saved/delivered.
Now any
questions?”
Peter’s
audience
well understood this, unlike churches of today.
2:22 Ye
men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus (Jesus the
Saviour not Christ the Messiah) of Nazareth, a man
approved of God among
you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the
midst of
you, as ye yourselves also know:
Read
Matthew for an endless list of healings, deliverances, raising from the
dead
and so on.
2:23
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of
God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Not
only did God have foreknowledge of the cross but he also foreordained
it (1Pet
1:20)
2:24
Whom God hath raised up, (yes the
body was raised) having loosed the pains of death: because
it was not possible that he
should be holden of it.
You
can be ‘held’ but this is not ‘holden’. To be ‘holden’ is to be held
within a
structure. If you notice that some people have leg irons to help them
walk.
This is to be ‘holden’.
Australia
has a car called the Holden. This name was deliberately chosen such
that the
driver and occupants being ‘held’ inside the car to make them feel more
secure
with the car body or structure around them.
2:25
For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always
before my
face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
2:26
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover
also my
flesh shall rest in hope:
2:27
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou
suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption.
2:28
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me
full of
joy with thy countenance.
Peter’s
audience were Jews and loved David. Peter is just reminding them what
David
said concerning Jesus Christ. This is from Ps 16:8-11.
2:29
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch
David,
that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this
day.
2:30
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with
an oath
to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he
would raise
up Christ (This
is the Messiah) to sit on his throne;
2:31 He
seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ (This is
the Messiah), that his soul was not left in hell,
neither his flesh did see corruption.
19
By which
also he went and
preached unto the spirits in prison; 1Pet 3:19
8 Wherefore he saith,
When he
ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended,
what is it
but that he also descended first into
the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is
the same
also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all
things.) Eph 4:8-10
Wherefore
he saith also in another psalm, Thou
shalt not
suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Acts 13:35
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither
wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Ps
16:10
2:32
This Jesus (This
is the Saviour) hath God raised up,
whereof we all are witnesses.
See
Acts 1:3 for the description of the witnesses.
2:33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having
received of
the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this,
which ye now
see and hear.
2:34
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith
himself, The
Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
2:35
Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God
hath made
the same Jesus (the
Saviour) , whom ye have crucified, both
Lord (God himself – Jehovah in the Old Testament and Jesus in the
New
Testament) and Christ (the Messiah).
2:37
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and
said
unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what
shall we do?
What works
shall we perform?
2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the
gift of the Holy Ghost.
1. Repent
of the sins of crucifying Christ
2. Get
water baptised
3. For
the remission of sins – this is for
sins past. Not for future sins. Then
you will receive the Holy Ghost.
Paul says
“Believe …” and this is not a work.
(Rom 4:5).
For Christ
sent me not to baptize,
but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of
Christ
should be made of none effect. 1 Cor
1:17
2:39
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all
that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
The
promise of the Holy Ghost
2:40
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying,
Save
yourselves from this untoward generation.
2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the
same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Had to
get water baptised to receive the Holy Ghost and be saved. This is what
they
had to do at that point in time to be saved. NOT SO TODAY!
2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
This
is the apostles’, minus Paul, doctrine. This takes place in 33AD and
Paul
begins to write in 50AD after his first trip in 45-48AD.
2:43
And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were
done by
the apostles.
There
are no apostles today and so there is nobody doing signs and wonders.
2:44
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
2:45
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all
men, as
every man had need.
2:46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of
heart,
2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the
Lord added
to the church daily such as should be saved.
CH 3
The lame
beggar
3:1
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour
of
prayer, being the ninth hour. (3pm)
3:2 And
a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid
daily at
the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them
that
entered into the temple;
3:3 Who
seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
3:4 And
Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
3:5 And
he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
3:6
Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have
give I
thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
3:7 And
he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his
feet and
ankle bones received strength.
3:8 And
he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple,
walking, and leaping, and praising God.
This was
the great
commission given to the disciples by Christ. This is not Paul’s
commission.
15
And he
said unto them, Go ye
into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and
is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs
shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast
out devils; they shall speak with new
tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not
hurt them; they shall lay hands on the
sick, and they shall recover. Mark
16:15-18
Well-meaning
souls attempting to do this today make absolutes fools of
themselves. Why? It’s perfect doctrine and 100% correct but the wrong
dispensation! The wrong time! This time has passed!
Handling serpents
– with disastrous results; drinking poison resulting in with deaths;
healings –
not even a sick cat, devils – watching too much TV; new tongues – Baby
Bathroom
Babble of googooshahshahdumdum? What? Are people crazy or something?!
As it has
been said “Some Christians are the most stupid and easy to fool of all
people”.
What is
Paul’s commission? We are given the ministry of reconciliation.
And all
things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ,
and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation; 2 Cor 5:18
“Hello
sinner. Meet the man who died for your sins. Now would you please
allow me to reconcile you to Jesus Christ?”
3:9 And
all the people saw him walking and praising God:
3:10
And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful
gate of
the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that
which had
happened unto him.
3:11 And as the
lame man which was healed held
Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that
is
called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
3:12
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of
Israel,
why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by
our own
power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
3:13
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our
fathers,
hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in
the
presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
3:14
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer
to be
granted unto you;
3:15 And killed the
Prince of life, whom God hath
raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
3:16
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man
strong, whom
ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this
perfect
soundness in the presence of you all.
3:17
And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as
did also
your rulers.
‘Wot’
is not an out of date word. The word
“wit” comes from “wot” and means to have knowledge with understanding.
This is
a legal term and is found in many legal documents.
You
may have seen the following:
A
statement is made about something and this is followed by To Wit: which
says to
the reader now “Pay Attention”
If you
have ever heard of “Keep your wits about you?”, this means with
knowledge,
wisdom and alertness.
3:18
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of
all his
prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be
blotted
out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord.
This
is Peter and John’s gospel. This is not Paul’s gospel of “Believe on
the Lord
Jesus Christ”
3:20 And he shall
send Jesus Christ, which before
was preached unto you:
3:21
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of
all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets
since the
world began.
The
restitution of all things occurs when the Millennial reign starts.
3:22
For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord
your God
raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in
all
things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
This
prophet
is the Lord Jesus Christ foretold in the Old Testament.
The LORD
thy God
will raise up unto thee a Prophet
from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me;
unto him
ye shall hearken; …. I will raise them up a Prophet
from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my
words in his mouth; and he shall speak
unto them all that I shall command him. Deut 18:15,18
3:23
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear
that
prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ or be lost forever in hell.
3:24
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow
after, as
many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
3:25 Ye
are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made
with our
fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of
the
earth be blessed.
This seed
is Jesus
Christ.
Now to Abraham
and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of
many;
but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Gal
3:16
3:26
Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to
bless
you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
CH 4
Peter
and John imprisoned; growth of the church; Barnabas
4:1-31
PETER AND JOHN IMPRISONED
4:1
And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain
of the
temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
4:2
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through
Jesus
the resurrection from the dead.
The same
day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is
no resurrection … Matt
22:23
As
preached by many “They were Sad-You-See because they didn’t
believe that Christ rose from the dead.
4:3 And
they laid hands on them, and put them in hold (prison) unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4:4
Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the
number of
the men was about five thousand.
4:5 And
it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and
scribes,
4:6 And
Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as
many as
were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at
Jerusalem.
4:7 And
when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by
what
name, have ye done this?
4:8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye
rulers of the
people, and elders of Israel,
4:9 If
we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by
what
means he is made whole;
4:10 Be
it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the
name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the
dead,
even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
What
is the critical test for a person who says they are filled with the
Holy Ghost?
Answer – they talk about Jesus Christ and never the Spirit.
4:11
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which
is
become the head of the corner.
4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other
name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived
that
they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took
knowledge
of them, that they had been with Jesus.
For ye see
your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men
after the flesh, not
many mighty, not many noble, are called: 1 Cor
1:26
4:14
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they
could
say nothing against it.
4:15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council,
they
conferred among themselves,
4:16
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable
miracle
hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem;
and we
cannot deny it.
4:17
But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly
threaten
them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
4:18
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor
teach
in the name of Jesus.
4:19
But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be
right in
the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
4:20
For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
4:21 So
when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding
nothing how
they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified
God for
that which was done.
4:22
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of
healing
was shewed.
4:23
And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported
all that
the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
4:24
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with
one
accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and
earth, and
the sea, and all that in them is:
4:25
Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the
heathen
rage, and the people imagine vain things?
4:26
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered
together
against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Why do the
heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings
of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,
against the
LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psalm 2:1-2
4:27
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou
hast
anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the
people of
Israel, were gathered together,
4:28
For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before
to be
done.
4:29
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants,
that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
4:30 By stretching
forth thine hand to heal; and
that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child
Jesus.
Yes,
this child is the same one as mentioned in Isaiah,
just so you don’t get confused as to
the nature of the holy child Jesus who is the Saviour, God himself, The
everlasting Father and so on. This confirms the unbroken line of the
child
being God who will sit on the throne of David with his government
increasing
forever.
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his
name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor,
The mighty God, The
everlasting Father, The Prince of
Peace. Of the increase of his
government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his
kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with
justice from
henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform
this. Is 9:6-7
The other
versions have your
Holy Servant Jesus. This could be anyone! Is this the same person
as the
holy child mentioned in Isaiah? Who knows?
4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled
together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake
the word
of God with boldness.
When
filled with the Holy Ghost you talk of
Jesus and his word and words, never the Spirit or the Holy Ghost
himself. We
have communion of/with, and never in, the Holy Ghost. Christians have a
‘common – union’ with the Holy Ghost
and that purpose is to glorify Jesus Christ.
All the
saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
love of God, and the communion of the
Holy Ghost, be with you
all. Amen. 2 Cor 13:13-14
Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew
you things to come. He shall glorify me:
for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it
unto you. John 16:13-14
4:32-35
GROWTH OF THE CHURCH
4:32
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of
one
soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he
possessed was
his own; but they had all things common.
4:33
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the
resurrection of
the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
4:34
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as
were
possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the
things
that were sold,
4:35
And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was
made unto
every man according as he had need.
4:36-37
BARNABAS
4:36
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is,
being
interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of
Cyprus,
This
is the same Barnabas that went to seek for Saul (Acts 11:25)
4:37
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the
apostles' feet.
CH 5
Ananias
and Sapphira; 2nd imprisonment of the Apostles
5:1-11
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
5:1
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession,
5:2 And
kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and
brought a
certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
5:3 But
Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the
Holy
Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
5:4
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold,
was it
not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine
heart? thou
hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
Ananias
lied to the Holy Ghost (v3) and lied to God (v5) thus proving the Holy
Ghost is
God and God is the Holy Ghost.
5:5 And
Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great
fear
came on all them that heard these things.
The
ghost is the spirit of a man. The fear of God and the love of God are
good
things to have.
5:6 And
the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
5:7 And
it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing
what
was done, came in.
5:8 And
Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much?
And she
said, Yea, for so much.
5:9
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together
to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have
buried thy
husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
5:10
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the
ghost:
and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth,
buried
her by her husband.
5:11
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as
heard these
things.
5:12-42 2ND
IMPRISONMENT OF THE
APOSTLES
5:12
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders
wrought
among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
5:13
And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the
people
magnified them.
5:14
And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both
of men
and women.)
5:15
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and
laid
them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing
by
might overshadow some of them.
Ignorant
Pastors woefully and unsuccessfully try this as well. The TV
evangelists would
have you put your hand on the TV screen. “Send in your hankies and
we’ll bless
them and send them back (by the way include in your envelope an
offering to
indicate the size of your faith).” These tricksters and frauds don’t
realize they are not apostles! What we
are reading here are the acts of
the Apostles! There are no apostles today! These were apostles with
Jesus and
those with his instructions after he died.
5:16
There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto
Jerusalem,
bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits:
and they
were healed every one.
5:17
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him,
(which is
the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Who
can stand before envy (Prov 27:4)
5:18
And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common
prison.
5:19
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and
brought
them forth, and said,
5:20
Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of
this
life.
5:21
And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in
the
morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with
him, and
called the council together, and all the senate of the children of
Israel, and
sent to the prison to have them brought.
5:22
But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison,
they
returned and told,
5:23
Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the
keepers
standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no
man
within.
5:24
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the
chief
priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would
grow.
5:25 Then came one
and told them, saying, Behold,
the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching
the
people.
5:26
Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them
without
violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
That is
they brought them or ‘hauled’ them
but not ‘haled’ them. ‘Haling’ is hauling plus violence. As for
Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into
every house, and haling men and
women committed them to prison.
Acts 8:3
5:27
And when they had brought them, they set them before the
council: and
the high priest asked them,
5:28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach
in this
name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and
intend to
bring this man's blood upon us.
5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to
obey
God rather than men.
5:30
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged
on a
tree.
5:31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a
Saviour,
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
This
is the holy child of Isaiah who is The Prince of Peace, The mighty God
and The
everlasting Father. (Is 9:6)
5:32
And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the
Holy Ghost,
whom God hath given to them that obey him.
How
can someone get the Holy Ghost today? Obey what Paul said to the jailer
And
brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And
they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved … Acts
16:30-31
5:33
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took
counsel to
slay them.
5:34
Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named
Gamaliel, a
doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and
commanded to put
the apostles forth a little space;
Paul
had been a student of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). He knew Paul and was
prepared to
wait and see, and he has good advice also in verses 38-39.
5:35
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves
what ye
intend to do as touching these men.
5:36
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be
somebody;
to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was
slain;
and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
5:37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the
taxing, and
drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as
many as
obeyed him, were dispersed.
5:38
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them
alone: for
if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
5:39
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be
found even
to fight against God.
5:40
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles,
and
beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of
Jesus,
and let them go.
This is
Jesus the Saviour and not Christ the Messiah.
5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing
that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
5:42
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to
teach
and preach Jesus Christ.
CH 6
Appointment
of the seven; Stephen
6: 1-7
APPOINTMENT OF THE SEVEN
6:1
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplied,
there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because
their
widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
6:2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them,
and
said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve
tables.
6:3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest
report,
full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business.
6:4 But
we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of
the word.
6:5 And
the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man
full of
faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,
and Timon,
and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed,
they laid
their hands on them.
6:7 And
the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied
in
Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to
the
faith.
6: 8-15
STEPHEN
6:8 And
Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among
the
people.
6:9
Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the
synagogue
of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of
Cilicia and
of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
6:10
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by
which he
spake.
6:11
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak
blasphemous
words against Moses, and against God.
The
word “subornation” means the act of inducing a person whether by bribes
or
persuasion, to do something illegal. In this case they made up lies
against
Stephen and the rest of the apostles.
6:12
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes,
and
came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,
6:13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to
speak
blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:
6:14
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall
destroy
this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
6:15
And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw
his face
as it had been the face of an angel.
CH 7
Stephen’s
martyrdom; Saul
7:1-60
STEPHEN’S MARTYRDOM
7:1
Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
7:2 And
he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared
unto
our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in
Charran,
Mesopotamia
also in the region of the Chaldees and Babylon.
Charran
also called Haran (Gen 12:4)
7:3 And
said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and
come into
the land which I shall shew thee.
7:4
Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in
Charran:
and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this
land,
wherein ye now dwell.
Terah
was his father. Gen 11:32
7:5 And
he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot
on: yet
he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his
seed
after him, when as yet he had no child.
This
is the land of Canaan – the promised land Gen 13:15-16
7:6 And
God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a
strange land;
and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four
hundred years.
This
is mistaken as being slaves for 400 years in Egypt. No,
they were only slaves in Egypt for 144 years.
The
following is a basic table of events times, people, places from
Abraham’s birth
in 1951 BC to the temple being built in 966 BC.
1951 |
ABRAHAM BORN - (175yrs)
Gen 25:7; dies 1776 |
1941 |
Sarah born
|
1876 |
ABRAHAM 75YRS Gen 12:4;
Ab’s seed is Christ Gal 3:17 – after 430yrs then the
Exodus 1446BC. DEPARTS HARAN Gen 12:4.
THIS IS THE START OF THE
430 YRS. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt,
was four hundred and thirty
years. Ex 12:40. After
departing Haran their sojourning was 430 yrs not just the time
spent in Egypt of 144yrs (430
years = 25yrs to Isaac birth + 5yrs Isaac
weaned + 185yrs Canaan + 71yrs fruitful in Egypt+ 144yrs
slavery in Egypt) |
1852 |
Abraham
circumcision 99yrs (Gen 17:24) |
1851 |
Isaac born
– (180yrs); dies 1671; Abraham 100 yrs old |
1846 |
THE START OF THE JEWISH
HISTORY Isaac
weaned (5 yr old) … In Isaac
shall thy seed be called. Rom 9:7; Gen 21:12 1. Canaan 185yrs
2. Fruitful in Egypt 71yrs 3. Enslavement in Egypt only
144yrs = 400yrs |
1791 |
Jacob born
(147yrs) Enters Egypt when 130 yrs and dies 17 yrs later in 1644. |
1776 |
Abraham
dies (175). This is 115 years before entry into Egypt. |
1700 |
Joseph
born (110yrs) Gen 50:22. This is 39 years before the 11 tribes enter.
He dies 1590 |
1671 |
Isaac dies
(180yrs) |
1670 |
Joseph
starts Egypt rule when 30yrs. And rules
for 9yrs before the 11 tribes enter Egypt |
1663 |
Famine
starts for 2yrs following 7 yrs of plenty (Gen 41:29-30) |
1661 |
11 TRIBES ENTER EGYPT + Joseph
already there. Have 71yrs of being
fruitful, abundant, multiplied, mighty & land filled with them (Ex
1:7) |
1656 |
Famine
ends |
1644 |
Jacob dies
(147) after 17 yrs in Egypt. |
1590 |
SLAVERY BEGINS FOR 144 YRS “..serve
with rigour …bitter…hard bondage” (Ex1:13-14) Joseph
dies 110 yrs old (Ex 1:6) New king in Egypt who knew not Joseph (Ex
1:8). |
1529 |
Aaron born
(123yrs) dies 1406 (Num 33:38-39) |
1526 |
Moses born
(120yrs) dies 1406 (just before entry into Canaan) |
1500 |
Joshua
born (110yrs) dies 1390 |
1446 |
EXODUS FROM EGYPT AFTER 144
YRS OF SLAVERY (40yrs
wandering) |
1406 |
ENTRY INTO CANAAN Moses dies
1406 (120yrs old) |
1390 |
Joshua
dies (123yrs) after 16 yrs leading in Canaan. Totalling
their ruling years the judges rule for 340 yrs. But 450 yrs of judges include gaps between the various
judges. (Acts 13:20) |
1050 |
Saul king
(40yr reign) |
1010 |
David king
(40yr reign) |
970 |
Solomon
king (40yr reign) |
966 |
TEMPLE BUILDING STARTS by Solomon (480 yrs after Exodus 1446 & in the 4th yr of
Solomon’s reign) (1Ki 6:1) |
7:7 And
the nation (Egypt)
to whom they shall be in bondage will I
judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in
this
place.
Egypt
puts the Jews under bondage. They shall exodus Egypt and serve the Lord
in
Canaan.
7:8 And
he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac,
and
circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat
the
twelve patriarchs.
Abraham
circumcised when 99 years old (Gen 17:24)
7:9 And
the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was
with him,
These
patriarchs are Joseph’s brothers
7:10
And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him
favour and
wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor
over
Egypt and all his house.
Joseph
rules for 9 years before his brothers come to Egypt looking for food
7:11
Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan,
and
great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
The
word “dearth” = ‘death’ + ‘earth’ ie the death of the earth which is a
famine.
The
famine starts in 1663 BC. See chart above. Channan is also called
Canaan.
7:12
But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out
our
fathers first.
These
are the brothers of Joseph minus Benjamin the youngest one.
7:13
And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren;
and
Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.
Joseph’s
brothers leave the first time and come back again with Benjamin.
7:14
Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all
his
kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
75
people enter Egypt in 1661BC
7:15 So
Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
Jacob
lived for 17 yrs in Egypt before he died
7:16
And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre
that
Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of
Sychem.
Joshua
24:32
7:17
But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn
to
Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Yes,
they had 71 years of growing and multiplying in Egypt.
7:18
Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
Ex
1:8. Joseph dies and then the slavery under the whip begins in 1590 BC.
This
will last for 144 years till 1446 BC of the exodus.
7:19
The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our
fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they
might not
live.
Exodus
1:16
7:20 In
which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in
his
father's house three months:
Moses
born 1526 BC which was 80 years before the exodus in 1446 BC
7:21
And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and
nourished
him for her own son.
7:22
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and
was mighty
in words and in deeds.
In the
eyes of the world he was a very capable man. But when God wants to use
a man
it’s the opposite. He strips away everything such that God gets all the
glory.
This happens 40 years later when he is 80 years old.
7:23
And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to
visit
his brethren the children of Israel.
This
was in 1486 BC. When he was 40 yrs old.
7:24
And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and
avenged him
that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
7:25
For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God
by his
hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
7:26 And
the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have
set
them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one
to
another?
Ex
2:13
7:27
But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who
made
thee a ruler and a judge over us?
Ex
2:14
7:28
Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
7:29
Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land
of
Madian, where he begat two sons.
This
is Madian Acts 7:29 which is in Arabia! Not down the bottom of Mt Sinai
where
the Catholics have their monastery. MT
SINAI IS IN ARABIA NOT THE SINAI PENINSULA!!!!
7:30
And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the
wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a
bush.
He was
80 yrs old here. Just before the time of the exodus of 1446 BC. This is
Mt
Sinai in Arabia and not on the Mt Sinai peninsula.
7:31
When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near
to
behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,
7:32
Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the
God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
He
didn’t look up.
7:33
Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for
the
place where thou standest is holy ground.
7:34 I
have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt,
and I
have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now
come, I
will send thee into Egypt.
7:35
This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and
a judge?
the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the
angel
which appeared to him in the bush.
7:36 He
brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the
land of
Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
From
the time of 1446 – 1406 BC. Forty years in the desert.
7:37
This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A
prophet
shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto
me; him
shall ye hear.
7:38
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the
angel
which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who
received the
lively oracles to give unto us:
Mt
Sinai is in Arabia. The lively oracles are the Ten Commandments.
7:39 To
whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their
hearts
turned back again into Egypt,
7:40
Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this
Moses,
which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of
him.
7:41
And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto
the idol,
and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Moses
goes up the mountain and the people start sinning with a calf Ex 32:24.
Like
Cain, they rejoiced in the works of his own hands as an offering to
God. God
likes God’s works.
7:42
Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven;
as it
is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye
offered
to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the
wilderness?
The
host of heaven are the stars and moon etc (Gen 2:1)
7:43
Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your
god
Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you
away
beyond Babylon.
This
is their six-star emblem they have today. Babylon exile last for 70
years from
606 BC to 536 BC.
7:44
Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as
he had
appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the
fashion
that he had seen.
This
is the tent in the desert. Ex 25:9
7:45
Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus (not
Joshua but Jesus
the Saviour) into the possession of the
Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the
days of
David;
This
is Canaan. This proves Jesus is Jehovah and vice versa (Heb 13:8)
7:46
Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle
for the
God of Jacob.
7:47
But Solomon built him an house.
See
the table above. This was started in 966 BC in the 4th year
of
Solomon’s reign. 1Kings 6:1.
7:48
Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
as saith
the prophet,
Yes,
this is heaven that God made and man didn’t.
7:49
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will
ye build
me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?
7:50
Hath not my hand made all these things?
7:51 Ye
stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist
the Holy
Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Yes
this is their besetting sin of Hebrews 12:1
7:52 Which of the
prophets have not your fathers
persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming
of the
Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
They
slew all the prophets and the righteous Matthew 23:34-35
The
scribes
and the Pharisees put Jesus on the cross.
7:53
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have
not
kept it.
They couldn’t keep it. The law was not
designed to be kept (Gal 3:10, 13). The law was given to make sin
exceeding
sinful Rom 7:13
7:54
When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and
they
gnashed on him with their teeth.
Psalm
27:4.
7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into
heaven,
and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Yes,
when a person is filled with the holy Ghost, they speak and see Jesus.
7:56
And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man
standing
on the right hand of God.
See
that? The Son of man means that Christ rose bodily from death into
heaven. The
Sadducees hate the body resurrection. They say there was none.
7:57
Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears,
and ran
upon him with one accord,
SAUL
7:58
And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses
laid
down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
He was
Saul later to be re-named Paul.
7:59
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord
Jesus,
receive my spirit.
7:60
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not
this sin
to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
He
died. 1Cor 11:30.
CH 8
Dispersion
of the church; Philip; Baptism
8: 1-3
DISPERSION OF THE CHURCH
8:1
And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there
was a
great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they
were all
scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except
the
apostles.
8:2 And
devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation
over him.
8:3 As
for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and
haling
men and women committed them to prison.
“Haling”
is a combination of hauling + violence
8: 4-40
PHILIP
8:4
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where
preaching the
word.
The
Romans had built good roads and God allows persecution to spread the
word.
8:5
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached
Christ unto
them.
This
would be to the Jews of Samaria and he preached Christ the Messiah not
Jesus
the Saviour at this point in time.
8:6 And
the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip
spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Yes
Philip was an apostle and was given the ability for healings, miracles
and so
on. There are no apostles today. Therefore no more miracles.
8:7 For
unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were
possessed
with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8:8 And
there was great joy in that city.
8:9 But
there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same
city used
sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself
was some
great one:
8:10 To
whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This
man is
the great power of God.
8:11
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had
bewitched
them with sorceries.
8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning
the
kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both
men and
women.
This
is no longer preaching the kingdom of heaven. He starts to preach Jesus
Christ
(Saviour Christ) and he water baptizes. This however is not Paul’s
gospel. 1Cor
1:17-18
8:13
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he
continued
with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were
done.
As
mentioned, the people liked Simon so they followed his example.
8:14
Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria
had received
the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
8:15
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might
receive
the Holy Ghost:
8:16
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were
baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus.)
8:17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy
Ghost.
This
was a transition period of a combination of Christ, Jesus, water
baptism,
receiving the Holy Ghost and so on.
8:18
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands
the
Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
8:19
Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands,
he may
receive the Holy Ghost.
Happens
in churches today.
8:20
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because
thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
8:21
Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is
not
right in the sight of God.
8:22
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
8:23
For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in
the bond
of iniquity.
A very
stiff rebuke.
8:24
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that
none of
these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
8:25
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the
Lord,
returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the
Samaritans.
8:26
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and
go
toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza,
which
is desert.
8:27
And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch
of
great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the
charge of
all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
8:28
Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the
prophet.
He’s
reading the book of Isaiah.
8:29
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to
this
chariot.
8:30
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet
Esaias,
and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
8:31
And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he
desired
Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
8:32
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as
a sheep
to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he
not his
mouth:
Isaiah
53:4-7
8:33 In
his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his
generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
8:34
And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom
speaketh
the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
8:35
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture,
and
preached unto him Jesus.
Not
Christ but Jesus the Saviour. He was gentile and had not the tradition
of
Christ as the Messiah to ‘hinder’ him. For the Jew, it was difficult to
switch
from Christ the Messiah to Jesus the Saviour. This is the whole
doctrine and
message in the Book of Hebrews – move on form Christ the Messiah and
have Jesus
the Saviour.
8: 36-39
BAPTISM
8:36
And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:
and the
eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
8:37
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou
mayest.
And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
8:38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down
both
into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
The
Apostle Philip
was under the instructions to water baptize. This is not Paul’s gospel.
Paul
says
For Christ
sent me
not to baptize, but to
preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of
Christ should be made of none effect. 1Cor1:17
This is
the danger of water baptisms today. “ Are you saved?” “Oh yes”
they say “I was water baptised last Sunday.” Therefore I must be saved
is the
conclusion.
8:39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord
caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his
way
rejoicing.
Yes,
he was translated to another area. Of course he was an apostle – he
could do
miracles and God could translate him. I once heard a Pastor say this
happened
to him. “I was driving down the highway when suddenly I in the next
town fifty
miles away. I had no recollection of it at all.” Mmmmm! Yawn!!!!
False Conclusions:
1. “I must be an apostle” 2. “I must be really spiritual” 3. “I want
you all to
put more money in the plate” 4. “Now I want the congregation to obey me
in
spite of what is said anywhere in the scriptures.”
8:40
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached
in all
the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
CH 9
Conversion
of Paul; Peter in Joppa
9: 1-30
CONVERSION OF PAUL
9:1
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against
the
disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
Yes,
Saul killed the Christians.
9:2 And
desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found
any of
this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound
unto
Jerusalem.
9:3 And
as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round
about
him a light from heaven:
9:4 And
he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul,
why
persecutest thou me?
9:5 And
he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Pricks
were the goads and very sharp pointed sticks used by cattle men to herd
cows.
Like a horseman that wears spurs.
9:6 And
he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And the
Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told
thee what
thou must do.
9:7 And
the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but
seeing
no man.
Yes,
this will be like the rapture for Christians when it happens. We will
hear the
Lord’s actual words but the unsaved won’t as they will hear only the
sound of a
voice.
9:8 And
Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no
man: but
they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
The
eyes of his understanding were not yet opened. Like the Jew – they have
eyes
but can’t see Matt 13:13
9:9 And
he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
Paul
goes to the Ophthalmologist (the eye Doctor) “Nope, nothing wrong with
his
eyes. Everything’s normal. Can’t understand it.” This was a blindness
sent by
God.
Also
when you fast, make it spiritual and do it for the right reasons and
the Lord
takes away the taste for food.
9:10
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and
to him
said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here,
Lord.
God is
still speaking to men in visions here. We now have the scriptures. When
Paul
writes to the churches he never refers to visions as something to
follow. His
experience was different though (2Cor 1:1)
9:11
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which
is
called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul,
of Tarsus:
for, behold, he prayeth,
You
have to hand to the Lord as to his choice of words and names. “Yes,
Saul (Paul)
is going straight from now on!”
9:12
And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and
putting his
hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
People
today “Well I had a vision last night and it involved you.” “That’s
funny, I
didn’t.”
God
confirms with two or three witnesses. He tells Ananias and also Saul.
“Ananias
go to Saul.” “Saul, a man called Ananias is coming to see you.”
9:13
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man,
how much
evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
9:14
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all
that call
on thy name.
Prov
3:5-8 Lean not unto your own understanding
9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen
vessel unto
me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel:
Yes,
Gentiles first then the Jews as well.
9:16
For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my
name's sake.
Certainly
did. 2Cor 6:4-5; 2Cor 11:23-26,27-29
9:17
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and
putting his
hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared
unto thee
in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy
sight,
and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
9:18
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales:
and he
received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Yes,
water baptism was appropriate at this time. This was an interim and
transitional measure between John the ‘water’ Baptist and Paul’s pure
gospel.
But this is not yet Paul’s gospel.
9:19
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was
Saul
certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
9:20
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is
the Son
of God.
Yes,
he preaches Christ the Messiah at this stage not Jesus the Saviour –
this comes
later. Saul is just getting their attention as a halfway message.
9:21
But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he
that
destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither
for that
intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?
9:22
But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews
which
dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
“Yes,
Christ the Messiah now bodily residing in heaven, zapped me on the road
to
Damascus!” said Saul
9:23
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel
to kill
him:
“This
is outrageous” they said. Prov 27:4 Who can stand before envy. “He’s
more
spiritual than us. The people will believe him.” They should have
followed
Gamaliel’s advice. Acts 5:38-39
9:24
But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the
gates day
and night to kill him.
9:25
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the
wall in a
basket.
Similar
to Rahab and the spies (Heb 11:31; Joshua 2:15)
9:26 And
when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the
disciples:
but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a
disciple.
‘Assay’
is a word used by geologists meaning to deliberately
and with a plan to dig samples form
the earth. Saul was not haphazard in his
approach. It’s understandable their reluctance.
9:27
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and
declared
unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken
to him,
and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
9:28
And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
9:29
And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed
against
the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
9:30
Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea,
and
sent him forth to Tarsus.
Finally
they were convinced.
9:31-43
PETER IN JOPPA
9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and
Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in
the
comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
You
feel comfort in times of trouble? That’s the Holy Ghost. It’s a peace
that
passeth understanding. (Php 4:7). Fear of the Lord and comfort are
good
things to have.
9:32
And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he
came
down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
9:33
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept
his bed
eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
9:34
And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole:
arise,
and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
Peter
talks Jesus Christ – Saviour first then Messiah. This Jesus is the
Messiah.
9:35
And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the
Lord.
9:36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which
by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and
almsdeeds which she did.
9:37
And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died:
whom
when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
9:38
And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had
heard
that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he
would
not delay to come to them.
9:39
Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they
brought him
into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and
shewing
the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
9:40
But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and
turning
him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when
she saw
Peter, she sat up.
“Look
folks, would you mind stepping out of the room, you are not helping the
situation.”
9:41
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had
called the
saints and widows, presented her alive.
9:42
And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the
Lord.
People
today use this as an excuse not to believe.
“Well, if God was God, why does he allow pain and suffering.” “If God can heal my mother I’ll
believe ” and so on.
9:43
And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one
Simon a
tanner.
CH 10
The
extension of the gospel to the Gentiles
10: 1-48
THE EXTENSION OF THE GOSPEL TO THE
GENTILES
Not
Paul’s gospel
10:1
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a
centurion of the
band called the Italian band,
The
Roman centurion were often very honourable men and used to obeying.
(Matt 8:13,Matt 27:54; Acts 10:22)
10:2 A
devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much
alms to
the people, and prayed to God alway.
‘Alway’
is not ‘always’. The difference? ‘Always’ is ‘all the ways’ while
‘alway” is
‘all the time’ ie ‘all the way’. He prayed continuously, without a
break, not
continually with breaks.
It
rained continuously – no breaks.
It
rained continually – with breaks
10:3 He
saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of
God
coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
3pm in
the afternoon.
10:4
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it,
Lord?
And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial
before God.
10:5
And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname
is
Peter:
10:6 He
lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he
shall tell
thee what thou oughtest to do.
10:7
And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he
called
two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited
on him
continually;
They
had breaks. God chooses Cornelius – a man used to obeying
10:8
And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent
them to
Joppa.
10:9 On
the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city,
Peter
went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
Midday
10:10
And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they
made
ready, he fell into a trance,
10:11
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him,
as it
had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the
earth:
10:12
Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and
wild
beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
10:13
And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
10:14
But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing
that is
common or unclean.
10:15
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God
hath
cleansed, that call not thou common.
10:16
This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into
heaven.
This
is ten years after Pentecost and the cross. Peter still hadn’t got the
food
thing right. You know, clean and unclean animals. Old habits and
traditions die
hard. Deut 12-15.
10:17
Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had
seen
should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made
enquiry
for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
10:18 And called,
and asked whether Simon, which
was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
10:19
While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him,
Behold,
three men seek thee.
10:20
Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting
nothing:
for I have sent them.
10:21
Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from
Cornelius;
and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye
are
come?
10:22
And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that
feareth
God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned
from God
by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of
thee.
10:23
Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter
went
away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
10:24
And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius
waited
for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
10:25
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at
his
feet, and worshipped him.
10:26
But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
10:27
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were
come
together.
10:28
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing
for a
man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation;
but God
hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
Peter
now accepts Gentiles and ‘unclean’ food ten years after the cross.
10:29
Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was
sent for:
I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
10:30
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour;
and at
the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me
in
bright clothing,
10:31
And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had
in
remembrance in the sight of God.
10:32
Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is
Peter;
he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who,
when he
cometh, shall speak unto thee.
10:33
Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done
that thou
art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all
things
that are commanded thee of God.
10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive
that God is
no respecter of persons:
Yes,
God accepts Gentiles.
10:35
But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is
accepted with him.
10:36
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching
peace by
Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
10:37
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all
Judaea,
and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
10:38
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
power:
who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil;
for God was with him.
10:39
And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land
of the
Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
10:40
Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
10:41 Not to all
the people, but unto witnesses
chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he
rose
from the dead.
10:42
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify
that it is
he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name
whosoever
believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
10:44
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all
them which
heard the word.
10:45 And they of
the circumcision which believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the
Gentiles also
was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Up to
then, the Holy Ghost only came on Jews.
10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then
answered
Peter,
Tongues
still being spoken. Why? Unbelieving Jews were present. 1Cor 14:22.
Sign to
unbelievers.
10:47
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have
received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
The
unbelieving Jews said “Me too.”
10:48
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days.
They
were water baptised.
CH 11
Apostles’
approved of; The church at Antioch; Antioch sends relief to Jerusalem;
11:1-18
APOSTLES’ APPROVED OF
11:1
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the
Gentiles had also received the word of God.
11:2
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the
circumcision contended with him,
11:3
Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with
them.
Yes,
there still was the push that one could only come to God through Jewish
circumcision.
11:4
But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded
it by
order unto them, saying,
11:5 I
was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A
certain
vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by
four
corners; and it came even to me:
11:6
Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and
saw
fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things,
and fowls
of the air.
11:7 And
I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
11:8
But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at
any time
entered into my mouth.
11:9
But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath
cleansed,
that call not thou common.
11:10
And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into
heaven.
Ten
years after Pentecost Peter finally released from unclean food
restrictions
11:11
And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto
the
house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
11:12
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover
these
six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:
11:13
And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which
stood and
said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is
Peter;
11:14
Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall
be
saved.
11:15 And as I
began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell
on them, as on us at the beginning.
11:16
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John
indeed
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
11:17
Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us,
who
believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand
God?
11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and
glorified God,
saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
They
were finally convinced.
11:19-26
THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH
11:19
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that
arose
about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching
the word to none but unto the Jews only.
11:20
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they
were
come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
11:21
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number
believed, and
turned unto the Lord.
11:22
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church
which was
in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as
Antioch.
11:23
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and
exhorted
them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
11:24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:
and much
people was added unto the Lord.
11:25
Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:
11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it
came to
pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and
taught
much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
God
establishes the Christian church at Antioch and not at Jerusalem to
make a
clean break with no baggage attached.
11: 27- 30
ANTIOCH SENDS RELIEF TO JERUSALEM
11:27
And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
11:28
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by
the Spirit
that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came
to pass
in the days of Claudius Caesar.
The
word “dearth” is a combination of death + earth = famine
11:29
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability,
determined to
send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:
11:30
Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of
Barnabas
and Saul.
CH 12
James
killed, Peter imprisoned; Herod’s death
12:1-2
JAMES KILLED
12:1
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to
vex
certain of the church.
12:2
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
This
44AD.
12: 3-19
PETER IMPRISONED
12:3
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to
take
Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
These
are the days straight after the Passover.
12:4
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and
delivered him
to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to
bring
him forth to the people.
Easter
follows the Passover. Easter was a Roman celebration. Peter was to be
brought out
a few days not only after the Passover was held but after Easter
12:5
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing
of the church unto God for him.
12:6
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night
Peter was
sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers
before
the door kept the prison.
12:7
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light
shined in
the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying,
Arise up
quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
12:8
And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals. And
so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and
follow me.
12:9
And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true
which
was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.
12:10
When they were past the first and the second ward, they came
unto the
iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own
accord:
and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the
angel
departed from him.
12:11
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a
surety,
that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the
hand of
Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
12:12
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of
Mary the
mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered
together
praying.
12:13
And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to
hearken,
named Rhoda.
12:14
And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for
gladness,
but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.
12:15
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly
affirmed that
it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.
12:16
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door,
and saw
him, they were astonished.
12:17
But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace,
declared
unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said,
Go shew
these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went
into
another place.
James
was the Lord’s half-brother and head of the church in Jerusalem.
12:18
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the
soldiers,
what was become of Peter.
12:19
And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he
examined the
keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went
down from
Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.
Examinations
in those days were with the whip.
12:20-25
HEROD’S DEATH
12:20
And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but
they
came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's
chamberlain
their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the
king's
country.
12:21
And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his
throne,
and made an oration unto them.
12:22
And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god,
and not
of a man.
12:23
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave
not God
the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
12:24
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
12:25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had
fulfilled
their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
CH 13 – 14
(Two
chapters)
Paul’s 1st
Trip
16-18:22 Paul’s 2nd Trip (Two and a half
chapters)
18:23-
21:19 Paul’s 3rd Trip (Three chapters)
Now
we get to the pure, clean and straightforward gospel given to Paul. In
the
first 12 chapters we have had water baptisms, tongues, hands being laid
on,
Holy Ghost coming upon people, with unbelieving Jews present,
centurions,
remission of past sins and so on. In a nutshell it’s been a regular
mixed bag
of lollies.
It’s
as if God then clears the table of all the combinations and permutations
What
Paul brings is absolute simplicity of “Believe…” with no receiving of
the Holy
Ghost, no tongues, no water baptism and so on.
It’s
Paul’s gospel given especially to
Paul by God himself
and
he urges all to be followers of him
as their ensample
In the
day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according
to my
gospel. Romans 2:16
For if
I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a
dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 1Cor 9:17
Remember
that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead
according to my
gospel: 2 Tim 2:8
“BE YE
FOLLOWERS OF ME”
Be ye
followers of
me, even as I also am of Christ. (1Cor
11:1).
Wherefore
I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 1Cor 4:16
For I
neither received
it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians1:12
Those
things, which ye
have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen
in me, do:
and the God of peace
shall be with you. Php 4:9
And ye
became
followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in
much
affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1Thess 1:6
Brethren,
I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not
injured me at
all. Galatians 4:12
Brethren,
be followers
together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Phil 3:17
Not
because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample
unto you to
follow us. 2Thess 3:9
BRIEF
SUMMARY
13:1
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain
prophets and
teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of
Cyrene,
and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
This
is 45AD. Yes, there were still prophets then as the New Testament
hadn’t been
completed.
13:2 As
they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate
me
Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Still
called Saul at this stage. Barnabas is mentioned first and he is the
leader.
13:3
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on
them, they
sent them away.
13:4 So
they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and
from
thence they sailed to Cyprus.
13:5
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in
the
synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
This
John Mark who was Barnabas’ nephew
13:6
And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found
a
certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
13:7
Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a
prudent man;
who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
Barnabas
is still the leader and Saul his deputy.
13:8
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation)
withstood
them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
13:9
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy
Ghost, set
his eyes on him.
Saul
is now called Paul. He’s had a name change.
13:10
And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of
the
devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert
the
right ways of the Lord?
13:11
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou
shalt be blind,
not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a
mist and a
darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
13:12
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished
at the doctrine of the Lord.
13:13
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to
Perga in
Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in
Pisidia, and
went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
13:15
And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of
the
synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any
word of
exhortation for the people, say on.
13:16
Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of
Israel, and
ye that fear God, give audience.
13:17
The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted
the
people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an
high arm
brought he them out of it.
13:18
And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in
the
wilderness.
Remember
your Dad and Mum saying “Mind your manners son!”. Israel in the desert
were
showing very bad manners toward God.
13:19
And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan,
he
divided their land to them by lot.
“…the LORD
thy God shall bring thee into the land
whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before
thee,
the Hittites, and the Girgashites,
and the Amorites, and the Canaanites,
and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; Deut 7:1
13:20
And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four
hundred
and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
Adding
up the actual time of the judges works out to be 340 years. However
this does
not take into account the gaps, the overlaps of different judges from
different
tribes in different parts of the country. Hence it is 450 years.
God
gave them judges for 450 years. It doesn’t say they were ruled all that
time by
judges.
13:21
And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul
the son
of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
Saul
as king is 1050 – 1010 BC
David as
king is 1010 – 970 BC
Solomon
as king is 970 – 930 BC
13:46
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary
that the
word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it
from
you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to
the
Gentiles.
Interesting
way to put it.
13:47
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be
a light
of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of
the
earth.
13:48
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified
the word
of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
They
were excited. They could have eternal life without circumcision and
Jewish laws
and so on. Calvinists read this as follows “as many as were selected
before the
foundation of the world were allowed by God to believe on the Lord”. This would be foreordained!
What
it says is this “as many as were ordained to eternal life, that is they were already saved, they believed
all that Paul and Barnabas had
said from verse 16 onwards.”
This
was not a belief for salvation but a belief about what they had been
told of
their history!!!!
13:49
And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
13:50
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the
chief
men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and
expelled
them out of their coasts.
13:51
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came
unto
Iconium.
13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
CH 14
14:8
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet,
being a
cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
14:9
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and
perceiving
that he had faith to be healed,
14:10
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped
and
walked.
As
mentioned these were the acts of the apostles. As there are no apostles
today,
these acts can’t be repeated.
14:11
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their
voices,
saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the
likeness
of men.
14:12
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because
he was
the chief speaker.
This
was the region where the actual history occurred of gods coming down
from
heaven. Gen 6:2-4.
14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to
continue in
the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the
kingdom of
God.
There
is often much strife to get to the door of the kingdom of God. People
try
Buddism, fasting, prayer, whippings and so on, giving money to the
poor, go to
church. Try and obey the ten commandments and so on. Nothing works and
it’s all
tribulation. Till you come to the simplicity of “Believe on the Lord
Jesus
Christ…” Entry into the kingdom of God
is dead simple with no tribulation.
CH 15
The
Council at Jerusalem
This
happens about
50AD and right after Paul’s first trip. The church was in disagreement
over
circumcision. Although Peter had come to accept that gentiles should be
accepted into the church without circumcision in chapter 10 (about ten
years
after the cross), and the elders were convinced (11:18), there was
still a sect
of the Pharisees that believed that circumcision was necessary.
At this
Council
(11:28) all agreed that that circumcision was not necessary for the
Gentiles
and James, the Lord’s half-brother, sent a letter to Antioch to this
effect,
however with other certain conditions attached. They were that Gentile
Christians
should abstain from idolatry and immorality – specifically pollutions
of idols,
fornication, eating strangled animals for food and from blood citing
Moses (Gen
9:4).
15:1
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren,
and
said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be
saved.
Churches
today go on about church membership, tithing, water baptism and so on
as
criteria to be saved also.
15:2
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and
disputation
with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of
them,
should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this
question.
15:3
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed
through
Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they
caused
great joy unto all the brethren.
15:4
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the
church,
and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God
had done
with them.
15:5
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which
believed,
saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to
keep the
law of Moses.
Paul
gets back from is first trip around 48 AD and writes to the Galatians
about all
this.
15:6
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of
this
matter.
15:7
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said
unto
them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made
choice among
us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel,
and
believe.
15:8
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving
them the
Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
15:9
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their
hearts by
faith.
15:10
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of
the
disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Peter
is sticking up for the disciples. “It’s not
them versus us!”
15:11
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
we shall
be saved, even as they.
Yes,
the Lord Jesus Christ is God Saviour Messiah in that order.
15:12
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to
Barnabas and
Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the
Gentiles by
them.
15:13
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men
and
brethren, hearken unto me:
James
the Lord’s half-brother who is head of the church in Jerusalem.
15:14
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the
Gentiles, to
take out of them a people for his name.
15:15
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
15:16
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of
David,
which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I
will set
it up:
15:17
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the
Gentiles,
upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
This
Amos 9:11-12.
15:18
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
15:19
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from
among the
Gentiles are turned to God:
15:20
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions
of idols,
and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
Although
they are a Christians at Jerusalem they are still weak in the faith
with idols,
strangulations and eating blood. Hard habits to break.
PAUL’S
TRAVELS with DATES and EVENTS
THE NEW
TESTAMENT BOOKS
DATE |
TRAVELS
|
EVENTS
|
NT
BOOK |
33 |
|
Church
forms
– Pentecost |
|
34 |
1.Tarsus |
Paul
(sits
under Gamaliel Acts 22:3) Stephen
stoned. Saul persecutes the church. |
|
36 |
2.
Damascus |
SAUL
(Paul) SAVED
going to Damascus. |
|
36-39 |
3.
Arabia |
Saul
(Paul) goes to ARABIA.
Taken up to paradise and gets thorn in the flesh to stop pride. (2 Cor
12:1-4,5-7; Gal 4:13) |
|
37 |
|
Matthew
(Levi) son of Alphaeus, writes Matthew |
MATTHEW 1
|
39 |
4.
Jerusalem |
3
YRS AFTER in 36AD
(Gal 1:18) Paul’s 1st visit to Jerusalem & meets with
Peter & James. Goes
to Tarsus for 6 years 39-45 AD |
|
43 |
5.
Antioch |
Barnabas
sent to get Saul at Antioch (Acts 11:22-25); Agabus
(11:28) |
|
42 |
|
James
(John Zebedee’s brother) not Jesus’ half-brother writes
JAMES. Killed AD44 (Acts 12:2). Paul
starts writing 8 years later with Galatians in 50 AD |
JAMES 2 |
43 |
|
Peter
finally sees that eating ‘unclean’ food is OK (Lev 11, Deut 14) |
|
44 |
6.
Jerusalem |
Saul’s
2nd visit to Jerusalem with money from Antioch (Acts
11:27-30). Herod
kills James 11yrs after Pentecost (Acts 12:1-2). |
|
45-46 |
|
Peter
finally sees that circumcision is not needed |
|
45-48 |
1ST
TRIP 2
chapters Acts
13-14 |
TO GALATIA: 10 stages
(Saul
(Paul) was previously in Tarsus 6 years 39-45 AD)
1.
Saul & Barnabas from Antioch
Syria
to Seleucia
(13:2-5)
2.
To Salamis
to Paphos
(13:5-6) - Elymas the scorcerer blinded (13:6-12; Saul name change to
Paul (13:9)
3.
From Paphos to Perga
(13:13) - John Mark turns back (13:13)
4.
From Perga to Antioch
Pisidia
(13:14) - Jewish history told in synagogue (13:16-41); expelled
5.
From Antioch to Iconium
(13:50-51) - believers with signs & wonders; attempted stoning
(14:1-5)
6.
From Iconium to Lystra
(14:5-6) – heals cripple from birth (14:8-10); Paul stoned after
attempt to worship him (14:8-19)
7.
From Lystra to Derbe
(14:20) – believers (14:20-21)
8.
From Derbe to Lystra
to Iconium
to Antioch
Pisidia
to Perga
(14:21-25) – establishes churches
9.
From Perga to Attalia
(14:25)
10.
From Attalia to Antioch Syria (14:26-28)
|
|
50 |
Jerusalem Council |
14YRS
after being saved in 36 AD
(Gal 2:1) Jerusalem
meeting (15:1-29) and writes GALATIANS |
GALATIANS 3
(Acts 15:35) |
50-53 |
2ND
TRIP 2
& half chapters Acts15:40, |
TO GREECE: 10 stages
1.
From Antioch
Syria
to Derbe
to Lystra
– Timothy joins Paul & Silas (16:1-3); believers increase (16:5)
2.
From Lystra to Troas
(16:6-8) – Paul’s “Come to Macedonia” vision (16:9)
3.
From Troas to Philippi
(16:11-12) – Lydia conversion (16:13-15); possessed damsel delivered (16:16-18); Paul & Silas in prison (16:24)
4.
From Philippi to Thessalonica
(16:40-17:1) – crowd uproar & mob assaults Jason (17:5)
5.
From Thessalonica to Berea
(17:10) – Berean believers (17:10-11)
6.
From Berea to Athens
(17:14-15) – massive idolatry (17:16); addresses Epicurians and Stoics
at Mars Hill (17:17- 32)
7. From
Athens to Corinth (18:1)
(52-53 AD) &
stays 18
mths -
writes
1&2 THESSALONIANS (18:11);
Sosthenes beaten (18:17);
8. From
Corinth to Ephesus (18:18-19) - Paul
shaves head & sails with Aquila & Priscilla to Syria (18:18);
enters synagogue (18:19; Jews want him to stay
9. From
Ephesus to Jerusalem
(18:21-22)
10.
From Jerusalem to Antioch Syria
(18:22)
|
(Acts
18:11) |
54-58 |
3RD
TRIP 3
chapters Acts 18:23, Acts 21:17 |
TO EPHESUS
& GREECE AGAIN: 9 stages 1.
Antioch to Galatia (18:22-23) 2.
From Galatia through Phrygia to Ephesus (19:1)
& stays for 3 years – enters
synagogue preaches 3mths (19:8); disputes daily at
school of Tyrannus for 2yrs (19:9); writes 1 CORINTHIANS (19:10);
handkerchiefs (19:12), seven sons of Sceva (19:14-16);
burning of books (19:19); temple of Diana &
silversmiths (19:24-28); uproar (19:29-34) town
clerk) calms tem down (19:35-41)
3.
From
Ephesus through Macedonia (20:1) – Timothy
rejoins Paul with report on the effect of 1Corinthians & writes
2 CORINITHIANS |
(Acts
19:10)
(Acts
20:3) |
58 |
|
Mark
writes MARK (With the Romans in mind). John Mark of Paul’s
1st trip. |
MARK
9
|
59-60 |
|
Luke
writes LUKE to Theophilus (a Roman official) (with
the Greeks in mind as well) |
LUKE 10
|
59-
60 |
PRISON
2
& half chapters Acts 21:20, Acts 23:35 |
JERUSALEM (2
years) Circumcision
and Moses’ customs rejected (21:20-22); Paul’s
purification (21:23-27); uproar 21:27-34); Paul on stairs addressing
mob (21:35 – 22:21); uproar &
attempted scourging (22:22-29); released (22:30); Paul
addresses council and dissension (23:1-9); Paul rescued (23:10-11);
Plot to kill Paul (23:12-22); Paul taken from Caesarea to Antipatris
with letter to Claudius Lysias (23:24-35); From Jerusalem to Caesarea (23:31-33) |
|
|
PRISON
|
CAESAREA Before
Felix & Drusilla (24:1-26); Paul before Festus and appeals to Caesar Augustus
(25:1-12); (25:13-27); Festus talks with Agrippa (25:13-22); Paul
before king Agrippa (25:23 - 26:32) |
|
60-61 |
Acts
27-28
|
PAUL TAKEN TO
ROME 1.
From
Adramyttium Caesarea to Sidon (27:1-2) |
|
60-61 |
|
Peter
writes 1&2 Peter. The
apostles James, Peter, John all get to write a book/s. They
write eight books between them |
1&2
PETER 11,12
|
61-63 |
PRISON
1
Acts
28 |
ROME
(2 years) &
hires a house. Freedom to move Writes
4 epistles –Eph, Phil, Col, Philemon Luke
& Mark in Rome (Col 4:10,14) between 61-63. (Everyone
knew everyone else - Matthew, John with Jesus. Mark (tells of Peter 19
times), John companions of Peter. Luke, Mark, Peter mates of Paul.) |
|
63 |
|
Luke
writes Acts (Acts 28:30). Has
written gospel of Luke previously 3 years earlier |
ACTS
17
|
63 |
RELEASED
|
Goes
East and puts Titus over Crete. |
|
64
|
|
Nero
burns Rome. Blames the Christians. Re-captures Paul
|
|
64-66 |
Nero
burns Rome |
65AD
Paul to Nicopolis, Macedonia (maybe Spain) Writes
TITUS
|
|
66 |
|
Paul
writes 1 TIMOTHY
Timothy
in
charge at Ephesus (3 yrs after 1,2 Corinthians)
|
1
TIMOTHY 19
|
66 |
|
Jude
(Lebbaeus Thaddaeus) brother of James and son of Alphaeus, writes Jude. |
JUDE
20
|
66-68 |
PRISON
2
|
Paul
writes 2 TIMOTHY. Titus
in charge at Crete 4-6yrs. Artemus & Tychicus to replace (Tit
3:12). Paul
writes HEBREWS just before Jerusalem destroyed in
70 AD |
2
TIMOTHY 21
HEBREWS 22
|
90 |
|
JOHN
and 1,2,3 JOHN get written by John sometime after Mark and Luke and
before AD 70
John,
70-80AD, writes
REVELATION 27
|
CHAPTERS
16 - 21:19
Paul’s
three trips
Paul’s
first trip and indeed 2nd and 3rd trips are
mainly
accounts of events and not so much theological.
CHAPTERS
21:20 – 23
Paul
in Jerusalem
Circumcision
and Moses’ customs rejected (21:20-22);
Paul’s purification (21:23-27); uproar 21:27-34); Paul on stairs
addressing mob (21:35 – 22:21); uproar
& attempted scourging (22:22-29); released (22:30);
Paul
addresses council and dissension (23:1-9); Paul rescued (23:10-11);
Plot to
kill Paul (23:12-22); Paul taken from Caesarea to Antipatris
with letter to Claudius Lysias (23:24-35); From Jerusalem to Caesarea
(23:31-33)
CHAPTERS
23:31 - 26
Paul
in Caesarea
Before
Felix & Drusilla (24:1-26); Paul
before Festus and appeals to Caesar
Augustus (25:1-12); (25:13-27);
Festus talks with Agrippa (25:13-22); Paul before king Agrippa (25:23 -
26:32)
CHAPTERS
27-28
Paul’s
Trip to Rome
1.
From
Adramyttium
Caesarea to Sidon (27:1-2)
2.
From Sidon
(27:3) - friends greet Paul
3.
From
Sidon along
coastline of
Cilicia & Pamphylia to Myra
27:4-5) - change ship
to Italy
4.
From
Myra to Cnidus to
Salmone to Lasea of the Fair
Havens
on Crete (27:6-8);
tempestuous wind (27:9-20); Paul reassures (27:21-26)
5.
From
Fair Havens to Melita
- ship wreck (28:29-44), viper bites Paul’s hand
(28:1-6); Publius’ father healed (28:7-10)
6.
From
Melita to Syracuse
(28:12) to Rhegium (28:13)
7.
From
Rhegium to Puteoli
(28:13) – with believers
8.
From Puteoli to Appii
(believers) to the Three Taverns
(28:15) – with believers
9.
From the
Three Taverns to Rome (28:16) –
under guard; Paul preaching & teaching for two whole years
(28:30-31).
By Harley Hitchcock
www.
AustralianBibleMinistries
.com
BULLSEYE!
ACCURATE
BIBLE KNOWLEDGE!