Acts 13
1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
(The Holy Spirit separated Barnabas and Saul for the work for which He had called them.)
3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
(Verse 4 began Paul's first missionary journey. Click on map to enlarge...)
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
(Being led by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabas went to Seleucia and from there Cyprus, which is clockwise in the above map.)
5 And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant.
(They were at Salamis preaching the Word of God in the synagogues. Synagogues were buildings used specifically for teaching. John-Mark was their attendant: minister.)
6 And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus;
(They went through Paphos and came upon Bar-jesus who was a sorcerer, false prophet, and a Jew.)
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
(Bar-jesus was with Sergius Paulus who called for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the Word of God. Sergius Paulus was referred to as "a man of understanding.")
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
(Elymas, who was Bar-jesus, withstood them because he wanted to turn Sergius Paulus away from the faith.)
9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,
(Saul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, focused his eyes on Elymas. This was the first verse that referred to Saul as Paul.)
10 and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
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.
(In the Gospel Accounts and this book, healings and miracles were done by making a statement where the object of the spiritual warfare was the subject of the statement. However, here, we see something different. Paul never mentioned Elymas or Bar-Jesus, but he had focused his eyes on Elymas. Paul began this version of spiritual warfare with a question that began with three descriptions of Elymas: full of all guile and all villany, son of the devil, and enemy of all righteousness. This can be seen as a reference to Justice. Then, Paul stated a fact (the Hand of the Lord is upon thee) and then prophesied (thou shalt be blind). It appeared that God initiated the act of making Elymas blind and Paul was only stating what God had shown him, not what Paul was initiating.)
12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
(Sergius Paulus saw what happened and he believed. This was his choice in response to the supernatural event that he witnessed. He was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Elymas' intention was to cause Sergius Paulus to fall away from the faith but these events actually made him believe more.)
13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
(The next stop was Perga in Pamphylia where John-Mark returned to Jerusalem.)
14 But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
(The next stop was Antioch in Pisidia where they went to sit in the synagogue.)
15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
(The rulers of the synagogue asked if they had any word of exhortation that they would say it.)
(Verses 16-41: Paul stood and delivered a sermon. While you read, keep in mind that Paul was asked to speak.)
16 And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken:
(Paul focused his words on the "Men of Israel" and those "that fear God.")
17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it.
18 And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness.
(Paul referred to God as a "nursing-father" to the Israelites when the Israelites wandered the wilderness after the Exodus.)
19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:
20 and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
21 And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
(God gave the people judges until Samuel because the people asked for a king so they could be like the other nations: 1 Samuel 8.)
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will.
23 Of this man's seed hath God according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus;
(Paul proclaimed Jesus as the Savior of Israel promised by God.)
24 when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that I am? I am not he. But behold, there cometh one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.
(Paul was very aware of the events that happened with Christ, even the events at the beginning of Christ's ministry when John the Baptist was still alive.)
26 Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.
27 For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
30 But God raised him from the dead:
(Paul covered the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.)
31 and he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people.
32 And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers,
33 that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
(Paul referenced Psalm 2:7.)
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he hath spoken on this wise, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.
(Paul referenced Isaiah 55:3.)
35 Because he saith also in another psalm, Thou wilt not give Thy Holy One to see corruption.
(Paul referenced Psalm 16:10. Again, there was prophecy in the Book of Psalms.)
36 For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37 but he whom God raised up saw no corruption.
38 Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:
39 and by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
(Justification comes from Christ, not by the Law.)
40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:
41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.
(Paul referenced Habakkuk 1:5.)
42 And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.
(The Gentiles wanted these words preached to them on the next Sabbath. Peter and Paul both preached sermons where they first explained their point (PREMISE: what) with a REASON (why) and then supported it with references (usually three) from outside themselves (usually scripture). Also, these sermons were very brief...and yielded huge results.)
43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
(Many Jews and religious proselytes (converts from paganism) followed Paul and Barnabas.)
44 And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
(Almost the entire city came on the next Sabbath, to hear a brief sermon.)
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
(The Jews were jealous and contradicted and blasphemed the words spoken by Paul. There is nothing more upsetting than having your beliefs challenged. This was what caused Jesus to be unjustly killed. This was what caused religious leaders to have men bear false witness in order to stone Stephen (Acts 7). Here, this caused people to blaspheme. If people are willing to consider they are wrong (which is the definition of humility), they would not sin. However, not being willing to consider they are wrong is the definition of pride, which is the cause of sinful actions.)
46 And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
(In response to the Jews opposition, Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles.)
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.
48 And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region.
(Paul stated that God commanded them to proclaim the Word of God to the Gentiles because that was the purpose of the Dispensation of the Law: God wanted to reach the world through those who believed the Law. The Dispensation of the Law did not result in the world being reached for God, so this Dispensation of Personal Grace via the Holy Spirit was introduced in order to reach the world with the Word of God. Consequently, the Word of God was spread (published) throughout all of the region.)
50 But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.
51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.
(Next, Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium.)
Acts 14
1 And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
(In Iconium, both Barnabas and Paul spoke in the synagogue. As a result, many Jews and Greeks believed.)
2 But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.
(Again, the disobedient (unbelieving) Jews made the souls/minds of the Gentiles evil against the believers.)
3 Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,
6 they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about:
7 and there they preached the gospel.
(Paul and Barnabas were able to do signs and wonders which only caused a more definite division. Signs and wonders do not make people believe. Belief is always in the control of the individual. Paul and Barnabas became aware of a plan against them (because of the signs and wonders) and they fled to Lystra (Timothy's home town) and Derbe, both were cities of Lycaonia. They preached the gospel there.)
8 And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
9 The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.
(A man crippled from birth was healed. Paul focused his eyes upon him and saw he had faith. Paul then made a statement where the object of the healing was the subject of the statement. The crippled man leaped and walked, a complete healing.)
11 And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
(The people of Lycanonia thought Paul was their god Mercury and Barnabas was their god Jupiter.)
13 And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out
(The priest of Jupiter brought gifts to Paul and Barnabas but they became upset.)
15 and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:
(Paul and Barnabas declared that they too were men of "like passions" but they preached turning from these vanities to the living God.)
16 who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.
17 And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.
(Paul and Barnabas were barely able to stop the multitudes from worshiping them. Sounded like no opposition would come against them here.)
19 But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
(Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium (the previous stops on this first missionary journey) persuaded the people who wanted to worship Paul to stone him. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium must have been physically following Paul or heard reports. Paul was stoned and dragged out of the city supposing he was dead. It was possible Paul actually did die and that this was when he was taken to the "third heaven" (2 Corinthians 12) and afterwards he was brought back to life. At this point, Paul had visited all of the cities during his first missionary journey. The rest of this journey can be seen as Paul revisiting each place.)
20 But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.
(Paul rose up and went back into the city! The next day, Paul and Barnabas went back to Derbe.)
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
(They returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch. Perhaps the people who came from Iconium and Antioch did not want to stone Paul again because he would just rise from the dead and cause even more people to believe.)
22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
(While going through these cities again, Barnabas and Paul confirmed and exhorted the disciples there that they should continue in the faith and told them that through much tribulation they will enter the Kingdom of God.
Doctrine: Those who enter the Kingdom of God will go through many tribulations.)
23 And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
(Paul and Barnabas ordained elders (pastors) in every church. Paul and Barnabas were not elders (pastors), they were apostles: they founded these churches.)
24 And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;
(The next travels and stops were Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga and Attalia.)
26 and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
(From there they sailed to Antioch which ended Paul's first missionary journey.)
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.
(In Antioch, they gathered the church together and told them of the events of the journey and how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. This testimony ought to have built the faith of those listening.)
28 And they tarried no little time with the disciples.
(They stayed in Antioch for a long time.)
Acts 15
1 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
(Certain men were teaching that you must be circumcised (follow the Law) in order to be saved. A perfect example of the conflict in this book about transitioning from the Dispensation of the Law to the Dispensation of Personal Grace via the Holy Spirit.)
2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
(Paul and Barnabas had a great ("no small") dissension (strife, argument) and questioning with the men. It was decided that Paul and Barnabas would go to Jerusalem and speak about this with the apostles and elders there. Notice, "pastors" and "priests" were not mentioned. This was because the elders were the pastors. Otherwise, pastors were of a much lesser position than elders and apostles.
Doctrine: apostles and elders are the leaders of the New Testament Church.)
3 They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
(On the way to Jerusalem, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. This caused great joy among the believers.)
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.
(They went to Jerusalem and told the apostles and elders about all that God had done with them towards the Gentiles during their first missionary journey. They testified that God did signs and wonders in order to reach out to those who were not circumcised. This created a context for the discussion about the role of circumcision.)
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.
(A certain sect of Pharisees rose up. These Pharisees believed that believers still needed to keep the Law of Moses, especially as it related to circumcision.)
6 And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.
(The apostles and elders (leaders of the New Testament Church) gathered and considered this matter.)
7 And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;
9 and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
(Doctrine: The true cleansing of the heart comes by faith. Peter opened the discussion by stating that the rest of the leaders already knew God wanted to reach the Gentiles and proved it by giving them the Holy Spirit.)
10 Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
(Peter used the Gentiles' receiving of the Holy Spirit as an example of being saved through grace. Peter also stated the previous dispensation was not successful, it just resulted in something none of them were able to bear.)
12 And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
(Paul and Barnabas declared the events of their journey.)
(Verses 13-21: James the Lesser addressed the council.)
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:
(James referenced Amos 9:11. It was almost as if Peter, Paul, and Barnabas preached the first part of the sermon and James preached the second part of the sermon by referencing the scriptures.)
17 That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
18 Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;
20 but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
(James concluded the sermon with more references to the scriptures, specifically, laws in the scriptures: Numbers 25:1-15, Leviticus 17:10-14, Genesis 9:4, etc. This may have been because James was the leader of the council and was responsible for the final word.)
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
(This meeting had begun with conflict and ended with unity because people were heard and the Word of God was used as the proof. The apostles and elders were "pleased" to send Judas-Barsabas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. Next, the conclusion of the council was documented and shared.)
23 and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;
25 it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(The apostles and elders were aware that Paul and Barnabas were risking their lives for the Name of Jesus Christ.)
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.
(The letters also stated that Judas and Silas would also testify as the conclusion they had received from the Holy Spirit.)
30 So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
(Judas-Barsabas and Silas were prophets.
Doctrine: Prophets exhort and confirm God's decisions.)
33 And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.
34 But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.
35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried in
(Silas stayed in Jerusalem but Paul and Barnabas went to Antioch.)
36 And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.
37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.
(When Paul and Barnabas decided to go on another journey, Barnabas wanted John-Mark to join.)
38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
(Paul did not think it good to take John-Mark. Paul's reason was that John-Mark left the work during the first missionary journey.)
39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus;
(The contention was so sharp that Paul and Barnabas separated. Barnabas took John-Mark to Cyprus.)
40 but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
(Paul chose Silas to join him since he was recommended by the believers by the grace of the Lord. Verse 41 began Paul's second missionary journey which included an apostle (Paul) and a prophet (Silas). Click on map to enlarge...)
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
(Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. This second missionary journey also began from Antioch, but this time it was counter-clockwise on the map.)
(This post covered Paul's first missionary journey, the meeting before the council concerned circumcision, and the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey.)
Day 317
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