Acts 22:3-22 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, just as you all are today. And I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, … Continue reading The Speech on the Steps Stymied By Broken off Branches
Month: January 2020
The Start of the Speech on the Steps
Acts 21:37-22:7 And as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out … Continue reading The Start of the Speech on the Steps
The Altar-cation
Acts 21:27-36 And when the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the multitude and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people, and … Continue reading The Altar-cation
The Appearance of Accommodation?
Acts 21:15-26 And after these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. And some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge. And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received … Continue reading The Appearance of Accommodation?
The Pilgrim Paul’s Progression Through Patra and Phoencia to Philip
Acts 21:1-14 And when it came about that we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. And when we had come … Continue reading The Pilgrim Paul’s Progression Through Patra and Phoencia to Philip
The Fruitful Farewell
Acts 20:13-38 But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending from there to take Paul on board; for thus he had arranged it, intending himself to go by land. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. And sailing from there, we arrived … Continue reading The Fruitful Farewell
The Symbolic Cessation of Significant Signs
Acts 20:1-12 And after the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples and when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he departed to go to Macedonia. And when he had gone through those districts and had given them much exhortation, he came to Greece. And there he spent three months, … Continue reading The Symbolic Cessation of Significant Signs
The Counter Culture of Christianity
Acts 19:23-41 And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen; these he gathered together with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that our prosperity depends … Continue reading The Counter Culture of Christianity
The Copy Cats
Acts 19:6-22 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. And there were in all about twelve men. And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. … Continue reading The Copy Cats
The Pet Project?
Acts 18:24-28+Acts 19:1-8 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only … Continue reading The Pet Project?
The (Feigned) Worship War and The Haircut Heard ‘Round the World
Acts 18:12-23 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.” But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a … Continue reading The (Feigned) Worship War and The Haircut Heard ‘Round the World
The Departure and The Dwelling
Acts 18:1-11 After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, and because he was of the same trade, … Continue reading The Departure and The Dwelling
The Global Gospel
Acts 17:16-34 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was beholding the city full of idols. So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Gentiles, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be present. … Continue reading The Global Gospel