Author: russellpmissives

One of those "fishermen"types, of which the world would not approve but whatever reason, given gifts from God. They aren't for me, I am here to serve. From Bible studies to guitar lessons, helping people is forefront.

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 Mission Through Macedonia

Acts 17:1-15 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again … Continue reading The Mission Through Macedonia →

The Path of Paul to More Peoples Than Peter

Acts 16:14-30 And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged … Continue reading The Path of Paul to More Peoples Than Peter →

The Forbidden Cities, The Macedonian Vision and the Entrance of the Beloved Physician into the Fray

Acts 16:6-13 And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to … Continue reading The Forbidden Cities, The Macedonian Vision and the Entrance of the Beloved Physician into the Fray →

The Superfluous Circumcision

Acts 15:40+41-Acts 16:5 But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman … Continue reading The Superfluous Circumcision →

The Disagreement

Acts 15:30-41 So, when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. And after they … Continue reading The Disagreement →

The Letter Alleviating Levitical Laws

Acts 15:1-29 And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up … Continue reading The Letter Alleviating Levitical Laws →

The Persistent Persecution and Prevalence of Prosperity

Acts 14:19-28 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he arose and entered the city. And the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. And … Continue reading The Persistent Persecution and Prevalence of Prosperity →

The Persecution Prescription

Acts 14:1-7 And it came about that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren. Therefore they spent … Continue reading The Persecution Prescription →

The Road to Ruin

Acts 13:42-52 And as Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them … Continue reading The Road to Ruin →

The Devastating Blow

Acts 13:13-40 (Yes, it's long, I will let Paul and the prophets do most of the talking) Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John left them and returned to Jerusalem. But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the … Continue reading The Devastating Blow →

The Great Famine

Acts 11:27-30 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that … Continue reading The Great Famine →

The Reckoning; With Reason and Recapitulation

Acts 11:1-18 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. Let me stop here for dramatic effect. Don't you think that John, James, Andrew--maybe not Thomas because he is a doubter--would all be thrilled that the gentiles were receiving Christ? We will … Continue reading The Reckoning; With Reason and Recapitulation →

The Path of Peter to All Peoples; Part 3, No Partiality​

Acts 10:23-48 And on the next day he [Peter] arose and went away with them [the servants of Cornelius] and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And on the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. And when it came … Continue reading The Path of Peter to All Peoples; Part 3, No Partiality​ →

The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 2, The Prayer of Cornelius

Acts 10:1-23 Now there was a certain man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continually. About the ninth hour of the day he clearly … Continue reading The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 2, The Prayer of Cornelius →

The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 1

Acts 9:32-43 Now it came about that as Peter was traveling through all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; … Continue reading The Path of Peter to all Peoples; Part 1 →

The Conversion, Rather Than Condemnation

Acts 9:1-19 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And it came … Continue reading The Conversion, Rather Than Condemnation →

The Ethiopian Eunuch Baptized on a Desert Road

Acts 8:26-40 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Arise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) And he arose and went; and behold, there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge … Continue reading The Ethiopian Eunuch Baptized on a Desert Road →