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 Divine Defense

This is now Paul's Fifth Defense to the masses and Seventh Overall, if You are Keeping Score. Acts 26:1-23 And Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by … Continue reading The Divine Defense →

The Retelling of Much Ado About Nothing Doing: According to Festus

Acts 25:13-27 Now when several days had elapsed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and paid their respects to Festus. And while they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief … Continue reading The Retelling of Much Ado About Nothing Doing: According to Festus →

The Appeal to the Emperor​

Acts 24:24-25:12 But some days later, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find … Continue reading The Appeal to the Emperor​ →

The Absurd Accusations and the Cheerful Defense

Acts 24:1-23 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with a certain attorney named Tertullus; and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, “Since we have through you attained much peace, and since … Continue reading The Absurd Accusations and the Cheerful Defense →

The Covenant of Conspiracy

Acts 23:12-22 And when it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. And there were more than forty who formed this plot. And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have … Continue reading The Covenant of Conspiracy →

The Sarcastic Citizen of Citizens, Tried by Brethren, Rescued by Romans

Acts 23:1-11 And Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you … Continue reading The Sarcastic Citizen of Citizens, Tried by Brethren, Rescued by Romans →

The Speech on the Steps Stymied By Broken off Branches

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 →

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 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 (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 →