Tag: End of Days

Acts 18:23-28 — Many Mansions

~ mikethemissionary

Acts 18:23-28 — Many Mansions

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul completed his second missionary journey and returned to his home church in Antioch of Syria. I then remarked how Paul makes me feel wholly inadequate as a Christian. If you have ever felt that way too, I have good news for you. Your salvation is not incumbent on your performance. If we had to add anything to the cross (like the law, for example), that would not be good news. ‘Gospel’ literally means ‘good news’, and the good news is that salvation is a free gift because Jesus has paid the price for our salvation in full. (John 19:30)

Jesus told a parable about a merchant man seeking goodly pearls (Matt 13:45f), Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Some well-meaning commentators have interpreted the parable as saying that you have to ‘give everything’ for the gospel, but that is not what Jesus’ parable is saying. The merchant man in Jesus’ parable is Jesus, not you. You are the pearl. Jesus considers you so valuable that He sold all that He had to buy you:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became
obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth;

Now that is what I call good news! Paul understood how greatly the world needed to hear this good news, which is why he was willing to suffer as he did to spread the gospel. What about you and me? If I want rewards, I have my work cut out for me — works of faith, that is, not works of the law.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 18:23-28
23 And after he [Paul] had spent some time there [in Antioch], he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Paul launches out on his third missionary journey in the next verse after returning from his second, after he had spent some time in Antioch. Paul’s third missionary journey will take place between 53 or 54 and 58 AD. Virtually all commentators emphasize Paul’s conflict with the Judaizers here and say that by this time, the Epistle to the Galatians was written. However, based on the Euthalian tradition of the New Testament, I am not so sure about that. The KJV postscript at the end of Galatians says it was written from Rome. 

What I am sure of, however, is that Paul was strengthening the churches in Galatia and Phrygia with the gospel of grace, which is emphasized in the Epistle to the Galatians.

The gospel of grace says that your sins are forgiven through faith, regardless of what sins you may have committed, or when. Jesus died for all of your sins, not just the sins you committed before you were saved. When Jesus died and rose again, I was not even born yet. He died for every sin I would ever commit throughout my entire life.

The gospel of grace does not insult Jesus by trying to add something else to his gift for us on Calvary. When you give someone a gift, do you expect payment in return? Of course you don’t, but I have received ‘gifts’ like this before. When I was a manager at a certain company in Los Angeles, one of the salespeople bought an expensive lunch for my department. I soon found out, however, that she expected her orders to be put at the front of the line ahead of everyone else’s, as she continually reminded me about the lunch she bought for my department. So the lunch was not a gift; it was meant as a bribe. Jesus does not engage in bribery. When Jesus gives you a gift, it’s free. (Rom 5:15-18)

But then, someone tells me I have to keep the sabbath. Someone else tells me I have to be baptized the ‘right way’. Someone else tells me my hair is too long (or at least it used to be).

In the book of Acts, the church met on the first day of the week, the day Jesus rose from the dead, not on the sabbath. (Acts 20:7; cf I Cor 16:2) Paul addressed this issue in his Epistle to the Romans. (Rom 14:5) If baptism were necessary for our salvation, Paul would have been baptizing people, but as a matter of fact, he baptized very few. Paul said, 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) Back in the 90s, a leader in a church where I was doing some teaching said I should get a haircut. I said, “Do I have to?” After a long pause, the answer was, “No, you don’t have to.” I therefore said, “Okay, then I will.” (Did you know that John Wesley, one of the greatest Christians of all time, had long hair?)

Salvation is not by faith plus keeping the sabbath. Salvation is not by faith plus baptism. Salvation is not by faith plus a haircut. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. Period. If one thinks that taking a day off, or getting wet, or getting a haircut, is comparable to the blood of Christ, he does not value the blood of Christ very much. It would be kind of like if I gave you some mansions in Europe, complete with servants, yachts, plus a big expense account, tax-free, and an Italian passport to go with it all, but then you gave me a penny in return and said, “I want to show that I’m willing to contribute something myself.” Would I be insulted? You bet I would be.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

On our map above, Alexandria would be just west of where the Nile empties into the Mediterranean.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Apollos knew his Bible, which at that time was the Old Testament. He knew only the baptism of John, so he was preaching on the prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus the Messiah.

Aquila and Priscilla, however, had been taught by Paul. They therefore taught Apollos the gospel more perfectly, ie, more accurately or more completely. (This is how perfectly was used in times past. For example, the preamble to the Constitution announced the formation of a more perfect Union.)

Apollos was humble and received their instruction. (Ps 25:9) Apollos is now preaching the gospel of grace. He must have been, or he could not have helped them much which had believed through grace:

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Paul did not use letters of recommendation (II Cor 3:1), but Apollos was happy to use such letters.

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ [Messiah].
Acts 18:23-28

As Acts 18 concludes, we see that as Paul was ministering the gospel of grace in Galatia and Phrygia, Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos were ministering the gospel of grace in Ephesus and Achaia. These four Jews were just a few of those we read about in Acts who were working in concert to further the gospel of grace.

A good understanding of God’s grace is essential. When I understand God’s grace, I have a strong sense of security and shalom. I understand that God loves me just as much on my worst day as He does on my best day. God’s love for me is based on his Son’s righteousness, and my relationship with Him through faith, not on any righteousness of my own. In fact, Jesus said his Father loves us as He loves Jesus: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23) Isn’t that good news?!

After some time in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla went back to Rome (Rom 16:3), then eventually back to Ephesus again (II Tim 4:19). Apollos will pop back up in Chapter 19, several times in I Corinthians, and again in Paul’s letter to Titus. Apollos was such an effective teacher that Paul placed himself on the same level with him. (I Cor 3:6; 4:6)

With all the names we encounter in Acts, I like to think about these different individuals and how each of them fit into the body of Christ. Which New Testament personality do you identify with? Which one would you most like to be like? Socrates said, “Be the kind of person that you want people to think you are.” I say, Nothing to it but to do it.

Another saying I like is, Fake it till you make it. My Grandpa Harvey was a master of this technique. When he was 12 years old, he was with a group of people who were looking to get hired onto a road crew. The foreman came out and said, ‘Who can drive a tractor? My Grandpa said, ‘I can’. He had never even seen a tractor before, but he was hired and figured it out when they showed him where the tractor was. Later in the Great Depression, he went to apply for a job advertised at a machine shop. There were people lined up all the way around the block to apply. Again, a foreman came out and said ‘Who knows how to run a (some machine he had never heard of). He was the only one to raise his hand. He got the job, which turned out to be running a punch press, something he already had experience doing. The good news is that as Christians, we do not have to ‘fake it’. We have been given power and authority (Gk exousia), so even if all you know is John 3:16, you can represent heaven as long as you believe. (John 1:12) Sometimes, beginners make the best evangelists, so there are no excuses. Time’s a-wasting. 

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Revelation 3:11

7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
Revelation 22:7

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Revelation 22:12

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, though a man declare it unto you.
Acts 13:41

In closing, the Holy Spirit is witnessing everywhere that Jesus is coming soon. I want those mansions, but I have to remember not to put the cart before the horse. First comes the cross, then comes the crown. (Matt 16:24; Mk 8:34; Luke 9:23; John 14:2; Rev 4:12)

Father, thank You for the gospel of grace and all of the precious promises in your everlasting word, which are available to us through our relationship with your Son. Thank You for perfecting us day by day as we grow in grace, and the knowledge of your Son. He is more precious than we will ever know. Help us to walk by faith with Him as we continue on our paths. We ask this in Jesus’ name, the name above all names. Amen.

Acts 18:12-22 — Paul In Corinth Part II

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In Part I, we left Paul teaching the word of God in Corinth. As we pick back up, we find Paul still in Corinth and getting in trouble again, something that happened almost everywhere he went. When Paul wrote, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, he was speaking from experience. According to Paul, if your Christianity does not get you in trouble at times, you are not doing it right.

Father, thank You for our trials. It is an honor and a blessing to suffer persecution for your Son. Fill us now with your Spirit and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 18:12-22
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat [Gk bema],

Gallio was the older brother of Seneca, the famous Roman senator. Whether Gallio was a good statesman or a bad statesman has been a matter of debate among commentators. As a libertarian, I have mixed feelings about Gallio, and I will explain why.

13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

Their charge was more or less true, from a certain point of view. They were still living by the Old Covenant, and had not considered that maybe it was time for the New Covenant Jeremiah prophesied. (Jer 31:31) These Jewish fanatics are telling the Roman proconsul that Paul is not teaching the Scriptures correctly. Imagine going to the governor’s office in your state capital and telling him there is a guy in town who does not teach the Bible the right way. I recall an instance where church leaders actually did this, ie asked a secular leader to solve their dispute with other church leaders, with the same results we have here in Acts. The secular leader did not care, nor should he have.

14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

In this respect, I like Gallio. He knows how to stay in his lane. He does not want to get involved in disputes between religious leaders over doctrine — especially concerning a religion that he does not practice or know much about.

16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Weirsbe has a little different take on verse 17 than I do. He says that Sosthenes was beaten by the ‘Greeks’ as an act of antisemitism. The word for ‘Greeks’ in the Majority Text is the same word used for Greek proselytes in other places in Acts. (Aleph and B remove the word, so it just says ‘they all beat Sosthenes’.) So either ‘all the Greeks’ beat Sosthenes, or ‘all the Greek proselytes in the synagogue’ beat Sosthenes. In cases like this, where there is some ambiguity, we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to interpret the meaning for us.

It appears to me that Sosthenes was beaten by Greek proselytes for receiving Christ and hosting Paul. Sosthenes and Crispus (v 8) may even be one and the same person. Many of the people in the Bible have two names (eg Silas/ Silvanus, Timothy/ Timotheus, Priscilla/ Prisca, Saul/ Paulus). In any case, if Sothenes was a successor to Crispus, he became a believer and a fellowservant of Paul (I Cor 1:1), the same as Crispus (I Cor 1:14).

Gallio judged that Paul had not broken any Roman laws. I like that he did not want to get involved with the matter in any way. On the other hand, the way Gallio looked on in indifference as Sosthenes was beaten is more of a gray area. Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Essentially, Franklin was saying war was preferable to tyranny. There can come a point when a government’s powers are so overbearing that any benefits obtained thereby are just not worth it. So what is the proper balance between liberty and safety? I would say your liberty to wave your fists around stops where my nose starts, but without anyone to enforce that, my nose might end up getting in the way of your fist. So in the case of Sosthenes, Gallio took the liberty of the ‘Greeks’ a little too far. From a libertarian perspective, the primary duty of the government is to protect people’s individual rights.

All that remains of the bema seat today is part of the foundation.

Partial foundation of the bema seat viewed from the north side
Acrocorinth can be seen in the background.

The remaining foundation is only one component of the bema seat, which was only one component of the larger Rostra complex. The bema seat was made of marble and had pillars, benches, and other rooms. The Rostra complex was likewise made of marble with pillars and central shops. On the east end was a circular monument. On the west end was a temple to Hermes.

Reconstruction of the Rostra complex, with the bema seat at the center

In his second Letter to the Corinthians, Paul said we must all appear before the bema seat of Christ. (II Cor 5:10) This will probably be the most solemn occasion we will ever experience. We are going to review our lives, and Jesus will judge them. (John 5:22) We will give an account of every idle word we have ever said. (Matt 12:36) We are going to weep for all our shortcomings, our missed opportunities, and all of the ways we have failed Christ. If we are trusting in Christ alone by faith alone, having the seal of the Holy Spirit (ie if we have oil in our lamps), Jesus is going to wipe the tears from our eyes and say [E]nter thou into the joy of thy lord.

I once heard a story about someone who stood before the bema seat, and he was given a box, but Jesus told him he should probably not look inside. Eventually, curiosity got the best of him, and when he opened the box, he started to weep, because the box contained all the things that Jesus wanted to give him but couldn’t, because of his disobedience. Most parents know what it is like to want to give their child a present, only to be stopped from giving it to the child when he is naughty; to have to put it away and hope for a more opportune time in the future.

18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

In our last post, we saw that Paul had already been in Corinth teaching them the word of God for a year and a half. Now, Paul tarries there yet a good while. Paul wrote more to the Corinthians than to any other church. His Letters to them are filled with personal comments about what was happening in the church. He was certainly close to the Corinthian Christians. 

I love the way Paul picks up fellow travelers to serve on his team wherever he goes. Priscilla and Aquila are traveling with him to Ephesus. The vow Paul took was the vow of the Nazarite (Num 6), which Paul had the freedom to do, as a Jewish man under the New Covenant. He also had the freedom not to take a vow. For whatever reason, Paul wanted to take the vow.

Cenchrea is on the south side of the isthmus where Corinth is. Paul and Co walked there from Corinth and took a ship from Cenchrea to Ephesus. It may have been at this time that the church in Cenchrea was planted, or maybe when Paul first met Phoebe. (Rom 16:1) Today, the main road that runs through Cenchrea is called Apostle Paul.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them [Priscilla and Aquila] there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

Paul was headed for Ephesus at the beginning of this, his second mission trip, but was directed by the Spirit to go to Macedonia. He may have even wanted to go to Ephesus on his first mission trip, yet was hindered by his thorn in the flesh. (Gal 4:13; II Cor 12:2, 7) Now, at the end of his second mission trip, Paul is finally here in Ephesus, opening the door for him to come back again on his third. That visit may prove to be Paul’s most glorious experience in the mission field. Priscilla and Aquila will be busy in Ephesus while Paul is away, as we will see in our next post.

20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

This reference to God’s will is easy to pass over, but it shows Paul’s reliance on the sovereignty of God. An understanding of the sovereignty of God is a great sedative, and it’s free. When I consider the sovereignty of God, I say, Okay, I may not have gotten what I wanted, but God is not done yet. I can trust Him. He knows what He is doing. (Rom 8:28)

22 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch [of Syria].
Acts 18:12-22

‘Gone up’ means gone up to Jerusalem. You always ‘go up’ to Jerusalem. Paul went ‘up’ to Jerusalem, but he went down to Antioch, even though Antioch is north of Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, Paul saluted the church before going back to his home church in Antioch.

Thus ends Paul’s second missionary journey. I do not know about you, but studying the life of Paul makes me feel wholly inadequate as a Christian. I feel like I am going to have no other option at the bema seat but to throw myself on the mercy of the Court. C T Studd famously wrote, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” C T Studd was right. Most of what we build in this life is only wood, hay, and stubble. It’s going to burn.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
I Corinthians 3:11-15

In closing, meditate on this classic poem by brother Studd:

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
by C.T. Studd

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

__ extra stanza __

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.

Acts 18:1-11 — Paul In Corinth Part I

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In Acts 17, Paul was in Athens, where he wrote his first Epistles: I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians. In this post, Paul will move on to Corinth.

Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 18:1-11
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

Before the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC, Corinth was a powerful city-state, with many Corinthian settlements extending far beyond the city walls. After being conquered by the Romans, however, the entire region became Roman public property. By the time Paul arrived, Corinth was a Roman colony, the capital of the Roman province of Achaia.

In Athens, it was Athena who looked out over the city from high atop the Acropolis. In Corinth, it is Aphrodite. Aphrodite was the patroness not just of Corinth, but also of the many prostitutes in the city. These prostitutes took an active role in the annual festival of Aphrodesia, a celebration held in honor of Aphrodite. The temple to Aphrodite was built on the highest point of the acropolis overlooking Corinth, called Acrocorinth. As a licentious and hedonistic city, the word ‘Corinthian’ has become synonymous with licentiousness and hedonism. Corinth was also a center of trade. Because of Corinth’s unique location, there were always travelers coming and going.

Road leading to Acrocorinth

Ruins of the church, then the mosque, built where the temple of Aphrodite was.


Map of Corinth in Paul’s day

2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

Rabbis in the first century generally supported themselves with a trade. The rabbis famously said, He who does not teach his son a trade teaches him to be a thief. Paul’s trade was tentmaking. Paul said he had power to live off the gospel, but he did not use it in Corinth. (I Cor 9:11f)

Pricilla and Aquila were a dynamic Christian couple. They became Paul’s fellowservants and even risked their lives to help Paul. (Rom 16:3) They went on to host a home church in their house in Asia (I Cor 16:19) and also later in Rome (Rom 16:5). They will be instrumental in discipling Apollos, a mighty leader in the early church (v 28).

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Although Paul was busy tentmaking to pay the bills, he was faithful to evangelize in the synagogue on the sabbath. Opportunities probably arose throughout his workweek as well.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

II Corinthians 11:9 says that Silas and Timothy brought a gift from the Christians in Macedonia, which was undoubtedly a great help to Paul. It probably allowed him to spend more time ministering the gospel and less time tentmaking. We are seeing a real team effort here: Paul’s friends back in Macedonia, Silas, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila, plus more to come below (Justus, Crispus and his family, Apollos). This is among the most rewarding aspects of ministering the gospel, the friends and fellowservants who you meet who help you along the way.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Paul also said this in Antioch of Pisidia (Acts 13:46), yet he continued going to the synagogue whenever he went to a new town, and he will continue to do so. Paul did not mean he would go unto the Gentiles, period. He meant he would go unto the Gentiles in Corinth. When he goes to Ephesus in Acts 19, he will go to the synagogue as he always does.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

Justus’ full name may have been Titus Justus, or possibly even Gaius Titus Justus. I will leave that for you to investigate further should you feel so inclined.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

This part of the narrative reminds me of an experience I had in Mudzimurema, Zimbabwe — a little town that was full of thieves. When my friends and I arrived there, we were not received warmly, and I was thinking about moving on to a different town, but one of my friends had a dream telling us there was fruit in the town that was ripe for picking. We ended up having great meetings, and the next night, people were knocking on our door to get saved. Some of the people who seemed least likely to get saved did get saved. We also found there were many others in the town besides the rough-looking guys we met when we first arrived. There were families and nice people there.

Corinth was a wicked city with a bad reputation, but there were lots of people there, and where there are people, there is a mission field. Verses 9 and 10 have spoken to me personally in many different cities I have visited throughout my travels. I have found that when I will just open my mouth and give out the gospel, people will almost always respond. I have never had a hair of my head harmed for doing so. I have been harassed in lots of different ways, but I have never been worse for wear. One guy tried to hit me once in Vasco Da Gama, but I slipped out of it, and he didn’t connect well enough to get me. I told him I wasn’t afraid of him, and he eventually left. He got his hand broken (or hurt badly) almost immediately after leaving us. I didn’t have any more trouble from him after that.

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Acts 18:1-11

I think Paul was discouraged after the opposition he met in verse 6, or else Jesus would not have had to encourage him in verses 9 and 10. Paul was encouraged, and he stayed to teach the word in Corinth for another year and a half. Paul did not give up; he persevered with some help from his friends.

Ajay Haridasse collapsed from exhaustion as he was approaching the finish line at the Boston Marathon last week, but he did not give up. He fell three more times and was getting ready to crawl when another runner, Aaron Beggs stopped to help him. This inspired a third runner, Robson De Oliveira to help as well. All three, from three different countries, and all dying of exhaustion, crossed the finish line together. Never give up, and when you see someone who needs help, be sure to help. (Matt 7:12) Paul could not have accomplished all he did without help.

Paul’s life illustrates the principle that the more you put into practice the truths that God reveals to you, the more He will continue to reveal. As Paul obediently went where God sent him, the going got harder and harder, but Paul kept going. As Paul continued in obedience, God continued to reveal more and more to him. He was given sign gifts and worked miracles. He spoke in tongues. He wrote beautiful Epistles that are still changing lives today. The fruit of Paul’s journeys was not just the souls that were saved, but the formation of the New Testament. Now that’s what I call a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In closing, let’s take a closer look at verse 2. Priscilla and Aquila had to leave Rome when Claudius Caesar kicked the Jews out of the city. Persecution because of antisemitism is something that we Gentiles do not think much about, but for a Jew, antisemitism is an ever-present danger, and it is drastically increasing in our day. The closer we get to the rapture, the more antisemitism we are seeing.

Antisemitism will not last forever. We even see a subtle allusion to this in Romans 16:3-5. Priscilla and Aquila eventually moved back to Rome. When Jesus returns, Jerusalem will be the capital of the world, and people from every country will annually flow to Israel to worship Messiah and keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Those who do not go up to Jerusalem during the millennium to worship Messiah and keep the Feast of Tabernacles will not receive rain. (Zec 14:16f)

Acts 17:15-34 – Paul In Athens

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, the troublemakers from Thessalonica pursued Paul to Berea, causing him to flee once more. This persecution kept Paul moving and, in turn, spreading the gospel even more.

In Acts 17, we get a closer look at the world of the New Testament period. Before Christianity triumphed over paganism, the ancient world was a very bizarre place.

As our section opens, Paul is being conducted by sea to Athens, while Silas and Timothy stay behind in Berea and Thessalonica. This allowed them to minister to the new believers who needed discipleship.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and open our understanding as we read your precious word. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 17:15-34
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

After they drop Paul off in Athens, he gives them a message to take back to Silvanus and Timothy: Come to Athens as soon as possible. When they come, they have a list of questions from the Christians in Thessalonica. It was at this time that Paul wrote I Thessalonians. Then they returned with more questions, so Paul wrote II Thessalonians. Later, Timothy and Silas joined Paul again in Corinth to continue on the mission trip. (Acts 18:5)

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

The patroness of Athens was, of course, Athena. According to legend, Athena bested Poseidon in a contest for patronage of Athens by creating an olive tree. Her idol in the Parthenon atop the Acropolis was 39’ tall, 43’ tall including the base. Made of ivory and clothed in gold, the statue of Athena was a powerful idol, inasmuch as its aesthetic beauty made it very enticing.

For example, many in Southern India worship the folk deity, Muneeswarar, which is nothing more than an oval rock, about 15” long, painted orange, with a horizontal thick black line for a mouth and two X’s for eyes, also made with thick black lines.


AI-generated image

If people will worship that, how much more would they be enticed to worship the colossal image of Athena Parthenos, “Athena the Virgin”? I suspect this is why the Acropolis Museum in Athens does not have a replica. The museum has a small hologram that shows what the idol looked like:

    If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
    And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
    This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
Job 31:26-28

The Roman counterpart to Athena was Minerva. She was therefore worshiped in one form or another throughout the empire. Expanding on the teaching of the Old Testament, Paul wrote that behind every idol a devil is waiting to be worshiped (Deut 32:17; Ps 106:37; I Cor 10:20f), whether it be the sun, the moon, Athena, or Muneeswarar.

Athena was just one of the many idols worshiped in Athens. (More on that below.) Seeing how the city was wholly given to idolatry, a righteous indignation was stirred in Paul. If there is one sin that God really hates, it is idolatry—so much so that God forbade his people to even utter the names of the idols worshiped by the heathen nations. (Ex 23:13)

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

What was it that Paul was disputing in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons? The Jews did not worship idols. The Babylonian captivity cured them of that, even unto today. Paul was disputing the same thing he preached everywhere he went, the resurrection of Christ.

In the market (Gk agora), Paul got the attention of the Epicureans, who were libertines, and the Stoics, who were ascetics.


The market, viewed from the north
(The Areopagus is directly behind the market, below the Acropolis.)

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?


This screenshot shows where Paul started in the marketplace (the upper-left quarter of the image) before they took him to the Areopagus (lower-left quarter of the image).

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

The Areopagus was dedicated to Ares, the god of war. His Roman counterpart was Mars. Dr Luke gives us the Greek name, Areopagus (lit Hill of Ares), as well as the Latin name in verse 22, Mars’ Hill. This is where the Areopagus Council met to judge cases of murder, sacrilege, and arson.


The summit of Mars’ Hill viewed from the Acropolis

The fact that they led Paul to Mars’ Hill shows that they were interested in hearing what he had to say. Paul had a captive audience, as they are very much into the art of oratory. Paul does not disappoint:

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

It is commonly said today that a better translation of ‘too superstitious’ would be ‘very religious’. Those who make this claim say that Paul would not start by rebuking the Athenians but would rather compliment them. I suppose these same folks would have John the Baptist beginning with ‘O generation of religious brethren, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come’. All kidding aside, Paul’s message is filled with rebukes against idolatry. It would not make much sense, therefore, for him to begin by commending them for it.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

The Athenians had an altar for every god, but if there was a god they did not know about, they did not want to offend him, so they made an altar for him, just in case. Paul is here to tell them about their UNKNOWN GOD.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

Paul made this declaration in the midst of a city filled with temples—on Mars’ Hill, where there were many sanctuaries, including that of the Erinyes, or the Furies to the Romans. Directly above was the temple of Athena on the Acropolis.


The Acropolis viewed from Nymphs Hill at nightfall

25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

First Paul attacks their temples, then he attacks the idols inside their temples. Paul’s reference to ‘men’s hands’ was a direct reference to idoatry, ie the work of men’s hands. (Deut 4:28; II Kings 19;18; Ps 115:4; Ps 135;15; Isa 37:19) The Athenians felt their idols honored God, but Paul dispelled this idea. If for no other reason, you have to admire Paul for his bravery. Preaching against idolatry in Athens would be like preaching against basketball in the Crypto.com Arena. 

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Because of their fine architecture, their famous philosophers, their theaters, and the arts, the Athenians thought they were a ‘cut above the rest’. Paul is rebuking their conceit. We have all been made of one blood (ie Adam). The ‘time before appointed’ in their day was the beginning of the church age following the first coming of Christ. In our day, the ‘time before appointed’ is the closing of the church age and the second coming of Christ. They owe their Greek pedigree, which they are so proud of, to God, as He set the bounds of their habitation.

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

The idea that you are closer to God when you go to a temple (or a church) is still widespread today. This was one of the tenets of the Reformation, and born-again Christians understand that one can be just as close to God in his garage or his basement as in a church.

Paul drives his point home by quoting a couple of their Greek poets, Aratus of Soli and Cleanthes. Both had written odes to Zeus, which said, ‘We are his offspring.” Paul does not put a fine point on it to clarify his meaning. They know what he means. Luke 3:38 says Adam was the son of God (cf Gen 2:7).

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

Again Paul strikes at their false gods, which were made of gold, silver, and stone.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

The age in which God closed his eyes to their idolatry was so brief from God’s perspective that it was just a wink, but now that Christ is risen, Paul says that all men everywhere need to repent.

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

The ancient Greeks, heavily influenced by Plato, saw bodily resurrection as a foolish idea. Nevertheless, whenever the gospel is given out, there are always those who respond.

33 So Paul departed from among them.

Paul drops his mic and walks away. But some of them follow after him:

34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 17:15-34

To the west of the summit, Mars’ Hill sloped down toward the marketplace. On this slope was the Areopagus residential area, which belonged to the prestigious district of Melite. Dionysius lived there, which means he was a well-to-do individual. According to tradition, Dionysius was Athens’ first bishop, but I wonder who Damaris was? When I was in Athens last year, I noticed that the women were into health and beauty. Many of them could be described as chic. I like to think of Damaris as a Greek matron with style and grace.


Images of Greek matrons

There is no Epistle to the Athenians. Paul preached in the center of Greek philosophy and learning, but the message was not received as well as it was in Thessalonica and Berea. I think it was because they were too smart for their own good. (Pr 26:12; Luke 10:21; I Cor 1:26)

I believe another reason the gospel was not well received in Athens was because of their idolatry. I have never met anyone so blinded to spiritual truth as those who worship idols. There is something of a revival taking place in the Muslim world, but not among Hindus. My experience with them was similar to Paul’s in Athens. There were some who believed, but most were not open to the gospel.

15 The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
Psalm 135:15-18

The Bible begins with a commandment not to worship idols (Ex 20:3-5), and ends with people worshiping the image of the beast. (Rev 13:14f) Then, as the canon of Scripture closes, those who worship idols are cast into the lake of fire. (Rev 21:8)

But before we are too quick to pass judgment on the Athenians in our text, let us take a look at ourselves. Concerning idolatry, the Bible says:

     For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
1 Samuel 15:23

Have you been resisting God’s will in a certain matter? According to the Bible, that is idolatry, and idolaters will not get into heaven. In I Corinthians 6:9, Paul says as much and gives a long list of other sins that will keep people out of heaven. But then he writes, And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (I Cor 6:11) In other words, our sins are forgiven. If you have not yet received Christ as your Saviour, do not delay. Repent of your sin, and abide in the word which will cleanse you of your sins. (Ps 119:9)

In closing, I do not think there is any question that AI is the Parthenon of our day. I used AI to generate an image for this post, which is a story in itself. First, it denied that such an idol as I described existed in India. Then, I used a more advanced version that conceded the idol existed, but said there are no images available on the web. So I had it generate one, which was laughable, as it made it look shiny and spiffy. After some more tries and Photoshoping it to make it look realistic, I asked the AI how it was able to generate the image if it could not find a picture to go by. It then denied generating the image. The amount of money and energy consumption being poured into AI is nothing short of obscene, but that is nothing compared to the effect it is having on society. It is all leading to the mark of the beast and the image of the beast in Revelation 13. Jesus is the way out. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Acts 15:30-41 — Teaching And Preaching

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, the first church council decided the controversy in Antioch of Syria, whereby the Judaizers were attempting to bring the brethren into the bondage of the law. We learned the key to a pure heart (Ps 24:4; Pr 22:11; Matt 5:8; I Tim 1:5; II Tim 2:22; I Pet 1:22) is faith. Acts 15:9 says our hearts are purified by faith.

Before we move on, however, I want to revisit what I wrote about how Paul may have written to the Galatians by the time of the first church council in Acts 15. This agrees with contemporary conservative scholarship, but I got to thinking about whether we should be looking a little further back. For example, we find some interesting information in the postscripts that the KJV translators included in the Pauline Epistles:

Romans
¶ Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.
I Corinthians
¶ The first epistle of the Corinthians was written from Philippi by Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Archaicus, and Timotheus.
II Corinthians
¶ The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.
Galatians
¶ Unto the Galatians written from Rome.
Ephesians
¶ Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.
Philippians
¶ It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.
Colossians
Written from Rome to the Colossians by Tychicus and Onesimus.
I Thessalonians
¶ The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
II Thessalonians
¶ The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.
I Timothy
¶ The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.
II Timothy
¶ The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.
Titus
¶ It was written to Titus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Cretians, from Nicopolis of Macedonia.
Philemon
¶ Written from Rome to Philemon by Onesimus a servant.
Hebrews
¶ Written to the Hebrews from Italy by Timothy.

These postscripts were carried over from the Euthalian tradition, which the KJV translators considered to be authoritative. Modern commentators may scoff at this notion, but not so fast; some recent scholarship has shed new light on the subject.

In Volume 67 of New Testament Tools, Studies and Documents, leading academics compiled a catalogue of manuscripts containing the Euthalian tradition. When one considers the scope of this data, it becomes clear that the Euthalian tradition is a rich source of information. For example:

“The Euthalian system was the primary arbiter of most of the Greek New Testament’s works (everything except the gospels and the book of Revelation) for over a millennium, something that nearly every reader would have encountered, even if selectively.” (1)

Hundreds and hundreds of manuscripts still contain references from the Euthalian system. The references to the cities from which Paul wrote and his “co-authors” are preserved in dozens of extant manuscripts. (2)

In this post, we will be embarking on Paul’s second missionary journey. To make a thorough study of Acts, we should be reading Paul’s Epistles as we travel along with him to the areas where he planted churches. Based on the information available, here is a list of possible dates for Paul’s Epistles (and the rest of the New Testament):

1 James: 45–50 AD
2 I Thessalonians: 50–51 AD
3 II Thessalonians: 51–52 AD
4 I Corinthians: 53–55 AD
5 II Corinthians: 55–57 AD
6 Romans: 56–58 AD
7 Philemon: 60–62 AD
8 Galatians: 60–62 AD
9 Ephesians: 60–62 AD
10 Philippians: 61–63 AD
11 Colossians: 60–62 AD
12 I Timothy: 63–65 AD
13 II Timothy: 63–67 AD
14 Titus: 64–67 AD
15 Hebrews: 63–65 AD
16 Gospel of Matthew: 37–55 AD
17 Gospel of Mark: 63–70 AD
18 Gospel of Luke: 60–63 AD
19 Acts: 63–70 AD
20 Gospel of John: 85–90 AD
21 I John: 85–95 AD
22 II John: 85–95 AD
23 III John: 85–95 AD
24 I Peter: 64–67 AD
25 II Peter: 64–67 AD
26 Jude: 50–65 AD
27 Revelation: 94–96 AD

You may have noticed that I included Hebrews in the Pauline Epistles, bolded in the list above. Again, the KJV translators believed Paul wrote Hebrews. It seems plain to me that they had more insight than the translators of our day. The Euthalian postscript says it was written by Timothy, typical of Paul’s letters. Someone may protest, saying that the KJV translators included the Apocrypha in their version. However, in the original 1611 version, the Apocrypha was placed between the Old and New Testaments for historical references only. They did not consider the Apocrypha to be Scripture.

Hebrews makes 14 letters in total by Paul, the number of completion. As a Pharisee and the most successful missionary among the apostles, Paul would be the obvious choice to author Hebrews, as Paul had the gravitas required to address the Hebrews on the vital subject of New Covenant grace. His fingerprints can be seen in Hebrews 10:38, 11, 13:1 et al. Paul probably left the Epistle unsigned because of the controversy attached to his name among his fellow countrymen. Moreover, Paul understood that he was only an instrument; the real Author was the Holy Spirit.

Now we will pick up where we left off in our last post.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read your precious word, which is more than our necessary food, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 15:30-41
30 So when they were dismissed, they [Paul, Barnabas, Judas Barsabas, and Silas] came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

This is the Epistle which the apostles in Jerusalem sent back to Antioch (Acts 15:20), establishing the doctrine of New Covenant grace. The Gentiles would not have to be circumcised as the Judaizers were telling them.

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

I would have rejoiced too! I have never been the sort of person who likes rules. Whenever I have gone looking for a job, if there were paragraphs of cold, detailed information in the job description, I kept scrolling until I found a simple job description with a friendly tone.

I feel the same way about churches. There are quite a few of them that still have not gotten the memo. (Acts 15:20, 29)

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Teaching and preaching are key components of the ministry. In many churches, you hear a lot of preaching, but very little teaching. A teaching ministry grows a church and makes it healthy. According to Paul, that is the reason for the church: to teach the saints and equip them for the ministry. (Eph 4:11f)

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

Paul has a shepherd’s heart. I confess that I have fallen short in this area. We should make the spiritual health of those we lead to Christ our top priority.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

In some ways, Barnabas shows even more grace than Paul. Barnabas was willing to give his nephew a second chance. Paul, not so much. An argument ensued:

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas [aka Silvanus], and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Acts 15:30-41

When Christians disagree with one another, often the result is the same as it was for Paul and Barnabas, which is good, in that it leads to multiplication. (Rom 8:28) Now their missionary efforts will be doubled. According to tradition, after Barnabas returned to his native Cyprus, he continued to Northern Africa and planted churches. We know John Mark from the Gospel he authored, so suffice it to say everything worked out after all. Paul eventually came around and received Mark as a fellowservant. (Col 4:10; II Tim 4:11; Philem 23f) We will not hear from Barnabas again in Acts, but there are a lot of adventures still to come. Paul and Silas are just getting started.

1 Garrick V. Allen, Kimberley A. Fowler, Emanuele Scieri, Maxim Venetskov, The Euthalian Tradition of the New Testament: A Catalogue of Greek Manuscripts (Leiden/ Boston: BRILL, 2025), p 1.
2. Ibid, p 352.

Acts 10:19-48 — Soldier to Soldier

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In this post, we pick back up with the story of Cornelius, Peter, and the visions that God used to bring them together. 

Acts is the great turning point in Scripture. From Genesis 25 through the Gospels and the beginning of Acts, the focus of Scripture is on Israel. There is much for the heathen nations as well — like the occasion when Jonah tried to take a boat from Joppa to Tarshish, only to end up on a mission trip to Nineveh — but the focus is on Israel.

Then in Acts, the focus starts shifting to the church, a body of believers made up of both Jews and Gentiles. In Acts 10 in particular the Gentiles start coming in to the church.

Later in Acts, Paul will tell the philosophers in Athens that God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth. That’s a good message for the ‘philosophers’ of our day too. If someone has a problem with the way God made your skin tone, tell them to take it up with Him. We all have the same Creator and we all need the same Saviour. (Acts 4:12; 17:26) 

The Letters that follow Acts focus mostly on the Gentiles. James addressed his Letter to the twelve tribes that are scattered abroad, and there is also the Letter to the Hebrews; yet, overall, the focus of the church age has been the Gentiles. This change started in Acts 10. 

This transition continued through the first century, as the gospel is to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile). Paul in his Letter to the Romans demonstrates how this transition was foretold in Scripture:

8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. [II Sam 22:50; Ps 18:49]
10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. [Deut 32:43]
11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. [Ps 117:1]
12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. [Isa 11:10] 
Romans 15:8-12

Yet later in Revelation 7, God calls 12,000 Jewish believers from each of the twelve tribes, 144,000 in total. At this point (in the not-too-distant future), not only will the church age be over, but the times of the Gentiles will be wrapping up as well. When Jesus comes back, the leader of the free world will be Jewish and Jerusalem will be the capital. This is God’s plan for Israel. (Rom 11:25)

Hence, we have a watershed moment here. Before Acts 10, none of the apostles were preaching to Gentiles. The Ethiopian eunuch and the diverse crowd in Acts 2 were all either Jews or Jewish proselytes, but Cornelius is a Roman Gentile. Let’s see what happens. 

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit as we read your word. Give us understanding. We pray these sayings will sink down into our souls and bear fruit in our lives, as well as the lives of others. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 10:19-48
19 ¶ While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

I love how the Spirit speaks directly to Peter here. Throughout the Bible, God speaks to his people. Christianity is not a religion. It’s a relationship, and in a healthy relationship, people talk to each other. If you’re not hearing Him, read your Bible more and remember to always pray before you read your Bible. (Also as you’re reading it.)

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?
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.

Cornelius was a man who gave God his best, like the woman who poured her precious spikenard on Jesus’ head before He went to the cross. In our last post, we read that Cornelius gave much alms to the people. (Matt 25:40)

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.

Peter is being obedient to the vision he had in the first part of the chapter (see here) by inviting the Romans in and letting them stay in the same house with him. 

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

Cornelius was an evangelist even before receiving Christ. Peter has a nice-sized audience waiting to receive him. It reminds me of the party Matthew threw to receive Jesus. (Matt 9)

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

Notice Peter does not tell Cornelius to kiss his ring, much less his toe. When I was recently in St Peter’s Basilica, I watched as someone went past the velvet rope and kissed the toe of Peter’s effigy — famously worn down from centuries of kissing and touching.

Rather, Peter sets Cornelius straight and tells him to stand up. 

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
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.

This is Peter’s first time in a Gentile home. He explains to them how God showed him that he has to accept them. As I said in the last post, the unclean beasts in Peter’s vision were not just meant to signify food — the Romans themselves are the unclean animals in the vision. God said he had cleansed them and not to call them unclean. I don’t know how they ever got that idea in the first place, as I do not find that in the law of the Old Covenant. Jesus did not think going to the house of Cornelius(?) was breaking the law in Luke 7:6, but traditions passed down by the scribes and Pharisees came to be accepted more or less as law.

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?

Peter makes Cornelius spell it out for him.

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,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
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.
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.

Perhaps at this time Peter remembered the great commission. Jesus commanded him (and us!) to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Now, taken together with Cornelius’ vision and his own vision, Peter knows what to say:

34 ¶ Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Verse 35 cannot be used to promote universalism; it says ‘every nation’, but with a qualifier: in every nation he that feareth him [Jesus], and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
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.
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:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

There Peter goes again, preaching on the resurrection. Why does he keep playing the same song? Because that is the heart of the gospel. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important part of our faith as Christians. (Rom 4:25; 10:9; I Cor 15:14-19) 

Peter’s preaching shows that a simple message is all that is needed to win souls. (I Cor 1:17) I recall hearing about one new Christian who only knew John 3:16, yet she was an effective evangelist. You can play a song on one string, and it only takes three chords to jam.

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 [living] and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Peter is offers a slice of John 3:16 here; you’re either a whosoever will or a whosoever won’t. This is a crowd of whosoever wills:

44 ¶ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
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.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

I believe “they of the circumcision … as many as came with Peter,” probably heard the Romans speaking Hebrew. I once heard a Hebrew scholar, who was by no means Pentecostal, say that he saw a lady receive Christ on the Bayou in Louisiana and immediately start speaking Hebrew. I suspect that is the reason Peter’s friends were astonished. The Jews who accompanied Peter to Caesarea would have never believed these Romans were their brothers in Christ without this compelling evidence.

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Verse 47 destroys the false teaching of baptismal regeneration. They were already saved and had received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized. 

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 10:19-48

Peter may have made some big mistakes (haven’t we all), but he is really starting to get his sea legs now. Yet Peter is still just a man, the same as the rest of us.

When I was in Rome, the exaltation of Peter could be seen everywhere. The basilicas and shrines throughout the city often feature colossal statues of Peter and the other apostles, making them seem like gods. The vaulted ceilings in these shrines are very high and far away, making God seem far away. The decorations and artwork in these places are very lavish, often decked with silver and gold. 

Yet the Bible shows Peter as he really was, full of flaws yet fully accessible to the common people. Peter always directed people to the word of God and away from corruptible things like silver and gold. (I Pet 1:18-2:3)

Wiersbe said that Peter used the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19) to open the door of faith to the Jews (Acts 2), the Samaritans (Acts 8) and finally, the Gentiles (Acts 10). That is one possible interpretation, but even that sounds like a bit of a stretch to me. In Matthew 18:18, Jesus told the other apostles pretty much the same thing He told Peter in Matthew 16:19. I tend to think that what Jesus meant when He said the keys of the kingdom was the word of God and the faith to believe it, keys that are available to us all. (Matt 7:7; cf Luke 11:52) The ‘Church’ claims that the keys of the kingdom were passed from pope to pope, giving them their authority. That sounds nice, but it’s not in the Bible. (Neither are prayer beads, confession booths, nor a celibate priesthood. In fact, Peter himself was married.) Therefore, it is another gospel they are preaching in Rome. (Gal 1:6-9)

It is not my intention to insult anyone, but I thank God for my Christian friends who were not afraid to challenge my Catholic faith. I pray all who read this will put their faith in the word of God as I have, and not in the Church.

In closing, at this point in the book of Acts, not only have we seen the gospel go out from Jerusalem to Samaria and beyond (Acts 1:8), but we have seen the gospel received by the three major people groups in Genesis 10: Shem (Acts 2), Ham (the Ethiopian Eunuch), and Japheth (Cornelius from Italy). I wonder what Dr Luke, the Gentile, was thinking while he was writing about the conversion of Cornelius?

For the next couple of chapters in Acts, we will continue to see both Peter and Saul, before the focus shifts away from Peter towards Saul and his missionary journeys. 

Father, thank You for the open door You have set before us. Thank You that all are welcome, no matter what we may have done, however terrible it may have been. Thank You for the precious blood of your Son that washes away all our sins. Thank You that He is risen from the dead and that He is coming back again for us soon. Thank You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Acts 10:1-18 — Peter Goes To Caesarea – Rome Away From Rome

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

I decided to forgo my usual recap of events this New Year’s, as I have been feeling more and more like the news we receive is less and less worth following. I see this not only in the mainstream, but also in the new media. I still follow current events, but more than ever I take the news with a grain of salt, so to speak. For example, the tragedy concerning our fellowservant, Charlie Kirk, was among the major events of 2025, but what do we really know about how or why it happened? Not much at all. 

Considering Dr Luke’s many historical references (eg Luke 2:1-3), it is clear that he was well versed with the inner workings of the Roman Empire, but that was not his focus. 

As a Roman citizen, when Paul confronted the public officials of his day, he always had one clear message: the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matt 5:44) Let that be our focus too. Let us be realistic about current events (Phil 3:20; I John 2:17; 5:19), and view everything through the lens of Scripture.

In other words, I think we need to strike a balance between viewing events in terms of Bible prophecy and being obsessed with the new world order; between an honest appraisal of the prophetic landscape and a quixotic crusade against the powers that be. (Eph 6:12) I leave that for your thoughtful consideration.

Moving forward, in Acts 9, we left Peter hanging out with Simon the tanner in his tanning shop on the beach in Joppa. A shop where tanning was done was a spartan dwelling that reeked of stale urine from the tanning process. Peter does not require first-class accommodation. 

Moreover, tanners were considered unclean according to the Torah. (Lev 11:35-40) This does not seem to bother Peter either, but he still has a lot to learn. (Don’t we all.) The Holy Spirit is going to deal with Peter’s prejudices and his attachments to the law in this chapter. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 10:1-18
THERE was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

Caesarea is just north of the plain of Sharon, which is just north of Joppa. (Where there are revivals resulting from Peter healing Aeneas and raising Tabitha in Chapter 9.)

Paul traveled through Caesarea in Chapter 9. He will return again during his missionary journeys, and ultimately be jailed in Caesarea for two years before setting sail for Rome. 

Caesarea will become the home of Philip. (Acts 21) It was also the home of Roman governors like Pontius Pilate. Caesarea, named for Caesar Augustus by Herod the Great, was the capital of Roman Judea. 

Ruins of Caesarea today

Artist’s Rendition of Caesarea 

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.

Cornelius is a devout man, meaning he is not merely religious but sincere and dedicated. He feared God (not the gods), meaning he already had faith in the God of Israel. He was very generous with his alms to the people. He was also a man of prayer. Moreover, he took his responsibility as the spiritual leader of his family seriously. To say Cornelius was an honorable man seems a bit of an understatement.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day [ie, the hour of prayer; cf Acts 3:1] an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

In Chapter 9, Paul and Ananias had visions. In this Chapter, Cornelius and Peter are up. The Holy Spirit is busy leading and orchestrating the transition from the law into the New Covenant of grace. 

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.

Have you ever had a vision from the Holy Spirit? How much do you pray? It looks like Cornelius is praying when he has his vision, just as Peter is when he has his (v 9). The vision Ananias had seems to be an answer to Paul’s prayers in Acts 9:11, prayers which likewise led to Paul’s vision in Acts 9:12. The angel tells Cornelius he was sent as a result of his prayers and his alms.

5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

Notice how Cornelius was only given a limited amount of information. He will have to obey, then wait and see what happens next.

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;

I cannot help but wonder if Cornelius might be the centurion Dr Luke mentions in Chapter 7 of his Gospel, and whether one of the servants mentioned here may be the one Jesus healed. The Gospel account of the centurion that loved Israel and built them a synagogue matches. Dr Luke mentions that the soldier Cornelius sends along is a man of faith as well.

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa [Gk Ióppē; called Jaffa in modern English or Yafo in Hebrew].

They make good time and arrive at Joppa the next day. Joppa is about 38 miles south of Caesarea on foot, but as attachés to Cornelius, they are probably on horseback. Or, since Joppa was a major port city like Caesarea, maybe they went by boat?

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:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

It’s been said that God knows you always have to tell a man twice (Abraham, Abraham; Jacob, Jacob; Moses, Moses; Samuel, Samuel; etc.) Peter requires being told three times. (Cf John 21:17) He said Not so, Lord the first time, but repented after the second and third. (Cornelius, who was used to taking orders, only needs to be told once.)

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,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
Acts 10:1-18

In our next post, we will see that Peter’s vision is not necessarily about non-kosher food. It’s also about us — non-kosher Gentiles. 

We all have our biases and beliefs that we carry with us from our culture, ingrained deep into our souls from early childhood. Peter’s vision is telling him he needs to let go of his biases and fully embrace the New Covenant of grace. It’s not just ‘okay’ to eat with Gentiles now, but the Lord is commanding it. The one another passages of the New Testament apply to all believers, Jew and Gentile alike.

Throughout the Book of Acts, we see how the Jews resisted the New Covenant of grace and clung to the law. The apostles will start to understand better at the first church council which takes place in Acts 15, but there were many who continued to resist. Ironically, the one least likely to embrace New Covenant grace — Saul of Tarsus — became its strongest advocate.

This same misunderstanding continues today, not just among Jews, but among many Gentiles. Legalism is like a strong tower that keeps Christians bound by rigid superstitions. To fully understand and embrace New Covenant grace is to be free indeed. (John 8:31-36) We will see later in Acts 15 that the only rules for Christians are to abstain from meat offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication (Gk porneia). Paul modified these rules in his Epistles, but the bottom line is that when a Christian is led of the Spirit, all things are lawful. (I Cor 6:9-20)

In closing, if you are a Jewish believer in Yeshua, go ahead and eat the lobster if you want to. According to Peter’s vision it’s okay; even Yeshua said so. (Mark 7:15; cf Rom 14)

Father, please fill us day by day with the Holy Spirit, that we may be led of the Spirit and focused on your Son. Help us to cast aside our unbiblical beliefs and biases, that your Son may feel at home in our hearts, and that we may always be ready to serve Him, in season and out of season. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 2:16, 17 — God Keeps His Promises

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greeting in Christ!

This Christmas, I am thankful that Jesus is still with us, alive and well in our hearts in the Person of the Holy Spirit — a promise God made long before Jesus was born in Bethlehem:

     But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 
    And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭

Jesus reiterated this promise before He went to the cross and again after He rose again. Of course, God kept this promise, the same as He kept his promise to send his Son (Job 19:25; Isa 13:12; Mic 5:2 just to name a few).

You will not find Christmas celebrated in Acts or any of the Epistles, yet the first coming of Christ is a theme that runs all through the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis 3:15. 

For thousands of years they waited for God to keep his promise, and God always keeps his promises — promises like these:

God promises to protect us:

    The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 
Psalm 34:7

    For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. 
Isaiah 41:13

    When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 
Isaiah 43:2

God promises to give us peace:

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 
John 14:27

    Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3 

God promises to supply our needs:

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 
Matthew 6:33 

    But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:19 

God promises to guide us:

    I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 
Psalms 32:8

    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 
    In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 

    Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 
Jeremiah 33:3

    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 
James 1:5 

God promises to empower us:

    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. 
Acts 1:8

    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 
Isaiah 40:31 

God promises us a good future:

    Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 
Psalms 37:4 

    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end [one translation says a future and a hope]. 
Jeremiah 29:11 

God promises to help fight our battles:

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 
Philippians 4:13 

    No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. 
Isaiah 54:17

The best promise of all is that we are saved through faith in Christ:

    As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 
Psalms 103:12 

    For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13 

He promises that He is coming back: 

    And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 
    Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. 
    Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey. 
Acts 1:10-12

Yes, just as God kept his promise to send his Son the first time, He will surely keep his promise to send Him back again:

Isaiah 7:14 (1st Coming)

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 

Isaiah 9:6 (2nd Coming)

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. 

Father, thank You for your exceeding great and precious promises, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In closing, as I finish my European tour of highlights from Paul’s missionary trips, I wish you Merry Christmas from Madrid. I am looking forward to the rest of Acts as I continue to process what I have learned. I like to think that Paul made it to Spain (Rom 15:24, 28). Even if he didn’t make it in person, he made it here in spirit, as I’ve met evangelical Christians here who follow his teachings.

Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus Performed in Madrid

Acts 9:32-43 — A Time of Rest, Miracles, and Revival

~ mikethemissionary

 Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, the churches had rest following the persecution from Saul. But, Saul on the other hand, learned what it was like to be hunted and persecuted (v 29).

When you are going through a trial, it is always good to remember that this too shall pass. Persecution will be back again soon enough, but for now, the churches have rest.

In this post, we pick back up with Peter as the Holy Spirit sends him on a new mission. Dr Luke will return to Saul near the end of Chapter 11; again, we will see Barnabas helping him.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 9:32-43
32 ¶ And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Lydda is the Greek name for Lod, a town just south of the Ben Gurion airport.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy [paralized]. 
34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

In healing Aeneas, Peter performs another great miracle, which lights a revival fire in Lod that burns all the way to Saron (Greek for Sharon, which is just north of where Tel Aviv is today). 

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.

Dr Luke interprets the Aramaic Tabitha for his Greek readers (Dorcus), which means Gazelle in English. I suspect Dorcus was graceful and attractive like a gazelle.

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.
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.

Peter does not delay when called upon by the believers in Joppa (today on the south side of Tel Aviv). He immediately makes the hike of about 14 miles to come to their aid. (See I Peter 5.)

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.
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.
41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Now Peter performs a greater miracle than the one he performed in Lod. This miracle is very similar to the one Jesus performed when He raised Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5. As Jesus did, Peter puts all the people out of the room and says almost the same words, Tabitha, cumi.

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
Acts 9:32-43

In Acts 10, Peter is going to perform an even greater miracle than the ones he performed here in Chapter 9: He is going to minister to Gentiles and lead them to Christ. Leading a lost soul to Christ is beyond any shadow of a doubt the greatest miracle anyone will ever perform. We cannot save anyone, not even ourselves, but we can lead them to He who can save them, Jesus, and that is a miracle. 

If you have never led a soul to Christ, ask yourself how much time you have spent praying for the lost. Ask yourself how much time you have spent telling others about what Jesus has done for you. If that sounds hard, write it down. After you practice saying it on paper it will be much easier in person. 

Or, maybe the problem is just that you have not asked them if they want to receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. I used to talk and talk, and nobody was getting saved. Then it occurred to me that I was not asking them if they want Jesus. You have to ask. When they say yes, you have to be prepared to lead them in prayer:

Father in heaven, I’m a sinner. I turn from my sin and I receive your Son as my personal Saviour. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and take control of my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and write my name in your book of life. I ask this in your Holy and precious name. Amen.

In closing, salvation is only square 1. A new believer needs doctrine like a newborn needs milk. (Acts 2:42) Satan will attempt to deceive her or him with errors of all kinds. Therefore, you need to see to it that she or he is instructed in sound doctrine. Make sure she or he knows not just to avoid cults and isims, but to reject them outright. (Acts 19:19; Gal 1:8; Tit 3:10)

Prophecy Update: Canada and the EU are partnering together with plans involving AI, digital IDs, and digital wallets. This, and the fine Brussels has slapped X with for daring to host a quasi free-speech platform, are both examples of further steps toward the one-world government prophesied in the Revelation. (Heb 10:37)

PS: As I am sure you know, a big part of the attack on us in these last days is through our food. A convenient and handy way to make healthy choices wherever you may shop is to scan before you buy with the Yuka app.

Acts 9:1-31 — Saul’s Best-Laid Plans 

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left at the end of Acts 8, Phillip evangelized along the coast of the Mediterranean all the way to Caesarea. In Acts 9, the Holy Spirit picks back up with the story of the persecutor of the church, Saul of Tarsus. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Acts 9:1-31
AND Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
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.

Saul has a plan. He is a man on a mission. He believes he is doing God’s work. (John 16:2)

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
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 [cattle prods]. 

God has a different plan. (Pr 16:9)

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.

This was Paul’s first lesson in waiting on the Holy Spirit. Oftentimes, we have to wait on the Lord when we go through trials. Little by little, we come to see as we go through life that we can always trust Him as we await further instructions. Just as Philip had to wait to see why he was sent to the desert in Chapter 8, when Saul asked what he should do, the answer was ‘Wait and I will tell you later. For now, just continue to Damascus’.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
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.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

More waiting. Saul is getting a lesson in patience, and he is fasting out of contrition. (A wise move.)

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.
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,
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.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Ananias shares his reservations about his new mission with the Lord, as if He didn’t already know. Have you ever done that? I know I have, and he was patient with me the same way He is with Ananias:

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:

We tend to think of Saul as the apostle to the Gentiles, and he was, but he was not limited to the Gentiles. Dr Halley points out that while Paul was Jewish, he was a freeborn Roman citizen; furthermore, he was from a leading Hellenistic city, Tarsus. Therefore, Paul was Roman, Greek, and Jewish. This made him an ideal evangelist, perfectly positioned to be all things to all men. (1 Cor 9:19-22) It’s always good to try to relate to your target when evangelizing him or her.

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
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.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

The ‘scales’ that fell from Saul’s eyes were like the scales of a fish, blinding him to the truth of the gospel, but now he sees. (Cf John 9:39-41) The Bible speaks of a veil or “vail” (KJV) over the eyes of the Jews even today (II Cor 3:15), but soon the vail will be removed, the same as it was for Saul. (Rom 11:26)

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Like Philip, the visible sign of the Holy Spirit for Saul was his evangelism (not tongues).

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?

According to Wiersbe, had Dr Luke included Saul’s trip to Arabia (Gal 1:18), it would have appeared here between verses 21 and 22. 

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
23 ¶ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

Saul’s plan was to enter Damascus as a special agent on the authority of the Temple, but so far in this chapter he has been struck blind, knocked down, hunted, and forced to sneak out a window like a criminal. It has been said that God has a way of making each of us humble, and He is teaching Saul humility. It has also been said that if you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans. It therefore behooves us to seek God’s plan for our lives. Saul is learning that lesson.

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.

Another lesson in humility. Saul is rejected by the church.

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.

In Acts 4:36, Dr Luke told us that it was the apostles who surnamed Joses “Barnabas,” and translated the name for his Greek readers (in English, The son of consolation). We are beginning to see why now. While the others are passing judgment and unwilling to forgive, Barnabas is following the leading of the Holy Spirit and sticking his neck out to help Saul. 

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians [of which, Paul was one]: but they went about to slay him.
30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
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.
Acts 9:1-31

We are seeing a pattern here which will continue into the narrative around Peter in our next post: Our fellow believers in the Book of Acts keep questioning the leading of the Holy Spirit. Saul was flat-out fighting against the Holy Spirit. Ananias’ response to the leading of the Holy Spirit was, ‘Pray for Saul? That does not sound right’. When the Holy Spirit tells Peter to go non-kosher he will say, “Not so, Lord.” (Acts 10:14)

I met Jesus when I was four years old. As I look back on my life, I can recall several times I heard God speaking to my heart and said, Not so, Lord. This study in Acts is making me painfully aware of this. I recall once hearing a story about a man who went to heaven. After he listened to Jesus review his life before the Bema seat, he received rewards and was welcomed into the joy of the Lord. But he was given a box that Jesus told him he might not want to open. When curiosity got the best of him, and he looked inside, he started weeping, because inside the box he could see all the things that Jesus wanted to give him, but couldn’t because he refused to listen and obey. 

Father, help us to be obedient Spirit-filled Christians who do not question your will for our lives. Help us to be flexible, pliable, and willing to follow wherever You may lead. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prophecy Update: During the Biden era, the alternative press was buzzing with stories about plans for CBDCs in countries around the globe. This piqued the curiosity of students of prophecy, as it looked like another step towards the mark of the beast (Rev 13:16-18).

According to a recent white paper from JP Morgan, these plans have not been tabled but are moving forward. Now, the BRICS+ countries are preparing to launch the UNIT, a decentralized digital currency that will be backed by gold and BRICS+ currencies, and utilize blockchain technology. The UNIT is a wildcard that is competing with CBDCs for the evolution of digital money and cross-border transactions. 

It may appear that the new world order is in disarray as nations fight over who will ultimately control it, but they are still, nevertheless, moving forward. We know where this story goes, and how it ends.