Tag: tribulation-period

Acts 28:1-7 — They Shall Take Up Serpents

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last Post, Paul and Co (276 passengers in all) were shipwrecked on the island of Malta. As Dr Luke picks back up in Chapter 28, they are making their way to shore.

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

Acts 28:1-7
1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita [Malta].
2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Hospitality seems to me to be a natural worldwide custom, especially among rural people. In America, before there were Howard Johnson’s, when people were traveling and it was time to stop for the night, they simply knocked on a door. The women were usually welcomed into the house to sleep on beds or couches, while the men slept in the barn.

In the ancient Greek world, hospitality was an honored custom known as Xenia, derived from the Greek word for stranger, xenos. Hospitality honored Zeus (Xenios), or Athena (Xenia), both of whom were patrons of strangers.

The Sanskrit proverb, Atithi Devo Bhava, translates to ‘The guest is akin to God’. This ancient proverb has become a code of conduct in Hindu culture. In the Shona culture, if a stranger asks for directions, one is obligated to walk with him up to 1 mile to take him where he is going. As Christians, we are instructed to show hospitality as well. (Heb 13:2)

The word Dr Luke uses here, barbaros, literally means a ‘non-Greek’. They were not what we typically think of as ‘barbarians’. They were very hospitable hosts.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance [Gk dike] suffereth not to live.

The KJV translators chose to translate dike (thee-kee) as vengeance rather than justice, undoubtedly because divine vengeance was understood to be the way justice was meted out in the ancient world. Nemesis’ name is from the Greek word némein, which literally means “to give what is due.” (Incidentally, Nemesis was the mother of Castor and Pollux, who are mentioned later in Chapter 28.)

While looking into this, I was not a little surprised to find that Invidia was sometimes considered the Roman counterpart to Nemesis. Invidia was more commonly associated with the evil eye, which explains the eye in the logo of the modern tech company Nvidia. However, the Latin word invidia was most commonly associated with justice, particularly in cases of shameless abuse of authority or undeserved wealth. Now if the Romans associated Invidia with vengeance or divine justice, that sheds a whole new light on the controversy surrounding the data centers that are currently being built. The company that is most entwined in these buildouts is Nvidia, the chip maker. According to Grokipedia, Invidia was sent by other gods to “enforce moral balance,” and moral balance is definitely out of balance in these last days.

It started in the sixties with ‘sex, drugs, and rock and roll’, which by the nineties had morphed into ‘AIDS, crack, punk and rap’. These things did not happen organically. They were sown into society by the powers that be, whose tyranny is now on full display. They shifted gears and accelerated their plans on September 11, 2001, then put them in overdrive in March of 2020. AI will be their next change of pace, going into warp drive in 2030, if their schedule holds.

Years ago, Elon Musk famously likened the rise of AI to a witch conjuring a demon and thinking that it could be controlled, when in fact it never could. More recently, the engineers at Anthropic have predicted that AI could kill us all. Evan Hubinger posted on X that there is a greater than 10% chance of this within the decade. He posted this after the resignation of his colleague, Jacob Coxon, who claimed the AI engineers at Anthropic “earnestly believe” AI poses an existential threat to humanity by 2030. More here.

The Christians have been predicting the end for decades now, simply because the Bible says that is what is coming. Now the techies are in agreement with us. A little late to the party perhaps, but in agreement with us nevertheless.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

Paul, always cool, calm, and collected, does not make a fuss about the viper. He simply shakes it off in the fire. I suspect he may have even seen it coming, a Romans 8:28 that he could use as an evangelistic tool. Now that the island people think Paul is a god, he can tell them about Mark 16:18 and the one true God: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
Acts 28:1-7

The Roman, Publius, though probably more refined and cultured than the island people who first received Paul, is likewise very hospitable and courteous. He will become a believer, and according to tradition, the first bishop of Malta, and one of the first bishops of Athens.

Paul performed the first part of Mark 16:18 in this post. In our next post, Paul will perform the last part of Mark 16:18.

In closing, just as surely as Jesus’ prediction about taking up serpents came to pass, so will what He said about the end of the world as we know it. (Matt 24 et al) Jesus is going to restore the ‘moral balance’. Jesus is going to punish the injustices that we all see. Maybe Nvidia is just one of his tools. In Romans 12:19, Paul cited Isaiah and Ezekiel, writing, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Tick … tock.

Finally, if you want to escape the coming judgment, simply receive Christ as your personal Saviour and then do what He says. (Jam 1:22) For example, For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matt 25:35-40) And, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)

Acts 27:27-44 — Shipwreck!

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, Paul and Co were riding out the storm in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Dr Luke and the others thought all was lost (v 20), but Paul, cool as a cucumber, told them everything was going to be okay. I’m sure by now Paul knew about how Jesus stayed calm in the storm on the Sea of Galilee. (Luke 8) Plus, Paul has been in three shipwrecks by now. (II Cor 11:25) He’s an old pro and he knows Jesus can handle this. Paul told everyone that Jesus told him that not a single one of them is going to die. Not only so, but Jesus also told Paul that He was going to save each of their souls. (v 24)

This is a textbook example of Romans 8:28. They are caught in a horrible tempest that has been dragging on for two weeks (v 27). The inevitable seasickness has a hold of many of the passengers and maybe even some of the crew. I can almost smell the vomit. But again, as a result of this ordeal, all 276 of them will become believers in the gospel of grace. (v 24)

As we pick back up, they are still being driven towards Italy. They may have been blown off their intended course towards Phenice, but they are being driven straight to where God wants them.

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

Acts 27:27-44
27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria [1 ], about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28 And sounded [ie, let down their sounding line, or plummet ], and found it twenty fathoms [120 feet ]: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms [90 feet ].
29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

The sailors are about to sneak away as deserters, when Paul intervenes.

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

In Jonah 1, the sailors who were on their way to Tarshish were caught in a storm because Jonah was on their ship. They had to listen to Jonah and throw him overboard to be saved. This resulted in the salvation of that crew’s souls as well. (Jonah 1:16)

The sailors on Paul’s ship are in a storm because they did not listen to Paul, but they are probably only spared because Paul is on their ship. Yet, like in the case of Jonah, they had to listen to Paul to be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat [skiff], and let her fall off.

Now they are listening to Paul. They abandon their plans to jump ship. 

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

How ironic. These rough, tough sailors and soldiers are taking their orders from the old Jewish prisoner who was on his way to Rome to stand trial. Paul is the de facto captain now.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up [ie cast off] the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

Incidentally, the anchors they cut off have been found in St Thomas Bay, Malta. 

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
Acts 27:27-44

As Acts 27 ends, we see that Paul’s prophecies have come true. They have been through a perfect storm, but they are still alive.

Most of us will never be in a shipwreck, but ‘storms’ will come our way in life. According to Wiersbe:

Sometimes we get ourselves into storms for the same reasons [that this crew did]: impatience (Acts 27:9), accepting expert advice that is contrary to God’s will, following the majority, and trusting “ideal” conditions (Acts 27:13). “He that believeth shall not make haste” (Isa 28:16). It pays to listen to God’s word. (2)

In The Odyssey, Odysseus’ servant, Eumaeus, tells him, “Meanwhile let us two, here in the hut, over our food and wine, regale ourselves with the unhappy memories that each can recall. For a man who has been through bitter experiences and travelled far can enjoy even his sufferings after a time.” (3)

I wonder if, just maybe, Paul was thinking about Homer when he wrote, I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Phil 4:11b)

In any case, I think we do well to consider both Paul and Homer when the storms of life come our way. If we remember that Jesus is with us in the midst of the storm (Matt 28:20), that He may have even sent us into the storm on purpose (Luke 8:22), that He can turn the curse into a blessing (Neh 13:2), and that He will use it to work together for good (Rom 8:28), we will see the reason in it and move on. If we murmur and complain, we might have to go through it again. In other words, don’t say, Get me out of this! Say, What am I supposed to get out of this?

In closing, my takeaway from Acts 27 is how Paul the prisoner took charge and kept everyone safe in the midst of the storm. Paul could have felt sorry for himself because he was a political prisoner. He could have been bitter because they did not listen to him when he told them to stay in port at The fair havens. But instead, he thought of the other passengers. He took charge and got everyone to safety with a servant’s heart.

In our next post, we will see what happens on the island of Melita (Malta).

Father, thank You not only for our mountaintop experiences, but our valleys. When storms come our way, help us to respond as Paul did, with faith in You, and a servant’s heart for others. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 According to Ellicott, the Adria, or Adriatic Sea, included the Ionian Sea, ie the area between Sicily and the Peloponnese.
2 The Bible Exposition Commentary, Volume 1, p 509.
3 Homer, The Odyssey, Book 15.

Acts 27:13-26 Stormy Weather

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, Julius the centurion was in agreement with the sailors who wanted to leave The fair havens (today called Kali Limenes) on Crete and set sail for Phenice. Paul warned them against this, but what does Paul know? Paul is just a Christian — and a prisoner to boot.

As we pick back up in this post, they set sail, and it looks like smooth sailing ahead. 

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

Acts 27:13-26
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

I can almost see the self-satisfied looks on the faces of the sailors who thought they were smarter than Paul. But in the next verse, we have a but.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

Euroclydon was a violent northeast wind. They are at the mercy of the elements now.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, [today called Gavdos] we had much work to come by the boat:

17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

It seems the only thing missing here is ‘battening down the hatches’. They are doing everything they can to weather the storm.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

This is an all-hands-on-deck situation. Dr Luke uses another ‘we’ showing he was working alongside the sailors.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Acts 27:13-26

In the section before us, we have what may be the biggest problem throughout the entire Bible. People always think they are smarter than God. Whether they be God’s people, like the rebellious Israelites who stoned the prophets in the Old Testament, or the pagans who chose to worship other gods, the followers of Jesus who were always trying to tell Him what to do, or his enemies who had Him killed, people always seem to think they are smarter than God.

Paul could have gotten bitter over the trouble they were in because they didn’t listen, but he didn’t. Paul knows God is in control and He can handle this. Paul knows this is a Romans 8:28.

As Christians, we are like the poor lepers in II Kings 7 who were going to die but were saved. When their lives were saved, they found immeasurable riches, but they didn’t just keep it to themselves. They were wise and went and told everyone. We all have leprosy, so to speak: a disease called sin that desensitizes us and kills us. We also all have the cure available to us, with untold riches for all who want to come. Through faith in Christ, our sins are washed away, and we are given eternal life.

We cannot convince anyone with bitterness and anger over their unwitting agreement with the new world order, or their unbelief concerning the gospel. But we can be patient with them like Paul was, then try to win them over later when they see we are right.

Paul is winning over the soldiers and the crew of the ship. They are starting to see Paul for who he really is – God’s spokesman. In chains, yes, but patient and forgiving, trusting God, and spreading the gospel to all who will listen.

The certain island that they are heading for is Melita (Malta), but that will come in a later post. Paul’s prophecy about Melita will come to pass, just like everything else he has been telling them. They are starting to see that now.

Father, help us all to navigate our storms as patiently and prayerfully as Paul did. Help us to be as patient with those who doubt us as Paul was with those who doubted him. Direct our paths, give us the wisdom to make good decisions, and please account us worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before your Son, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 26:1-32 – Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In this post, we come to Paul’s witness to king Herod Agrippa II and his sister, Bernice — Paul’s longest address on record. Agrippa was Rome’s client king over the Northern Territories, parts of Galilee, and Perea. He also had jurisdiction over the temple in Jerusalem.

Historians generally agree that Agrippa II and Bernice lived as husband and wife. At the time, it was a public scandal. Bernice married Polemon II, the king of Cilicia, ostensibly to quell the rumors circa 64 AD. However, she soon left him and returned to her brother. Like her sister Drusilla, Bernice was renowned for her beauty. Officially known as Bernice of Cilicia or Julia Bernice, Bernice was the Jezebel of her day. She acquired power in Rome through her support of Vespasian and her on-again, off-again relationship with his son, Titus. However, the Romans resented the power and influence that Bernice garnered through her relationship with Titus. This led to Bernice being expelled from Rome — the first time circa 75 AD and the second in 79 AD.

Paul, the chief of sinners, does not judge Agrippa and Bernice. He shares the gospel with them. This should be our attitude as well. Christians are not supposed to judge. (Matt 7:1)

In Acts 9, Jesus said Paul is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Paul is fulfilling his destiny. His hearing is a high-society gala event. Paul is a celebrity in chains, on trial with Roman fanfare, pomp, and ceremony.

When we left off in our last post, Festus had just finished calling the court to order. The purpose of the hearing is to find something to charge Paul with. Fill each of us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 26:1-32
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

Although Agrippa was a student of Scripture, faith in Christ is a matter of the heart, not head knowledge. Paul wisely begins by asking Agrippa to be patient and hear him out.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

Paul is using the same witnessing technique on Agrippa, the Edomite and Jewish proselyte, that I have often used on Jewish people. The crux of the issue is the promise made from the beginning. (Gen 3:15)

7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

It always comes down to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [cattle prods]
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Verse 18 is a concise encapsulation of the gospel. Through faith alone in Christ alone, we are brought out of darkness into light, saved from Satan and accepted by God, who forgives our sins and gives us an inheritance. We then begin the process of sanctification.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Paul wrote about the importance of faith in Hebrews 11. (Feel free to disagree, but if you want to be right, Paul was the author.) Hebrews 11 says over and over, by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith… But then after Hebrews, we have James. (Faith without works is dead.) Like James, Paul does not leave off with faith when presenting the gospel. We are saved by faith alone, but faith that saves is not alone. Faith that saves is faith that works.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. [Isa 49:6]

Again, Paul is emphasizing that the hope of the Scriptures has been fulfilled in Christ.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

I think the reason for Festus’ accusation against Paul is that Paul is hitting the mark. Festus listened patiently while Paul talked about putting the Jews in prison, putting them to death (v 10), and punishing them in their own synagogues (v 11). But when Paul said he was sent to the Gentiles (that means you, Festus), he accused Paul of being mad. (Mention of the Gentiles is the same thing that got Paul in trouble in the first place at the temple in Jerusalem.) It’s been said that if you throw a brick over a fence into a lot full of dogs, the one that yelps is the one you hit. Paul’s testimony is hitting home with Festus.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

Everyone knows what Paul is talking about. The death and resurrection of Jesus is being talked about everywhere. That is why Paul’s trial is such a big event.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. [Jam 2:19]
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

I have been at such an impasse myself. I remember one coworker in Southern California whom I used to work on all the time. He drove a classic 59 Corvette. He was a funny guy and liked by everyone. One day I could see that he was right on the edge, considering the gospel, but like Agrippa, he was only almost there, not altogether.

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

Rather than give careful consideration to what Paul was saying, Agrippa ended the hearing. Like a child who plugs his ears and starts singing when he hears something he does not want to listen to, Agrippa does not like the uncomfortable feeling he has. So he calls it quits.

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Just as Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, Agrippa knows Paul is innocent.

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.
Acts 26:1-32

Whether Festus was right about Paul possibly being set at liberty, I do not know. What I do know is that Agrippa does not understand the real reason for his meeting with Paul.

I used to believe that the struggle between Jacob and Esau ended with Jesus standing before Herod Antipas, the uncle of Agrippa. (The Herods were Edomites, descendants of Esau.) However, after meditating on Acts 26, I now see that the struggle between Jacob and Esau ended with Paul standing before Agrippa II, the last of the Herods to rule. God’s grace is truly amazing. Just as Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to repent, his grace and mercy extend to the descendants of Esau until the very end.

The same is true for us. God’s grace is extended to us to the end. Our purpose in life is not to garner power and influence like Agrippa and Bernice. It is not to collect toys or trophy women like Jerome of Southern California. We all have to decide what we are going to do with Jesus Christ. Receiving Him is all that really matters in this life. Otherwise, the apostles would not have been willing to suffer and be martyred the way they were. They understood the riddle of life. Do you?

In closing, Paul is on his way to Rome, which is what he prayed for. (Rom 1:10)

When you pray for something, expect it to come to pass.

Acts 25:1-27 — Slow Justice

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, Paul had already been languishing in prison in Caesarea for two years. Antonius Felix did at least allow Paul visitors and “liberty” (special privileges). Porcius (Pors•ē•əs) Festus had just arrived to replace Felix as governor (procurator) of Judea.

Gladstone once said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” That is one way to look at Paul’s circumstances. On the other hand, God is at work. (Phil 1:12) It is not justice that God is concerned with so much as the proliferation of the gospel. Paul still has to present the gospel to Festus, king Agrippa II, and Agrippa’s sister, Bernice. This is why Paul is having to wait so long in prison. Acts 25 picks up where Acts 24 left off. 

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

Acts 25:1-27
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem.

As his first order of business, Festus goes up to Jerusalem to see if the leadership there has any matters of special importance they want addressed. They do:

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

The high priest is Ishmael ben Fabus. Agrippa II appointed him after Felix had his predecessor, Jonathan, assassinated in 58 AD. Ishmael, along with the ‘chief’ among the Jews (the rulers and elders), is still seeking to kill Paul for the crime of telling the truth. Have you ever noticed how much the truth offends people? 

The kneejerk reaction people usually have to the gospel these days is, “That’s your truth,” but that logic falls apart upon examination. People who say this would never apply it in any other situation. They would not say, “That red traffic light is your truth. I’m going to ignore it.” They would not say, “That law is your truth, judge. I’m going to ignore it.” They would not say, “That thing about having to put gasoline in the tank is your truth. I can ignore it.” Jesus created this world. (Eph 3:9 KJV) If this is true, evolution and all other religions are lies. We fell in sin, but Jesus died and rose again to redeem this world — and us. These things either happened, or they did not.

Someday, we will all stand before Jesus. Nobody will be able to say, “The gospel is your truth, Jesus,” because the truth is the truth. Period. I once had someone counter that “Everyone sees color differently,” which is common knowledge in the printing business. But then another Christian in the room astutely commented, “That doesn’t matter. Color can be measured with a spectrophotometer.”

Eventually every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Christ is Lord, whether at the judgment seat of Christ (for believers), or the great white throne of judgment (for non-believers). Everyone will receive either mercy or justice. Slow justice, but justice nonetheless.

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

To his credit, Festus did not hand Paul over to the Jews. On the other hand, he kept Paul in prison, which was politically expedient. Festus is in a tight spot. If he sides with Paul, he will upset the high priest and the rest of the Sadducees. On the other hand, Paul is a Roman citizen — and innocent.

5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down [from Jerusalem to Caesarea] with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat [Gk bema] commanded Paul to be brought.

In Acts 18, it was Gallio on the bema seat looking down on Paul. Now it is Festus on the bema seat. Paul calls it Caesar’s judgment seat (v 10), but Paul knows Festus has no real power over him. (I Cor 2:15) Paul knows that one day he will stand before the true Judge at the judgment seat [bema] of Christ. (II Cor 5:10)

7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
8 While he [Paul] answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all.
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

There’s that same phrase again that Dr Luke used in Chapter 24, when Felix kept Paul bound: “willing to shew the Jews a pleasure.” (Incidentally, the Jews had other grievances apart from their differences with Paul. Festus made more attempts to appease the Jews than any of the other procurators, but they still revolted in 66 AD.)

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go.

Can you just see the looks on the faces of Paul’s accusers as they realize Paul has slipped through their fingers yet again? Oooh, that pestilent Paul!!!!

At first glance, it does not appear that Paul presented the gospel to Festus, but when we read a little further we will see he did (v 19). That was Paul’s way. But Paul will still have to spend more time waiting. After ‘certain days’, Paul is still in his cell:

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus.

Agrippa II, the client king of Rome, comes to greet the new procurator, Porcius Festus. Much like when kings and politicians meet today, there were extravagant dinners, other events, and business was discussed. One item of business was the case of the Roman citizen and prisoner, Paul the apostle.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

This is still a basic principle of law in the West today.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæsar.

The Augustus referred to here is Nero, not the Augustus of Luke 2:1. Nero’s full name was Nero Claudius Augustus Germanicus Caesar.

It has always been a question of mine as to why Paul would appeal to a madman like Caesar Nero. There are a few things to consider here: At this time, 60 AD, Nero had not yet begun to display the erratic and perverse behavior he is infamous for. In fact, circa 58 AD, when Paul wrote Romans 13, his treatise on good citizenship and respect for governmental authority, Nero was still being guided by his tutor Seneca and Agrippina, his mother. Nero charmed the Romans with live performances on his harp. He was well-liked by the common people. Nero murdered his mother in 59 AD (who had murdered others herself for the same reason — in a struggle for power), but the news had probably not even reached Paul yet. Nero did not go mad until later, circa 64 AD.

I believe that it was Paul’s encounter with Nero that drove him over the edge. Paul surely presented the gospel to Nero (Acts 23:11), just as he always did when given the opportunity. I believe Paul’s gospel presentation to Nero must have been his masterpiece, his magnum opus, the greatest witness Paul ever gave anyone.

I believe when Nero rejected the gospel, God removed a hedge of protection from Nero. In his patience and mercy, God gave Nero the gospel and an opportunity to repent, but when Nero rejected Christ, I believe he became demon-possessed — the infamous Nero we remember from history; the Nero who would use crucified Christians covered with pitch as human torches to light his garden.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.

This is not the typical courtroom that we are used to today. Paul’s hearing is in a throne room. The throne room is filled with a who’s who of Caesarea — the upper-crust elite of the capital of Roman Judea. This is what the Holy Spirit has been planning and preparing for all the time Paul was in prison.

The first Gentiles were added to the church in Caesarea, ie, Cornelius the centurion along with his friends and family. (Acts 10:24) It would seem that the gospel continued to grow and stir interest in Caesarea. Paul now stands before this august assembly of Romans, who are ready to hear what he has to say.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

Festus is pandering to Paul’s accusers by saying “all the multitude of the Jews” were crying that Paul ought not to live any longer. The record shows it was mainly the Sadducees in power who did so.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Acts 25:1-27

As Acts 25 ends, court is in session and Porcius Festus is announcing the case on the docket. King Agrippa II is presiding as judge. Paul has broken no laws, so they are holding a special hearing to find something to charge him with. If that does not make Paul a political prisoner, I do not know what would. Stalin’s secret police chief, Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria, famously said, “Show me the man, and I will show you the crime.” The real crime was usually criticizing Stalin, or in other words, telling the truth — the same thing Paul is guilty of.

We will have to wait until next time to see what happens.

In closing, Solomon wrote, there is no new thing under the sun. Our legal system is just as flawed as the system of Paul’s day, because the laws are only as good as the people who administer them. When I see something wrong, I want justice. For example, the pandemic, among other things, initiated one of the greatest transfers of wealth in world history. Many small-business owners went bust and lost everything they worked for their entire lives to the big corporations (who were allowed to stay open). All some of them want at this point is an apology, but no apology is forthcoming. Yet the villains of that story, who are ostensibly rich and on top, are in reality victims of their own greed. Like the rich fool of Luke 12 who built bigger barns to store his goods, they are facing judgment. One fortuitous result of the lockdowns was that many people found faith in Christ when they otherwise may not have. In the final analysis, God is in control and He knows what He is doing. Although we want justice, what we need is mercy. God doesn’t always give us what we want, but He gives us what we need. (Phil 4:19)

I think of the slaves who lived in the South before the Civil War. Many of them were Christians. According to Ahlstrom, 16% of them were church members; the percentage of slaves who did not belong to a church yet believed in Christ, which was much higher, “no one will ever know.” (1) Their rich owners, on the other hand, were pseudo-Christians for the most part. So truth be told, the slaves were the ones who were free, not their masters

Paul may be a prisoner and a subversive now, but after Christianity triumphed over paganism, Paul was a hero. The Greek philosopher Sextus Empiricus said, “The mills of the gods grind late, but they grind fine.”

In other words, slow justice for Paul is epic grace and mercy for others. Without Paul’s suffering and time in prison, he would not have received the revelations he did, or had the time to write them all down.

Judgment day will come someday, and those who refuse God’s mercy will get the justice they deserve. I thank God I am not going to get what I deserve. When I stand before the bema seat of Christ someday, I am going to get mercy.

1. A Religious History of the American People, p 707.

Acts 22:25-23:11 — Paul’s Defense Before the Sanhedrin

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, Paul was about to be examined by scourging after causing an uproar. It was Paul’s comment about being sent to the Gentiles that caused the uproar, if not an all-out riot. Not knowing Hebrew, the chief captain did not know what Paul said to the crowd to get them so riled up. So, he decided to scourge Paul until he confessed whatever it was he had said. (Acts 22:24)

The year is 58 AD.

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

Acts 22:25-23:11
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Paul knows how to talk to people. Instead of saying, “You cannot scourge me! I’m a Roman!” He simply asks a question, one he already knows the answer to. (When you need something from someone, it is often better to word it as a question than as a command. ‘Can we’, ‘Can you’, or ‘Can I’ sounds better than ‘Give me this’ or
‘Do that’.)

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

As a Roman citizen, Paul had something in common with the chief captain, Claudius Lysias, except Claudius was an ex-slave, while Paul was ‘free born’. Claudius had purchased his freedom and worked his way up through the ranks in the army.

As a citizen, Paul had rights afforded to him by Roman law. If Paul had been a Roman from Rome, I believe he probably would have been released. However, since Paul was a Jewish Roman, he was still stuck in the system (according to God’s will), being accused by the Jews.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

The guy holding the whip immediately walks away. Even Claudius is worried he might be in trouble now.

30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Paul always wanted an audience before the Sanhedrin. Paul himself used to be a member. This is the same council that had Jesus crucified, had Stephen stoned, and now is seeking to kill Paul, one of their own.

AND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Not a very receptive audience, to say the least. Paul is just beginning his opening statement when Ananias has someone hit him in the mouth. It looks like Paul’s claim to have lived in all good conscience before God is what upset Ananias, the high priest. Paul’s conscience was cleansed by the blood of Christ (Heb 9:14), while Ananias’ conscience was evil. (Heb 10:22)  A good conscience convicts you when you do bad. An evil conscience convicts you when you do good.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

God did smite Ananias. According to Wiersbe, history remembers Ananias as a corrupt ruler who favored Rome over Israel. During the revolt of 66 AD, when Ananias fled for his life to Rome, he was captured by the Jews and executed.

4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Just as Jesus pointed out that He was being abused contrary to the law at his trial (John 18:23), Paul points out that it was illegal for them to hit him. But when Paul is told he is addressing the high priest, he corrects himself for calling the high priest a whited wall. This is one of the scriptures that indicates Paul had eye trouble. If Paul could see well, they should not have had to tell him he was speaking to the high priest.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Realizing that they are not going to listen, Paul makes the best of a bad situation. He gets the Pharisees on his side by bringing up the doctrine of the resurrection and reminding them that he is a Pharisee too.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Paul even has some of the scribes on his side. While it was the Pharisees that persecuted Jesus, it will be the Sadducees that persecute Paul now.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. [fortress Antonia]
11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts 22:25-23:11

Here is one of the main reasons that I believe Paul was in God’s will when he went up to Jerusalem. Jesus tells him to be of good cheer, because as he testified in Jerusalem, he must bear witness also in Rome. That doesn’t sound like something Jesus would say to someone who was out of his will.

From here on out, Paul knows he is on his way to Rome. This is good news as Paul has been wanting to go there. (Acts 19:21; Rom 1:13; 15:24) It will not happen right away, but having received his instructions from the Lord, Paul knows it is as good as done. They say getting there is half the fun, and Paul will have a lot to do before he arrives in Rome. It may not sound like much fun, but I think Paul enjoyed some of it. Not only was it an adventure, but the Lord was with him, and Paul knew he was doing his duty.

Paul will be a prisoner throughout the rest of Acts. Having testified to the Sanhedrin, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, will now use his court case to share the gospel with the Roman authorities. Paul began sharing the gospel with Roman officials in Acts 13:

In closing, one thing that struck me in this section was how they arbitrarily struck Paul on the mouth. Imagine going into court, and just as you are getting your first sentence out, they have someone hit you in the mouth. This sounds foreign to us because we enjoy the benefits of living in a society with individual rights derived from the Christian worldview. We have Paul to thank for that, yet things are changing. Francis Schaeffer saw this change taking place over 40 years ago. He detailed his concerns in A Christian Manifesto (Crossway Books, 1982). Schaeffer delivered the message below in 1982, based on the thesis of his book.

A PDF of Schaeffer’s remarks is available here.

When we appear before the Bema seat, hopefully we will be able to say with Paul, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17:10) Doing your duty may sound like a lot of work, but there is no greater feeling than the thrill you get when you lead someone to Christ.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit day by day. Help us to focus on your Son, and not on the distractions from the world. Protect us from evil. Help us to be salt and light to those You send us to. Help us to be as patient with others as You are with us. Help us to forgive others as You have forgiven us, that we may do our duty, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 21:15-40 — Paul Goes up to Jerusalem – Happy Birthday America!

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul returned to Israel. In this post, Paul will come full circle back to Jerusalem, from whence he began his third mission trip. We are entering the last section of Acts now. In this post, we will set the table for everything else that follows. Paul’s return to Jerusalem will set off a chain of events that will lead to Paul’s witness before Caesar Nero.

Give us understanding, Father, and fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may assimilate your precious word into our hearts, that we may be transformed, that our minds may be renewed, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 21:15-40
15 And after those days we took up our carriages [luggage], and went up to Jerusalem.
16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

Paul returns to Jerusalem with an entourage of fellowservants. He is bearing a gift from the brethren in Macedonia and Achaia for the poor saints at Jerusalem. (Rom 15:26; Acts 24:17) This shows how the Christians in Jerusalem were having a tough time because of persecution, and also how their Gentile brethren were able to help. (Rom 15:27)

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James [the half-brother of our Lord]; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Dr Luke skips over the part about them glorifying the Lord for the Gentile believers so fast it is easy to miss. In the same sentence, Dr Luke goes into their concerns that Paul may be misunderstood, which, of course, he will be.

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

None of this is true, of course. Paul circumcised Timothy for this very reason, so people would not get the wrong impression. He is in Jerusalem to keep the feast of Pentecost. (Acts 20:16) However much Paul tried to make matters clear, though, there were always those who made themselves Paul’s enemies.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

This shows why Paul may have taken the vow in Acts 18. Paul said he was all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Cor 9:22)

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Again we see the declaration from Acts 15 for Gentile believers. At this time, the Jewish believers in the early church were still very much keeping the law. As long as they were trusting Jesus for their salvation, they were free to do so.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed [assumed] that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

Jesus said My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer, citing Isaiah 56:7, but Gentiles were strictly forbidden beyond the Court of the Gentiles, on pain of death. The Romans allowed the Jews to enforce this custom.

Like the pagan temples Paul has been preaching against, the temple in Jerusalem had become an abomination, since the administrators rejected Christ and continued to trust in the blood of beasts brought for sacrifice. Jesus therefore said the temple would be destroyed (Matt 24), which, of course, it was in 70 AD.

They have been preparing to rebuild the temple for a long time now. Eventually, the temple will be rebuilt (Rev 11), and the Antichrist will be worshiped in it. (II Thess 2:4) In the millennium, however, Jesus will be glorified in the temple in Jerusalem. (Hag 2:9)

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Ironic, is it not, that Paul is rescued from the Jews by the Romans?

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. [ie, the Antonia Fortress]
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

Paul was just as comfortable with Greek as he was with Hebrew, being from Tarsus. The chief captain was surprised to hear Paul speaking Greek, since he mistook Paul for an Egyptian dissadent who had been causing problems in Judea:

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean [ordinary] city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

Being from Tarsus afforded Paul the approval of the chief captain, Claudius Lysias. (Acts 23:26) He allowed Paul to speak to the crowd when he realized Paul was not who he thought he was.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
Acts 21:15-40

I’m afraid we will have to leave off here. In our next post, we will look at Paul’s speech to his fellow countrymen. In this post, we saw the beginning of the persecution that the Holy Spirit has been warning Paul would meet him in Jerusalem. Jesus said Paul would bear his name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). Paul has already taken the gospel to some Roman officials. Now he is getting to know the chief captain in Jerusalem, Claudius Lysias. Before he is done, Paul will also stand before Antonius Felix, Porcius Festus, and king Agrippa II, together with his sister, Bernice. He will also meet Publius of Malta before finally standing before the emperor of the Roman Empire, Caesar Nero. This is one of the reasons I believe Paul was in God’s will in going to Jerusalem. Paul is fulfilling his destiny. All together, Paul will witness to eight important Romans in government that we know of:

In closing, Happy Birthday America! As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our sacred Declaration of Independence, I am heartened to see people from around the world changing their opinions about us after getting to know us a little better.

The World Cup visitors are a reality check for Americans who are not thankful for all God has blessed us with, like the girl at the beginning of the video below:


Finally, Whitney Houston started singing in the choir at Newhope Baptist Church in Newark when she was five years old. She went on to sing the greatest rendition of our national anthem ever recorded (IMO). Rest in peace, Whitney.

Father, thank You for 250 years of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; please give us one last Great Awakening, for your glory, Father. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:18-38 — Farewell to Ephesus

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul sent for the elders in Ephesus. In this post, they come down to Miletus to hear Paul’s message to them before he leaves for Jerusalem.

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

Acts 20:18-38
18 And when they [the elders from Ephesus] were come to him [Paul], he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,


Ephesus, West Side

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations [Gk peirasmos], which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Peirasmos is the same word that Matthew used to describe Jesus’ temptation by the devil, which was a test. (Matt 4:1) Likewise, our trials are tests, and they cannot come unless God allows them. (Job 1:8-2:6) Among these trials, or temptations, that befell Paul by the lying in wait of the Jews (or certain zealots among them) was being beaten with thirty-nine stripes, on five different occasions. (II Cor 11:24)

The Bible is straightforward and unapologetic about the facts. Paul was persecuted by certain of his own countrymen. He was also persecuted by Gentiles. The church began with the Jews in Jerusalem before it shifted to the Gentiles. I mention this because antisemitism is starting to snowball once again in our day, and I beseech you not to get caught up in it. For every example they give you of something bad some Jewish person or persons did, give them an example of something bad a Gentile or Gentiles did. 

The Jews gave us the Bible. The Jews gave us Jesus. Although most of them have still not seen the light yet, the day is coming soon when they will. (Rev 7) The bottom line is that God made us all, and if you don’t like the way He did it, take it up with Him.

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul had a public ministry, as well as house churches. His message was the same to both the Jews and the Gentiles: repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide [Gk menō] me.

In our next post, we will learn more about how the Holy Spirit has been telling Paul that bonds and afflictions abide him. Modern translations say await, but abide is the literal meaning. While the word connotes that bonds and afflictions await, Paul has already been experiencing these things. Literally, the Spirit is saying these things are here to stay.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Paul knew, through the witness of the Spirit, I believe, that this was the last time they would see him.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

Why?

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Paul was pure from the blood of all men because he did his duty to teach the full counsel of God. Paul taught Leviticus. Paul taught Obadiah. He taught everything from Acts (by living it) to Zephaniah.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

By exhorting the elders to feed the church, he meant to feed them the word of God. Verse 28 says that Jesus is God. It says God purchased his church with his own blood. Jesus shed his blood for the church. Therefore, Jesus is God. (God the Son, the second Person in the Godhead.)

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The warning about grievous wolves is not something new. Paul had been warning them about it for three years. The wolves are still with us. If they squeeze you for money, they are wolves. (Paul said feed the flock, not fleece the flock.) If they question the word of God, they are wolves. If they demote the deity of Christ in any way, they are wolves. Is there love in their church? (John 13:35) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matt 7:20)

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

This verse reminds me of a song I learned in Goa:

Oh, the best book to read is the Bible,
The best book to read is the Bible.
If you read it every day,
It will help you on your way.
Oh, the best book to read is the Bible.

33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

Paul reminded them that he worked and paid his own way. This was Paul leading by example:

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The liberal Jesus Seminar voted on which verses Jesus actually said, and the only thing they agreed Jesus definitely said was this above. They either questioned or rejected everything else Jesus said. Satan has attacked the word of God in this way from the very beginning (Gen 3), because the gospel is how Jesus brings life and immortality to light. (II Tim 1:10) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Pet 1:25)

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

Paul was a man of prayer. To effectively minister the word of God, one must be a man of prayer.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Acts 20:18-38

The emphasis in this section is on the grace of God and the word of God. Specifically, the gospel of the grace of God (v 24) and the word of his grace (v 32).

By declaring unto the Ephesians all the counsel of God (v 27), Paul fortified them with the gospel of grace. Grace (unmerited favor) tells me I am forgiven. (I John 1:9) The gospel of grace tells me I can eat meat if I want to. (I Tim 4) The gospel of grace tells me that God loves me on my worst day. (Rom 7:24f) The gospel of grace tells me that Jesus will never leave me or forsake me because of my faith in Him — not because of how good I am. (Thank God, because I’m not good.) The gospel of grace tells me There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) If you have doubts, read Hebrews 11 and notice how over and over it says by faith (not works) they were able to accomplish all they did. If you still have any further doubts, consider this:

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:16

The more I abide in the word of God, the more I increase my faith (Rom 10:17), which is why Paul taught all the counsel of God.

In this section, we also see an emphasis on Paul’s suffering and how the Spirit had been testifying that Paul’s suffering would continue (v 23). It was this suffering that produced the revelations Paul gave us. The plain truth is that although our flesh resists suffering with all its strength, suffering produces fruit.

When the missionaries were kicked out of China in the early 1950s, there were less than a million Protestant Christians in China. (Far less, conservative scholars tell us.) Today, after years of persecution and suppression of the church under Communist rule (and no missionaries), there are over 100 million Protestant Christians in China. According to the Bible, it’s good to suffer. (Gal 5:22; Phil 3:10; II Tim 2:12; 3:12; Heb 5:8; Jam 5:10; I Pet 2:21; 3:14; 4:1, 13; et al)

We are coming to the end of Paul’s third missionary journey. Paul’s first three missionary journeys took place over about ten years, circa 48-58 AD. In our next post, Paul will continue on his way to Jerusalem. We will see the Holy Spirit continue to testify about the persecution that is in store for Paul. That persecution came, just as God said it would. In our day, the Holy Spirit is testifying that the great tribulation period is coming. We do well to heed this warning and prepare accordingly by abiding in Christ.

Father, help us to abide in your word and to abide in your Son through trusting in the gospel of his grace, that we may be prepared against the day of his coming. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:1-12 — Paul Revisits Macedonia and Greece, Raises the Dead in Troas

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In Acts 20, Dr Luke picks back up where he left off at the end of Acts 19. In our last post, Paul was in danger of being torn apart by an angry mob, but his disciples intervened. (Acts 19:30) The situation was eventually diffused by the townclerk. (Acts 19:35ff)

As Acts 20 begins, they are moving on from Ephesus to Macedonia. Timothy and Erastus had already been sent on ahead. (Acts 19:22)

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit, give us understanding, and speak to our hearts through your word. Your servants are listening, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Acts 20:1-12
1 And after the uproar [in Ephesus] was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

Paul revisits the churches he planted throughout Macedonia, before coming to Greece, where he abode three months:

3 And there abode three months. [Cf I Cor 16:5,6] And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

At this time, Paul wrote his Letter to the Romans from Corinth. Our map does not show Paul returning to Athens, but I think it is likely he passed by Athens to check on the believers there as well, since he was in Greece for three months.

Paul was warned of the danger that awaited him on his trip to Syria by ship, so he changes his plans and returns through Macedonia. I can just see the looks on the faces of the Jews who laid in wait for Paul after the ship set sail, and they realized Paul was not on it. ‘Ooooh that malefactor Paul… Foiled again.’

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius [Gī´•ǝs, or Guy-us] of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

Again, Paul sends some of his team ahead, ostensibly to start the work of the ministry and prepare for Paul’s safe arrival. Sending his team ahead is a prudent security measure.

It was at this time that Paul wrote II Corinthians from Philippi.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Paul left Dr Luke behind in Philippi on his second missionary journey to pastor the church there. Now Dr Luke joins them again, as we see the pronouns ‘us’ and ‘we’ return in Chapter 20. (See Acts 17:1; cf 16:16f)

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread [take holy communion], Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

There is something especially beautiful about a candlelit home-church Bible study. That this was an ‘upper room’ Bible study makes it even more beautiful.

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

Eutychus was a common Greek name meaning ‘Good Fortune’. It was not so fortunate to fall out of the loft, but it was good fortune that Paul was there to raise him from the dead. Did Eutychus become a believer? I like to believe so.

When I was a young man living in Huntington Beach, I met a girl who was sickly as a baby and would not eat anything until a pastor came to her parents’ house and prayed for her. As soon as he said “Amen,” she grabbed a shake that was on the table and drank it. After that, she started eating normally. Miracles still happen and you do not have to be the apostle Paul to perform one.

11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten [this seems to be a normal meal, or possibly what the early church called a love feast (pot luck)], and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

A candlelit upper-room Bible study with the apostle Paul teaching until daybreak, with a miracle in the middle of it all, that included holy communion and a meal, now that is one Bible study I would like to have attended!

Paul had quite the healthy constitution. He did not worry about sleeping to prepare for his departure. He preached all night, then left in the morning.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Acts 20:1-12

 

Let’s take a closer look at verse 7. It clearly states that they were meeting on the first day of the week to have holy communion (cf I Cor 16:2). As Gentile Christians entered the church, they wanted to meet on the day Jesus rose again (the Lord’s day), not the day He was still in the grave. This became a bone of contention with some of the Jewish believers. Therefore, Paul addressed the issue in his Epistles (Rom 14:5; Col 2:16). It is still a bone of contention today with legalistic Christians who do not fully embrace the New Covenant of grace or heed the teachings of Paul on the matter:

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Romans 14:5

There are stories about Constantine changing the Sabbath, which are nonsense. Saturday is still the sabbath, and I do not think that is disputed. Basically, the debate boils down to the law and grace, the same debate that was taking place in Paul’s day.

This reminds me of another issue that has become a bone of contention in these last days: the doctrine of the pretrib rapture. There are stories about the Plymouth Brethren creating the pretrib doctrine, specifically John Nelson Darby. I have had the pleasure and honor of fellowshipping with the Plymouth Brethren in both Southern California and Goa, India. In fact, I got to know some in Goa very well, and I remain in touch with them. I can tell you from experience that one thing that marks these Christians (now as in Darby’s day) is an intense interest in and study of the word of God. It was undoubtedly this deep study of the word of God that convinced the Plymouth Brethren of the pretrib doctrine. Before I knew the word of God all that well, I used to think that preachers probably just taught the pretrib doctrine to make people feel better. However, after teaching every Book in the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, with an emphasis on the study of Bible prophecy, I am thoroughly convinced that the pretrib view is correct.

One thing I have noticed about people who attack the pretrib view is their typical lack of Bible study. I once saw Hank Hannegraaff get clubbed like a baby seal in a debate with Tim LaHaye on this topic. (A debate which has been memory-holed and is impossible to find on the web.) One notable exception, though, is Dr Kent Hovind. However, although Dr Hovind is a devout student of Scripture, he specializes in creation science. I have even heard him say that he previously held the pretrib view “because I hadn’t studied it.” To think Kent Hovind is correct about his current position on the timing of the rapture because he is well-versed in creation science is like assuming someone is a grammar expert because they are a spelling bee champion.

One of the most laughable claims I hear about the pretrib view is that it is a ‘fringe view’ that the church has never held, when it is, in fact, the view of the largest denomination in North America: the Southern Baptists.

For more on the pretrib view, see here and here.

For a deeper dive, I humbly recommend my first book, Where Did All the People GO? (and its sequel, Dragon Slayer Jesus Christ.)

Moreover, a study in I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians would be most helpful. In I Thessalonians, Paul laid the groundwork for the doctrine of the rapture, which takes place before the great tribulation period. In II Thessalonians, Paul laid the groundwork for the doctrine of the second coming, which takes place at the end of the great tribulation period. In closing, John Nelson Darby did not invent the pretrib view; Jesus did:

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [It can happen at any time.]
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy [through faith alone in Christ alone] to escape all these things that shall come to pass, [not go through them, but escape them] and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:34-36

Not only do we have this passage, but the passage in Luke 17, where Jesus said just as Noah and Lot were saved before destruction came (the flood and the judgement of Sodom), thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:30) Then, of course, we also have the passage in John 14, where Jesus told us not to let our hearts be troubled because He is coming back to get us. If He meant after the great tribulation period and not before, that would be troubling. But if He meant before, which He did, that is comforting. I will not let my heart be troubled knowing that.

Acts 8:1 — No Fear

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In this post, let us consider how the apostles patiently waited for the leading of the Holy Spirit in the midst of persecution. 

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

     And Saul was consenting unto his [Stephen’s] death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬ ‭

One of the things I have been contemplating as part of this study in Acts is how to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. To be led of the Spirit, I first need to hear the voice of the Spirit. In The Spiritual Man, Watchman Nee spends a lot of time talking about the need to differentiate between the various voices competing for our attention:

1 There are the many voices from the world that bombard us each day.
2 There are my thoughts, that come from my own soul, or mind. 
3 There is the voice of the enemy, who can inject thoughts into our minds.
4 Then there is the voice of the Holy Spirit.

The last three on the list are the tricky ones. One guideline that I have found helpful is to ask myself if I sense fear. If you sense that a directive you think may be coming from the Holy Spirit has an element of fear attached to it, that is an indicator that it is in fact coming from the enemy. 

One of my favorite proverbs is, ‘Worry is a sin’. (Phil 4:6)

This sort of thought inevitably comes when God is telling us to do something new for Him, when we really need to trust Him as we step out in faith. The enemy would love nothing more than to cripple us with fear. He wants us to be afraid of the government, or a new relationship, or some potential disaster that will befall us if we trust God and do as He says — anything he can use to scare us. Sometimes he will even pick some minor arbitrary issue. For example, I recently felt like God might be telling me if I rented a car to go to Philippi, it was going to turn out to be a hassle that was more trouble than it was worth. I’ve rented dozens of cars and I’ve never had a thought like this before. I almost listened to this thought, but then I realized it was coming from a place of fear. I went ahead a rented the car, and when I woke up on the day I had to return it, I was having a dream that the car was stolen. That was when I knew the enemy was trying to scare me. I had been wondering what the deal was, and now I knew. The dream was proof that I was worried.

In closing, as Saul was wreaking havoc on the church in Jerusalem, the apostles were waiting on the Lord, a good habit to get into. (Why didn’t Saul go after them? Probably because he saw what happened the first two times they tried.) David, who spent a lot of time waiting for the leading of the Holy Spirit, wrote: What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (Ps 56:3, 4)

Solomon, a chip of the old block, wrote:

     The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬ 

Be brave friends, the Lord commands it: Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)