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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 351

Dec17

   Day 351—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 351 – Philippians 1 – 4 (Greetings & prayer, exhortations, two fellow workers, warnings, two women, encouragement)

Paul writes this letter while still in prison in Rome. It’s towards the end of his two years. He says his case will soon be tried before Caesar, and he hopes to be released.

The Philippian church first began in Lydia’s home. Philippi is where Paul and Silas were imprisoned for releasing a fortunetelling girl from demons. They were singing when an earthquake set them free. The Jailer and his household believed in Christ.

Philippians 1.

Paul and Timothy greet the church, thank God for them, and encourage them by praying for them. He tells them that his time in prison in Rome has “served to advance the Gospel so that Christ has become known throughout the whole imperial guard.” He thanks them for their prayers and offerings.

In all things – life or death – Paul’s only desire is that Christ be honored in his body. “For me to LIVE is Christ, and to DIE is gain.”  “My desire is to DEPART and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to REMAIN in the flesh is more necessary on your account…for your progress and joy in the faith.”

He tells them that persecution is to be expected.  “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake, engaged in the same conflict you see me in.”

Philippians 2.

He encourages them by setting up Jesus as their example of suffering. “Have this mind in you, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.

And he, like they, will be rewarded. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on Him the NAME that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”

Paul then tells the church that he hopes to send them his beloved Timothy, who has been genuinely concerned for their welfare. (He hopes to come to them himself soon.)  Paul is also sending back Epaphroditus, a fellow worker and soldier.  This man had brought an offering to Paul from them but had gotten ill and nearly died. But God had mercy on him, and now he was well.

Philippians 3.

Paul exhorts the church members to always REJOICE IN THE LORD.  They are to look out for evil doers and those of the circumcision who put confidence in the flesh.

Paul then tells them that HE – if anyone – has reason to boast in the flesh, having been a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews concerning the  law, a Pharisee, a persecutor of the church, under the law, blameless!  BUT.. “I count it as LOSS for the sake of Christ…because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as trash so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law but that which comes through faith in Christ. 

“One thing I do is forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Then Paul challenges them to JOIN IN IMITATING HIM in this goal.

Philippians 4.

Paul’s last words are exhortation, encouragement, and prayer for them.  He writes to Syntyche and Euodia to not fight and come to an agreement. 

He tells them to rejoice in the LORD continually, not to be anxious about anything, but to pray about everything so God’s peace will guard their hearts and minds. 

“Finally, brothers, whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE, if there is any EXCELLENCE, if there is anything worthy of PRAISE……………..think on these things, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Paul thanks them again for their generous offerings; they are a fragrance, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. He’s learned the secret of being content in every circumstance. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 

He ends by sending greetings. “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household!”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 349-350 (Part 2)

Dec16

   Days 349 & 350—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE:  Sunday & Monday studies are posted together on MONDAYS. This is Part Two.

Day 350 – Ephesians 1 – 6 (Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, greetings & blessings & prayer to them, Salvation by grace & faith alone, the gospel to Gentiles, special prayer, gifts to the church, armor of God)

Ephesians 1.

Paul greets these believers and reminds them of their blessings in Christ Jesus. God chose them before the foundation of the world, predestined them for adoption as sons through Jesus, redeemed them through Christ’s blood, forgave their sins, and gave them an inheritance.  Then Paul writes a glorious, extended prayer in thanks for them and for their spiritual growth.

Ephesians 2.

Paul explains how salvation comes by GRACE through FAITH.  They were spiritually DEAD in sin, living in all the wicked passions of their flesh, by nature children of wrath.

“But God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved – and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” 

“For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God, not a result of works, so no one may boast.”

Ephesians 3.

Paul then tells of the “mystery” that was revealed to him by God, that he should also minister to the Gentiles (like them), making them fellow heirs (with the Jews), members of the same body, and partakers of the promise of Christ Jesus through the gospel. 

His fervent prayer for them is “that according to the riches of His glory, He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and that you, being rooted and grounded in love may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, and that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.”

(Wow… and we can be in that prayer too! Read it again!)

Ephesians 4.

Paul urges the Ephesians to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

He reminds them how God gave each of the churches gifted leaders, such as the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastor-shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to-and-fro by every wind of false doctrine. 

They are to “put off” their old selves and be renewed to “put on” the new self, created in the likeness of God in righteousness and holiness.   Then, he lists more of the ways Christ shows Himself in their actions, words, and thoughts. 

Ephesians 5.

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And WALK in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

“WALK as children of the light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good, right, and true. And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”

“Look carefully then how you WALK, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of your time because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 6.

‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.   Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and have done all to stand. 

  • Stand, therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth
  • and having put on the breastplate of righteousness
  • and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
  • In all circumstances, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one
  • and take the helmet of salvation,
  • and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God
  • Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

(I wonder if Paul looked over at the Roman soldier guarding him in prison to come up with the armor of GOD necessary for believers?)

Next, he sends greetings, telling the church that Tychicus will tell them everything happening to Paul and encourage their hearts (and bring news of them back to him.)

“Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.”

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 349-350 (Part 1)

Dec16

   Days 349 & 350—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE:  Sunday & Monday studies are posted together on MONDAYS. (This is Part ONE.)

Day 349 – Colossians 1 – 4, Philemon. (Personal matters, instructions, practical things)  (A request of Philemon)

Colossians 1.

Paul, writing from prison in Rome, and Timothy send their greetings to the church in Colossae by the hand of Tychicus. Although Paul has never personally ministered there, he thanks God for them and prays earnestly for them, that they “will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, and bearing fruit in every good work.”

Colossians 2.

Paul reminds them (and the church at nearby Laodicea) that they are to “walk” in Christ Jesus the Lord, rooted and built up in Him, as they were taught (by Epaphras), and to abound with thanksgiving.  They are to beware of anyone who would steer them away from the true faith in Christ. Because they, who were dead in trespasses, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven all their trespasses by canceling the debt record against them.  This God set aside, nailing it to the cross of Jesus.

Colossians 3.

Since now, they have been raised with Christ to new life, they are to “seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. “Set your minds on things that are above, and not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  They are also to “Put to death what is earthly in you (sins of action, thought, and speech), seeing that they have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”  Paul then lists the godly attitudes and actions that they are to “put on” that please God.

“Wives submit to your husbands… Husbands love your wives… Children, obey your parents… Fathers, do not provoke your children… Slaves obey in everything, and not just by paying ‘lip service….”  Masters treat your slaves justly and fairly…”

Colossians 4. 

Paul gives a few final exhortations. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, with thanksgiving. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, so you know how you ought to answer each other.”

He closes with a long list of greetings. He says Tychicus will tell them about all his activities, so as to encourage them. 

Then he mentions Onesimus, who is with Tychicus. (See Philemon’s letter below.)  He calls him his faithful and beloved brother and says the two men will tell the Colossians ALL that has happened.

He also mentions Epaphras, their founder, and tells them he struggles daily in prayer on their behalf, that they would stand “mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

His closing words are, “Remember my chains. Grace be with you all.”

.

Philemon.

 Along with the letter to the church at Colossae, Paul sends this personal letter to Philemon, in whose large house the church meets. Tychicus hand-delivers it to him along with his former slave, Onesimus.

Paul first reminds Philemon that he remembers him always in his prayers, thanking God for his love and faith toward Jesus and all the saints. Paul’s heart is blessed to hear how Philemon has “refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  But now, Paul has a favor to ask.

The history is that Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. Onesimus had done some wrong to his master – perhaps stolen from him – and had run away. (a capital offense)  By God’s will and grace, the slave had ended up in Rome and had heard Paul preaching.  He’d been won to Christ by the Holy Spirit and become Paul’s “righthand man” and a “beloved brother in Christ.”

Paul would have loved to “keep him” but knew what to do.  He sent Onesimus back with Tychicus and the letters. (This shows Onesimus’ changed heart in his willingness to go.)  Now, it was up to Philemon. He had every right to punish his slave, even by death, but Paul asked him to treat Onesimus as “a brother in Christ.”  Paul offers to pay any debt that might have been incurred. (Paul even signs his own signature here.)

Paul is very confident in Philemon’s obedience, knowing he will do what he asks. 

“Oh, and prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers, I will be graciously coming to you.”

(We don’t KNOW, but we can feel very sure that Philemon welcomed Onesimus back as a fellow believer in Christ and put him to work for the Kingdom of God, which the ex-slave gladly did.)

 

***Usually, I post TWO DAYS’ worth of study on Monday, but since these are complete books, I will put Ephesians in a separate post. 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 348

Dec14

   Day 348—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the ACTS of the Apostles and the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 348 – Acts 27 – 28 (Paul to Italy, shipwrecked, Malta, preaching in Rome)

Acts 27.

King Agrippa’s final words, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:32)

And so Paul, with some other prisoners, was delivered into the custody of a  Centurion named  Julius to catch a ship to Rome. Paul’s friend, Aristarchus, the Thessalonian, was allowed to go with him. They sailed as far as Sidon, where Julius allowed Paul off the ship to visit fellow believers and receive care.

It was late in the year, and the winds were unfavorable.  They sailed past Cyprus and Cilicia and stopped at Myra, where Julius found an Alexandrian ship bound for Rome.  Slowly and with great difficulty, they sailed past desirable ports and came to Fair Havens on the island of Crete.  It was very late in the season, and the winds were fierce. 

Paul, who had sailed many times on the Mediterranean, advised the Centurion to stay put, for he feared the ship, its cargo, and all passengers would be lost in the winter storms.  But Julius paid more attention to the harbor pilot and the ship’s owner. Fair Havens was not a desirable place to spend the winter. They decided on a chance run to Phoenix, further around Crete. When the winds let up, they took a chance and sailed westward, close to shore.

But they soon encountered the “Northeaster,” a tempestuous wind, and the ship was blown out to sea. The wind and waves battered the ship mercilessly. With great difficulty, they used rope supports to undergird the ship. Then they lowered the gear and let the boat run where she would.  The next day, they tossed all the cargo overboard, and the following day all the ships tackle.  For many days, they were at the mercy of the tempest and lost hope of ever being saved.

Paul, “You should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete. But, take heart, for there will be NO LOSS OF LIFE among you…..only the ship.” This was not good for the ship’s owner, but perhaps the passengers felt somewhat relieved.  Paul then told him how he knew this truth, “This very night there stood before me an angel of God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and He said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you ALL those who sail with you.'”

Paul told them he had FAITH in God that they would all be saved, but they had to run the ship aground on some island.

About two weeks after leaving Crete, somewhere in the Adriatic Sea, the sailors took soundings and discovered they were nearing land. They let down four anchors off the stern and prayed for daylight. Some of the sailors secretly put the dingy overboard with plans to escape. But Paul caught them. “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” The soldiers cut the dingy free.

As the day was breaking, Paul urged them all to eat. He took bread, thanked God in the presence of all of them, and began eating. Everyone was encouraged as they ate food, too. 

When it was light, they saw land but didn’t recognize it. But they did see a bay. Quickly, they cut the anchors, hoisted the foresail, and made for the beach.  The ship’s bow hit a hidden reef and stuck while the stern began to break up.  The soldiers planned to kill all the prisoners lest they escape, but Julius, wishing to save Paul, stopped them. He ordered all who could swim to jump overboard and make for land.  The others were to grab a plank from the ship and ride it ashore. (No, not surfing!)

And so it was that ALL were brought safely to land! (Just as God had promised Paul.)

Acts 28, the last chapter.

Once on the island, they learned they had shipwrecked on Malta. The native people were kind, welcomed the weary passengers, and kindled a fire because it was raining and they were cold.  Paul grabbed some firewood, and out popped a viper which had been hiding there.  It sunk its fangs into Paul’s hand.  Everyone gasped in horror and expected Paul to fall down dead, for the snake was very poisonous. But Paul shook it off and continued to stoke the fire.  

At first, the people thought him a murderer and said the viper was meting out justice. But when Paul showed no signs of illness or death, they changed their minds and thought he was a god. 

The chief guy, named Publius, showed them hospitality. When Paul learned that his father was very sick, he went to him and prayed, laying his hands on the man. When he was healed, the rest of the people on the island brought their sick, and they were cured, too.

After about three months on Malta, the winter storms were done with their terror. Julius secured a ship from Alexandria that had wintered on Malta. The islanders help to stock the ship with provisions for them.

They sailed to Syracuse on the island of Sicily and stayed three days. From there, they went to Rhegium on the southern tip of the Italian peninsula and then on to Puteoli (Naples) where Paul disembarked and was met by fellow believers.  He stayed there for a week, and then, together, they traveled along the Appian Way to Rome. 

Paul made it to Rome, just as God had told him. 

In Rome, under house arrest, until he was seen by Caesar, Paul preached from morning to night to Jews and Gentiles alike about “the hope of Israel,” the Messiah, Jesus.   Some were convinced, but others disbelieved.  (Just as scripture foretold. Isaiah 6:9-10) 

He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

End of Acts.

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 347

Dec13

   Day 347—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the ACTS of the Apostles, and the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 347 – Acts 24 – 26 (Paul appears before Governor Felix, High Priest Ananias, lawyer Tertullus, crowds of Jews, Governor Festus, & King Agrippa. He speaks on either his personal testimony or his belief in the resurrection of the dead.)

(Earlier in Acts 22-23) The Roman Tribune, Claudius Lysias, saved Paul from the angry crowd of Jews in the temple and allowed him to tell his testimony before the crowds once he discovered Paul was not an anarchist. But the mobs rushed him again when he mentioned the Gentiles, so the Tribune brought him into the barracks to be flogged. Learning Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, he fearfully backed off.

The next day, he took Paul to the Jewish Council meeting for an official charge.  But when Paul mentioned the resurrection, the Sadducees in the group began to riot, and the Tribune had to rescue him again.

Later that night, Paul received encouragement from God, saying he would indeed testify in Rome.

Also, during the night, the Tribune heard about a plot to kill Paul and decided to send him down to Governor Felix in Caesarea. (This was way “above his pay grade.”) He sent Paul with a Roman guard of 400 men, and a letter to the Governor about the matter.  (Done!)

Acts 24.

Paul is safely in Caesarea, and the Jews realize their plot has failed. Five days later, High Priest Ananias, some elders, and a lawyer-spokesman named Tertullus arrive in Caesarea too.  They flatter Felix into hearing their accusation against Paul.  He allows the apostle to speak, and after Paul affirms he is a Jew “through & through,” he says he has hope in the resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Felix decides to delay the matter until the Tribune Lysias comes to Caesarea. (What?). He will decide Paul’s case then. (The tribune never appears.)  Meanwhile, Paul was “kept in custody with some liberty, allowing his friends to attend to his needs.

(Did Dr. Luke come?  Who else from the Jerusalem church, I wonder?)

Felix and his wife, Drusilla, were also entertained now and then by Paul speaking about faith in Jesus Christ, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment.  When the topic of judgment came up, it scared Felix, and he sent Paul back to his room. He kept Paul there for TWO YEARS!!! All the while, he hoped that Paul and his friends would give him money.

Somehow, Felix lost favor with the “powers-to-be” and was replaced as Governor by Festus.

Acts 25.

Governor Festus first appears in Jerusalem and meets with the chief priests and principal men of the Jews. (Protocol?)  They discuss the “old” case against Paul and ask Festus to bring him to Jerusalem to be tried. Festus is not fooled.  He says Paul is staying where he is, but they are welcome to “go down with him,” and he will see about a hearing.

Eventually, Festus sits in court and orders Paul to be brought.  The Jews bring many serious charges against Paul that they cannot prove.  Paul argues in his defense.  Festus asks Paul if he wants to go to Jerusalem and be charged. Paul says he has broken no Jewish law (as Festus well knows).

“I appeal to Caesar!” says the Apostle whom God told would indeed go to Rome.

“To Caesar, you have appealed; to Caesar, you will go.” (You can almost hear Festus sigh.)

But before Paul can be sent off, King Agrippa II arrives in Caesarea with his wife, Bernice.  (He is the son of the Herod who killed James and imprisoned Peter.)   Festus eventually tells the king about Paul, the complicated case against him by the Jews, and his appeal to Caesar.  Festus tells the king he doesn’t really have a charge against Paul to send to Caesar. 

“I would like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa tells Festus.

“Tomorrow, you will hear him.”

With great pomp, King Agrippa, Bernice, and Festus enter the audience hall. Military tribunes and prominent men of the city arrive, too. Paul is brought in.  Everyone’s eyes are upon him.

Acts 26.

Agrippa signals Paul. “You have permission to speak for yourself.”  

Paul begins a lengthy retelling of his testimony, describing himself as a fierce Pharisee with a mind to kill all those of “the Way.” He strictly obeyed all the laws of Moses and had the HOPE in the promise God made to the Jews – the VERY thing he was being tried for – hope in the resurrection. 

He tells how he persecuted believers in Jesus and, in fact, had been going to Damascus to bring some of them back to prison when he “saw the light.”  It was Jesus who told him he was wrong to persecute them.  Jesus commissioned Paul to be a preacher and a witness for Him.  Furthermore, Jesus sent Paul to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. Paul believed and was baptized. Then he set out to obey the Lord.

It was a very long sermon in his defense, and in the middle, Festus burst out with, “PAUL, YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND; YOUR GREAT LEARNING IS DRIVING YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!”

“I am NOT out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.” And he looked at King Agrippa. “The king knows about the things, and to him, I boldly speak.”

“Paul, in a short time, would you persuade ME to be a Christian?” asked the king.

“Whether a short time or long,” Paul answered. “I would that not only YOU but ALL who hear me today might become such as I am — except for these chains.”

The king and governor withdraw and discuss Paul. 

“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment. He could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.“

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 346

Dec12

   Day 346—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the ACTS of the Apostles, and the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 346 – Acts 20 – 23 (Paul seeing to details & farewells on the way to Jerusalem, warnings, riots & arrests, testimony, escape to Caesarea)

Acts 20.

After those riots in Ephesus, Paul went to Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) Then, he headed down to Greece (Corinth), where he spent 3 months (and wrote the letter to the Romans). He planned to check in at Syria (Ephesus) on the way to Jerusalem, but he heard of a plot to kill him, so he sailed back to Macedonia instead. 

From Philippi, he sailed to Troas and spent seven days. Remember, Paul had earlier been in Troas, where “a door was opened for me in the Lord to preach the gospel,” but he had been so concerned about the Corinthian church that he left. (2 Corinthians 2:12-13)  Now, it seems he took that opportunity to preach in Troas for many hours! 

On Sunday, he was preached until midnight and had no plans to stop.  But, in the room, it was hot and stuffy with many people and lamps, and the listeners were getting tired. A young man, Eutychus, sitting on the window sill to get some cool air, fell asleep and plunged down three stories to his death. Paul said not to worry and raised him from the dead by the power of the Lord Jesus.  After a bite to eat, they all returned upstairs, their minds alert, and listened to Paul until the sunrise. 

Then, having preached the Gospel in Troas (finally), Paul and company caught a ship for Assos, then to Mytilene, and the next day to Chios, then Samos and Miletus (near Ephesus). He didn’t want to go into that great city, so he sent a message to the elders of Ephesus to meet him on the beach. They had a great time of exhortation, fellowship, and weeping, for they all knew he would not return to them. Paul told them he was ready to die for the Lord!  Then he knelt and prayed with them all. 

Acts 21.

From there, Paul and company sailed to Cos, Rhodes, and Patara and headed toward Phoenicia, past Cyprus to Tyre. Paul spent another seven days there encouraging believers. They also warned him of trouble in Jerusalem. Before boarding another ship, Paul knelt in the sand with them, prayed, and wished them a final farewell.

Paul next arrived at Ptolemais (Acco) to greet the believers. The next day, he sailed to Caesarea where Peter had first introduced the Gospel to the Gentiles at the Centurion, Cornelius’s home. Paul stayed with Philip there. (Remember him and his evangelism from Acts 6:5-6 and 8:4-40) Philip’s four daughters, plus Agabus, a Judean prophet, all said he would be arrested in Jerusalem. 

Paul told them, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!”

Finally, Paul and company went up to Jerusalem, along with some disciples from Caesarea. The brothers there gladly received Paul and his collected offering and listened to him relating, one by one, all the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  And they all glorified God.

Then, they warned Paul of a conspiracy by the religious Jews to kill him. Those men believed that Paul was preaching to the JEWS that they – and not only the Gentiles – did not have to observe the Jewish traditions. The brothers offered a solution for Paul. Join a group of four men to fulfill a vow in the temple. His enemies would see he was observant. 

But it backfired, and a riot broke out. Paul was being beaten almost to death when a Roman Tribune rescued/arrested him and brought him to the barracks. The Tribune thought Paul was the infamous Egyptian who was causing trouble in Jerusalem. But when he discovered Paul was a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, he let him speak again before the crowd.

As he began in Hebrew, there was a great hush….

Acts 22.

Paul began telling his testimony, starting when he was a staunch Pharisee, trained under the great Gamaliel in the strict manner of the law of Moses. He’d been zealous, persecuting, arresting, and seeing to the death people of the “Way.” Then, one day, on the road to Damascus, he saw a vision of Jesus. After being led, blind, into Damascus, he was visited by Ananias, who said God had appointed Paul to be a “witness to everyone.” After his sight returned and he was baptized, God spoke to Paul, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”

At this, the crowd screamed, “AWAY WITH HIM! He should not be allowed to live!” 

The Tribune took Paul inside to be interviewed “by torture,” but after learning he was a Roman Citizen (Eeek!!!), he released him.  But, wanting to know more about Paul, he commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet. He then brought Paul down to be formally accused by them.

Acts 23.

Paul looked intently at the council (the Sanhedrin, before whom Jesus had also faced condemnation) and spoke. He said his life before God had been lived in good conscience. But (also like with Jesus), he was struck in the face.

UNLIKE Jesus, Paul fired back at the man, “God is going to strike YOU, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law, you order me to be stuck??”   (Remember, Paul had been trained by the best lawyer on ALL the points of the law.)

Whoa! they said. “Would you revile God’s high priest??”

Paul immediately apologized and “practiced what he had preached” in Romans 13, where he wrote to give respect where respect was due to those in authority over you. “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people’.”

Then Paul realized that the Sanhedrin was made up of both Pharisees (like he was) and Sadducees (who did NOT believe in the resurrection from the dead).  “Brothers, it is concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial………..”  

Immediately, a great dissension arose in the “hallowed halls” of the Council.  The louder Pharisees proclaimed, “WE FIND NOTHING WRONG IN THIS MAN!”  Violence ensued, so the Tribune had to intervene and take him away. 

That night, God came to Paul in a vision. “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in ROME.”

Forty Jews plotted the next day and vowed a hunger strike if, in the next 40 days, they did not KILL Paul.  The plot was made known to the Tribune via a boy (Paul’s nephew), and immediately, that very night, he whisked Paul off to Caesarea with an armed guard of 400 Roman soldiers and horsemen.  He sent a message with Paul to Governor Felix, describing all that had happened so far and emphasizing that Paul was a ROMAN CITIZEN.

At Caesarea, after discovering what province Paul was from (Cilicia), Governor Felix said he would give him a hearing as soon as his accusers arrived.

TO BE CONTINUED tomorrow….. 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 345

Dec11

   Day 345—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS and the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 345 – Romans 14 – 16 (don’t judge, Christ’s example, HOPE, a Rome visit, greetings, doxology)

Romans 14.

Paul advises helping those who are weak in faith and not judging them. For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God and give account of himself to God.” (Isaiah 45:23) 

“Instead, he advises them to “never put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”  The kingdom of God is NOT a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  So then, they were to “pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”

Romans 15.

Paul advises this church to follow Christ’s example in all things, “for Christ did not please himself.”   “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, following Christ Jesus, that together (Jew and Gentile) you may, with one voice, glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul also tells them that the HOPE offered in Christ confirms the promises given to the patriarchs AND that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.  He quotes Deuteronomy 32:43. “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.” And Psalm 117:1. “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol Him.”  And Isaiah 11:10b. “…in Him will the Gentiles HOPE.”

“May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Paul praises the Roman church for their goodness, knowledge, and ability to teach one another.  But he reminds them to “be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles too.”  (Paul’s life’s work has been preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles.) He claims he has gone out from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum with this message.  Now, he wants to preach the Gospel where Christ has NOT already been named, lest he builds on someone else’s foundation.

Paul tells them after a trip to Jerusalem with an offering, he hopes to come to THEM that they might help him on his way to Spain.  “When, therefore, I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.“

Romans 16.

Paul then sends greetings from and to his fellow workers in Rome and Corinth.  He asks that the church in Rome welcome and help Phoebe, a servant of the church in Corinth, as she is bringing them this letter.  He greets Aquila and Priscilla, who must now also live back in Rome. He names many, many others too, who are working in Rome. 

As a final note, he warns them to watch out for divisions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine they’ve been taught.  Their obedience to Christ is well known, but he wants them to be wise about what is GOOD and innocent about what is EVIL. 

He sends greetings from those with him in Corinth; Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus.  Then he ends with doxology.

“Now to Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ…to the only wise God, be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!   Amen.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 341

Dec7

   Day 341—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 341 – Romans 1 – 3 (Paul writes, the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, all are guilty sinners, God’s righteous judgment, justification through Christ)

Paul writes this letter to the Roman church while still in Corinth, waiting to collect their offering for Jerusalem. He’s always wanted to visit Rome, but it’s been impossible so far, so he writes this meaty letter.

He wrote to teach the great truths of the gospel of grace to believers who had never received apostolic instruction. His letter to the Romans also introduced him to them when God eventually allowed him to visit. 

Romans 1.

In the first (very long) sentence, Paul identifies himself and his ministry, capsulizes the gospel, and includes the church at Rome as those called to belong to Jesus Christ.

He thanks God for them because “all the world” has heard about their faith. They have been in his prayers, and Paul has been asking God to allow him to come to them. He wants to be mutually encouraged by them. He’s also eager to preach the Gospel to them.

His statement of faith is very familiar. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

He talks about the wrath of God against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth.  All are without excuse, for God’s invisible attributes have been clearly perceived in the world since creation.  Yes, all knew God, but they did not honor Him as God or give Him thanks. So God darkened their understanding and gave them up to impurity and dishonorable passions. The list of these passions is long, twenty-one in all. (Verses 29-31) They would be good for each of “us” to consider, too.

And not only did ungodly men DO these things, but they approved and applauded others doing them.

Romans 2.

Paul then knuckles down about God’s righteous judgment on men like these, who have hardened and unrepentant hearts. Each will receive according to their deeds. Those who seek to honor God He will give eternal life. Those who are self-seeking and disobedient will receive God’s wrath and fury.  And it doesn’t matter whether a person is Jew or Gentile. 

Don’t depend on being “instructed in The Law,” for some Gentiles obey God’s laws without even knowing them.  You Jews, be sure you practice what you teach. 

Romans 3.

Paul continues, “Yes, there are advantages of being a Jew. To begin with, God entrusted Jews with His Word and His directions on how to live righteously.  But are Jews better off than Gentiles?  Not at all!  Jews and Gentiles alike are ALL under sin and need to be saved by God’s grace.

“NONE is righteous, no, not ONE; no one understands; no one seeks for God. ALL have turned aside; TOGETHER they have become worthless; no one does good, not even ONE.” (Psalm 14:1-3 and 53:1-3)about 

So, whether under the law (Jews) or outside the law (Gentiles), none are justified in themselves. However, NOW, God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the law through faith in Jesus Christ.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His GRACE as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God put Him forward as a propitiation (an appeasement) by His blood, to be received by faith.”  

This clearly shows that God is JUST in punishing sin while JUSTIFYING the sinner who has faith in Jesus. And so, no one can boast about themselves.

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 340

Dec6

   Day 340—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 340 – 2 Corinthians 10 – 13 (Paul defends his ministry, compares self to false apostles, his sufferings, A revelation of heaven, thorn in flesh, examine yourselves!)

2 Corinthians.

Paul speaks of Christ’s meekness and gentleness and hopes he can come to the Corinthians with the same attitude and not with boldness, scolding their disobedience. For the believers’ “weapons” have divine power to destroy arguments and lofty opinions, and take every thought into captivity to obey Christ, and are ready to punish every disobedience.

But that’s not how Paul wants to visit them.  He admits they think he is “soft” in person while fiery in his letters. But he can be tough too, although he doesn’t want to.

2 Corinthians 11.

Paul here begs the Corinthians to “bear with him in a little foolishness” as he boasts and compares himself to the false apostles plaguing them. He is a Hebrew, an Israelite, an offspring of Abraham, and a servant of Christ.  Are these other men?

He far surpasses them in labor and hardships, if that is the criteria for apostleship. He’s been beaten five times with 39 stripes and once stoned and left for dead.  He’s been in shipwrecks, adrift on the sea, on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, robbers, irate Jews, Gentiles, and false brothers, in the city, wilderness, at sea, in toils, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold and exposure.  PLUS, Paul has the daily pressure of anxiety for all the churches. He even escaped arrest and imprisonment by being let down a city wall in a basket, for goodness sake!

2 Corinthians 12.

Paul, embarrassed, goes on with his boasting, sure that none of “them” have had such a vision as he. Fourteen years before, just ten years after his conversion, Paul was “caught up to the third heaven (whether in the body or not, he didn’t know). There, he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not speak.”

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh,  a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.  Three times, I pleaded with the LORD about this that it should leave me.  But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'”

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Then, Paul claims that he’s been a fool to boast like this, but they “made him so it” with their tales of those “super-apostles.”   But he will most gladly spend and be spent for their souls.

2 Corinthians.

Paul reminds the Corinthian church that he is coming to them (He’ll pick up their offering for the Jerusalem church.). He wants to make sure that everything has been dealt with.  He tells them to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”

He’s writing to them strongly so that, when he arrives, he can be gentle.  “REJOICE, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 339

Dec5

   Day 339—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 339 – 2 Corinthians 5 – 9 (Warnings, servants of God, repentance, the grace of giving, cheerful giving)

2 Corinthians 5.

As a tentmaker, Paul compares his earthly body to a tent, but his eternal body with Christ, as a house made without hands that God has prepared for those who believe.

He cautions that all of us will appear before Christ to receive what is due us for what we’ve done in the body, whether good or evil. And so, we should persuade others to be reconciled to Christ. In fact, believers are ambassadors for Him, imploring others to be reconciled to God through Christ.  “For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 6.

Paul claims truthfully that he “puts no obstacle in anyone’s way. ‘Behold NOW is the favorable time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation!”

Paul commends himself and his fellow workers as SERVANTS of God and lists the ways.

  • by great endurance in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
  • beatings, imprisonments, riots,
  • labors, sleepless nights, hunger,
  • by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love,
  • by truthful speech and the power of God, with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left,
  • through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise,
  • treated as imposters, and yet are true; as unknown, yet are well known; as dying and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed, as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

2 Corinthians 7.

Paul tells the people of the church in Corinth that “we are the temple of the living God” and to NOT be connected with anyone who is not also a believer – in marriage, business, worship, or leadership.

He and they are to “cleanse themselves from every defilement of body, and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

He also tenderly rejoices to hear of their godly grieving, which led to their repentance. It gives him comfort and joy.

2 Corinthians 8.

Paul again encourages them to prepare an offering for the poor in Jerusalem.  He’d mentioned it almost a year before, but all that palaver took place and sidetracked this grace. Now, he was coming with two other brothers to collect what they’d set aside.  He’s bragged to the Macedonians (Philippi, etc.) about them and now doesn’t want them to be embarrassed when he arrives.  He tells them how the Macedonians, even in extreme poverty, have given generously.  They gave not according to the means but BEYOND THEIR MEANS.

The Corinthians had excelled in everything – faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness –  “see that you excel in this act of grace also.”  He encourages them to imitate Christ, who was rich but, for their sakes, became poor to enrich them.  They are to give “according to what they HAVE, not what they don’t have.”

“So GIVE PROOF before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you.”

2 Corinthians 9.

Paul continues about the Corinthian’s offering to the poor. He wants it to be “a willing gift.”

“Whosoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, NOT reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. The ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”

Then Paul concludes this section on generous giving by praising God for His surpassing GRACe in giving His son for their salvation.  “Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!