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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 330

Nov26

   Day 330—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 330 – Acts 17 (Paul & Silas, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens)

After being beaten and jailed, loosed in an earthquake, preached to a jailor, and apologized to by the magistrates, Paul and Silas left Philippi. The team (Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke) went through Amphipolis and Apollonia to the city of Thessalonica.

As was Paul’s pattern, he preached in the Jewish synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining how the scriptures pointed to Christ’s death and resurrection. Some Jews were persuaded, plus many devout Greeks and leading women.

But the majority of the Jews were jealous, mobbed him, and set the city in an uproar, saying they preached against Caesar. The mob attacked Jason’s house, where Paul was staying. After the magistrates took security from him to assure Paul would cause no more trouble, Paul and his team left town that very night.

They went to Berea, and Paul immediately went to the synagogue. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word eagerly, examining the Scriptures daily to see if the things Paul preached were so.” 

(Can you imagine them taking down the scrolls of the scriptures Paul mentioned, turning to the passages, and verifying what he preached? They would read and nod their heads and eagerly look up for more!)

As a consequence, many of them believed, including many Greek women of high standing. (Faith comes by hearing the Word, Romans 10:17.) However, when the Jews from Thessalonica heard of this, they came to Berea and agitated the crowds against Paul.  The Bereans immediately sent Paul (and Luke?) off by sea.  Silas and Timothy stayed there to continue teaching. But when Paul got to Athens, he sent a message for the two men to come to him as soon as possible.  (But they were delayed.)

Meanwhile, while Paul was waiting for them, his spirit was provoked as he saw all the idols in the city.  He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews, as usual.  And every day, he spoke with the devout people in the marketplace. He also argued with some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.  They took Paul to the Areopagus to defend his teaching, for they thought he was preaching “some foreign divinities.”  They enjoyed it immensely, for all the Athenians and foreigners loved to spend time telling or hearing “something new.”

Paul tried. He looked at the one statue dedicated to “the Unknown God” and pointed them towards God, the Lord of heaven and earth, creator of everything.

Paul waxed eloquent, as that’s what his listeners wanted. (Paul was all things to all men, so he could win some to the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:22) “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this, He had given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” (verses 30-31)

Now, when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, they mocked Paul.  But some said, “Oh, we’ll hear you another time.”   Only a few believed: Dionysius, the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and a handful of others.

Perhaps discouraged at the lack of response, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 328 & 329

Nov25

    Day 328 & 329—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

NOTE: Sunday and Monday readings are posted together on Mondays.

Day 328 – Galatians 1 – 3 (Paul, Gospel v Law, Faith v works)

Galatians 1.

Paul writes to the churches he and Barnabas established on their first missionary journey. Paul establishes his authority by relating God’s choice, His revelation to Paul, and commission for his ministry at his conversion.

He is astonished that they have turned back to depending on the works of the law, from the faith in Jesus that he taught. Are they seeking man’s approval, or God’s?

Galatians 2.

Paul continues to give his testimony, how he spoke before the leaders in Jerusalem about Gentiles needing (or not needing!) to be circumcised to be saved. They agreed it was NOT necessary. Both Peter and John agreed and entrusted him with the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Nevertheless, some false brothers were still spreading this error.  Even Simon Peter got a bit carried away with it, and Paul had to admonish him.

Paul states that, although a Jew by birth, he knows a person is NOT justified by works of the law (circumcision in this case) but through faith in Christ Jesus.  Paul says that he “died” to the law so he might “live” to God.  “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  If righteousness were through the LAW, Christ died for no purpose.”

Galatians 3.

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”  Then Paul asks them a series of questions that have obvious answers.

1) Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

2) Are you so foolish?

3) Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

4) Did you suffer so many things in vain, if indeed it was in vain?

5) Does he who supplies the Spirit in you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing of faith (like with Abraham who believed God and was counted righteous)?

No one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 10:38)  Christ redeemed us from the ‘curse of the law’ by becoming a curse for us (He hung on a tree. (Deut. 21:23)).  So, in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (all nations will be blessed through Abraham’s offspring – Jesus.).

Why then, the law? They might ask.  Because of transgressions!  “The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God, through faith. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus. And if you are in Christ, then you (Gentiles) are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

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Day 329 – Galatians 4 – 6 (Sons v slaves, Hagar v Sarah, Freedom Works of flesh v Fruit of Spirit, Burdens)

Galatians 4.

Paul continues the illustration/allegory from Abraham’s life, using his two sons, Ishmael & Isaac, and their mothers, Hagar & Sarah, as examples of the “flesh” and the “spirit.”  The way the Galatians were trying to “earn” their salvation through circumcision and other works of the law was like Hagar and Ishmael. Paul urges them to be people of faith alone, as illustrated by Sarah and Isaac.  Be a true “son,” in which God has sent His Spirit to live.

Galatians 5.

Paul proclaims that through Christ, they have been “set free” from the burden of the law, which he calls the yoke of slavery. He urges them NOT to return to bearing that yoke.

As true children of God, they are free, but, they are not to use that freedom for the flesh. Let LOVE guide their every thought, word, and action.  “WALK by the Spirit,” he says, “and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.”  Then Paul lists fifteen appalling “works of the flesh,” including sexual immorality, idolatry, jealousy, drunkenness, etc. for them to avoid.

Alternately, the fruit of the Spirit is nine-fold; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is NO LAW against these, and those who are Christ’s exhibit them.

Galatians 6.

Paul teaches how the Galatians should act/react to those who continue in sin: restore them in a spirit of gentleness, testing their own motives and actions.

Those who are taught should share all good things with their teacher (supporting those who minister to them financially).   In fact, they are to do good to everyone, especially fellow believers.

In conclusion, Paul returns to the topic of circumcision, saying, “Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”  

“Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.  From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear in my body the marks of Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 327

Nov23

    Day 327—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 327 – Acts 15 – 16 (Jerusalem Council, Letters, Paul/Barnabas argue, Silas & Timothy, Macedonia, Lydia, Prison)

Acts 15.

Some Pharisees believers caused trouble by going to Antioch and teaching the new Gentile converts that they needed to be circumcised according to Mosaic custom as a part of salvation. Paul and Barnabas object and head to Jerusalem to have a conference with the elders.

Both sides present their cases. Peter eventually stands up and recounts his experience with the Roman Centurion and his household. “God bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Why are we now putting God to the test by placing the yoke of the law on them? We are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”  Paul and Barnabas relate the signs and wonders done among the Gentiles in their ministry, too.

Then, James, the leader of the Council, quotes Zechariah 8:20-23 about salvation being a ‘light to the Gentiles.’  All agree that the Gentiles should have no greater burden required of them except that which would disrupt unity.  Letters would be sent to the churches that they should 1) abstain from eating meat sacrificed to idols, 2) abstain from sexual immorality, and 3) abstain from eating things strangled and from blood.  (These things all were a part of their former pagan worship.) 

All agreed. Judas Barsabbas and Silas were sent with a letter to the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.  The letter was well received. Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word. Judas and Silas also encouraged and strengthened the brethren with many words.

Then Paul decided to “return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Word and see how they are.”  Barnabas thought it a great idea and wanted to take John Mark with them again. (They were cousins.)  Paul strongly objected, and there was a sharp disagreement between them.

God used this to organize TWO missionary teams. Barnabas took John Mark and left for Cyprus.  Paul chose Silas and went by land through Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches.

Acts 16.

When Paul and Silas came to Lystra and Derbe, they met a young disciple named Timothy. The young man was half Jew (mother) and half Gentile (father). His believing mother and grandmother had taught him the scriptures thoroughly, and all had been saved during Paul’s first journey there.  The lad had not been circumcised, probably because of his Gentile father.  And Paul did an unusual thing, especially thinking of the recent Council in Jerusalem. After inviting Timothy to join his team and travel with him, he circumcised him.  Say what??  Why?

Everybody in the synagogue (where he and his mom and grandma attended) knew about his Greek father and that he hadn’t taken the step to join the Jewish community.  And since Paul’s permanent personal rule was to go to the town’s synagogue (the Jews) FIRST with the message of salvation, he saw that an uncircumcised Jewish lad might be a problem with unity.  It doesn’t seem that Timothy objected at all. 

So the 3-man team went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. Paul attempted to lead them into Asia but was prevented by the Holy Spirit.  When they arrived at Troas (a port city) Paul had a vision of a man across the Sea in Macedonia calling to him for help.  He decided that it was in Macedonia that God was calling them to preach the gospel.  At this point, Dr. Luke (the book’s narrator) joined the team. (Nope, we don’t know the details.)

They set sail and docked at Samothrace and Neapolis before finally disembarking at Philippi, a leading city in the area AND a Roman colony.  On the Sabbath, they went outside the gate to the riverside where they’d heard there was a place of prayer.  They sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. One, named Lydia, a wealthy woman who sold valuable purple material was a worshiper of God. The Lord “opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul said.”  She became a believer and was baptized, as well as her household.  She invited the missionary team to come and stay at her house. 

One time, as they were going to that place of prayer, they were met by a demon-possessed girl slave. Her owners made much money by her fortune-telling.  She followed the mission team and kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”  Now, those words were true (demons have to speak truth in the presence of the Holy Spirit). Paul did not want their witness.  Besides, the crowds probably thought she was talking about the Greek/Roman god Zeus. 

“I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! Paul demanded.

The demon had to come out, but the girl’s owners were VERY DISPLEASED.  There went their income.  They grabbed Paul and Silas, dragged them before the magistrates, and accused them of disturbing the peace. The crowd started attacking them, too (mob rule).  The magistrates ripped off their clothes and beat Paul and Silas, then threw them into prison with stocks on their feet.  Whoa!

But…. Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns while the other prisoners listened.  Suddenly an earthquake happened. Their stocks fell off, the prison doors opened, and all the prisoners’ bonds were unfastened.  When the jailer came in, he was terrified that they all had escaped and was about to take his own life.  But Paul stopped him, saying that they all were still there. He then went on to preach the Gospel. (The jailor had said, “What must I do to be saved?”)  Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and he’d be saved.

The man and his whole house believed. The jailor took Paul and Silas, washed their wounds, and fed them. Paul then baptized them all. 

The next day, the magistrates sent police to let Paul and Silas go. BUT Paul refused to go secretly. He claimed his Roman citizenship which terrified the leaders.  To whip and imprison a Roman citizen without a trial was a deadly error.  So, they, at Paul’s request, came personally to them and apologized. They politely asked them to leave the city. 

When they left prison, Paul and Silas (and the others) visited Lydia, saw the other believers, and encouraged them. THEN they left Philippi. 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 326

Nov22

    Day 326—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 326 – James 1 – 5 (Faith, wisdom, the Word, works, the tongue, worldliness, prayer)

James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church, writes to believing Jews living outside of Israel. His letter is rich in practical ways to live a life of faith.

James 1.

Be joyful when you experience trials, for they strengthen your faith. Ask God for the wisdom you need, and He will give it. Temptation is not from God but from your own sinful desires. Don’t just hear the teaching of the word, but work it out as well. Watch your tongue! True “religion” is shown by visiting orphans and widows and keeping yourself unstained by worldly things.

James 2.

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ show no partiality to the rich. Even if you are “righteous” in all other ways, this is lawbreaking.  Mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith without actions is dead faith. Yes, it is great that you believe, but even demons do that. Show your inner faith by how you live.  Check out the actions and faith of Abraham and Rahab in the Old Testament.

James 3.

Teachers, beware, for you will be judged with greater strictness.  “Be careful little tongue, what you say!”  Bits in horses’ mouths and rudders on ships control them.  YOU must control your speech.  What you say can be a scorching fire from hell, a world of unrighteousness, a restless evil full of deadly poison. Watch your tongue!  Remember, true wisdom is from God. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  Your good conduct will show you have this wisdom.

James 4.

Control your passions!  They will cause fights, quarrels, dissatisfactions, and even murders.  They make your prayers foolish, desiring things to lavish on yourself.   God gives grace to the humble, so submit yourselves to God.  Resist the devil and his ways…and he will flee from you. Draw near instead to God, who will respond.  Again, humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.  Don’t boast about tomorrow. Who knows anything about tomorrow?  Commit it all to the Lord.  And it’s a sin if you know the right thing to do, and you don’t do it.

James 5.

Don’t boast or have confidence in riches. They won’t help you on judgment day.  Be patient in your work for the Lord.  You know He is coming; work patiently till then and don’t grumble.  Let all your praying be done by faith. Whether praying for the sick or a sinning brother, your prayer of faith accomplishes much. Remember how Elijah prayed, and there was NO rain. Then he prayed again, and there was an abundance of rain.  If any one of you strays from the truth, bring him back. His soul will be saved and his sins covered.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 325

Nov21

    Day 325—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 325 – Acts 13 – 14 (1st missionary journey, Cyprus, Antioch #2, Iconium, Lystra, return home)

Acts 13.

While the prophets and teachers at Antioch were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit pointed out Barnabas and Saul for missionary work in Asia Minor. After those elders put their hands on them and prayed, Barnabas and Saul were sent off. The young John Mark went along to assist them.

The first stop was the island of Cyprus, where Barnabas’s home was, and where a sizeable Jewish population lived. They began at Salamis and proclaimed God’s word in the synagogues. They toured throughout the whole island and came to the capital, Paphos. There, the proconsul, Sergius Paulus summoned them to hear the word of God.  As they preached, the local magician, Elymas opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul’s attention away from the message.

But Paul (now called by his Roman name because he would be serving in the Roman world) cursed the sorcerer with the authority of the Holy Spirit, and this “enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, was made blind for a time.  (Did Paul hope his blindness would lead to his salvation, like Paul’s?)  With the evil man silenced, Sergius Paulus believed in the teaching of the Lord.

Next, Paul (now the group leader) and his companions sailed to Perga. For some reason, John Mark left Paul and Barnabas here and returned home to Jerusalem.  He was very young. Did the harshness of the journey, or the fierceness of the opposition, or maybe personal friction change his mind?

Paul and Barnabas went on to Antioch-Pisidia and preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He began with the history of Israel down to King David and segued to David’s greater son, Jesus, the promised Messiah.  But the Jerusalem leadership did not believe and condemned Him to death. However, God raised him from the dead. This Jesus was seen by many people, from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses. We bring you this Good News that God promised our fathers.

Paul then quotes Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 53:3, Psalm 16:10 and Habakkuk 1:5.

The Gentiles loved the message and begged them to return. But jealous Jews contradicted and reviled them.  However, those Gentiles whom God had chosen, believed, rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord.

Acts 14.

The missionary duo journeyed on to Iconium and spoke in the synagogue.  Here, a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.  But the UNbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against Paul and Barnabas.  This only caused the two to stay longer in Iconium, speaking boldly for the Lord. The Holy Spirt granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.  However, when they heard of a plot to stone them, they moved on to the area of Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach the Gospel.

In Lystra, they saw a crippled man listening to the preaching.  Seeing that he had faith, Paul told him to “Stand upright on your feet.”  The man was instantly healed. But, instead of praising God, the people cried, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.” They called Paul, Zeus, and Barnabas, Hermes and brought festooned oxen to sacrifice on their behalf.

“NO, NO, NO!!” cried Paul. “Men, why are you doing this?  We are men like you.  We bring you Good News! You have to turn from these vain things to THE LIVING GOD!”  And he preached to them. Even then, the apostles scarcely restrained the people from sacrificing to them.

Then, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and persuaded the crowd against them.  They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town as a dead man. Whoa!

But the new believers gathered around him (praying?), and Paul rose and entered the city. The next day, they went to Derbe, preached the Gospel, and made many disciples.

Then the duo began the return journey, checking in at each town they’d visited to strengthen the brothers, encourage them to continue in the faith, and saying that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  They also appointed elders in every church and with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.

On the return journey, they also preached in Perga before getting on a ship for home.  Back at their sending church at Antioch, “they declared all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”

And they stayed there for a time.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 324

Nov20

    Day 324—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 324 – Acts 11 – 12 (Peter reports to the church, Antioch church, James killed, Peter arrested, Herod)

Acts 11.

After Peter’s astonishing experience with the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, he heard of rumbling from the apostles in Jerusalem about Gentiles, so he went there and told the complete story. He told about the vision with “unclean” animals in a sheet descending from heaven and how God told him to kill and eat them. He told them about the men who Cornelius sent, and how, after going to the Centurion’s house, the Holy Spirit fell on the people there as it had on them at Pentecost.

“If then God gave the same gift to them, as He gave to us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”  When they heard this, they stopped complaining.  “Glory to God! To the Gentiles, then, has God also granted repentance that leads to life.

And so the hand of the Lord was upon the Gentiles and Hellenists of Phoenicia, Cyprus, Cyrene, and Antioch, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. This report came to the apostles in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check it out.  When he saw the grace of God at work, he was glad and exhorted them to faithfulness. He also went to nearby Tarsus and brought back Saul to help teach the people. The two stayed there a whole year. And it was at Antioch that the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians.”

Then, a prophet came from Jerusalem to Antioch and foretold of a great famine coming in the days of Claudius.  So these new “Christians” collected an offering and sent it to the brothers in Judea by Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 12.

About that time, King Herod Agrippa 1 laid violent hands on believers.  He killed the disciple James, the brother of John, with the sword (beheaded).  When he saw it pleased the Jewish leaders, he also arrested Peter during Passover, intending to do the same to him. He put Peter in prison with TWO chains between TWO guards. (Didn’t he know that Peter worked in THREES??)  Meanwhile, the church made EARNEST PRAYER to God for Peter.

The night before his execution, an angel of the Lord came to Peter in the jail cell. He punched him in the side to awaken him, saying, “Get up quickly!”  Immediately, the chains fell off Peter. “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.  Wrap your cloak around yourself and follow me.”  Peter obeyed, thinking it was all a dream.  But, after the prison doors opened before them, like grocery store doors, and Peter found himself outside in the street, he realized it was real.

Quickly, he went to John Mark’s mother’s house, where believers met and prayed. He knocked at the locked door, and a servant girl, Rhoda, came to answer.  When she learned it was Peter, she was so excited that she ran to tell the others, leaving Peter standing outside.  They quickly remedied that and brought Peter inside. In whispers, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers,” he said, then went to another place.

(NOTE: He wanted them to tell James, the brother of Jesus, who was becoming the leader of the Jerusalem church, and NOT the disciple of Jesus, John’s brother, who had just been martyred.)

The next day, Herod sent for Peter to execute him, but they found him gone, vanished, with no explanation from the guards.  THEY were killed instead for negligence in letting a prisoner escape. Herod searched for Peter everywhere, but he could not be found.

Disgruntled or embarrassed, Herod left Judea and stayed in Caesarea awhile.  Herod took out his anger on the people north of him in Tyre and Sidon. They came and begged for peace.  On the day they came before him, Herod – dressed in his finest royal robes – sat on his throne and delivered a fancy speech to them. Trying to ingratiate themselves with him, the people shouted, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”  

The arrogant king did not deny the adulation or give GOD the glory.  Because of this, God struck him down and he was eaten by worms as he breathed his last.  Gulp!

But… the word of God increased and multiplied.

Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch, bringing John Mark with them.

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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 321 & 322

Nov18

    Day 321 & 322—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

NOTE: Sunday and Monday readings are posted together on Mondays.

Day 321 – Acts 4 – 6 (Persecution begins, boldness, Ananias/Sapphira, Deacons, Stephen)

Acts 4.

As Peter was preaching, the religious leaders became greatly annoyed, especially the Sadducees, because he was proclaiming that Jesus was resurrected. The more liberal sect of the Jews, the Sadducees, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Despite many people believing the good news and being saved, Peter and John were arrested.

The next day, these liberal religious leaders interrogated them. “By what power or name did you heal that beggar?”  This question only served to get the Spirit-filled Peter to preach again.

“Let it be known to ALL of you, and to the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth — whom YOU crucified — whom God raised from the dead, by Him, this man is standing well.  This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by YOU, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The interrogators were astonished at the boldness of Peter and John, having perceived that they were uneducated, common men.  And seeing the familiar beggar standing there well, they had “nothing to say.”  They set the men aside in another room and conferred among themselves.  “What shall we do with these men? What they have done is a notable sign, and we cannot deny it.”

Bringing the apostles back they commanded them to no longer speak or teach AT ALL in the name of Jesus. Peter and John answered, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

The religious leaders threatened them but had to let them go. There was no way to punish them because the people were all praising God for what had happened.

Back where the believers met, there was joy. They praised the Sovereign Lord for His work and His prophesy. And they prayed, “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak Your word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your holy servant, Jesus.”  And while they prayed, the place was shaken, and the Holy Spirit filled all who were there.

The believers (5000+) were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him were his own but shared freely.  As they shared their testimony to the resurrection of Jesus, great grace was upon them.

One man, Barnabas (son of encouragement) who was a Levite from Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money to the apostles to distribute among them.

Acts 5.

A couple — Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.  They kept back a portion for themselves and brought the rest to the apostles, SAYING it was the entire amount.  Peter, by the discernment of the Holy Spirit, called Ananias out. “Satan has filled your heart to LIE to the Holy Spirit. Was not the land YOURS?  Were not the proceeds from the sale YOURS?  It was not wrong to keep back some for yourselves, but it WAS SIN to say otherwise.  You have not lied to men but to God.”  And Ananias fell down dead.

Three hours later, when Sapphira came in with the same story, she followed her husband in death. “And great fear came upon the whole church and all who heard of these things.”

Many signs and wonders were done regularly among the people by the hands of the apostles. And more than ever, the LORD added multitudes of men and women to the church.  Many brought their sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits to the apostles, and they were healed.

But the high priest rose up, along with the party of the Sadducees. They were filled with jealousy and arrested the apostles, and put them in the public prison.  But during the night and angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out. He said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.” And, at daybreak, they entered the temple and began to teach.

The high priest and all his “men” were perplexed.  How did the apostles get out of prison and go to the Temple???   A bit fearful now, the captain and the officers brought the apostles back to the religious leaders, but with courtesy, not with force, because they were afraid of the people.

“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, and yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” (Don’t they remember calling this curse on themselves before Pilate? Matthew 27:25)

But Peter answered, “We must obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers raised Jesus —whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree –God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  We are witnesses to these things.”

This enraged the Sadducees, and they wanted to KILL the apostles, but… a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, said, “Take care what you are about to do with these men. Keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail, but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. YOU might even be found opposing God!”

They took Gamaliel’s advice and let them go, once again charging them not to speak in the name of Jesus.  The apostles left the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.  And they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 6.

Now (sigh) a complaint arose from the Hellenist Jews who were saved that their widows were not getting the help that the Hebrew widows were. Peter and the others did not want to take time away from prayer and teaching to deal with this. So seven godly men, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, were chosen to head up this duty. Two of them were men of faith, Stephen and Philip (and five others).

The number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, AND a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. (Praise God!)

Stephen was also a great preacher. He got into some trouble with the men of a local synagogue. It contained men from Cilicia and Asia, and could have included the fiery Pharisee named Saul.  These men were not able to withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which Stephen was speaking, and secretly instigated others to say he blasphemed against Moses (the law) and God. They stirred up the people and the elders and scribes, and brought him before the council.

They set up false witnesses against Stephen, much like they had done to Jesus. They “said” they heard him saying that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change the customs of Moses.

Whoa boy! Not again.

But…. gazing at Stephen, all who sat in the council saw that his face (glowed) like the face of an angel.”

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Day 322 – Acts 7 – 8 (Stephen’s sermon, Saul, Samaria, Ethiopian converted)

Acts 7.

In the Sanhedrin Council meeting, Stephen – unlike Jesus – is allowed to speak his mind.  He begins, then relates the entire history of the Jewish faith.  There is a point he is heading towards, and when he makes it, the Council explodes into manic violence.

Stephen begins his speech with God appearing to Abraham (then Abram) and calling him out of Ur to a place of promise, a land that God would show him.  Abraham, in faith, follows the LORD’s words. The promise continued through Isaac and Jacob, who became the father of the twelve patriarchs. 

Stephen’s next point is about Joseph, who was sold to Egypt as a slave but became Israel’s savior. Jacob and the rest of the family (70 in all) moved to Egypt under Joseph’s leadership to escape the great famine. There they stayed for 400+ years until God raised up Moses as their deliverer. 

At first Israel did not believe Moses or want to follow him, but through a series of miracle judgments on Egypt, Moses led a million people out of slavery.  In the wilderness, God established His law with Israel, and they built a holy meeting place for Him. Later, King Solomon built the holy Temple.

It’s almost like the Council has been lured into a catatonic state. They listen in silence, until…..

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom YOU have now betrayed and murdered, YOU who received the law as delivered by angels and DID NOT KEEP IT!”

WHOA!!  This enraged the religious leaders and they “ground their teeth at Stephen.”

But HE, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and SAW the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

He told them what he saw, and they screamed, held their ears, and rushed at him.  They hauled him outside the city and STONED STEPHEN TO DEATH. As they were stoning him, Stephen cried out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” and “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

And Stephen died. He was Christianity’s first martyr. 

And the young man from that synagogue of Cilicia stood watching. He guarded the robes of those who were hurling stones at Stephen.  An evil smirk was on his face.  He approved of the killing. His name was Saul.

Acts 8.

On that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria (just as Jesus had said).  The apostles remained in Jerusalem, but those scattered went preaching the Word of Salvation.

Saul “ravaged the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.”

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In Samaria, Philip proclaimed Christ. The crowds paid attention and saw the signs he performed in Christ’s name.  Unclean spirits were driven out, and the paralyzed or lame were healed.  Joy filled the city. 

But a sorcerer named Simon was jealous when the people he’d formerly bewitched believed Philip’s words and turned to Jesus. Both men and women were baptized. EVEN Simon was (or seemed to be) converted and was baptized.

The apostles in Jerusalem heard of the Samarian revival and sent Peter and John to check it out.  These two apostles prayed that the people might receive the Holy Spirit. They laid hands on them, and they received the Spirit.  When Simon, the ex-magician, saw this, he offered the apostles money to have the same “laying-on-hands” power. But Peter rebuked him. “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord to be forgiven. 

We don’t know if Simon repented and prayed.

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Next, the Lord sent Philip south to a desert place on a portion of the road that heads to Gaza.  He obeyed and met an Ethiopian eunuch riding in a chariot. (He was an official of the Queen of the Ethiopians.)  It seems like the man had been in Jerusalem for the Feasts.  He was reading a portion of the book of Isaiah and didn’t understand it.  Perhaps he even asked God for someone to explain it to him.

And here comes Philip trotting alongside the chariot. Philip saw that he was reading Isaiah and asked the eunuch if he understood what he was reading.  The eunuch invited Philip up into the chariot and as they went along, Philip explained Jesus in the Isaiah passage and beyond.  Soon, the eunuch believed and asked to be baptized in the nearby stream.  They halted, jumped out, and Philip baptized the man. 

Then…. the Spirit of God whisked Philip away to Azotus, where he preached the gospel to all the towns before coming to Caesarea. 

(We assume the eunuch went on his way, rejoicing, and, like the other converts leaving Jerusalem, preached the gospel in the courts of Candace in Ethiopia.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 320

Nov16

Day 320—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 320 – Acts 1 – 3 (Jesus last appearance, His ascension, Holy Spirit, preaching and converts, miracle healing)

Acts 1.

While Jesus was still on earth, He ordered His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for “the promise of the Father, the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

They asked Jesus WHEN He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus told them it wasn’t for them to know, only the Father.  FIRST, they were to be witnesses for Him throughout the whole earth, beginning in Jerusalem and spiraling out.  Then – before their very eyes – Jesus was lifted up to heaven, disappearing in a cloud.  They stared and stared until two angels called them back to reality.  “This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw Him go.”

When they returned to the city from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus had ascended, they all met together in the upper room. 120 were all of one accord and devoted themselves to prayer.  Peter, taking his position as leader, brought up the topic of Judas. Their first order of business after praying was to choose a disciple to replace him. When two men’s names were put before them – men who had been with Jesus from His baptism by John until His ascension – they prayed again and cast lots.  Matthias was chosen to join the eleven. (See Proverbs 16:33.)

(NOTE: This was the last time the Old Testament method of revealing God’s will was used. After the Holy Spirit came and indwelt them, it was not necessary.)

Acts 2.

Finally, the day of Pentecost arrived. (50 days after Passover, and a time to show God gratitude for the beginning of their harvest season*.)  And while the 120 men and women were together in the upper room….suddenly, from heaven, a SOUND like a mighty rushing wind was heard, filling the entire house.  Divided TONGUES AS OF FIRE appeared to them and rested on each one. THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Outside the house were crowds of Jews and Gentile converts who had come to Jerusalem for the Feasts.  At the sound of the wind and the speaking, they came together to investigate.  They each heard the 120 speaking the mighty works of God in the language of their own country. They were bewildered, amazed, and astonished.

“Are not these all Galileans?”

“How is it that we hear each of us in our own native language?” (16 languages are named)

“What does this mean?”

“They must be filled with new wine.”

But Peter, the bold, outspoken, sometimes foolish disciple, is now filled with the Holy Spirit and power from above. “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem…these people are NOT DRUNK, since it’s only 9:00 am. THIS is what the prophet JOEL said.”  (He quotes Joel 2:28-32, about how, in the last days, God’s Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, and they will speak, prophesy, and do signs and wonders. And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Then he preaches a powerful sermon about how the righteous Jesus was put to death by lawless men, but God raised Him up.  He quotes other scriptures as if he were a studied rabbi but solely empowered by the Spirit.  He tells them “we all are witnesses of the resurrection!”

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED.”

These Spirit-empowered words cut to the hearts of the multitude. “Brothers, what shall we do??”

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins!” And with many other words, Peter bore witness and continued to exhort them. And those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

And all these devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Day by day, they attended the temple together, broke bread in their homes, and praised God.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 3.

One day, on the way to the temple, Peter and John saw a beggar near the gate called the Beautiful Gate, asking for alms.  The two apostles fixed their eyes on him and said, “Look at us.”  The man looked at them, expecting some hand-outs.  But Peter said those words that have been made into a wonderful children’s song, “Silver and gold have I none. But such as I have, give I to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Peter took the man by the hand and pulled him up, and IMMEDIATELY, his feet and ankles were healed. And he went with them “walking and leaping and praising God” into the Temple.  And all who saw him were “filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

Taking advantage of the crowds, Peter again preaches a powerful sermon, denying they had any power to heal except what God gave them in Jesus’ name.

“The God of our fathers glorified His servant Jesus, WHOM YOU DENIED in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release Him. YOU DENIED THE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS ONE and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and YOU KILLED THE AUTHOR OF LIFE, whom God raised from the dead.”

“REPENT THEREFORE and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”

And while they were speaking…… (Continued tomorrow.)