Tag Archive | Jesus

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 337

Dec3

   Day 337—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 337 – 1 Corinthians 15 – 16 (Resurrection of Jesus and believers, Offerings for the needy, End talk)

1 Corinthians 15.

Paul now addresses another problem in Corinth. Some had stopped believing in the physical resurrection of the Lord and of those who died (or will die).

He reminds them that at their conversion, when he was first in Corinth, they had believed in the Gospel, which teaches how Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY, all according to the Scriptures.  Paul then mentions many who SAW the resurrected Jesus: the disciples, 500 followers, James, and at last, Paul himself.

Therefore, if “Christ raised from the dead” is part of the Gospel that saved them, how can they question it?  Indeed, their faith is in VAIN if Christ has not been raised.

He tells them again that Jesus is the FIRST FRUITS of the resurrection.  He first, then all who believe shall be made alive at His coming.

The Corinthians also asked what a resurrection body is like.  Paul reminded them of growing plants.  You plant a withered, brown seed in the ground, and in due time, a glorious, fruitful plant grows. And so, a dead body is sown in dishonor, weakness, and natural form. At the coming of the Lord Jesus, it will be raised in glory and power as a spiritual body. “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the Man of heaven (Jesus).”

It’s a mystery, Paul agrees, but flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.  We will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet sound.  The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. When that happens, it will fulfill Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 16.

Now for the mundane.  Paul is heading to Jerusalem with an offering for destitute believers in the famine-stricken city. He has already collected from Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia, but now he asks them again. They were to put aside money on the first of every week, and when he arrived, he would collect it all.  It was to be a free-will offering of love.

He says a few words about their beloved teacher, Apollos, who will return to them again when he has the opportunity. Meanwhile, they are to be watchful, standing firm in the faith. He reminds them of what he said in chapter 13, that all they do should be done in LOVE.

He sends greetings from all the churches in Asia, and from Aquila and Priscilla (who were there when he first planted the church). He gives his final blessing: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 335 & 336

Dec2

   Day 335—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 335 – 1 Corinthians 9 – 11 (Rights, privileges, & service, Idolatry, the glory of God, Head coverings, The Lord’s supper)

1 Corinthians 9.

In the previous chapter, Paul talked about his freedom to eat meat offered to idols, EXCEPT when it offended a weaker brother. He would never do anything to make such a one stumble.

Now, he talks about his freedoms and rights he does NOT insist upon.  Other apostles and missionaries,  like Jesus’ brothers and even Peter, took their believing wives with them. Was it only Barnabas and Paul who worked for a living as well as preached?  Wasn’t a soldier due his own expenses? Didn’t a vineyard planter eat the fruit?   He then quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 about not muzzling an ox who grinds the grain. Does not HE have the same rightful claim?

Yet, Paul chose NOT to claim the privilege but to work and impose no obligation on the people. He would rather die than have anyone deprive him of his ability to “present the gospel free of charge.”  He’s made himself a servant of all, that he might win more of them, Jews or Gentiles.  He compares this self-discipline to men in a race, running to “win the prize.”  He does it to win “the imperishable victory.” (Souls for the Lord Jesus)

1 Corinthians 10.

Next, Paul segues into comparing the Israelites of Moses’ time to those alive in that day.  “Those ancient Jews were examples for current believers.  Although they saw the miracles of God firsthand, they desired evil, were idolaters, and committed sexual immorality when they worshiped the golden calf Aaron made. That day, 23,000 were killed by God’s wrath. When they complained, thousands were destroyed by serpents. 

Paul urges the Corinthian church, “We must not put Christ to the test.” He encourages them, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

And so, he tells them to FLEE FROM IDOLATRY. (Corinth was full of idolatry, a great temptation.)  You can not worship idols (demons) and worship Christ too. 

“All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.”  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 11.

Paul then addresses head coverings for both men and women. Culturally, Corinthian men covered their heads when worshiping in pagan temples, while women only covered theirs when married.  Paul says men are to stand with heads uncovered because Christ is the head of every man in Christ.  

These traditions worked in the early church in Corinth to distinguish Christians from pagans. The same is true for women who covered their heads and had long hair, while men did not. The idea is to glorify Christ in all you do.

Then Paul gives explicit instructions for the Lord’s Supper. Verses 23-26 are often repeated in our services today when we observe Communion. 

He reminds us, too, of Jesus’ sacrificial death, his blood as a ransom payment for our sins, and his bodily death in our place.  He urges the Corinthians (and us) to examine and judge themselves and partake worthily.

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Day 336 – 1 Corinthians 12 – 14 (Spiritual gifts, the Love Chapter, Prophecy & tongues, orderly worship)

1 Corinthians 12.

Paul next clarifies a controversial subject in the Corinthian church. Spiritual gifts were needed in the newly planted churches because the New Testament had not yet been written. Not many Gentile churches would have the Torah, Prophets, and Teachings scrolls of the Old Testament.  And so the Spirit of God distributed to each church what the leaders and congregations needed.  The Corinthian church was fully blessed in this way. But they were viewing and using these gifts in the wrong ways.

First, they were to discern if the gifts in question were from the Spirit of God. Paul reminded them how they’d been fooled by worshiping idols and demons.  “No one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says that Jesus is accursed.  And no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit.” 

Once that is settled, he describes the various spiritual gifts, services, and activities that are given to the church by the Holy Spirit…FOR THE COMMON GOOD, not for individual glory. They are the gifts of wisdom and knowledge spoken to edify the church, extraordinary faith, gifts of healing and working of miracles, prophetic speaking, discernment of spirits, various tongues, and the interpretation of the tongues. (Others are included in lists in Romans 12 and 1 Peter 4)

“All these gifts are empowered by one Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.”  “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.”

They were not to quarrel, envy each other’s spiritual gifts, or seek the “flashiest” ones.  All the gifts were needed and valuable.

Next, Paul lists the “gifted men” God appointed to lead the church. These were: Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracle workers, Healers, Help ministers, Administrators, and Speakers of various languages.  In these, Paul recommends asking God for the “higher” gifts, but ALL were to be used in a “MORE EXCELLENT WAY.”

1 Corinthians 13.

And, that excellent way was/is in…LOVE.  

This chapter is known as “The Love Chapter.” Paul says that any of the above gifts and gifted offices, if used purely for selfish motives and not with the Spirit’s fruit of LOVE, are merely annoying noise, less than nothing.

Then, Paul lists the numerous aspects of love that believers will show towards one another if ruled by God’s Spirit.  (These are very convicting. Take some time to read verses 4 – 8 and apply them to yourself.  Then ask God to make them evident in your life.)

Eventually, all the gifts will disappear when the Lord returns and takes His family to Heaven. But love never ends.  “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 14.

After that strong teaching on how all the gifts of the Spirit are to be used – with true love – Paul sheds more light on two gifts being abused in the Corinthian church: Prophecy and Tongues.

Paul urges them to pursue love and the spiritual gift of prophesy. (Not necessarily of FORE-telling, but of FORTH-telling the Word of God, for the edification of the whole church.)  And if the gift of tongues is used, they were to make sure someone was there to interpret what was said, or else how could the entire church be helped?

Paul tells them that these ministry gifts IN CHURCH MEETINGS were to be performed by men only. Yes, women would be blessed by gifts, but they should use them in the home or as in our times, in women’s ministries. 

Paul concludes by saying, “Earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done decently and in order.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 333

Nov29

   Day 333—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 333 – 1 Corinthians 1 – 4 (Paul writing to approve and scold the church in Corinth.)

1 Corinthians 1.

In Acts 18, we saw Sosthenes as the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. Now, he is a believer and a helper of Paul, concerned about what they’ve heard happening in that city.  Paul is writing from Ephesus. (This is his second letter to Corinth. We don’t have #1.)

Paul begins by thanking God for the Corinthian church and the grace He showed them in Christ Jesus. However, he scolds them too.  They were given great mercy and gifts, but now they had fallen into disunity, a church split. The believers sought importance by bragging about whom they followed; Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. It was by faith in Christ that they were saved, not by who baptized them.

Paul claimed his ministry was to preach Christ and Him alone, which was foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews.  God CHOSE what was foolish and weak to reveal His glory so that no one could boast.  “Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD!”

1 Corinthians 2.

Paul repeats that he did not come to them with fancy words or the world’s wisdom (it hadn’t worked in Athens, after all) but with only the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

1 Corinthians 3.

Paul calls the Corinthian church immature because they persist in divisions. They can be fed only the essential “milk” of God’s wisdom and not the “solid food” of doctrine. Paul says they are not ready for strong teaching while still “in the flesh.” 

“Who is Apollos? Who is Paul” he asks. “I merely planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Apollos and I are fellow workers. YOU are God’s field, God’s building.”

Paul laid the foundation when he first went to Corinth.  Apollos and others have built on it. The foundation is Christ, so let anyone who builds on it take care.  Use only materials that will last in “the fire of That Day.”  You, Corinthians, are the building, the temple, and now the Holy Spirit lives IN you. 

1 Corinthians 4.

Paul says that the Corinthians should view them all as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. And yes, it is required that stewards be trustworthy.  Paul applied this to himself and to Apollos for the Corinthian church’s benefit, so they would learn from them and not be “puffed up” in favor of one against the other.

“I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world.  We are FOOLS for Christ’s sake. We are weak. We are held in disrepute. We hunger and thirst; we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless. We labor, working with our own hands.  When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.  We have become, and are still like the “scum of the world,” the “refuse of all things.”  Whoa, Paul!!

Paul doesn’t write the above to shame them but to admonish them as loved children.  Paul had become like a father to them through the Gospel of Jesus.   He urges them to imitate him in the above ways and not be boastful. 

He tells the Corinthians that he sent Timothy to remind them of his ways in Christ and that he will soon personally come to them. He asks them if they want him to arrive with a “paddle” or with a spirit of gentleness.  

Stand up and fly right, he says, or Daddy’s coming to spank you!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 332

Nov28

   Day 332—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 332 – Acts 18 – 19 (Paul in Corinth, Priscilla & Aquila in Ephesus, Apollos, Paul in Ephesus, riots)

Acts 18.

After a minimal harvest of souls in Athens, Paul went to Corinth. There, he met Aquila & Priscilla, recently ejected from Rome. They were tentmakers and believers, so Paul (also a tentmaker) stayed with them and worked. He also reasoned every Sabbath in the synagogue.

Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia to help. The Jews rejected Christ, so Paul went exclusively to preach to the Gentiles. Titius Justus, a believer, lived next to the synagogue, so Paul set up headquarters there. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, with his household and many Corinthians, believed and were baptized.  The Lord encouraged Paul in a vision, telling him to remain in Corinth and not be afraid, for He was with Paul, and there were many to be saved. Paul stayed for 18 months.

There was an incident with the Roman authorities, but the proconsul, Gallio, dismissed them (like Pilate did), telling the Jews to take care of their own matters.

Meanwhile, Paul had taken a vow, probably in gratitude to God, which included not cutting his hair. That vow was about to end, so he cut his hair. (The shorn hair needed to be presented in the Temple within 30 days.)  So, taking Aquila & Priscilla, he sailed for Syria. He left the couple in Ephesus, and after preaching a few times in the synagogue, he set sail for Caesarea.  From there, he went up to Jerusalem to fulfill his vow and greet the church there.  Then he returned to his sending church in Antioch for a while.

Later, Paul traveled back by land through Galatia, strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had planted on the first missionary journey.

Meanwhile, back in Ephesus, a Jew from Alexandria arrived. He was eloquent and competent in the scriptures. And he preached “the way” of the Lord, being fervent in spirit. He accurately taught the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (and his sermons).  Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Then, Apollos felt the call to Achaia (Greece). Priscilla and Aquila wrote the brothers there to welcome him, which they did.  Apollos greatly helped them, for he powerfully refuted the Jews publicly, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah was Jesus.

Acts 19.

So while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and arrived in Ephesus.  He found some disciples there who had been taught by Apollos early on. They hadn’t heard of the Holy Spirit’s work, so Paul caught them up. They all agreed to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit came on them too.

Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years, speaking boldly in the synagogue and reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.  Some believed, but others were stubborn in their unbelief.  Paul simply moved the meeting place to the Hall f Tyrannus.  “All the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

Now, seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva lived there. They were “itinerant Jewish exorcists.”  They saw the miracles God performed through Paul and were jealous. They tried doing the same things but the evil spirits fought back, saying, “Jesus, I know, and Paul, I recognize… BUT WHO ARE YOU?”   The seven “wannabes” were then attacked and stripped naked, so they ran away wounded.  This caused the residents to become afraid, and the name of Jesus was extolled.

Many of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in the sight of all.  So, the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily in Ephesus and surroundings.

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After about two years, Paul resolved in the Spirit to travel up through Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, & Berea), down to Achaia (Athens, Corinth), and afterward go to Jerusalem.  “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”  He sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia and stayed a bit longer in Ephesus.

However, a disturbance about the teachings of “the Way” (the Gospel) arose in Ephesus, led by a silversmith named Demetrius, whose business was faltering because fewer people were buying his statues. He went to the “union hall” of artisans. and riled them up, saying,

“Men, you know that from this business, we have our wealth. But in Ephesus and almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.  He is endangering our trade. Our great temple of Artemis may even be discounted as “nothing.”  What should we do??”  

Enraged at these words, they shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”  The mob rushed everywhere in the city with this cry.  They dragged Paul’s companions into the arena. (Paul’s close friends convinced him NOT to go there.)  There was so much confusion and shouting that some in the crowd did not even know what was happening.

Alexander, a leader, tried to stop the crowd, but when they recognized him as a Jew, they shouted even louder for two hours. Finally, the town clerk quieted them down by saying that if they continued, the Romans would come and accuse them of rioting. Everyone knew that Artemis was sacred and that the temple was great, so they ought to be quiet.  “Let Demetrius and the craftsmen take these men to court in an orderly fashion.”

Finally, the crowd settled and dispersed.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 331

Nov27

   Day 331—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 331 – 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Letters of love, reminders, admonitions, and hope)

1 Thessalonians 1.

Paul thanks God for the people of this church and prays for them. They turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, they were waiting for His Son from heaven, and they trusted in the resurrected Jesus to deliver them from God’s wrath.

1 Thessalonians 2.

Paul reminds them of his trial in Philippi before he came to them, and how he came with gentleness and encouragement. He thanks God for their “receiving the word of God and accepting it.”  Paul longed to see them again in person and tried often, but Satan had hindered him.  He calls the Thessalonians his “hope, joy, crown, and glory.”

1 Thessalonians 3.

Paul tells how he was worried about them when he was in Athens and sent Timothy to check up on them. He was comforted when Timothy reported their faith and love endured, and they also longed to see him. “For now, we live if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before God, as we pray most earnestly night and day, that we may see you face to face…”   “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness…at the coming of our Lord Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4.

Paul urges them to keep “walking to please God” and do it even more.  “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”   He commends them for their love for the brothers and urges them to do it more and more.  Paul also answers a pressing question about believers who have died. Would they miss the glorious return of Christ?  Paul assures them that they, too, will rise with Jesus. They first, then those who are alive will hear the cry from heaven, the voice of an archangel, and the sound of the trumpet of God, “and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.”

1 Thessalonians 5.

Paul tells them about the Day of the Lord, which will come as a thief in the night. “While people are saying ‘there is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them.”

Paul cautions them not to “sleep” but to keep awake, be sober, and keep on the armor of God. He encourages them, saying, “God has not destined us for wrath but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.”

Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Test all things and hold to that which is good. Abstain from evil.

Then his benediction: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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2 Thessalonians 1.

Paul again writes to this church, thanking God their faith and love for each other is increasing.  He tells them the persecutions and afflictions they are enduring are evidence of the righteous judgment of God and that they are considered worthy of the Kingdom.  He prays for them that the name of the Lord Jesus would be glorified in them.

2 Thessalonians 2.

Paul then teaches them about the end times, warning them about the antichrist who will come. “Do not be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit, a spoken word, or a letter “seeming” to be from us, that the Day of the Lord has already come.” You won’t miss the wrath of God coming on the antichrist.

So brothers, he writes, stand firm and hold on to the traditions you were taught by us in spoken word and by letter.  And “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved you and gave you good hope, and chose you, and called you through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.”

1 Thessalonians 3.

Paul ends this letter with a request of his own.  Pray for us… that we may come to you and be delivered from wicked and evil men.  And as for them, “Do not grow wearing in doing good.”  Then he gives a final blessing, “the Lord of Peace will give them peace at all times and in every way.

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 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.)