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A Study of Acts


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Acts 1

By: Jim Crews

 

The book of Acts details the time period from the Ascension of Jesus, through the beginnings of the Church of Christ, the Kingdom, right up until just before the death of Paul in Rome.

 

Acts was written by Luke as a continuation of his Gospel record. It was dedicated to his friend and brother in Christ, Theophilus, to whom Luke’s Gospel was also dedicated. In fact, Acts picks up right where the Gospel of Luke ended.

 

Luke had two objectives in writing Acts. First, he was showing the miracles that confirmed the teachings of the Apostles and confirmed that the Kingdom of Christ is indeed here now in the form of the Church of Christ. Second, he was proving to the Jews that the Gentiles had been accepted into that Kingdom.

 

Acts was written sometime after 63 from Rome.

 

Acts 1: 1 - 3

Luke details what he wrote in his first book to Theophilus. In that book, the Gospel of Luke, he taught of the life of Jesus and His teachings, until His Ascension. Jesus presented Himself alive to them all after having risen from the dead. He spoke to them and taught them about the coming Kingdom of God.

 

Acts 1: 4 - 5

Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem. They were to wait for the coming Holy Spirit to guide them in all things, as He had told them. They would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in just a few days.

 

Acts 1: 6 - 11

They came together and asked Him if He would now restore the physical Kingdom of Israel. They still had no true understanding of the spiritual Kingdom He was going to establish. He told them they would be His witnesses to all the world when the Holy Spirit came upon them. As He was speaking, He was caught up into heaven in a cloud. They gazed upon Him as He ascended. As they were looking, two men were among them in white robes, asking them why they stood looking up into heaven. The men told them that Jesus would return in the same manner He had gone up.


 

This same thing is recorded in the visions of Daniel. The Apostles saw it from the ground. Daniel was blessed to be able to see it from the vantage point of heaven.

Daniel 7: 13 - 14

 

Acts 1: 12 - 14

They returned to Jerusalem from Mount Olivet. They entered an upper room where they were staying. They devoted themselves to prayer.

 

Acts 1: 15 - 26

There were about 120 gathered together in those days. Peter stood up among them and said that a replacement must be found for Judas the betrayer. He quoted a prophecy from Psalms that said this would be done. The rules for becoming an Apostle chosen by men were then established. The man had to have accompanied them the entire time Jesus had been alive, beginning with the baptism by John and ending with the Ascension. Two candidates were put forward, Joseph, who was also called Barsabbas and Justus, and Matthias. They prayed to God to show them which one was of the proper heart to be an Apostle. They cast lots, and Matthias was numbered as one of the twelve. This shows that no man today can possibly be an Apostle, and those who call themselves one are liars and blasphemers.

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Acts 2

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 2: 1 - 4

The Day of Pentecost arrived and they were all gathered together in one place. A sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house. Divided tongues of fire appeared and rested upon them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in different languages as the Holy Spirit guided them.

 

Acts 2: 5 - 13

There were devout Jews living in Jerusalem from all around the known world. They heard all of this and were bewildered when they came together and heard these men speaking in their language. They were astonished because they knew these were Galileans who were speaking to each of them in their own native tongues. They were telling the crowd about the mighty works of God. All of them were amazed and perplexed by this. Some mocked and said they were drunk.

 

Acts 2: 14 - 36

Peter then stood up and began to deliver the first Gospel Sermon ever given. This is how he used the keys to the Kingdom which had been given to him by Jesus.

Matthew 16: 19

 

He threw open the gates to allow entry to all obedient believers. The opening of the gates was his sermon. He assured the men that it was impossible for them to be drunk, as it was only the third hour of the day, or 9 AM.

 

He told them this was what Joel the prophet had spoken of now coming into fulfillment.

Joel 2: 28 - 32

 

He then told them of Jesus of Nazareth, whose Deity had been attested to by God through the miracles and mighty works He did while He was walking among us. This same Jesus whom they had recently killed, is the Son of God, the Messiah, and He rose from the dead on the third day because it was impossible for death to hold Him. David had spoken of Him in the Psalms.

Psalm 16: 8 - 11

 

David died, was buried, and his tomb is still there today. David was a prophet, and knew the Messiah would come from his descendants. He had prophesied the resurrection of Jesus. The disciples had all witnessed the risen Savior.  He was exalted before God and poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit on them, which allowed them to speak and be understood in all languages.


 

David did not ascend into heaven, but prophesied the ascension of the Messiah.

Psalm 110: 1

 

They need to all understand and know without a doubt that this man, Jesus, who they had crucified, IS both Lord and Christ. He IS the Messiah.

 

Acts 2: 37 - 41

When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the disciples what they must do. Peter told them to repent and be immersed in water to have their sins forgiven and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for the Jews and for the Gentiles, for all of humanity who hear, believe, and obey the Gospel of Christ. He continued to exhort them, telling them to save themselves from the crooked and perverse generation they were in. Three thousand of them believed, were immersed in water, and were added to the Kingdom, the Church of Christ, by God.

 

Acts 2: 42 - 47

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the Apostles and fellowship, breaking bread and praying. Awe came upon them all because many wonders and miracles were being done by the Apostles. All the believers shared everything.

 

They sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to those who were in need. They attended the Temple daily, teaching one another the Word in their homes and in the Temple. They received the teaching with open and glad hearts, praising God and having favor with the people. God added to the Church those who were being saved. This is the time period mentioned in Revelation where Satan was bound and not allowed to do any harm to the Church. That was so that it could grow and gain a foothold on the Earth.

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Acts 3

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 3: 1 - 10

Peter and John were going to the Temple to pray. They saw a lame man being brought into the Temple. They healed him in the name of Jesus Christ. The man leapt up and went into the temple joyously and jumping around and praising God. All the people were amazed at the miracle.

 

Acts 3: 11 - 16

While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people ran astounded to Solomon’s Portico. Peter took this opportunity to preach to the people. He asked them why they wondered at this miracle as though he had done it by his own power. He told them God glorified Jesus, whom they had turned over to the Romans to be executed. When Pilate tried to have Jesus released, they denied Him again, asking instead for a murderer to be released. In doing so, they had killed the Author of Life, who was raised from the dead by God. Peter told them the disciples were all witnesses of the resurrection. It was faith in the name of Christ that made this man able to walk again.

 

Acts 3: 17 - 26

Peter tells them he knows that they acted in ignorance when they denied Christ and turned Him over to be killed. This had all been foretold by the Prophets. They, however, were in need of repenting and turning back to God, so that their sins could be blotted out. Jesus is the One Moses had prophesied about. All the Prophets from Samuel to the present day had been speaking about Jesus. Peter told them they were the sons of the Prophets, and God had sent Jesus first to them, in order to turn them from their wickedness.

 

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Acts 4

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 4: 1 - 4

As Peter and John were speaking, the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and the Sadducees were greatly annoyed. They were annoyed because of the teachings about Jesus that Peter and John were proclaiming. Remember, the Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. They had Peter and John arrested and placed in jail until the next day. Many of those who heard the Word, though,  believed, among these were 5000 men.

 

Acts 4: 5 - 12

The council met the next day, asking Peter and John by what power or whose authority were they teaching and doing the things they were. The Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, addressed the council and told them they did and taught the things they were teaching and doing by the power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This was the man they had crucified, but who God has raised from the dead. Referring to David’s prophecy in Psalms, Peter told them that Jesus was the stone, rejected by them but becoming the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else but Jesus Christ.


 

Acts 4: 13 - 22

The council was astonished when they saw the boldness of Peter and John because they knew that the two were uneducated men. They also knew that Peter and John had been seen following Jesus. They also had no way to deny the miracle done by Peter, because the man who had been healed was standing right there. They had no idea what to do about the situation that would save them face and help them hold on to what little political power they still had. They decided to warn Peter and John to no longer speak things in the name of Jesus. Peter informed the council that God had precedence over them and their limited authority. He would continue to do as God said, not the council. The council threatened them again and released them, because they could find no way to punish them without alienating the people, who were praising God because of the miracle.

 

Acts 4: 23 - 31

When they were released, Peter and John went to their friends and reported what had happened. Their friends praised God and prayed. Their prayer is recorded. They honored God as the Creator of all things. They remembered in the prayer the prophecy of David that showed that the Messiah would be set upon and opposed by many enemies. They then showed how this prophecy had been fulfilled by Herod, Pilate, the Romans, the Sanhedrin, and the people of Israel.

 

This thing had been ordained to occur by God before He even created the universe. They now saw that the same threats were going to be leveled against them, and they asked God to watch over and strengthen them so that they, too, could continue to proclaim God’s Word with boldness.  When their prayer was over, the place they were in was shaken, and the Holy Spirit filled them as they continued to speak and proclaim the Word.

 

Acts 4: 32 - 37

They shared everything in the Jerusalem church of Christ. The Apostles were preaching of the resurrection with great power. Great grace was upon all of them, and there was not a single needy Christian in the group, because the rich sold what they had and they all shared in the proceeds. The Apostles distributed things as they were needed. Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus, sold all he had and brought the proceeds to the Apostles.

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Acts 5

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 5: 1 - 6

Ananias and Sapphira sold some property. They held back some of the proceeds for themselves, and took the rest to the Apostles. They evidently decided to lie and say they had given everything. This was foolish pride at work. Ananias was struck dead for his lie.

 

Acts 5: 7 - 11

Sapphira came to the Apostles after 3 hours. She was asked if the amount Ananias brought was the entire amount. She lied to Peter as well. She was struck dead and carried out by the same men who had carried Ananias out. Their sin was pride and lying. They thought they would keep back some of the money they sold their property for, but tell everyone they had given everything. Great fear came upon all who heard this.

 

Acts 5: 12 - 16

Many miracles were done by the apostles. These were regular occurrences. The Apostles gathered in the Temple at Solomon’s Portico, but the rest of the disciples were afraid to go there. The people there, though, held them in high esteem, and more and more believed and obeyed the Gospel and were added to their number.

 

Many people brought their sick friends and relatives there and laid them in the streets, hoping that Peter’s shadow passing over them would heal them. People also came from the towns around Jerusalem to be healed from all manner of inflictions. All of this is in fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy.

Mark 16: 17 - 18

 

Acts 5: 17 - 21a

The High Priest and the other Jews who held some semblance of power were jealous of the way the Apostles were treated by the people. They had the Apostles arrested and thrown into prison. During the night, an angel of the Lord opened the door and told them to go and preach again tomorrow in the Temple. They Apostles did this the next day.

 

Acts 5: 21b - 26

When the council gathered, they sent to the prison to have the Apostles brought before them. The officers went and could not find them, so they reported back to the council. The doors were locked and guards were posted, but no prisoners. The captain of the guard and the chief priests were perplexed. Then someone came and told them the men they were seeking were preaching openly in the Temple. The captain and some guards went and brought them to the council, but not by force, because they feared the people.

 

Acts 5: 27 - 32

The Apostles were brought before the council, where they were questioned. They had been ordered by the council not to teach in the name of Jesus, but here they were doing just that in disobedience to the governing authorities. The council accused the Apostles of trying to bring Jesus’ blood on their hands. They evidently forgot their own words at the trial of Jesus.

Matthew 27: 25

 

Peter told the council that we must obey God, not man. God raised Jesus, who the council had killed. God exalted Jesus as Leader and Savior, to give Israel forgiveness for their sins. The Apostles are witnesses to all this.

 

What we learn from this is that when the laws of man come into conflict with the Word of God, as Christians, we are bound to disobey the laws of man and hold fast to the Word of God, no matter what the consequences may be.

Revelation 2:10

 

Acts 27: 33 - 42

When the council heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill the Apostles. This is often the reaction that man’s governments have when they try to force God’s children to obey their sinful, unScriptural laws. Gamaliel calmed them down, though. He told of several false messiahs who had sprung up over the years, all of whom were now gone and no longer had followers. He advised the council to just leave these men alone. If what they were teaching was not from God, they would vanish away just like all the others. However, if they were from God, the council didn’t want to find itself in opposition to God. They took his advice, and had the Apostles beaten and released, ordering them once again not to preach in the name of Jesus. An order which would joyously be disobeyed. They left the council joyously because they had been worthy enough to be dishonored for the name of Christ. Every day in the Temple and from house to house, they disobeyed the council’s orders and continued to obey God by preaching that the Messiah is Jesus.

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Acts 6

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 6: 1 - 6

The Church was growing, and the Hellenists were complaining that their widows were being neglected in favor of the Hebrew widows in the daily distribution. The Twelve summoned the entire congregation to discuss the matter. They established that it was not necessary for the Twelve to give up evangelizing in order to take care of the daily concerns of the disciples. Therefore, they had the congregation to choose, after praying, seven good, upright men to handle the day to day concerns. They chose seven men, among whom was Stephen. The Apostles prayed and laid their hands on these men.

 

Acts 6: 7

The Word continued to grow, and the Church in Jerusalem grew, even adding former Jewish priests to the Kingdom.

 

Acts 6: 8 - 15

Stephen was full of grace and power. He was doing many mighty signs, wonders, and miracles among the people. Some Jews rose up to dispute with Stephen. These Jews could not make any progress or show that their argument was true, because the Holy Spirit was with Stephen, giving him the words he would speak. As always happens in cases such as this, they lied about Stephen. They claimed he had blasphemed Moses and God.

 

They stirred up a mob and brought Stephen before the council. They made sure they had false witnesses secured to testify against Stephen. Then, they accused him of speaking things against Moses and the Temple. They spoke truthfully when they said he taught about Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of the Temple and the replacement of the Law with the Gospel of Christ. It was the Jews who were the blasphemers, while Stephen was speaking Truth. His face was as the face of an angel in their presence.



 

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Acts 7

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 7: 1 - 8

The High Priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true. Stephen responded with a lesson given to him by the Holy Spirit. He began by recalling the history of Abraham. He retold of Abraham’s journey from Ur to the Promised Land. He retold how God had said that the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be sojourners in a strange land. He recalled how the covenant of circumcision had come about.

 

Acts 7: 9 - 16

He told the story of Joseph’s brothers being jealous of him and selling him into Egyptian slavery. He told how this was the working of God, to put Joseph in a position to care for his family when a great famine came upon the world. He told how Jacob had gone to Egypt with 75 people.

 

Acts 7: 17 - 22

He told of the slavery, and how as the time drew near, Moses was born. He told how Moses had been saved from the murder of male infants and had been raised by the daughter of Pharaoh.

 

Acts 7: 23 - 29

He told how Moses had killed the Egyptian and then fled the land to go to Midian, where he became the father of two sons.

 

Acts 7: 30 - 34

He told of Moses seeing the burning bush and being called to go to Egypt to lead the children of Israel out of their slavery.

 

Acts 7: 35 - 43

He told how Moses, who had been rejected before fleeing, was now sent by God to deliver Israel from slavery. He told of the miracles and signs worked through Moses by God that led to the Egyptians kicking the Israelites out. He told of the crossing of the Red Sea. He told of Moses prophecy of one who would follow that should be listened to and obeyed by the people. He told how the people didn’t obey, and how they crafted an idol to worship.

 

Acts 7: 44 - 50

He told of the Tabernacle, which went with them through the wilderness wandering and into the land of Canaan when Joshua led them there to take it. He told how David found favor in God’s eyes, but Solomon was the one to build the Temple, though God doesn’t live in man-made dwelling places.

 

Acts 7: 51 - 53

He concludes by calling them stubborn men who always resist the Holy Spirit. This generation is just as bad as their ancestors. Their ancestors had persecuted and killed every prophet God had sent to them. The current generation had killed the Messiah, as had been prophesied. They had received the Law of Moses in the past, and didn’t keep it, either.

 

Acts 7: 54 - 60

The crowd was angry, because their sins and the sins of their ancestors had been exposed for all to see. Stephen was allowed a glimpse into Heaven by the Holy Spirit, where he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. The crowd cried out and stopped their ears so they couldn’t hear anymore. They took Stephen outside the city and stoned him. They laid their garments at the feet of Saul of Tarsus. As they were stoning Stephen, he prayed to God to forgive them. Take note: not a single one of them ASKED for Stephen to forgive them. He forgave in the same manner that Jesus exemplified when He was crucified.

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Acts 8

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 8: 1 - 3

Following the execution of Stephen, the bind was lifted and Satan’s persecution of God’s Children began in earnest. Saul approved of all of this. Stephen was buried by a group of devout men, but Saul was ravaging the Church. He was going from house to house, dragging Christians from their homes and having them thrown into prison.

 

Acts 8: 4 - 8

Christians began to leave Jerusalem. They also began to spread the Gospel as they travelled. Philip went to Samaria and proclaimed the Gospel to the Samaritans. The crowds listened to Philip and the Word was shown to be true by the signs and wonders done by him. He cast out unclean spirits and healed many. There was great joy in Samaria.

 

Acts 8: 9 - 13

There was a man named Simon, who had fooled the people into thinking he was some great man because he could do some simple sleight of hand tricks. The people listened to Simon because they thought his parlor tricks were real power from God. However, they believed Philip and were baptized, both men and women.

 

Simon also believed and was baptized. He continued to follow Philip and was amazed when he saw the real power of God on display.

 

Acts 8: 14 - 24

When the Apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had obeyed the Gospel, they sent Peter and John to them. Peter and John prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit, because they had not yet received His miraculous gifts, only the gift of cleansing when they believed, repented of their sins, and were baptized.

Acts 2: 38

 

The Samaritans only received the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit after Peter and John physically touched them. Simon saw this going on and wanted the power, too. He offered them a bribe. Peter confronted Simon with his sin. Though Simon had believed and obeyed the Gospel, he still committed a sin. All of us still sin daily.

I John 1: 8

 

Simon was told to repent of his sin and pray to God, asking for forgiveness.

I John 1: 9 - 10

 

When an obedient child of God sins, all we have to do is repent of that sin, confess it to God in prayer, and ask for His forgiveness. He will forgive us every single time. The unbelievers often ridicule us, saying since only baptism washes away sin, we must have to get baptized again every time we sin. They are wrong, as usual. The only ones in need of baptism are those who have never been scripturally baptized. We don’t have to get rebaptized every time we sin.

 

Simon also asked for the prayers of Peter. We, too, should ask for the prayers of the saints as we struggle daily with our sins.

 

Acts 8: 25

They returned to Jerusalem after having preached the Gospel in Samaria. They preached to many villages on the way back.

 

Acts 8: 26 - 40

An angel sent Philip into the desert where a nobleman from the court of Candace of Ethiopia was travelling and studying the Prophets. He had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was on the trip back, reading from Isaiah. Philip ran to him and heard him reading from Isaiah. He asked the nobleman whether he understood what he was reading. The Ethiopian said he did not, and needed some clarification. He was reading a prophecy of the Messiah, from what we know as Isaiah 53: 7 - 8.

 

This prophecy spoke of the sacrificial death of the Messiah. The Eunuch asked Philip who Isaiah was talking about. Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and taught the Eunuch the good news of Jesus Christ. As they were travelling, the Eunuch saw a body of water and asked to be baptized right then. This is the response of a true believer. The Eunuch heard the Gospel, believed the Gospel, and obeyed the Gospel by repenting of his past sins, making a public confession of his faith, and being baptized. He and Philip went down into the water, where the Eunuch was immersed and had his sins washed away.

Acts 22: 16

Colossians 2: 11 - 13

Titus 3: 4 - 7

 

Philip was carried away by the Holy Spirit and the Eunuch never saw him again. The Eunuch went on his way rejoicing because his sins had been washed away and he was a new creature.

Romans 6: 3 - 4

 

Philip was transported to Azotus by the Holy Spirit. As he passed through, he preached the Gospel in every town until he came to Caesarea.

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Acts 9

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 9: 1 - 9

Saul went to the High Priest and got letters written to the synagogue in Damascus telling them to let him bring back bound anyone who was a follower of The Way. As he was travelling to Damascus, a bright light blinded him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him why he was persecuting Him. Saul asked who was speaking. He was told that Jesus was speaking and that Saul had been persecuting Him. Jesus told Saul to rise, go into Damascus, and there he would be told what he must do. The men travelling with him heard the voice, but saw no one. Saul was blind for three days. He ate or drank nothing. Saul was a believer, but he was not saved yet, because faith alone doesn’t save anyone.

James 2: 24

 

He would be told what he must do in Damascus. Faith must be demonstrated with obedience.

John 3: 36

 

Salvation is for the faithful who obey.

Hebrews 5: 9



 

Acts 9: 10 - 19a

The Lord came to a disciple named Ananias in Damascus. He was told to go to Straight Street, to the house of Judas, and look for Saul of Tarsus, who was praying. Saul had been given a vision of Ananias, who would come and restore his sight. Saul believed. Saul was praying. We can imply that Saul was penitent, but Saul was not saved yet. He had to hear what Ananias was going to teach him.

 

Ananias didn’t want to go to Saul. He had heard about all the violence brought against followers of The Way by Saul. Jesus told Ananias that Saul was His chosen vessel to preach the Word to the Gentiles, before kings, and before the children of Israel. Jesus was going to show Saul all that he would suffer for being a disciple.

 

Ananias went to the house, laid his hands on Saul, and restored his sight. He also told Saul what must be done for him to be saved.

Acts 22: 16

 

Saul arose immediately and was baptized. He ate and regained his strength.



 

Acts 9: 19b - 22

Saul was with the disciples at Damascus for several days. He immediately began to declare Jesus in the synagogues, confessing that He is the Son of God. All who heard were amazed, because they knew that Saul had been persecuting followers of The Way. Saul increased in strength, and confounded the Jews in Damascus, because they could not dispute his teachings about Jesus being the Messiah.

 

Acts 9: 23 - 25

After he was there for many days, the Jews plotted to kill him. This is the desperation shown by those who have clearly been proven wrong in their beliefs, but cling to them anyway. Saul found out about their plot. The Jews were waiting by the gates to kill him, but Saul’s friends let him down the wall in a basket and he escaped.

 

Acts 9: 26 - 30

When Saul got back to Jerusalem, he attempted to join with the saints there, but they were afraid of him. They didn’t believe he had converted. Barnabas stood for him and vouched for what he had done in Damascus, and how he had been chosen by Jesus. He was accepted, and went throughout Jerusalem boldly preaching the Gospel. He disputed with the Hellenists, who were trying to kill him. When the brethren found out, they helped him escape to Tarsus through Caesarea.

 

Acts 9: 31

The church had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. As they walked in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they multiplied.

 

Acts 9: 32 - 35

As Peter was travelling, he went to Lydda. There, he found a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed for eight years. Peter healed him, and the people saw the wonderful working of God and obeyed the Gospel.

 

Acts 9: 36 - 43

In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha, called Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. Dorcas became ill and died. Her body was washed and laid in an upper room. Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, so they sent a delegation asking him to come to Joppa without delay. Peter went there with the delegation. They took Peter to the upper room, where he raised Dorcas from the dead. This became known throughout Joppa. Peter remained there many days, at the home of Simon the Tanner.

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Acts 10

By: Jim Crews

 

Following the record of the conversion of Saul, we now see the Gospel delivered to the Gentiles.

 

Acts 10: 1 - 8

Cornelius lived in Caesarea. He was a centurion of the Italian cohort. He was a devout man who feared God and gave alms generously to the people. He prayed constantly. He saw a vision of an angel about the ninth hour of the day. The angel told him that his prayers were sweet to God, and that God had heard. He was told to send to Joppa, to the house of Simon the Tanner, and bring Peter to them. Cornelius did as the angel told him to do.

 

Acts 10: 9 - 16

As the men sent by Cornelius were approaching Joppa, Peter was on the roof at the sixth hour to pray. He became hungry and wanted to eat. He fell into a trance and was shown all manner of things declared unclean to eat by the Mosaic Law. He was told to eat them. He refused, and was told that what God had declared to be clean IS clean. This happened three times.

 

Acts 10: 17 - 23a

Peter was perplexed by the vision, and while he was pondering it, the men sent by Cornelius arrived, asking for him. The Holy Spirit told Peter that three men were seeking him. He was to go with them without question, because they had been sent by the Spirit to Peter. Peter met them and asked why they were seeking him. The men told Peter that Cornelius had been told by an angel to send for him and hear what he had to tell them. Peter invited them in to be his guests.

 

Acts 10: 23b - 29

The next day, Peter and some brethren from Joppa accompanied the men back to Caesarea. They entered the city the next day. Cornelius had been expecting them and had called together some of his family and close friends. When Peter arrived, Cornelius fell down at his feet, but Peter told him to stand up, because he was a man just like Cornelius. He went in and found many had gathered to hear him. He mentioned how it was unlawful for a Jew to meet with Gentiles, but he had been shown by God that no man was common or unclean. So when he was sent, Peter went without objection. He then asked why he had been sent for.

 

Acts 10: 30 - 33

Cornelius told of his visitation from the angel four days before. He did as the angel told him, and now all were gathered here to listen to Peter.

 

Acts 10: 34 - 43

Peter began by showing he finally understood that God shows no partiality. Anyone who believes and obeys Him is acceptable to Him. Peter then preached the Gospel to those gathered. He told them of the life of Jesus on earth, how He went about doing good everywhere. How He was crucified. How He was raised from the dead on the third day and appeared to His disciples. How He commanded them to preach the Gospel to all of humanity. How Jesus is the Messiah, appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. How Jesus is the One being spoken of by all the prophets, and how everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of their sins through His name.

 

Acts 10: 44 - 48

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon those gathered, just as He did in Jerusalem on Pentecost. The former Jews who were now Christians were amazed at this. Seeing the Holy Spirit poured out upon the Gentiles showed them very clearly that God accepted all into the Kingdom, not just Jews. Peter then called for water, so that all of the household of Cornelius could be immersed to have their sins washed away. The Gentiles gathered were immersed in the name of Jesus Christ, and their sins were forgiven. They were saved.

Acts 2: 38

Acts 22: 16

I Peter 3: 21

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Acts 11

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 11: 1 - 18

The Apostles and brethren throughout Judea heard that the Gospel had been preached to the Gentiles. The Judaizers were critical of this. They still believed that the Gospel was only for the Jews, and that the Mosaic Law had to be followed. Peter cleared this up by telling them the details of the event, beginning with the vision on the rooftop of Simon the Tanner’s home. He detailed how he went to Joppa with the group, because they had been told by an angel that he would tell them what they needed to know in order to be saved. He told how the Holy Spirit fell on the household of Cornelius, just as He did on them at Pentecost. This was the sign for all that God had opened the Kingdom to all humanity, not just the Jews. Men cannot stand in God’s way. The Judaizers were silenced by this, and all glorified God.

 

Acts 11: 19 - 26

Those who had been scattered due to the persecution following the death of Stephen taught the Word, but only to other Jews. Some, though, when they came to Antioch, preached the Word to the Greeks. Many believed and obeyed the Gospel in Antioch. The collective of the saints in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he saw the Grace of God abounding, he encouraged them to remain faithful.

 

Many were added to the Lord in Antioch. Barnabas sent to Tarsus for Saul, who joined him there, and preached the Word for a year. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. This is in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

Isaiah 62: 2

 

Acts 11: 27 - 30

Prophets came to Antioch from Jerusalem. These were Christians who had been touched physically by an Apostle and received the Holy Spirit’s gift of prophecy. Agabus, one of the prophets, foretold of a great famine that was going to hit all over the world. This famine occurred during the reign of Claudius as emperor. The disciples determined to send relief to the brethren in Jerusalem. Notice, the aid was sent only to other Christians. They sent this to the elders of the collective gathering in Jerusalem. They did not send it to them through a human institution or a sponsoring church. They sent it directly with Paul and Barnabas, two members of the group of gathered saints in Antioch.

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Acts 12

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 12: 1 - 5

Herod began to persecute followers of Christ. He had James the brother of John killed. When he saw that pleased the crowd, he had Peter arrested. All of this happened during the Jewish days of Unleavened Bread. He put Peter in prison and had him guarded by four squadrons of men. His plan was to execute Peter after Passover. While Peter was in prison, the followers of Christ prayed for him earnestly.

 

Acts 12: 6 - 11

The night before Herod had planned to bring him out for execution, Peter was bound to two guards by two chains, and sentries were placed at the door. An angel of the Lord appeared and told Peter to get out quickly. The chains fell off his hands and Peter got dressed and followed the angel. Peter thought this was all a vision. When they passed two guard stations and got to the gate of the prison, it opened of its own accord. They went out, and the angel left. Peter then realized he had been freed by the angel, and this was not a vision.

 

Acts 12: 12 - 17

Peter then went to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark. Many Christians had gathered there to pray for Peter. He knocked, and a servant girl named Rhoda answered the door. She recognized Peter’s voice and was so excited that she ran for joy to tell everyone without bothering to open the door and let Peter inside. The gathered group did not believe her. They thought she had been hallucinating. Peter continued to knock at the door. When they opened it, they saw him and were amazed. He silenced them and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. They were to tell these things to James and the brethren. Peter then left.

 

Acts 12: 18 - 19

The next morning, there was a great disturbance among the soldiers about the escape of Peter. Herod had them search for Peter, but couldn’t find him. He had the sentries executed then left for Caesarea.

 

Acts 12: 20 - 23

Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came to Herod asking for peace, because they depended on him for food. Herod picked a day, dressed in his full royal garments, and delivered a speech to them. The people proclaimed it was the voice of a god, and not a man. Herod was killed for this arrogance.

 

Acts 12: 24

The Gospel spread and the number of Christians multiplied.

 

Acts 12: 25

Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem. They brought John Mark with them.

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Acts 13

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 13: 1 - 3

There were prophets and teachers who met with the gathered Christians in Antioch. Among these were Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen who was a lifelong friend of Herod, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul to do the work He had called them to do. After fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

 

Acts 13: 4 - 12

Following the direction of the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived in Salamis, they were aided by John in proclaiming the Gospel in the synagogues. They had gone through the whole island and were in Paphos when they encountered a magician and Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was employed by the Roman proconsul Sergius Paulus. Sergius Paulus was an intellectual, and he had summoned Paul and Barnabas so that he might hear the Word of God. Bar-Jesus, also known as Elymas, opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul looked at Elymas intently and told it like it was. He called him a son of the devil, an enemy of all righteousness who was full of deceit and villainy. He asked him why he was seeking to make the straight path of God crooked.

Paul wasn’t too worried about whether this false teacher would be offended or not. He told it straight out. We should be the same way. Following the chastisement by Paul, Elymas was struck blind and had to be led around by people. Sergius Paulus believed when he saw this.

 

Acts 13: 13 - 16a

Paul and his company sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia. John left them and returned to Jerusalem. They went on from Perga to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the ruler of the synagogue had read from the Law and the Prophets, he sent them a message asking if they had any words of encouragement to to share with the people. Paul did. He preached the Gospel to them.

 

Acts 13: 16b - 25

He addressed the men of Israel in the meeting. He recalled how God had made Israel a great people in bondage and how He had delivered them from Egypt. He told of the wilderness wanderings and their conquest of the Promised Land. All of this took about 450 years. After this, God gave Israel judges up until the prophet Samuel. It was at this time that the people asked for a king. God gave them Saul for 40 years.

 

God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man after His own heart who would do His will. From the offspring of David, God promised to bring Israel a savior, and He did this through Jesus Christ. Before Jesus came, John had preached in the desert a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel. John clearly told them all that he was not the Messiah, nor was he even worthy to untie the sandals of the Messiah’s feet.

 

Acts 13: 26 - 41

This message of salvation had now been sent to Israel. The religious leaders in Jerusalem didn’t recognize the signs, were ignorant of the true teachings of the prophets,  and ended up fulfilling them by condemning the Messiah to death. No guilt was found in Jesus, but Pilate was asked to execute Him anyway. Following His death, He was taken to a tomb. God raised Him from the dead, and He appeared for many days to His disciples who are witnesses to these facts. Paul brings them the good news, that God has delivered His salvation to Israel. He then quotes the second Psalm about the Messiah being the Son of God. He quotes other Psalms showing that Jesus would be raised from the dead. He tells them that David died and decomposed, but Jesus was raised from the dead. It is through Jesus that forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to them. Everyone who believes is freed from the sins that the Law of Moses could not free them from.

 

They should heed the words of the prophets, though, and not be scoffers, not believing the mighty works that God was doing right in front of their eyes.

 

Acts 13: 42 - 43

As they left the synagogue, the people begged them to return the next Sabbath and tell them more. Many of them followed Paul and Barnabas seeking to learn more.

 

Acts 13: 44 - 52

That next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the Word of God. The Jews were jealous, and earned the destruction God had planned for them in 70, by trying to contradict what Paul was teaching and reviling him. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly in spite of this harassment. Paul again told them flat out that since they deny Christ, they have judged themselves to be unworthy of the Word. They were going to the Gentiles to preach. This was why God had chosen Paul to start with. When the Gentiles heard this, they began to rejoice, and many believed and obeyed the Word. The Gospel was spreading through the entire region. The Jews, however, incited crowds and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, driving them out of that district. They shook the dirt off their feet and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

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Acts 14

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 14: 1 - 7

Paul and Barnabas entered into the Jewish synagogue at Iconium and began to preach the Gospel. Many Jews and Greeks believed. Those Jews who did not believe stirred up the Greeks and poisoned their minds against the believers. Paul and Barnabas remained for a long time preaching and performing signs and wonders through the aid of the Holy Spirit. The people of the city were divided, though. Some were on the side of Christ, and others were on the side of the Jews. The Gentiles, Jews, and their rulers who did not believe conspired to stone Paul and Barnabas. They learned of the plot and fled to Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach the Gospel.

 

Acts 14: 8 - 18

At Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been lame from birth. The crowds saw the miracle and thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods. They called Paul Hermes, and they called Barnabas Zeus. The priest of the temple of Zeus brought sacrifices to them. Paul and Barnabas were aghast at this, and tore their clothes, proclaiming to the crowd that they were men like all the rest of them. They then taught these idolaters about the One, True God. He left a witness of Himself in the past generations, even though they were left to walk in their own ways. That witness was the rains, and the other providential blessings such as good crops. Despite all of this, the crowd was barely convinced not to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas.

 

Acts 14: 19 - 23

The Jews came from Iconium and Antioch, and persuaded the crowds to stone Paul. They did this, and drug Paul out of town, thinking him to be dead. When the disciples gathered around him, Paul got up and went on the next day with Barnabas to Derbe. They preached the Gospel there, then returned to Iconium, Lystra, and Antioch to strengthen the saints in those places. They encouraged them to remain faithful, no despite the persecutions they were facing.

Revelation 2: 10

 

Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for every congregation in that locality. This implies that there were fully functioning, Scriptural congregations that had no elders. While it is imperative for a congregation to have elders if there are men who meet the requirements, a congregation can function Scripturally without elders if no eligible men are members.

 

Acts 14: 24-28

They continued their journey through this region, preaching the Gospel along the way. When they got back to Antioch, they gathered the congregation and told of their journey, and how the Gospel had been spread to the Gentiles. They remained there for a long time.

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Acts 15

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 15: 1 - 5

Some men came to Antioch from Judea, and were teaching that people had to follow the Mosaic Law’s command to be circumcised if they were to be saved. Nowhere in the New Testament are we required to do this for salvation, so these men were false teachers and liars. Paul and Barnabas had great debates and disputes with these liars over their false doctrine. Paul, along with Barnabas and other disciples, were appointed by the congregation to go to Jerusalem to ask the apostles to teach them on this matter. They passed through several lands telling how the Gospel had been accepted by the Gentiles. This brought great joy to the brothers. When they got to Jerusalem, the church, the elders, and the apostles welcomed them. Some still claimed, though, that they had to be circumcised to be saved.

 

Acts 15: 6 - 11

The apostles and elders met on this question. Peter rose up and recalled how God had told him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles, and it was God who gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit. The Law was not to be placed upon the Gentiles, or any OTHER Christian. Salvation by the Grace of God is the New Testament teaching.

 

Acts 15: 12 - 29

After Peter spoke, the assembly fell silent. Paul and Barnabas told of their teaching the Gospel to the Gentiles, and all that God had done through them in that area. James then spoke, recalling the prophecy that the Gentiles would be accepted into the Kingdom. James judged that the Gentiles were not to be forced to obey the dead Mosaic Law. They should, however, abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, and from eating strangled animals and from eating blood.

 

James had a letter written to the congregations telling them all of this.

 

Acts 15: 30 - 35

Paul, Barnabas, the rest of the brethren who had gone from Antioch to Jerusalem, were joined on the return trip to Antioch by Judas and Silas, who were witnesses to the fact of the council of apostles ruling on the false doctrine taught by the Judaizers. Judas and Silas were prophets, and they strengthened the brethren with their teachings and prophecies. After a while, Judas and Silas were sent back to Jerusalem, but Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch teaching the Gospel.

 

Acts 15: 36 - 41

Paul wanted to return to the cities they had visited to see how the brethren were doing. Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them. Paul didn’t, because Mark had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them as they were doing the work of God. They had a sharp disagreement, and separated there. Barnabas took Mark with him, and they went to Cyprus. Paul took Silas with him, and they went through Syria and Asia Minor encouraging the saints in those areas.

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Acts 16

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 16: 1 - 5

Paul came to Lystra and Derbe, and their group was joined by Timothy. Timothy was the son of a Jewish woman who had converted to Christ. His father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren in that area. Paul wanted Timothy to travel with them, so he circumcised him. This was not because circumcision is required, it was so that the Jews they were teaching would have nothing to complain about. As they travelled, they continued to teach what had been determined by the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem. The collective gatherings were strengthened in faith and increased numerically on a daily basis.

 

Acts 16: 6 - 10

The group travelled through Phrygia and Galatia. They had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach in Asia. They came up through Mysia and attempted to go to Bithynia, but were forbidden from doing so by the Holy Spirit. They bypassed Mysia and went to Troas. In Troas, Paul had a vision of a Macedonian man urging him to go to Macedonia and help them. They needed to hear the Gospel in that area. Paul immediately sought to travel to Macedonia, concluding that God had wanted them to go there to spread the Gospel.

 

Acts 16: 11 - 15

They sailed from Troas and went directly to Samothrace. From there they went to Neapolis and then to Philippi, which was a leading city in Macedonia and a Roman colony. The group remained there for several days. On the Sabbath, they went outside the city to a place of prayer and found several women there. They sat down and spoke to the women. Lydia, from Thyatira, was a seller of purple goods. She was also a worshipper of God. She paid attention to the Gospel being taught by Paul, she believed and was baptized. Her household believed and were baptized. Lydia then urged the group to stay with her at her home.

 

Acts 16: 16 - 18

While Paul and Silas were going to a place for prayer, they met a slave girl who had been under the control of a spirit of divination. Her owners were making a lot of money using her as a fortune teller. She followed Paul proclaiming them to be servants of the Most High God who were proclaiming to them the way of salvation. She did this for many days, and it greatly annoyed Paul. He cast the spirit out of her in the name of Jesus.

 

Acts 16: 19 - 24

Her owners saw their cash cow gone, and they seized Paul and Silas and drug them before the authorities. They accused Paul and Silas of disturbing the peace, and teaching things that were against Roman law. The crowds joined the attacks, and the magistrates tore Paul and Silas’ clothes and had them beat. After the beating, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them safely. He put them in the inner prison and had their feet fastened in the stocks.

 

Acts 16: 25 - 34

About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns with the rest of the prisoners listening to them, a great earthquake shook the prison. All the doors were thrown open and all their shackles loosened. The jailer woke and saw the doors open. He was going to kill himself, because that was the punishment if prisoners escaped. Paul stopped him, telling him that no one had left. The jailer rushed in and called for lights to check. He had evidently been listening, too, because he fell down in front of Paul and Silas, asking what he must do to be saved. This was a pagan, so he was told that first he must believe in Jesus. He was then taught the Gospel of Christ. While listening to the Word, he washed Paul and Silas’ wounds and then he and his family obeyed the Gospel in baptism. They then fed Paul and Silas, rejoicing in the Lord because they had believed, obeyed, and been saved.

 

Acts 16: 35 - 40

The next day, the magistrate sent the police with orders to release Paul and Silas. The jailer reported this to Paul, who refused to be released. Paul’s rights as a Roman citizen had been violated, because he had been beaten publicly and thrown into prison without charges. He forced the magistrates to come to him. They were frightened when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, and they apologized for the way they had treated them. Paul left the prison and visited Lydia and the brethren there before moving on.

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Acts 17

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 17: 1 - 9

Paul and Silas came to Thessalonica, where they met for three consecutive sabbath days to study and reason the Scriptures with the Jews in their synagogues. They used the Old Testament writings to prove that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and die, then rise from the dead. They reasoned that Jesus had fulfilled all of the prophecies of the Messiah, and they proclaimed the Gospel to them. Many of the Greeks, and some of the leading women were convinced. This made the Jews jealous. They formed a mob and roused the rabble, rioting through the city. They attacked the house of Jason, seeking Paul and Silas there. When they couldn’t find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the authorities, claiming that these men who have turned the world upside down had now come there. The mob lied, claiming that Paul had spoken against Caesar. The people were worried, but they took money from Jason and let them go.

 

Acts 17: 10 - 15

Paul and Silas were sent away at night by the brethren. They travelled on to Berea. They went to the synagogue to teach, because that’s where they would find an audience.

 

The Bereans were more noble than the rest, because they didn’t take Paul’s word for what had happened, they searched the Scriptures to make sure they weren’t being mislead. Many of them believed. This once again made the Jews jealous. We clearly see that their destruction by the Romans was well earned. The ones in Thessalonica came to Berea stirring up trouble. Paul was sent away by sea, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea. Paul travelled on to Athens.

 

Acts 17:  16 - 21

While Paul was waiting for Timothy and Silas in Athens, he was disturbed by all of the idolatry in that city. He reasoned everyday with people he would come into contact with at the marketplace and in the synagogues. He also conversed with the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Some thought he was a simpleton and a babbler. Others believed he was a preacher of foreign divinities. That’s because he was preaching the Gospel. He was brought to the Areopagus and asked about his teachings. The Athenians and their foreign guests spent most of their time seeking to learn new things.

 

Acts 17: 22 - 31

Paul preached a sermon on Mars Hill in Athens. He started by complimenting them on their deeply held religious beliefs. They even had an altar to the UNKNOWN GOD, in case they had missed one. Paul declared the LIVING GOD to them. God, who created the universe does not live in temples made by men. He needs nothing from us. We need Him, since all that we have is from Him. He created all nations from one man. He determined the allotted periods and places of dwelling for the nations. They were to seek Him out, and maybe even find Him. Paul then quoted two Greek philosophers to explain the point that even they knew YHWH was not far from us. Since we are the offspring of God, we should not think of Him in terms of graven images of gold or silver. God overlooked these times of ignorance, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent of their sins, because He has fixed a day when all will be judged in righteousness by His Son. This is assured because the Messiah was raised from the dead.

 

Acts 17: 32 - 34

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, but others wanted to hear more. Paul left, but was followed by some who believed what He taught and joined him.

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Acts 18

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 18: 1 - 4

Paul left Athens and went on to Corinth. He met Aquila and Priscilla, who had come from Italy when Claudius kicked the Jews out of Rome. They were tentmakers like Paul. He stayed and worked with them. He went to the synagogue every week to reason with the Jews and Greeks.

 

Acts 18: 5 - 11

When Silas and Timothy arrived, Paul was engaged in teaching the Word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. The Jews opposed and reviled Paul, so he shook the dirt off his clothes and told them their blood was on their own heads. He would now go to preach to the Gentiles. He left there and went to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, along with the rest of his household, believed the Gospel. Many Corinthians heard Paul’s teaching, believed and obeyed the Gospel command to be immersed in water to be saved.

Mark 16:16

Acts 2: 38

Acts 22: 16

I Peter 3: 20 - 21

 

The Lord came to Paul in a vision one night and told him to continue preaching, because He would allow no harm to come upon him. Many in Corinth were Christians. Paul stayed in Corinth a year and a half, preaching the Gospel.

 

Acts 18: 12 - 17

When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and drug him before the Roman tribunal, accusing him of teaching things that violated the Mosaic Law. The proconsul wouldn’t hear their case, because it did not involve Roman law. He told them to see to the matter themselves. He drove them all away from the Tribunal. They seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue and beat him in front of Gallio, but the proconsuls mind was not changed.

 

Acts 18: 18 - 21

Paul remained there many more days. He then set sail for Syria, taking Aquila and Priscilla with him. At Cenchrea, Paul had his hair cut, because he was under a vow. He left them at Ephesus, where Paul went into the synagogue to reason with the Jews. They asked him to stay for a longer time, but Paul refused, telling them he would return if the Lord willed it to happen.




 

Acts 18: 22 - 23

Paul visited Caesarea. He greeted the brethren there, then travelled on to Antioch. After spending some time in Antioch, Paul travelled throughout Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all of the brethren in those areas.

 

Acts 18: 24 - 28

A Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was from Alexandria, and was well versed in the Scriptures. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught accurately the Gospel of Jesus. However, he had only known the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him more accurately about the baptism for remission of sins commanded by Jesus. When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and sent word to the brethren there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who had become Christians through their belief and obedience to the Gospel. He powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

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Acts 19

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 19: 1 - 7

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through Ephesus and found some Christians. He asked them had they received the Holy Spirit. They replied that they didn’t even know if the Holy Spirit existed. Paul then asked about their baptism. They said they had been baptized by John. Paul then taught them of baptism into Christ. They believed Paul and were baptized. When Paul laid his hands on them, they received the miraculous gifts given by the Holy Spirit to people in that time. There were twelve of them.

 

Acts 19: 8 - 10

Paul spoke boldly in the synagogue for three months. He reasoned with them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, the Church. When some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, Paul withdrew from them and moved his teaching into the hall of Tyrannus. He taught here for two years, so that the Gospel was spread throughout Asia to both Jews and Greeks.

 

Acts 19: 11 - 20

God was working many extraordinary miracles through Paul. Even a handkerchief or an apron that had been touched by Paul could heal the sick and cause demons to be cast out. Some Jewish exorcists attempted to cast out a demon in the name of Jesus by bringing up Paul’s name. The seven sons of a Jewish High Priest named Sceva were among those who tried this. The demon told them it knew Jesus and recognized Paul, but they were nothing to it. The man who was possessed lept on the seven sons and beat them. They ran away naked and wounded. This incident became known to all the residents of Ephesus, who began to fear. They also began to extol the name of the Lord. Many who were now Christians, came forward and confessed their previous evils. Some, who had practiced magic arts, brought their books to be burned. The value of these books was figured to be 50,000 silver pieces. The Word of God continued to increase and prevail mightily.

 

Acts 19: 21 - 22

Paul wanted to pass through Macedonia and Achaia on the way to Jerusalem. After going to Jerusalem, he wanted to go to Rome. After sending Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia, Paul stayed in Asia for a while.


 

Acts 19: 23 - 27

About that time a large disturbance arose about The Way. Demetrius was a silversmith who made images of Artemis for the temple dedicated to her in Ephesus. He brought a lot of business to the city. He gathered the rest of the craftsmen who profited from the worship of Artemis and told them how the followers of Christ had no graven images of Him. They also didn’t worship or buy things made for their idols, knowing that gods made with hands are not gods, as taught by Paul. This was a danger to their profit margin. While Demetrius made mention of the worship of Artemis being disrupted, the main focus for him was the bottom line. He, and the craftsmen who made these idols, were going to be losing business.

 

Acts 19: 28 - 34

Demetrius got a mob together proclaiming the greatness of Artemis. The mob rioted and drug Paul’s companions into the street. The brethren wouldn’t allow Paul to go into the confusion. The mob was in confusion, some crying one thing and others something else. Like most mobs, most of the people there didn’t even know why they had come together in the first place. Alexander was put forward, and as he began to speak, the crowd recognized he was Jewish and began shouting him down by saying how great was Artemis of Ephesus.


 

Acts 19: 35 - 41

When the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he began to speak. He asked the mob who among them did not know that Ephesus was the keeper of the temple of Artemis and of the sacred stone, probably a meteor, that had fallen from the sky. Seeing that these things are known, he asked why they were rioting. They had brought men who were not blasphemers and had not spoken anything against Artemis. If Demetrius had a complaint, he should have taken it to the authorities instead of inciting an angry mob. The clerk was worried that the Romans would charge them with rioting and handle it themselves. He told the mob to disburse, and they did.

 

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Acts 20

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 20: 1 - 6

After the riot, Paul met with the brethren, encouraged them, and said farewell. He then travelled to Macedonia. When he had gone through these regions he came to Greece. He spent 3 months in Greece. A plot by the Jews to kill him was discovered as he was about to sail for Asia, so he returned to Macedonia. He was accompanied by several men. Some went on ahead to Troas, but they sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread. In five days they arrived in Troas, where they stayed for a week.

 

Acts 20: 7 - 12

On the First Day of the Week, as the Christians gathered to worship God, Paul preached a long sermon. They were intending to leave the next day, and Paul preached until midnight. There were many lamps in the room, and Paul preached on and on. A young man named Eutychus dozed off, fell three stories, and was killed. Paul raised him from the dead. They then had the evening meal, Paul still talking right up until daybreak, when he left. They took the youth away alive, and were greatly comforted.


 

Acts 20: 13 - 16

Their itinerary is discussed. Paul wasn’t going to get out in Asia, because he was trying to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost if possible.

 

Acts 20: 17 - 35

Paul bypassed Ephesus, but called the elders of the congregation that met there to meet him in Miletus. Paul greeted them, and told them they knew he had declared to them the whole Gospel of Christ. He taught in public and from house to house, declaring to Jews and Greeks the Gospel of salvation through belief and obedience to Christ. He is now on the way to Jerusalem, but he does not know what awaits him because the Holy Spirit has not revealed it to him. Paul realizes his only value to the world is as a preacher of the Gospel. He testifies that he is innocent of the blood of all, because he has declared the entire counsel of God. He then warns them to be alert and awake, because there were fierce wolves who were waiting to tear apart the Word. From among even the elders, there would arise false teachers and liars who would cause the fall of those who went after their lies. He ends by reviewing the trials he has suffered while preaching the Gospel.

 

Acts 20: 36 - 38

After this, he knelt down and prayed with them all. They said their goodbyes and followed Paul to the ship.

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Acts 21

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 21: 1 - 6

They sailed on towards Jerusalem, bypassing Cyprus and sailing to Tyre, where their ship was unloading it’s cargo. In Tyre, they looked for Christians and stayed with them for a week. Through the Holy Spirit, they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. After seven days, Paul travelled on. He was followed to the city limits by the brethren, where they prayed and said their farewells.

 

Acts 21: 7 - 14

After Tyre, they arrived at Ptolemais, and from there went on to Caesarea. They stayed in the home of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven. Philip had four unmarried daughters who were prophets. While there, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. He prophesied that Paul would be taken prisoner by the Jews if he went to Jerusalem. The brethren urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem, but Paul said he was ready to be imprisoned for the Lord, and even die in Jerusalem if that were God’s Will.

 

Acts 21: 15 - 16

After their time in Caesarea, they went on to Jerusalem.  Some of the brethren from Caesarea went with them, and brought them to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early convert to Christ.

 

Acts 21: 17 - 26

They were received gladly by the Christians in Jerusalem. The next day, Paul went in to meet with James and the elders of the congregation in Jerusalem. He reported on his journey and work for the Lord being done among the Gentiles. They glorified God and told Paul about all the Jews who refused to give up the obsolete Mosaic Law and turn to Christ. They also told Paul that the Jews were out to get him because of his teachings to the Gentiles and to the Jews about the Mosaic Law being of no consequence any more. They advised Paul to perform the purification rituals to satisfy these Jews.

I Corinthians 9: 19 - 23

 

James related as to how they had sent a letter to the Gentiles detailing how they were to avoid sexual immorality, food sacrificed to idols, and strangled meat. Paul followed the advisement of James and the elders.

 

Acts 21: 27 - 36

Not that it did him any good. The Jews saw him in the Temple after the meaningless purification ritual and caused an uproar, claiming he had brought Greeks into the Temple and defiled their holy place. They lied about this, because they had seen Paul with some Greeks, and assumed he had brought them into the Temple with him. The city was stirred up.

They seized Paul and dragged him out of the Temple and shut the gates. As they were seeking to kill Paul, word of the riot came to the Roman tribune. He took soldiers and centurions to the riot. When the heathen Jews saw the Romans, they stopped beating Paul. The Tribune had Paul arrested, bound to two chains, and questioned him. The mob was shouting contradictory statements. Since the Tribune couldn’t learn anything there, he had Paul taken to the Roman barracks. Paul had to be carried by the soldiers because of the mob of Jews, earning their destruction to come in AD 70.

 

Acts 21: 37 - 40

Paul asked if he could say something to the Tribune. The Tribune asked if Paul could speak Greek? The Tribune asked Paul if he were the Egyptian who had stirred up a revolt and led 400 assassins out into the wilderness. Paul told him that he was simply a Jew from the city of Tarsus. Paul asked permission to speak to the mob. The Tribune granted permission and Paul stood on the steps to speak. He spoke in the Hebrew language.

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Acts 22

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 22: 1 - 2

Paul begins his defense. When they heard he was speaking in Hebrew, they quieted down to listen.

 

Acts 22: 3 - 5

Paul details his life. He tells he is a Jew from Tarsus, who studied the Mosaic Law under the tutelage of Gamaliel. He studied the strict manner of the Law, and was as zealous for God as they were. He persecuted the followers of The Way, binding and delivering to prison both men and women. He received a letter from the High Priest to go to Damascus and bring back followers of The Way to be imprisoned.

 

Acts 22: 6 - 11

He tells how he was on his way to Damascus when he was struck blind by a bright light. He heard a voice asking why he was persecuting Him. Paul asked the voice who He was. He was told by the voice that He was Jesus of Nazareth, the one who Paul is persecuting. Those travelling with Paul saw the light, but didn’t understand the voice. Paul asked Jesus what he must do. He was told to get up and go to Damascus where he would be told what he must do.


 

Acts 22: 12 - 16

A man named Ananias lived there. He was well spoken of by the Jews and a devout man. Ananias came to Paul and healed his vision. Paul was told that God had appointed him to see the Son and hear Him. Paul was to be a witness to what he had seen and heard. Now, why wait. Paul must get up, be immersed in water, and have his sins washed away. This is the definition of calling on the name of the Lord. It requires action, not words.

 

Acts 22: 17 - 21

When Paul had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the Temple, he saw the Lord warn him to get out of the city right then because the ones there in Jerusalem would not accept his testimony. Paul knew this was because of what he had done to persecute the brethren, especially Stephen. Jesus told him that he would be sent to the Gentiles.

 

Acts 22: 22 - 29

Up to this point, they had listened to him. They now called for his execution. The crowd was growing restless. Paul taught the Truth, despite the crowds reaction. The Tribune ordered Paul to be brought to the barracks and flogged. Paul asked them was it lawful for them to flog a Roman citizen without trial. The centurion reported this to the Tribune. The Tribune questioned Paul as to his citizenship.

Paul verified that he had been born a Roman citizen. The Tribune was then afraid, because Paul was a Roman citizen whose rights had been violated.

 

Acts 22: 30

The next day, the Tribune, still wanting to know why Paul was being accused by the Jews, called the council together to hear Paul’s testimony once again.

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Acts 23

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 23:1-5

Paul looked intently at the council and told them he had lived his life up to that pinpoint with a good conscience. Ananias, the high priest, commanded those near Paul to hit him in the mouth. Paul lashed out with words, basically calling Ananias a hypocrite. Those nearby got on to Paul for speaking to the high priest as such. Paul apologized, because he didn’t know Ananias was the high priest.

 

Acts 23:6-10

When Paul saw that the mob was divided between Pharisees and Sadducees, he began telling of his background as a Pharisee, and how it was because of his hope for the resurrection that he was now on trial. This caused dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, along with angels and spirits. The Sadducees didn’t believe in any of them. The Pharisees took Paul’s side. The dissension became violent, and the tribune commanded Paul be removed and returned to the barracks. This was for Paul’s protection.

 

Acts 23:11

The following night, the Lord stood with Paul, and told him he would testify the same things in Rome.

 

Acts 23:12-15

Several of the Jews made an oath to stop eating or drinking until Paul was dead. They went to the chief priests and elders, telling of their oath, and conspiring with them to trick the tribune into bringing Paul away from his protection so they could kill him.

 

Acts 23:16-22

Paul’s nephew heard of the plot, and told Paul about it. Paul had his nephew escorted to the tribune to inform him of the plot. The tribune dismissed Paul’s nephew, telling him not to speak to anyone about their meeting.

 

Acts 23:23-25

The tribune put together an armed escort of 200 soldiers, 200 spearmen, and 70 cavalrymen. They would escort Paul safely to Caesarea. The tribune sent a letter to the Roman governor of the province, Felix.

 

Acts 23:26-30

The letter is recorded for us. We learn that the name of the tribune was Claudius Lysias. He wrote to Governor Felix about the incident between Paul and the Jews, as well as documenting Paul’s Roman citizenship. He explained to the governor that Paul was innocent as far as Roman Law was concerned. He also warned of the plot to kill Paul.

 

Acts 23:31-35

Paul was escorted to Caesarea, where the governor agreed to hear his testimony as soon as the Jews who had accused him arrived.




 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Acts 24

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 24: 1-9

Five days later, Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman named Tertullus. They laid out their case against Paul. They started by trying to butter up the governor when the reforms and changes they had implemented were mentioned. They accused Paul of staring riots everywhere he goes, because he was a ringleader of the sect called the Nazarenes. They also accused him of trying to profane the Temple. Tertullus told Felix he would learn all this from his examination of Paul. The Jews backed this up with their affirmation.

 

Acts 24:10-21

Paul waited for Felix to give him consent to speak. Paul shows clearly that the Jews were lying. He stated that no riots followed him in Jerusalem, not 12 days earlier. He basically tells Felix that these Jews don’t have one bit of evidence against him. He does confess to being a follower of The Way. He also turns the tables on his accusers, asking why the Asian Jews who HAD started riots were not present to confront Paul.

 

Acts 24:22-23

Felix had some knowledge of The Way, and put off his ruling on the matter until Lysias arrived. He then ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but not imprison him.

 

Acts 24:24-27

A few days later, Felix and his Jewish wife, Drucilla, had Paul brought before them. Paul spoke of his faith in Jesus. Paul taught the governor and his wife the Gospel. Felix was alarmed, sending Paul away and saying if the opportunity arose, he would summon him again. He also hoped to get a bribe from Paul. After two years of this, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Wanting to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

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Acts 25

By: Jim Crews

 

Acts 25: 1 - 5

Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea, he went to Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes confronted him about Paul. They laid out their case against him, and asked that he be brought to Jerusalem. This was because they intended to kill him on the road. Festus told them he was going to look into the matter in Caesarea. He told the Jews they would have to go there if they had any evidence to present against Paul.

 

Acts 25: 6 - 12

Festus stayed in Jerusalem over a week, then went back to Caesarea. He ordered the tribune to have Paul brought before him. When Paul arrived, the Jews were there, bringing many serious charges against him. They didn’t have one bit of evidence to back the charges. Paul argued his case, saying he had not violated the laws of the Jews or any Roman laws. Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor, so he asked Paul if he wanted to go to Jerusalem to be tried on the Jews lies. Paul told Festus that he was the tribune of Rome, and he should determine whether the charges had any standing or not. Exercising his rights as a Roman citizen, Paul appealed his case to Caesar. The emperor at this time was Nero.

 

Acts 25: 13 - 22

After a few days, Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea to show deference to the Roman governor Festus. They stayed many days, and Festus laid out Paul’s case to them. Festus told how the charges that the Jews brought were only on, in his view, minor things in their law, and nothing in violation of Roman law. The dispute was about whether Jesus had risen from the dead or not. He told Agrippa how Paul had appealed his case to Caesar. Agrippa wanted to hear the case himself. Festus told him that he would hear the case the next day.

 

Acts 25: 23 - 27

The next day, Agrippa and Bernice came into the hall with great pomp. They were joined by the military tribunes and the leading men of the city. Festus commanded that Paul be brought in. Agrippa reviewed Paul’s case for the crowd, stating how he had found no law that Paul had broken. This was the problem. There were no charges to be brought against Paul under the Roman system. Only the Jews had charges against him, and that was under the now obsolete Mosaic system. Festus had nothing to write to Nero about the case for this reason. Remember the Roman bureaucracy is the same as every bureaucracy. They needed paperwork to put the system in motion. There was none on Paul, because he had not broken any Roman laws.  However, they couldn’t release him, or the Jews would either kill him or riot and rebel against the Romans again. Festus knew that he couldn’t send Paul to Nero without any charges on file.

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