Author: Jim

A Walk Thru Acts

The Acts of the Apostles is a book about transitions. From Salvation for Jews only to Salvation for Gentiles. From Law to Grace. From the Gospel of the Apostles to the Gospel of Paul. From Temple Sacrifice and Worship to personal sacrifice and church worship. Luke was the author of LUKE and ACTS. For who he is see Colossians 4:10-14, 2 Timothy 4:11. Theophilus (beloved of God) some believe is a real person, others believe this means all believers.

Let’s begin the walk, take a step:
⇨ Acts 1 ⇨ Acts 2 ⇨ Acts 3 ⇨ Acts 4 ⇨ Acts 5
⇨ Acts 6 ⇨ Acts 7 ⇨ Acts 8 ⇨ Acts 9 ⇨ Acts 10
⇨  Acts 11 ⇨ Acts 12 ⇨ Acts 13 ⇨ Acts 14 ⇨ Acts 15
⇨ Acts 16 ⇨ Acts 17 ⇨ Acts 18 ⇨ Acts 19 ⇨ Acts 20
⇨ Acts 21 ⇨ Acts 22 ⇨ Acts 23 ⇨ Acts 24 ⇨ Acts 25
⇨ Acts 26 ⇨ Acts 27 ⇨ Acts 28

A quick summary covers 29 AD to 68 AD (dates per chapter are best estimate). Paul went to unbelieving Jews and then to the Gentiles during each of his 3 apostolic journeys. His grace assemblies (churches) were comprised of these two groups of new believers. Travel to Asia (13:3-14:28) Greece/Macedonia (15:40-18:22) Asia/Greece/Macedonia (18:23-21:16) finally Rome (28:16-31)

DateChapter(s)Event
292Pentecost
79Saul’s Conversion
3912Peter in Prison
4513-141st Journey
5315Jerusalem Council
5416-182nd Journey
56-5818-213rd Journey
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Missions

Mission – Missions – Missionary

It’s interesting the terms used widely in churches are NOT found in the Scripture.

In ACTS we read about the travels of Barnabas and Paul, four different journeys, (which is how Luke and Paul refer to them).
No doubt Paul was on a “mission” to preach about the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and get gentiles to confess that the Lord Jesus was God (Romans 10:9) so that they could be saved.

So, by todays definitions Paul was a missionary. The four journeys:
Acts 13:4 1st They, Barnabas and Paul were sent forth …
Acts 15:56 2nd Let us go again…
Acts 18:23 3rd He departed Antioch …
Acts 22:1 4th … Sail into Italy …

Journey is found in: ACTS 9:3,7 10:9 22:6 26:13 ROMANS 1:10, 15:24
1 CORINTHIANS 16:6 2 CORINTHIANS 11:26 TITUS 3:13

Travel is found in: ACTS 11:19 Stephen ACTS 19:24 Paul
2 CORINTHIANS 8:19 Paul

Even though the terms are not in Scripture, we as believers must be on a mission to support (and/or go) missions and missionaries.

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God Tests His Own

Genesis 37-41 The story of Joseph
37:8-36 Rejected by his 11 brothers and sold into slavery
39:1-12 Tempted in the flesh
39:13-20 Lied about and cast into prison
40:1-23 Used by God and then forgotten
For two long years Joseph pondered his life … alone in prison
God tests his people before he uses them
41:9 Joseph is remembered
41:38-44 Quickly he rises in Power
Joseph realized that all he went thru had PURPOSE, as he told his brothers:
Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

Noah was tested … Genesis 6 120 years to build the ARK
Abraham was tested … Genesis 22 told to kill his son (Isaac)
Daniel was tested … Daniel 1:1-4 Into a strange land, a slave
The Lord Jesus was tested …. Matthew 4:1-11 by Satan in the wilderness
To his fellow Jews James writes: James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Paul writes to Believers 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

How to deal with temptation:
Trust the Lord, Know His word, Pray without ceasing.

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Lights Part 2

Flare type … What is known about them?
Normally lit when there is danger around.
Must be broken to be lit.
Burn brightly for a season, then die out
Pretty while lit, but very dangerous
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Not always Warm? … Hot and usually dangerous
Drive away darkness? … for a while Reveal things? … while they burn
Draws attention? … O yes However NOT the type of light to stay around!
Some Christians are like Flares … God has to break them before they can be used … While they burn they are warning others but soon they forget about God and their light goes out.

Flash Lights Type … What is known about them?
Usually used in emergencies, usually giving directions.
They only work when their button gets pushed.
They need attention once in a while as they have a tendency to fail when needed the most!
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Yes, usually showing the way Warm? … not usually
Drive away darkness? … in one direction Reveal things? … directly in front of it
Draws attention? … O yes but limited!
Some Christians are like Flash Lights …
The only time they work is when they are pushed into a job.
They are only good for one thing, and they want all the attention.
If neglected, they usually quit what they were supposed to do!

Light Bulb Type … What is known about them?
There are many sizes, once turned on they continue to shine.
How does this fit into what we know about light?
Cheerful? … Yes, what’s more cheerful than a light at night? Warm? … Yes
Drive away darkness? … in every direction Reveal things? … all around
Draws attention? … O yes, fills a dark room …
Some Christians are like Light Bulbs … Just turn them on and they keep shining!
Looking for the Lord’s coming!

What kind of a LIGHT are you?

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Marriages

DEFINED
Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
A HUSBAND (a man)
1 Corinthians 7:2-4 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
1 Timothy 3:2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
A WIFE (a woman)
1 Corinthians 7:2-4 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
1 Corinthians 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
A family (Father, Mother, Children)
1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
2 Corinthians 12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Colossians 3:20-21 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
1 Timothy 3:4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

MARRIAGE = One Husband(Male), One Wife(Female) and Children as God giveth.

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Priest


Priest(s)(hood) appears in the Old Testament 689 times.
And except for 6 references in Genesis 14:18, 41:45,50, 46:20, 47:22,26 and 3 in Exodus 2:16, 3:1, 18:1, they mostly refer to Jewish Leaders in the Tabernacle or Temple who offered animal sacrifices for the people.
In the New Testament 157 times. In the Gospels 93 times. In Acts 25 times. In Hebrews 34 times. Always referring to Jewish religious leaders in the Temple. Since the fall of the Temple in 70 AD, Religious Jewish leaders are referred to as Rabbis. (The priests were the ones who offered animal sacrifices in the Temple. That practiced ceased, but will start up again when the Temple is rebuilt).

In the early Jewish Church, in Acts, (Believers in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah) the leaders were referred to as Apostles, Deacons, Elders, Evangelist, Prophets ……

As Paul took the Gospel to the Gentiles and formed churches, the leaders were referred to as Bishops, Elders, Deacons, Preachers, Evangelist See CHURCH LEADERS ….. (Note: Priest(s) is never referenced by Paul in instructions to the Churches)

Some groups even refer to their leaders as “FATHER”. Look what the Lord Jesus says about that: Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Peter writing to Jews (strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, because of the persecutions of Saul and other Jewish Leaders) reminds them of Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:. (1 Peter 2:5,9) This will occur when the Temple is rebuilt. John, writing in Revelation about the coming Tribulation also refers to this priesthood (Revelation 1:6). And again, in Revelation 5:10. Then when the kingdom is established on earth, with Christ ruling from Jerusalem for 1000 years, John writes (Revelation 20:6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
This is all to the Jews, during that time.

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Weapons Part 2

Isaiah 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 21:4 Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.
Jeremiah 22:7 And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.
Jeremiah 50:25 The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans.
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;
Ezekiel 9:1-2 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar.
Ezekiel 32:27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
Ezekiel 39:9-10 And they that dwell in the cities of Israel shall go forth, and shall set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and the bucklers, the bows and the arrows, and the hands. So that they shall take no wood out of the field, neither cut down any out of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD.

Judas leads the Roman soldiers to arrest Christ:
John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

The believer has spiritual weapons:
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

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⇛ also see Offense, Defense

Weapons

Arms, another word used for weapons.
But all mention of Arms in the Scripture appears to speak of arms on the body, with hands.
A weapon is something that is used for fighting or attacking someone or for defending yourself when someone is attacking you.
Isaac asks Esau:
Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
Under the Law:
Numbers 35:18 Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
Deuteronomy 1:41 Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.
Deuteronomy 23:13 And thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt ease thyself abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt turn back and cover that which cometh from thee:
Judges 18:11 And there went from thence of the family of the Danites, out of Zorah and out of Eshtaol, six hundred men appointed with weapons of war.
Judges 18:16-17 And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate. And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.
1 Samuel 21:8 And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king’s business required haste.
2 Samuel 1:27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!
2 Kings 11:8 And ye shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be slain: and be ye with the king as he goeth out and as he cometh in.
2 Kings 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.
2 Chronicles 23:7 And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
2 Chronicles 23:10 And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
Nehemiah 4:17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
Job 20:24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

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