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| Acts 28:1-10 Readings Leviticus 17, Romans 13 Memory Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters, 28:1-2 Everyone made it off the ship safely, and upon arriving at the island, God anointed the natives to build fires for them to warm them up. When God is in a work, everything seems to work out, even what is not expected. I would wager that if they were in the middle of a storm for 14 days, they were probably all damp or soaked to the bone for several days, and living in a miserable state the entire time. God gave them a reprieve, with warm fires welcoming them to shore. 28:3-6 I find this set of verses extremely intriguing, simply because of the nature of the passage. In Mark 16:18, we have a reference to this same type of situation, (although it was not included in the oldest manuscripts). I wonder as we read this if the traditional idea on these verses may be wrong. Paul was protected by God and he was also commissioned to go to Rome. But it does cause you to think. 28:7-10 Paul once again demonstrates the power to heal by the laying on of hands. One thing I want to point out here, the people on the island were not Romans, or Greeks, or even Jews, they were barbarians, as referred to in verse 4. They also viewed Paul as a god, which for some reason we do not see Paul correcting them, unless there was a language problem. In bringing the people to be healed, it was because of Paul's faith that they would be healed, not the natives faith. The only indication of a correction was that Paul was doing menial labor by gathering wood, and demonstrating having the mind of Christ, Philippians 2:1-13, Romans 13:8, 10, 14. They apparently had the wrong view of Paul. Could it be that God allowed the people to be healed, so that Paul and all of his companions would be safe from danger? Makes you wonder, doesn't it? God may not have only protected them from the storm, but also protected them from the barbarians, not only protecting them, but offering them a safe residence among them. Paul and party was on the island at least three months, waiting for the season to change. Probably due to the healing that God administered through Paul, they had a safe haven on the island, along with being sent away with gifts and ample supplies, whether Paul corrected them on their misconception, we are not told, I believe that Paul probably shared Christ with everyone he met. Matthew 5:16. Unfortunately we are not told in the text. A parting thought on this, Satan is constantly trying to thwart the plans of God, does he have the power to instigate a storm, or cause a snake to bite, or even cause people to be deceived by thinking that Paul was a god? He is constantly looking for ways to defeat the cause of God, 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 5:8. I am not one who sees the devil behind every bad thing that happens, (I think that if you hunt for him, you will certainly find him.) A lot of denominations hold to two different extremes on this, some feel that since we are Christian, the devil can't touch us, and others, see the devil under every rock, on every bad thing that happens. Both sides have equally good points, and somewhere in the middle, there is balance. I have to cut the study short, it's Saturday, lots of stuff going on. If you see anything you would like to add, please feel free to respond. In Him, Joe Turner. |
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Acts 28:10 -
Prisoner of the Lord Look at Paul the prisoner in this text. Having come ashore they have encountered a hospitable people - speaking neither the Greek nor the Latin language. They were originally Phoenician colonists JFB. And we see Paul gathering sticks and laying them on the fire. A snake escaping the fire of the logs and fastened on his hand - how so is debated "or wrapped itself about his hand: the Syriac and Arabic versions render it, "bit his hand"; but that does not seem so likely, since he felt no harm by it; the Ethiopic version, "hung upon his hand"; which agrees with what follows; nor is it inconsistent with its wrapping itself about his hand, which is the more proper signification of the word used" Gills. Eastons says of the Viper "In Job 20:16, Isaiah 30:6; 59:5, the Heb. word eph'eh is thus rendered. The Hebrew word, however, probably denotes a species of poisonous serpents known by the Arabic name of 'el ephah. Tristram has identified it with the sand viper, a species of small size common in sandy regions, and frequently found under stones by the shores of the Dead Sea. It is rapid in its movements, and highly poisonous. In the New Testament echidne is used (Matthew 3:7; 12:34; 23:33) for any poisonous snake. The viper mentioned in Acts 28:3 was probably the vipera aspis, or the Mediterranean viper". Paul heals the father of his host, Publius, and as the days go by many others as were brought to him - the fulfilment here of two things mentioned of believers in Mark 16:18--They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. This is the prisoner Paul. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation 1Pe 2:12. Because of his conversation the opinion of him quickly went from contemptuous to honorable. Gills comments of Paul in Eph 3:1 whom Christ had apprehended by his grace, and made a prisoner of hope; but passively, who was made a prisoner for Christ, on account of preaching Christ, and his Gospel: he was not a prisoner for any capital crime, as theft, murder and therefore be was not ashamed of his bonds, but rather glories in them; and a prison has often been the portion of the best of men in this world: from hence we learn, that this epistle was written when the apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and the consideration of this his condition serves much to confirm the truths he had before delivered, seeing they were such as he could, and did suffer for; and which must engage the attention of the Ephesians to them, and especially since his sufferings were on their account. In light of having endured a brief period of incarceration (lovingly remembered as the 'vacation' for my own Beloved and his conversation to all he encountered as well as our church having recently received home one of our own from such an experience - these words are very dear to me. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called Eph 4:1 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God 2Ti 1:8 Lord, may we all not be ashamed of our bonds but rather glorify in them to your greater Glory! _________________ In Whose I am & Whom I serve, Normzrib |
| Acts 28:11-31 Readings Leviticus 18, Romans 14 Memory Verses: 2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters, I realized after looking at the study that I left off the last 11 verses of Acts on this study. I have included them in this study, and since it is Sunday, I will give as much attention as possible to it, please understand the brevity of the study today. Tomorrow, we will return to the Isaiah study and resume it until the next Monday. Acts 28:11-15 The journey continued to Rome, the reference to the twin brothers is referring to the two sons of the Greek god Zeus. This was supposed to protect the seamen. In contrast to that, Paul kept running into brethren who were constantly fellowshipping with him, demonstrating who the real power was behind the successful journey. 28:16 Paul was trusted enough to stay in a rented house with a soldier to guard him. This worked in two directions, the Roman government kept their prisoner, and second, Paul had a live-in bodyguard. 28:17-22 Paul sought out the leaders of the Jews in Rome, and shared with them his plight, as well as the hope of the Gospel that was within him. His first intention was to reach the Jews, before going to the gentiles, and once again, he demonstrated this by seeking out the Jews, calling them to his house, and preaching the gospel to them. Correction, reasoning with them about the "hope of Israel". 28:23-31 Rather than go deep into this passage, which could take a very long time, and a lot of pages, I would like to approach it from a different aspect. Back up and view it as a whole, reflect on the entire book of Acts that we have just completed, and think about it. Paul preached to the Jews: Jesus, as a whole his message was outright rejected, and produced great conflict. Yet God has still laid down the promise, even though the Jews had rejected the Gospel, seeming not to hear, and seeming not to understand, it is only for a season. Eventually, God will restore Israel, and He will eventually open their ears, eyes, and heart, they will return, and God will use them in a mighty way that we cannot imagine. It is going to happen, scripture foretells it, and we as gentiles have received a little consideration in the meantime. I am reminded as I overview these verses that we are not to go out with 90 pound Schofield's beating people over the head with the Gospel, but rather that we are to go in meekness, reasoning with our fellow workers, and those in our own circle of influence about the promises and the good life that we live in Christ. Most of us have regular jobs, where we see the same people every day, we are members of clubs, ball teams, and social events, let us live our lives so that we can be an example of the Lord Jesus Christ, in every way. Paul took up the torch and ran with it, never laying it aside, or being distracted by conflicts, can we follow in his footsteps? All his decisions were not absolutely correct, as we have found in following the book of Acts, yet God used his errors to promote the Gospel in even greater bounds. In other words, let's not be afraid to live the life, and when we trip and fall, don't let it get you down, be willing to get up immediately and start running the race once again. Paul in his race was knocked down for years at a time, spending many years in prison unjustly, yet he was willing to continue, and to keep his attitude focused upon Christ Jesus. It is believed that after the two years of captivity in Rome Paul was released, where he traveled preaching the gospel, only to be arrested again at a later date and executed in Rome, as a prisoner. God promised Paul would have a difficult life, which he did, right up to his death, and he praised God all the way. Without the conflict, we may have never had all the Pauline Epistles, or the book of Acts. Praise the Lord that He ordained Paul to preach. Lord, as we overview Acts this morning, enable each one of us to focus on our own lives and evaluate ourselves according to verses 26-27, I pray Lord that we will all listen and soften our own hearts, being willing to grow in You. In Him, Joe Turner. |
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Acts 28:11-31 - Prisoner of
Christ continued Paul arrives at Rome at last! This Rome the commentaries tell me where he died, probably as a martyr in Rome, in the mid- to late a.d. 60s. This roman citizen, a Jew of Benjaminite lineage, Hebrew ancestry, and Pharisaic training - a prisoner. He arranges to meet with the chief of the Jews together, as he chooses to have them hear his side of the story. Why? Because as Jews, they have the hope of Israel v20 - The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. Joel 3:16 - it is important that they understand; that with whatever other information people have, they have the truth as well from which to balance their decision - they are then without excuse. The chief people of the Jews are of the mind that Paul, nor, his circumstances have not been ill-spoken of, but what they would rather hear about is "this sect (Hairesis - a body of men following their own tenets -sect or party), we know that every where it is spoken against" v22 - a sect being a body of men following their own tenets. The greek word for sect looks like 'heresy' does it not? This word, used also with relation to the Pharisees and the Sadducees, was also used by Paul in Acts 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets. RWP at verse 22 explains of the times Paul had identified Christianity with Judaism in its Messianic hope. The language seems to imply that the number of Christians in Rome was comparatively small and mainly Gentile. If the edict of Claudius for the expulsion of the Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2) was due to disturbance over Christ,then even in Rome the Jews had special reason for hostility towards Christians. The People's New Testament (PNT) says the Pagans also were beginning to regard the Christian religion as "a detestable superstition" (Tacitus), and matters were shaping for the bitter persecution of Nero, which came a few years later. Paul, both with all that was revealed through the law of Moses and the prophets, uses the whole day they arranged to: expound (exetiqeto Imperfect middle of ektiqhmi - set forth with detail and care - also used of cast out maybe here in the sense to expose); testify (Diamarturomai) - used 9 times in Acts, finally here, this is the same word used in Ac 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Smith's says in the New Testament the original notion of a witness is exhibited in the special form of one who attests his belief in the gospel by personal suffering. Hence it is that the use of the ecclesiastical term ("martyr." the Greek word for "witness," has arisen. See the word martyr in the greek word? persuade - This word also translated believe or obey, brings to mind that if we are persuaded, we believe and being thus convinced we are obedient to what we have come to know as truth. It is the same word as used in the following v24 denoting whether they were persuaded or not: Ac 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. Look at 2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed (Pistis from Peitho), and am persuaded (Peitho) that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. And Ro 10:16 But they have not all obeyed (Hupakouo) the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed (Pisteuo from Peitho) our report? Paul said in his letter to the Romans But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets 3:21 And of these very people in verse 27 it is said For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. - even those that - these people that have great reasoning among themselves. There are two words for reasoning in the New Testament (1)dialogismos from Dialogizomai from which I see we get our word dialogue (a deliberating, questioning about what is true - translated as thought, reasoning, imagination, doubtful, disputing, and doubting in the KJV) not used in Acts, but used by Luke in his gospel. (2) in our text, suzetesis from Suzeteo defined mutual questioning, disputation, discussion and translated as disputation, disputing, reasoning used 3 times in Acts - in Acts 6:9 with Stephen Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. Sadly enough, we know these very people - they live next door, in our congregations, workplaces, social circles, online and pervade our daily lives and society. But in these very places, the text goes on to show us there are those who will be persuaded, believe and obey the Word of God. And unto this end, Paul the next two years (during these busy years in Rome Paul wrote Philippians, Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, Epistles that would immortalize any man, unless, forsooth, one or more of them was written from Ephesus or Caesarea, which has not yet been proven - RWP) and always with confidence (Parrhesia) and diligence continued his efforts. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God 1Jo 3:21. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end Heb 3:14. As was given even to Philip (Ac 8:12), Paul was: preaching (Kerusso - to be a herald) the kingdom of God(Basileia) - of the Kingdom of God, Eastons says (Matthew 6:33; Mark 1:14,15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of Christ" (Matthew 13:41; 20:21) = "kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:5) = "kingdom of David" (Mark 11:10) = "the kingdom" (Matthew 8:12; 13:19) = "kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 13:41), all denote the same thing under different aspects, viz.: (1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or his rule on the earth; (2) the blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; (3) the subjects of this kingdom taken collectively, or the Church. Extensively covered in here in Bakers, regarding this particular word, it says Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the term "kingdom" (malkut [tWk.l;m] and [ĊAlexandreuv"] basileia [basileiva]) is understood as dynamic in nature and refers primarily to the rule or reign of a king. It is seldom used in a static sense to refer to a territory. As a result, in the vast majority of instances it would be better to translate the expression "kingdom of God" as the "rule of God." That Jesus understood it this way is evident from such passages as Luke 19:12 ("A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king, " literally "to receive a kingdom [basileia]"; cf. also v. 15); Matthew 6:33 ("seek first his kingdom"); and Mark 10:15 ("receive the kingdom of God like a little child"). and Teaching (Didasko - to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses) those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part , maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph 4:13-16 So to this end should we ourselves be as Prisoners of Christ. _________________ In Whose I am & Whom I serve, Normzrib |
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