NOW IT CAME TO PASS, THAT WHEN WE HAD DEPARTED FROM THEM AND SET SAIL, RUNNING A STRAIGHT COURSE WE CAME TO COS, THE FOLLOWING _DAY_ TO RHODES, AND FROM THERE TO PATARA. 1. From Miletus to Cos, to Rhodes and on to Patara. Apparently nothing of significance happened. They were just passing through t... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FINDING A SHIP SAILING OVER TO PHOENICIA, WE WENT ABOARD AND SET SAIL. 1. Now they find another ship heading the direction they want to go. This ship is headed for Phoenicia. This city is part of Syria. 2. All of Paul's party went and board and headed out. Notice the "we" in this verse means t... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE HAD SIGHTED CYPRUS, WE PASSED IT ON THE LEFT, SAILED TO SYRIA, AND LANDED AT TYRE; FOR THERE THE SHIP WAS TO UNLOAD HER CARGO. 1. They sailed within sight of Cyprus. This was the first stop on Paul's first mission trip. Paul now knows that he is close to home. 2. The ship landed at Tyre. T... [ Continue Reading ]
AND FINDING DISCIPLES, WE STAYED THERE SEVEN DAYS. THEY TOLD PAUL THROUGH THE SPIRIT NOT TO GO UP TO JERUSALEM. 1. Paul learns there is a church in Tyre, so he remains there seven days. 2. Inspired prophets told Paul that he should not go to Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE HAD COME TO THE END OF THOSE DAYS, WE DEPARTED AND WENT ON OUR WAY; AND THEY ALL ACCOMPANIED US, WITH WIVES AND CHILDREN, TILL _WE WERE_ OUT OF THE CITY. AND WE KNELT DOWN ON THE SHORE AND PRAYED. 1. Since Paul did made a similar stay in Troas (Acts 20:6-7), it is assumed that he waited sev... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN WE HAD TAKEN OUR LEAVE OF ONE ANOTHER, WE BOARDED THE SHIP, AND THEY RETURNED HOME. 1. Paul and those with him boarded a ship. 2. The disciples from Tyre returned the their homes.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN WE HAD FINISHED _OUR_ VOYAGE FROM TYRE, WE CAME TO PTOLEMAIS, GREETED THE BRETHREN, AND STAYED WITH THEM ONE DAY. 1. It was a short trip from Tyre to Ptolemais, a city near Ceasarea. 2. They met with the brethren there and remained one day.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE NEXT _DAY_ WE WHO WERE PAUL ' S COMPANIONS DEPARTED AND CAME TO CAESAREA, AND ENTERED THE HOUSE OF PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, WHO WAS _ONE_ OF THE SEVEN, AND STAYED WITH HIM. 1. Now they arrive at Caesarea and enter the house of Philip. 1. We last heard about Philip in Acts 8:40. After the conv... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THIS MAN HAD FOUR VIRGIN DAUGHTERS WHO PROPHESIED. 1. Philip had four daughters, not married, who were inspired prophets. 2. Some attempt to make this passage approval for women to preach in the church. Not so. There were inspired women in they early church. Joel 2:1-32 says that there will be... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS WE STAYED MANY DAYS, A CERTAIN PROPHET NAMED AGABUS CAME DOWN FROM JUDEA. 1. Agabus, is a prophet from Judea (the area around Jerusalem). 2. He comes to meet with Paul and his companions.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD COME TO US, HE TOOK PAUL ' S BELT, BOUND HIS _OWN_ HANDS AND FEET, AND SAID, " THUS SAYS THE HOLY SPIRIT, ‘SO SHALL THE JEWS AT JERUSALEM BIND THE MAN WHO OWNS THIS BELT, AND DELIVER _HIM_ INTO THE HANDS OF THE GENTILES. '" 1. There are several kinds of prophecy - oral, visual, apocalyp... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN WE HEARD THESE THINGS, BOTH WE AND THOSE FROM THAT PLACE PLEADED WITH HIM NOT TO GO UP TO JERUSALEM. 1. Now all in Paul's party are joining with the disciples from Tyre. 2. They pleaded with Paul to stay away from Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PAUL ANSWERED, " WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY WEEPING AND BREAKING MY HEART? FOR I AM READY NOT ONLY TO BE BOUND, BUT ALSO TO DIE AT JERUSALEM FOR THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. " 1. Paul's response was clear. 1. Why are you breaking my heart? 2. I am ready to be bound. 3. I am ready to die for the nam... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN HE WOULD NOT BE PERSUADED, WE CEASED, SAYING, " THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE. " 1. Paul was not persuaded. Was he stubborn? Or, was he acknowledging the will of God? 2. "The will of the Lord be done" was the resignation of his companions. If this is the will of God, we can not prevent it.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THOSE DAYS WE PACKED AND WENT UP TO JERUSALEM. 16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge. 1. With Paul determined, all the others could do was go along and "hope for the best.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN WE HAD COME TO JERUSALEM, THE BRETHREN RECEIVED US GLADLY. 1. Finally, they arrive in Jerusalem. 2. They are greeted with open arms and a warm welcome.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE FOLLOWING _DAY_ PAUL WENT IN WITH US TO JAMES, AND ALL THE ELDERS WERE PRESENT. 1. The next day Paul meets with the elders at Jerusalem and James. 2. There are two possible James' here: 1. James the Less, one of the original 12 apostles. 2. James the brother of Christ, known as a pillar i... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE HAD GREETED THEM, HE TOLD IN DETAIL THOSE THINGS WHICH GOD HAD DONE AMONG THE GENTILES THROUGH HIS MINISTRY. 1. Paul now greets and reports on his work. He has been gone about 5 years and has much to talk about. 2. This third mission trip was more Gentile focused.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HEARD _IT,_ THEY GLORIFIED THE LORD. AND THEY SAID TO HIM, " YOU SEE, BROTHER, HOW MANY MYRIADS OF JEWS THERE ARE WHO HAVE BELIEVED, AND THEY ARE ALL ZEALOUS FOR THE LAW; 1. There was great rejoicing as Paul talks about churches started and growing. 2. There was also some concerns.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEY HAVE BEEN INFORMED ABOUT YOU THAT YOU TEACH ALL THE JEWS WHO ARE AMONG THE GENTILES TO FORSAKE MOSES, SAYING THAT THEY OUGHT NOT TO CIRCUMCISE _THEIR_ CHILDREN NOR TO WALK ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMS. 1. These Jewish Christians know about Paul and his work. 2. They are aware that Paul is tea... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT THEN? THE ASSEMBLY MUST CERTAINLY MEET, FOR THEY WILL HEAR THAT YOU HAVE COME. 1. Word will get out that Paul is in town. There must be a meeting with these Jewish brethren to discuss their disagreement with Paul. 2. There must be an assembly called for this purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE DO WHAT WE TELL YOU: WE HAVE FOUR MEN WHO HAVE TAKEN A VOW. 1. There are four men in the Jerusalem church which have taken a vow. 2. Their vow was about to expire and they must be purified - by Jewish law.... [ Continue Reading ]
TAKE THEM AND BE PURIFIED WITH THEM, AND PAY THEIR EXPENSES SO THAT THEY MAY SHAVE _THEIR_ HEADS, AND THAT ALL MAY KNOW THAT THOSE THINGS OF WHICH THEY WERE INFORMED CONCERNING YOU ARE NOTHING, BUT _THAT_ YOU YOURSELF ALSO WALK ORDERLY AND KEEP THE LAW. 1. By having Paul take them for this purifica... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT CONCERNING THE GENTILES WHO BELIEVE, WE HAVE WRITTEN _AND_ DECIDED THAT THEY SHOULD OBSERVE NO SUCH THING, EXCEPT THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP THEMSELVES FROM _THINGS_ OFFERED TO IDOLS, FROM BLOOD, FROM THINGS STRANGLED, AND FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY. " 1. However, the Gentiles are not under these rules.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN PAUL TOOK THE MEN, AND THE NEXT DAY, HAVING BEEN PURIFIED WITH THEM, ENTERED THE TEMPLE TO ANNOUNCE THE EXPIRATION OF THE DAYS OF PURIFICATION, AT WHICH TIME AN OFFERING SHOULD BE MADE FOR EACH ONE OF THEM. 1. Paul took the men the next day so all of them could be purified and conclude their v... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW WHEN THE SEVEN DAYS WERE ALMOST ENDED, THE JEWS FROM ASIA, SEEING HIM IN THE TEMPLE, STIRRED UP THE WHOLE CROWD AND LAID HANDS ON HIM, 1. During the period of seven days that were part of the purification process, trouble arose. 2. Jews from Asia had heard Paul teach against keeping the Law.... [ Continue Reading ]
CRYING OUT, " MEN OF ISRAEL, HELP! THIS IS THE MAN WHO TEACHES ALL _MEN_ EVERYWHERE AGAINST THE PEOPLE, THE LAW, AND THIS PLACE; AND FURTHERMORE HE ALSO BROUGHT GREEKS INTO THE TEMPLE AND HAS DEFILED THIS HOLY PLACE. " 1. They charge Paul with two crimes. 1. Paul teaches against the Law - telling... [ Continue Reading ]
(FOR THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY SEEN TROPHIMUS THE EPHESIAN WITH HIM IN THE CITY, WHOM THEY SUPPOSED THAT PAUL HAD BROUGHT INTO THE TEMPLE.) 1. This verse explains the second charge. They had seen Trophimus, from Ephesus, with Paul in the city. 2. They "supposed" that Paul brought him into the Temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ALL THE CITY WAS DISTURBED; AND THE PEOPLE RAN TOGETHER, SEIZED PAUL, AND DRAGGED HIM OUT OF THE TEMPLE; AND IMMEDIATELY THE DOORS WERE SHUT. 1. Now the whole city of Jerusalem is in an uproar. 2. They form a mob. They grab Paul and drag him out of the temple.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW AS THEY WERE SEEKING TO KILL HIM, NEWS CAME TO THE COMMANDER OF THE GARRISON THAT ALL JERUSALEM WAS IN AN UPROAR. 1. Their intent was clear. They wanted to kill Paul. 2. News of this uproar came to the Roman army commander.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK SOLDIERS AND CENTURIONS, AND RAN DOWN TO THEM. AND WHEN THEY SAW THE COMMANDER AND THE SOLDIERS, THEY STOPPED BEATING PAUL. 1. This Roman commander takes charge. He takes soldiers and centurions, and headed for the temple. 2. As the Roman officers approached, they stopped beati... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE COMMANDER CAME NEAR AND TOOK HIM, AND COMMANDED _HIM_ TO BE BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS; AND HE ASKED WHO HE WAS AND WHAT HE HAD DONE. 1. Paul is now in the hands of the Romans. 2. He is bound with two chains. 3. Now they begin to inquire - Who is this man and what has he done?... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SOME AMONG THE MULTITUDE CRIED ONE THING AND SOME ANOTHER. SO WHEN HE COULD NOT ASCERTAIN THE TRUTH BECAUSE OF THE TUMULT, HE COMMANDED HIM TO BE TAKEN INTO THE BARRACKS. 1. The same thing happened here that occurred at the trial of Jesus. Many had charges. All different. None of them confirmed... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE REACHED THE STAIRS, HE HAD TO BE CARRIED BY THE SOLDIERS BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE OF THE MOB. 1. The Roman palace was about 75 feet higher than the Temple grounds. 2. As they approached the stairs leading up the palace, soldiers had to carry Paul because of the potential for violence of the... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE MULTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE FOLLOWED AFTER, CRYING OUT, " AWAY WITH HIM! " 1. The Jews were still bent on killing Paul. 2. "Away with him" means - put him to death. See Luke 23:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN AS PAUL WAS ABOUT TO BE LED INTO THE BARRACKS, HE SAID TO THE COMMANDER, " MAY I SPEAK TO YOU? " HE REPLIED, " CAN YOU SPEAK GREEK? 1. Paul requests to speak to the commander. 2. The commander is surprised that Paul speaks in the Greek language because he supposes that Paul is Jewish and woul... [ Continue Reading ]
ARE YOU NOT THE EGYPTIAN WHO SOME TIME AGO STIRRED UP A REBELLION AND LED THE FOUR THOUSAND ASSASSINS OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS? " 1. The commander has a case of mistaken identity. 2. He believes Paul to be an Egyptian that caused some problem and lead away 4,000 people.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT PAUL SAID, " I AM A JEW FROM TARSUS, IN CILICIA, A CITIZEN OF NO MEAN CITY; AND I IMPLORE YOU, PERMIT ME TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE. " 1. Paul identifies himself - Paul - a Jew - from Tarsus - no small or unimportant city. 2. Then Paul requests to speak to the people - the mob of Jews.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO WHEN HE HAD GIVEN HIM PERMISSION, PAUL STOOD ON THE STAIRS AND MOTIONED WITH HIS HAND TO THE PEOPLE. AND WHEN THERE WAS A GREAT SILENCE, HE SPOKE TO _THEM_ IN THE HEBREW LANGUAGE, SAYING, 1. The commander gave permission for Paul to address the crowd. 2. Paul stood on the stairs and motioned fo... [ Continue Reading ]