Acts one

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 16

Paul arrives at Derbe and Lystra and he wants Timothy to accompany him. And he circumcises him because of the Jews. They are told where not to go. Then at night, Paul has a vision indicating that he must go to Macedonia. Then Lydia accepts Paul’s message and invites them to her house. She and her household get baptized. Then Paul cures a woman who has a demon of divination. So her masters take Paul and Silas to the rulers because they have just lost their hope of profit because their servant was cured by Paul. Paul and Silas are put to prison. Suddenly a great earthquake occurs and the jailer wants to kill himself because he thinks the prisoners have escaped. But Paul tells him not to as everybody is there. And the jailer washes their wounds and he and his household get baptized. Finally Paul and Silas are released.

- Paul gets through many troubles all the time!

- He could have been killed on many occasions!

- During a big part of human history, it was normal to kill his religious opponents to get rid of them!

- Of course, it had nothing to do with God!

- On the contrary, it showed how many religious leaders were connected with the devil!

- The question is is there a big difference today?

- They did it with Jesus so they would do it with faithful servants of God!

- And Paul is definitely an incredible one!

- When he realized he was wrong, at the same time he started teaching aboutv Jesus and God’s word!

- Usually normal people have trouble turning away from man’s tradition!

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[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 17

As usual, Paul gets into each synagogue of the Jews in the cities he goes through. On the sabbath he teaches the people about the Christ. As a result, many become believers. But as usual the Jews get jealous. But they don’t find Paul so they take Jason and some brothers to the city rulers who protect them before letting them go. By night Paul and Silas are sent to Beroea. There the Jews accept God’s word carefully examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are right and many become believers. When they hear about, the Jews from Thessalonica come after Paul who is sent away to the sea to Athens. Silas and Timothy go to Athens to meet Paul. Then again Paul teaches in the synagogue and in the marketplace with anyone who wants to speak with him. Some philosophers take him to the Areopagus to speak with him. Then paul teaches them about God and about Jesus who was resurrected. And some become believers.

- As usual Paul gets into trouble because the Jews are jealous of him!

- They try to kill him as usual!

- He always escape and goes to other cities!

- And each time he keeps teaching people about God and Jesus!

- Wherever he is, Paul always speaks boldly!

- He is never afraid of anybody!

- Thus he is definitely a chosen vessel!

- And an exceptional one doing an incredible work!

- He never stops!

- What an incredible example!

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[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 18

In Corinth, Paul makes tents with a jew named Aquila. He gives talks in the synagogue every sabbath and persuades Jews and Greeks. When Silas and Timothy arrive, Paul begins to be intensely occupied with the word. But the Jews oppose him so he turns to the people of the nations. And many become believers. And Paul has a vision of the lord telling him not to be afraid and keeping speaking about the word. So Paul stays in Corinth for a year and six months. The Jews bring Paul in front of the proconsul Galio who tells them it has nothing to do with him so they bring him before Sosthenes the presiding officer of the synagogue and begin beating him but he is finally released. After few days Paul sails away for Syria. Arriving in Ephesus, he teaches in the synagogue and after a short time he keeps on his trip.

-Paul has quite a routine, apparently a dangerous one as the Jews always try to kill him!

- That’s why he must often hurry and go to other cities!

- There we see the difference between Paul who speaks and live according to God’s word and the Jews who speak and live according to the devil!

- They belong to two different worlds which are easy to differentiate but apparently as usual the majority is blind!

- It has always been so and it is not going to change!

- That’s why we are where we are and each time it is worse!

- Paul is incredibly efficient and hard-working!

-Jesus knew what he was doing when he chose him!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 19

In Ephesus he meets some Christians who were baptized only in John’s baptism and have not received holy spirit and they don’t know anything about it. So they are baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Paul lays his hands on them and they receive holy spirit and they begin speaking in foreign languages and prophesying. And Paul teaches in the synagogue for three months and because of the opposition of some Jews, he finally gives talks daily in the school auditorium of Tyrannus. Thus for two years, all those who live in the province of Asia hear the word of Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God keeps performing extraordinary powerful works through the hands of Paul. Thus even cloths and aprons touched by Paul could cure people. So many become believers but it goes against those who make profit through false gods. And they fill threatened by the Christians. Paul wants to defend himself in front of the people but the disciples refuse saying it is too dangerous. Finally the situation calms down.

- Paul ‘s teaching is too efficient and too many people become Christians!

- It goes against the interest of many both Jews and Greeks!

- Some Christians who had only received John’s baptism are finally baptized in the name of Jesus!

- After that Paul lays his hands on them!

- After that they receive holy spirit!

- And they start speaking in foreign languages and prophesying!

- So once again everything is well organized!

- And Paul has to lay his hands on the Christians so they can finally receive holy spirit!

- Something not to forget because it tells a lot about the importance of Paul for God and Jesus!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 20

Then Paul travels to Greece. As usual the Jews try to kill him. During one of his long talk at night, Eutychus falls asleep and falls down from the third story and dies. But Paul resurrects him. Then Paul is in a hurry because he wants to arrive in Jerusalem on time for the festival of Pentecost. He is telling the brothers that he know he won’t see them again because the holy spirit keeps telling him that imprisonment and tribulations are waiting for him. He tells the elders to pay shepherd the congregation of God. He warns them that after him wolves will enter in among them and will not treat the flock with tenderness and they will corrupt God’s word. Thus Paul gives them his last will.

- Paul knows what’s going to happen to him!

- And he tells the disciples about it!

- And he knows what will happen after his death!

- So he tells them to be careful!

- In fact, there is nothing new!

- it was so through all the events told in the Bible!

- God’s word has always been perverted and it will be so till the end!

- The devil is working hard!

- And many men help him!

- But Paul was definitely by God’s side!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 21

In Tyre, the disciples tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem but he has to go. In Caesarea, a propher named Agabus says that Paul will be tied and given to the people of the nations. So once again the disciples beg Paul not to go but he must go there. Rumors have spread among the Jews about Paul so he has to explain himself in front of the Jews. But when Paul is in the temple, Jews from Asia seize him and they try to kill him but the commander of the army stops them and takes Paul into custody. And Paul asks the commander to speak to the crowd.

- Paul keeps teaching God’s word whatever happens!

- And many things happened to him!

- On many occasions, the Jews tried to kill him!

- And he was beaten and stoned!

- But he kept speaking boldly about God’s word and about Jesus!

- And he was decided to obey God on any occasion till his death, always speaking boldly before authorities or crowds!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 22

So Paul speaks to the Jews telling about his history and about Jesus. But the Jews start to shout so the commander takes him into the soldiers’ quarters and interrogate him under scourging to know exactly what’s on. Then Paul asks the army officer if it is lawful to scourge a Roman who has not been condemned. So the army officer goes and asks the commander who is afraid because Paul is a Roman by birth. So the next day he has Paul stand among the chief priests and the Sanhedrin.

- At first, Paul can speak!

- After some time, the Jews do everything to prevent him to speak!

- Then he is scourged!

- Then the commander wants to know exactly what’s on so he assembles Paul and the high priests and the Sanhedrin!

- Paul is always ready to defend himself and his faith before anyone!

- The Jews do their best to prevent him and want to kill him!

- As they have no real arguments against Paul, they try to make noise to stop him!

- And if it was possible, they would kill him!

- That’s what we call savages and their father is the devil!

- Paul is not afraid of dying!

- He has filled his mission for God!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 23

- Paul speaks in a way to divide the Pharisees and the Saduceans!

- Fearing for Paul’s security, the commander has Paul brought to the soldiers’ quarters!

- At night Paul has a vision in which the Lord tells him that he will go to Rome!

- The Jews want to kill Paul so they ask the commander to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin!

- Paul is being told of the conspiracy!

- Then the commander is informed of the conspiracy!

- So he sends Paul with many soldiers to Felix the governor!

- Then Felix want to listen to Paul and his accusers!

- Paul keeps speaking boldly!

- And the Jews keep trying to kill him!

- But they will never succeed because Paul’s mission is not finished!

- And he must go to Rome!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 24

So Felix listens to the accusers and Paul. And Felix decides to wait for the commander to come to take a decision. Paul is kept under arrest but given some freedom. Later he asks Paul to speak about the Christ in front of him and his wife who is Jewish. So Paul has various occasions to speak to Felix who expects Paul to give him money for his freedom. But after two years Felix is replaced by Porcius Festus.

- As usual we are told about corruption: corruption about the Romans and about the Jews!

- And Paul keeps speaking boldly about God’s word and about Jesus!

- Time changes but corruption stays!

- And faithfulness too but not for the majority!

- Faithfulness is a rare jewel or a precious stone or gold!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 25

- So once again the Jews are planning an ambush against Paul!

- But he refuses and he wants to hear about Paul and his accusers!

- Finally Paul appeals to Caesar!

- Thus the governor decides to send him to Caesar!

- Then king Agrippa visits the governor and he wants to listen to Paul!

- But the governor doesn’t know what to say in his letter to Caesar because he has nothing against Paul!

- So the history is repeating again and again and Paul keeps defending himself before whoever listens to him!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 26

- Thus Paul speaks in front of Agrippa!

- And once again those who listen to him find nothing against him!

- So he could have been released!

- But he appealed to Caesar!

- Thus he will go to Caesar!

-What a patience from Paul!

- All the time he has to repeat the same again and again!

- And the Jews are never tired of trying to kill him and accuse him!

- What a strong will from Paul!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 27

During the trip to Rome, Paul warns the army officer that the ship and many lives will be lost if they keep traveling without waiting. But the army officer doesn’t listen to Paul and the ship and people are lost. There is a violent storm and people lose hope to save their lives. But Paul has a vision in which an angel tells him that everybody will be safe because of Paul but they must cast ashore on some island. Some sailors try to escape but Paul tells the army officer that if everybody doesn’t stay on board nobody will be saved. So the army officer prevent the sailors to escape. Finally Paul tells the men to eat to get strength. And they beach the ship. And the army officer prevents the soldiers to kill the prisoners because he wants to bring Paul safely through. Finally all are brought safely to land.

- Really interesting because Paul tells the men exactly what to do to survive!

- At first the army officer doesn’t listen to Paul!

- But finally, seeing how things occur, he follows exactly what Paul says!

- Even if he was wrong at first, then he made the right choice!

- On the contrary, men usually prefers man’s tradition to God’s word!

- They usually make the wrong choice like the Israelites!

- So then it is normal for them to pay the price!

- Paul was wrong and when he was told by Jesus, he changed his mind and his way of doing things!

- He wasn’t told twice!

- With humanity, they don’t care!

- the more they pay, the more they keep in the same direction!

- How intelligent they are!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 28

- In Malta, Paul cures many people!

- So they receive many gifts!

- Finally Paul arrives in Rome and he is permitted to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him!

- Paul speaks before the principal men of the Jews!

- They haven’t received any letters against him!

- So they think it proper to hear from Paul about his beliefs!

- So they arrange a day and many people come to listen to Paul!

- Some begin to believe what Paul says!

- And Paul says that God’s salvation has been sent out to the nations!

- And till his death, he will keep speaking about God’s word and about Jesus!

- Nobody will be able to stop him!

- Definitely a chosen vessel and a precious and excellent one!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 8

- We see Saul who fights against Jesus’ disciples!

- He puts them into prison (men and women)!

Acts 9

- He goes to Damascus where he wants to do the same!

- Going to Damascus, he sees a light from heaven flashes around him!

- He also hears Jesus’ voice asking him why he is persecuting him!

- Jesus’ voice also tells him to go to the city and he will be told what to do!

- He can’t see anymore!

- Ananias is sent to Saul to make him see again!

- Jesus tells Ananias that Saul is a chosen vessel to him to bear his name to the nations!

- So Ananias lays his hands on Saul who can see again!

- Saul stays few days with the disciples!

- And immediately in the synagogues he begins to preach about Jesus!

- And he keeps on acquiring more and more power and is confounding the Jews who live in Damascus, as he proves logically that this is the Christ!

- Thus he becomes too dangerous for the Jews who try to kill him!

- So the disciples help him to escape by night in a basket!

- Barnabas comes to his aid and leads him to the apostles in Jerusalem!

- There again he speaks boldly in the name of the Lord!

- There again the Jews try to kill him!

- So the disciples send him to Caesarea and Tarsus!

- Thus we can see that Jesus uses two strategies!

- When he was on earth, he chose people he could train personally!

- And he did it during all the time of his mission on earth!

- He had to teach them everything through a progressive teaching!

- But they didn’t understand till his death!

- Of course, after his death, they received holy spirit!

- But it took a lot of time!

- When Jesus left the earth, he could train another disciple!

- So he chose Saul or Paul who had a good knowledge as he was trained as a Pharisee!

- Unfortunately his knowledge couldn’t prevent him to choose the wrong way!

- So Jesus had to put him on the right way!

- And it is incredible to think that he didn’t lose time!

- He didn’t argue about man’s tradition he had received from the Pharisees!

- All at once he started to preach in the name of Jesus!

- But it was much more than that!

- It was a real race against the clock of corruption!

- And it started when Jesus died and it was worse after the death of all the apostles!

- They mixed man’s tradition with God’s word as Jesus told them!

- And when it became the religion of the Roman empire, then you had religion and politics business together in a disastrous melting-pot!

- And in fact, Paul did an incredible work among the nations!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 12

- Barnabas and Saul did a good job in Jerusalem!

- After that they took John also called Mark with them!

Acts 13

- Wherever they go it is always the same simple story!

- First they do an incredible work teaching in the synagogues!

- Second many people become believers!

- Third The Jews become jealous and they try to kill them!

- Fourth they have to move to another city!

- In Cyprus, the proconsul became a believer!

- In Antioch in Pisidia, it was there that Paul decided to turn to the people of the nations because of the attitude of the Jews!

- At first, Barnabas was the leader but soon Paul took the lead!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 14

- In Iconium they did a good job!

- Then because of the Jews, the city was divided in two parts!

- The Jews tried to treat them insolently and stone them!

- So they went to other cities!

- It is often the case today!

- There are people who do the same!

- They have no arguments but they do as if they knew everything whereas they don’t know anything!

- It is always interesting to exchange arguments!

- But sometimes people should go back to school or read more seriously the Bible!

- In fact, the more you read the bible, the more you get to know!

- And we also learn a lot by exchanging ideas!

- Because then we have to look for more information!

- In this chapter, the people even take Paul and Barnabas for gods!

- But then Jews coming from Antioch and Iconium persuaded the crowds and they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, imagining that he was dead!

- After that, they went on their trip!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 15

- Here something new happened!

- Some disciples who are Jews teach the disciples about the necessity of getting circumcised according to the custom of Moses!

- There we see the difference between such men and Paul!

- They want to mix man’s tradition!

- Thus there happened a dissension and disputing by Paul and Barnabas with these men!

- So Paul and Barnabas and some men of the others go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders regarding this issue!

- Take note that for Paul it was clear that is no more circumcision for the disciples!

- And Peter explained that people from the nations became disciples and received holy spirit without being circumcised!

- That was the point, a logical one!

- And Peter asked them additionally: “So why are you now making a test of God by imposing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our forefathers nor we were capable of bearing?”

- And Barnabas and Paul related the events in connection with people of nations becoming disciples!

- What was the conclusion for the disciples: they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

- Then they sent people with Paul and Barnabas to tell the disciples to Antioch about the decision which was taken in relation with circumcision!

- In Antioch, Paul and Barnabas separated because Barnabas wanted to take John with them whereas Paul disagreed!

- Then Paul took Silas with him!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul not published

Acts 16

- Finally Paul decided to take Timothy with him, his mother was a believing Jewish woman and his father a Greek!

- He circumcised him because of the Jews in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek!

- And Paul used to go to teach in the synagogues!

- They would deliver the decrees decided by the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem!

- And the holy spirit told them the places they couldn’t go and the ones they could go especially into Macedonia!

- In Philippi, Paul cured a servant girl who was possessed by a demon of divination and thus bringing a lot of money to her masters!

- When she was cured, they couldn’t earn anymore money, they took Paul and Silas to the rulers of the city who put them into prison!

- An earthquake occurred and all the doors were instantly opened!

- The jailer wanted to kill himself thinking that all prisoners had escaped!

- But Paul prevented him to do it saying that nobody had escaped!

- Then the jailer and his household became believers and were baptized all at once!

- The next day they were released!

- There again, we see that Paul does everything correctly telling the decisions about circumcisions in all the cities he visited!

- All the time he would do an incredible work and many people became believers!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 17

- In Thessalonica, we get the usual story with the Jews trying to kill Paul!

- So the disciples sent Paul and Silas to Beroea!

- Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they accepted the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them became believers, and so did quite a few of the reputable Greek women as well as some of the men.

- Everybody should do that!

- It should be the norm!

- Unfortunately it is not the case!

- And the Jews from Thessalonica came to get rid of Paul!

- Then Paul goes to Athens!

- He goes to the Areopagus to speak with the Greek!

- And some became believers!

 

[JLG]

Looking for Paul

Acts 18

- In Corinth, Paul worked as tentmaker!

- He would give a talk in the synagogue every sabbath and would persuade Jews and Greeks!

- When Silas and Timothy met him, Paul began to be intensely occupied with the word!

- But the Jews opposed him and spoke abusively, he turned to the people of the nations!

- And many Corinthians became believers and got baptized!

- There he spent a year and six months!

- The Jews brought him before the proconsul!

- Finally Paul sailed to Syria!

- He spent some time in Ephesus!

- Then in Caesarea and other places!

- Well, the usual routine!

- And a dangerous one with the Jews always trying to get rid of him!

- But Paul didn’t care, he had to work for God!