Jun. 7, 8 John 12

Jun. 7, 8

John 12

Joh 12:1 Then six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

Joh 12:2 So they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him.

Joh 12:3 Mary, therefore, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.

Joh 12:4 Then Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, one of his disciples, who would betray him, said,

Joh 12:5 "Why wasn't this ointment sold for three hundred denarii, and given to the poor?"

Joh 12:6 Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.

Joh 12:7 But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has kept this for the day of my burial.

Joh 12:8 For you always have the poor with you, but you don't always have me."

Joh 12:9 A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

Joh 12:10 But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also,

Joh 12:11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.

Joh 12:12 On the next day a great multitude had come to the feast. When they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,

Joh 12:13 they took the branches of the palm trees, and went out to meet him, and cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!"

Joh 12:14 Jesus, having found a young donkey, sat on it. As it is written,

Joh 12:15 "Don't be afraid, daughter of Zion. Behold, your King comes, sitting on a donkey's colt."

Joh 12:16 His disciples didn't understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him.

Joh 12:17 The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb, and raised him from the dead, was testifying about it.

Joh 12:18 For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign.

Joh 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him."

Joh 12:20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast.

Joh 12:21 These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus."

Joh 12:22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus.

Joh 12:23 Jesus answered them, "The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Joh 12:24 Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Joh 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.

Joh 12:26 If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Joh 12:27 "Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this time?' But for this cause I came to this time.

Joh 12:28 Father, glorify your name!" Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."

Joh 12:29 The multitude therefore, who stood by and heard it, said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."

Joh 12:30 Jesus answered, "This voice hasn't come for my sake, but for your sakes.

Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.

Joh 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Joh 12:33 But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.

Joh 12:34 The multitude answered him, "We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up?' Who is this Son of Man?"

Joh 12:35 Jesus therefore said to them, "Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn't overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn't know where he is going.

Joh 12:36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light." Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them.

Joh 12:37 But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn't believe in him,

Joh 12:38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, "Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"

Joh 12:39 For this cause they couldn't believe, for Isaiah said again,

Joh 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them."

Joh 12:41 Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him.

Joh 12:42 Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn't confess it, so that they wouldn't be put out of the synagogue,

Joh 12:43 for they loved men's praise more than God's praise.

Joh 12:44 Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me.

Joh 12:45 He who sees me sees him who sent me.

Joh 12:46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.

Joh 12:47 If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn't believe, I don't judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

Joh 12:48 He who rejects me, and doesn't receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.

Joh 12:49 For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Joh 12:50 I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak."

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Twenty-One by Mark Copeland

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                           Chapter Twenty-One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To explore the warnings that Paul received as he journeyed to
   Jerusalem

2) To review the arrival of Paul in Jerusalem

3) To examine Paul's arrest in the temple

4) To observe Paul's request to address the violent mob as he entered
   the barracks

SUMMARY

Paul left the Ephesian elders at Miletus.  Paul, Luke and the other
traveling companions sailed from Miletus to Cos.  From Cos, they sailed
to Rhodes, and then on to Patara.  At Patara, they caught a ship to
Tyre of Phoenicia.  The ship passed to the south of the island of
Cyprus.  Upon arrival in Tyre, they found the disciples and remained
with them seven days.  The Spirit had indicated to the disciples what
awaited Paul in Jerusalem.  They told Paul to not go to Jerusalem.  Paul
continued, the disciples accompanied him outside the city, and they
knelt and prayed on the shore.  Paul and his companions boarded the ship
and departed.  They sailed from Tyre to Ptolemais.  They greeted the
brethren there and remained one day.  They then went to Caesarea.  Paul
and his companions went to Philip's house.  He was one of the seven (cf.
Acts 6).  Philip had four virgin daughters; they prophesied.  The
prophet Agabus came down from Judea.  He took Paul's belt and bound his
own hands and feet.  This was to indicate that Paul would be bound and
delivered to the Gentiles in Jerusalem, as the Holy Spirit revealed.
Both his traveling companions and those in Caesarea pleaded with Paul
not to go to Jerusalem.  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."  (Acts 21:13
NKJV)  They then ceased pleading with Paul and asked that the will of
the Lord be done. (1-14)

Paul and his companions proceeded to Jerusalem.  They were accompanied
by some of the disciples from Caesarea.  They were to lodge with Mnason
of Cyprus, who was an early disciple.  They then met with the Jerusalem
brethren, who met them gladly.  The next day, Paul and his companions
met with James and the elders to give a description of the "things which
God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry."  The brethren
glorified the Lord upon hearing these things.  James and the
elders then expounded to Paul the problem he faced.  Many myriads of
Jews had believed, and they were zealous for the law.  They had been
informed that Paul taught Jews, living among the Gentiles, to forsake
Moses - that is, not to circumcise their children, nor to keep the
customs.  They expected these Jewish believers to learn that Paul was in
Jerusalem.  James and the elders gave Paul a plan - he should
accompany the four men who had taken a vow; purify himself; pay their
expenses in an effort to show that Paul kept the law (customs) as a Jew.
They reiterated (cf. Acts 15) that the believing Gentiles were
not subject to the law. (15-25)

Paul followed the plan from James and the elders.  He took the men and
was purified with them.  They then entered the temple.  Jews from Asia
saw Paul in the temple.  They stirred up the crowd and seized Paul.
They cried out charges as James and the elders had expected.
Additionally, they charged that Paul had brought Greeks into the temple
and had defiled the place.  They had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with
Paul in the city and "supposed" that he had brought him into the temple.
The Jews seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple.  As they sought
to kill him, word came to the Roman commander about the uproar.  When
the Jews saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
The commander took Paul and bound him with chains.  He asked what he had
done, but he could not get an answer from the mob.  He then took him to
the barracks.  When they reached the stairs of the barracks, Paul had to
be carried due to the violence of the mob.  (26-36)

Paul asked to speak to the commander.  The commander asked him if he
could speak Greek.  The commander also asked if he was the Egyptian
leader of the assassins.  Paul replied that he was a Jew from Tarsus in
Cilicia, "a citizen of no mean city."  Paul then requested to speak to
the people.  The commander gave Paul permission to speak to the people.
Paul then began to speak to them in Hebrew.  (37-40)

OUTLINE

I. WARNINGS TO PAUL AS HE HEADED TO JERUSALEM (1-14)

   A. THEY SAILED FROM MILETUS TO TYRE (1-3)
      1. Paul left the Ephesian elders at Miletus
      2. Paul, Luke, and the other traveling companions sailed from
         Miletus to Cos to Rhodes and to Patara
      3. From Patara, they caught a ship to Tyre of Phoenicia
         a. As they sailed, they saw Cyprus on the "left" (passing south
            of the island)

   B. PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS ARRIVED IN TYRE (4-6)
      1. They found the disciples there and remained with them seven
         days
         a. The disciples understood through the Spirit what awaited
            Paul in Jerusalem
         b. They told Paul not to go to Jerusalem
      2. The disciples accompanied Paul and his companions outside the
         city
         a. They all knelt down and prayed on the shore
         b. Paul and his companions boarded the ship and departed

   C. MORE WARNINGS GIVEN TO PAUL BEFORE ARRIVING IN JERUSALEM (6-14)
      1. Paul and his companions sailed from Tyre to Ptolemais
         a. They greeted the brethren there and remained one day
         b. The next day, they went to Caesarea
      2. Paul and his companions went to Philip's house
         a. Philip was one of the seven (cf. Acts 6)
         b. Philip had four virgin daughters; they prophesied
         c. The prophet Agabus came down from Judea
         d. Agabus took Paul's belt and bound his own hands and feet;
            this was to indicate what would happen to Paul, as revealed
            by the Holy Spirit; he would be delivered to the Gentiles
         e. Both his traveling companions and those in Caesarea pleaded
            with Paul not to go to Jerusalem
         f. 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."
            (Acts 21:13 NKJV)
         g. They ceased pleading with Paul and asked that the will of
            the Lord be done

II. PAUL ARRIVED IN JERUSALEM (15-25)

   A. PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS PROCEEDED TO JERUSALEM (15-16)
      1. They were accompanied by some of the disciples of Caesarea
      2. They were to lodge with Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple

   B. THEY MET WITH THE JERUSALEM BRETHREN (17-25)
      1. The Jerusalem brethren met them gladly
      2. Paul and his companions met with James and the elders to give a
         description of the "things which God had done among the
         Gentiles through his ministry"
      3. They glorified the Lord upon hearing these things
      4. James and the elders expounded to Paul the problem he faced
         a. Many myriads of Jews had believed
         b. These Jewish believers were zealous for the law
         c. They had been informed that Paul taught Jews living among
            the Gentiles to forsake Moses - not to circumcise their
            children, nor to keep the customs
         d. These Jewish believers would learn that Paul was in
            Jerusalem
         e. James and the elders gave Paul a plan - he was to accompany
            the four men who had taken a vow; purify himself; pay their
            expenses - this was an effort to show that Paul kept the law
            (customs) as a Jew
         f. They reiterated (cf. Acts 15) that the believing Gentiles
            were not subject to the law

III. PAUL ARRESTED IN THE TEMPLE (26-36)

   A. PAUL FOLLOWED THE PLAN FROM JAMES AND THE ELDERS (26)
      1. Paul took the men and was purified with them; they entered the
         temple

   B. JEWS FROM ASIA SAW PAUL IN THE TEMPLE (27-29)
      1. They stirred up the crowd and seized Paul
      2. They cried out charges as expected (see notes above)
      3. Additionally, they charged that Paul had brought Greeks into
         the temple and defiled the place
         a. They had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with Paul in the city
         b. They "supposed" that Paul had brought him into the temple

   C. PAUL WAS SEIZED AND THE JEWS SOUGHT TO KILL HIM (30-36)
      1. The people seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple
      2. As they sought to kill him, word came to the Roman commander of
         the uproar
      3. When the Jews saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped
         beating Paul
      4. The commander took Paul and bound him with chains; he asked
         what Paul had done
         a. When he could not get an answer, he took him to the barracks
         b. When they reached the stairs, Paul had to be carried due to
            the violence of the mob

IV. PAUL ASKED TO ADDRESS THE MOB (37-40)

   A. PAUL ASKED TO SPEAK TO THE COMMANDER (37-39)
      1. The commander asked if he could speak Greek
      2. The commander also asked if he was the Egyptian leader of the
         assassins
      3. Paul replied that he was a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, "a
         citizen of no mean city"
      4. Paul requested to speak to the people

   B. THE COMMANDER ALLOWED PAUL TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE (40)
      1. The commander gave Paul permission to speak to the people
      2. Paul began to speak to them in Hebrew

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main events in this chapter?
   - Warnings to Paul as he headed to Jerusalem (1-14)
   - Paul arrived in Jerusalem (15-25)
   - Paul arrested in the temple (26-36)
   - Paul asked to address the mob (37-40)

2) Sailing from Miletus, list the cities passed through prior to Tyre?
   (1-2)
   - Miletus to Cos, to Rhodes, to Patara, to Tyre (1-2)

3) On which side of the ship did they pass Cyprus? What direction would
   that be? (3)
   - Left; ship passed to the south of Cyprus [see map] (3)

4) What was the common request made of Paul at Tyre and Caesarea? (4-12)
   - Not to go up to Jerusalem (3)

5) What two groups made this common request of Paul in Tyre and
   Caesarea?  (4-12)
   - The local disciples asked in Tyre (4)
   - The local disciples and Paul's traveling companions in Caesarea
     (12)

6) What was Paul ready to do in Jerusalem? (13)
   - Not only ready to be bound, but even to die for the Lord (13)

7) When Paul would not be persuaded, what did the brethren say? (14)
   - "The will of the Lord be done" (14)

8) What did Paul tell James and the elders? How did they react? (18-20)
   - Those things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry
     (19)
   - They glorified the Lord (20)

9) What had the Jewish believers been informed about Paul? (20-21)
   - He taught all the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses (21)
   - He told them not to circumcise their children (21)
   - He told them not to walk according to the customs (21)

10) What was the plan suggested to Paul? What was this to accomplish?
    (22-24)
   - Take the four men who have taken a vow; be purified with them; pay
     their expenses (23-24)
   - The things they had been informed of were "nothing," and that Paul
     walked orderly and kept the law (24)

11) Had James and the elders changed their position regarding the letter
    written to the Gentiles in Acts 15? (25)
   - No; they reiterated the points of the letter (25)

12) Where were the Jews from that saw Paul in the temple? How did they
    stir up the people? (27-28)
   - Jews from Asia (27)
   - They cried out that Paul taught men everywhere against people, the
     law, and the temple; they claimed he brought Greeks into the temple
     and defiled it (28)

13) Who did the Jews "suppose" Paul brought into the temple? (29)
   - Trophimus, the Ephesian (29)

14) What did the mob do to Paul? (30-32)
   - They seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple (30)
   - They sought to kill him (31)
   - They were beating him (32)

15) When the commander heard of the uproar, what did he do? (31-34)
   - He took soldiers and centurions and ran to them (32)
   - The commander took Paul and had him bound with chains (33)
   - He asked who he was and what he had done (33)
   - He commanded that he be taken to the barracks (34)

16) What did the soldiers have to do at the stairs? Why? (35)
   - The soldiers had to carry Paul (35)
   - Because of the violence of the mob (35)

17) When Paul asked to speak to the commander, what two questions did he
    ask Paul? How did Paul respond? (37-39)
   - Can you speak Greek? (37)
   - Are you not the Egyptian, the leader of the assassins? (38)
   - I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I
     implore you to permit me to speak to the people (39)

18) With the commander's permission, in what language did Paul speak to
    the people? (40)
   - Hebrew (40)

The Watchmaker

The Watchmaker

Many thanks to Terry Grams at northernpartners.com.  By the way, this is a great website if you are interested in railroad pocket watches!!!

New

During the past 12 months, a good friend of mine (Bruce Arnold) introduced me to an alternative to Microsoft Windows operating systems, Linux UBUNTU.  This open source system is free, runs faster and more reliably than Windows and has thousands of free programs.  Question: Why would I ever want to stay with the Microsoft products?  Aside from a very few programs that I haven't outgrown, I have no good reason to stay with the overrated, overpriced, clunky "standard".  Which brings me to the picture.  Does anyone out there know where I can buy this...???  Admittedly, its a shot in the dark, but right now I would at least try something new; who knows, maybe it will be GREAT!!!  Whether or not it will be better is any one's guess, but I am in the mood for something NEW, SOMETHING BETTER.  Its hard NOT to think of the book of Hebrews when I think of something BETTER....

Hebrews, Chapter 10

1 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.  2 Or else wouldn’t they have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins?  3 But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins.  4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.  5 Therefore when he comes into the world, he says,

“Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire,
but you prepared a body for me;


  6 You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin.
  7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me)
to do your will, O God.’”


  8 Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn’t desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law), 9 then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second,  10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  11 Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,  12 but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;  13 from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet.  14 For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.  15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

  16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them:
‘After those days,’ says the Lord,


‘I will put my laws on their heart,
I will also write them on their mind;’”


then he says,

  17 “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.”


  18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus,  20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having a great priest over the house of God,  22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water,  23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.

  24 Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,  25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.  26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries.  28 A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses.  29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will he be judged worthy of, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?  30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.”Again, “The Lord will judge his people.”  31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The nation of Israel had a long history of rebelling against God.  They rebelled time and time again, only to realize their error after prolonged suffering.  But the problem was that they could not completely keep God's law and violation demanded punishment.  Enter Jesus and a new way, a better way; faith.  Instead of law breaking, faith-living became the standard.  Jesus made things very personal by HIS sacrifice.  He made one sacrifice (himself) for sins and had done with it; which, of course is much better than repeated offerings. This makes things simpler which is better.  Which is why I migrated to Ubuntu.  Now, if can only find this cola....

June 6 1 Samuel 5, 6

June 6

1 Samuel 5, 6

1Sa 5:1 Now the Philistines had taken the ark of God, and they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

1Sa 5:2 The Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

1Sa 5:3 When they of Ashdod arose early on the next day, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh. They took Dagon, and set him in his place again.

1Sa 5:4 When they arose early on the next day morning, behold, Dagon was fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands lay cut off on the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

1Sa 5:5 Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any who come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod, to this day.

1Sa 5:6 But the hand of Yahweh was heavy on them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and struck them with tumors, even Ashdod and its borders.

1Sa 5:7 When the men of Ashdod saw that it was so, they said, The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us; for his hand is sore on us, and on Dagon our god.

1Sa 5:8 They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines to them, and said, What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? They answered, Let the ark of the God of Israel be carried about to Gath. They carried the ark of the God of Israel there.

1Sa 5:9 It was so, that after they had carried it about, the hand of Yahweh was against the city with a very great confusion: and he struck the men of the city, both small and great; and tumors broke out on them.

1Sa 5:10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. It happened, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people.

1Sa 5:11 They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and they said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to its own place, that it not kill us and our people. For there was a deadly confusion throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there.

1Sa 5:12 The men who didn't die were struck with the tumors; and the cry of the city went up to heaven.

1Sa 6:1 The ark of Yahweh was in the country of the Philistines seven months.

1Sa 6:2 The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, "What shall we do with the ark of Yahweh? Show us with which we shall send it to its place."

1Sa 6:3 They said, "If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, don't send it empty; but by all means return him a trespass offering: then you shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you."

1Sa 6:4 Then they said, "What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him?" They said, "Five golden tumors, and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.

1Sa 6:5 Therefore you shall make images of your tumors, and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give glory to the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

1Sa 6:6 Why then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully among them, didn't they let the people go, and they departed?

1Sa 6:7 Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart, and two milk cows, on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them;

1Sa 6:8 and take the ark of Yahweh, and lay it on the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by its side; and send it away, that it may go.

1Sa 6:9 Behold; if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it was a chance that happened to us."

1Sa 6:10 The men did so, and took two milk cows, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home;

1Sa 6:11 and they put the ark of Yahweh on the cart, and the coffer with the mice of gold and the images of their tumors.

1Sa 6:12 The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh; they went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn't turn aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh.

1Sa 6:13 They of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.

1Sa 6:14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they split the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to Yahweh.

1Sa 6:15 The Levites took down the ark of Yahweh, and the coffer that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day to Yahweh.

1Sa 6:16 When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.

1Sa 6:17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering to Yahweh: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;

1Sa 6:18 and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, even to the great stone, whereon they set down the ark of Yahweh, which stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh.

1Sa 6:19 He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh, he struck of the people fifty thousand seventy men; and the people mourned, because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter.

1Sa 6:20 The men of Beth Shemesh said, Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God? and to whom shall he go up from us?

1Sa 6:21 They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought back the ark of Yahweh; come down, and bring it up to yourselves.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Twenty by Mark Copeland

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                             Chapter Twenty

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To review Paul's travels in Macedonia and Greece, during the 3rd
   journey

2) To note Paul's preaching until midnight and then talking until
   daybreak, after Eutychus falls out of the third floor window

3) To review Paul's travels from Troas to Miletus

4) To examine Paul's meeting with the Ephesian elders while in Miletus

SUMMARY

After the uproar in Ephesus had ceased, Paul gathered the disciples and
exhorted them; he then departed for Macedonia.  [During this period, 2
Corinthians may have been written.]  Paul provided much exhortation
throughout the region.  He then arrived in Greece and remained some
three months.  [Romans may have been written at this time.] As Paul
planned to sail to Syria, the Jews plotted against him.  He decided to
return through Macedonia.  The seven brethren traveling with Paul
travelled on to Troas, while Paul went to Philippi.  Luke joined Paul,
and they met the seven brethren in Troas.  (1-6)

The traveling group remained in Troas for seven days.  Paul preached on
Sunday until midnight, for they had gathered to "break bread."  Paul
planned to depart on the next day.  A young man, Eutychus, was sitting
in the window.  He was overcome with sleep, and fell from the third
floor window.  He was taken up dead.  Paul went down and "fell on him."
Eutychus was made alive.  Paul broke bread with them, and continued
talking with them until daybreak.  They were greatly comforted that
Eutychus was alive. (7-12)

Paul traveled from Troas to Assos by foot, while his companions sailed
there.  Paul joined them aboard ship in Assos.  Over some four days,
they sailed to/near:  Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus.  Paul
decided to sail past Ephesus, as he desired to be in Jerusalem on the
day of Pentecost. (13-16)

While at Miletus, Paul called for the elders of the church at Ephesus.
Paul reviewed his labors (history) with them:  he had served the Lord
with humility, tears and trials; he taught publicly and house-to-house;
he taught Jews and Greeks; and, he taught repentance toward God and
faith toward Christ.  Paul spoke of his future.  He was to go "bound in
the Spirit" to Jerusalem.  "Chains and tribulations" awaited him there.
In light of these things, Paul focused on his work to continue
proclaiming the Gospel.  He wanted to finish his race "with joy."  He
told the elders that they would not see his face anymore.  Paul
declared that he was "innocent of the blood of all men," as he had not
failed to declare to them the "whole counsel of God."  Paul exhorted and
warned them as elders; they were to follow his example.  Paul admonished
them to "take heed" unto themselves and to all the flock, over which
they were overseers.  They were to feed the church.  Paul warned them
that "wolves" would enter in, "not sparing the flock."  Some, even among
them, would arise to draw away the flock - "wherefore, watch ye."  Paul
reminded them that he had warned them day and night for three years.
Paul then commended them to God and to His Word, which is "able to build
you up."  Paul reminded them of his example of providing for himself and
those that were with him; laboring in this way, enabled them to provide
for the weak.  Paul then prayed with them and bade them farewell.  They
were weeping and sorrowful that they would not see him again.  They then
escorted him back to the ship for his departure.  (17-38)

OUTLINE

I. TRAVELS IN MACEDONIA AND GREECE (1-6)

   A. PAUL BADE FAREWELL TO THE EPHESIAN BRETHREN (1)
      1. Paul called the disciples to himself and said, "Goodbye"
      2. Paul departed to Macedonia

   B. PAUL ENCOURAGED THEM IN MACEDONIA AND GREECE, THEN TO TROAS (2-6)
      1. Paul traveled throughout Macedonia and encouraged them
      2. He then spent three months in Greece
      3. Paul planned to sail to Syria; the Jews plotted against him
         a. He decided to return through Macedonia
         b. Seven brethren accompanied Paul (messengers, see 1 Cor.
            16:3)
         c. The seven traveled on to Troas, while Paul went to Philippi
         d. Through the use of "us" and "we," it is noted that Luke
            joined Paul in Philippi
         e. Paul and Luke joined the others at Troas, five days later

II. PAUL PREACHED IN TROAS (7-12)

   A. PAUL PREACHED ON SUNDAY UNTIL MIDNIGHT (7-8)
      1. The travelers remained in Troas for seven days
      2. When the disciples assembled "to break bread," Paul preached
      3. He preached until midnight
      4. Paul planned to depart on the next day

   B. EUTYCHUS FELL OUT OF THE WINDOW (9-12)
      1. The young man, Eutychus, was sitting in the window
      2. He was overcome by sleep and fell from the third floor window
      3. Eutychus was taken up dead
      4. Paul went down and "fell on him"
      5. Eutychus was made alive
      6. Paul broke bread and continued talking with them until
         daybreak; they were comforted - Eutychus was alive

III. TRAVELING FROM TROAS TO MILETUS (13-16)

   A. PAUL MET THE OTHERS IN ASSOS AND BOARDED THE SHIP (13-14)
      1. Paul traveled from Troas to Assos by foot; his companions
         sailed by ship
      2. Paul joined them aboard ship at Assos
      3. Over some four days, they traveled to/near:
         a. Mitylene
         b. Chios
         c. Samos
         d. Miletus
      4. Paul decided to sail past Ephesus, as he desired to be in
         Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost

IV. MEETING WITH THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (17-38)

   A. PAUL REVIEWED HIS HISTORY WITH THE EPHESIAN ELDERS (17-21)
      1. While at Miletus, Paul called for the elders from Ephesus
      2. Paul reviewed his labors while he was in Ephesus
         a. He served the Lord with humility, tears and trials
         b. He taught publicly and house-to-house
         c. He taught Jews and Greeks
         d. He taught repentance toward God and faith toward Christ

   B. PAUL SPOKE OF HIS FUTURE (22-27)
      1. Paul was going to Jerusalem "bound in the Spirit"
      2. "Chains and tribulations" awaited him
      3. In light of these things, Paul focused on his work to continue
         to proclaim the Gospel, and to finish his race "with joy"
      4. He noted that they would not see his face anymore
      5. Paul declared that he was "innocent of the blood of all men,"
         as he had not failed to declare to them the "whole counsel of
         God"

   C. PAUL EXHORTED AND WARNED THEM AS ELDERS OF THE EPHESIAN CHURCH;
      THEY WERE TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE (28-35)
      1. Paul admonished the elders to "take heed" unto themselves and
         to all the flock, of which they were overseers
      2. They were to "shepherd the flock"
      3. Paul warned them that "wolves" would enter in, "not sparing the
         flock"
      4. Some, even among them, would arise to draw away the flock
      5. "Wherefore, watch ye"
      6. Paul reminded them that he had warned them day and night for
         three years
      7. Paul commended them to God and to His Word, which was "able to
         build you up"
      8. Paul reminded them of his example of providing for himself and
         those with him; laboring in this way, enabled them to provide
         for the weak

   D. PAUL PRAYED WITH THE ELDERS AND BADE THEM FAREWELL (36-38)
      1. Paul kneeled and prayed with them
      2. They all wept, sorrowed that they would not see Paul again
      3. They escorted Paul back to the ship

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main events in this chapter?
   - Paul's travels in Macedonia and Greece (1-6)
   - Paul preached in Troas (7-12)
   - Travelling from Troas to Miletus(13-16)
   - Meeting with the Ephesian Elders (17-38)

2) When the uproar had ceased in Ephesus, who did Paul call for? (1)
   - Called for the disciples and exhorted them (1)

3) Paul departed Ephesus and went where?  And, where next? (1-2)
   - Macedonia (1)
   - Greece (2)

4) As Paul planned to sail to Syria, what did the Jews do? How did he
   change his plans? (3)
   - They plotted against him (3)
   - He determined to return through Macedonia (3)

5) How many companions were traveling with Paul?  Where did they go
   ahead before Paul? (4-5)
   - Seven brethren (4)
   - They went ahead to Troas and waited (5)

6) What can be noted by the use of the pronouns, "we" and "us" in this
   passage? (5-6)
   - The writer, Luke, had joined the travelers (13)

7) Upon which day of the week and for what purpose had they gathered
   together? (7)
   - They gathered together on the first day of the week - Sunday (7)
   - They had gathered together to "break bread" (Lord's Supper) (7)

8) How long did Paul prolong his message? (7)
   - Until midnight (7)

9) Where was Eutychus and what happened to him? (9-12)
   - Sitting on the window sill (9)
   - Sank into a deep sleep (9)
   - Fell from the third floor window (9)
   - He was picked up dead (9)
   - Paul went down and fell upon him, embracing him (10)
   - He was alive again (12)

10) Where did the travelers sail to? How did Paul travel there? (13)
   - Assos (13)
   - Paul traveled by land (13)

11) List the locations they sailed to/near from Assos to Miletus?
    (14-15)
   - Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and Miletus (14-15)

12) What was Paul's reason for sailing past Ephesus? (16)
   - He was hurrying to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (16)

13) While in Miletus, who did Paul call to meet with him? (17)
   - The elders of the church in Ephesus (17)

14) Briefly list Paul's history with the Ephesians that he reviewed with
    them. (18-21)
   - He served the Lord with humility, tears and trials (19)
   - He taught publicly and house-to-house (20)
   - He taught Jews and Greeks (21)
   - He taught repentance toward God and faith toward Christ (21)

15) What did Paul say was in his future? (22-27)
   - He was going to Jerusalem "bound in the Spirit" (22)
   - "Chains and tribulations" awaited him (23)
   - In light of these things, Paul focused on his work to continue to
     proclaim the Gospel and to finish his race "with joy" (24)
   - He noted that they would not see his face anymore (25)
   - Paul declared that he was "innocent of the blood of all men," as he
     had not failed to declare to them the "whole counsel of God"
     (26-27)

16) How did Paul exhort and warn the elders? Whose example were they to
    follow? (28-35)
   - Paul admonished the elders to "take heed" unto themselves and to
     all the flock, of which they were overseers (28)
   - They were to "shepherd the flock" (28)
   - Paul warned them that "wolves" would enter in, "not sparing the
     flock" (29)
   - Some, even among them, would arise to draw away the flock (30)
   - "Wherefore, watch ye" - be on the alert (31)
   - Paul reminded them that he had warned them day and night for three
     years (31)
   - Paul commended them to God and to His Word, which was "able to
     build you up" (32)
   - Paul reminded them of his example of providing for himself and
     those with him; laboring in this way, enabled them to provide for
     the weak (33-35)

17) After Paul exhorted and warned the elders, what did he do? (36)
   - He knelt down and prayed with them (36)

18) What were they especially grieved over? (37-38)
   - Over the word that he had spoken, that they would see his face no
     longer (38)