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

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                          Chapter Twenty-Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To consider the events of Paul before the Sanhedrin

2) To review the plot by the Jews for Paul's life

3) To examine Paul's transport to Caesarea to appear before Governor
   Felix

SUMMARY

When Paul was before the Sanhedrin council, he stated that he had lived
in "all good conscience before God."  Ananias, the high priest,
commanded that he be struck on the mouth.  Paul responded, not knowing
that he was the high priest, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!
For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to
be struck contrary to the law?"  Those standing nearby asked Paul if he
would "revile" the high priest.  Paul then quoted the scriptures, "You
shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people."  Paul recognized that
there were Sadducees and Pharisees present in the Sanhedrin.  He made it
known that he was a Pharisee, and that he was being judged concerning
"the hope and resurrection of the dead."  This caused a dissension among
the Sanhedrin, as the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and
the Pharisees did believe in the resurrection.  The
scribes of the Pharisees spoke out that they found nothing evil in Paul.
The Roman commander became afraid that harm would come to Paul, so he
ordered the soldiers to take Paul back to the barracks.  (1-10)

The following night, the Lord appeared and spoke to Paul.  He was to be
the Lord's witness at Rome, as he had testified for Him in Jerusalem.
Some Jews then planned to kill Paul.  More than forty Jews banded
together and took an oath to kill him before they ate or drank anything.
The plotting Jews went to the chief priests and elders to present their
plan.  They requested that the chief priests and elders would contact
the commander, and have Paul appear before the council again for further
inquiry.  The forty or more Jews would lie in wait to kill him along the
way.  Paul's nephew heard of the ambush plot.  He went to Paul in the
barracks and told him what he heard.  Paul had his nephew taken to the
commander.  The commander took him aside and heard the plot.  The
commander told the young man to tell no one that they had spoken about
the plot.  Paul's nephew then departed from the commander.  (11-22)

Next, Paul was to be sent to Felix at Caesarea by night.  The commander
had two centurions prepare the men to take Paul.  200 Soldiers, 70
horsemen, and 200 spearmen were readied.  They were to take Paul to
Caesarea at the third hour of the night.  Paul was to go before governor
Felix.  The commander wrote a letter to Felix to accompany Paul.  The
commander, Claudius Lysias, addressed the letter to "the most excellent
governor Felix."  The letter summarized the situation with Paul.  The
Jews had seized Paul and were about to kill him.  Troops were sent to
rescue Paul.  In an attempt to learn of the Jews' accusation of Paul, he
took him before the Sanhedrin council.  He only learned that Paul was
accused "concerning questions of the law," but nothing deserving death
or imprisonment.  The commander learned of a plot to ambush and kill
Paul.  Due to this discovery, he sent Paul to Felix and ordered his
accusers to appear before Felix to state their charges against him.  The
letter gave Felix the background.  The soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen
took Paul by night to Antipatris.  The next day, the horsemen continued,
and took Paul to Caesarea, while the soldiers and spearmen returned.
They presented Paul and the letter to Felix.  The governor inquired
where Paul was from and understood that he was from Cilicia.  He agreed
to hear Paul when his accusers arrived.  Felix had Paul held in Herod's
Praetorium.  (23-35)

OUTLINE

I. PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN COUNCIL (1-10)

   A. THE HIGH PRIEST ANANIAS COMMANDED FOR PAUL TO BE STRUCK ON THE
      MOUTH (1-3)
      1. Paul stated he had lived in "all good conscience before God"
      2. Ananias commanded that Paul be struck on the mouth
      3. Paul responded, not knowing that Ananias was high priest
         a. Paul said, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!"
         b. Paul noted that he had commanded him to be struck contrary
            to the law

   B. PAUL DID NOT RECOGNIZE ANANIAS AS HIGH PRIEST (4-5)
      1. When Paul spoke to Ananias, those standing near asked, "Do you
         revile God's high priest?"
      2. Paul did not know Ananias was the high priest
         a. Paul quoted scripture in response
         b. "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people"

   C. THE SANHEDRIN WAS DIVIDED (6-10)
      1. Paul recognized that there were Sadducees and Pharisees present
         in the Sanhedrin
      2. Paul made it known that he was a Pharisee and was being judged
         concerning "the hope and resurrection of the dead"
         a. This caused a dissension among the Sanhedrin
         b. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection; the
            Pharisees did believe in the resurrection
         c. The scribes of the Pharisees spoke out that they found
            nothing evil in Paul
      3. The Roman commander became afraid that harm would come to Paul
      4. The commander ordered the soldiers to take Paul back to the
         barracks

II. THE JEWISH PLOT AGAINST PAUL'S LIFE (11-22)

   A. THE LORD SPOKE TO PAUL (11)
      1. The Lord appeared and spoke to Paul the following night
      2. Paul was to be the Lord's witness at Rome

   B. THE JEWS PLANNED TO KILL PAUL (12-15)
      1. More than forty Jews banded together and took an oath to kill
         Paul before they ate or drank anything
      2. The plotting Jews went to the chief priests and elders to
         present their plan
         a. The chief priests and elders were to contact the commander
         b. They wanted Paul to be called before the council again for
            further inquiry
         c. The forty Jews would lie in wait to kill him along the way

   C. THE PLOT WAS DISCOVERED (16-22)
      1. Paul's nephew heard of the ambush plot
      2. He went to Paul in the barracks and told him what he had heard
      3. Paul had his nephew taken to the commander
         a. The commander took him aside and heard the plot
         b. The commander told the young man to tell no one that they
            had spoken about the plot
         c. Paul's nephew departed from the commander

III. PAUL WAS SENT TO FELIX AT CAESAREA BY NIGHT (23-35)

   A. THE COMMANDER HAD TWO CENTURIONS PREPARE TO TAKE PAUL (23-24)
      1. 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen were prepared
      2. They were to take Paul to Caesarea at the third hour of the
         night
      3. Paul was to go before governor Felix

   B. THE COMMANDER WROTE A LETTER TO FELIX (25-30)
      1. Claudius Lysias was the Roman commander's name
      2. The letter was address to "the most excellent governor Felix"
      3. The letter summarized the situation with Paul
         a. The Jews had seized Paul and were about to kill him
         b. Troops were sent to rescue Paul
         c. To learn of the Jews' accusation, the commander took Paul
            before the Sanhedrin
         d. He only learned that Paul was accused "concerning questions
            of the law," but nothing deserving death or imprisonment
         e. The commander learned of a plot to ambush and kill Paul
         f. Due to this, he sent Paul to Felix and ordered his accusers
            to appear before Felix to state their charges against him

   C. PAUL WAS TAKEN TO CAESAREA AND PRESENTED TO FELIX (31-35)
      1. The soldiers, horsemen, and spearmen took Paul by night to
         Antipatris
      2. The next day, the horsemen continued, and took Paul to
         Caesarea, while the soldiers and spearmen returned
      3. They presented Paul and the letter to Felix
         a. Felix inquired where Paul was from and understood that he
            was from Cilicia
         b. He agreed to hear Paul when his accusers arrived
         c. He had Paul held in Herod's Praetorium

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main events in this chapter?
   - Paul before the Sanhedrin (1-10)
   - The Jewish plot against Paul's life (11-22)
   - Paul was sent to Felix at Caesarea by night (23-35)

2) How did Paul begin his address to the Sanhedrin? (1)
   - "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God
     until this day." (1)

3) How did the high priest Ananias respond? (2)
   - He commanded him to be struck on the mouth (2)

4) Why did Paul take issue with that action? (3)
   - They were supposedly judging him according to the law, but they
     were acting contrary to the law by striking him (3)

5) Did Paul know that Ananias was the high priest?  (4-5)
   - No (5)

6) What did Paul recognize (or "perceive") about the council? (6)
   - He recognized that one part was Sadducees and the other Pharisees
     (6)

7) What was the noted difference between the Sadducees and Pharisees?
   (7-8)
   - Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, nor angels or
     spirits (8)
   - Pharisees believed in the resurrection, and angels and spirits (8)

8) For what did Paul say he was being judged? (6)
   - "concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead" (6)

9) Who said, "We find no evil in this man?" What was their
   recommendation? (9)
   - The scribes of the Pharisees' party (9)
   - "let us not fight against God" (9)

10) Why did the commander order that Paul be taken to the barracks? (10)
   - He was afraid he would be "pulled to pieces" (10)

11) Who appeared to Paul the following night?  What did He say? (11)
   - The Lord (11)
   - "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in
     Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." (11)

12) What did some of the Jews band together to do?  What was their oath?
    About how many banded together?  (12-13)
   - They banded together to kill Paul (12)
   - Not to eat or drink until they killed Paul (12)
   - More than forty Jews (13)

13) Describe the plot to kill Paul. (14-15)
   - The plotting Jews wanted the Sanhedrin council to call back before
     them for "further inquiries" (15)
   - They planned to ambush (kill) Paul before he arrived (15)

14) Who heard about the ambush?  Who did he go tell?  What did he do
    next? (16-22)
   - Paul's sister's son (Paul's nephew) heard about the ambush (16)
   - He went to the barracks and told Paul (16)
   - Paul had him taken to the commander (17)
   - The commander took him aside privately, and Paul's nephew described
     what he had heard about the ambush (19-21)
   - The commander let him go, and told the young man to tell no one
     that he had discussed this with him (22)

15) What did the commander do after learning of the plot? (23-30)
   - He told two centurions to prepare men to go to Caesarea (23)
   - 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen (23)
   - They were to take Paul to Felix by night (23-24)
   - He wrote a letter to Felix, summarizing Paul's situation (25-30)

16) What question did Felix ask upon receiving Paul and the letter?
    (33-34)
   - He asked what province Paul was from (34)
   - He learned that he was from Cilicia (34)

17) When did Felix agree to hear Paul's case? (35)
   - When his accusers arrived (35)

18) Where was Paul kept, while waiting for the accusers? (35)
   - Herod's Praetorium (35)

From Rainbows to REALITY

When I think of rainbows, they are in the heavens; unreachable and illusive. Yet, here is one within reach and right down to Earth.  And with a bridge over it, to boot.  Somehow this is a more wonderful sight than anything I have seen before as it is REACHABLE.  Not some pie-in-the-sky concept, but attainable.  This almost makes me want to be on that bridge, almost makes me NEED TO BE ON THAT BRIDGE!!!  Why?  Because if I CAN cross over to the end of the rainbow, I WANT TO!!!!  For me, this brings the following Scripture to the forefront of my thinking yet once again....

Ephesians, Chapter 1

 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ;  4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; 5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,  6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved,  7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,  8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,  9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him  10 to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;  11 in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;  12 to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:  13 in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation—in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,  14 who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory. 

Blessed in heaven and blessed on Earth.  Its not the location, its what has been done for us.  How often are we overwhelmed with the troubles of this life, how many times are we reminded of the evils in this world... almost daily?  Yet, there is something better, something wonderful that awaits us and the thought of it sends my mind to marvel!!!  The picture shows a rainbow and for those of you who have read this blog before, you have seen many of them!!!  But, in my mind this one says it best, as I can imagine Jesus as the bridge between where I am and the end of the rainbow... heaven.  You may think this is just wishful thinking, BUT, Jesus actually lived and died for each of us.  More than that, his resurrection proves his message to be truth and that's better than any pot of Gold at the end of any rainbow!!!!

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

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                           Chapter Twenty-Two

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To explore Paul's address to the Jerusalem mob

2) To understand how Paul used his Roman citizenship to avoid scourging

3) To observe Paul taken before the Sanhedrin council

SUMMARY

Paul addressed the crowd as "brethren and fathers" in Hebrew.  The mob
became very quiet when they heard that.  Paul began his defense by
providing his background:  He was a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia; he
was brought up in Jerusalem at the "feet of Gamaliel;" he was taught
"according to the strictness of our father's law;" and he was zealous
toward God, just like them.  Paul added that he had persecuted the Way
to the death.  He bound and delivered men and women to prison.  He acted
under the high priest's and elders' authority.  Paul called upon their
witness for himself.  He had received letters from them to travel to
Damascus to bring those of the Way back to Jerusalem for punishment.
Paul then described the Lord's appearance to him on the road to
Damascus.  At about noon, a bright light shined around Paul.  He fell to
the ground.  The Lord asked him why he was persecuting Him.  The
Lord identified Himself as Jesus of Nazareth.  Paul asked, "What shall I
do, Lord?"  The Lord told him to go into Damascus and he would be told
what to do.  He was led by the hand into Damascus by his
companions, because he could not see.  Paul then described his obedience
to the gospel when taught by Ananias.  Ananias came to Paul.  He
restored his sight.  Ananias told Paul that he had been chosen to
"know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth."
Paul was to be "His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard."
Ananias told Paul what to do to be forgiven of his sins.  He
asked Paul, "Why are you waiting?  Arise and be baptized, and wash away
your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."  Next, Paul described how
the Lord had sent him to the Gentiles.  Paul returned to Jerusalem.  He
was praying in the temple, and was in a trance.  The Lord appeared to
him and told him to quickly depart from Jerusalem for the Jews would
"not receive your testimony concerning Me."  Paul attempted to explain
to the Lord that he could make the Jews understand.  He responded that
the Jews knew of his persecution of those of the Way.  He added that he
had even consented to the death of Stephen, holding the killer's
clothes.  The Lord told Paul of His plans for him.  Paul was to depart.
He was sent far away to the Gentiles.  (1-21)

The Jews listened until the Gentiles were mentioned.  When the Jews
heard that he was sent to the Gentiles, they raised their voices, "...he
is not fit to live!"  They tore their clothes and threw dust in the
air.  At this point, the Romans prepared to examine Paul under
scourging.  The Roman commander ordered that Paul be brought into the
barracks.  The commander wanted to know why they shouted so against
Paul.  He ordered that Paul should be examined under scourging.  The
soldiers bound Paul with thongs.  Paul asked the centurion standing
nearby, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and
uncondemned?"  The centurion told this to the commander.  The commander
asked Paul if he was a Roman citizen, and Paul affirmed that he was.
The commander then indicated that he had purchased his citizenship at a
great price; however, Paul noted that he was a Roman by birth.  The
soldiers were frightened by this.  They were afraid because they had
bound a Roman citizen, and they were about to scourge him.  (22-29)

The commander still wanted to know why he was accused by the Jews.  The
next day, Paul was released from his bonds.  The chief priests and the
council were commanded to appear, and Paul was brought before them.
(30)

OUTLINE

I. PAUL ADDRESSED THE MOB (1-21)

   A. PAUL BEGAN HIS DEFENSE (1-2)
      1. Paul addressed the crowd as "brethren and fathers"
      2. The mob became very quiet when they heard him speak in Hebrew

   B. PAUL DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS SIMILAR TO THEM (3-5)
      1. Paul's description of himself included:
         a. He was a Jew
         b. Born in Tarsus of Cilicia
         c. Brought up in Jerusalem at the "feet of Gamaliel"
         d. Taught in the "strictness of our father's law"
         e. Zealous toward God - like them
      2. Paul persecuted the Way to the death
         a. He bound and delivered men and women to prison
         b. He acted under the high priest's and elders' authority and
            witness
         c. He had received letters to go to Damascus to bring those of
            the Way to Jerusalem for punishment

   C. PAUL DESCRIBED THE LORD'S APPEARANCE ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS
      (6-11)
      1. At about noon, on the road to Damascus, a bright light shined
         around Paul
         a. He fell to the ground
         b. He heard Jesus ask him why he was persecuting Him
         c. The Lord identified Himself as Jesus of Nazareth
      2. Paul asked the Lord what he should do
         a. Paul's traveling companions saw the light but did not hear
            the voice (or understand it)
         b. Paul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?"
         c. The Lord told Paul to go into Damascus and he would be told
            what to do
         d. He was led by the hand into Damascus by his companions,
            because he could not see

   D. PAUL DESCRIBED HIS OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL WHEN TAUGHT BY ANANIAS
      (12-16)
      1. Ananias came to Paul
         a. He restored Paul's sight
         b. Ananias told Paul that he had been chosen to "know His will,
            and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth"
         c. Paul was to be "His witness to all men of what you have seen
            and heard"
      2. Ananias told Paul what to do to be forgiven of his sins
         a. He asked Paul, "Why are you waiting?"
         b. "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on
            the name of the Lord"

   E. PAUL DESCRIBED THE LORD SENDING HIM TO THE GENTILES (17-21)
      1. The Lord spoke to Paul
         a. Paul returned to Jerusalem; he was praying in the temple
         b. He was in a trance and the Lord appeared to him
         c. The Lord told him to quickly depart from Jerusalem for the
            Jews would "not receive your testimony concerning Me"
      2. Paul attempted to explain to the Lord that he could make the
         Jews understand
         a. Paul responded that the Jews knew of his persecution of
            those of the Way
         b. He added that he had even consented to the death of Stephen,
            holding the killer's clothes
      3. The Lord told Paul of His plans for him
         a. Paul was to depart
         b. He was sent far away to the Gentiles

II. PAUL CLAIMED HIS ROMAN CITIZENSHIP (22-29)

   A. THE JEWS LISTENED UNTIL THE GENTILES WERE MENTIONED (22-23)
      1. When the Jews heard that he was sent to the Gentiles, they
         raised their voices, "...he is not fit to live!"
      2. They tore their clothes and threw dust in the air

   B. ROMANS PREPARED TO EXAMINE PAUL UNDER SCOURGING (24)
      1. The Roman commander ordered that Paul be brought into the
         barracks
      2. The commander wanted to know why they shouted against Paul
      3. He ordered that Paul should be examined under scourging

   C. PAUL NOTIFIED THE ROMANS OF HIS ROMAN CITIZENSHIP (25-29)
      1. The soldiers bound Paul
      2. Paul asked the centurion, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a
         man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?"
      3. The centurion told this to the commander
      4. The commander verified Paul's Roman citizenship
         a. He asked Paul if he was a Roman citizen, and Paul affirmed
         b. The commander indicated that he had purchased his
            citizenship, but Paul noted that he was a Roman by birth
      5. The soldiers were frightened by this - his citizenship
         a. They were afraid because they had bound a Roman citizen
         b. They were afraid because they were about to scourge a Roman
            citizen

III. PAUL TAKEN BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN COUNCIL (30)

   A. THE COMMANDER SOUGHT FOR THE JEW'S ACCUSATION (30)
      1. The commander wanted to know why he was accused by the Jews
      2. Paul was released from his bonds
      3. The chief priests and the council were commanded to appear
      4. The commander brought Paul before them (Sanhedrin)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main events in this chapter?
   - Paul addressed the Jerusalem mob (1-21)
   - Paul claimed Roman citizenship (22-29)
   - Paul was taken before the Sanhedrin council (30)

2) When Paul addressed the mob, what caused them to become quiet? (1-2)
   - He spoke to them in the Hebrew language (2)

3) List the information that Paul used to describe himself? (3-5)
   - He was a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia (3)
   - Brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel (3)
   - Was taught according to the "strictness of our fathers' law" (3)
   - He was zealous toward God, like them (3)
   - He persecuted the Way to death, binding and delivering men and
     women to prison (4)
   - High priest and elders bear him witness (5)
   - He received letters from them to bring Christians to Jerusalem to
     be punished (5)

4) What was the question that Paul heard on the road to Damascus? (6-7)
   - "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" (7)

5) How did the Lord answer Paul's question, "Who are You, Lord?" (8)
   - "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting." (8)

6) When Paul asked, "What shall I do, Lord?" what was the answer? (10)
   - "Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things
     which are appointed for you to do" (10)

7) Why was Paul led by the hand into Damascus? (11)
   - Paul could not see because of the "glory of that light" (11)

8) Why did Paul have the Damascus road encounter? (14-15)
   - That he should know His will, see the Just One, and hear His voice
     (14)
   - He was to be His witness to all men of what he had seen and heard
     (15)

9) At this point, did Paul still have his sins?  What did he need to do
   to have them forgiven ("washed away")? (16)
   - Yes, he still needed to "wash away your sins" (16)
   - He had to be baptized (immersed) to "wash away your sins" (16)

10) While in a trance in the temple, what did the Lord say to him?
    (17-18)
   - "Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not
     receive your testimony concerning Me" (18)

11) At what word did the Jewish mob stop listening to Paul? (21-22)
   - "...I will send you far from here to the Gentiles" (21-22)

12) Why did the commander want to bind and scourge Paul? (24)
   - So that he might know why they shouted so against him (24)

13) What did Paul ask the centurion, as they were binding him? (25)
   - Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and
     uncondemned? (25)

14) What was the reaction to Paul's question? (26-29)
   - The centurion told the commander that Paul was a Roman (26)
   - The commander confirmed that he was a Roman by birth (27-28)
   - The soldiers became afraid - they had bound and were about to
     scourge a Roman citizen (29)

15) Who was Paul set before next and why?  Was he still bound? (30)
   - Chief priests and all their council - Sanhedrin (30)
   - To know for certain why Paul was accused by the Jews (30)
   - Paul's bonds had been released (30)

A wing and a prayer

Piggyback!  Feeling a little tired, why not hitch a ride on your nearest Eagle?  Well, we all feel a little tired at times, even at our peak in life we still become weary.  Which reminds me of one of the first sections of Scripture I remembered...

Isaiah, Chapter 40

  28 Haven’t you known?
Haven’t you heard?
The everlasting God, Yahweh,
The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint.
He isn’t weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.


  29 He gives power to the weak.
He increases the strength of him who has no might.


  30 Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall;
  31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run, and not be weary.
They will walk, and not faint.

God helps us in a variety of ways; spiritually, emotionally, and of course, physically.  How?  I really don't know the answer to that except to tell you that I can remember numerous times that I felt like I could not do even one more thing, yet somehow I did.  The skeptics out there would probably tell you its all in my mind, but I know better!! How? Experience is the only answer I can give you. God is full of surprises and his help is just one of them.  Unless you are in an airplane, you never will fly, but God is out there to help you in your daily life.  Try HIM and see.  If you take the time to rethink your life, you will see that HE has been there, helping.  And this is not just wishful thinking; or should I say "a wing and a prayer"... pun intended!!!

June 7 1 Samuel 7, 8

June 7

1 Samuel 7, 8

1Sa 7:1 The men of Kiriath Jearim came, and fetched up the ark of Yahweh, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of Yahweh.

1Sa 7:2 It happened, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath Jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh.

1Sa 7:3 Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you do return to Yahweh with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you, and direct your hearts to Yahweh, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

1Sa 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and served Yahweh only.

1Sa 7:5 Samuel said, "Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to Yahweh."

1Sa 7:6 They gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Yahweh, and fasted on that day, and said there, "We have sinned against Yahweh." Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah.

1Sa 7:7 When the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. When the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

1Sa 7:8 The children of Israel said to Samuel, "Don't cease to cry to Yahweh our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines."

1Sa 7:9 Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh: and Samuel cried to Yahweh for Israel; and Yahweh answered him.

1Sa 7:10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel; but Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day on the Philistines, and confused them; and they were struck down before Israel.

1Sa 7:11 The men of Israel went out of Mizpah, and pursued the Philistines, and struck them, until they came under Beth Kar.

1Sa 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto has Yahweh helped us.

1Sa 7:13 So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more within the border of Israel: and the hand of Yahweh was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

1Sa 7:14 The cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and its border did Israel deliver out of the hand of the Philistines. There was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

1Sa 7:15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

1Sa 7:16 He went from year to year in circuit to Bethel and Gilgal, and Mizpah; and he judged Israel in all those places.

1Sa 7:17 His return was to Ramah, for there was his house; and there he judged Israel: and he built there an altar to Yahweh.

1Sa 8:1 It happened, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

1Sa 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abijah: they were judges in Beersheba.

1Sa 8:3 His sons didn't walk in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted justice.

1Sa 8:4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel to Ramah;

1Sa 8:5 and they said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons don't walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

1Sa 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. Samuel prayed to Yahweh.

1Sa 8:7 Yahweh said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they tell you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not be king over them.

1Sa 8:8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, in that they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also to you.

1Sa 8:9 Now therefore listen to their voice: however you shall protest solemnly to them, and shall show them the manner of the king who shall reign over them.

1Sa 8:10 Samuel told all the words of Yahweh to the people who asked of him a king.

1Sa 8:11 He said, This will be the manner of the king who shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them to him, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and they shall run before his chariots;

1Sa 8:12 and he will appoint them to him for captains of thousands, and captains of fifties; and he will set some to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and the instruments of his chariots.

1Sa 8:13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

1Sa 8:14 He will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive groves, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

1Sa 8:15 He will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

1Sa 8:16 He will take your male servants, and your female servants, and your best young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work.

1Sa 8:17 He will take the tenth of your flocks: and you shall be his servants.

1Sa 8:18 You shall cry out in that day because of your king whom you shall have chosen you; and Yahweh will not answer you in that day.

1Sa 8:19 But the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel; and they said, No: but we will have a king over us,

1Sa 8:20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

1Sa 8:21 Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of Yahweh.

1Sa 8:22 Yahweh said to Samuel, Listen to their voice, and make them a king. Samuel said to the men of Israel, Every man go to his city.

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)