May 30, 31 John 8

May 30, 31

John 8

Joh 8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

Joh 8:2 Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down, and taught them.

Joh 8:3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the midst,

Joh 8:4 they told him, "Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act.

Joh 8:5 Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such. What then do you say about her?"

Joh 8:6 They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger.

Joh 8:7 But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her."

Joh 8:8 Again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.

Joh 8:9 They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle.

Joh 8:10 Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, "Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?"

Joh 8:11 She said, "No one, Lord." Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more."

Joh 8:12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."

Joh 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, "You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid."

Joh 8:14 Jesus answered them, "Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don't know where I came from, or where I am going.

Joh 8:15 You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.

Joh 8:16 Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.

Joh 8:17 It's also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.

Joh 8:18 I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me."

Joh 8:19 They said therefore to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."

Joh 8:20 Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

Joh 8:21 Jesus said therefore again to them, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can't come."

Joh 8:22 The Jews therefore said, "Will he kill himself, that he says, 'Where I am going, you can't come?' "

Joh 8:23 He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.

Joh 8:24 I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins."

Joh 8:25 They said therefore to him, "Who are you?" Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.

Joh 8:26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world."

Joh 8:27 They didn't understand that he spoke to them about the Father.

Joh 8:28 Jesus therefore said to them, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.

Joh 8:29 He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn't left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him."

Joh 8:30 As he spoke these things, many believed in him.

Joh 8:31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.

Joh 8:32 You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

Joh 8:33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's seed, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, 'You will be made free?' "

Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.

Joh 8:35 A bondservant doesn't live in the house forever. A son remains forever.

Joh 8:36 If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Joh 8:37 I know that you are Abraham's seed, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.

Joh 8:38 I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father."

Joh 8:39 They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.

Joh 8:40 But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn't do this.

Joh 8:41 You do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."

Joh 8:42 Therefore Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven't come of myself, but he sent me.

Joh 8:43 Why don't you understand my speech? Because you can't hear my word.

Joh 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father.

Joh 8:45 But because I tell the truth, you don't believe me.

Joh 8:46 Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

Joh 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don't hear, because you are not of God."

Joh 8:48 Then the Jews answered him, "Don't we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?"

Joh 8:49 Jesus answered, "I don't have a demon, but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.

Joh 8:50 But I don't seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.

Joh 8:51 Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death."

Joh 8:52 Then the Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, 'If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.'

Joh 8:53 Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"

Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.

Joh 8:55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, 'I don't know him,' I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word.

Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad."

Joh 8:57 The Jews therefore said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?"

Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."

Joh 8:59 Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through the midst of them, and so passed by.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Thirteen Mark Copeland

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                            Chapter Thirteen

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To trace the route of Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journey

2) To give special attention to their evangelistic methods and message

3) To notice that people judge themselves unworthy of eternal life, not
   God; and that people ordained for eternal life are those with good
   and noble hearts, willing to listen and heed the gospel

SUMMARY

With his attention now on the ministry of Paul, Luke narrates the
beginning of Paul's first missionary journey.  It started with the call
of the Holy Spirit, who instructed the prophets and teachers at the
church in Antioch of Syria to separate Barnabas and Saul for the work He
has called them.  With fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands, the
two men were sent out on their journey (1-3)

Sailing from Selucia, they arrived at the island of Cyprus, the home
country of Barnabas (cf. 4:36).  Assisting them was John Mark (Barnabas'
cousin who had joined them earlier, and was later the companion of Peter
and author of the gospel of Mark; cf. 12:25; Col 4:10; 1Pe 5:13).  Here
they began what Luke later describes as Paul's custom:  preaching in the
synagogues of the Jews (cf. 17:1-3).  Starting in Salamis, they made
their way to Paphos, where they met the sorcerer Elymas Bar-Jesus along
with the proconsul Sergius Paulus.  When Sergius wanted to hear the Word
of God, Elymas tried to prevent Barnabas and Saul from speaking.  Filled
with the Holy Spirit, Saul rebuked the sorcerer and rendered him
sightless.  Astonished at the power behind the teaching of the Lord,
Sergius believes.  From this point forward, Saul is now called Paul and
also became the more prominent member of the missionary team (4-12).

From Cyprus they sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them
to return to Jerusalem (later causing contention between Paul and
Barnabas; cf. 15:36-40).  Arriving in Antioch of Pisidia, they attended
the synagogue of the Jews on the Sabbath.  Invited to speak, Paul
preached Jesus by first reviewing the history of Israel from the Exodus
to the time of David.  Noting God's promise concerning the seed of
David, Paul summarized the ministry of John the Baptist and then
introduced Jesus as the Savior who was crucified, buried and raised from
the dead, and seen by eyewitnesses.  Offering further evidence of the
resurrection from Old Testament prophecy, Paul proclaimed forgiveness of
sins through Jesus with a warning against unbelief (13-41).

The response was positive, especially among the Gentiles, and Paul and
Barnabas were invited to speak the following Sabbath.  When unbelieving
Jews saw that the whole city came out to hear, they were filled with
envy and opposed the things spoken by Paul.  Declared themselves
unworthy of eternal life, Paul turned his efforts toward the Gentiles
who were much more receptive.  The word of the Lord spread through the
region, but eventually Paul and Barnabas were forced to leave and thus
went to Iconium.  Their work in Antioch was not in vain, for left behind
were disciples filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (42-52).

OUTLINE

I. DEPARTURE FROM ANTIOCH OF SYRIA (1-3)

   A. PROPHETS AND TEACHERS AT ANTIOCH (1)
      1. Barnabas, Simeon (called Niger), Lucius of Cyrene
      2. Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod), Saul

   B. BARNABAS AND SAUL SEPARATED AND SENT (2-3)
      1. As the prophets and teachers ministered to the Lord and fasted
      2. The Holy Spirit commands that Barnabas and Saul be separated
         for His work
      3. With fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands, Barnabas and Saul
         are sent away

II. MINISTRY ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS (4-12)

   A. JOURNEY TO SALAMIS (4-5)
      1. Sent out by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul go down to
         Seleucia
      2. From Seleucia they sail to Cyprus and arrive at Salamis
      3. In Salamis they preach the Word in the Jewish synagogue,
         assisted by John Mark

   B. CONFRONTATION AT PAPHOS (6-12)
      1. Crossing the island of Cyprus they arrive at Paphos
      2. There they encounter Elymas Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer and false
         prophet
         a. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, wanted to hear the Word of
            God
         b. Elymas sought to keep him from hearing Barnabas and Saul
      3. Saul (who is also called Paul from this point forward)
         confronts and confounds Elymas
         a. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul looked at him intently and
            saw that he was full of deceit and fraud
         b. Calling him a son of the devil and enemy of righteousness,
            Paul charged him with perverting the ways of the Lord
         c. Paul then foretells his blindness by the hand of the Lord,
            which happens immediately
      4. Seeing what happened, Sergius Paulus believes, astonished at
         the teaching of the Lord

III. PREACHING IN ANTIOCH OF PISIDIA (13-52)

   A. FROM CYPRUS TO ANTIOCH, BY WAY OF PERGA (13-14)
      1. Setting sail from Paphos, they arrive in Perga of Pamphylia
      2. At Perga, John Mark leaves them and returns to Jerusalem
      3. From Perga, they come to Antioch of Pisidia

   B. THE FIRST SABBATH IN ANTIOCH (14-43)
      1. Visiting the synagogue, they are invited to address the people
      2. Paul's sermon to the men of Israel and those who fear God
         a. He reviews Israel's history from the Exodus to the time of
            David
         b. He proclaims Jesus as the seed of David who was introduced
            by John the Baptist
         c. He preaches the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
         d. He offers evidence for the resurrection: eyewitnesses and
            messianic prophecies
         e. He announces forgiveness and justification available through
            Jesus Christ, not the law
         f. He warns them not to despise the wonderful work of God
      3. The response and follow up to his sermon
         a. The Gentiles beg that he will preach the same to them on the
            next Sabbath
         b. Many Jews and devout proselytes follow Paul and Barnabas,
            who persuade them to continue in the grace of God

   C. THE SECOND SABBATH IN ANTIOCH (44-49)
      1. Almost the whole city gathers to hear the Word of God
      2. The Jews become envious, and begin contradicting and
         blaspheming Paul
      3. Paul and Barnabas boldly rebuke the Jews for rejecting the
         Word, and turn to the Gentiles as commanded by the Lord
      4. The Gentiles rejoice, many believe, and the Word of the Lord is
         spread throughout the region

   D. PERSECUTION AND EXPULSION TO ICONIUM (50-52)
      1. The Jews stir up devout and prominent women and chief men to
         persecute and expel Paul and Barnabas from their region
      2. Shaking the dust of their feet against them, Paul and Barnabas
         go to Iconium
      3. The disciples, meanwhile, are filled with joy and with the Holy
         Spirit

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Departure from Antioch of Syria (1-3)
   - Ministry on the island of Cyprus (4-12)
   - Preaching in Antioch of Pisidia (13-52)

2) Who were the prophets and teachers at the church in Antioch? (1)
   - Barnabas, Simeon (Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, Saul

3) Who told them to send Barnabas and Saul on their journey? (2)
   - The Holy Spirit

4) What activities helped to prepare them for their mission? (3)
   - Fasting, prayer, the laying on of hands

5) From what city did they disembark, and to where did they sail? (4)
   - Selucia; the island of Cyprus

6) Where did they first preach?  Who was with them? (5)
   - Salamis
   - John (Mark); cf. 12:25

7) At Paphos, who wanted to hear the Word of God?  Who sought to prevent
   him? (6-8)
   - Sergius Paulus, proconsul
   - Bar-Jesus, a Jewish false prophet, also known as Elymas the
     sorcerer

8) What did Saul do to Elymas?  What affect did this have on Sergius
   Paulus? (9-12)
   - Caused a dark mist to fall on him, resulting in blindness
   - Caused him to believe, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord

9) Setting sail from Paphos, where did they go?  Who left when they
   arrived? (13)
   - Perga in Pamphylia
   - John, who returned to Jerusalem

10) Where did Paul and Barnabas go next?  What did they do on the
    Sabbath day? (14)
   - Antioch of Pisidia
   - Attended the synagogue

11) Invited to speak, what periods of Israel's history did Paul first
    review? (15-22)
   - The exodus, wilderness wanderings, the judges, the kings Saul and
     David

12) Skipping from David to his descendant Jesus, whose ministry does
    Paul review? (23-25)
   - That of John the Baptist

13) Focusing on the word of salvation, what does Paul proclaim
    concerning Jesus? (26-30)
   - His death, burial and resurrection

14) What evidence does Paul provide for the resurrection of Jesus?
    (31-37)
   - Testimony of witnesses
   - Testimony of scripture

15) What does Paul preach in the name of Jesus? (38-39)
   - Forgiveness of sins
   - Justification not provided by the Law of Moses

16) With what does Paul conclude his sermon? (40-41)
   - A warning against unbelief, as forewarned in the Scriptures

17) Who begged to hear more the next Sabbath? (42)
   - The Gentiles

18) Who followed Paul and Barnabas? (43)
   - Many of the Jews and devout proselytes

19) What happened on the next Sabbath? (44-45)
   - The whole city came to hear the word of God
   - Envious Jews began to contradict and blaspheme, opposing Paul

20) What did Paul say of those who rejected the gospel? (46)
   - They judged themselves unworthy of eternal life (i.e., not God, cf.
     1Ti 2:3-4; 2Pe 3:9; Re 22:17)

21) What happened next, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah? (46-48)
   - Paul turned to the Gentiles, many who gladly received the word

22) What sort of people were ordained to eternal life and thus believed?
    (48)
   - Those glad to hear and glorify the Word (i.e., those of good and
     noble hearts, willing to receive the seed of the gospel which
     produces faith, cf. Lk 8:15; Ac 17:11; Ro 10:17)

23) What two opposite effects did Paul's preaching have in Antioch?
    (49-50)
   - The word of the Lord was spread throughout the region
   - Persecution by the unbelieving Jews forced Paul and Barnabas to
     leave

24) Where did Barnabas and Paul then go?  What about the disciples left
    behind? (51-52)
   - Iconium
   - They were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit

Victory!!!

I know, I know, YESTERDAY was memorial day!  However, I didn't see this one until today.  This could another picture of Iwo Jima, or maybe not.  Anyway, it appears to be a World War II picture celebrating a military victory.  Honestly, I don't think much of war... all that dying and pain, just seems so unnecessary!  On the other hand, World War II was necessary because it went beyond ideology to the point of genocide!!! I thank God it is over and wish all wars were over for ever.  For Christians, we can see the final outcome as being won, but unfortunately sin still remains in this world.  Its an odd situation, but we have victory BEFORE THE WAR IS OVER!!!  Read on to see what I mean...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 15

  51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”


  55 “Death, where is your sting?
Hades, where is your victory?”


  56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Death!!!  Morbid and cruel, it takes us all.  It does not respect genius or innocence and ignores fairness; it just happens.  No one wants to die; except perhaps those in the final stages of some dreadfully painful terminal disease.  However, God has ultimately solved the problem of death in the sacrifice of Jesus.  Victory is ours; believe it because its true.  You do not have to waive a flag, you just have to believe God and obey his will.  If you haven't done this, now would be a good time.  Turn to the book of Acts and read chapter two.  Follow the directions...live forever!!!

May 29 Judges 15, 16

May 29

Judges 15, 16

Jdg 15:1 But it happened after a while, in the time of wheat harvest, that Samson visited his wife with a kid; and he said, I will go in to my wife into the chamber. But her father wouldn't allow him to go in.

Jdg 15:2 Her father said, I most certainly thought that you had utterly hated her; therefore I gave her to your companion: isn't her younger sister more beautiful than she? Please take her, instead.

Jdg 15:3 Samson said to them, This time shall I be blameless in regard of the Philistines, when I do them a mischief.

Jdg 15:4 Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between every two tails.

Jdg 15:5 When he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing grain of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks and the standing grain, and also the olive groves.

Jdg 15:6 Then the Philistines said, Who has done this? They said, Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he has taken his wife, and given her to his companion. The Philistines came up, and burnt her and her father with fire.

Jdg 15:7 Samson said to them, If you behave like this, surely I will be avenged of you, and after that I will cease.

Jdg 15:8 He struck them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and lived in the cleft of the rock of Etam.

Jdg 15:9 Then the Philistines went up, and encamped in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi.

Jdg 15:10 The men of Judah said, Why have you come up against us? They said, To bind Samson are we come up, to do to him as he has done to us.

Jdg 15:11 Then three thousand men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, "Don't you know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?" He said to them, As they did to me, so have I done to them.

Jdg 15:12 They said to him, We have come down to bind you, that we may deliver you into the hand of the Philistines. Samson said to them, Swear to me that you will not fall on me yourselves.

Jdg 15:13 They spoke to him, saying, No; but we will bind you fast, and deliver you into their hand: but surely we will not kill you. They bound him with two new ropes, and brought him up from the rock.

Jdg 15:14 When he came to Lehi, the Philistines shouted as they met him: and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that was burnt with fire, and his bands dropped from off his hands.

Jdg 15:15 He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put forth his hand, and took it, and struck a thousand men therewith.

Jdg 15:16 Samson said, With the jawbone of a donkey, heaps on heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have struck a thousand men.

Jdg 15:17 It happened, when he had made an end of speaking, that he cast away the jawbone out of his hand; and that place was called Ramath Lehi.

Jdg 15:18 He was very thirsty, and called on Yahweh, and said, You have given this great deliverance by the hand of your servant; and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised.

Jdg 15:19 But God split the hollow place that is in Lehi, and water came out of it. When he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: therefore its name was called En Hakkore, which is in Lehi, to this day.

Jdg 15:20 He judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Jdg 16:1 Samson went to Gaza, and saw there a prostitute, and went in to her.

Jdg 16:2 It was told the Gazites, saying, Samson is come here. They surrounded him, and laid wait for him all night in the gate of the city, and were quiet all the night, saying, Let be until morning light, then we will kill him.

Jdg 16:3 Samson lay until midnight, and arose at midnight, and laid hold of the doors of the gate of the city, and the two posts, and plucked them up, bar and all, and put them on his shoulders, and carried them up to the top of the mountain that is before Hebron.

Jdg 16:4 It came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah.

Jdg 16:5 The lords of the Philistines came up to her, and said to her, Entice him, and see in which his great strength lies, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will each give you of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.

Jdg 16:6 Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, Please, in which your great strength lies, and with which you might be bound to afflict you.

Jdg 16:7 Samson said to her, If they bind me with seven green cords that were never dried, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.

Jdg 16:8 Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green cords which had not been dried, and she bound him with them.

Jdg 16:9 Now she had an ambush waiting in the inner chamber. She said to him, "The Philistines are on you, Samson!" He broke the cords, as a string of tow is broken when it touches the fire. So his strength was not known.

Jdg 16:10 Delilah said to Samson, Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, Please, with which you might be bound.

Jdg 16:11 He said to her, If they only bind me with new ropes with which no work has been done, then shall I become weak, and be as another man.

Jdg 16:12 So Delilah took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said to him, The Philistines are on you, Samson. The ambush was waiting in the inner chamber. He broke them off his arms like a thread.

Jdg 16:13 Delilah said to Samson, Until now, you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me with what you might be bound. He said to her, If you weave the seven locks of my head with the web.

Jdg 16:14 She fastened it with the pin, and said to him, The Philistines are on you, Samson. He awakened out of his sleep, and plucked away the pin of the beam, and the web.

Jdg 16:15 She said to him, How can you say, I love you, when your heart is not with me? you have mocked me these three times, and have not told me in which your great strength lies.

Jdg 16:16 It happened, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, that his soul was troubled to death.

Jdg 16:17 He told her all his heart, and said to her, "No razor has ever come on my head; for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother's womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will go from me, and I will become weak, and be like any other man."

Jdg 16:18 When Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he has told me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up to her, and brought the money in their hand.

Jdg 16:19 She made him sleep on her knees; and she called for a man, and shaved off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.

Jdg 16:20 She said, The Philistines are on you, Samson. He awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times, and shake myself free. But he didn't know that Yahweh had departed from him.

Jdg 16:21 The Philistines laid hold on him, and put out his eyes; and they brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he ground at the mill in the prison.

Jdg 16:22 However the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaved.

Jdg 16:23 The lords of the Philistines gathered them together to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; for they said, Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

Jdg 16:24 When the people saw him, they praised their god; for they said, Our god has delivered into our hand our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, who has slain many of us.

Jdg 16:25 It happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. They called for Samson out of the prison; and he made sport before them. They set him between the pillars:

Jdg 16:26 and Samson said to the boy who held him by the hand, Allow me that I may feel the pillars whereupon the house rests, that I may lean on them.

Jdg 16:27 Now the house was full of men and women; and all the lords of the Philistines were there; and there were on the roof about three thousand men and women, who saw while Samson made sport.

Jdg 16:28 Samson called to Yahweh, and said, Lord Yahweh, remember me, Please, and strengthen me, Please, only this once, God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.

Jdg 16:29 Samson took hold of the two middle pillars on which the house rested, and leaned on them, the one with his right hand, and the other with his left.

Jdg 16:30 Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. He bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell on the lords, and on all the people who were therein. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than those who he killed in his life.

Jdg 16:31 Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial site of Manoah his father. He judged Israel twenty years.

"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Twelve by Mark Copeland

                         "ACTS OF THE APOSTLES"

                             Chapter Twelve

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To note the martyrdom of James, and the miraculous release of Peter
   from prison

2) To review the untimely death of Herod, and the continued success of
   the word of God

SUMMARY

This chapter records the efforts by King Herod to harass the church in
Jerusalem.  This Herod was Agrippa I, son of Herod Antipas (who beheaded
John the Baptist, Mt 14:1-12), and grandson of Herod the Great (who slew
the infants at Bethlehem, Mt 2:1-16).  Successfully killing James the
brother of John with the sword, Herod had Peter arrested and imprisoned,
intending to bring Peter before the people after the Passover.  Herod's
plans were thwarted when an angel of the Lord freed Peter from prison.
After meeting with brethren at the home of Mary, mother of John Mark,
Peter sent word to James and the brethren of his miraculous release.
When Peter was not found in the prison, Herod had the guards examined
and executed.  Herod then went down to Caesarea (1-19).

While at Caesarea, the people of Tyre and Sidon came to Herod to appeal
for peace.  When he gave them an oration, the people praised his speech
as "the voice of a god and not of a man."  Failing to give glory to God,
an angel of the Lord struck Herod and he died.  The word of God,
however, grew and multiplied.  Barnabas and Saul, having completed their
ministry to the saints in Judea (cf. 11:29-30), returned from Jerusalem
to Antioch accompanied by John Mark.  At this point in Luke's narrative
of the history of the church, the focus turns from the ministry of Peter
to the ministry of Paul (20-24).

OUTLINE

I. THE PERSECUTION BY HEROD THE KING (1-19)

   A. JAMES KILLED WITH THE SWORD (1-2)
      1. Herod begins to harass some from the church
      2. He killed James the brother the John

   B. PETER ARRESTED, FREED BY AN ANGEL (3-19)
      1. Peter seized during the days of Unleavened Bread
         a. Since Herod saw that it pleased the Jews
         b. Intending to bring Peter before the people after Passover
      2. Peter released by an angel
         a. Constant prayer was being offered by the church
         b. Though bound with chains between two guards, with more
            before the door
         c. An angel stands before Peter, along with a shining light
         d. The angel strikes Peter on the side, and raises him; chains
            fell off
         e. Told to gird himself, tie his sandals, put on his garments,
            and follow
         f. Thinking it was a vision, Peter follows the angel past the
            guards and into the city
      3. Peter rejoined with his brethren
         a. He realizes that the angel has delivered him from Herod
         b. He comes to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, where
            many are praying
         c. He is first left standing at the door by Rhoda, then
            astonishes the brethren when they come to the door
         d. He relates what happened, sends word to James and the
            brethren, and departs
      4. Peter's release causes a stir
         a. Herod is unable to find Peter
         b. Herod examines the soldiers and has them put to death
         c. Herod leaves Judea and goes to Caesarea

II. THE DEATH OF HEROD THE KING (20-25)

   A. HIS LAST ORATION (20-22)
      1. The people of Tyre and Sidon appeal for peace to Herod through
         Blastus, the king's aide
      2. On a set day, in royal apparel and on his throne, Herod gives
         them an oration
      3. The people praise him as having the voice of a god and not of a
         man

   B. STRUCK DOWN BY AN ANGEL (23)
      1. An angel of the Lord strikes him immediately because he did not
         give glory to God
      2. He is eaten of worms and dies

   C. WORD OF GOD CONTINUES (24-25)
      1. The word of God grows and multiplies
      2. Barnabas and Saul return from Jerusalem with John Mark,
         fulfilling their ministry

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The persecution by Herod the King (1-19)
   - The death of Herod the King (20-25)

2) How did Herod begin to harass the church? (1-3)
   - By having James the brother of John killed with the sword
   - By having Peter put in prison

3) When was Peter imprisoned?  When did Herod intend to present him to
   the people? (3-4)
   - During the Days of Unleavened Bread
   - After Passover

4) How did the church respond to Peter's imprisonment? (5)
   - They offered constant prayer to God in his behalf

5) How was Peter bound, the night before Herod intended to bring him
   before the people? (6)
   - With two chains between two soldiers, and guards before the door of
     the prison

6) As the angel freed Peter and led him out of the prison, what was
   Peter thinking? (7-9)
   - That he was seeing a vision

7) After the angel led Peter into the city and then left, what did Peter
   come to realize? (10-11)
   - The Lord had sent His angel to deliver him from Herod and the
     expectation of the people

8) Where did Peter first go?  What were the people there doing? (12)
   - The house of Mary, mother of John Mark
   - Praying

9) Who answered the door?  How did she react? (13-14)
   - A girl named Rhoda
   - She recognized Peter, but in her excitement left him standing at
     the door

10) What did the people think she had seen at the door? (15)
   - Peter's angel

11) After they finally went to the door and let him in, what
    instructions did Peter give? (16-17)
   - To tell what happened to James and the brethren

12) When Peter was not found in the prison on the next day, what
    happened? (18-19)
   - There was a big stir among the soldiers
   - Herod had the guards examined, then executed

13) Where did Herod then go?  Who came with an appeal for peace? (19-20)
   - From Judea down to Caesarea
   - The people of Tyre and Sidon

14) When Herod gave them an oration, what did the people say? (21-22)
   - "The voice of a god and not of man!"

15) What happened to Herod?  Why? (23)
   - An angel of the Lord struck him, so that he was eaten by worms and
     died
   - Because he did not give glory to God

16) Despite Herod's effort to harass the church, what was the result?
    (24)
   - The word of God grew and multiplied

17) Who returned from Jerusalem, and whom did they bring with them? (25)
   - Barnabas and Saul, having fulfilled their ministry
   - John Mark

THE BIG PICTURE

The Big Picture

We live in a world of day to day existence.  Our lives are crowded with things to do, people to see, deadlines to keep and priorities to manage.  Its so easy to get wrapped up into "things" and lose sight of why we do the things we do; how we really fit into the big picture.  I hope that when you see this, you can see all of it, because that is the point, after all.  The above picture could be of almost anything, so its content is not so important as its size!!!  Christians need to realize that they are part of God's grand scheme of things and rejoice because everything really is under control!!!  Read the following chapter from the book of Ephesians to get the BIG PICTURE....

Ephesians, Chapter 1

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God,to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:  2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  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.  15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints,  16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,  17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,  19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might  20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,  21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come.  22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly,  23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The God who created everything you can see, touch or experience has a plan for you!!!  You are NOT ALONE, OR FORGOTTEN, NOR ABANDONED; YOU ARE LOVED!!!  In the most remote place on Earth, God is there!!!  If you go to the farthest reaches of the known universe, seek God and you will find him.  More than that, even to the heaven beyond the heavens, which Paul refers to as the third heaven, God is there.  Jesus is the answer to loneliness, discouragement, fear and unhappiness.  He is concrete proof that God loves us.  This life is fleeting and the more years you have, the faster it seems to go, BUT, eternity is never ending and that is the reward that awaits us.  Take a moment and think about your life; really consider what you have done with it.  Don't like it; change!!!!!  Love it... praise God and become more zealous to serve him.  You won't be one bit sorry!!!!