Tag Archives: Paul

Acts 28-Paul preaches at Rome

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And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Acts 28:23-25

Paul finally arrives in Rome, he called upon the religious leaders to come together so he can teach them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now Paul assumed the Jews hated him, however they revealed to Paul they had heard nothing about him and they were willing to hear what he had to say. Imagine the big stage Paul is on right now, in the city of Rome preaching the gospel to all the religious leaders of this area

Paul taught them about Jesus through the Old Testament. Now he actually was able to convince some of them, while others rejected the gospel. Paul then quoted Isaiah , who prophecy about this very moment hundred of years before

Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.  Acts 28:26-28

Paul revealed through the prophet Isaiah, that salvation is going to the Gentiles because of the hardness of the hearts of the Jews. They rejected and killed their own Messiah, so God is building his Kingdom now through the Gentiles! Obviously this was not a message the Jews wanted to hear, or many still today don’t want to hear this message

And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Acts 28:29-31

Paul remained in Rome for 2 more years, preaching the gospel of Christ. Historians believe Paul was eventually beheaded in Rome from Nero. As stated throughout his letters, he fought the good fight and he ran the race! Paul knew eventually his death would come but he willingly accepted this mission as a servant of Christ

This concludes the book of Acts, this book is a great reference on the history and story of The Church. We , as the Church, should learn and remember what our brothers and sisters endured in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen!

Acts 26- Mad About Jesus

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And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Acts 26:24-27

Paul began to give his testimony to King Herod Agrippa, remember in the previous Chapter, Paul revealed his testimony about how he was a Pharisee persecuting the Christians, then on the road to Damascus he saw the light of Jesus (literally) and became Born Again. Then God called Paul to minister the gospel to the Gentiles and build his Kingdom

While Paul was preaching the gospel about the resurrection of Christ, Festus, who was the mediator for the Romans, interrupted Paul and told him “You are insane”! The gospel message can seem insane to those who are not drawn by the Holy Spirit. (John 6:44) For the natural man does not understand spiritual things. It was clear that Festus didn’t understand the gospel

Now Paul makes an interesting challenge to Festus, saying “You are familiar and believe the Prophets (Old Testament)? Basically Paul was making a point to Festus, if you truly believed the Old Testament, you would understand the gospel of Jesus Christ

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Acts 26:28-31

King Agrippa makes a sarcastic claim to Paul “Can you convince me to be a Christian” ? Many people today make this same claim mockingly, however if people were truly and honestly searching for truth, they would know that Jesus is Risen and thats a historical fact. The hearts of those , like King Agrippa, who reject Christ are hardened. They don’t care about truth, they just care about themselves

Paul gave his testimony and preached the gospel that day, the seed was sown, the invitation was sent. However Paul can’t save these men, only God can save these men if the Holy Spirit draws them to Christ! 

Acts 24- Paul on Trial

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But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:14-16

In Chapter 24 we see Paul is on trial for his faith in Christ. The Jewish highpriest Ananias hired a lawyer to prosecute Paul with false accusations. The Jews tried to accuse Paul of causing riots and desecrating The Temple. However as Paul stated there is nobody who can prove these allegations because they are all false. Paul goes on to try and explain Christianity worships the same God of Israel, however Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. 

The question is, if you were put on trial for Christ, would you be found guilty? Would there be enough evidence of your faith to prove you are a Christian? As the Apostle James taught “Faith without works is dead” (James 2) If there is no evidence of our faith, do we really have faith? Pauls clear devotion to Christ is evident by the response he received everywhere he went

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. Acts 24:17-21

As Paul states he wasn’t the one who started the riot, and also Paul was ceremonially clean when he entered the Temple of God.  The only thing Paul confessed to was bringing up the topic of the resurrection. As there is a big theological divide between the Pharisees and the Sadducees about this topic. 

And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Acts 24:22-25

Its interesting to see Felix’s response when Paul shared the gospel of Christ with him, it says “Felix trembled or became frightened” When Felix became convicted of his sin by hearing the gospel of Christ his reaction was to reject Christ. This is why many people have such a strong reaction against Christianity, it shines the light of truth on the darkness of our sin

Paul will remain in prison for several years because the Romans have no idea what to do with him. Are you willing to spend your life in chains for Christ? Are you willing to be persecuted or even lay down your life? As Paul said “Endure hardship as a soldier of Christ” “Fight the good fight of faith” Amen!

Acts 22- Paul’s Deliverance

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And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: Acts 22:17-19

As we read in the past Chapters, God has been warning Paul about coming to Jerusalem, yet he insisted on going there anyway. However now The Lord decided to step in and tell Paul, “Get out of Jerusalem”! I think Paul finally got the message, however now God is gonna have to save him from the Romans and the Jews, as Paul has the whole city of Jerusalem stirred up for preaching the gospel

Can we relate to this? When the Holy Spirit keeps telling us to do this or not do this, but we don’t listen, we end up creating a disaster for ourselves. God knows alot more than we can ever know, we need to be obedient and put our faith and trust in Him

And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. Acts 22:20-22

Paul still felt guilty for the murder of Stephen, he still takes the blame for his death. However we must all remember , that God has forgiven us of our sins through the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes its harder to forgive ourselves than for God to forgive us. But God had a bigger plan for Paul, to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, the New Covenant!

And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. Acts 22:23-26

 While things looked bad for Paul, God still had a plan for his life and delivered him. Even though Paul was a Jew , he was also a Roman Citizen, this actually saved his life. Once the centurion realized Paul was a Roman Citizen they saved him from being killed by the Jews

God works in mysterious ways, even when we don’t see a way, God can make a way. God had a bigger plan for Pauls life and used him as a vessel to preach the gospel to the Gentiles Amen!

Acts 9- Road to Damascus

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And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Acts 9:3-5

Every Christian has that “Come To Jesus” moment, and Paul had his moment on the road to Damascus. While Paul was on his way to persecute more Christians, Jesus had different plans for Paul. As Paul literally saw the light and heard the Lord call him by name! Paul’s response was “Who are you Lord”? And Jesus revealed to Paul, Christ is the Lord, the same Lord you have been persecuting

This is the same for our conversions , Jesus has called us by name! Previously we were spending our days fighting against God, maybe not even realizing it, but Christ still loved us enough that he died for us even when we were still sinners!

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Acts 9:6-8

Paul was humbled on the road to Damascus, before this conversion he was terrorizing Christians, now Paul was blinded by the light. He became humbled and realized that Jesus was really Lord and he had a new mission to complete. Notice Paul’s response to The Lords calling “What do you want me to do”? This should be our response also, let the Lords will be done!

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Acts 9:9

Obviously the transformation is not going to be easy, as Paul previously spent his days persecuting the Church, now Paul is part of the Church! This is how God works, he can take anyone and make them new again for his glory and purpose!

The Road to Damascus was meant to terrorize the Church , however it brought glory to God as we know Paul will go on to be one of the greatest preachers in Church history! Spreading the gospel to all the Gentile nations Amen!