Lesson 4644

(Lesson 4644)(10-31-24) Acts 13:24-26

   "After John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel, And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.”

Today's quote highlights that John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare Israel for Jesus through a baptism of repentance. John emphasized he was not the Messiah but pointed to Jesus, the one who would follow him. Paul then declares to his listeners, descendants of Abraham and God-fearers, that the message of salvation through Jesus was sent specifically to them. This reinforces that Jesus is the promised Savior whom John had foretold. ~

Lesson 4653

 (Lesson 4653)(10-30-24) Acts 13:14-23 

   “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it. And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot. And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:” 

 

   Today’s quote describes Paul and Barnabas arriving in Antioch of Pisidia and entering the synagogue on the Sabbath. Paul stood up to speak, recounting Israel's history: how God chose the ancestors, delivered them from Egypt, and sustained them in the wilderness. He spoke of God giving them judges, then Saul as king, and finally David, a man after God’s own heart. Paul emphasized that from David’s lineage, God brought forth Jesus as the promised Savior for Israel. ~   

Lesson 4652

 (Lesson 4652)(10-29-24) Acts 13:6-13 

   And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.” 

 

    Today’s lesson recounts Barnabas and Saul’s journey across Cyprus to Paphos, where they encountered a sorcerer named Elymas (or Bar-Jesus), who opposed their preaching to the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul (also called Paul) rebuked Elymas, causing him to become temporarily blind. Witnessing this, Sergius Paulus believed in the Lord’s teaching. Afterward, Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos to Perga in Pamphylia, where John (Mark) departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. ~ 

Lesson 4651

 (Lesson 4651)(10-28-24) Acts 13:1-5 

   “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.” 

 

   Today’s quote describes how in the church at Antioch, there were prophets and teachers, including Barnabas, Saul (Paul), and others. As they worshiped and fasted, the Holy Spirit directed them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work He had called them to. After praying and laying hands on them, the church sent them off. Barnabas and Saul, led by the Holy Spirit, traveled to Seleucia and then sailed to Cyprus. Upon arriving in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, with John (Mark) assisting them. ~

Lesson 4650

 (Lesson 4650)(10-27-24) Acts 12:20-25 

   “And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.” 

 

   Today's lesson describes how Herod became angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They sought peace because their region depended on food from Herod’s country. They appealed to him through Blastus, the king’s aide. On an appointed day, Herod gave a speech, and the people praised him, saying his voice was that of a god, not a man. Because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel struck him, and he was eaten by worms and died. Meanwhile, the word of God grew and multiplied. Afterward, Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having completed their mission, and brought John Mark with them. ~

Lesson 4649

 (Lesson 4649)(10-26-24) Acts 12:12-19 

     So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.” Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place. Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there” 

 

   Today’s quote describes Peter going to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where believers were praying. A servant girl named Rhoda answered his knock but, in her joy, forgot to open the gate and told the others Peter was there. They doubted her, thinking it was his angel, but were astonished when they finally opened the door and saw Peter. He explained his miraculous escape and instructed them to tell James and the others before leaving. The next morning, there was great confusion among the guards over Peter's disappearance. Herod, unable to find Peter, interrogated the guards and ordered their execution. He then went to Caesarea. ~ 

Lesson 4648

 (Lesson 4648)(10-25-24) Acts 12:1-11 

   “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened b And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased read.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” 

 

  Today’s lesson recounts how King Herod began persecuting the church, executing James, the brother of John, and imprisoning Peter. During Passover, Herod planned to bring Peter before the people, but the church prayed fervently for him. The night before his trial, an angel of the Lord appeared in Peter’s cell, freeing him from his chains and guiding him past the guards to safety outside the prison. Initially, Peter thought it was a vision, but he soon realized he had been miraculously delivered, recognizing that the Lord had rescued him from Herod’s plans. ~