Lesson 403

(Lesson 403)(09-22-12) Acts 21:26-40, "Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purifcation, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,"

In this lesson we see that even Paul relented to Jewish law and tradition when he submitted himself to the "purifying" baptism that the law required of all Jews before they entered into the temple. The Jews of who were a part of the Church in Jerusalem demanded that he spend seven days away from contact with the Gentiles before being baptized in water, Paul then went with the men the elders had selected so as to give him cover from the Jews.
This "purifying" process, under the law, demanded that one stay away from whatever had made them unclean for a period of seven days, then demanded that the one being cleansed be baptized in water. Jesus was bound under the law to be "cleansed" by that same water baptism.~

Lesson 402

(Lesson 402)(09-21-12) Acts 21:15-25, "And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication."

The first portion of this lesson tells us of Paul's welcome to Jerusalem, and demonstrates the happiness among the disciples at the results of his ministry in Asia.
The second part of this lesson is a little confusing and demonstrates how torn the early Church really was.

Close attention should be paid to what is said to Paul after those present had celebrated his work. They said, "Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law", meaning that they still considered themselves bound to the letter of the Law of Moses, including ALL of its ceremonial behavior even after claiming to have accepted Christ as fulfilling the old law and establishing the new law of faith.

These disciples had just admitted that they already allowed the Jewish element of the early Church to dictate that parts of the Law of Moses be imposed on the Gentiles. As we well know, the Law of Moses is what our savior came to fulfill, so that we would have a means by which we, along with a small contingent of believing Jews, could inherit eternal life. The new law was actually given to the Gentiles because the Jews had already rejected it.

The Law of Moses, and Christianity are two separate doctrines and cannot be mixed, as Paul spent much of his ministry trying to explain. One must accept the sacrifice of Christ for remission of sin, or devote oneself wholly to the Law of Moses. God did not provide a means by which both could be practiced.

That rift between Paul and the Jewish element of the early Church created a serious problem, parts of which still linger today. The evangelists had already relented and allowed some elements of the law to be placed on the Gentiles by the Jewish dominated elders at Jerusalem, "save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication." And now, the Jews were demanding that the Gentiles be subjected to the entire law, effectively eliminating the need for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ altogether.

As we will learn, Paul fought against this Jewish domination of the Church for his entire ministry. He did, for the true believers, establish that there are no requirements within the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ that demands that we obey ANY of the requirements of the Law of Moses.
There will be more on this as we continue these lessons.~

Lesson 401

(Lesson 401)(09-20-12) Acts 21:1-14, "And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done."

In this lesson Paul, knowing he faced the possibility of death, continued his journey toward Jerusalem.
When we are faced with troubled and threatening times, even today, we should do as those disciples at Caesarea did concerning the safety of Paul, we should merely pray that God's will be done. He is ALWAYS faithful to pull us through.~

Lesson 400

(Lesson 400)(09-18-12) Acts 20:13-24, "And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

The words written in this lesson tell of a true Christian in every sense of the word, one who loved God with all his heart, a man so totally devoted to the work with which the Lord had burdened him that on many occasions he strolled into cities not knowing whether he would be kissed or killed.

The Apostle Paul left a legacy, of total devotion to his savior, that every Christian should humbly and diligently aspire to.

Much attention should be paid to this lesson by those of us who sit so comfortably in our modern homes and subconsciously pat ourselves on the back each time we accomplish some minor "good work".

We should all pray for just some small portion of the devotion demonstrated by Paul in his efforts to spread good news of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 399

(Lesson 399)(09-17-12 Acts 20:1-12, "And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These going before tarried for us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted."

This lesson demonstrates the continual persecution of those early Christians as they worked to spread the wonderful news of salvation through the sin remitting sacrifice of Christ crucified.

Paul preached until the wee hours of the morning, even after returning life to one man who had fallen asleep and fell to his death from the uppermost rooms.

What a wonderful thing it would be, if today's Christians would demonstrate the same zeal as some of those early disciples who suffered so much to make sure we have access to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This lesson demonstrates that the Church did not meet exclusively on the Sabbath (The last day of the week) and is the first example of the early Christians actually assembling themselves together on the the first day of the week. (Sunday).

Lesson 398

(Lesson 398)(09-16-12) Acts 19:21-41, "After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly."

This lesson dimonstrates how Demetrius, the silversmith who with the help of others, had made himself a really rich man by building idols from silver and gold for the shrines of the goddess Diana. When Paul and the disciples came preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, turning the people away from Diana, Demetrius was afraid the Ephesians would stop worshipping idols and he would be put out of work. Therefore, he stirred up a mob to get the disciples thrown in jail but again the "townclerk" refused and let the disciples go free.~

Lesson 397

(Lesson 397)(09-15-12) Acts 19:13-20, "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."

This lesson tells of how, simply by taking pieces of Paul's clothing, all manner of the sick were healed. It also demonstrates how, the exorcists who mocked Jesus and Paul by calling out demons in their names, were themselves overtaken and destroyed by the same demons they beckoned.
The text tells us that through the efforts of Paul and the other Christians, the name of Jesus and His saving sacrifice was accepted by many, "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.~