Lesson 1163

(Lesson 1163)(12-01-14) Acts 16:6-12

"Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days."

Today's lesson maps the travels of Paul and Timothy and demonstrates how they were guided by the Holy Spirit to go where they were needed most.

An important point that should to be taken from this lesson is that we should not simply take off looking to preach to whomever we find, but rather, we are to always seek the guidance to help us find those whom are willing to listen and truly hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We should remember the lesson Jesus taught in Matthew 10:14 concerning those who don't want to hear the message of God's grace; "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."

With prayerful reliance on the Holy Spirit, we will always be sent to those who will gladly receive God's plan of eternal salvation, just as Paul and Timothy were.~

Lesson 1162

(Lesson 1162)(11-30-14) Acts 16:1-5

"Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily."

Today's quote relates Paul's first meeting with Timotheus, a man whom Paul would come to love as his own son, as well his brother in Christ.

Timotheus, or "Timothy", his mother a Jew and his father Greek, was considered in all essence to be a Greek, therefore was not circumcised. As is stated in today's quote, Paul, under pressure from the local Jews, caused Timothy to be circumcised. Not because it was required within the doctrine of Christ, but because of the pressure placed one him by the powerful Jews.

This is very important example is proof that there was sufficient heavy outside influence upon the early Churches so as to actually cause heretical changes to their policy as well as in the doctrine they taught. I suppose they considered those things okay so long as they were helping get the message of God's saving grace through Jesus Christ spread among the people.

This is important to us today because as we study the bible and learn of the things that transpired within the early Churches, we should acknowledge that those outside influences no longer exist and the restrictions that lie outside the commandments of Jesus Christ, and that are still being practiced today, should be stricken from the way we teach the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

The following is a list of those things that were forced upon the early Churches that are not included in, or required by, the doctrine that was taught by Jesus Christ: Circumcision, water baptism, some of the foods we eat, dress codes for clergy, and many of the rites that have been injected into modern "Christian" doctrine.

There will be more coverage of this subject as these lessons continue.~

Lesson 1161

(Lesson 1161)(11-27-14) Acts 15:30-41

"So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches."

Today's lesson relates how the Christians at Antioch were elated to hear that they would not be bound, entirely, to the Law of Moses.

In the latter part of the lesson dissention is evident between Paul and Mark because Paul believed Mark had not been diligent in the work of the Lord.
The last part of the quote relates the beginning of Paul's ministry with Silas as they determined to go back to all the places they had preached before.~

Lesson 1160

(Lesson 1160)(11-26-14) Acts 15:12-29

"Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."

Today's quote relates how the elders in the Church at Jerusalem imposed parts of the old Jewish law and tradition upon the Gentiles but refrained from requiring them to be circumcised.

The following is a list of what the Apostles and elders at Jerusalem imposed on the Gentile Churches; meats offered to idols, blood, animals that had been strangled and fornication.

Jesus, during His entire ministry, imposed NO such rules on His Church whether its members were all Jews or Gentiles.

Peter himself stated, during that gathering, that God had demonstrated to him in a vision that nothing in His creation was to be considered unclean. That included strangled animals, blood, and meats offered to idols. As a matter of fact, concerning meat offered to idols, or in the temple of idols, Paul said In essence, it is not the eating of the flesh offered to idols that is wrong, but rather, it was the impression a saved person would leave upon some lost observer which wherein one would appear to be condoning such sacrifices or worship of idols. (1 Corinthians 8:10)

As will come to light in future lessons, Paul struggled with the Jewish leadership in the Church, including Peter, because of their adamant insistence that parts of the Law of Moses be imposed upon Gentile Christian Churches. Paul, being personally schooled by Jesus Christ concerning the Gentiles, knew there were to be no such rules to be imposed upon the Gentiles.

This lesson demonstrates that there was dissention among even the early Churches, much as there is today.~

Lesson 1159

(Lesson 1159)(11-25-14) Acts 15:1-11

"And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."

Today's quote relates how during Paul's ministry, prominent Jews had come to the area where Paul and Barnabas were preaching asserting that in order to be saved, the Gentiles would be required to undergo circumcision and abide by all the Law of Moses.

Paul and Barnabas immediately set out to clarify that these men were wrong and that neither the Law of Moses, nor circumcision had any part in the eternal salvation by grace through faith as it was offered by, and through, Jesus Himself.

When Paul and Barnabas rose up in defense of the Gentiles who had already been saved, they decided to go to Jerusalem in order to clear up the matter with the Apostles and church elders once and for all.

As we will learn from future lessons, that was not entirely accomplished since the Jews still tried to place unnecessary requirements upon the Gentile Church members. Some of which were even supported by Peter later causing dissention between he and Paul and some of which are still insisted upon by some "Christians" today.

The erroneous contention that one must live above sin after being saved comes form what those Jews forced into the doctrine that was being preached in some of the early Churches and is still preached in some today.

This lesson is very, very important because it explains how so many parts of ancient Jewish tradition, and the Law of Moses, got wrongly forced into what was being taught then and, in some "Churches", now.

After Paul had told the elders in the Church at Jerusalem about all the Gentile souls that had already been saved and the wonderful work that had been done, Peter stood in his defense and told how God had shown him in a vision that the requirements of the Law should no longer be applied and that the Gentiles too were created by His hand and were co-equals with the Jews and not to be considered unclean.

Peter reaffirmed that eternal salvation comes ONLY by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that the Holy Ghost was sent to "seal" those saved souls until the day of redemption.~

Lesson 1158

(Lesson 1158)(11-24-14) Acts 14:19-28

"And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples."

Today's quote tells us that, after Paul had been run out of town and left for dead he, with the help of the disciples, recovered and continued preaching the gospel throughout the region bringing many more lost souls the the saving grace of God. Eventually he went right back among the same people who had attempted to kill him and firmly established the Churches there.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our preachers today were to demonstrate that much devotion. Imagine the number of lost souls that could be reached if we all get fired up for God.~

Lesson 1157

(Lesson 1157)(11-23-14) Acts 14:8-18

"And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them."

We see in today's quote that after Paul healed the man who's feet were crippled, the Greeks In Lystra were so in awe of what Paul had done that they perceived Paul and Barnabas to be the Gods Mercurius and Jupiter and immediately set about to offer sacrifices to them.

Paul, perplexed by their complete misunderstanding, again preached How it was our God, the God of the universe, who was to receive the praise and glory for the miracle they had performed. Paul made it clear that he and Barnabas were only human and had no power beyond that which was demonstrated through them by the Holy Spirit.

It would be such a blessing if all the great "Christian" preachers who command such a loud voice during our time were to be so humble as Paul and Barnabas. Praise God for those who risked their lives every day to humbly preach the gospel of Jesus Christ while giving ALL the glory to God.~