Lesson 4710

 (Lesson 4710)(12-27-24) Romans 1:8-12 

   “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Paul expressed his gratitude to God for the faith of the Roman *church, which was being spoken of throughout the world. He continually thanked God in his prayers, asking that, if it was God's will, he might visit them soon. Paul longed to see them in person so that he could impart some spiritual gift to strengthen them. He also hoped that they would be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Paul explained that he had often planned to visit but had been prevented so far, and he was eager to visit them to share in the blessings of the gospel. ~ 

NOTE: *At the time of Paul’s ministry, the Roman church had not yet been wholly distorted and contaminated with Paganism and Judaism such as it is today. 

Lesson 4709

(Lesson 4709)(12-26-24) Romans 1:1-7 

   “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul introduced himself to the Roman church as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. He explained that the gospel had been promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning God's Son, Jesus Christ, who was descended from David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power through His resurrection from the dead. Paul mentioned that through Jesus, he received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations for His name's sake. He addressed the Roman believers, calling them saints, and expressed his desire for them to receive grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 

Lesson 4708

 (Lesson 4708)(12-25-24) Acts 28:25-31 

   “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, 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. 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.” 

 

   Today’s quote relates that, after Paul quoted Isaiah and declared that God's salvation had been sent to the Gentiles, the Jewish leaders left, disagreeing among themselves. Paul remained in Rome for two years in his own rented house, where he welcomed all who came to him. He preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and without hindrance. During this time, he continued to share the gospel, and many came to hear him. Despite the initial rejection by some of the Jewish leaders, Paul’s ministry flourished, and he remained in Rome, preaching freely. ~ 

 

Lesson 4707

(Lesson 4707)(12-24-24) Acts 28:14-24 

   “Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. 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.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul and his companions arrived in Rome, where Paul was allowed to live in a rented house under guard. He called together the Jewish leaders in Rome and explained that he had been arrested in Jerusalem, though he had done nothing against his people or their customs. He told them that he was in prison because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead, specifically in Jesus Christ. The Jewish leaders responded that they had not received any letters about Paul and had heard nothing negative about him from other believers, but they were curious to hear more about his views. A meeting was arranged, and many came to Paul’s house. He preached to them, explaining the kingdom of God and testifying about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets, convincing some, while others disagreed. As they were about to leave, Paul quoted from the prophet Isaiah, saying that the people’s hearts had grown dull, and they would not understand the message. He concluded that God’s salvation had been sent to the Gentiles, and they would listen. ~  

Lesson 4706

 (Lesson 4706)(12-23-24) Acts 28:7-13 

   “In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.” 

 

   Today’s quote tells us that Paul and his companions stayed in the region of Malta for three months. During this time, the chief of the island, Publius, welcomed them and showed them hospitality. Paul healed Publius’s father, who had been sick with a fever and dysentery. As a result, many of the islanders came to Paul for healing, and he healed them as well. After their stay, they were provided with supplies for their journey. They then set sail for Rome on a ship that had wintered in the island, stopping at various ports along the way, including Syracuse, where they remained for three days before continuing their voyage. ~