Monday, December 13, 2010

Acts 11 - 15



ACTS

Chapter 11

(A.D. 41)

THE GENTILE QUESTION

1 And the Apostles and brethren who were in Judaea (refers to the Eleven other than Peter, as well as others) heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God (this type of news travels fast).

2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem (presents a time of great significance), they who were of the Circumcision (Jewish Believers) contended with him (it means, at least at the outset, that they were not accepting Peter’s explanation, feeling he had made himself unclean by associating with Gentiles),

3 Saying, you went in to men uncircumcised (Gentiles), and did eat with them (there is nothing in the Law of Moses which forbids eating with Gentiles; this was an addition made by men, not God).

PETER’S DEFENSE

4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning (proclaims the Apostle being very patient, and for cause; if it is to be remembered, the Lord had been patient with him), and expounded it by order unto them, saying (portrays him taking the entire episode step-by-step),

5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a Vision, A certain vessel descending, as it had been a great sheet, let down from Heaven by four corners; and it came even to me (proclaims what he saw, and that he knew it was meant for him):

6 Upon the which when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

7 And I heard a Voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; kill and eat (this was not a suggestion, but rather a Command; therefore, intended to be obeyed).

8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth.

9 But the Voice answered me again from Heaven (he didn’t see a form, but only heard a Voice), What God has cleansed, that call not thou common.

10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into Heaven.

GENTILES AND THE GOSPEL

11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

12 And the Spirit (Holy Spirit) bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me (he now tells how many went with him), and we entered into the man’s house (the house of Cornelius):

13 And he showed us how he had seen an Angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter (all of this proclaims that God works through men);

14 Who shall tell you words, whereby you and all your house shall be saved (proclaims unequivocally that they were not saved before Peter came and preached the Gospel, even though Cornelius had done many good things).

15 And as I began to speak (had gotten a little way into the Message), the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning (speaks of Cornelius and his household being Baptized with the Spirit, exactly as the Apostles and others had been on the Day of Pentecost).

16 Then remembered I the Word of the Lord, how that He said (pertains to something that Peter had not mentioned in the actual happening), John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be Baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5; Mat. 3:11).

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them (the Gentiles) the like Gift (Salvation and the Holy Spirit Baptism) as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ (the requirement); what was I, that I could withstand God? (To not go would be to disobey God.)

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God (they not only stifled their own thoughts of opposition, but glorified God as well for what had been done), saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life (proclaims in no uncertain terms that they were given such “Life” strictly on Faith, which included none of the rituals and Ceremonies of Judaism).

ANTIOCH

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen (concerns that which happened in Acts, Chpt. 8, about six or seven years before) travelled as far as Phenice (Lebanon), and Cyprus, and Antioch (a city of Syria), preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only (pertained basically to proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah of Israel and the Saviour of the world, and that He had risen from the dead).

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene (implies that they were latecomers to Antioch), which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Grecians (pertains to Gentiles, not Greek-speaking Jews as some claim), preaching the Lord Jesus (indicates that Jews who preached to them were not demanding that they also keep the Law of Moses).

21 And the Hand of the Lord was with them (signifies that God was pleased with the Gospel being preached to these Gentiles): and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord (they gave their hearts and lives to the Lord Jesus Christ).

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem (which was then the headquarters Church; these “tidings” spoke of good news): and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch (Barnabas was the right man!; therefore, they were led by the Spirit in sending him).

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the Grace of God (refers to the fact that Barnabas saw the changed lives of these Gentiles), was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord (be led by the Holy Spirit).

24 For he was a good man (this is what the Holy Spirit said), and full of the Holy Spirit and of Faith (describes Barnabas in the same manner as Stephen [Acts 6:5]): and much people was added unto the Lord (many Jews and Gentiles were coming to Christ).

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul (this is one of the single most important Verses in the entirety of the Word of God; the Holy Spirit led him to do this; as well, the Text implies that he had some difficulty in finding Paul; this was around the year A.D. 43, about ten years after the Crucifixion):

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people (could well signal the beginning of teaching of the New Covenant as it had been given to Paul by Christ). And the Disciples were called Christians first in Antioch (they received the name of “Christians,” as followers of Christ, from the outside world and accepted it [Acts 26:28; I Pet. 4:16]).

27 And in these days came Prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch (probably refers to near the conclusion of the year spent by Paul and Barnabas in Antioch at that time).

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus (proclaims Agabus giving forth a Prophetic Utterance, as he did in Acts 21:10 as well), and signified by the Spirit that there should be great drought throughout all the world (the known world of that day): which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar (the Holy Spirit informed them of this for a reason, as we shall see).

29 Then the Disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the Brethren which dwelt in Judaea (there was already great hardship in Jerusalem due to multiple thousands of Believers being excommunicated from the Synagogue, and now this drought added extra strain, as would be obvious):

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the Elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul (they took the offering to Jerusalem).

Chapter 12

(A.D. 44)

PERSECUTION

1 Now about that time (pertains to the time Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem) Herod the king (speaks of Herod Agrippa, the son of Aristobulus, grandson of Herod the Great, who murdered the babies of Bethlehem) stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church (was probably done to ingratiate himself with the Jewish Leadership).

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword (the first of the Apostles to die; no successor for James was ever chosen; in fact, with the exception of Judas who was replaced by Matthias, no others ever followed any of the Twelve in Office; in other words, there is no such thing as Apostolic Succession, as taught by some).

PETER

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of Unleavened Bread.) (It was the time of the Passover, i.e., April.)

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison (represents the third time Peter was arrested [Acts 4:3; 5:18-19]), and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him (represented sixteen soldiers, four to the watch); intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people (should have been translated, “Intending after Passover . . .”).

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him (presents the greatest weapon at the Church’s disposal).

6 And when Herod would have brought him forth (Herod had probably spread the word all over Jerusalem that he was going to put on a show, which would be the death of the great Apostle Peter), the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison (Peter was sleeping, even though he was supposed to die the next day; he wasn’t worried because the Lord had told him that he would not die young, but old [Jn. 21:18]).

THE ANGEL

7 And, behold, the Angel of the Lord came upon him (should have been translated, “An Angel of the Lord”), and a light shined in the prison (meaning there was no doubt this being was “from the Lord”): and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly (simply means that the Angel awakened him). And his chains fell off from his hands (great power!).

8 And the Angel said unto him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals. And so he did. And he said unto him, Cast your garment about you, and follow me (speaks of the outer garment, with Peter now being fully dressed).

9 And he went out, and followed him (presents Peter doing something, which at the moment he is not certain is real); and wist not that it was true which was done by the Angel; but thought he saw a Vision (he had difficulty making the transition to the supernatural; he kept thinking that he was seeing a Vision).

10 When they were past the first and the second ward (probably means that Herod had placed Peter in the inner prison; as well, they went through the doors and passed the guards without them knowing what was happening; in some way, the Angel made all of this invisible to these individuals), they came unto the iron gate that leads unto the city (pertained to the gate of the Prison); which opened to them of his own accord (means that it opened automatically): and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the Angel departed from him (so Miraculous that it actually defies description).

11 And when Peter was come to himself (meaning he now knows that this had not been a vision or a dream, but that he had been truly delivered by an Angel), he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord has sent His Angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod (proclaims Peter giving God all the Glory), and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews (Herod would be deprived of his show, and all who were expecting to see the bloodletting).

PETER’S ACCOUNT

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark (the John Mark mentioned here is the one who wrote the Gospel which bears his name); where many were gathered together praying (proclaims they were praying for Peter around the clock; most think that Peter was rescued between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.).

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate (not the door to the house, but the gate at the fence that surrounded the house, which was normally kept locked), a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda (pertains to this lady who was a servant in this house, with a part of her duties being to welcome guests).

14 And when she knew Peter’s voice (tells us that the wall and gate were tall, with her unable to see who was knocking), she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate (presents her message as being so astounding, as to be unbelievable!).

15 And they said unto her, You are mad (in other words, they not only did not believe her, but concluded that she was losing touch with reality). But she constantly affirmed that it was even so (pertains to her claim being made with more and more conviction). Then said they, It is his Angel (proclaims a belief in that day that all Jews had a Guardian Angel).

16 But Peter continued knocking (refers to Peter knocking ever harder): and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished (they were speechless, even to the extent of putting them in a daze).

17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace (they were all speaking to him at one time), declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the Brethren (referred to the Lord’s half-brother and the Elders of the Church in Jerusalem, plus any other of the Twelve who may have been in Jerusalem at that time). And he departed, and went into another place (evidently he didn’t tell anyone where he was going).

HEROD

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter (losing their prisoner meant certain death for them).

19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers (means that he did not believe their story; it was, in fact, quite a story!), and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode (has reference to the fact that he had been embarrassed before the people, not being able to put forth his spectacle concerning Peter; so he left Jerusalem).

JUDGMENT

20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon (gives us no clue for the reason of this displeasure): but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace (they tried to make peace with Herod because of some disruption, which history failed to mention); because their country was nourished by the king’s country (pertains to trade agreements regarding food, etc.).

21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne (all of this was done with great fanfare and ceremony), and made an oration unto them (concerns him speaking with great pride about the agreement he had just made with Tyre and Sidon; he made it appear that he was the saviour of these cities).

22 And the people gave a shout (means that whatever he was saying greatly pleased them), saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man (means they kept shouting this over and over!).

23 And immediately the Angel of the Lord smote him (may have been the same Angel who delivered Peter), because he gave not God the glory (in other words, he accepted the acclamations of the people that he was a “little god”): and he was eaten of worms (Josephus said that he lingered for five days with agonizing pains in his stomach), and gave up the ghost (he died; this took place A.D. 44).

24 But the Word of God grew and multiplied (didn’t say the “Church grew,” but rather “the Word of God grew . . .”).

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem (proclaims such happening, but does not tell us exactly when), when they had fulfilled their Ministry (speaks of the offerings brought to Jerusalem from the Saints in Antioch, and possibly elsewhere as well), and took with them John, whose surname was Mark (Mark would join with them on the very first Missionary Journey).

Chapter 13

(A.D. 45)

FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY

1 Now there were in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers (the Holy Spirit, as we shall see, shifts the emphasis from Jerusalem to this Syrian city); as Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted (refers to worship), the Holy Spirit said (the Holy Spirit still speaks, at least to all who have the right type of relationship, and anyone can who so desires), Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them (expresses a strong Command; in other words, it is not a suggestion; the Lord does the calling, not man).

CYPRUS

3 And when they had fasted and prayed (the Early Church was a praying Church; it is a shame that the same cannot be said for the modern Church), and laid their hands on them (it signified the Blessings of the Church upon Paul and Barnabas), they sent them away (represents, as far as is known, the very first Missionary trip to new places for the express purpose of planting new Churches).

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit (presents the Spirit not only calling them, but sending them as well; due to the Cross, the Holy Spirit now has far greater latitude to work within our lives), departing unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus (represented a journey of approximately one hundred miles; as well, Cyprus was the boyhood home of Barnabas, where he no doubt still had many friends [Acts 4:36]).

5 And when they were at Salamis (one of the principal cities on the Island of Cyprus), they preached the Word of God in the Synagogues of the Jews (upon arriving in a new city, Paul would normally first go to the Synagogue and minister; it was the Jew first, and then the Gentile): and they had also John to their minister (speaks of John Mark, who wrote one of the Four Gospels which bears his name; he was their helper).

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos (the Capitol of Cyprus), they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus (this man claimed to be of God, but in reality was of Satan):

7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man (he had this sorcerer with him; being a pagan, he did not know the difference between sorcery and that which was legitimately of God); who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the Word of God (the news of these men had got around).

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them (he saw a threat in Paul and Barnabas), seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith (means that the Governor was believing the Message of Jesus Christ, as presented by Paul and Barnabas).

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) (presents here the change of name; he will be referred to as Paul from now on; “Paul” is the Roman derivative of the Hebrew “Saul”), filled with the Holy Spirit (not only speaks of an ongoing state, but seems to imply a special new Anointing), set his eyes on him (did so according to the leading of the Holy Spirit),

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all Righteousness (this was the Gift of “Discerning of spirits” [I Cor. 12:10]), will you not cease to pervert the Right Ways of the Lord? (This glaringly proclaims that this sorcerer who claimed to be of God was not of God at all, but rather of Satan.)

11 And now, behold, the Hand of the Lord is upon you (would have been better translated, “is against you”), and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season (there is indication that there was opportunity for Repentance; in other words, it was a remedial chastisement). And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness (was used by the Holy Spirit to teach this man that his message was “darkness”); and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand (indicates that he now has no followers due to the fact that he has been shown up for what he truly is, an imposter!).

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed (he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour), being astonished at the Doctrine of the Lord (speaks to the fact that this “Doctrine” was not mere rhetoric, but was accompanied by Power as well).

13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia (presents them going back to the mainland from the Island of Cyprus): and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem (speaks of Mark who wrote the Gospel which bears his name; even though the Holy Spirit is silent regarding why Mark did this, we do know that his departure caused hardship on this Missionary Team [Acts 15:37-39]).

PISIDIA

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia (proclaims an Antioch other than the Antioch of Syria, where the home Church was located [Acts 13:1]), and went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath Day, and sat down (has reference to special seats, thus intimating that they were willing to speak if invited, as was the custom in the Synagogue).

15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets the Rulers of the Synagogue sent unto them (proclaims the custom), saying, You men and Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on (as stated, this was generally the manner in which Paul began his Evangelism in any given area; he would first go to the Jewish Synagogue, and then to the Gentiles).

SALVATION BY FAITH

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and you who fear God (Gentiles who attended Jewish Synagogues were given a particular place to sit, and were called “God-fearers”), give audience (the gist of Paul’s Message is given here, but doesn’t go into much detail in the record of later sermons).

17 The God of this people of Israel chose our Fathers (presents Paul beginning his Message much as Steven had years before), 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.

18 And about the time of forty years suffered He their manners in the wilderness (bad manners).

19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan (referred to the Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Havites, Perizzites, and Jebusites), He divided their land to them by lot (speaks of the Urim and Thummim; gave different portions to different Tribes).

20 And after that He gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the Prophet (Samuel was the last Judge, and the first man to stand in the Office of the Prophet).

21 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 (meaning that he ruled for forty years).

22 And when He (God) had removed him (removed Saul), He raised up unto them David to be their king (David was meant to be the first king of Israel, but the people jumped the gun, so to speak; they demanded a king and got Saul, which proved to be a disaster); to whom also He gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after Mine own heart, which shall fulfil all My Will.

23 Of this man’s seed (David’s seed) has God according to His Promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus (proclaims the Apostle now introducing the One Who is the Cause and Reason for everything; He is the only “Saviour”):

24 When John had first preached before His coming the Baptism of Repentance to all the people of Israel (the Ministry of John the Baptist).

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not He. But, behold, there comes One after me, Whose shoes of His feet I am not worthy to loose (John bluntly announces the fact that he is not the Messiah, but rather Jesus).

26 Men and Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham (the Jews), and whosoever among you fear God (the Gentiles), to you is the word of this Salvation sent (presents Paul, without apology, including the Gentiles in this great Plan of Salvation).

27 For they who dwell at Jerusalem, and their Rulers (pinpoints the murderers of Christ), because they knew Him not (implies a willful ignorance that brought about a willful blindness), nor yet the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath Day (the Prophets told them of Christ, but they would not believe), they have fulfilled them in condemning Him (Isa., Chpt. 53).

28 And though they found no cause of death in Him (they opposed Him from the very beginning; they heard Him with closed minds, and as a result closed their ears), yet desired they Pilate that He should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of Him (pertained to that which the Prophets had predicted), they took Him down from the tree (speaks of the Cross; if it is to be noticed, both Paul and Peter used the term “tree” regarding the Cross; it is derived from Deut. 21:23), and laid Him in a sepulchre.

30 But God raised Him from the dead (as Paul proclaimed the Crucifixion of Jesus, he now proclaims His Resurrection):

31 And He was seen many days of them which came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem (concerns a number of appearances over a time span of some forty days), who are His witnesses unto the people (Paul is making the case that there were too many appearances for His Resurrection to be denied).

32 And we declare unto you Glad Tidings (speaks of the Good News of the Gospel, all wrapped up in Christ), how that the Promise which was made unto the Fathers (had its beginnings in Gen. 3:15, and spanned the entirety of Old Testament history),

33 God has fulfilled the same unto us their children (means simply that the Lord did exactly what He had Promised), in that He has raised up Jesus again (the Resurrection); as it is also written in the Second Psalm, You are My Son, this day have I begotten You (refers to the Incarnation when the Second Person of the Divine Trinity took a perfect human body, in order that it would be offered up as Sacrifice to Redeem humanity [Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Phil. 2:5-11]).

34 And as concerning that He raised Him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption (this phrase proclaims the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead in greater form than when He went into the abode of death; He died with a regular, although Perfect, human Body, but was raised with a Glorified Body), He said on this wise, I will give You the sure mercies of David (actually refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who embodies all of these great “Mercies” [Isa. 55:3]).

35 Wherefore He said also in another Psalm, You shall not suffer Your Holy One to see corruption (refers to Ps. 16:10; this passage, as many others, shoots down the “Jesus died Spiritually Doctrine”; if Jesus had gone to the burning side of Hell when He died, and suffered there for three days and nights as some claim, He would definitely have seen corruption; but this He did not do).

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the Will of God, fell on sleep (refers to David’s death), and was laid unto his Fathers, and saw corruption (this shows that the great Davidic Covenant pertained to the greater son of David, and not David himself):

37 But He, Whom God raised again, saw no corruption (Paul’s Message here is very similar to that of Peter in Acts, Chpt. 2).

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and Brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins (presents Jesus as having paid the price for man’s Redemption, and through Him Alone can be “forgiveness of sins”):

39 And by Him (what He did at the Cross) all who believe (place our Faith in what He did at the Cross) are justified from all things (the Scripture here plainly says, “all things,” not just some things), from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses (dogmatically and without apology sets aside the Law of Moses as being empty of any ability to justify one with God).

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the Prophets (speaks of the Judgment of God, and plainly says that it will come upon rejecters of Truth);

41 Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish ([Hab. 1:5] spoke of Israel which rejected Christ, and holds true for all Christ Rejecters, whomever and wherever they might be): for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you (predicts the unbelief of mankind respecting Jesus Christ as the source of all Salvation).

42 And when the Jews were gone out of the Synagogue (indicates that some had got angry at Paul’s statements), the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath (speaks of those Gentiles referred to as “God-fearers,” who were in the Synagogue and heard Paul’s Message).

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes (Gentiles who had accepted Judaism) followed Paul and Barnabas (wanted to hear more): who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the Grace of God (not only must they accept Christ, they must also continue in Christ).

OPPOSITION

44 And the next Sabbath Day came almost the whole city together to hear the Word of God (during the intervening week, it seems the new converts quickly spread the Message of Grace through Jesus Christ; consequently, there is a great crowd on this particular Sabbath Day to hear the Gospel).

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy (they did not expect this large a crowd), and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming (the Synagogue leaders were trying to contradict Paul, and blaspheming Christ as well).

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold (this boldness was given to them by the Holy Spirit), and said, It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoken to you (should be first given to the Jews): but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of Everlasting Life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles (proclaims a statement of far-reaching magnitude; one might say this was the beginning of Western Civilization).

47 For so has the Lord Commanded us (speaks not only of His Personal Call, but of the Prophecy given by Isaiah as well), saying, I have set you to be a Light of the Gentiles (is taken from Isa. 49:6, and refers to the Messiah), that you should be for Salvation unto the ends of the earth (the Salvation afforded by Christ is intended for the entirety of the world).

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of the Lord (they knew this meant them, and it brought great joy, even as it should): and as many as were ordained to Eternal Life believed (means that God has appointed and provided Eternal Life for all who will believe [Jn. 3:15-20; Rom. 1:16; 10:9-10; I Tim. 2:4; II Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17]).

49 And the Word of the Lord was published throughout all the region (it didn’t say the Church, or some religious institution, etc., but “the Word of the Lord”; this shows us where the emphasis must be).

50 But the Jews (those who opposed the Gospel) stirred up the devout and Honourable women (seems to indicate female Gentile Proselytes), and the Chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas (means that these individuals believed the lies they were told about these two), and expelled them out of their coasts (they were not merely requested to leave, but forcibly ejected; there is no evidence of physical violence, but definite evidence that physical violence was threatened).

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them (presents that which Jesus Commanded His Disciples to do under these circumstances [Mat. 10:14; Mk. 6:11; Lk. 9:5; 10:11]), and came unto Iconium (a city in the southern part of the Roman Province of Galatia).

52 And the Disciples were filled with joy (proclaims the fact that the Holy Spirit informed them that the problem in Antioch was not their fault; this brings them great joy), and with the Holy Spirit (means that the Spirit of God was the Author of this “joy”).

Chapter 14

(A.D. 45)

ICONIUM

1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together (Paul and Barnabas) into the Synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke (presents them continuing with their custom of going to the Jews first), that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed (they accepted Christ).

2 But the unbelieving Jews (as obvious, some of the Jews didn’t believe) stirred up the Gentiles (means that these Gentiles were not of the ruling class), and made their minds evil affected against the brethren (the unbelieving Jews used any lie they could tell).

3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord (the unbelieving Gentiles who were stirred up by the unbelieving Jews did not have immediate sway, as those Gentiles in the previous city; so Paul and Barnabas were able to minister there for some weeks), which gave testimony unto the Word of His Grace (this “Grace” speaks of God’s unmerited favor in sending Jesus to save us from our sins), and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands (healings, miracles, and deliverances).

4 But the multitude of the city was divided (though Grace be its keynote, the Message causes dissension and disrupts families, communities and nations): and part held with the Jews, and part with the Apostles (proclaims the extent of this division).

5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them (constitutes their plan, but with Paul and Barnabas leaving before it was put into motion),

LYSTRA

6 They were ware (made aware) of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about (doesn’t mean that Paul and Barnabas were afraid, but that these were the instructions of the Lord):

7 And there (Lystra and Derbe) they preached the Gospel (preaching is the method chosen by God to reach people, irrespective of their locality or circumstances).

8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9 The same heard Paul speak (seems that Paul was preaching in the town square): who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed (presents Paul being drawn to this man by the Holy Spirit, because the man apparently believed what he heard Paul saying about Christ; evidently Paul referred to Christ in his Message, not only as the Saviour, but the Healer as well),

10 Said with a loud voice (Paul spoke loudly), Stand upright on your feet (this was no doubt in front of a great crowd). And he leaped and walked (proclaims him being healed immediately).

11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia (presents their native language), The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men (Greek Mythology pointed to many gods, and their coming down to Earth in human form).

12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius (presents their two principal gods), because he (Paul) was the chief speaker.

13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city (speaks of the temple of Jupiter, which was constructed just outside the gates), brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people (spoke of offering up the animals and actually worshiping Paul and Barnabas).

14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of (probably means the people were speaking in their native language, so the Apostles at first did not know what was happening), they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out (this was to show their disapproval of what was happening),

15 And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? (Why do people in India bathe in the filth of the Ganges River, thinking that such will guarantee them some type of eternal life? Why do many in Africa smear cow dung over their bodies, working themselves into a frenzy as someone beats a drum?) We also are men of like passions with you (Paul and Barnabas disavowed the ridiculous claims of these people that they are gods), and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God (other than the Living God Who can only be found through Jesus Christ, all is vanity), which made Heaven, and Earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

16 Who in times past (before the Cross) suffered all nations to walk in their own ways (means that He did not destroy them despite their evil ways, as abominable as they were).

17 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 (however powerful Creation may be as a “witness,” it is not a Saviour; while it could point men toward God, it within itself could not save men; despite that “witness”, they died eternally lost).

18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people (the people were still somewhat fearful of not heeding Paul and Barnabas), that they had not done sacrifice unto them (the people were restrained at the last moment).

PERSECUTION

19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people (this evidently took place some days after the situation concerning the proposed Sacrifice; these Jews persuaded the people to turn against Paul and Barnabas), and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead (they considered Paul to be the leader, with Barnabas, it seems, being spared from the stoning; Paul was near death).

20 Howbeit, as the Disciples stood round about him (speaks of those who had come to Christ in the last few days or weeks), he rose up (indicates that however serious the situation was, he was instantly healed), and came into the city (means that Paul’s detractors had now left, thinking he was dead): and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe (presents a distance of about forty miles).

21 And when they had preached the Gospel to that city (proclaims their Evangelism not slowing at all despite the persecution), and had taught many (preaching had brought them to Christ, and now they needed to be taught), they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch (they were led by the Holy Spirit to go back to these places of their persecution; as such, Satan would not be able to kill them),

22 Confirming the souls of the Disciples (pertained to the new converts in these areas), and exhorting them to continue in the Faith (it is not he who begins, but he who finishes), and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God (quite a different Message than that being presently proposed).

23 And when they had ordained them Elders (Preachers) in every Church (by the help of the Holy Spirit, a Pastor from the local congregation was selected to lead the local flock), and had prayed with fasting (means that Paul, Barnabas, and others sought the Lord earnestly as to His Will in these matters), they commended them to the Lord (seeking the Lord’s Blessings on them after the appointment), on Whom they believed (believing that He would lead and guide them, which He did!).

THE HOME CHURCH

24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia (Pamphylia is southwest of Pisidia).

25 And when they had preached the Word in Perga, they went down into Attalia (there is no record that they ministered in Attalia):

26 And thence sailed to Antioch (the home Church), from whence they had been recommended to the Grace of God for the work which they fulfilled (the Holy Spirit says here that Paul and Barnabas did exactly what the Lord wanted them to do regarding this Missionary journey).

THE REPORT

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the Church together (at Antioch), they rehearsed all that God had done with them (related it all to the congregation), and how He had opened the door of Faith unto the Gentiles (how receptive the Gentiles were).

28 And there (Antioch, Syria) they abode long time with the Disciples (with the congregation, possibly as long as two years).

Chapter 15

(A.D. 51)

THE COUNCIL

1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the Brethren (presents the greatest crisis of the Early Church), and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved (they were attempting to refute Paul’s Message of Grace through faith; in other words, they were attempting to circumvent the Cross, trying to add the Law of Moses to the Gospel of Grace).

2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them (seems to indicate that these men came to Antioch not long after Paul and Barnabas had returned from their first Missions tour), they (the Elders of the Church at Antioch) determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question (no doubt refers to the trip mentioned by Paul in Gal. 2:1-10).

3 And being brought on their way by the Church (means that the Church at Antioch paid the expenses of the Brethren respecting this trip), they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles (indicates that they stopped to visit Churches all along the way): and they caused great joy unto all the Brethren (seems to indicate that the Judaizers had not brought their false doctrine to these Churches).

4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received of the Church (indicates they were received with open arms), and of the Apostles (refers to the Twelve, minus James the brother of John who had been martyred) and Elders (other Preachers), and they declared all things that God had done with them (gave a report of their recent Missions trip).

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed (refers to them as having accepted Christ as their Saviour; they were in the Church at Jerusalem), saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses (speaking of new converts; this was the great controversy; even though this was a different group, it was the same erroneous message).

6 And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter (this was not a closed meeting, but was rather played out before many Believers).

PETER

7 And when there had been much disputing (much questioning and discussion), Peter rose up, and said unto them (portrays the Apostle, at least now and at this particular meeting, in the position of Leadership), Men and Brethren, you 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 (harks back some ten to twelve years earlier to Peter’s experience with Cornelius [Acts, Chpt. 10]).

8 And God, which knows the hearts (speaks of this action concerning Cornelius being of the Lord and not of Peter), bear them witness (witnessed to the validity of their conversion), giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us (all of this without Circumcision and Law-keeping);

9 And put no difference between us and them (in other words, these Gentiles were just as saved as Jews, and without all of the Laws of the Jews), purifying their hearts by Faith (Faith in Christ and Faith in Christ alone, not by Law-keeping).

10 Now therefore why do you tempt God (calls into question that which God has done), to put a yoke upon the neck of the Disciples (followers of Christ), which neither our Fathers nor we were able to bear? (Peter was not speaking disparagingly of the Law of Moses, but stating that its demands were beyond the ability of human beings to meet because of man’s fallen condition.)

11 But we (the Apostles) believe that through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be Saved (without Law-keeping), even as they (even as the Gentiles).

THE GENTILES

12 Then all the multitude kept silence (refers to the introduction of both “Barnabas and Paul” to the audience), and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul (Barnabas is listed first because he was known to the Church at Jerusalem; he probably spoke first), declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them (they simply gave an account, which refers to the fact that Paul and Barnabas preached Grace and Faith to the Gentiles, and didn’t preach the Law at all; God honored it by giving them signs and wonders, which would not have been the case had He been displeased).

13 And after they had held their peace (concluding their remarks), James answered, saying, Men and Brethren, hearken unto me (presents the Lord’s Brother as the presiding Elder of the Church in Jerusalem):

14 Simeon has (Peter) declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles (refers to the conversion of Cornelius and his household), to take out of them a people for His Name (presents this as the Plan of God, which it surely was!).

15 And to this agree the words of the Prophets (James now appeals directly to the Word of God, which verifies all that has been said); as it is written (Amos 9:11),

16 After this I will return (speaks of the Church Age and the Second Coming of the Lord), 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 (speaks of the restoration of Israel and the coming Kingdom Age, in which all the Prophets declare [Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:13-14; Hos. 3:4-5; Lk. 1:32-33; Rom., Chpts. 9-11; Rev. 11:15; 20:1-10; 22:4-5]):

17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles (a worldwide harvest of souls during the Kingdom Age), upon whom My Name is called, saith the Lord (refers to the Gentile world which has been favorable toward the Lord to a degree), Who does all these things (refers to the Power of God in performing all of this).

18 Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world (the Plan of God regarding the human family was known from “the beginning of the world” [Gen., Chpt. 4]).

19 Wherefore my sentence is (would have been better translated, “I think it good”), that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God (carries the idea that it does not make any sense to demand certain other things of them, claiming such things are needed in order to be saved, when in fact the people are already saved!):

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols (this was common in the heathen world of that day), and from fornication (all forms of immorality), and from things strangled (which refers to the blood not being properly drained from the flesh), and from blood (not to eat blood, which was somewhat common among the heathen during those days; in any case, blood was not to be imbibed, but this did not refer to transfusion; man is saved by the shed Blood of Christ, so blood must be treated accordingly).

21 For Moses of old time has in every city them who preach him, being read in the Synagogues every Sabbath Day (the idea is that Gentiles who desire to know more about the Law of Moses need only to go to one of the Synagogues on the Sabbath, which was every Saturday).

THE DECISION

22 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 (proclaims the fact that all of the Church at Jerusalem, or at least the greater majority, totally agreed with what James had said respecting Gentiles and the Law of Moses); namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, Chief men among the Brethren (Silas was to play a very important part regarding his help to Paul with respect to future Evangelism):

23 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:

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls (evidently speaks of those mentioned in Verse 1), saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the Law: to whom we gave no such Commandment (specifies exactly what the error was; these individuals, whomever they may have been, were not sent by the Church in Jerusalem, nor were they given any Commandment to teach any type of false doctrine):

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord (proclaims the unity of the Brethren in Jerusalem), to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul (places a gracious and kind endearment toward Paul and Barnabas, which spoke volumes as well),

26 Men who have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ (tells us for Whom it was done!).

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth (with these two men accompanying this letter, and verifying its contents, no false prophet could claim that the letter was forged, etc.).

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us (proclaims without a doubt that the Holy Spirit led and guided these proceedings), to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things (when men leave the Word of God, they get into a lot of “unnecessary things”);

29 That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 So when they (possibly six or seven Brethren) were dismissed (sent away with great love), they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the Epistle (we aren’t told how large the Church was in Antioch; however, it could have numbered several hundred; that being the case, they would have met outdoors for this Epistle to be read to them):

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation (tells us that the Law/Grace issue had been very serious; now this settles the dispute, at least for the time being).

32 And Judas and Silas, being Prophets also themselves (means that they stood in the Office of the Prophet [Eph. 4:11]), exhorted the Brethren with many words, and confirmed them (they addressed the multitude with words of great encouragement).

33 And after they (Judas and Silas) had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the Brethren unto the Apostles (refers to Judas returning to Jerusalem, but not Silas).

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still (it was the Holy Spirit Who moved on him to remain in Antioch).

SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord, with many others also (this Church was blessed, to say the least!).

36 And some days after (could have been as much as a year) 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 (refers to the Churches they had planted on the first Missionary Journey).

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark (the word “determined” implies a “deliberate action,” which means that Barnabas was adamant on the subject).

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia (suggests a rupture), and went not with them to the work (he did not go with them to the work to which God called them, as he ought to have done).

39 And the contention was so sharp between them (means to dispute to the point of anger), that they departed asunder one from the other (it created an abrupt and severe rupture; it is my feeling that Barnabas should have acquiesced to Paul; the Holy Spirit had said “separate Me Barnabas and Paul for the work whereunto I have called them”; the Holy Spirit didn’t mention Mark): and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus (Barnabas will not be mentioned again in the great Book of Acts, and yet we dare not take away from the Godliness of this man);

PAUL AND SILAS

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed (proclaims the beginning of the Second Missionary Journey; this is the reason the Holy Spirit had Silas remain behind in Antioch), being recommended by the Brethren unto the Grace of God (he wholeheartedly approved of the great Covenant of Grace, which was absolutely necessary if he was to be of help to Paul).

41 And he (Paul) went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the Churches (teaching in each Church, which obviously was so very much needed).

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