JESUS at Work (Acts 18-28)

Jesus appeared to Paul four times.  The first time was at Paul's conversion, Acts 9:5.  And right away, Paul became zealous to preach Jesus, and went wherever the Holy Spirit led him, which included Thessalonica, Berea and Athens...

(Acts 18:1-11)  After these things he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and they were working, for by trade they were tent-makers. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

And just as Jesus had told Paul, he was kept safe, while the Jews who were trying to persecute Paul had the tables turned on them...

(Acts 18:12-18a)  But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat,  13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”  14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but if there are questions about words and names and your own law, look after it yourselves; I am unwilling to be a judge of these matters.” 16 And he drove them away from the judgment seat. 17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.  18 Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. 

Paul had a peaceful time ministering to the people in Ephesus...

(Acts 19:21)  Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”

Paul was to go to Rome, but the journey there was probably not how Paul expected, even though Paul knew full-well that he would suffer for the sake of the gospel at some point.  When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, the Jews attempted to kill him, but their efforts were thwarted when a Roman commander stepped in.  He had Paul bound while he tried to find out what Paul had actually done to deserve death.  Getting permission to speak to the public, Paul delivered a gospel message - which included his conversion story and seeing Jesus the first time - ending with how Jesus appeared to him the third time...

(Acts 22:17-30)  “It happened when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I fell into a trance, 18 and I saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You. 20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’ 21 And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

22 They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!” 23 And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. 25 But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.” 27 The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”  28 The commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.” 29 Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains.  30 But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

God in His wisdom chose Paul for so many reasons.  Not only was Paul a Jew and had been a Pharisee who knew (Old Testament) scriptures very well, but Paul was also born as a Roman citizen; so as Paul stood trial, these things could be used effectively to God's purpose...

(Acts 23:1-11)  Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” 2 The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” 4 But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”  7 As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.  11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

Because Paul was a Roman citizen, even though a prisoner, he would be protected from the Jews who were trying to kill him and received an "all-expenses-paid" trip to Rome, and along the way he would have the opportunity to present the gospel message to government officials, King Agrippa, as well as soldiers, prisoners and anyone else who happened to cross paths with him.  Paul made the most of every opportunity, whether a free man, whether shipwrecked on an island,  whether under persecution, whether in prison...!  As we should...

(Ephesians 5:15-21)  Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,  16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

JESUS and Evidence (Acts 17)

Anytime Paul came to a new location, he would look for a Jewish synagogue and teach there first...

(Acts 17:1-4)  Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of the God-fearing Greeks and a number of the leading women.

SomeJews became believers just based on what Paul was saying; but there were Jews who became angry and stirred up the city against them, so Paul and Silas moved on to the next town...

(Acts 17:10-12)  The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.  11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.

These two locations were fairly close to each other, and so the persecution followed them from the last location, Thessalonica.  What was different in this location was that the Jews were more excited to hear the gospel message; even though they didn't just take Paul at his word - they examined the scriptures to make sure it was so.  This is something we should be doing.  A good church and a good pastor will say, "Don't just believe everything I/we say - be checking up on us in the scriptures so you see the evidence!"...

(2 Timothy 2:14-19)  Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene.  Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

As well, as we know and live by God's words, there will be evidence of Him working in our lives.  We should never test God - except in tithing...

(Malachi 3:10)  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

But our obedience should be - because we love God, knowing that God loves us - and because we have faith, knowing God has best intentions...

(Philippians 2:12-13)  ...just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

JESUS and Guide (Acts 16)

In today's reading, I came across something I have never noticed before: ...

(Acts 16:6-10)  They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; 7 and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; 8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Just curious why Holy Spirit was used in the one verse, and then the Spirit of JESUS was used in the next verse.  I'm not sure what to make of that, but there you go.  Very interesting.  We know that God is made up of the Trinity - three in one.  As to how visions exactly work, I cannot comment.  What I can say is that when these supernatural things happen - it is quite clear that they are "more real than reality".  It's something that you know you didn't or couldn't imagine.  And if we get the interpretation wrong - IF WE ARE PRAYING FOR GOD'S GUIDANCE - do not worry or be fearful, God will certainly direct us.  And even without visions, God is still going to direct our paths!  Never give up on asking God for directions!!!

There have been many instances where I have asked God to open and shut doors to guide my decisions:  buying a car, buying a house, waiting for and choosing a spouse, getting a job, going to college, and even going to the mission field.  Of course, for every Christian, our mission field is wherever we are - always! It's another thing to go to another country and work for a mission, and so, my prayers for doing that was answered in an amazing way; but once we got there, things didn't go so smoothly - at all.  Doubt arose - and - well - we wondered - WAS this God's will that we are here???

I came to a very important realization in my life, which helps me now in every decision:  whichever situation we find ourselves in, wherever we are - do God's will, and then you are in God's will.  As soon as I started living in that frame of mind - I could confidently say, "Ahhhh, yes, this IS where I'm supposed to be right now."  I thought I would be on the mission field for two years, but plans change.  There was an opportunity and desire to go to college.  I had one thousand dollars to my name.  I needed ten thousand for each year.  Okay, Lord, if You want me to go to college, You will provide the means to do so.  It all worked out!  And yes, I took many, many various odd jobs, always tithing, always filing my taxes - and God was faithful and provided.

So many stories about God's faithfulness and provisions!!!  God is so good!!!...

(1 Thessalonians 5:12-24)  But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.  23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.