Snoopy Approaches Acts

[paradox3]

What I really like about this story is that both parties simply carry on after their disagreement. Maybe they are even called to different aspects of ministry?

We don't know if any animosity or resentment persists between Paul and Barnabas. And I don't know whether or not we will learn anything more about it as we read on in Acts.

 

[unsafe]

Well here today we see Paul and Barnabas thinking they should visit the Churches and see how they are doing ----

Paul is showing here what a good Pastor is really like ---One who cares for his Sheep and interested in knowing how his Sheep are doing grazing out in their pasture of life -----

Paul had a Heart that wanted to bring people to Christ and was interested in their well being after they were saved for his early Church ----

So now here we are going to see a flaw in Godly Behaviour between Paul ----and Barnabas both --this is called Carnality ------and shows that even the best falls short in their Conduct and Emotions when --emotions have the upper hand and control us -----

Barnabas ---wants to bring back John (Mark) and Paul gets Offended -----Paul who is not just indwelled but Filled with the Holy Spirit -----Now allows his emotions to take charge and he becomes OFFENDED

This word Offend-- ------if you separated it -is ----OFF- -END ------Paul has just ----off---ended --what God has intended ------

So when a True Christian becomes Offened ----they stop the process that God was intending to take place -----and Offence will block a True Christian's prayers from bring answered --one of the protocols for answered prayer--- FOLKS

Proverbs 18:19--ESV
A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

So Paul and Barnabas both are showing that their Carnal thinking is still very present in their Faith journey of trying to attain a Christ like Character -----

We are Sanctified when we get Born Again ----that is we are set apart form the World for God ---
But our Worldly thinking and Character still need to be Sanctified ---though our Maturing From a Carnal State to a Spiritual State ----and that Maturing journey is Life long ----we are to try to Mature till we die --but we will never obtain Full Maturity in our Faith walk with Christ here as our Flesh is weak ---We will be Fully Sanctified when we are in our Glorified body -----

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”


I say ----So we see Paul not letting go of John --Mark---leaving before and now has no trust in him and tells Barnabas that he quit and deserted them before ----

They have a Big Disagreement so both here are at fault ----and are not relying on the Holy Spirit to direct them as they should ---they both take Offence and part ways -----

Wrong behaviour for Godly people ----and Paul and Barnabas are no exception they are both displaying Selfish ---Childish ---Behaviour ---they are Walking in the Flesh ----Not in the Spirit

Paul and Barnabas are on that Maturing journey -----and are far from reaching the right end results here------Folks ---

2 Timothy 2:23 AMP
​

23 But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels.


Barnabas and John --Mark---go to Cyprus

Paul picks Silas and they go off to Syria and Cilicia, establishing and strengthening the churches.

So we hear how Paul and Silas do ----but there is nothing about how Barnabas and John --Mark---are doing ====

I say ------I am sure that God is in the mix between Paul and Barnabas and will fins a way to return Good from this bad situation

Romans 8:28 AMP
​

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

So I think there will be a HAPPY ending to this dispute down the line somewhere ----

 

[unsafe]

Today we see disagreement within the ministry team and then reconfiguration.

Still happens today, doesn't it?

Definitely right there -----today is no different than it was back then ---

AI----- posts some differences that may arise

Reasons for Disagreement:

• Doctrinal Differences:
  Clergy may dispute official church doctrines or theological positions, such as views on social issues like LGBTQ+ rights, the ordination of women, or other areas of moral teaching.
  
  
• Leadership and Vision:
  Conflicts can stem from differing opinions on strategic planning, church direction, or how to best serve the congregation.
  
  
• Ethical and Moral Conflicts:
  Disagreements can arise when a clergy member's personal integrity, based on their understanding of biblical truth or ethical principles, clashes with the demands of their church position.
  
  
• Cultural or Social Issues:
  The clash between ancient church traditions and modern social media or technology can also create internal tensions and disagreement

 

[paradox3]

Acts 16: 1-5

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 16:1-5 - New English Translation

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas - He also came to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but whose father was a Greek. The brothers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul and Silas come to Derbe and Lystra. There they meet Timothy, a disciple whose mother is a Jewish believer but whose father is Greek. The brothers there speak well of him.

Paul wants Timothy to accompany them. He circumcises Timothy because the Jews are plentiful in these parts. They all know his father is Greek.

They go through the towns, passing on the decrees for the Gentiles believers to obey.

The churches increase in numbers and are strengthened in faith.

 

[paradox3]

A puzzling little text for today.

It has been decided that Gentile converts do not need to be circumcised. Yet Timothy requires it because his mother is Jewish.

Why wouldn't he have been circumcised at 8 days of age as was the Jewish custom?

Would the Jews expect him to have been circumcised, knowing that his father was Greek? Was Paul afraid of offending the Jews?

Is the purpose of this story to emphasize that both Jews and Gentiles have a place in the church?

 

[unsafe]

In today's Scripture we see Paul visiting Derbe and Lystra-----where the Disciple Timothy lived ----his Mother was a Jewish Believer and his Father was Greek -----

So here we are seeing a mixed marriage of a Believer and a non believer ----

God actually warns against this in His word ----

2 Corinthians 6:14 AMP​

​

14 Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

We see Timothy was well thought of from his brothers and Sisters in in Lystra and Iconium--so Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him so he first circumcised Timothy so he would not Offend the Jews he would be Ministering to as they would have been aware that his Father was Greek

Timothy's Father being Greek (and if you do some research ) you will find that the Greek's thought that the body was to remain in tact and circumcision was thought to be a mutilation of the body ----so circumcision was not a practice that the Greeks participated in -----
and in the Jewish Custom the Father was considered the head of the Family and help authority over the family members ---So I am sure Timothy's Father would have opposed his being circumcised as a baby ---

I say ----Not sure how his Mother would have felt about that being a believer ---but she would have to abide by what her husband wanted -----

So as Paul and Timothy were along they gave the stipulation that was agreed upon in Jerusalem for the Church to observe ----

So we see that the Churches were strengthened in Christ's Faith and were increasing in numbers day after day ------

I say ------Paul's intention in circumcising Timothy was not for him being in right standing with God as Timothy was already in right standing with God ----- but for the intention of him being accepted by the Jews so he could preach God's Word without Offending them -----

This shows again Paul's wise leadership as it removed a cultural barrier for Timothy to be able to Preach the Gospel effectively without criticism from his Jewish counterparts

We see time and time again in Scripture how effect and successful their Ministry is when the Holy Spirit is indwelled by the person delivering God's word to the people-----

Today having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a thing of the past for Ministers and our Churches buildings show the result ----

Today we have taken God's word and made it what we want it to be --Preaching a mixture of Logos and Legalism ---no spiritual understanding involved ----as the Ministers have not God indwelling them -----

1 John 4:1 AMP

Amplified Bible
Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world.

I wonder what Paul ---Barnabas --Timothy ---Silas and the others would say if they were here today and when to different Churches and heard the False Doctrines that are being put forth and preached today by people who claim to be called by God into His Ministry ----

I am sure they would be Appalled ---at what they are hearing ---but that is just my view

The Seminary Schools need to change their Admission Status ----and insist that all who Teach in the School and all who Enter into Ministry must have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit ---no exceptions ----

All People who do Have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are deemed Ministers ----as they are directed by the Holy Spirit in their Spiritual Understanding of the Scriptures


AI Overview

Scripture like 1 Peter 2:5, 9 and 2 Corinthians 3:6 supports the idea that all believers are ministers due to the indwelling Holy Spirit, with Peter describing believers as a "holy priesthood" and "royal priesthood" and Paul stating the Spirit enables them to be "ministers of a new covenant". The Holy Spirit equips every believer with spiritual gifts and power for service, making them competent and enabling them to be used by God to serve others.

Scriptural Basis

• 1 Peter 2:5, 9:
  This passage describes believers as a "holy priesthood" and a "royal priesthood," implying a priestly ministry for all believers.
  
  
• 2 Corinthians 3:6:
  This verse states that the Holy Spirit makes believers "sufficient as ministers of a new covenant," emphasizing their capacity to serve through the Spirit, not the Law.

How the Holy Spirit Empowers Ministry

• Indwelling and Spiritual Gifts:
  The Holy Spirit indwells believers, uniting them with Christ and the church. He also "sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts or abilities for service to every believer".
  
  
• Empowerment for Service:
  The Spirit provides the power for ministry, as seen when believers speak the Word of God boldly and serve others through these gifts.
  
  
• New Covenant Ministry:
  Because the Spirit empowers believers, they become "ministers of a new covenant," capable of fulfilling God's purpose through the Spirit's power, as opposed to the limitations of the Old Covenant letter of the law.

The Ministry of All Believers

• Universal Priesthood:
  The concept of "all Christians are ministers" highlights the universal priesthood of believers, where every born-again believer is equipped by the Spirit for service.
• Empowered to Serve:
  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit gives every Christian the spiritual power and authority to function as a minister within the body of Christ.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 16: 6-15

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 16:6-15 - New English Translation

Paul’s Vision of the Macedonian Man - They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do...

www.biblegateway.com

Paul, Silas and Timothy set out on their journey. The Holy Spirit prevents them from speaking in one area. The Spirit of Jesus does the same in another.

A vision appears to Paul in the night and urges them to go to Macedonia. They head there immediately because God has called. They arrive in Philippi and stay in that city for several days.

On the Sabbath day they go out the city gate and to the side of the river. They expect this to be a place of prayer and they speak to the women gathered there.

Lydia listens to them. She is a dealer in purple cloth and a God-fearing woman. God opens her heart and she and her household are baptized.

She persuades them to come and stay in her house.

 

[paradox3]

Interesting that God has called Paul to a specific location. And the Ministry today is to women!

 

[unsafe]

So today we see how the Holy Spirit can prevent what we ourselves think is a good thing to do -or go to a place where we choose that is out of the will of God for us --

and this happened to Paul --Silas and Timothy who were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor]

You would think that what Paul was doing was a good thing --preaching the Good News to where he thought he should but God had a different place in mind for the 3 to go and share His Gospel ----this Province of Asia minor where Paul was going was apparently Roman territory and Maybe was not ready to hear the Gospel of the Good News at the time Paul was going there -----this could have ended up a disaster for the 3 of them if they had of Disobeyed the blockage -----and went on their own power -----

We see they are Blocked again trying to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them ----

So twice now Paul has been blocked from going to where he was going ------this shows us how Paul was willing to lay down his will and follow God's will -----

This is important to note here -----as Ministers of God we are to adhere to what His will for us is ----and be very willing to Lay down what we think is best -----as God knows what lies ahead of us ----we don't --Disaster and unsuccessful preaching could be the result -----

God may Close one door --as He opens another door -------

The 3 end up in Toras where he has a vision ----verse 9 AMP

9 Then a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man from [the Roman province of] Macedonia was standing and pleading with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!”

So if you research Macedonia it was mainly a pagan land that needed the Gospel preached and God opened the door for them to go there -----in spite of any dangers that could arise ---as we see later in this chapter ---

So Paul tells the other 2 of his vision and they head for Macedonia -----again Paul following God's will not his own will ----

Verse 12 AMP-------tells us they went to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony and stayed there for several days

On the Sabbath they went outside the city gate to a river and there met a woman who had come there ----they spoke with her --

verse 14 AMP
Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a dealer in purple fabrics who was [already] a worshiper of God, listened to us;
and the Lord opened her heart to pay attention and to respond to the things said by Paul

I say -------This is important to get as this Lady responded to God's drawing and her heart was opened to hear the Gospel which inbirths the right Faith in us ---to be saved -----and this woman called Lydia as well as her household were baptise in the Holy Spirit ----and were saved ----and Paul and the other 2 accept her invitation to stay with her ----

John 6:44 AMP​

44 ;No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him [giving him the desire to come to Me]; and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.

I say ---we all have to be drawn by God the Father and we have to accept that Draw to have our heart open to hear the Gospel and have it penetrate our heart -----

Paul followed God's will and the fruit of the Spirit was visible ---as this was the first convert for them in Macedonia ----

I ask
In regards to us being Blocked from going somewhere or pursuing a career that we want ourselves -----Have you ever experienced that in your life -----

Cause I have -----twice ----and ended up where I really didn't want to be in my first choices of my life -----but had success in where I did end up -----

After School I wanted to be a Police Woman ----applied but was not accepted ---do to my Height --I was 2 short ------now I don't think they are allowed to discriminate height -as it would violate humans rights ?????? ----I went into the Nursing field and after I graduated I wanted to be a Nurse in the Military and applied and wrote the test 3 times and Failed all 3 times ---I ended up working in the Hosp I trained at and had great success there ---but not getting into the other 2 careers was very upsetting and frustrating for me at the time ---but now realize that I may not have been happy in those fields ------Who knows ????

 

[paradox3]

It is interesting in this passage that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus and God work together so closely to bring about God's will.

 

[BetteTheRed]

I wonder how they distinguished between the two different Spirits? How Paul knew the vision was from God, not Jesus or the Holy
Spirit?

 

[unsafe]

It is interesting in this passage that the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus and God work together so closely to bring about God's will.

I think you will find that the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus in some text are used interchangeably ---

AI --I think does a good Job in explaining it ---and gives scripture as well

AI Overview

The terms "Holy Spirit" and "Spirit of Jesus" are used interchangeably in some biblical contexts, particularly in the Book of Acts, to emphasize that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the resurrected Christ, sent by Jesus to accomplish His work. This terminology highlights that the Holy Spirit is not a separate entity but is inseparable from Jesus, embodying His divine nature and human life and serving as His active presence in the world and in believers.

Biblical Basis

• Acts 16:6-7:
  This passage shows Paul and his companions being guided by the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Jesus when determining where to go for their ministry.
  
  
• Romans 8:9:
  This verse directly states, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him".
  
  
• John 14:16 & 15:26:
  Jesus promises to send the "Advocate," who is also identified as the "Spirit of truth" (John 15:26), after His ascension.
  

Theological Significance

• The Spirit of Christ:
  The phrase "Spirit of Jesus" or "Spirit of Christ" emphasizes that the Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus to carry out His work, embodying His humanity, suffering, and victorious resurrection.
  
  
• Jesus's Work Through the Spirit:
  The Spirit of Jesus is the Spirit of the man Jesus, who lived, suffered, died, and was resurrected. Through Him, Jesus continues His work by supplying, guiding, and comforting believers and the church.
  
  
• Shared Identity:
  The Holy Spirit is God's presence and power, and the use of these titles underscores that He is God's Spirit as expressed through Jesus Christ.

Blue Letter Bible
https://www.blueletterbible.org › stewart_don › faq › 1...


The Holy Spirit is not the same Person as Jesus Christ but rather He came to do Jesus' work. In that sense He is the Spirit of Jesus

 

[paradox3]

I wonder how they distinguished between the two different Spirits? How Paul knew the vision was from God, not Jesus or the Holy
Spirit?

Does the Blue Letter Bible explain this anywhere @unsafe?

I just followed your link and it's fascinating. Complete news to me. I have always taken Jesus of the Trinity to be the incarnated Jesus. Not the risen one. Probably I have missed something along the way.

 

[GordW]

Does the Blue Letter Bible explain this anywhere @unsafe?

I just followed your link and it's fascinating. Complete news to me. I have always taken Jesus of the Trinity to be the incarnated Jesus. Not the risen one. Probably I have missed something along the way.

Generally speaking Trinitarian doctrine has the second person of the Trinity as the Risen Incarnated One.....JEsus is Jesus.

 

[GordW]

I wonder how they distinguished between the two different Spirits? How Paul knew the vision was from God, not Jesus or the Holy
Spirit?

REmembering that in a few centuries the church will split in part on the issue of whether the Spirit flows just from God (first person of the Trinity) or from God (1st person of the Trinity) and from the Son (Jesus, second person of the Trinity who is also God) it makes for an interesting discussion

 

[paradox3]

I also get confused about the Spirit that came upon Mary. How could this be if Jesus was going to send it after He died?

Or is God's Spirit different from the Holy Spirit? That doesn't make any sense.

 

[GordW]

I also get confused about the Spirit that came upon Mary. How could this be if Jesus was going to send it after He died?

Or is God's Spirit different from the Holy Spirit? That doesn't make any sense.

The Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God is a part of Jewish theology from the beginning of the story (as in Genesis 1). Christian theology uses the term in ways that are both similar and different.

 

[unsafe]

I also get confused about the Spirit that came upon Mary. How could this be if Jesus was going to send it after He died?

The Holy Spirit was always part of the Trinity -----the Holy Spirit for the most part in the Old Testament just landed on People and if He did indwell someone in the Old Testament He left the person----- there was no permanent indwelling in the Old Testament ---the Holy Spirit in the New Testament indwells the Believer and remains with the Believer till they die ----
------

 

[unsafe]

REmembering that in a few centuries the church will split in part on the issue of whether the Spirit flows just from God (first person of the Trinity) or from God (1st person of the Trinity) and from the Son (Jesus, second person of the Trinity who is also God) it makes for an interesting discussion

Ya there is conflict about this -----this is what Religion does ---it will always find ways to make Scripture seem hard and confusing --by creating conflicts among themselves about stuff like this ---one religion saying this --the other that -----about scripture --I think they create this stuff just to keep people on edge about the Bible itself ---and its authenticity ----
Really conflict over who the Holy Spirit comes from ---So nonsensical ---- and a waste of time ----If God wanted us to know and care about that He would have put it in Scripture ---

This Scripture says ---the Holy Spirit comes From the Father and is Proceeded From the Father ----so now look up the words in the Greek --From and proceeds

John 15:26 KJV​

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 15:26
​

26 But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He [Himself] will testify regarding Me.

Greek word for FROM

para: beside, near, from, in the presence of, with, by

3844 pará (a preposition) – properly, close beside. 3844 /pará ("from closely alongside") introduces someone (something) as very "close beside."

3844 (pará) an emphatic "from," means "from close beside" ("alongside"). It stresses nearness (closeness)

properly, with a suggestion of union of place or of residence, after verbs of coming, departing, setting out, etc.

properly, with a suggestion of union of place or of residence, after verbs of coming, departing, setting out John 15:26;


Greek Word for Proceed

ekporeuomai: To go out, to proceed, to come forth

to depart, be discharged, proceed

to make to go forth, to lead out, with future middle); (from Xenophon down); the Sept. for יָצָא; to go forth, go out, depart;

properly, with mention of the place whence:from one's abode, one's vicinity, John 15:26


So I say ----we look at the words and come to our conclusion from that -------and be satisfied --for me the Holy Spirit is a Person not a force or thing --He is the third member of the trinity ---and the Scripture clearly indicates that the Holy Spirit can bee grieved --and has emotions ----So for me God the Father sends Out the holy Spirit --to do His work ----and Jesus says My father will send you the Holy Spirit -the Holy Spirit testifies to who Jesus is ---

 

[unsafe]

this is from AI on this

AI Overview

The theological doctrine that caused a major historical schism, and continues to be a point of division, is known as the Filioque clause, which states that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son, not solely from the Father. This was a key point of contention during the Great Schism between the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches, where the East emphasized the Spirit proceeding only from the Father, reflecting a difference in theological terminology and emphasis.

The Doctrine of the Trinity

• Trinitarian View:
  Mainstream Christianity believes that God is one being who exists in three co-equal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
  
  
• Origin of the Spirit:
  The core of the dispute lies in the relationship between these three persons.
  

The Filioque Clause and the Great Schism

• The Western View (Filioque):
  The Latin Church, particularly after the Council of Toledo (447 AD), added the phrase "and the Son" (filioque) to the Nicene Creed, asserting that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son.
  
  
• The Eastern View:
  The Eastern Orthodox Church rejected this addition, believing it contradicted the biblical understanding that the Spirit proceeds only from the Father.
  
  
• The Split:
  This doctrinal disagreement over the Filioque was a significant factor in the Great Schism of 1054, which formally separated the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
  

Linguistic and Conceptual Differences

• Greek vs. Latin Terminology: The dispute was partly rooted in the different meanings of the Greek word ekporeuetai (used in John 15:26 to describe the Spirit's origin) and the Latin procedere.
  • Greek theologians used ekporeuetai specifically for the Spirit's unique procession from the Father.
  • Latin theology's use of the more general term procedere for movement contributed to the idea that the Spirit could also move from the Son.