Resolution - to read the Bible

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In chapter 4 we read that the apostles shared their possessions. Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles feet. I wonder if this is the same Barnabas that will meet later when reading about Paul.
 
It seems that not everybody was willing like Barnabas to share everything he had. Ananias and Sapphira tried holding back some of their profits from selling property and lied about it. They were struck dead.
Reading on, we find that the apostles not only preached but also healed many. This resulted in them being put in jail. An angel on the doors of the jail and brought them to the temple courts and they continued to teach again. They were arrested again, but the apostles insisted that they must obey God rather than man. The leaders were angry, but a Pharisee named Gamaliel spoke: let then go. If their purpose or activity is of. humans origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men.
The apostles were whipped and released. They rejoiced as their numbers grew. Soon they had to appoint seven people to help them with the distribution of food within their group. One of those newly appointed was a young man named Stephen.
Stephen was arrested, and tried for blasphemy. At his trial he preached a long sermon, after which he was stoned to death.
'Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.'
 
And Saul approved of their killing Stephen.
A great persecution broke out in Jerusalem and followers of Jesus were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in person.
 
Philip has success preaching the gospel in Samaria.
Phillip then travels South of Jerusalem where he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch. They discussed the Old Testament and then tells them the good news of Jesus. He baptizes the eunuch who went on his way rejoicing. I consider this an important Bible story, because it shows the early church accepting and affirming one who is sexually different and who would be rejected from the Temple.
 
Next we have the familiar story of Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus.
In Damascus, Saul (now called Paul) regains his sight and begins preaching in the synagogue. The Jewish leaders become angry and plot to kill them. He escapes when the apostles lowered him over a wall in a basket, and he flees to Jerusalem. There at first the disciples do not believe him but Barnabas takes his side. He was then taken down to Caesarea and then sent off to Tarsus. The church enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened.
 
Meanwhile, in Joppa Peter healed the paralyzed man.
Then he heard that a disciple named Tabitha (or Dorcas in Greek) had died; she was a widow who sewed for the poor. Peter went to her room, prayed, and called to her to get up. Then he took her hand and helped her to her feet.
Peter stayed in to Joppa for some time.
 
I'm not sure I see the point of getting into a fixation with the reading of the Bible. It's message is really a very simple one. But the problem is that the Christian world, for the most part, pays not the slightest attention to its teachings.
 
Graeme Decarie said:
I'm not sure I see the point of getting into a fixation with the reading of the Bible. It's message is really a very simple one. But the problem is that the Christian world, for the most part, pays not the slightest attention to its teachings.
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It's message is really a very simple one. How do you know the message if you don't read it for yourself?
 
Cornelius, a Gentile, had a vision that Peter would come to him. Meanwhile, Peter had a vision that showed him that nothing God has cleansed and could be considered unclean. Therefore,he was open to the idea when he was called to visit Cornelius.
Peter answers the call, and declares: I now realize how true it is to not show favouritism but excepts from every nation the one who does what is right.
Peter then speaks with Cornelius and his household and everyone there receives the Holy Spirit even though they were Gentiles. Peter baptizes for household.
Peter then returned to Jerusalem where, when questioned by the other apostles, he explained his vision and why he had baptized Gentiles.
 
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As the followers were scattered about the Eastern Mediterranean area, churches were established in various places. News of the church in Antioch reached the church in Jerusalem, and Barnabas was sent to the Antioch where many Greek people were to the Lord. Barnabas travelled to Tarsus and brought Paul to Antioch where they worked together.
Another follower from Jerusalem arrived in Antioch and predicted a severe famine over the entire area. The followers in Antioch decided to send help for the followers in Jerusalem. Their gift was carried by said Paul and Barnabas. (Note: the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.)
In Jerusalem, Herod and some Christians arrestedin one line we are told that James, brother of John, is executed by the sword.

Peter is among those arrested. While sleeping in the prison, Peter is rescued by an angel. Finding himself safely outside, he goes to the home of Mary mother of Mark where many people gathered and were praying for him. A servant named Rhoda answered the door and recognized him. She is not believed. When Peter keeps knocking the others open the door and are astonished.
Note: one line about James being killed and the rest of this chapter devoted to Peter.
Note also: Peter tells the others to "tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this (his escape)." Since James apostle has been killed, I presume this James would be Jesus brother James, who has joined the apostles in Jerusalem.

Chapter 12 ends abruptly, switching from Peter to say: when Barnabas and Saul and finish the mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with John, also called Mark.
 
Long name of this book is actually the Acts of the Apostles. Up until about chapter 12 it concerns itself with the activities of several of the original apostles, as well as others like Stephen, Barnabas, and Paul. Paul was introduced in Chapter 7 and has grown in importance. Perhaps a better name the remainder of the book would be the Acts of Paul. Until now when Paul and Barnabas are mentioned together, Barnabas's name is mentioned first. Gradually changes as Paul's influence grows.
 
Chapter 13 begins with the Holy Spirit moving the church in Antioch to send Barnabas and Paul on a journey. John Mark went with them as their helper as they travelled to Cyprus where they proclaim the Word of God in the synagogues. A false prophet named Bar–Jesus goes against them and, loses his sight.
Mark returned to Jerusalem and Barnabas and Paul continue their journey. In a sermon Paul summarizes the Old Testament. Speaking to both Jews and Gentiles he told the good news of God's promise. Many people were impressed and wanted to hear more, and the religious leaders to become jealous. They began to contradict what Paul preached and expelled them from the region. Paul and Barnabas travelled to Iconium where, despite opposition to the religious leaders, they attract many followers. When Paul and Barnabas hear that they are about to be stoned, they move on to Lystra and Derbe, where after they heal the crippled man that people think they are gods and want to offer sacrifices to them. Paul and Barnabas, of course, deny it. Paul is stoned and left for dead, but the disciples revive him and he and Barnabas travelled on. Using Antiarch as their base, they travelled to many places preaching the gospel and establishing churches.
 
The epistle of James – for some reason the plan I am following breaks off from the book of Acts here and it inserts the epistle of James.
I can remember very little about the book of James. I remember Martin Luther didn't think it should be included in the Bible and it actually was very late in being included in the Canon of Scripture.
A forenote in one of my Bibles suggests that it was not written by the apostle James the brother of John. As we read in the book of Acts, James was the first apostle to be killed. Rather it may have been written by James the brother of Jesus, who reached a position of authority in the church in Jerusalem before his death which occurred sometime in the 60s AD.
It is Time to read five chapters of James.
 
Some of the things I noticed in reading the apostle James:
- it is not a personal letter from one person to another. Rather it is from one person who seems to have some authority, which James the brother of John would have had, to the 12 churches of the dysphoria.
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It would have been written fairly early in the Christian era (James the apostle was the first follower to be killed sometime in the 40s AD; James the brother of Jesus died in the 60s AD)
- it seems to contain some material common to both Matthew and Luke although it is much earlier than either of these two gospels. Perhaps the writer of James had access to some of the writings that we now call Q.
– it doesn't mention details of Jesus life, birth, death, or resurrection. It concentrates on his teachings and those of the Hebrew Scriptures.
– In style reminded me of the wisdom teachings (i.e. Proverbs). Short sentences of common wisdom.
– It is perhaps an answer to some of the teachings of Paul.

There seems to have been some tension between Paul and James. James was the head of the church in Jerusalem; he was a Jewish Christian and many of the followers were Jews or converts. All spent most of his time away from Jerusalem spreading the good news to the Gentiles.
The emphasis in Paul's teaching was justification by grace; this was very important to Martin Luther who called the epistle of James an epistle of straw. James felt that people should show their faith through their good works.
 
Reading through these five chapters, I like his ideas. "Do not merely listen to the word ... do what it says." "Those who consider themselves religious and do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless"
James advises that churches should not show favouritism to the rich. But look after the poor, the widows and the orphans. (This reminds me of the Old Testament prophets criticizing was in power in the palace and the Temple).
He repeats Jesus commandment to love your neighbour. He speaks of mercy (love) is more important than judgment.
He questions what if someone has faith but no deeds? Can such faith save them? "Faith by itself, if it is not made by action, is dead."

"Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness and wisdom. The wisdom from above is first pure then peaceful and gentle willing to yield full of compassion and good fruits."
"Brothers and sisters, do not slander anybody.... Who are you to judge your neighbour?"
In the final chapter James urges people to pray.
There is good stuff in James! Well worthy of a read.
 
J aimes ... I like it ... and yet some would argue that argumentative ... just to start a' haji! With a tug of the heart the psyche could go silent ... a meer essence of its former's elf ... like a maas 've demons!

Kahn 've worms ... just say something non-conforming to the desire of powers!

The whole thing will blow into a pile of corruption!
 
We return to the book of Acts chapter 15. To me this is a very important chapter. It tells me that from early times there were disagreements and discussions between followers within the church.

James and the disciples in Jerusalem, the Jewish Christians, believe that only those who were circumcised as all Jews were, and who follow the Jewish laws passed down since the time of Moses, could be baptized and accepted as Christians.

Paul considered it his calling to preach the good news to the Gentiles. Although he travelled around from place to place, his base was in Antioch.


Paul and Barnabas were preaching in Antioch when some believers came down from Jerusalem and taught that unless you are circumcised you cannot be saved. This brought Paul and Barnabas to dispute and debate with them. It seems to me that there was already some tension and division among the early Christians.

Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go up to Jerusalem and see the apostles and elders about this question. Along the way they told how the Gentiles had been converted which made all the believers very glad. When they reached Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders. But still some of the believers insisted that the Gentiles must be circumcised before becoming Christians.


Then Peter seems to have taken the role of moderator. He remembered his vision when he was called to visit Cornelius, a Gentile, and how Cornelius received the Holy Spirit.


Barnabas and Paul again addressed the assembly and James spoke up 'we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.’ Paul and Barnabas, accompanied by Silas and another believer, returned to Antioch with a letter from James and his Jerusalem church, confirming 'it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: you are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.’

Paul and Barnabas stayed there for a while. Then Paul wanted to visit some of the believers in the towns where they had preached earlier. There was a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas. Barnabas and John Paul sailed for Cyprus; and all true Silas to travel with Paul and strengthen the. Churches.
 
Acts 16 -

As Paul and Silas travelled about they were joined by Timothy, a young man with the Jewish mother and a Greek father.
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Paul has a vision of a man calling him to come to Macedonia (Greece). When praying on the Sabbath day beside a river in Macedonia they need a woman named Lydia. Already a worshiper of God, Lydia to respond to Paul's message and see all the members of her arousal were baptized.
 
Seeler said:
Acts 16 -

As Paul and Silas travelled about they were joined by Timothy, a young man with the Jewish mother and a Greek father.
.
Paul has a vision of a man calling him to come to Macedonia (Greece). When praying on the Sabbath day beside a river in Macedonia they need a woman named Lydia. Already a worshiper of God, Lydia to respond to Paul's message and see all the members of her arousal were baptized.
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I'm chuckling here :devil:....but I know what you meant.
 
In Chapter 16, verse 16, I noticed a difference in the style of writing. Until now this book has been in the third person (that is 'they did such and such'or 'they went wherever'). I now find it is changed to the first person (ie We did so and so).
As the writer of the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts voluntarily join Paul's party at this time?

"When WE were going to the place of prayer, WE were meant by a female slave who has spirit by which she predicted the future. She followed Paul and the rest of US, shouting 'these men are servants of the most high God.'"

Annoyed with her shouting, Paul turned and drove the spirit from her.
Her owners have Paul and Silas arrested for advocating unlawful Romans to accept or practice. They were stripped and be thrown into prison with the chained. During the night they pray and sing psalms. The prison doors open and the changes fall off. Paul and Silas do not attempt to escape. They actually prevented the jailer from killing himself. In return he takes them into his home and takes care of.them. After talking a bit he and his household are baptized.
In the morning Paul and Silas are released, because the magistrates realized the Roman citizens. They returned to Lydia's house where they met the other brothers and sisters; then they left.
 
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