Well, I am off and running in the course I am teaching here, The Missionary Vision of Paul. It is an examination of Acts 13-28 [+/-]Acts 13:1-27:9
[13:1]Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets
and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius
of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the
tetrarch, and Saul. [2]While they were worshiping the Lord
and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called
them." [3]Then after fasting and praying they laid their
hands on them and sent them off.
[4]So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down
to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. [5]When
they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in
the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist
them. [6]When they had gone through the whole island as far
as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish
false prophet named Bar-Jesus. [7]He was with the
proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who
summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of
God. [8]But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of
his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away
from the faith. [9]But Saul, who was also called Paul,
filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him [10]and
said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all
righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you
not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
[11]And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and
you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time."
Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went
about seeking people to lead him by the hand. [12]Then the
proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he
was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
[13]Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and
came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned
to Jerusalem, [14]but they went on from Perga and came to
Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into
the synagogue and sat down. [15]After the reading from the
Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a
message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of
encouragement for the people, say it." [16]So Paul stood
up, and motioning with his hand said:
"Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. [17]The God
of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people
great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with
uplifted arm he led them out of it. [18]And for about forty
years he put up with them in the wilderness. [19]And after
destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave
them their land as an inheritance. [20]All this took about
450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel
the prophet. [21]Then they asked for a king, and God gave
them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin,
for forty years. [22]And when he had removed him, he raised
up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said,
'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my
heart, who will do all my will.' [23]Of this man's
offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he
promised. [24]Before his coming, John had proclaimed a
baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. [25]And
as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you
suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me
one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to
untie.'
[26]"Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those
among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of
this salvation. [27]For those who live in Jerusalem and
their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor
understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read
every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. [28]And
though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they
asked Pilate to have him executed. [29]And when they had
carried out all that was written of him, they took him down
from the tree and laid him in a tomb. [30]But God raised
him from the dead, [31]and for many days he appeared to
those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem,
who are now his witnesses to the people. [32]And we bring
you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,
[33]this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising
Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
"'You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.'
[34]And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead,
no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
"'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'
[35]Therefore he says also in another psalm,
"'You will not let your Holy One see corruption.'
[36]For David, after he had served the purpose of God in
his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his
fathers and saw corruption, [37]but he whom God raised up
did not see corruption. [38]Let it be known to you
therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of
sins is proclaimed to you, [39]and by him everyone who
believes is freed from everything from which you could not
be freed by the law of Moses. [40]Beware, therefore, lest
what is said in the Prophets should come about:
[41]"'Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it
to you.'"
[42]As they went out, the people begged that these
things might be told them the next Sabbath. [43]And after
the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout
converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as
they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace
of God.
[44]The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to
hear the word of the Lord. [45]But when the Jews saw the
crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to
contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. [46]And
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was
necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you.
Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of
eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
[47]For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
"'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
[48]And when the Gentiles heard this, they began
rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many
as were appointed to eternal life believed. [49]And the
word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
[50]But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing
and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution
against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their
district. [51]But they shook off the dust from their feet
against them and went to Iconium. [52]And the disciples
were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
[14:1]Now at Iconium they entered together into the
Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great
number of both Jews and Greeks believed. [2]But the
unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their
minds against the brothers. [3]So they remained for a long
time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the
word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by
their hands. [4]But the people of the city were divided;
some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.
[5]When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with
their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, [6]they
learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of
Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, [7]and there they
continued to preach the gospel.
[8]Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not
use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never
walked. [9]He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking
intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made
well, [10]said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your
feet." And he sprang up and began walking. [11]And when the
crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices,
saying in Lycaonian, "The gods have come down to us in the
likeness of men!" [12]Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul,
Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. [13]And the
priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the
city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to
offer sacrifice with the crowds. [14]But when the apostles
Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and
rushed out into the crowd, crying out, [15]"Men, why are
you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature
with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn
from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven
and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. [16]In
past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in
their own ways. [17]Yet he did not leave himself without
witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven
and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and
gladness." [18]Even with these words they scarcely
restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
[19]But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having
persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out
of the city, supposing that he was dead. [20]But when the
disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the
city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to
Derbe. [21]When they had preached the gospel to that city
and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to
Iconium and to Antioch, [22]strengthening the souls of the
disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and
saying that through many tribulations we must enter the
kingdom of God. [23]And when they had appointed elders for
them in every church, with prayer and fasting they
committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
[24]Then they passed through Pisidia and came to
Pamphylia. [25]And when they had spoken the word in Perga,
they went down to Attalia, [26]and from there they sailed
to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of
God for the work that they had fulfilled. [27]And when they
arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all
that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door
of faith to the Gentiles. [28]And they remained no little
time with the disciples.
[15:1]But some men came down from Judea and were
teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised
according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
[2]And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and
debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others
were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and
the elders about this question. [3]So, being sent on their
way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and
Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the
Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
[4]When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the
church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared
all that God had done with them. [5]But some believers who
belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said,
"It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to
keep the law of Moses."
[6]The apostles and the elders were gathered together to
consider this matter. [7]And after there had been much
debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you
know that in the early days God made a choice among you,
that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the
gospel and believe. [8]And God, who knows the heart, bore
witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he
did to us, [9]and he made no distinction between us and
them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. [10]Now,
therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a
yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers
nor we have been able to bear? [11]But we believe that we
will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as
they will."
[12]And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened
to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders
God had done through them among the Gentiles. [13]After
they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to
me. [14]Simeon has related how God first visited the
Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. [15]And
with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is
written,
[16]"'After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
[17]that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things [18]known from
of old.'
[19]Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble
those of the Gentiles who turn to God, [20]but should write
to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and
from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled,
and from blood. [21]For from ancient generations Moses has
had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read
every Sabbath in the synagogues."
[22]Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders,
with the whole church, to choose men from among them and
send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent
Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the
brothers, [23]with the following letter: "The brothers,
both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are
of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia,
greetings. [24]Since we have heard that some persons have
gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling
your minds, although we gave them no instructions, [25]it
has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose
men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and
Paul, [26]men who have risked their lives for the sake of
our Lord Jesus Christ. [27]We have therefore sent Judas and
Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word
of mouth. [28]For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and
to us to lay on you no greater burden than these
requirements: [29]that you abstain from what has been
sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been
strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep
yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."
[30]So when they were sent off, they went down to
Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together,
they delivered the letter. [31]And when they had read it,
they rejoiced because of its encouragement. [32]And Judas
and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and
strengthened the brothers with many words. [33]And after
they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by
the brothers to those who had sent them. [35]But Paul and
Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the
word of the Lord, with many others also.
[36]And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us
return and visit the brothers in every city where we
proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are."
[37]Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.
[38]But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had
withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them
to the work. [39]And there arose a sharp disagreement, so
that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark
with him and sailed away to Cyprus, [40]but Paul chose
Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers
to the grace of the Lord. [41]And he went through Syria and
Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
[16:1]Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple
was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was
a believer, but his father was a Greek. [2]He was well
spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. [3]Paul
wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and
circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those
places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
[4]As they went on their way through the cities, they
delivered to them for observance the decisions that had
been reached by the apostles and elders who were in
Jerusalem. [5]So the churches were strengthened in the
faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
[6]And they went through the region of Phrygia and
Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak
the word in Asia. [7]And when they had come up to Mysia,
they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus
did not allow them. [8]So, passing by Mysia, they went down
to Troas. [9]And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a
man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying,
"Come over to Macedonia and help us." [10]And when Paul had
seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into
Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the
gospel to them.
[11]So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage
to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, [12]and
from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the
district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in
this city some days. [13]And on the Sabbath day we went
outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there
was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the
women who had come together. [14]One who heard us was a
woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of
purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened
her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
[15]And after she was baptized, and her household as well,
she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful
to the Lord, come to my house and stay." And she prevailed
upon us.
[16]As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met
by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought
her owners much gain by fortune-telling. [17]She followed
Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the
Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation."
[18]And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having
become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I
command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of
her." And it came out that very hour.
[19]But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was
gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the
marketplace before the rulers. [20]And when they had
brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men are
Jews, and they are disturbing our city. [21]They advocate
customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or
practice." [22]The crowd joined in attacking them, and the
magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to
beat them with rods. [23]And when they had inflicted many
blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the
jailer to keep them safely. [24]Having received this order,
he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet
in the stocks.
[25]About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and
singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to
them, [26]and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so
that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And
immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds
were unfastened. [27]When the jailer woke and saw that the
prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to
kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
[28]But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm
yourself, for we are all here." [29]And the jailer called
for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell
down before Paul and Silas. [30]Then he brought them out
and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" [31]And they
said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,
you and your household." [32]And they spoke the word of the
Lord to him and to all who were in his house. [33]And he
took them the same hour of the night and washed their
wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.
[34]Then he brought them up into his house and set food
before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire
household that he had believed in God.
[35]But when it was day, the magistrates sent the
police, saying, "Let those men go." [36]And the jailer
reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have
sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in
peace." [37]But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us
publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have
thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out
secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out."
[38]The police reported these words to the magistrates, and
they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman
citizens. [39]So they came and apologized to them. And they
took them out and asked them to leave the city. [40]So they
went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had
seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
[17:1]Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a
synagogue of the Jews. [2]And Paul went in, as was his
custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them
from the Scriptures, [3]explaining and proving that it was
necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the
dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is
the Christ." [4]And some of them were persuaded and joined
Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks
and not a few of the leading women. [5]But the Jews were
jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they
formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the
house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
[6]And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason
and some of the brothers before the city authorities,
shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down
have come here also, [7]and Jason has received them, and
they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying
that there is another king, Jesus." [8]And the people and
the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these
things. [9]And when they had taken money as security from
Jason and the rest, they let them go.
[10]The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by
night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the
Jewish synagogue. [11]Now these Jews were more noble than
those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all
eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these
things were so. [12]Many of them therefore believed, with
not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.
[13]But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the
word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came
there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. [14]Then
the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the
sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. [15]Those who
conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after
receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as
soon as possible, they departed.
[16]Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his
spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was
full of idols. [17]So he reasoned in the synagogue with the
Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every
day with those who happened to be there. [18]Some of the
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him.
And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others
said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities"--
because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.
[19]And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus,
saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are
presenting? [20]For you bring some strange things to our
ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean."
[21]Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived
there would spend their time in nothing except telling or
hearing something new.
[22]So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus,
said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are
very religious. [23]For as I passed along and observed the
objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this
inscription, 'To the unknown god.' What therefore you
worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. [24]The God who
made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven
and earth, does not live in temples made by man, [25]nor is
he served by human hands, as though he needed anything,
since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and
everything. [26]And he made from one man every nation of
mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having
determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their
dwelling place, [27]that they should seek God, in the hope
that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet
he is actually not far from each one of us, [28]for
"'In him we live and move and have our being';
as even some of your own poets have said,
"'For we are indeed his offspring.'
[29]Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that
the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image
formed by the art and imagination of man. [30]The times of
ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people
everywhere to repent, [31]because he has fixed a day on
which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man
whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance
to all by raising him from the dead."
[32]Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead,
some mocked. But others said, "We will hear you again about
this." [33]So Paul went out from their midst. [34]But some
men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius
the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with
them.
[18:1]After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
[2]And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus,
recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because
Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he
went to see them, [3]and because he was of the same trade
he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by
trade. [4]And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath,
and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
[5]When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul
was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the
Christ was Jesus. [6]And when they opposed and reviled him,
he shook out his garments and said to them, "Your blood be
on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to
the Gentiles." [7]And he left there and went to the house
of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house
was next door to the synagogue. [8]Crispus, the ruler of
the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his
entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul
believed and were baptized. [9]And the Lord said to Paul
one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on
speaking and do not be silent, [10]for I am with you, and
no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this
city who are my people." [11]And he stayed a year and six
months, teaching the word of God among them.
[12]But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews
made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the
tribunal, [13]saying, "This man is persuading people 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 wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I
would have reason to accept your complaint. [15]But since
it is a matter of questions about words and names and your
own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of
these things." [16]And he drove them from the tribunal.
[17]And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the
synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But
Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
[18]After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then
took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with
him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair,
for he was under a vow. [19]And they came to Ephesus, and
he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue
and reasoned with the Jews. [20]When they asked him to stay
for a longer period, he declined. [21]But on taking leave
of them he said, "I will return to you if God wills," and
he set sail from Ephesus.
[22]When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and
greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.
[23]After spending some time there, he departed and went
from one place to the next through the region of Galatia
and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
[24]Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,
came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the
Scriptures. [25]He had been instructed in the way of the
Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught
accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only
the baptism of John. [26]He began to speak boldly in the
synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they
took him and explained to him the way of God more
accurately. [27]And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the
brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to
welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who
through grace had believed, [28]for he powerfully refuted
the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the
Christ was Jesus.
[19:1]And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth,
Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus.
There he found some disciples. [2]And he said to them, "Did
you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they
said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy
Spirit." [3]And he said, "Into what then were you
baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." [4]And Paul
said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance,
telling the people to believe in the one who was to come
after him, that is, Jesus." [5]On hearing this, they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6]And when Paul
had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them,
and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.
[7]There were about twelve men in all.
[8]And he entered the synagogue and for three months
spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the
kingdom of God. [9]But when some became stubborn and
continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the
congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples
with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. [10]This
continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia
heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
[11]And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the
hands of Paul, [12]so that even handkerchiefs or aprons
that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick,
and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out
of them. [13]Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists
undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those
who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus
whom Paul proclaims." [14]Seven sons of a Jewish high
priest named Sceva were doing this. [15]But the evil spirit
answered them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who
are you?" [16]And the man in whom was the evil spirit
leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them,
so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
[17]And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus,
both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the
name of the Lord Jesus was extolled. [18]Also many of those
who were now believers came, confessing and divulging their
practices. [19]And a number of those who had practiced
magic arts brought their books together and burned them in
the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and
found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. [20]So
the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail
mightily.
[21]Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit
to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem,
saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."
[22]And having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers,
Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
[23]About that time there arose no little disturbance
concerning the Way. [24]For a man named Demetrius, a
silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no
little business to the craftsmen. [25]These he gathered
together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said,
"Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth.
[26]And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in
almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away
a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are
not gods. [27]And there is danger not only that this trade
of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of
the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and
that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she
whom all Asia and the world worship."
[28]When they heard this they were enraged and were
crying out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" [29]So the
city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed
together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and
Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul's companions in
travel. [30]But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd,
the disciples would not let him. [31]And even some of the
Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were
urging him not to venture into the theater. [32]Now some
cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in
confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come
together. [33]Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom
the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his
hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. [34]But when
they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they
all cried out with one voice, "Great is Artemis of the
Ephesians!"
[35]And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he
said, "Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that
the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great
Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?
[36]Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you
ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. [37]For you have
brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor
blasphemers of our goddess. [38]If therefore Demetrius and
the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the
courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring
charges against one another. [39]But if you seek anything
further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.
[40]For we really are in danger of being charged with
rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to
justify this commotion." [41]And when he had said these
things, he dismissed the assembly.
[20:1]After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the
disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and
departed for Macedonia. [2]When he had gone through those
regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to
Greece. [3]There he spent three months, and when a plot was
made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail
for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
[4]Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and
of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius
of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and
Trophimus. [5]These went on ahead and were waiting for us
at Troas, [6]but we sailed away from Philippi after the
days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them
at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
[7]On the first day of the week, when we were gathered
together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending
to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech
until midnight. [8]There were many lamps in the upper room
where we were gathered. [9]And a young man named Eutychus,
sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul
talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell
down from the third story and was taken up dead. [10]But
Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his
arms, said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him."
[11]And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and
eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak,
and so departed. [12]And they took the youth away alive,
and were not a little comforted.
[13]But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos,
intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had
arranged, intending himself to go by land. [14]And when he
met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.
[15]And sailing from there we came the following day
opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the
day after that we went to Miletus. [16]For Paul had decided
to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend
time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if
possible, on the day of Pentecost.
[17]Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the
elders of the church to come to him. [18]And when they came
to him, he said to them:
"You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole
time from the first day that I set foot in Asia,
[19]serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and
with trials that happened to me through the plots of the
Jews; [20]how I did not shrink from declaring to you
anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public
and from house to house, [21]testifying both to Jews and to
Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord
Jesus Christ. [22]And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem,
constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to
me there, [23]except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me
in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
[24]But I do not account my life of any value nor as
precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the
ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to
the gospel of the grace of God. [25]And now, behold, I know
that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming
the kingdom will see my face again. [26]Therefore I testify
to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of
you, [27]for I did not shrink from declaring to you the
whole counsel of God. [28]Pay careful attention to
yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit
has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,
which he obtained with his own blood. [29]I know that after
my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not
sparing the flock; [30]and from among your own selves will
arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the
disciples after them. [31]Therefore be alert, remembering
that for three years I did not cease night or day to
admonish everyone with tears. [32]And now I commend you to
God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build
you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who
are sanctified. [33]I coveted no one's silver or gold or
apparel. [34]You yourselves know that these hands
ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me.
[35]In all things I have shown you that by working hard in
this way we must help the weak and remember the words of
the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to
give than to receive.'"
[36]And when he had said these things, he knelt down and
prayed with them all. [37]And there was much weeping on the
part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, [38]being
sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken,
that they would not see his face again. And they
accompanied him to the ship.
[21:1]And when we had parted from them and set sail, we
came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to
Rhodes, and from there to Patara. [2]And having found a
ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
[3]When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the
left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the
ship was to unload its cargo. [4]And having sought out the
disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the
Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
[5]When our days there were ended, we departed and went on
our journey, and they all, with wives and children,
accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling
down on the beach, we prayed [6]and said farewell to one
another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned
home.
[7]When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived
at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with
them for one day. [8]On the next day we departed and came
to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the
evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
[9]He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.
[10]While we were staying for many days, a prophet named
Agabus came down from Judea. [11]And coming to us, he took
Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said,
"Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at
Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver
him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" [12]When we heard
this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to
Jerusalem. [13]Then Paul answered, "What are you doing,
weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to
be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of
the Lord Jesus." [14]And since he would not be persuaded,
we ceased and said, "Let the will of the Lord be done."
[15]After these days we got ready and went up to
Jerusalem. [16]And some of the disciples from Caesarea went
with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an
early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
[17]When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received
us gladly. [18]On the following day Paul went in with us to
James, and all the elders were present. [19]After greeting
them, he related one by one the things that God had done
among the Gentiles through his ministry. [20]And when they
heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You
see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews
of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the
law, [21]and they have been told about you that you teach
all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses,
telling them not to circumcise their children or walk
according to our customs. [22]What then is to be done? They
will certainly hear that you have come. [23]Do therefore
what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
[24]take these men and purify yourself along with them and
pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads.
Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have
been told about you, but that you yourself also live in
observance of the law. [25]But as for the Gentiles who have
believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they
should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and
from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from
sexual immorality." [26]Then Paul took the men, and the
next day he purified himself along with them and went into
the temple, giving notice when the days of purification
would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one
of them.
[27]When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews
from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole
crowd and laid hands on him, [28]crying out, "Men of
Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone
everywhere against the people and the law and this place.
Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has
defiled this holy place." [29]For they had previously seen
Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they
supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
[30]Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran
together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the
temple, and at once the gates were shut. [31]And as they
were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the
cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. [32]He at once
took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when
they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating
Paul. [33]Then the tribune came up and arrested him and
ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he
was and what he had done. [34]Some in the crowd were
shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn
the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be
brought into the barracks. [35]And when he came to the
steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of
the violence of the crowd, [36]for the mob of the people
followed, crying out, "Away with him!"
[37]As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks,
he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" And
he said, "Do you know Greek? [38]Are you not the Egyptian,
then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four
thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?"
[39]Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a
citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak
to the people." [40]And when he had given him permission,
Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the
people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them
in the Hebrew language, saying:
[22:1]"Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now
make before you."
[2]And when they heard that he was addressing them in
the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he
said:
[3]"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought
up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according
to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being
zealous for God as all of you are this day. [4]I persecuted
this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison
both men and women, [5]as the high priest and the whole
council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received
letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to
take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to
Jerusalem to be punished.
[6]"As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about
noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
[7]And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me,
'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' [8]And I
answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am
Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' [9]Now those
who were with me saw the light but did not understand the
voice of the one who was speaking to me. [10]And I said,
'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise,
and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that
is appointed for you to do.' [11]And since I could not see
because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the
hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
[12]"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law,
well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, [13]came to
me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive
your sight.' And at that very hour I received my sight and
saw him. [14]And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed
you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear
a voice from his mouth; [15]for you will be a witness for
him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. [16]And
now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away
your sins, calling on his name.'
[17]"When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in
the temple, I fell into a trance [18]and 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 know that in one synagogue
after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in
you. [20]And when the blood of Stephen your witness was
being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and
watching over the garments of those who killed him.'
[21]And he said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to
the Gentiles.'"
[22]Up to this word they listened to him. 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 shouting and throwing off their cloaks and
flinging dust into the air, [24]the tribune ordered him to
be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be
examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting
against him like this. [25]But when they had stretched him
out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was
standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a
Roman citizen and uncondemned?" [26]When the centurion
heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What
are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen."
[27]So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you
a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." [28]The tribune
answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul
said, "But I am a citizen by birth." [29]So those who were
about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the
tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a
Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
[30]But on the next day, desiring to know the real
reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him
and commanded the chief priests and all the council to
meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
[23:1]And looking intently at the council, Paul said,
"Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good
conscience up to this day." [2]And the high priest Ananias
commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the
mouth. [3]Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike
you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me
according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order
me to be struck?" [4]Those who stood by said, "Would you
revile God's high priest?" [5]And Paul said, "I did not
know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is
written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your
people.'"
[6]Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees
and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council,
"Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with
respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I
am on trial." [7]And when he had said this, a dissension
arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the
assembly was divided. [8]For the Sadducees say that there
is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the
Pharisees acknowledge them all. [9]Then a great clamor
arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party
stood up and contended sharply, "We find nothing wrong in
this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?"
[10]And when the dissension became violent, the tribune,
afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded
the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them
by force and bring him into the barracks.
[11]The following night the Lord stood by him and said,
"Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about
me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."
[12]When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound
themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they
had killed Paul. [13]There were more than forty who made
this conspiracy. [14]They went to the chief priests and
elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an
oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. [15]Now
therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the
tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going
to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to
kill him before he comes near."
[16]Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush,
so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. [17]Paul
called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man
to the tribune, for he has something to tell him." [18]So
he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul
the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man
to you, as he has something to say to you." [19]The tribune
took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately,
"What is it that you have to tell me?" [20]And he said,
"The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the
council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire
somewhat more closely about him. [21]But do not be
persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are
lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an
oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him.
And now they are ready, waiting for your consent." [22]So
the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no
one that you have informed me of these things."
[23]Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get
ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two
hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour
of the night. [24]Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and
bring him safely to Felix the governor." [25]And he wrote a
letter to this effect:
[26]"Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor
Felix, greetings. [27]This man was seized by the Jews and
was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with
the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a
Roman citizen. [28]And desiring to know the charge for
which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their
council. [29]I found that he was being accused about
questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving
death or imprisonment. [30]And when it was disclosed to me
that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to
you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you
what they have against him."
[31]So the soldiers, according to their instructions,
took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. [32]And
on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the
horsemen go on with him. [33]When they had come to Caesarea
and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented
Paul also before him. [34]On reading the letter, he asked
what province he was from. And when he learned that he was
from Cilicia, [35]he said, "I will give you a hearing when
your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded
in Herod's praetorium.
[24:1]And after five days the high priest Ananias came
down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They
laid before the governor their case against Paul. [2]And
when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,
saying:
"Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by
your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being
made for this nation, [3]in every way and everywhere we
accept this with all gratitude. [4]But, to detain you no
further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
[5]For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up
riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a
ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. [6]He even tried
to profane the temple, but we seized him. [8]By examining
him yourself you will be able to find out from him about
everything of which we accuse him."
[9]The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that
all these things were so.
[10]And when the governor had nodded to him to speak,
Paul replied:
"Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over
this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. [11]You can
verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up
to worship in Jerusalem, [12]and they did not find me
disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the
temple or in the synagogues or in the city. [13]Neither can
they prove to you what they now bring up against me.
[14]But this I confess to you, that according to the Way,
which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers,
believing everything laid down by the Law and written in
the Prophets, [15]having a hope in God, which these men
themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of
both the just and the unjust. [16]So I always take pains to
have a clear conscience toward both God and man. [17]Now
after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and
to present offerings. [18]While I was doing this, they
found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or
tumult. But some Jews from Asia-- [19]they ought to be here
before you and to make an accusation, should they have
anything against me. [20]Or else let these men themselves
say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the
council, [21]other than this one thing that I cried out
while standing among them: 'It is with respect to the
resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this
day.'"
[22]But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the
Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the tribune comes
down, I will decide your case." [23]Then he gave orders to
the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have
some liberty, and that none of his friends should be
prevented from attending to his needs.
[24]After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla,
who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak
about faith in Christ Jesus. [25]And as he reasoned about
righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment,
Felix was alarmed and said, "Go away for the present. When
I get an opportunity I will summon you." [26]At the same
time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he
sent for him often and conversed with him. [27]When two
years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus.
And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in
prison.
[25:1]Now three days after Festus had arrived in the
province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. [2]And the
chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out
their case against Paul, and they urged him, [3]asking as a
favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem--because
they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
[4]Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and
that he himself intended to go there shortly. [5]"So," said
he, "let the men of authority among you go down with me,
and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them
bring charges against him."
[6]After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten
days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took
his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
[7]When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from
Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious
charges against him that they could not prove. [8]Paul
argued in his defense, "Neither against the law of the
Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I
committed any offense." [9]But Festus, wishing to do the
Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to
Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?"
[10]But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal,
where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no
wrong, as you yourself know very well. [11]If then I am a
wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve
to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is
nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up
to them. I appeal to Caesar." [12]Then Festus, when he had
conferred with his council, answered, "To Caesar you have
appealed; to Caesar you shall go."
[13]Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and
Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. [14]And as
they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before
the king, saying, "There is a man left prisoner by Felix,
[15]and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the
elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking
for a sentence of condemnation against him. [16]I answered
them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up
anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and
had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge
laid against him. [17]So when they came together here, I
made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the
tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. [18]When the
accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of
such evils as I supposed. [19]Rather they had certain
points of dispute with him about their own religion and
about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted
to be alive. [20]Being at a loss how to investigate these
questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and
be tried there regarding them. [21]But when Paul had
appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the
emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to
Caesar." [22]Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to
hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," said he, "you will hear
him."
[23]So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with
great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the
military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then,
at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. [24]And
Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with us,
you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people
petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he
ought not to live any longer. [25]But I found that he had
done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to
the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. [26]But I
have nothing definite to write to my lord about him.
Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially
before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined
him, I may have something to write. [27]For it seems to me
unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the
charges against him."
[26:1]So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to
speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and
made his defense:
[2]"I consider myself fortunate that it is before you,
King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against
all the accusations of the Jews, [3]especially because you
are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the
Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
[4]"My manner of life from my youth, spent from the
beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by
all the Jews. [5]They have known for a long time, if they
are willing to testify, that according to the strictest
party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. [6]And
now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise
made by God to our fathers, [7]to which our twelve tribes
hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day.
And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! [8]Why is
it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the
dead?
[9]"I myself was convinced that I ought to do many
things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. [10]And I
did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the
saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief
priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote
against them. [11]And I punished them often in all the
synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging
fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
[12]"In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the
authority and commission of the chief priests. [13]At
midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven,
brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who
journeyed with me. [14]And when we had all fallen to the
ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew
language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is
hard for you to kick against the goads.' [15]And I said,
'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom
you are persecuting. [16]But rise and stand upon your feet,
for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you
as a servant and witness to the things in which you have
seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
[17]delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles--
to whom I am sending you [18]to open their eyes, so that
they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of
Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and
a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
[19]"Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to
the heavenly vision, [20]but declared first to those in
Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region
of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent
and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their
repentance. [21]For this reason the Jews seized me in the
temple and tried to kill me. [22]To this day I have had the
help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying
both to small and great, saying nothing but what the
prophets and Moses said would come to pass: [23]that the
Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise
from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people
and to the Gentiles."
[24]And as he was saying these things in his defense,
Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your
mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind."
[25]But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent
Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. [26]For
the king knows about these things, and to him I speak
boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has
escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
[27]King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that
you believe." [28]And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short
time would you persuade me to be a Christian?" [29]And Paul
said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only
you but also all who hear me this day might become such as
I am--except for these chains."
[30]Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and
those who were sitting with them. [31]And when they had
withdrawn, they said to one another, "This man is doing
nothing to deserve death or imprisonment." [32]And Agrippa
said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he
had not appealed to Caesar."
[27:1]And when it was decided that we should sail for
Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a
centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. [2]And
embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail
to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea,
accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
[3]The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul
kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared
for. [4]And putting out to sea from there we sailed under
the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
[5]And when we had sailed across the open sea along the
coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.
[6]There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing
for Italy and put us on board. [7]We sailed slowly for a
number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and
as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under
the lee of Crete off Salmone. [8]Coasting along it with
difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near
which was the city of Lasea.
[9]Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now
dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul
advised them, (ESV)
and the letters of Paul for the purpose of assessing and asserting Paul’s mission vision. The question that drives the whole course is simply, “what does the mission vision of Paul have to do with the way we do missions in the twenty first century in a church planting movement in the Ukraine?” And the answer depends on our view of Scripture and our view of culture. If Scripture is the eternal Word of God that is inerrant and infallible, then what Paul teaches has everything to do with how we do missions in every age, but if it isn’t then what drives missions are the contours of the culture in which we live and work. That wold mean that the principles that work for church planting in one place may or may not work in another place. At least one very positive outcome of the conservative resurgence in the SBC has been our awareness that what drives what we do in all that we do is the unchanging Word of God. Thus, what gives shape to the starting of churches in the Ukraine is the same as what gives shape to the start of churches in Uganda or Uruguay.
This does not mean that we ignore the context in which the church is planted. We pay very close attention to the context but the context does not control us; it simply conditions some of the ways in which we do what the Bible commands us to do. For example, the central component in planting a church for Paul was the proclamation of the Gospel toward the establishment of a church with a foundation of faithful followers of Jesus. Paul was not concerned about “how many,” but about “what kind.” He knew that the vitality of a church depended on the integrity of the base of the church. He wanted to build a good solid foundation. Contextually this meant that he had to address different concerns in Corinth than in Colossae because these were two different towns with differing dynamics. The Gospel that grows the church is the same everywhere.
What has struck me though even today is that often the barriers that we face are the same. Sometimes they are not. For example, I told the students today that the biggest barrier to the church in America is right inside the church where we have so many who profess to know Jesus who do not know Him because there is no change in their lives. They hold on to a professing without possessing the faith they profess. One of the students said, “that is not a problem here.” People know what is involved in being a follower of Jesus and it is not something that we would talk about and not do; it is much too costly for that.” I just love it when I come to teach and get taught, don’t you?
