by Wells, Steve
(13.9-10) “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost … said … thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness.”
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
(13.11) “The hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.”
12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
(13.12) “Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed.” When the deputy saw that God could (through Paul) make people blind, he believed. (Who else shows off their power by blinding people?)
13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.
18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.
(13.19) “He … destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan.”
20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
(13.20) “He gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years.”
222 When did Solomon’s reign begin?
21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
(13.21) “They desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin.” Gen 49.10 says that all of Israel’s kings will be from the tribe of Judah, yet we see in this verse that Israel’s first king was from the tribe of Benjamin.
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
(13.22) “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart.” Paul quotes God as saying, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” But no such quote can be found in the Old Testament. (Although 1 Sam 13.14 does refer to David as “a man after his [God’s] own heart.” And it makes some sense, too, since David was nearly as cruel as the biblical God.)
23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
(13.23) “Of this man’s seed hath God … raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus.”
329 Was Joseph the father of Jesus?
24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.
(13.27-29) “They that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers … laid him in a sepulchre.”
401 Who buried Jesus?
30 But God raised him from the dead:
(13.30) “God raised him from the dead.”
437 Who raised Jesus from the dead?
31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.
(13.31) “He was seen many days.”
428 When did Jesus ascend into heaven?
32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,
33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
(13.34) “The sure mercies of David.” David was anything but merciful. For an example of his behavior see 2 Sam 12.31 and 1 Chr 20.3, where he saws, hacks, and burns to death the inhabitants of several cities.
35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
(13.39) “All that believe are justified from all things.”
358 Is there an unforgivable sin?
40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
(13.45-46) The Jews of Antioch, after seeing Paul’s success in preaching, were envious and blasphemed God. Paul then declares them to be “unworthy of everlasting life.”
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
(13.45) “When the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.”
46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
(13.46) “The word of God should first have been spoken to you: but … ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life.”
47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
(13.48) “As many as were orda
ined to eternal life believed.” God chooses those who will believe [the right things], and only they will go to heaven.
158 Do humans have free will?
49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
(13.50) “The Jews … raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas.”
51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
ACTS 14
14 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
(14.2-5) “The unbelieving Jews” stir up trouble again for Paul and incite the people to try to stone him to death.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.
(14.2) “The unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.”
3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,
(14.5) “When there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them.”
6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7 And there they preached the gospel.
(14.8-10) Paul heals a crippled man.
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
(14.8) “There sat a certain man … a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.”
9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
(14.9-10) “Paul … perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”
(14.11-12) The people of Lystra thought Paul and Barnabas were the gods, Jupiter and Mercury.
11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
(14.11) “When the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying … The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.”
12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
(14.12) “They called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius.”
13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
(14.14) “When the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes.”
15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
(14.19) “Jews … persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” Some Jews convince the people (who think Paul is a god) to stone Paul. So they stone Paul and throw his body out of town, thinking he was dead.
20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
ACTS 15
(15.1-2) Can you get into heaven without a circumcised penis? Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles to settle the matter once and for all.
15 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
(15.1) “Certain men… said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
(15.2) “They determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.”
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
(15.3) “They passed through … Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles.”
352 Should the gospel be preached to everyone?
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
(15.7) “God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.”
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
(15.10) “Why tempt ye God?”
103 Can God be t
empted?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
(15.20, 29) “Abstain … from blood.” Many Jehovah’s Witnesses have needlessly died because the WatchTower Society teaches that abstaining from blood, as required by these verses, prohibits blood transfusions.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,