King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024
Chapters: Acts Chapters 20-22
Message: Finish Your Course With Joy
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters for today it had me thinking about all the plans I had made over the years, but did not follow through or go as I planned. You know, rarely do our plans go as we expect them to go, even my wedding did not go as I planned, and at first I wanted a redo, but as look at the photos and messed up video I would not want it any other way. Believe it or not, when we belong to Christ, it is the Holy Spirit that directs us on our journey, and even with all the detours, slips, and falls along the way, if we had to do it all over again, we would not want it to go any other way because we would not be here if it did, [Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:]
Exactly what is purpose? And why does it often include pain and sorrow? [Purpose; That which a person sets as an object to be reached or accomplished.] Believe it or not, everything does have a purpose, the person that nearly cuts their fingertip off using a peeler that slips while trying to peel a sweet potato learns a better way to handle it or I should say God’s way. Yes, God will use pain and our own reasoning to prove His point, [2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.]
As we read from Romans, Paul had planned to go to Rome, anticipating his trip there as he made his way to Spain, but all of that would change once he got into Jerusalem. As we return to the reading of Acts, after the riot at Ephesus ceased, Paul left there and headed toward Macedonia where he met up with some disciples there and ended up in Athens where he spent three months.
[Acts 20:1-6 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, 3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.]
[he purposed to return through Macedonia.] Sometimes the will of God will take us through detours without us even realizing it, what we may seem like a setback or the devil trying to stop us may actually be lining up with God’s purpose, [Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.]
[we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread,] Remember, Luke wrote this book so he had been with Paul through all of this. Now, in Troas, Paul, began preaching, but was leaving the next day so he kept on preaching. You know how preachers can talk and talk? Well, it was midnight before he stopped and it was not because he was finished, a young man sitting in a window listening and fell asleep only to fall down three stories.
[Acts 20:7-11 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.]
[first day of the week, when the disciples came together] Although they read, meditated, prayed, and sung on their own time, they came together to worship God on the first day of the week, this was in observance of Jesus rising from the dead on the first day of the week, and the reason why we assemble on Sunday for church, [Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.]
In the early times, it was custom to receive the Lord’s supper (communion) every Sunday in remembrance of Christ giving His life to save them, followed by the preaching of the Gospel. Most churches have gotten away from observing the Lord’s Supper every Sunday due to their not wanting it to become routine, but every service ends with a Gospel message as it ought to be. Now, continuing on to Jerusalem, Paul, returns to Ephesus, he went there to encourage them to continue preaching the Gospel, and let them know that he was headed to Jerusalem.
[Acts 20:18-23 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.]
[I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem,] Many believe that God commanded Paul to go to Jerusalem, but this was something that Paul had determined to do on his own. If it were the Holy Spirit directing him then it would have been spelled with a capital “S”, but since he was determined to go Jerusalem the Holy Spirit did let him know what areas to stay out of. Nevertheless, Paul, did not want to leave without them knowing that he finished he course and was ready to see Jesus, that it would not be in vain, and that they needed to carry on the torch of the Gospel.
[Acts 20:24-28 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.]
[feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.] That is a side note to point out that God and Jesus are one in the same. Jesus, is the head of the Church, pastors are His undershepherds, and are the overseers of Christ’s sheep, who are commanded to feed His sheep. Pastors, evangelists, missionaries, teachers, and other ministers are the ultimate of being a living sacrifice serving God and because of that there is going to be opposition, which Paul warns them of this also.
[Acts 20:29-32 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.]
[grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.] Whenever God gives us more responsibility in carrying the torch of the Gospel we can be sure that the devil is going to send his wolves to try to trip us up. The afflictions we face on the way are not to punish us, they are to strengthen and encourage us to keep going in His strength, [1 Peter 3:17-18 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:]
No matter what Paul was going through he did everything that the Holy Spirit led him to do, if it meant that he was going to suffer, then he gladly accepted the challenge and went whatever God called him to go. While Paul thought that the Holy Spirit was directing him to go to Jerusalem, his friends were getting another word from the Holy Spirit not to go to Jerusalem. In fact, several people warned him of this.
[Acts 21:1,4-5,10-11 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.]
[who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go] So, what makes us determined to do something that God does not want us to do, even if it is with good intentions? I think there could be several factors. Paul, was a Pharisee before he got saved, perhaps he felt that this was his consequence for what he had done years ago, even though he knew he had been forgiven by God. Whatever reason why we choose to go against God we can be sure that there will be some opposition because He really does not want us to suffer more than what comes naturally. Paul, truly believed that this was something that he needed to do and was quite sad that they were trying to keep him from leaving.
[Acts 21:13-16 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.]
[we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.] The second that we determine to so something and are not convinced otherwise, that is when the will of the Lord be done as to what happens next. The most strangest thing I believe about God is that even if we get out of His will He will watch over us, and believe it or not, protect us from going too far. I will say it until God brings me home, there is absolutely no way that anyone who truly receives Christ can renounce their faith in Him because He never lets go of them, [John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.]
Paul, finally arrives in Jerusalem as he had hoped to do, the next day when he arrived James met up with him and at first, he was welcomed, but something happened, that turned everything upside down, [Acts 21:18-21 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.]
[thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses,] Once again, the saved Jews of Jerusalem were mixing the Law of Moses with grace, when they found out that Paul was in town they were not happy because they insisted that Paul had taught the Gentiles to reject the Law of Moses. However, they were willing to help them get right before God, so they encouraged Paul to lead by example and get purified.
[Acts 21:24-26 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.]
[Them take, and purify thyself with them,] This was an ordinance that had not been observed for years regarding the Nazarite vow, [Numbers 6:9-11 And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it. 10 And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: 11 And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.]
Why Paul went along with this is a mystery as Jesus had replaced the need for any ceremonial law. It may have been fine that Paul shaved and took a bath, but to offer up sacrifices to God at this point would be sin as Jesus put an end to that. Well, the entire city was divided and in an uproar over this.
[Acts 21:30-34 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. 31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. 33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. 34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.]
[And as they went about to kill him,] Why did they want to kill him? They believed that he was going against the Law and they were justified. We may not always be in God’s will, but that does not mean He will not use it to our advantage, and get us back in His will. Now, that Paul is captured, God, would use this to His advantage, it would be a perfect time to give his testimony.
[Acts 22:1-5 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. 2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) 3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.]
[hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.] While we have no one to prove our faith to, but God, the best way we can tell people about Jesus is to give our own testimony. As Paul continues to speak he points out how Ananias helped him to see Jesus for who He truly is and had a purpose for him.
[Acts 22:12-14,22 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.]
[that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One,] The Holy Spirit is really the only one who can show us what God’s will for us is. We can guess all we want and we can make as many of our own detours as we want, but whatever is in the will of the Father for us will come to pass one way or another. And by the way, Jesus did tell us that we will face much affliction while being in the will of God, [John 15:20-21 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.]
One amazing thing about God is that even when we get out of His will His grace is enough to get us back in it. He only allows us to go so far out of His will before He nudges back in the right direction. Paul, may have thought that he was going to die in Jerusalem, but God already knew that he was not, in fact, he was going to Rome, only not the way he had planned. When the were about to punish him they were stopped when they found out that he was also a Roman.
[Acts 22:25-28 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? 26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. 27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. 28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.]
[But I was free born.] While that Roman confessed that he paid a great ransom to obtain his freedom, Paul, simply states that he was born free. That is exactly what every person who receives Christ as their Saviour becomes, born free, [John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.] Amen!
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, You chose me, I did not choose You, but You chose me, all because I knew where my fate would be had I not received You as my Saviour. Although I try to make the right choices, and even remember times where You have warned me not to do something, I still made them. You did not push me to the side, You used those choices to help me get back in Your will. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to listen to Your Spirit in me at all times, and to understand when You are simply trying to tell me that I need to stop what I am persistent in my own will to do because it will hurt me. I know I can do and endure all things through You as I prepare, and finish my course with joy. I love You Lord and pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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