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: Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Chapters: ACTS 18-19
Message: Glorying in The Gospel
Hello My Friend,
I was watching a movie the other day, for some reason I cannot remember which one it was, but I do remember that the person was offered a job just out of the blue. When I saw that I said, “God, why can’t someone just offer me a job like that?” Well, guess what? I was offered a job yesterday. I get to ride around town servicing convenience stores for chocolate. Not only that, I get to set my own hours, no weekends, no holidays, and paid mileage, which means that I get paid more than what I make at my present job that has me under review for taking time off to help my mother. I do not know why, but this passage came to mind.
[2 Corinthians 12:1-5 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.]
I actually do know why God led me to this strange passage, sometimes we envision things, whether it be in a dream, some revelation, or what many like to call an epiphany, and can get discouraged when we do not see them coming to pass. We need to remember that Jesus works through us in so many ways, the visions we have, unless they have some crazy agenda really are from God. And just like everything else, they too will come to pass as God sees fit and in His timing. We need vision otherwise we will perish, but a vision from God is not something that will glorify us, it is something that will glorify God through us. As we return to the reading of Acts, Paul left Athens and arrived in Corinth, where he met a God fearing couple, Aquila and Priscilla.
[Acts 18:1-6 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.]
[when they opposed themselves…Your blood be upon your own heads;] We are not responsible for anyone who hears the Gospel and rejects Christ, their blood really is on their own heads because their rejection of Christ is sending them directly to hell, [Matthew 10:32-34 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.]
There is no greater weapon upon this earth than the Word of God, it truly does cut through the heart like a sword, [Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.] As Paul walks through Corinth he is discouraged because the Jews kept stirring up the people, it was then in a dream that Jesus told him that He is with him.
[Acts 18:8-15 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, 13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.]
[for I have much people in this city.] I find it completely amazing, although fully understandable, that Jesus knows how many people in each city who are ready to receive Him. We often wonder why we are sent into some wicked cities that seem to want nothing to do with Jesus, but He knows exactly why we are there, [John 17:14-17 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.]
[look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.] This guy did not want to deal with any fallout that would result in their attempt to overthrow God so he encourages them to let him go unless they had proof that they were going against the Law. Since they had no ground to stand on they let him go and he actually stayed there a while, then when he left Priscilla and Aquila went with him.
[Acts 18:18-21 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.]
[having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.] This is not Paul, but Aquila, his head was shaved due to some vow that he made and could not leave until the vow had been fulfilled. Since he was a professing Jew/Christian vows were usually made to God for a specific amount of time and therefore, he had to make that stop in Cenchrea if he was doing it for God, [Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.]
[but I will return again unto you, if God will.] Part of the reason why we are sent out into the world is to help those who do want to be Christians to know and understand exactly what that means. We cannot do this alone, we need help from other God fearing Christians. Aquila and Priscilla, came along with Paul up until they got to Ephesus, this was where they were able to show the Gospel to a man named Apollos. Apollos, taught the Gospel of Christ as John the Baptist had taught them, but he lacked the one thing needed in order to be saved.
[Acts 18:24-28 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.]
[expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.] When Apollos heard the whole truth, that was when he gladly accepted Christ as his Saviour. This was actually me when I was younger, I knew about Jesus dying on the cross, but never knew what it meant to be saved or that I had to ask Jesus to save me. You see, religion is great at teaching you about hell, but very bad at teaching you about how to be saved from hell. Those who truly have the desire to know God and love Him will be led to the truth of the Gospel, and willingly accept Christ as their Saviour, [Romans 5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.]
We are also here to make sure that those who think they are saved understand what it is and that they are actually saved, it does no good to get baptized with water if you are not baptized first with the Holy Spirit. Paul, returns to Ephesus, asked them if they received the Holy Spirit yet, but they never even hear of the Holy Spirit.
[Acts 19:1-6,10 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.]
[And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,] Apollos, taught the Gospel of Christ as John the Baptist had taught those who followed him. John said this about Jesus, [Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:]
Since Apollos was unaware of this, anyone he taught the repentance of sin was not saved yet because they only heard part of the Gospel. Once he heard the whole truth, he gladly accepted Christ as his Saviour and that was when the Holy Spirit fell upon them all. As for their speaking in tongues, this was a miraculous gift that allowed Apollos and the others to be able to minister to other in several languages. If there is one gift that I would love to be able to have is to speak several languages including sign language. Nevertheless, this was a one time deal, God, would go on to give Paul a healing touch in which people would come to him for healing and exorcism.
[Acts 19:11-17 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.]
[And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:] Now, this was when Paul would touch someone and they would be healed or those possessed by demons would be cast out, but it was all in Jesus’ name. We cannot do anything spiritual without the power of the Holy Spirit and without God’s permission, [1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.]
[Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?] [Adjure; To charge, bind or command on oath, or under the penalty of a curse.] These fools, somehow convinced people that they had the power to remove evil spirits from those who were possessed by them. Well, even the devil called them out on this one. It is an incredible thing to discover that if Jesus does not know you, Satan does not either. Satan has to get permission from God to afflict us, he definitely knows who Jesus is, and is forbidden to touch one soul who knows Jesus as their Saviour. As for those who think they have the power to cast him out in their own name, he makes a mockery out of them, [James 2:19-20 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?]
One thing I have learned is that the closer your relationship with God the more souls you are going to bring to Christ, and you can be sure that if you are bringing souls to Christ the devil is going to try to stop you. The Jews used Alexander to plead their cause before a mob of people defending their worshiping of a goddess, all started by a man name Demetrius who made a living off of making idols of her.
[Acts 19:21-25,27-28 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.]
[brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;] Do you see what their biggest fear was? Losing money. The Word of God will always prevail over a godless society and even one that makes up their own version of Him. Why do you think there are so many books about how Christians or said religion? If the people knew the truth they would lose a lot of money. Well, a Jew of Ephesus, Alexander, became a prominent part of a riot that began in a theater as Paul preached and people started receiving Christ.
[Acts 19:32-35,38-40 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? 38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. 39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.]
[and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.] Does this not sound familiar? Well, people argue and fight over things that they have no idea why they are fighting. Most of the time riots are caused by a couple of fools interpretation of something that is not even true. Why were they so confused? Well, the unbelieving Jews were angry that the Gospel was being preached to the Gentiles. How strange it is, that people would grudge others the privileges they will not accept themselves? We should never be afraid to approach someone with the Gospel, regardless of their race or religion, God is God of all believers, and saves all who believe in His Son, [1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for the day that You saved my soul, not because I got baptized in the water professing my faith in You, but because I believed You alone saved me from my sin, and I was baptized with the Holy Spirit that second I accepted You as my Saviour. Lord, I am Your witness, and I know that You commanded me to preach the Gospel to all You lay upon my heart. Lead me and guide me, give me Your wisdom and the words to speak. Put Your hedge of protection around me, and let me not be hindered from preaching the Gospel. Fill me with Your mercy and grace, and release the power of the Holy Spirit inside of me. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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