Posts from December 2015 (Page 2)
Acts 28 – Paul on Malta, They Arrive at Rome
They learned the island was called Malta. The native people were kind and welcomed them. Paul gathered sticks for fire and a viper bit him on the hand. The people assumed this was justice for being a murderer, but he shook the creature off into the fire and didn’t suffer any harm, and they changed their minds and said Paul was a god. The land belonged to Publius who was hospitable. Plubius’ father was ill, Paul visited, prayed and healed…
Acts 27 – The Trip to Rome, Storm, Shipwreck
They delivered Paul with other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. They sailed in a ship of Adramyttium (accompanied by Aristarchus). Julius treated Paul kindly giving him leave to go to his friends to be cared for (at Sidon). The winds were against them and they came to Myra and Lycia (the centurion found a ship of Alexandria going to Italy to put them aboard). They sailed with difficulty to Fair Havens (near Lasea). Paul told…
Acts 26 – Paul’s Defense to Agrippa, Proving His Innocence & Seeking to Persuade Agrippa of Christianity
Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak, so Paul made his defense against the Jews’ accusation. Paul’s manner of life was known to the Jews – he had lived as a Pharisee – but now he’s on trial because his hope is in the promise made by God to the Jews’ fathers. Why is it thought incredible that God raises the dead? Paul opposed Jesus of Nazareth and imprisoned and voted to kill Christians. He tried to make them blaspheme. Paul…
Acts 25 – Paul Appeals to Caesar, Trial Before Agrippa
Festus went to Jerusalem, the Jews laid out their case against Paul. He proposed to let the men of authority come to Caesarea to make their charge. In Caesarea Festus and the Jews were there, and the Jews couldn’t prove their serious accusations. Paul argued in defense that he hadn’t broken any laws. Festus asked if Paul would like to be tried in Jerusalem. Paul said he’d rather be tried before Caesar. Paul said he didn’t want to escape death…
Acts 24 – Paul’s Trial Before Felix, Paul Kept in Custody
Ananias (high priest) came with elders and a spokesman (Tertullus). They argued the case against Paul. Tertullus accused Paul: (1) He’s a plague, (2) Stirs riots, (3) Ringleader of Nazarenes, and (4) Tried to profane the temple. The Jews affirmed the charge. Paul replied in cheerful defense: (1) 12 days since going to the temple to worship and no riots anywhere, (2) Paul affirmed that according to the Way (Christianity) he believes everything in the Law and Prophets, (3) has hope in…
Acts 23 – Paul Repents of Confronting the High Priest, Caused a Fight Between the Pharisees and Sadducees, Is Going to Rome, Warned of Jews’ Plot to Kill Paul, Transferred to Caesarea Safely
Paul told the council that he lived his life in good conscience up to that day. Ananias ordered those to strike Paul on the mouth. Paul said, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” Those close by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” Paul didn’t know Ananias was the high priest. Paul said he is…
Acts 22 – Paul’s Defense, His Call to Be an Apostle, Roman Citizen, Before the Council
Paul spoke his defense when arrested at the temple in Jerusalem in Hebrew. He is a Jew from Tarsus, educated by Gamiliel, and persecuted the Way. On the way to persecute the church in Damascus he fell to the ground at a great light and heard a voice say, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” It was Jesus. Paul was led blind to Damascus. Ananias helped him and told him he would be a witness for Jesus to everyone,…
Ten Book Picks for 2015
Here are some of my (Noah Braymen) favorite books of 2015 (not necessarily published in 2015). Full disclosure here, just so you don’t think I’m anything special. First, I didn’t start all of these in 2015, but I finished almost all in 2015. Second, I haven’t completely finished all of them yet, but I have read enough that I feel comfortable to say these are my top reads of 2015. Even if there are a few things I disagree with toward the end of…
Partying Your Way to the Judgment of God
As we prepare to think about God’s Word from Daniel 5 this coming Sunday, here is a visual attempt by Rembrandt to capture the fear of Belshazzar as a hand writes a message about his coming destruction. Even as God warns, he parties in unbelief and mocking God and His people. As Dale Ralph Davis writes: [A]fter reading the first verse of Daniel 5 we may assume that [alcohol/drunkenness] is the problem here – nothing but a royal debauch featuring…
Acts 21 – Paul to Jerusalem, Paul Is Seized in the Temple, Paul Begged to Speak to the People
They sailed to Cos, Rhodes, and Patara. Then crossed to Phoenicia, past Cyprus, to Syria landing at Tyre. There they stayed with the disciples. Through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem. They left and were greeted by the brothers at Ptolemais, then went to Philip the evangelist’s house in Caesarea. Philip’s 4 daughters prophesied. The prophet Agabus came from Judea, took Paul’s belt and bound his feet and hands, and said this is what the…