Into the Depths of the Sea - Ben Bailey
Being a child of God has many blessings that come with that privilege but one of the richest is the forgiveness we receive through Christ. Sometimes I wonder if we really understand the remission and removal of sin that occurs in the mind of God. The Prophet Micah gives us a very graphic picture of how God removes sin from our lives. Micah says, ““He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). To understand the complete removal of sins that occurs when one obeys the Gospel it would be profitable to explore Micah’s words a little more in depth.
Into the Depths of the Sea
Being a child of God has many blessings that come with that privilege but one of the richest is the forgiveness we receive through Christ. Sometimes I wonder if we really understand the remission and removal of sin that occurs in the mind of God. The Prophet Micah gives us a very graphic picture of how God removes sin from our lives. Micah says, ““He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19). To understand the complete removal of sins that occurs when one obeys the Gospel it would be profitable to explore Micah’s words a little more in depth.
The average depth of the ocean is about 14,000 feet or around 2.5 to three miles deep. . The deepest part of the ocean is called the Challenger Deep and is located beneath the western Pacific Ocean in the southern end of the Mariana Trench, which runs several hundred kilometers southwest of the U.S. territorial island of Guam. Challenger Deep is approximately 36,200 feet deep or about 6.5 miles deep. While these numbers help us to understand this depth a little, 6.5 mile is still a little hard to fathom. To understand this maybe we could use these images. Imagine an underwater depth that is higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France which is 1,052 feet or the Empire State building in New York which is 1,472 feet. It could take 5.4 Empire State Buildings in order to reach the bottom of the deepest ocean - the Mariana Trench. Better yet, the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest (29,141 feet), would be covered by over 1.25 miles of water.
With these figures and images in mind one can see how completely God is willing to remove all our sins from us. As the Hebrew writer said, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more” (Heb. 8:12). How wonderful it is know that when God forgives, God also forgets. This is why Paul could rejoice when he said, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). The Lord Jesus Christ reminded us of the beauty of forgiveness when He said, “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Mt. 26:28). When we think about the wonder of God’s forgiveness it should make each of us live faithful until death (Rev. 2:10). And, if one has never obeyed God’s plan of salvation he should take advantage of this forgiveness (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). If as God’s child my life has not been lived faithfully, I should be willing to repent and pray (Acts 8:20-22).
Bible Curricula - Acts – 1st Quarter (13 weeks/13 lessons)
Objective: To challenge the teacher(s) and students to have a working knowledge of ACTS
CHOOSE 1 CURRICULUM idea (out of 3) below on how to teach ACTS in 13 weeks/13 lessons:
1st Curriculum:
Spend 13 weeks on the sermons in Acts:
1. Peter (to the crowds at Pentecost) Acts 2:14-39
2. Peter (to the crowds at the temple) Acts 3:12-26
3. Peter (to the Jewish Sanhedrin) Acts 4:5-12
4. Stephen (to the Jewish Sanhedrin) Acts 7:2-53
5. Peter (to the Gentiles) Acts 10:28-47
6. Peter (to the Jerusalem church) Acts 11:4-18
7. Paul (to the synagogue at Antioch) Acts 13:16-41
8. Peter & James (to church leaders) Acts 15:7-21
9. Paul (to the elders at Ephesus) Acts 20:17-35
10. Paul (to the crowd at Jerusalem) Acts 22:1-21
11. Paul (to the Jewish Sanhedrin) Acts 23:1-6
12. Paul (to King Agrippa) Acts 26:2-23
13. Paul (to Jewish leaders in Rome) Acts 28:17-20
2nd Curriculum:
Spend 13 weeks on the beginning and growth of the church:
1. The beginning of the church of Christ Acts 1-2
2. The conversion of the Jews Acts 2:22-41
3. The conversion of the Samaritans Acts 8:5-13
4. The conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch Acts 8:26-39
5. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus Acts 9:1-19; 22:6-16; 26:12-18
6. The conversion of Cornelius and his household Acts 10:1-48; 11:5-18
7. The conversion of Lydia and her household Acts 16:14-15
8. The conversion of the Philippian jailer Acts 16:25-34
9. The conversion of Crispus Acts 18:8
10. The conversion of the Ephesians Acts 19:1-7
11. Paul's first missionary journey Acts 13-14
12. Paul's second missionary journey Acts 15:36-18:22
13. Paul's third missionary journey Acts 18:23-21:26
3rd Curriculum:
Spend 13 weeks on VERSE-BY-VERSE study of ACTS (approx. 78 verses per week)
[Everyone read/study these verses a week prior to the following schedule]:
1. Acts 1-2 or Acts 1 (if you use the questions)
2. Acts 3-4 or Acts 2
3. Acts 5-6 or Acts 3-5
4. Acts 7-8 or Acts 6-8
5. Acts 9-10 or Acts 9
6. Acts 11-13 or Acts 10-12
7. Acts 14-15 or Acts 13-15
8. Acts 16-17 or Acts 16-18
9. Acts 18-19 or Acts 19-20
10. Acts 20-21 or Acts 21-22
11. Acts 22-23 or Acts 23-24
12. Acts 24-26 or Acts 25-26
13. Acts 27-28 or Acts 27-28
MEMORY WORK
Memorizing VERSES in Acts for the Quarter:
1. Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
2. Acts 17:11, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
3. Acts 17:30, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,”
4. Acts 22:16, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Optional Shortened Memory Verses for younger students:
1. Acts 2:47, “…And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”
2. Acts 8:37, the eunuch confessed, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
3. Acts 20:35, Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Memorizing conversion accounts of Acts and their chapters for the Quarter:
1. Acts 2 – Peter and the Jews
2. Acts 8a – Phillips, the Samaritans and Simon the Sorcerer
3. Acts 8b – Phillip and the Eunuch
4. Acts 9 – Ananias and Saul of Tarsus
5. Acts 10 – Peter and Cornelius (and his household; the Gentiles)
6. Acts 16a – Paul and Lydia (and her household)
7. Acts 16b – Paul and the keeper of the prison (and his household)
8. Acts 18 – Paul, the Corinthians and Crispus (and his household)
9. Acts 19 – Paul and John’s disciples of Ephesus
Memorizing chapters of Acts for the Quarter
1. Jesus goes up into heaven; Matthias chosen as an apostle
2. The power of the Holy Spirit is poured out; Gospel preached; the church of Christ begins
3. Peter heals lame man; Peter preaches the gospel
4. Peter and John are put into custody, then released; the church prays and gives
5. Ananias and Sapphira lie and die; the apostles put into prison, then released
6. Seven servants chosen for daily distribution to widows; Stephen before the Sanhedrin
7. Stephen preaches to the Sanhedrin; the Sanhedrin stones Stephen to death
8. The Jerusalem church of Christ is persecuted; Phillip converts Samaritans, Simon, and the eunuch
9. Saul converted; Peter heals at Aenas and raises Dorcas from the dead
10. Peter converts Cornelius (and his household – the Gentiles)
11. Peter convinces the Jewish Christians that God has accepted the Gentiles into salvation
12. King Herod murders the apostle James, imprisons the apostle Peter, and is eaten by worms
13. The Antioch church of Christ sends Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey
14. Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch and report to the church what all God has done
15. Jerusalem/Antioch church leaders conclude Gentiles not required to keep the Mosaic law
16. Paul and Silas sent on second missionary journey; Paul converts Lydia and the Philippian jailor
17. Paul’s message accepted by the Bereans, rejected by the Thessalonians; some in Athens join Paul
18. Paul converts Crispus and the Corinthians; Completes his second journey; Begins his third journey
19. While in the school of Tyrannus, Paul teaches all the living in Asia in two years
20. Paul worships in Troas; Paul says farewell to the Ephesian elders
21. Paul’s third journey ends; Paul is arrested in Jerusalem
22. Paul defends himself before the Jews and the Sanhedrin
23. The Roman officials rescue Paul from being killed by the Jews
24. Paul is tried before Felix, Roman governor of Judea (in Caesarea)
25. Paul is tried before Festus, Roman governor of Judea and King Agrippa (in Caesarea)
26. Paul’s trial before King Agrippa II
27. Paul (among 276 persons) is taken on a ship to Rome
28. Paul arrives in Rome as a prisoner and preaches for two years
Memorizing the theme of Acts for the Quarter:
The theme of Acts: The Spread of the Gospel and the Growth of the Church
Theme verse: Acts 1:8 (the apostles would be Jesus’ witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth)
Theme outline and dates [Acts 1-12: Peter/Jerusalem; Acts 13-28: Paul/Antioch of Syria]
Witnesses in Jerusalem (A.D. 30-35): Acts 1-8:4
Witnesses in Judea and Samaria (A.D. 35-48): Acts 8:5-12:25
Witnesses to the end of the earth (A.D. 48-62): Acts 13-28
e. Memorizing Paul's missionary journeys in Acts for the Quarter:
Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13-14, approx. A.D. 48-49)
Paul and Silas (Acts 15:36-18:22, approx. A.D. 50-52)
Paul (Acts 18:23-21:26, approx. A.D. 60-62)
Paul imprisoned two years in Caesarea (approx. A.D. 57-59) and in Rome (approx. A.D. 60-62)
QUESTIONS on ACTS for…
Week 1: Acts 1
1. John baptized with water, but Jesus will baptize with what?
2. Who called the apostles “men of Galilee”?
3. About how many were in the upper room with the apostles?
4. What does “Akel Dama” mean?
5. Name the 2 men qualified to take part in the apostleship?
Week 2: Acts 2
1. Who were dwelling in Jerusalem at the time Peter preached the 1st gospel sermon?
2. Where would God NOT leave Jesus’ soul?
3. Jesus will sit at God’s right hand until what?
4. Many wonders and signs were done through whom?
5. Who did the Lord add to the church daily?
Week 3: Acts 3-5
1. The people were amazed that the lame man was healed and holding on to whom?
2. Peter told the Jews to repent and be converted for forgiveness so that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and that what else might result?
3. What happened to the Stone (Jesus) which the builders (Jews) rejected?
4. How old was the lame man whom Peter and John healed?
5. The believers brought the sick out into the streets so that at least what might fall on some of them?
Week 4: Acts 6-8
1. Among the Hellenist Christians in the Jerusalem church, who were being neglected?
2. Name the seven men chosen to take care of the daily distribution of the needy widows?
3. What two men of the seven servants became evangelists?
4. How old was Moses when the Angel of Lord appeared to him in a flame of the fire in a bush?
5. What did Simon try to purchase with money that resulted in Peter telling him that his heart was not right with God?
Week 5: Acts 9
1. Who was breathing threats and murders against the Lord’s disciples?
2. “The Way” consisted of whom?
3. How many days was Saul without sight and neither ate or drank?
4. In whose house was Saul when Ananias came, laid his hands on Saul and healed him of his blindness?
5.When Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead, whom did he call in to present Tabitha alive to them?
Week 6: Acts 10-12
1. When Peter came in the presence of Cornelius, whom did Cornelius worship?
2. What has been poured out on Cornelius and his household before they were saved?
3. According to Acts 10:48, being baptized is a what?
4. How many Jewish, Christian brethren from Joppa accompanied Peter when he went to Cornelius and his household?
5. What was the church doing in Mary’s house before Peter knocked on the door?
Week 7: Acts 13-15
1. Name the prophets and teachers in the Antioch church.
2. What did the church at Antioch do before they sent Saul and Barnabas on their 1st missionary journey?
3. From what was Elymas the sorcerer trying to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away?
4. Against what was the unbelieving Jews poisoning the Gentiles’ minds?
5. God acknowledged salvation being available to the Gentile by giving them what?
Week 8: Acts 16-18
1. Whose mother was Jewish and father was Greek?
2. How did Paul find out he needed to preach the gospel in Macedonia?
3. How did the demon-possessed, slave girl bring great profits to her masters?
4. Paul noticed that Athens had be given over to what?
5. While in Corinth, what did Paul shake, indicating he was clean of his responsibility to the Jews and would now take the gospel to the Gentiles in that region?
Week 9: Acts 19-20
1. How many years did Paul reason/teach the Asians in the school of Tyrannus?
2. What were some of the unusual miracles God worked thought Paul?
3. When those who practiced magic believed in the gospel, what did they do that indicated they had repented of their sins?
4. When did the disciples come together to break bread (partake of the Lord’s Supper)?
5. How many years did Paul spend in Ephesus, warning the brethren night and day with tears?
Week 10: Acts 21-22
1. How many virgin daughters did Philip the evangelist have who were able to prophesy?
2. Name the Christian prophet of Judea who told Paul the Jews in Jerusalem would bind him?
3. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, to whom did he tell the details of the things God had done through his ministry (service)?
4. After Paul’s arrest, in what language did he speak while addressing the Jerusalem crowd?
5. As the soldiers were preparing to scourge Paul, what question did he ask the centurion who stood near him?
Week 11: Act 23-24
1. What did Paul call Ananias the high priest?
2. Which division of the Jews taught that there was no resurrection, angels or spirits?
3. How did Paul find out about the over 40 Jews who planned to ambush/murder him?
4. In what Roman capital city of Palestine was Governor Felix where Paul was taken?
5. After many years of collecting alms and offerings from the various Gentile churches of Christ, to whom did Paul distribute these collections?
Week 12: Acts 25-26
1. Who came to Caesarea to greet Festus?
2. Before becoming a Christian, what did Saul (later known as Paul) think he ought to do?
3. As a Jew, what did Saul (later known as Paul) try to force Christians to do?
4. Paul declared that the people should repent, turn to God and do what else?
5. Paul did not speak his opinions, thoughts or feelings to Festus, but instead what?
Week 13: Acts 27-28
1. Name the centurion of the Augustan Regiment who treated Paul kindly.
2. What was the tempestuous head wind called?
3. Who told Paul not to be afraid, for he and the men in the ship would be safe and Paul would be brought before the Caesar?
4. What happened in Malta when Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire?
5. Paul was bound with a chain for the hope of what?
NOTES ON PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS by Location
Please follow Paul’s journeys with your Bible maps or go to:
http://www.biblecharts.org/paulahebrewofthehebrews.html
Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey (Saul/Paul & Barnabas)
Acts 13
Syrian Antioch (vv. 1-4): Antioch, city on the Orontes river in the province of Syria (modern-day Turkey)
Teachers and prophets in the church of Christ at Antioch
Holy Spirit commands church to separate Saul & Barnabas (hereafter S&B/P&B) for the work
Holy Spirit (through the church) sends S&B out. John Mark assists.
Seleucia (v. 4): Seaport city where S&B set sail
Salamis (v. 5): City on Cyprus island where S&B preach in the Jewish synagogues
Paphos (vv. 6-13): City on Cyprus island
Proconsul Sergius Paulus summons S&B so that he can hear God’s word
Sorcerer/false prophet Bar-Jesus Elymas tries to turn Paulus from the faith
Saul blinds Elymas; Paulus believes
Perga (v. 13): City of Asia Minor where John Mark departs and returns to Jerusalem
Pisidian Antioch (vv. 14-52): Antioch, city of Asia Minor in the province of Pisidia (modern-day Turkey)
S&B enter synagogue. Law and Prophets are read. Rulers solicit comments of exhortation
Paul preaches a sermon on Christ. Jews leave; Gentiles beg S&B to return
Next Sabbath almost the whole city come to hear God’s word
Envious Jews contradict, slander and oppose Pauls’ teaching
P&B grow bold; rebuke Jews; say they will now turn to the Gentiles
Many Gentiles rejoice and believe
Jews stir up prominent men and women; raise persecution; expel P&B
P&B shake off the dust from their feet
Acts 14
Iconium (13:51; 14:1-6): City of Asia Minor
P&B enter the synagogue
Many Jews and Greeks believe
Unbelieving Jews try to embitter the Gentiles against the brethren
City is divided; some attempt to stone P&B; P&B escape
Lystra (vv. 7-20): City in the district of Lycaonia in the Roman province of Galatia
Paul heals a crippled man
People start worshipping P&B; P&B discourage them from doing so
Jews from Antioch and Iconium persuade multitude to stone Paul
Paul stoned; people drag Paul outside the city, supposing he is dead
Disciples gather around Paul; Paul rises and goes into the city
Derbe (vv. 20-21): City in the district of Lycaonia in the Roman province of Galatia
P&B preach and make many disciples
Back to Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch (vv. 21-24):
P&B go back to strengthen and encourage the disciples to continue in the faith
P&B appoint elders in every church
Back to Perga (vv. 24-25): P&B preach
Attalia (vv. 25-26): Seaport city of Asia Minor; P&B set sail from here
Back to Syrian Antioch
P&B gather the church together; report all God did with them
P&B stay with the church for a long time
Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey (Paul & Silas)
Acts 15
Syrian Antioch (vv. 36-40)
Paul want to go back to every city and see how the brethren are doing
Barnabas wants to take his cousin John Mark (Colossians 4:10)
Paul objects because John Mark left them in Pamphylia
Barnabas and John Mark set sail to Cyprus
Paul & Silas (hereafter, P&S) are sent out by the Antioch church to the grace of God
Syria & Cilicia (v. 41): The provinces where P&S strengthen the churches of Christ
Acts 16
Derbe & Lystra (vv. 1-5)
Paul circumcises Timothy and takes him on their journey
They deliver the decrees determined by the Jerusalem elders & apostles (Acts 15:19-29)
The churches are strengthened and increase in number daily
Phrygia & Galatia (v. 6): Phrygia is a country of Asia Minor and Galatia is a province of Asia Minor
P&S travel through
P&S forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach to the Roman province of Asia Minor
Mysia (vv. 7-8): A province of Asia Minor
P&S travel through
Holy Spirit does not permit P&S to preach to the neighboring province of Bithynia
Troas (vv. 8-11): Chief seaport city on the coast of Mysia in the Roman province of Asia Minor
A vision appears to Paul
A man in the vision pleas for Paul to help the province of Macedonia in Greece
Samothrace & Neapolis (v. 11): Samothrace, island in the Aegean Sea; Neapolis, city of Macedonia
P&S, Timothy & Luke sail to this island, seaport
Philippi (vv. 12-40): City of Macedonia
Paul & company stay for several days
On the Sabbath the women regularly go outside the city to the riverside and pray
Lydia heeds the things spoken by Paul and is baptized
Paul and company stay in Lydia’s home
A demon-possessed slave girl follows Paul & company to the place of prayer
The girl calls them “Servants of the Most High God”; Paul casts out her demon
Upset, her masters drag P&S to the Roman authorities
P&S are cast into the inner prison, yet sing hymns to God
And earthquake opens the prison doors; yet P&S stay
P&S convert the jailor and his household; the jailor feeds them in his house
P&S are released from prison and stay with Lydia, encourage the brethren
Acts 17
Amphipolis & Apollonia (v. 1): Cities in the Roman province of Macedonia
P&S travel through
Thessalonica (vv. 1-10): City of Macedonia
P&S reason from the Scriptures with the Jews for 3 Sabbaths
Some Jews and a great deal of Greeks and prominent women join P&S
Envious Jews attack the house of Jason, hoping to find P&S
Brethren immediately send P&S away at night
Berea (vv. 10-14): City of Macedonia
P&S enter the synagogue
Many Jews, Gentile and prominent men and women believe
Envious Jews from Thessalonica stir up the crowd against P&S
Brethren immediately send Paul away, but Silas & Timothy stay
Athens (vv. 15:34): Capital of Attica in Greece
Paul sends for Silas and Timothy
Sabbath Paul reasons in the synagogues; daily he preaches in the marketplace
Paul preaches on Mars’ Hill and some men & women believe and join Paul
Acts 18
Corinth (vv. 1-18): Capital of the Roman province of Achaia in Greece
Paul stays with Aquila and Priscilla; makes tents and preaches
Sabbath Paul reasons with the Jews and Greeks and persuades them
When the Jews reject, Paul shakes his garments and says he goes not to the Gentiles
Gentile Justus’ house (where Paul preaches) is next to a synagogue
Many of the Corinthians, including the Jewish ruler of the synagogue, Crispus, are baptized
Paul stays 18 months in Corinth
Cenchrea (v. 18): A seaport of Corinth
Aquila and Priscilla travel here with Paul
Paul takes a vow here and cuts off his hair
Ephesus (vv. 19-21): City of the Roman province of Asia
Paul enters the synagogue and reasons with the Jews
Jews ask him to stay longer, but he must go to Jerusalem
Aquila and Priscilla stay
Caesarea (v. 22): City on the Mediterranean Sea approximately 35 miles from Jerusalem; Paul lands here
Jerusalem (v. 22): Capital city of the Jews in the Roman province of Judea
Paul greets the Jerusalem church of Christ
Syrian Antioch (v. 22): Paul returns and spends some time here
Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey
Acts 18
Syrian Antioch (v. 23): Paul departs from here on his 3rd journey
Galatia & Phrygia (v. 23): Paul returns to these regions of Asia Minor to strengthen the disciples
Acts 19
Ephesus (vv. 1-41)
Paul finds some disciples of John the Baptist who had not yet received the Holy Spirit
These disciples were baptized under John’s baptism when it was no longer in effect
The “about 12” men were baptized in the name of the Lord
Paul lays his hands on these new converts and they begin to speak in tongues and prophesy
Paul enters the synagogue and speaks boldly for 3 months
When some harden and speak evil the Way, Paul withdraws the disciples
Paul reasons in the school of Tyrannus for 2 years (stay in Ephesus for 3 years, 20:31)
All the Jews and Greeks of Asia Minor hear the word and many believe
God works unusual miracles through the hands of Paul
Many who practiced magic bring the magic books together and burn them in the sight of all
Paul sends Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia
Demetrius (a silver-shrine-maker of the idol-goddess Diana) stirs up the city against Paul
The city clerk puts a stop to the uproar
Acts 20
Ephesus (v. 1): Paul embraces the disciples and departs
Macedonia (v. 1): Paul encourages the Macedonians with many words
Greece (v. 2): a country/province (also called Achaia and Grecia; appears only here in New Testament)
Paul stays in this province for 3 months
Jews plot against Paul
Macedonia (v. 3): Paul returns through here
Philippi (v. 6): Seaport city of the Roman province of Macedonia
Paul and Luke set sail from here after the Days of Unleavened Bread
Troas (vv. 4-12)
Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus & Trophimus wait for Paul & Luke
Paul and company stay for 7 days
On the first day of the week the disciples come together “to break bread” (Lord’s Supper)
Paul preaches until midnight, Eutychus falls to his death, Paul raises him from the dead
Paul stays and talks to the brethren till daybreak
Assos (vv. 13-14): Seaport city on the coast of Mysia in the Roman province of Asia Minor
Paul meets his companions here
Mitylene (v. 14): City on the island of Lesbos.
Paul and company sail here
Chios (v. 15): Island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Asia Minor
Paul and company sail opposite of this island
Samos (v. 15): Island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Lydia
Paul and company arrive here
Trogyllium (v. 15): Seaport city and promontory of Ionia in Asia Minor
Paul and company stayed here
Miletus (vv. 16-38): Ionian Greek city on the coast of Caria, near mouth of Meander River in Asia Minor
Paul summons the Ephesian elders to meet him here
Paul tells the elders they will see him no more.
They are to take heed to themselves and the flock.
There will be wolves from within and outside the church, trying to draw disciples away
Be watchful and support the weak
Paul and the elders pray, weep, show affection then accompany Paul to his ship
Acts 21
Cos (v. 1): Island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Asia Minor
Paul and company arrive here
Rhodes (v. 1): island in the Mediterranean off the coast of Asia Minor
Paul and company arrive here
Patara (vv. 1-2): Seaport city of Lycia, district of Asia Minor
Paul and company change ships here
Cyprus (v. 3): Paul and company see this island and pass it on the left
Tyre (vv. 3-6)
Paul’s ship’s cargo is unloaded here
Paul and company find disciples and stay here for 7 days
The disciples accompany Paul and company to the shore, pray and Paul and company depart
Ptolemais (v. 7): Seaport city, south of Tyre
Paul and company greet brethren and stay with them for 1 day
Caesarea (vv. 8-16)
Paul and company stay with Phillip the evangelist for many days
Agabus, the Christian prophet from Judea, comes to Paul
Agabus prophesies that Jerusalem Jews will deliver Paul into the Gentiles’ hands
Disciples plead with Paul not to go; but he says he is ready to go
Jerusalem (vv. 17-26)
The brethren receive Paul and company gladly
They go to James and the Jerusalem elders
Paul tells them what God has done among the Gentiles through his ministry
James and the elders rejoice
James/the elders advise Paul to purify himself with 4 men who have taken a vow
This would prove to the Christian Jews that Paul did not teach the Jews who were among the Gentiles where he travelled that Paul did not teach them to forsake all Jewish customs
Paul conforms to the Jewish custom of purification
Paul’s arrest ends his 3rd missionary journey
CHART OF THE 9 CONVERSION STORIES IN THE BOOK OF ACTS
(Put an “X” under each obedient act of conversion mentioned in the verses below)
CONVERSION HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BE BAPTIZED
About 3000 Jews
Acts 2:22-41
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Samaritans/Simon
Acts 8:5-13
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The Eunuch
Acts 8:26-39
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Saul of Tarsus
Acts 9:1-19
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Cornelius/Household
Acts 10:1-48
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Lydia/Household
Acts 16:14-15
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Jailor/Household
Acts 16:25-34
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Corinthians/Crispus
Acts 18:8
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About 12 men of Ephesus
Acts 19:1-7
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Article - The churches of Christ: Romans 16:16
The New Testament teaches that the church of Christ began in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks; Sunday) after Jesus’ resurrection (around A.D. 30: Matthew 16:18-19; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:1, 5, 47; Leviticus 23:15-16). About three thousand lost souls who gladly received the gospel message, repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus so that their sins would be remitted/forgiven (Acts 2:36-41, 47). As these precious souls were being cleansed by the blood of Jesus in bpatism, the Lord was delivering them from the power of darkness and adding them to the church of Christ, the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 22:16; Revelation 1:5; Colossians 1:13; 1 Corinthians 12:13). Because of their obedience to the gospel message, they also received (the gift of) the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39; 5:32). These new converts (and all other subsequent, faithful Christians) spent Sunday steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (teaching) and fellowship (sharing worship and salvation in common), in the breaking of bread (the Lord’s Supper) and in prayers (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:20, 23-29; Jude 1:3; 1 John 1:5-7). Other passages indicate that faithful Christians also assembled together every Sunday and worshiped God by singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and giving as they had prospered (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-26). In conclusion, we have learned that the church of Christ (1) began in the city of Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Sunday) nearly two thousand years ago; (2) Those who gladly received the gospel message, repented of their sins and were baptized so that their sins would be remitted and they would be saved; (3) those who repented and were baptized received (the gift of) the Holy Spirit; (4) the Lord added to the church of Christ daily those who were being saved; (5) the saved church worshiped God together on Sunday, engaging in teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, prayers, singing and giving. Would you like to learn more about the church of Christ?
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Article - Kingdom and Acts (part 2)
In the book of Acts we learn how to enter into Jesus’ kingdom (the church of Christ). Acts 2:36-38, 41, 47: once you realize you are lost in sin and that Jesus is Lord and Christ, you must repent (change your mind/heart) and be baptized (immersed) for (expresses purpose, Matthew 26:28) the remission (sending away, forgiveness) of sins (Acts 2:36-38; 13:38-39). If you gladly receive this message, you will want to immediately be immersed; and once you are immersed, the Lord will add you to His saved/His church (Acts 2:41, 47; 16:33). After all, if you are not born of water and Spirit, you will not enter into the kingdom (John 3:3, 5; Titus 3:4-5). And if you are not in the kingdom, you will not enter into heaven (1 Corinthians 15:22-24; Hebrews 12:25-29; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). You do not get into Jesus’ kingdom through your own self-righteous works or merely saying “Lord, Lord”, but through works of obedience (Matthew 5:20; 7:21; Acts 5:32; 10:35; Romans 6:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Hebrews 5:8-9; James 2:24). You must humbly be converted (Matthew 18:3; Acts 3:19; 17:30). You must trust solely in the Lord and not in your material possessions/wealth (Mark 10:24-25). Do not let your religious leaders talk you out of entering into the church of Christ (Matthew 23:13; Acts 5:29; Colossians 2:18).
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Article - Five Rules for Prosperous Bible Study
- Study the Bible Prayerfully. Before a person ever open his Bible, he should fall down on his knees and ask for God’s blessings. Paul reminds us of this principle as he prays for the Christians at Collosae. “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9).
- Study the Bible Carefully. One must never study the Bible with a flippant and irreverent view of God and His Word. Paul taught Timothy to, “Study to show yourself approved unto God a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
- Study the Bible Practically. For the Word of God to do us any good in this life, we must apply its’ teachings to our daily life. Paul reminded the Christians in Phillipi of this when he said, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9).
- Study the Bible Impartially. To study God’s word correctly a person must put aside all prejudice, bias and preconceived notions of God and His Will. We must have the attitude of Samuel who said, “Speak Lord, for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:10). We must remember the words of the Proverbs writer; “There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death (Proverbs 16:25).
- Study the Bible Expectantly. For a person to receive the full blessings of Bible study, he must study it expecting several things. For example, we should study the Bible expecting to understand it (Ephesians 3:4). We should study the Bible expecting its principles to bless us as they are applied to our life (Psalm 1:1-3). We should study the Bible expecting to learn how to be set free from sin (John 8:32). We should study the Bible expecting to learn how to be saved (Acts 2:38).
May God bless each one of us as we apply His will to our lives!
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Article - The Scriptural Meaning of Psalm 51:5 (Part 4)
The New King James accurately translates Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” New International Version (NIV) inaccurately/falsely interprets “I was sinful at birth.” Four views worth considering when determining the scriptural meaning of the Psalm: 1) “in iniquity/sin” means “While sinning” or “Due to” [meaning, due to David’s mother’s fornication, he was conceived/brought forth “illegitimate,” John 8:41; also compare such similar usages as: “In joy” my mother conceived me (meaning, conception due to a scriptural, marriage union) or “In great distress” my mother conceived me (meaning, conception due to rape); furthermore consider this question: Is the baby understood as the sinner in these statements?: “In drunkenness my father shot me” or “In lust my father raped me”]; 2) “In sin” means “in a sinful world/environment I was brought forth/conceived.” The next two views may help one arrive at the proper scriptural position despite the fact that the rendering is perverted by such versions as the NIV: 3) “sinful,” meaning “ceremonially defiled” (it is possible that David was “ceremonially defiled” due to the sin of his ancestor Judah who conceived Perez through his daughter-in-law, Genesis 38:15-18, 27-30. Deuteronomy 23:2 states, “One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation.” Assuming no genealogy gaps, David would be the tenth generation of Perez, Matthew 1:3-6); 4) “sinful,” figuratively characterizing David’s whole life (referring to David’s sins, not his parents). Compare the same figurative language in Job 31:18: Job says “from his youth” he reared the fatherless and “from his mother’s womb” he guided the widow whose eyes were failing [meaning, Job’s whole life, relatively speaking, can be summarized as helping the needy. Job could not literally guide a blind widow from his mother’s womb any more than a child conceived in the womb could sin, inherit sin, believe in Jesus, or be baptized (“immersed”) or sprinkled (false mode of baptism) with water]. Compare this wording: “I have been helping people all my life” (you do not understand this to mean that as soon as you are conceived or as soon as you are born, you start helping people, do you?).
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Article - Back to the Bible
Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16). This passage is a sad commentary on the spiritual condition of Israel. Although they thought they were pleasing to God, He tells them they need to repent and go back to the “Old Paths.” Since the institution of Christianity by our Lord, there has been a progressive movement leading many away from the simplicity of the Bible. Many in the religious world have wondered so far from the Bible that they no longer use it as a guidebook for worship and life. Jeremiah 6:16 calls us back to the Bible. In an age where modernism, humanism, and evolution run rampant in the world and the church, we must determine to find the old paths of God’s word and demand they are taught. Let us consider how we should go “Back to the Bible.”
Back to Bible Study. Our technologically advanced age, which has benefited us in many ways, has also made us lazy in other ways. We need to determine to study God’s word regularly, and independently. Paul encouraged Timothy to “Study to show yourself approved unto God…” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible tells us that a sincere study of the word of God will free us from sin (John 8:32), give us spiritual understanding (Ephesians 3:4), prepare us to answer the critic (1 Peter 3:15), and save our souls (James 1:21). We must stop depending on preachers, commentaries, media and other sources to do our Bible study for us. Let’s go back to the Bible in individual Bible study.
Back to Bible Salvation. Many people are trying to be saved through various avenues. Some try to save themselves. Others depend on men to tell them how to be saved. However, God’s word is the only source for salvation (Romans 1:16). The biblical plan of salvation is very simple. One must believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24). Then he must be willing to repent of all his past sins and turn to God (Luke 13:3, Acts 3:19). Next, one must be willing to orally confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32-33). Finally, one must be baptized in water for salvation (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, John 3:3-5). Have we been saved the way the Bible tells us to? If not, let’s go back to the Bible for salvation. May God help us as we endeavor to return to the old paths of His Word!!
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Article - Acts 2:38: Not A Causal View of Eis
The Greek word translated “for” in Acts 2:38 is the word eis. This Greek word is used primarily to represent a going into, an indication of purpose, or the going in the direction of a goal. Hence, the purpose or goal of baptism is the forgiveness of one’s sins. Due to false teaching, it is important for us at this time to discuss a major false doctrine involving Acts 2:38. Certain false teachers have tried to make the word “for” (Gr. eis) mean “because of”. In the context of Acts 2:38 the Jews had just asked Peter what they needed to do to be saved (Acts 2:37). If the causal view of eis means “because of” Peter would be saying to the Jews, repent and be baptized because you have already received the remission of sins. If this view of eis is correct, then Peter completely ignored their question. Is Acts 2:38 really a causal usage of the word eis? Let us examine why this passage can not be a causal view of the word eis.
While this view may sound good to those trying to propagate faith only doctrine, it has several glaring errors that prove it false. (1). Logic demands that this view of Acts 2:38 cannot be true. Is Peter here telling the Jews that they need to repent and be baptized because they have already been forgiven of their sins? Wait just a minute Peter. If I have already been forgiven of my sins, I do not have to do anything. It is highly illogical for someone to ask you what do to be saved (The question of Acts 2:37), then you tell them two things to do because they are already saved. (2) This view of Acts 2:38 is in contradiction with the very words of Jesus. Jesus taught that for a man to be saved he had to repent before, not after he had been forgiven of his sins. In Luke 13:3 Jesus told certain people who were still in sin that they had to repent to get out of sin. Jesus simply said, “I tell you no, but unless you repent you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). If the causal view of Acts 2:38 is true then Peter and Jesus are in disagreement on what one must do before salvation. Does the Bible contradict itself? No. The false doctrines of men contradict the Bible! (3). The linguistics and semantics of Acts 2:38 will not support the causal view of eis. The Greek words used in this passage under consideration are ei)$ a&fesin tw=n a(martiw=n. The usage of this exact same phrase in a similar passage helps us to see its meaning. In Matthew 26:28 Jesus said, “This is My blood of the New Covenant which was shed for many, for the remission of sins (ei)$ a&fesin a(martiw=n). What exactly was Jesus saying in this context? Was he saying, “I went to the cross and shed my blood because your sins are already forgiven.” Of course not! Jesus was saying the purpose of Me shedding My blood was to forgive your sins. Likewise, when Peter uses this exact same phraseology in Acts 2:38 it is to show the purpose of repentance and baptism in salvation. In fact, the Greek word eis is used some 1,768 times in the New Testament. Of all the uses of this Greek word, there are only about five instances where the causal case might possibly make sense and be grammatically correct. Do you know what kind of a statistic that is? These numbers tell us that the chance of the causal view of eis occurring is about .3 percent. 99.7% of the time this word does not mean “because of”. Therefore, for a person to translate “for” as “because of” there would have to be strong textual indicators and justifiable evidence for doing so. In Acts 2:38 there is no evidence or indicators to base a causal view of eis on. In fact, when the evidence is gathered it is against this view. Therefore, we can truly say that baptism is for (i.e. in order to receive) the remission of past sins!!
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