ACTS 20 17-38

         WeekLy BooK oF Acts 

17 - When they stopped at Miletus Paul went ashore and sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church, 18 and when they came, he said to them, “You know how I lived among you the whole time [for three years] from the first day I set foot in Asia. 19 By serving the Lord in humility, with tears and trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jewish/Hebrew leaders. 20 But how I didn’t shrink from proclaiming to you anything that was of benefit. And teaching you both in public and from house to house, 21 I testified to both Hebrews and Greeks, the repentance [metanoia - a change of mind, change in the inner person, repentance] toward God, and of faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, I’m going to Jerusalem, bound by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except the Holy Spirit has testified to me in every city that imprisonment and affliction awaits me. 24 But! I don’t account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course, the mission I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify and proclaim the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now I know that none of you to whom I have gone about testifying of the kingdom, will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day, that I am innocent of the blood of all. [Ezekiel 3:18 - If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood/death.] 27 I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God, 28 so pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Take care of the church of God, which he obtained with his own sufferings. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 And also, from among you yourselves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away disciples, into following them.

     31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I didn’t cease night or day to teach and warn each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you the inheritance - among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands worked for my necessities and of those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

     36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of everyone. And they embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 being sorrowful most of all because he had said they wouldn’t see him again. And they accompanied him back to the ship.

 🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

By Necessity Paraphrased

Weekly ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study

1 Corinthians 16 8-14

  12/14 ~ From New Testament Letters

    🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

8 - I plan to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened, but there are many adversaries. 10 When Timothy comes, be sure to put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord along with me here. 11 So let no one disregard him {because of his youth}. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return here to Ephesus, for I’m expecting him with the brothers.

     12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come at this time. But he will come when he has opportunity.

     13 Be watchful! Stand firm in the faith! Be men, be strong! 14 And, let all that you do be done in love. {…Love, and we cannot be overly sensitive in this world. Nor concerning history. Which some do, misinterpreting Father God’s actions and ways in the Old Testament. Think! Think how bAd it can get. Imperfect is not only entropy, but it’s an abyss of potential. I have a new word, cannibaalism. I believe those God took out - and transplanted as into an untilled garden awaiting resurrection into GWT judgment and discernment ‘day’ an “aionion kolasin / eonian korrection / age of correction - will thank God for not letting them do more evil. So the flood, the wanted genocide of the Canaanites - who in their rites would beat a drum to drown out the screams of babies, and children? as they burned them alive to Baal-Molech  ..🤔 Is that the original gone rogue one? His dream, his fantasy after all has been that notorious fire.. first told in that so ancient and primordial spiritual propaganda myth.. Do you know there’s a verse that talks about God winning when he is judged during his day in court? ..I’ve felt the moment.. one of universal utter and complete awe struck and profound silence ..then a wave, a crescendo of universal praise..}

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com, and facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - 1 Corinthians 16:15-24

By Necessity Paraphrased

Annual Daily Reading & Study

WeekLy BooK oF Acts 20 17-38

  a paraphrased study

17 - When they briefly harbored at Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. 18 And when they did, he said to them, “You know very well how I lived among you the whole time from the first day I set foot in Asia. 19 How I served the Lord with all humility and even tears, and during trials and troubles because of the plots of the Jewish leaders. 20 How I didn’t shrink from declaring to you all that was profitable, and taught in public and from house to house, 21 testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, I’m going to Jerusalem, impelled by the Spirit, and not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I don’t account my life of importance nor precious, if only I may finish my course, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify of the gospel of the grace and favor of God. 25 And now, I know that none of you among whom I proclaimed the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood (ruin) of any, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose and counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves. And to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers (Mt.25:45-51, though verse 51 is horrendously translated and should read “at his return, will separate him/her from the believers and their part” - at that time, Mt.13:30! - “will be with the hypocrites”. Hebrews were not focused on an afterlife.) So care for the church of God, which the Lord obtained with his own blood. 29 For I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 And from among your own selves will arise men speaking *twisted* things, to draw away the disciples after theirselves. 31 Therefore be alert (and KNOW the message, the whole counsel of God) remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to instruct and urge every one, even with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the message and proclamation of his grace, which is able to build you up, and is able to give you the *inheritance* among those who are dedicated and sanctified (separated to change, hallowed, made holy/whole/sacred). 33 I coveted no one's silver, gold or apparel. 34 You yourselves know that these hands worked for my own necessities and of those who were with me. 35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” 36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them. 37 And there was much weeping on the part of all. They embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 and were sorrowful most of all because of how he had said that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him back to the ship.

                         ~*~

     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).

     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest. ..And yes he was executed because of what he taught, as were all the original disciples turned apostles, except for probably John, who in his later years wrote three short letters and the vision and book of Revelation.

                         🍃

WeekLy BooK oF Acts 19 21-41

   a paraphrased study

21 - Now after all this, Paul thought in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go on to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must go also to Rome.” 22 And after sending into Macedonia two helpers, Timothy (well known to us) and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while longer. 23 And at about that time there arose a contention and disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith by trade, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought a lot of business to the craftsmen. 25 He gathered together the craftsmen, and some other workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know it is from this business that we gain our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods we make with our hands are not gods! 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be thought to be nothing, and she may even lose the reputation of her magnificence. She whom all Asia and the world worship!” 28 And when they heard this they were enraged and started loudly chanting, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 So the city became filled with confusion, and they rushed into the theater of Ephesus, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who they knew traveled with Paul. 30 But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples wouldn’t let him. 31 And even some friends from the town and region, sent word to him urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some in the crowd were crying out one thing, and some were crying out something else altogether. The whole assembly was in confusion. Most didn’t even know why they had come together. 33 Some of the crowd sent forward Alexander, to talk to the crowd, because he was a well known Hebrew among them. So Alexander, motioning with his hand, tried to calm the crowd. 34 But when they recognized he was Jewish, for about two hours they cried out as with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

     35 But when the town clerk had finally quieted them, he said, “Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis!? And of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing that these things are well known and and accepted by all, you should quiet down now and not do anything rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are not proven to be sacrilegious nor to have blasphemed our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges. 39 And if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For today we are in danger of being charged with rioting, for there is no reason we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 After he said these things, the crowd dispersed.

                         ~*~

     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).

     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest. ..And yes he was executed because of what he taught, as were all the original disciples turned apostles, except for probably John, who in his later years wrote three short letters and the vision and book of Revelation.

                            🍃

WeekLy BooK oF Acts 19 1-20

   a paraphrased study

1 - While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul went through the inland country and came to Ephesus. And there he came across some disciples. 2 He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They said, “No, we’ve not heard anything about a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he asked, “What then were you baptized into?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 So Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, and told the people to believe in the one who was coming, that is, Jesus.” 5 And upon hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul lay his hands on them (with prayer) the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in unknown tongues and prophesying. 7 There were twelve men in all. 8 Then Paul entered the synagogue, boldly reasoning and persuading about the kingdom of God for about three months. 9 But when some became contentious in their disbelief, speaking abusively of the Way before the gathering, he left off from them and took the disciples with him. And then he reasoned daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all in the region of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

     11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul. [Extraordinary - tygxánō - hit, hit upon, meet, happen, to strike, hit the mark, i.e. "spot on," "hit the bullseye”, therefore opposite to hamartánō/hamartia - to miss the mark - (which is translated “sin”). (What!? What a word riddle. Opposite of missing the mark ..A perfection of God is as healer!)] 12 Even handkerchiefs and aprons Paul had touched were taken to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them. 13 Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon theirselves to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over some who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” 14 And seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I recognize Paul, but who are you?” 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped upon them, and overpowered and beat them so they fled out of the house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And awe fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus became even better known. 18 Also many of those who were now believers came, confessing their magic arts. 19 And many brought their books together and burned them in the city square. When they counted the value of them, they found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 And so the word of the Lord continued to increase and to prevail mightily.

                         ~*~

     Very Brief Outline of Acts:

Jesus returns to where he was with the Father before his advent/visit (his brief first one).

The Holy Spirit/Presence of God is poured out on the believers who were in Jerusalem on the late Spring holy day of Pentecost. Peter speaks, there are 3000 new believers that day.

The good news message spreads, Peter is invited and goes to a Roman’s house and all believe. The first record of non Hebrew believers (besides likely some on Pentecost).

     Persecution breaks out.. jail. stoning. Pharisee Saul leads the persecution, but on his way to Damascus with papers for arrests, Jesus makes himself seen but is so bright Paul falls to the ground and is blinded. After two days he is healed and is a believer, and soon is called Paul. He wrote many (to most) of the New Testament letters, but spent a few years (it seems to me) exclusively listening to the Lord. He established many ‘churches’ in what’s called three missionary journeys, and met and worked with Mark and Luke, and quite a few others. (Luke wrote this Book of Acts.) His fourth journey is to Rome to trial as a prisoner. There’s a shipwreck on the way.. He wrote many of his letters while in prison and under ‘house’ arrest. ..And yes he was executed because of what he taught, as were all the original disciples turned apostles, except for probably John, who in his later years wrote three short letters and the vision and book of Revelation.

                            🍃