WeekLy BooK oF Acts 14 1-28

     A paraphrased study

1 - When they (Paul, Barnabas and others) arrived at Iconium they went to the Jewish/Hebrew synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving stirred up the people to turn their minds against the brothers. 3 Yet they remained for a long while, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness by granting signs and wonders be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided. Some sided with the unbelieving and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them, even to stone them, 6 they heard of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding countryside, 7 and there they continued to preach the good news.

     8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He had never walked, being crippled from birth, 9 and he was listening to Paul speak. And Paul, seeing him, and looking intently at him, could see he had faith to be made well. 10 So he said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

     13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice to them. 14 But when Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing this!? We are only men like you! We bring you good news! That you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past times he has allowed all nations to walk in their own way. 17 Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness. For he did good by giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

     19 But soon some came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (So quickly, from one extreme to the other! So easily swayed..) 20 But when the disciples gathered around him, he stood up and went back into the city. And on the next day, he and Barnabas went on to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the gospel and made many disciples, they returned back through Lystra, Iconium and Antioch (of Pisidia), 22 strengthening the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders in every group, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they were believing.

    24 After that, they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the message/logos in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 And from there they sailed to Antioch (of Syria) from where they had started, having been commended to the grace of God for the work they had been sent out to do. 27 And when they arrived, they gathered the believers together, and told all that God had done, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little while there with the disciples.

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WeekLy BooK oF Acts 11 1-30

 A paraphrased study

1 - The apostles and brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party (Hebrew believers) criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to the uncircumcised and ate with them!” [Israel was strictly separated from others, in order to birth Messiah, the “savior of the world” into a comparatively prepared nation.] 4 But Peter began to explain to them what had happened, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance [ekstasis - a displacement of the mind, state of ecstasy] and I saw a vision. There was something like a great sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. It came down to me 6 and looking at it closely, I saw animals and beasts of prey, reptiles and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth!’ 9 But the voice answered a second time from above saying, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10 And this happened three times. And then “all” [hápas - from háma - all together, and pás - each, every – thus each and every one as a comprehensive unit] was drawn up again into heaven. 11 And look! At that very moment three men arrived at the house, who were sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them. And to ask no questions and make no distinction. These six brothers as well, accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he had seen the angel coming into his house and the angel said, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ [This was now the “good news for all” beginning to earnestly go out to the nations, called gentiles/non-hebrew.] 15 And even as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit(/Presence of God) fell upon them. Just as it had upon us at the beginning [Acts 2]. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So then, if God gave the same gift to them, as he gave to us - when we believed in the Lord Jesus - who was I that I should stand in God's way?!” [An answer to the I.O./Israel only doctrine.] 18 When the brothers heard these things they fell silent, and they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also, God has granted repentance that leads to Life.”

     19 Now in those days, those who were scattered because of the persecution that had risen after Stephen’s stoning, had traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the message to no one except to Jews/Hebrews. 20 But there were some, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who upon coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists (Greeks) also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

     23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was happy, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul/Paul. 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church (the believers) and taught a great many people. And it was in Antioch that the followers [mathétés - learners, disciples, pupils] were first called Christians.

     27 It was at about this time, that prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the civilized world (and the famine took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the believers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders there by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

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