WeekLy BooK oF Acts 15:22-41

   By Necessity Slightly 

       Paraphrased   

22 - Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, and the rest of the church, to choose men from among them and to send them back to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading ones among the believers, 23 along with the following letter: “The believers, the apostles and the elders of Jerusalem, to the believers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 We have heard that some went to you from us and have troubled you with their words - unsettling your minds - although we gave them no such instructions. 25 It has seemed good to us, having come to an agreement about the matter, to choose men and send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things as this letter. 28 It has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from those things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” (Later!)

     30 And when they were sent on their way, they went down to Antioch, gathered the congregation together, and delivered the letter. 31 And after it was read, they rejoiced at its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the believers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace back to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

     36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they’re doing.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed because he had turned back from the work the last time. 39 And they disagreed so sharply that they separated. Barnabas went with Mark, sailing away to Cyprus, 40 and Paul went with Silas, having been prayed for by the church and given over to the grace of the Lord. 41 Then he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches/believers. (As of yet there were no brick and mortar churches, the believers met mostly in one another’s homes.)

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WeekLy BooK oF Acts 15 1-21

 By Necessity Slightly 

       Paraphrased      

            15:1-21 

1 - Some came down from Judea and were teaching “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be a follower and disciple.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had been arguing and debating with them, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders to consult about the matter. 3 And being sent on their way by their fellow believers, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, and were describing in detail the conversion of Gentiles, which was bringing great joy to all the believers there.

     4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the believers, the apostles and the elders. And they told them all that God had been doing during their travels among Gentile cities. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It’s necessary they be circumcised, and ordered to keep all the law of Moses.”

    6 So the apostles and elders gathered together to discuss the matter. 7 And after there had been much discussion, Peter stood up and said, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God had me preach to the Gentiles, so they would hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore testimony by giving them his Holy Spirit (his Presence) just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.” (All hearts, Gentile and Hebrew have to experience catharsis and healing, be given to him, who is trustworthy, and as a bonus, he has our best blueprint.) [Israel had always been required to stay separate from other nations. In order to be swaddling cloths for Messiah, the “Savior of the world”.] 10 “So now, why should we put God to the test by putting a yoke upon the neck of disciples? A yoke neither our fathers nor we have been able to carry? 11 And now we know we are saved (and enabled) through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

     12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles. 13 And after they finished speaking, James said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon Peter also has related how God has visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it’s written - 16 ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle/tent of David that has fallen. I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called, says the LORD 18 who makes these things known from of old.’   19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles/nations who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the pollution of idols, from the sexual immorality. To abstain from what has been strangled (a practice to idols?) and from blood. 21 For from ancient times, Moses, is read in every city, in the synagogues on every Sabbath.” [The ten commandments are very societally preservative. The holy days and Sabbaths are a shadow cast by the genuine principle portrayed (and an outline of the advents of Christ. Spring and Fall, first and second, Lev.23.]

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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 13 43-52

 A paraphrased study

43 - After Sabbath meeting at the synagogue broke up, many Hebrews/Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas to hear more, so they talked more with them, and then urged them to continue in the grace of God.

     44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the message of the LORD. 45 But when the leaders saw the crowds, they were filled with envy, so they began to contradict whatever was spoken by Paul, and they were insulting him. 46 But Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. But since you leaders sneer at and thrust it aside, judging yourselves as unworthy of enduring life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles! 47 For so the LORD has commanded us. For HE said, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles/nations, that you may bring salvation to the ends of earth.’”

     48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying in the message of the LORD, and those appointed [tassó - drawn up in order, arranged, appointed] (assigned the {early} role of?) enduring life, believed. 49 And the message of the LORD was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the leaders - incited - the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the (non-Jewish) city. And stirred up a persecution [diógmos - literally - the hunt to bring someone down, trying to suppress/punish their convictions; hostility] against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 So they shook the dust of that city from off their feet and went on to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit(/Presence of God).

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WeekLy BooK oF Acts 13 1-42

 A paraphrased study

       ~~ 13:1-42 ~~

1 - Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit(/Presence of God) said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

     4 And so, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. And from there they sailed to Cyprus, 5 and when they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Hebrew/Jewish synagogues. And they had John Mark as an assistant. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul in order to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician, for that is the meaning of his name, opposed them, seeking to Keep the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit/Presence of God) looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil! And enemy of all righteousness, full of deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred. For he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

     13 Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. But John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But Paul and Barnabas, and companions, went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 Then after the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, please say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt. And then with uplifted arm he led them out Egypt. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven (very wicked and heartlessly cruel) nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, and he ruled for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 And now of this man's descendants God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised (so long ago, in Eden and afterwards).

     24 Before the savior’s coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose I am? I am not he. No, for behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

     26 Dear sons and daughters of the family of Abraham, and all those among you who revere God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation! 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they didn’t recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled the scripture by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us, their children, by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, ‘You are my Son, today I have brought you forth.’

     34 And as for the fact, that he raised him from the dead, no more to see corruption/death, he has spoken in this way, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he, whom God raised up, did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brethren, that through this man, forgiveness of sins [hamartia - missing the mark] is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which no one can be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, however, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about, 41 ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and come to ruin, for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

     42 And as they were leaving, the people asked that these things might be told to them on the next Sabbath.

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