ACTS 4 23-37

 Luke wrote “of the things fulfilled among us” paraphrased  [ ] ref  { } thots

     Book of the Acts of the First Believers

23 When Peter and John were released {from the sanhedrin/court} they went to the rest of the believers and reported what the chief priests and elders had said. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together in prayer and praise, saying, “Sovereign LORD, you who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and everything in them, 25 and who through our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit{/Presence of God} — ‘Why do the nations rage?! And the people devise vain things?! 26 The highest ones of earth gather and set theirselves, against the LORD and against his Anointed.’ 27 In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod (Antipas), Pilate the governor, the Gentiles (of the nations) and the people of Israel were united against Jesus. Your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But it was your purpose, and your plan, that you ordained to happen! 29 And now, LORD, hear their threats and grant to your servants to speak your word [logos - reasoning, message; root word of logic] with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, with signs and wonders performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

     31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit{/Presence of God}. And they continued to speak the word/message of God with boldness. [Ps.2]

     {God is Life and “is perfect” so imperfect is entropy (which “doesn’t quit”) and “God is savior..” 1TIM.4:10. Also “perfect” means the ‘end’ result of this one & done (greek word “tel” the end-aim) can’t be anything but the best one possible.}

     32 Those who believed were of one heart and mind. No one even said what belonged to them was theirs, but they had all things in common. {Not a state supplies.. and thus owns, situation.} 33 And with great power the apostles were proclaiming and testifying to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34 And no one among them was in need, for as many as were owners of lands and houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and put it in the apostle’s hands, and it was distributed to each as any had need. [From a Biblehub commentary (Ellicott’s) - “There was, in this sale of their estates, a proof of faith in the future desolation which Jesus had foretold, having properties in Palestine” (the name began as the world’s name for Israel) “was likely to be a source of anxiety rather than profit. Like Jeremiah had shown his faith in the future restoration of his people by purchasing the field at Anathoth”.]

     36 And so it was too, that Joseph, also called Barnabas, which means son of encouragement [paraklésis], a Levite (line who served in the temple, but not as a priest) and a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money to the apostles.

     {Barnabas goes with Paul on Paul’s first “missionary journey” - the first of his travels proclaiming the good news of resurrection, and belief and following Jesus to inherit the better resurrection - Mt.25:46 “into Life” (Mt.25:1-13!) or into “aionion kolasis / eonian korrection / age of correction - Rev.20, “putting on perfection and (thus) immortality” at the palin(again)genesis, Rev.21:5, tho “all” was changed into “all things”. Still true but a downgrade. Note, the three mentions of lake of fire are at huge, fiery events. Father’s outline(s) - the week plus 1 millennia; the Spring and Fall holy days of Lev.23 as 1st and 2nd advents.}

Next Week - 5:1-16

ACTS 4 1-22

Luke wrote “of the things fulfilled among us” paraphrased  [ ] ref  { } thots

     Book of the Acts of the First Believers

1 - Peter and John were still at the temple talking to the people, when some priests, the captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees came around. 2 They were angry because they were teaching the people that the dead would be raised from death! As Jesus had been.

     3 It was late afternoon and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night. 4 But a lot of people who had heard the message believed it, and so now there were about 5,000 followers of the Lord.

     5 The next morning the leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses {those in power} called a council in Jerusalem. 6 The high priest Annas was there, as well as Caiaphas, also John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family. 7 They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle of the room while they questioned them. They asked, “By what power and in whose name have you done this!?”

     8 Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit{/Presence of God} and told the leaders, 9 “You are questioning us today about a kind deed. A man who couldn’t walk was healed! 10 Let it be known to you and all of Israel, that this man is standing here completely well because of the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You crucified him. But God raised him to life.

     11 He is the stone you builders thought of as worthless, but he’s the most important foundation stone” {of all creation, called First/Proto. A foundation stone is laid first}. 12 “Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only name in all the world that can save] [sózó - save, rescue, deliver, heal, preserve] anyone.” {From death and its cause imperfection/entropy, God being Life and “is perfect” Mt.5:48. No option to stray, and humanity would be an ant farm, so “God is savior..” 1Tim.4:10.}

     13 The officials were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were! And they knew they were only ordinary men with not much education, but also knew they had been with Jesus. 14 And they couldn’t deny what had happened. The man who had been healed was there, standing with Peter and John.

     15 They ordered them to leave the council room. Then they said to one another, 16 “What can we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle, and we can’t say it didn't happen. 17 But to keep this thing from spreading, we’ll command them not to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus again.” 18 So they called the two back in and told them they must not teach in the name of Jesus.

     19 But Peter and John answered, “Do you think God wants us to obey you? Or to obey him? 20 We cannot keep quiet, about what we have seen and heard.”

     21The council could find no good reason to hold or to punish Peter and John. So they threatened them and let them go. 22 The man who was healed was more than 40 years old, and everyone was praising God for the miracle.

Next Week - 4:23-37

ACTS 8 25-40

     Book of the Acts of the First Believers

25 - Now when they had given witness about the word of the LORD in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the good news message to many villages of the Samaritans along the way.

     26 Now at about this time an angel of the LORD said to Philip, “Go down south to the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

     27 So he went and he came upon an Ethiopian eunich who was an official of the court of Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. He was the official in charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28 He was returning, seated in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit{/Presence of God} said to Philip, “Go near to this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” 31 And the eunich andwered, “How can I? Unless someone guide me?” {These days the best guide is God’s Spirit, genuinely.} And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him in the chariot. 32 The passage of Scripture he was reading was, “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter. And like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he said not a word. 33 He was humiliated and justice was denied him. And who can describe his descendants? For his life was taken away from the earth.”

     34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “If I may ask, who does the prophet say this about? About himself, or someone else?”

     35 Then Philip, beginning with that verse, told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to a body of water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized!?” 38 And so he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

     39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the LORD carried Philip away. The eunuch saw him no more, and he went on his way rejoicing.

     40 Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he went on, he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

                     ~*~

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

      {  } - thots

Next: 9:1-20

From my own studies. Paraphrased to post.

ACTS 4 1-22

 Universalism in the New Testament

       BooK of Acts of the First Believers

                          (Paraphrased)

1 - The apostles were still at the temple talking to the people there, when some priests, the captain of the temple guard, and some Sadducees arrived. 2 They were angry because the apostles were teaching the people that the dead would be raised from death, as Jesus had been. 3 It was late afternoon and they arrested Peter and John and put them in jail for the night. 4 But a lot of people who had heard the message believed it, and so now there were about 5,000 followers of the Lord.

     5 The next morning the leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the Law of Moses called a council in Jerusalem. 6 The high priest Annas was there, as well as Caiaphas, also John, Alexander, and other members of the high priest's family. 7 They brought in Peter and John and made them stand in the middle of the room while they questioned them. They asked, “By what power and in whose name have you done this?”

     8 Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit{/Presence of God} and told the leaders, 9 “You are questioning us today about a kind deed. A man who could not walk was healed! 10 Let it be known to you and all of Israel, that this man is standing here completely well because of the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You crucified Jesus, but God raised him to life. 11  He is the stone you builders thought of as worthless, but he’s the most important foundation stone. 12 Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only name in all the world that can save anyone. {From death and its cause imperfection/entropy, God being Life and “is perfect” Mt.5:48. No option to stray, and humanity would be an ant farm, so “God is savior..” 1Tim.4:10.}

     13 The officials were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were, and they knew they were only ordinary men with not much education, but also knew they had been with Jesus. 14 And they couldn’t deny what had happened. The man who had been healed was there, standing with Peter and John.

     15 They ordered them to leave the council room. Then they said to one another, 16 “What can we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about this miracle, and we can’t say it didn't happen. 17 But to keep this thing from spreading, we’ll instruct them not to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus again.” 18 So they called the two back in and told them they must not teach in the name of Jesus.

     19 But Peter and John answered, “Do you think God wants us to obey you? Or to obey him? 20 We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.”

     21The council could find no good reason to hold or to punish Peter and John. So they threatened them and let them go. 22 The man who was healed was more than 40 years old, and everyone was praising God for the miracle.

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

      {  } - thots

My own studies. Paraphrased to post.