Teaching (no posting) The Acts of The Apostles

SpiritPsalmist · Sep 26, 2019

The Stoning of Stephen
Act 7:54-60

When Stephen was finished speaking, those in the Sanhedrin (it does not say if some present that day were believers or not but they certaintly did not participate if so) who were unbelievers became enraged and gnashed their teeth. Obviously, Stephen's words hit their mark, just as it had with Peter's speach. With Peter though, his words had brought faith and repentance. With Stephen's, it brought rage and fury. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit was gazing into the heavens. He cried out, "Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.

Many times in scripture we see Yeshua referenced as "sitting at the right hand of God", in Stephens encounter though, he saw Yeshua "standing" at the right hand of God. Since Yeshua's function in heaven is to be the cohen gadol for all believers and intercede for them his posture indicates that Stephen sees him performing his High-Priest duties for which he would be standing, not be sitting.

This enraged the crowd even more and they rushed upon him, drug him out of the city and began stoning him. This is not normal behavior for the Sanhedrin and they had not even declared a verdict on Stephen yet. Stephen should have been protected by the law. It had either already been decided by the jury to put Stephen out or emotion was allowed to rule over reason.

Stoning was to take place outside the city gates (Deut 17:2-7; Lev 24:14). The witnesses were to be the first to throw stones. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a man named Saul. Saul may have been a member of the Sanhedrin, though there is not enough information to really say, but he was present.

As they stoned him, Stephen cried out, "Lord Yeshua, receive my spirit. Do not hold this sin against them". Then he died. Stephen was the first martyr, to die for his faith in Yeshua and he learned how to face death from Yeshua himself. Both Judaism and Christianity honor their Martyrs, however, Martyrdom is neither a virtue or a goal.

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SpiritPsalmist · Sep 27, 2019

Saul Persecutes Messiah's Community
Act 8:1-3

Obviously, all the Chief Priests and Scribes were not accepting of the new believers nor did they accept that Yeshua was the Messiah scripture prophesied about and whom they were waiting for. There seems to have been no voting in judgment against Stephen (they rushed him) but it says that Saul was in agreement with Stephen's stoning.

Possibly, he was a member of the Sanhedrin and they were taking votes "as" they were killing Stephen. Perhaps, that's what all the cloaks being laid at Saul's feet meant...their vote for killing Stephen. It does not say. However, standing there, doing nothing tp stop the stoning is a response of agreement. If they were to take a vote, Saul would have voted Stephen guilty. After his death, some of Stephen's fellow believers buried him and mourned for him.

Apparently, that was a signal to all who disliked the new believers that it was okay to persecute them. The Sanhedrin got away with it, so why shouldn't they? It says "on that day" great persecution against the believers arose and except for the twelve, they scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.

Saul was leading the way. They would go from house to house just barging into people's houses and if they were Messianic Jews (Jews who believed Yeshua was Messiah), they would be dragged off and put into prison...men and women. It does not mention children, but they were either taken too or left without parents.

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SpiritPsalmist · Sep 28, 2019

The Gospel Spreads To Samaria
Act 8:4-25

As the people scattered they made use of their situation and proclaimed the news of Yeshua Messiah wherever they went, which was Samaria and they began preaching the gospel to the Jews there.

Phillip, one of the seven who had been appointed as "servers" to the congregation went down to the main city of Samaria. The crowds were paying close attention to Phillip because they heard his words and they also saw the signs and wonders he was doing. Unclean spirits were coming out of people and paralyzed and crippled were being healed. The people were quite joyful.

There was a man named Simon in Samaria who practiced sorcery and he entertained the people with his magic (This is not the sleight of hand that we see today, although some of that can be questionable). When the people heard and believed the gospel though, they stopped paying attention to Simon. The people were being immersed in water and were giving up their evil ways. It says that even Simon believed and was immersed and then Simon began to follow Phillip around. He was enthralled with the signs and wonders being done by Phillip. Signs and wonders that Simon had never seen.

When the twelve received the news about the gospel being spread in Samaria, they sent Peter and John to them to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. As Peter and John laid their hands on the people they were being filled with the Holy Spirit and Simon, watching closely, was in awe. He offered Peter and John money for them to give this power to him. Scripture says he believed the gospel too, so he had accepted that the gospel of Yeshua Messiah was truth, however, he had not repented of his handling of things that God had forbidden. The craving for "power" was still at work in him.

Peter was quite stern in his reply to Simon, "May your money rot along with you because you thought you could buy God's gift". Peter continued, "You have no part in this because your heart is not right with God, therefore, repent that the Lord may forgive the intent of your heart, for I see in you the poison of bitterness and the bondage of unrighteousness".

It does not say whether Simon actually repented or not, but it does show him asking Peter to pray for him that none of what Peter said would happen to him would happen. I'm not aware of any more information in scripture on this particular Simon. If he did repent to God then I'm sure he was forgiven and filled with the Holy Spirit, however, ministry wise, this Simon was not used in a manner that gave him any power of healing the sick, etc. Simon had a deep desire for "glory" and God will not share His glory with anyone. (Is 42:8)

After Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the gospel in many Samaritan cities as they went.

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SpiritPsalmist · Sep 29, 2019

Philip and The Ethiopian
Act 8:26-40

It says that "one day an angel of the Lord" spoke to Phillip and told him to go south on the road going down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This road is a desert road and it appears that Phillip did not even question it. It says he just got up and went. Oh to be so filled with the Holy Spirit that we know his voice and His word and don't question and test Him when He tells us to do something.

While walking down this road he saw a chariot with an Ethiopian eunuch. He was an official who was responsible for taking care of the treasure of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians. He was returning home from Jerusalem where he had traveled in order to worship God.

According to the Jewish New Testament Commentary he was of Jewish ancestry, however, due to the fact that he was a eunuch, he was not allowed to worship in the congregation (Deut 23:2) The fact that he had traveled so far to worship even though he was not allowed to, shows his devotion and his godliness. He had just not heard yet of Yeshua. His chariot was moving down the road as he was reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

The Holy Spirit told Phillip to catch up with the chariot, so Phillip took off running (a good reason to stay in shape

) to catch up with the chariot. The man was reading out loud so Phillip could hear from what he was reading. Phillip asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading"? The man's response was, "How can I unless someone guides me". The passage being read was from Is 53:7-8. This is one of the key Messianic prophesies pointing to Yeshua. (Is 52:11-53:12) The man asked Phillip, "is the Prophet talking about himself or someone else"? (Just because we read scripture over and over and over does not mean that we understand what it means) Phillip most likely got in the chariot with him and began to talk and from this scripture told the Good News about Yeshua.

As they were going down the road they came upon some water and the Ethiopian cried out, "Look, there is water, what is keeping me from being immersed?" He ordered the chariot to stop, both the Ethiopian and Phillip got down into the water and Phillip immersed him. It says when they came up out of the water that the Holy Spirit snatched Phillip away. The Ethiopian saw no more of Phillip but he went on his way rejoicing. I think I'd like to hear this event in detail when I meet Phillip too.

Now Phillip suddenly found himself at Azotus, and as he walked through he continued preaching the Good News of Yeshua Messiah to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. It was in Caesarea where appairently Phillip takes a wife and settles down and later we find a reference to him having four daughters who prophesied. (Act 21:8-9)

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SpiritPsalmist · Sep 30, 2019

The Calling of Saul
Act 9:1-9

Here we see Saul continuing his mission to arrest and/or kill all Jews who had accepted Yeshua as Messiah. He went to the Chief Priests and requested letters of introduction as to who he was and who he was looking for and that he had permission to arrest any that he found that were members of "The Way".

"The Way" was what the believers called themselves and comes from Gen 18:19. They considered themselves "Keepers of the Way of Adonai". (See also Act 19:9; Act 19:23; Act 22:4; and Act 24:14 where now being called Paul, he defends himself and the teachings of "The Way" saying, "I worship the God of our fathers and believe everything written in Torah and the Prophets". Other Jews referred to them as another Jewish School, or sect among many. Yeshua also referred to himself as, "The Way" (John 14:6)

As Saul was approaching Damascus suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me"? Saul replies, "Who are you, Lord?" The source of the voice identified himself as, "Yeshua, whom you are persecuting. Get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do."

The men traveling with Saul stood by speechless. They could hear a voice but could see no one. Similar to Moses meeting with God on Mt Sinai. The people could hear the rumblings of a voice but could not understand what was being said and all they saw was a mountain covered in smoke, and thunder and lightening. (Ex 19:1-25) Saul got up from the ground but could see nothing...he was blind.

The men with him led him by the hand and led him into Damascus. He was like this for three days and he did not eat or drink anything.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 1, 2019

Ananias
Act 10:10-22

There was a desciple in Damascus named Ananias...a different Anania from the one who had tried to lie to the Holy Spirit. He was a devout man to the Torah and highly respected by the Jewish community. (Act 12:12) There was nobody more credible than Ananias to send to a Torah zeolot like Saul. (Act 22:3; Gal 1:13-14)

Ananias heard the Lord call his name, "Ananias". He answered, "Here I am Lord" (Hineini in Hebrew) an answer that conveyed a ready and expectant submission to God. (Gen 22:1; Gen 22:11; Ex 3:4; 1 Sam 3:4-10; Is 6:8)

The Lord told him to "get up and go to Straight Street and go to the house of Judah and ask for Saul, of Tarsus. He is praying and in a vision has seen a man named Anania coming and laying hands on him to regain his sight".

Anananias expressed reservations over what the Lord had just told him. He said, "Lord, I've heard a lot obout this man from many and what he has done to Your Kkedoshim in Jerusalem":

Kedoshim is rooted in the word קָדַשׁ, Kadash, which means the act of setting apart, separating or consecrating something, someone or self. For example, if there is a group of people who have decided that they are going to jump over the edge of a cliff for the fun of it and I choose not to participate in their endeavor, I am setting myself apart, being separate from them in that matter. Or, if my friends and I go through In-N-Out drive through and get burgers, and I choose to save one of them for my wife at home, I am separating, setting apart or consecrating that one for her. When I set myself or an item apart for a separate purpose, direction or intended end, I am making myself or it "Kodesh", קֹדֶשׁ, the singular form of Kedoshim. ~Kedoshim.net~

"He has authority Lord to tie up all in this city who call on your name".

God does not demand uncomprehending obedience. when we are overwhelmed with fear. He calms our fears when we are humble and submit to Him. He makes us able to do what He's called us to do. Anyone can cay "Hineni" to God by agreeing that God speaks to us thruogh His word, the Bible, repents of his sins, accepts God's forgiveness through the shed blood of Yeshua Messiah as the atonement for sin, and offers themselves to God unconditionally in obedience to Him.

The Lord reassured Aninias with the answer, "Go for he is a 'chosen vessel' to carry my name before kings and nations (the pagans, the Gentiles, in Greek, Goyim). I will show you how much he must suffer for my name's sake":

"There was no distinctive design given to the chosen vessel. Its strength and beauty were known to the potter alone. The chosen vessel was the best work the potter could produce. It was handled differently — kept out of view. The potter knows the vessel will never bring him shame no matter where it might go. It’s the best his hands can make. Thus, he alone chooses the vessel.” “If God singles you out to be a chosen vessel, He will also provide you with a special grace. For, with the calling to be a chosen vessel comes the need for a stricter discipline and a more intense commitment than is required of other vessels. When God forges character, He cuts deeply. I have found that God’s intention is to take from our hearts everything that we love most. Everything we trust in, everything that might compete with God, must be chiseled away. Essentially they are concerned, loving, God-filled human beings who are available and touchable. Chosen vessels know they are clay.” ~Sam Sasser quoted in The Handmaiden~

If you can get your hands on the book The Potters Touch by Sam Sasser, I highly reccommend it.

I think Ananias must have been very perplexed. How can such a man as Saul of Tarsus, who was hunting down the believers and throwing thme into prison and murdering them be a "Chosen Vessel"?

Aninias got up and did as the Lord instructed him. He entered Judah's house, laid hands on Saul and calling him "brother" said, "Yeshua, the one who appeared to you on the road by which you were traveling has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit".

Immediately, something like scales from Sauls eyes and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was immersed. He ate and was strengthened. Saul stayed for several days with the disciples in Damascus. Immediately he started preaching in the Synogogues that Yeshua is The Son of God".

All those hearing him were amazed, "Isn't this the guy who has been creating havoc in Jerusalem for those who believe on the name"? But Saul kept growing stronger and he was confounding the non-believing Jewish people living in Damascus by proving that Yeshua is Messiah. Saul knew Torah and now he knew the Messiah of the Torah...Yeshua is who makes the difference for understanding Torah. Torah with Yeshua brings the Torah the interpretaion of life, without Yeshua, it brought death.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 2, 2019

Saul Escapes From Damascus
Act 9:23-25

Saul created an uproar wherever he went, before and after he came to know Yeshua. He was bold, he was blunt, and he defended his faith, whether he was right or wrong.

The change in him from being murderer of "The Way" to being "one of them" was dramatic. Where before his speeches used cripture to prove Yeshua was not Messiah, now he was using the scriptures to prove that Yeshua was the Son of God, Messiah. The Jews who had been following his escapades and relishing in them now were confounded to hear him defending the faith and proving that he had previously been wrong but how a voice from heaven came and he was blinded, his eyes had been opened and now he saw that he had been persecuting the one whom God had promised the Jewish people to save them from their sins.

Paul was in Damascus for quite some time. He spent lots of time with the other believers as those who previously feared him began to trust him. He studied the scriptures with his eyes newly opened to God's intent and his theology changed and he saw God's word through new eyes. It was the same scriptures but his understanding changed.

This did not impress the unbelieving Jews nor the Jewish leaders though. The crowds who had earlier followed him because they agreed with him, now sought to take his life. The Jewish leaders plotted how to kill him. They were watching the gates day and night in order to capture him and kill him for his betrayal. Paul got wind of it though.

Other believers who were Paul's friends and were also following him in his new faith obtained a basket, like the ones used to gather up the extra fish and bread when feeding the 5000. It was large enough and strong enough to hold a person. Paul escaped by climbing into the basket and his friends lowering him out and down to the ground on the outside of the city wall. Not very dignified for a man who had previously been held in such high esteem by the Jewish leaders.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 3, 2019

Saul Goes To Jerusalem
Act 9:26-31

According to his account in Galatians it was three years (Gal 1:18) between entering Damascus and escaping in a basket. The Book of Acts does not record his stint in Arabia as he recounts in Gal 1. The probability is Saul initially spent time in Damascus growing stronger in the faith and preaching in the synogogues, then went down to Arabia, later returning to Damascus where he stayed for three years until his escape in the basket. After these three years, he went up to Jerusalem.

When arriving in Jerusalem, Saul made attempts to join up with The Way but they were still afraid of him. Even after at least three years most still did not believe that Saul had come to know Yeshua. But then Barnabus took hold of him and led him to the Apostles. Barnabus described to them what had happened to Saul on the road to Damascus and how he now spoke boldly in the name of Yeshua.

Accprdomg tp Gal 1:18 he stayed with Peter for 15 days and then in Acts we see him being allowed to go in and out among The Way in Jerusalem, boldly speaking in the name of the Lord. He argued with the Hellenists but they were trying to kill him. When the brethren found this out they took Saul and took him up to Caesarea then on to Tarsus.

Like I mentioned in the previous post, Saul created havoc wherever he went. While his ways of understanding scripture were changing, he was still more like a tornado than a soft breeze. Pre-Yeshua he was a strict disciplinarian of Judaism, and he still had those tendency's in his newfound understanding. "The brothers sent Saul to Tarsus so that other aspects of his spiritual life could grow to match his zeal" (Jewish New Testament Commentary).

Only then did Messiah's Community enjoy peace and continue to grow throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. New believers continued to be added to the community.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 4, 2019

Aeneas Is Healed
Act 9:32-35

The last time we saw mention of Peter, Saul had gone to Jerusalem and had stayed with Peter for 15 days. Now we see Peter in Lydda to visit those in The Way.

While there he met a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. It does not say where this was if he was brought to a meeting where Peter would be or if he was on the street begging or what. All it records Peter as saying is, "Aeneas, Yeshua Messiah heals you. Get up and pick up your bed". Aeneas was obviously on a portable bed. Something with a slight portable frame or maybe just a mat with blankets. Either way, Aeneas got up.

"All who lived in Lydda and the Plain of Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord".

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 5, 2019

Tabitha Restored to Life
Act 9:36-43

Now in Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha. Tabitha is an Aramaic name and means gazelle. The Greek word for gazelle is Dorcus.

Tabitha was full of many good works and she gave a lot of handmade things to those in the community who were in need. One day Tabitha became ill and she died and after washing her in preparation for burial, she was placed in an upstairs room.

Since Joppa was near (14 miles) to where Peter was staying in Lydda, the disciples (other believers) in Joppa sent two men to go to Lydda and find Peter and tell him to "come quickly".

Peter went with them and when they got to the house, they took him to the upstairs room where Tabitha's body was. All the widows were crying and showing Peter all the clothing Tabitha had made for them while she was alive. Peter sent everyone from the room then got on his knees and prayed. After praying, he turned to her body and said, "Tabitha, get up". she opened her eyes and when she saw Peter she sat up. Peter extended his hand to her and stood her up. Peter then presented Tabitha alive, to all the mourners outside. (See 1 Kngs 17:18-23; Matt 9:23-26)

Regarding all the wailers being put out of the room (as in all the situations above) before the prayers were even done: I think this is due to all the wailing being a "faith killer" and distractor. It's difficult for a person to receive healing and even speak healing over others when all the voices around them are negative. So to all those who tend to be "realists' please stop the negative talk, especially to those who are trying to build up their faith. It's a downer. Choose to speak LIFE not death. While we cannot deny what is happening we can deny it's right to be there and its power over us and others.

What had happened with Tabitha became known through all of Joppa and many came to know the Lord because of it. Peter stayed in Joppa many days and stayed with a man named Simon, who was a tanner, a man who worked with leather.

The profession of tanning pretty much insured that you stank...and your house stank. Peter was a "good ol' boy", The Hebrew slang for it is "amcha"..."Your kind of people" and he had no problem staying with Simon, the tanner.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 6, 2019

Cornelius
Act 10:1-8

In Caesarea there was a centurion named Cornelius, he was part of the Italian Cohort. By the Jews, Cornelius was called a "God-fearer", along with his entire household. He generously gave tzedakah to those in the community and prayed to the Jewish God continually. Basically, he had attached himself and his household to Judaism but for whatever reason did not totally convert, which would require circumcision and public proselyte immersion.

One day during his afternoon prayers he had a vision of an angel coming to him and calling his name, "Cornelius"! This frightened him, he replied, "Yes Lord, what is it"? The angel replied, "Your prayers and tzedakah have gone up as a memorial offering before God".

The Jewish daily prayers consist of many different prayers and acknowledgements toward God. I've heard some, from churches that do not have these types of prayers and offerings refer to them as "vain repetition". However, in this section of events, we see that that is not how God viewed the prayers of Cornelious. Yes, he most likely was repeating the same prayers as everyone else, however, his heart was in it. He was not just "filling space" with his words with his mind thinking about what he was going to do when he got off work for the day. He meant what he was saying and God said it was going up as a memorial to HIM. A prayer and an offering from the heart is not a "vain repetition". We are responsible for judging our own heart on this issue, not anyone else's.

The angel continues, "Send some men to Joppa and look for a man named Simon also called Peter". Simon Peter is actually a Greek name, not what his friends called him. In Hebrew it would have been Shim'on, also called Kefa. "He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea".

When the angel had finished speaking and left, Cornelious called two of his servants and one of the soldiers under his command. He explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa to find Peter.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 7, 2019

Peters Vision
Act 10:9-17

The next day Peter goes to the top of Simon the tanner's house to pray. He began to feel hungry and wanted something to eat. While the servants were preparing something to eat, Peter continued to pray and he fell into a trance. A vision brought about by God. A vision is basically a dream but the person is awake, not asleep.

Dreams and visions are often used by God to convey a message to us. Sometimes they are based in "reality" type ways and often they use events and items as symbols..such as Jacob's ladder in Gen 28:10-22; Joseph's dreams about "sheaves bowing down, and the sun, moon, and stars bowing to him (Gen 37:1-11). Some are direct such as with Miriam (Mary) and Joseph when God gave Joseph a dream telling him to not be afraid to take Miriam as his wife (Matt 1:18-22) or an angel warning Joseph to go a different route to protect Yeshua (Matt 2:12).

One big thing about dreams and visions to know is that when it's from God, the bottom-line message will NEVER be for you to do something that God forbids...such as, God will never be trying to tell you that you are to marry someone else's spouse because God forbids adultery. God will never be trying to tell you to steal someone's car, because God forbids stealing, etc.. You may have a dream or vision where a voice may tell you to do something God forbids but the conclusion should never be that God has changed His mind on His written word. It's your job to work through it, not just do what a "voice" says. If what the voice says coincides with God's written word, then by all means, do it, otherwise, stay perplexed until you understand it. It's important to know your Bible...your whole Bible. You can't be led astray that way.

So, on to Peter's vision. He saw heaven open up and a large sheet was lowered to the ground by its four corners (like a pick-nick blanket). On it was all kinds of four-footed animals, crawling creatures, and wild birds. Then a voice came and said, "Get up Kefa, kill and eat". Kefa replied, "No sir! Absolutely not! I have never eaten food that is unclean or treif". The voice came again, "Stop treating as unclean what God has made clean". This happened three times, and then the sheet was immediately taken back up into heaven.

Peter is totally baffled. God is the one who made the rules on what they were allowed and not allowed to eat. (Lev 11). God is the One who said that He does not change His mind" (Num 23:19; Mal 3:6) Yeshua had said that the did not come to destroy the law (Matt 5:17) but to fulfill it. Peter knew that God would not be telling him to do something that God Himself had forbidden. He was completely perplexed as to the meaning when he heard the men that Cornelious sent calling for him outside the house. He didn't understand what the dream meant but he was about to find out.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 8, 2019

Peter's Invitation From Cornelious
Act 10:18-23a

Question:What did Jewish people think about Gentiles in Jesus day? Answer: In general. The Jewish people thought of them as "unclean", would not go to one of their homes and would not intermarry with them.Traditionalist and Orthodox Jews (Jews who adhere to both Torah and Talmudic Law) are not supposed to touch or interact with Gentiles. Coming into contact with a Gentile is as unclean as coming into contact with urine or feces. ~Answers com~

So Peter is up on the roof of the house (the view was probably similar to this) he is staying at and he hears people calling for him. "Is this where Shim'on also known as Kefa is staying? Peter, still pondering over his vision heard the Spirit tell him, "Look, three men are looking for you. When you get up you must go down and go with them, because I have sent them". Peter went down and saw the men and told them, "I am the one you are looking for, why are you here?

Looking at them Peter could see they were Gentiles. Two servants and a Roman guard were most likely not the usual sorts of people strolling through that neighborhood. They explained to Peter, "Cornelious, a Centurian who is a righteous man and a God-fearer, who is well spoken of by all the Jewish people was directed by a holy angel to come to get you and bring you to his house and we are to hear what you have to say". Peter invited them into the house and entertained them as guests for the night.

So Peter has a vision where a voice tells him to, "Stop calling 'unclean' the things that God has made clean", then the Spirit tells him "go with the men looking for you", then he answers the door and there are three people standing there that according to him, as a Jew, are "unclean". What was he to think? He obed what the Holy Spirit had told him though, he invited them in and he was a gracious host. He gave them food and a place to sleep for the night. The dots of the vision were beginning to connect.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 9, 2019

Peter Visits Cornelious
Act 10:23b-33

The next day, Peter got up and went with the men that Cornelious had sent. Several other of the brethren from Joppa went with them. It was the day after that, they entered Caesarea. It was about a day's journey. It does not say if they stopped and stayed the night somewhere or if they traveled straight through.

Cornelious was waiting for them. He had gathered together all his relatives and close friends for when Peter would arrive. Cornelious met him at the door and fell prostrate at his feet. Peter quickly pulled him up and said, "Stop, I am just a man". I think that Cornelious felt such great honor at having a man like Peter come to his home. As a God-fearer, his home was up to par for Jewish guests and ossibly Peter was the first Jew to ever visit his home. Plus, other Jewish brothers had come with him.

The Jewish New Testament says that Cornelious falling at Peter's feet was an act of honor not "worship". Cornelious, being a God-fearer would have known that worshipping Peter would be idolatry. Peter's reaction was likely a misunderstanding based on pre-conceived ideas as to what "Gentiles" do. The fisherman from Galil had probably never had someone honor him in such a manner.

Peter walked futher into the house and found many people gathered. He said to them, "you know, it's not permitted for any Jewish man to be here...to associate with or visit with a foreigner. However, God has shown me that I should not call anyone unclean. (There's the interpretation of the vision

) So I came without objection when I was called for. What is the reason that you have sent for me"

Peter's words were chosen carefully. The usual word for Gentile used in the NT is ethnos. Possibly being it would be on the same level as David's "Uncircumcised Philistine". See 1 Sam 17:26. (Just my opinion ) Instead he uses the wprd ἀλλοφύλῳ and this is the only time in the NT it is ued. Nothing in Jewish law itself says that Gentiles re unclean although many of their practices and products were regarded as ritually impure and were forbidden to Jews. In the Mishna it says, "The dwelling-places of Gentiles [literally, "Canaanites," meaning, Gentiles in the Land of Israel] are ritually unclean." (Ohalot 18:7) Since Jewish law had made Gentile products and practices unlawful then it would be a normal reaction to extend "unclean" to the people themselves. However, God NEVER said the people were "unclean". It took a direct intervention from God to shake Peter of this idea of people being "unclean". The vision had nothing whatsoever to do with kashrut laws.

Cornelious replied, "Four days ago while I was praying minchah in my house and a man in shining clothes stood before me and told me my prayers and tzedakah were remembered before God. He told me to send to Joppa for Shim'on aka Kefa. He's staying in the house of Shim'on the tanner, by the sea. So, I sent for you immediately and you have been kind enough to come. We are all here now to hear what you have been commanded by the Lord."

LOL It does not show that God prepared Peter for any speech. Peter had no clue what was going on. But here he was, and there they were. It does not say how many were gathered, but there was a room full, and they were all waiting expectantly, to hear what Peter had to say.

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SpiritPsalmist · Oct 10, 2019

Peter's Teaching At Cornelius' House
Act 10:34-43

Peter begins speaking to those gathered at the house of Cornelius. Paraphrased, he says, "I understand that God is not partial to anyone. (Deut 10:17; 2 Chr 19:7; Mrk 12:14) He does not play favorites. For everyone from every nation who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable before Him. You are aware of the message sent to the nation of Israel declaring peace through Yeshua Messiah. He is Lord of all.

Judaism has compatible teaching. Among the nations there are righteous people who have a "share in the world to come" (Tosefta, Sanhedrin 13:2) Righteousness for Gentiles is often defined as keeping the seven Noahide laws. (Act 15:20)

You are aware of the message that has spread throughout all Judea beginning with Yeshua's baptism. How God anointed Yeshua of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by demons. God was with him.

We are eye-witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and Jerusalem. They put him to death by crucifixion, but God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen, not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses who were chosen by God. We ate and drank with him after he was raised from the dead.

He commanded us to testify to the people that he's the one ordained by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him, that everyone who believes in Him takes the forgiveness of sins through His name" (Is 33:24; Jer 31:33; Dan 9:24)

The points of Peter's sermon is:

Yeshua is sent by God and is still alive.
He will be the final judge of all human beings.
The Tanakh (what Christians call the Old Testament) points to him.
Because of who he is and what he did on the cross in the shedding of his blood for our sins, those who trust in his mercy will be forgiven of their sins in his name.

Comments and Questions

SpiritPsalmist · Oct 11, 2019

Non-Jews Trust in Yeshua and Receive The Holy Spirit
Act 10:44-48

The name Messianic refers to Jews who believe that Yeshua is Messiah and that his shed blood on the cross covers their sins. As a non-Jew, those who believe on the namd of Yeshua Messiah are connected to the Jews by Yeshua, the vine.

Jon 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for apart from Me, you can do nothing". The branches is Israel, and as Paul pointed out in Rom 11:17, the non-Jew who puts their faith and trust in Yeshua Messiah is grafted into that vine. As a believer in Yeshua, the non-Jew becomes a partaker in all that is promised to Israel.

At this point, other than a proselyte, the believing brethren had never seen any Gentiles come to faith in Yeshua. While there were "God-fearers" like Cornelious and his household they did not understand "yet", that God's plan included the Gentile who joined themself with the Messiah of Israel.

Peter was just as stunned as the other brothers with him when the Holy Spirit interrupted Perter's sermon and fell on all those in the room. How could this be? These people were not even proselytes to Judaism. But Peter and those with him could not deny what they were witnessing.

Circumcised Believers or Believers of the Circumcision: The Jewish New Testament Commentary says this could be reference to either believers who were circumcised, which as far as I can tell at that point was every believing male they knew of (God-fearers were not circumcised), or a faction within the believers who were of the opinion that one "must" be circumcised in order to be a true believer. Just as today, we have many differing beliefs within our congregations and that does not make them any less of a person, just if what they belief is not the same opinion as Gods then they are wrong. LOL According to Gal 5:5-6 those who believed one must be circumcised, were incorrect. Circumcision is not bad, but if the person is getting circumcised thinking that it makes them more righteous, they are trusting in that circumcision instead of Yeshua. We are made righteous by faith and trust in Yeshua and what he did for us on the cross, not by circumcision,, or any other religious activity.

They were amazed that the Holy Spirit had fallen on these "uncircumcised heathens" but they heard them speaking in tongues and glorifying God. Then Peter said, "is there any reason why we should deny immersion for these people who have taken the Holy Spirit just as we did?"(my paraphrase of course

) They would not normally have immersed "heathen" but God had shown them through the filling of the Holy Spirit that these "God-fearers" were one in Messiah with them and should be accepted into the Messianic Community with the symbolism of immersion.

It does not say where this immersion took place but Peter and the brethren immersed (baptized) these new Messianic believers into the faith. Their faith to believe on Yeshua came as they heard (Rom 10:17), they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they were immersed in water.

Then they asked Peter if he would stay with them for awhile.

Comments and Questions

SpiritPsalmist · Oct 13, 2019

Peter's Congregational Report In Jerusalem
Act 11:1-18

The report of the Gentiles receiving the Word of God unto salvation spread throughout all Judea. When Peter got back to Jerusalem he was approached by the Brethren of the Circumcision and instead of rejoicing with him over God giving the gift of salvation to the Gentiles too they got onto him for entering a Gentile's house and eating with them. Now I note again that Cornelius and his household were "God-fearers". They were everything Jewish but the men being circumcised. The food, other than the fact that Cornelius was Gentile, was perfectly acceptable for Peter to eat, however, according to Jewish tradition, if the people were Gentile, they were unclean and everything in their house was unclean too. Traditions can be good and beneficial but some can be constraining and not of God at all. Many Christian churches have non-Biblical traditions too.

Peter went point by point on his vision and what God had said and how he flatly refused to "eat" anything unclean. Then he explained how the Spirit told him to accompany three men that were going to be knocking on his door and that he was to accompany them and not to make any distinction (not to see them as any different from himself) regarding them. The fact they were Gentiles was not to play any part in Peter's opinion of them. God had shown Peter by the vision that the Gospel was given to the Gentiles too and they were not to be treated any differently than their fellow Jews. The Gentile people were not to be referred to as "unclean" anymore. They were fellow partakers in the same Yeshua, the same body, the same Holy Spirit, the same hope. (Eph 4:4)

Peter explained that he had just begun preaching at the home of Cornelious when the Holy Spirit fell on everyone there just like it had on them. The six brothers that had accompanied Peter were witnesses to all that happened and they understood what happened as being from God. Peter said, "Who was I to hinder God".

When the brethren coming against Peter heard everything Peter had to say they remained silent. Note that they gave him a chance to explain. They did not just rail on him then throw him out. After they heard him out then they began to glorify God saying, "So then, God also gave the heathens repentance that leads to life". :clap:

Everybody knew that Peter was just as Torah observant as they all were and that is why God chose Peter for this vision and this mission. They knew that God's hand must have been in what had taken place. Had a less-Torah observant Jew had the vision the strict observant would more than likely have dismissed him as being self-serving or antimonian...just as Saul was falsely accused of in Act 21:21and Rom 3:8.

The opinions of the religious today have totally turned. Just as the religious Jews who had received God's word and Yeshua and the Holy Spirit thought that one had to convert to Judaism first and then be circumcised in order to be saved, today many think that the Jew must give up all things Jewish and take on the way that Christianity does things. There are ministries who act just like the Brethren of the Circumcision that do nothing more than criticize and tear down the Messianic Movement (it's not a denomination) and make up silly reasonings and meanings as to why the Messianics do this and that and they make things that God Himself set up as evil...becoming gossipers and slanderers. It needs to stop. Both sides are incorrect in trying to force the other to adhere to things the Holy Spirit has not yet directed them. Those who do such "ministry' are doing more harm than good.

Rejoice, all who accept what Yeshua did on the cross for us and have repented (turning and walking in the opposite direction) have been given "repentance unto life". :bow:

Comments and Questions

SpiritPsalmist · Oct 14, 2019

Discipling In Diaspora
Act 11:19-26

Now the scripture begins talking about all the believers who had scattered to other places because of persecution. At this time now, they are not just in the immediate surrounding areas but they have spread further out...Phoenicia (435 miles from Jerusalem), Cyprus (293 miles from Jerusalem), and Antioch (562 miles from Jerusalem). The scripture notes that the believers who had fled to Antioch were speaking the Word of Yeshua Messiah to no one other than Jews. Yeshua as Messiah was not particularly important to non-Jews because the concept of Messiah meant nothing to them.

There were some men though from Cyprus and Cyrene who when they entered Antioch they immediately went to the Hellenists and preached the Good News of the Lord Yeshua to them. The Lord was with them and a great number of Hellenists turned to the Lord.

Yeshua was announced to Gentiles as Lord. An authority figure who was the final judge of humanity and through whom if they have faith comes forgiveness and incorporation with God's people (Act 13:12; 48-49; 14:3; 15:35-36; 16:14-15; 31-32; 17:24; 19:10).

Later, after they had been taught about Yeshua's role as the Jewish King of the Jewish nation to whom they had joinned themselves by their trust (Rom 11:17-24), they could be expected to understand communications about him as the Messiah. (Act 15:26; 20:21) ~The Jewish New Testament Commentary~

The news of all that was happening reached Jerusalem and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. He was filled with joy when he arrived in Antioch and saw what God was doing. He encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in complete devotion. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith and a large number of new believers were added to the Lord.

Then Barmabas left for Tarsus to look for Saul and when he had found him he brought him back to Antioch. For a year they met together with Messiah's community and taught many people.

Now it was in Antioch that the disciples were called, "Messianic" or "Christiano".

"Messianic," or "Messianics," Greek Ckristianoi, which could also be rendered, "Messiah people" or, as in other translations, "Christians." I think the name "Christianor was applied to Gentile believers by Gentile nonbelievers. Why? Because Jewish believers would have designated their Gentile brothers in faith by the same term they used for themselves, "people belonging to the Way" (see 9:2&N); while the Jewish nonbelievers of Antioch wouldn't have thought enough about Gentile believers in Yeshua to have given them a special name. Probably the Gentiles of Antioch kept hearing about Christos ("Christ"); and being unacquainted with the Jewish notion of "Messiah" (see vv. 2O-23N, Mt 1:1N), they designated Yeshua's followers by what they supposed was their leader's name. In all likelihood the term was deprecatory, like "Moonies" in referring to the disciples of Sun Myung Moon. But in time Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua learned to bear proudly the name that began as an epithet (I Ke 4M6&N; see also 26:28&N). The name nonbelieving Jews gave to Jewish believers was "Natzratim" or "Notzrim" ("Nazarenes"), that is, followers of the man from Natzeret ("Nazareth"); the word in modern Hebrew for "Christians" remains "Notzrim" (see 24:5&N, Mt 2:23&N). Cont @~Jewish New Testament Commentary~

Comments and Questions

Happy Sukkot to all my readers who celebrate it.

SpiritPsalmist · Oct 15, 2019

Sending Relief to Those in Need
Act 11:27-29

During all these events some Prophets came down from Jerusalem. One of them named Agabus (Acts 21:10), prophesied thruogh the Spirit that there would be a great famine throughout the world. As a result of this prophesy the beelievers began to gather food, clothing, and whatever else was needed to send to those who would need it. They each promised that as they prospered they would send the increase to the brethren in need.

This famine happened in the time of Claudius. It does not say how long it took to do all this but when it was all gathered, everything was sent by the hands of Barnabus and Saul. (Gal 1:18-2:1)

Comments and Questions

SpiritPsalmist · Oct 17, 2019

Herod's Violence Against Yeshua's Congregation
Act 12:1-5

There came a time when Herod rose up against the Messianic community in order to do them harm. Ya'akov, the brother of John was captured and put to death by the sword. Ya'akov is his Hebrew name, what his mama called him, and translated as Jacob from the Greek name Iakōbos, which many Bible translations have rendered as James.

John Wycliffe was an early advocate for translation of the bible into the common language. (which wouldn't be so common to us today) He and his associates translated directly from the Vulgate. This work was started in 1382 and completed (with revisions) in 1388. The Vulgate is a fourth century Latin translation of the bible that was commissioned to unify all other existing writings and/or translations! It seems that Mr. Wycliffe (and many others) didn't see a need to properly translate the name “Jacob” and just used the Latin interpretation. There also seems to be an attempt to distance the New Testament from any Hebrew or Aramaic influence. (not necessarily by Mr. Wycliffe) When the bible was translated into Latin, the name “Iacobos” became transliterated into “Iacobus” and late Latin turned that into “Iacomus” the b and the m being somewhat similar in sound. (in nasal languages) The early French version of this Latin name became the shortened “Gemmes” which then traveled into the English speaking world as James. When the bible was translated into English, the translators shortened the Greek names into the versions we know now: Paulos became Paul, Petros became Peter and the name Iacobos didn't become Jacob, it became James, and this while King James VI of Scotland ordered in 1604, “a translation to be made of the whole bible, as close as possible to the original Hebrew and Greek.” The name James doesn't mean anything, but it came from the name Jacob, which means “supplanter.” This is just another instance where man has intervened to change the truth. This situation is minor, but where else has man changed the truth of the bible? Unfortunately, in many places! ~Study Bible Question and Answer~

Seeing that putting Jacob to death pleased the Judean leaders Herod then captured Kefa (Peter) and put him in prison. Herod wanted to wait until after Passover before he brought Peter before the people. His plan was to kill him too. In prison he was guarded by four squads with four soldiers each.

While Peter was being kept in prison, there was fervent prayer to God being made by the congregation on behalf of Peter.

Comments and Questions

Teaching (no posting) The Acts of The Apostles

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