Reference: Paul The Apostle
Hastings
PAUL THE APOSTLE
i. The Authorities.
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But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while.
ran him outside of the city, and began to stone him to death. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
ran him outside of the city, and began to stone him to death. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Now Saul heartily approved of putting Stephen to death. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except for the apostles was scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.
Meanwhile, still spewing death threats against the Lord's disciples, Saul went to the high priest.
As Saul traveled along and was approaching Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him.
Meanwhile, the men who were traveling with Saul were standing speechless, for they heard the voice but didn't see anyone.
The Lord told him, "Get up, go to the street called Straight, and in the home of Judas look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. At this very moment he's praying.
But the Lord told him, "Go, because he's my chosen instrument to carry my name to unbelievers, to their kings, and to the descendants of Israel.
He immediately started to preach about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "This is the Son of God."
Barnabas, however, introduced Saul to the apostles, telling them how on the road Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how courageously he had spoken in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
When the brothers found out about the plot, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.
Now the people who were scattered by the persecution that started because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
When he found him, he brought him to Antioch, and for a whole year they were guests of the church and taught many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
by sending it through Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, bringing with them John who was also called Mark.
Now Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen, who grew up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch.
Now Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen, who grew up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch.
After they had been sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus.
They went through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish occult practitioner and false prophet named Bar-jesus.
"Men, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings with natures like yours. We are telling you the good news so you'll turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to the grace of God for the work they had completed.
Then some men came down from Judea and started to teach the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the Law of Moses, you can't be saved." Paul and Barnabas had quite a dispute and argument with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and elders about this question. read more. They were sent on their way by the church, and as they were going through Phoenicia and Samaria they told of the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done through them. But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The gentiles must be circumcised and ordered to keep the Law of Moses." So the apostles and the elders met to look into this claim. After a lengthy debate, Peter stood up and told them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days, God chose me to be the one among you through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe.
After a lengthy debate, Peter stood up and told them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days, God chose me to be the one among you through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows everyone's heart, showed them he approved by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. read more. He made no distinction between them and us, because of their faith-cleansed hearts. So why do you test God by putting on the disciples' neck a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we could carry? We certainly believe that it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, that we are saved, just as they are." The whole crowd was silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the gentiles. After Paul and Barnabas had finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me: Simeon has explained how God first showed his concern for the gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, ""After this, I will come back and set up David's fallen tent again. I will restore its ruined places and set it up again so that the rest of the people may search for the Lord, including all the gentiles who are called by my name,' declares the Lord. "He is the one who has been doing these things that have been known from long ago.' "Therefore, I have decided that we should not trouble these gentiles who are turning to God. Instead, we should write to them to keep away from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from anything strangled, and from blood. After all, Moses has had people to proclaim him in every city for generations, and on every Sabbath his books are read aloud in the synagogues." Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers. They wrote this letter for them to deliver: "From: The apostles and the elders, your brothers To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings. We have heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you and have unsettled you. So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements: to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you avoid these things, you will do well. Goodbye."
A few days later, Paul told Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they're doing."
During the night Paul had a vision. A man from Macedonia was standing there and pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!"
and from there to Philippi, an important city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We were in this city for several days.
and are advocating customs that we're not allowed to accept or practice as Romans."
But Paul told the guards, "The magistrates have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out."
As usual, Paul entered there and on three Sabbaths discussed the Scriptures with them.
So Paul stood up in front of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way.
So Paul stood up in front of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way.
and because they had the same trade he stayed with them. They worked together because they were tentmakers by trade.
When he arrived in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem, greeted the church there, and then returned to Antioch.
"Now I know that none of you among whom I traveled preaching about the kingdom will ever see my face again.
I never desired anyone's silver, gold, or clothes.
Paul replied, "I'm a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people." The tribune gave him permission, and Paul, standing on the steps, motioned for the people to be silent. When everyone had quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language:
When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet, and he continued: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today.
as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. I also received letters from them to the brothers in Damascus, and I was going there to tie up those who were there and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.
"I answered, "Who are you, Lord?' "He told me, "I'm Jesus from Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' The men who were with me saw the light but didn't understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
"Then I returned to Jerusalem. While I was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance
"Then he told me, "Go, because I'll send you far away to the gentiles.'"
But when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't been condemned?"
Paul looked straight at the Council and said, "Brothers, with a clear conscience I have done my duty before God up to this very day."
When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected."
When Paul saw that some of them were Sadducees and others were Pharisees, he shouted in the Council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I'm on trial concerning the hope that the dead will be resurrected."
But the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, so he came and got into the barracks and told Paul.
All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem.
All the Jews know how I lived from the earliest days of my youth with my own people and in Jerusalem. They have known for a long time, if they would but testify to it, that I lived as a Pharisee, adhering to the standards of our strictest religious party.
That is what I did in Jerusalem. I received authority from the high priests and locked many of the saints in prison. And when I cast my vote against them, they were put to death.
"That is how I happened to be traveling to Damascus with authority based on a commission from the high priests.
I'll continue to rescue you from your people and from the gentiles to whom I'm sending you.
For two whole years Paul lived in his own rented place and welcomed everyone who came to him.
From: Paul, a servant of Jesus the Messiah, called to be an apostle and set apart for God's gospel,
Through him we received grace and a commission as an apostle to bring about faithful obedience among all the gentiles for the sake of his name.
First of all, I thank my God through Jesus the Messiah for all of you, because the news about your faith is being reported throughout the world.
for I could wish that I myself were condemned and cut off from the Messiah for the sake of my brothers, my own people,
Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God about the Jews is that they would be saved.
So I ask, "God has not rejected his people, has he?" Of course not! I am an Israeli myself, a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin.
So I ask, "God has not rejected his people, has he?" Of course not! I am an Israeli myself, a descendant of Abraham from the tribe of Benjamin.
I am speaking to you gentiles. Because I am an apostle to the gentiles, I magnify my ministry
Again he says, "Rejoice, you gentiles, with his people!"
to be a minister of the Messiah Jesus to the gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering brought by gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Now that I am on my way to Spain, I hope to see you when I come your way and, after I have enjoyed your company for a while, to be sent on by you.
So when I have completed this task and have put my seal on this contribution of theirs, I will visit you on my way to Spain.
I wrote to you in my letter to stop associating with people who are sexually immoral
I am free, am I not? I am an apostle, am I not? I have seen Jesus our Lord, haven't I? You are the result of my work in the Lord, aren't you?
I am free, am I not? I am an apostle, am I not? I have seen Jesus our Lord, haven't I? You are the result of my work in the Lord, aren't you?
I am free, am I not? I am an apostle, am I not? I have seen Jesus our Lord, haven't I? You are the result of my work in the Lord, aren't you?
But I have not used any of these rights, and I'm not writing this so that they may be applied in my case. I would rather die than let anyone deprive me of my reason for boasting.
and finally he was seen by me, as though I were born abnormally late.
and finally he was seen by me, as though I were born abnormally late. For I am the least of the apostles and not even fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted God's church.
We want you to know, brothers, about God's grace that was given to the churches of Macedonia.
When I was with you and needed something, I did not bother any of you, because our brothers who came from Macedonia supplied everything I needed. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and I will continue to do so.
Five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one.
In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me,
To keep me from becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a thorn was given to me and placed in my body. It was Satan's messenger to keep on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited.
From: Paul an apostle not sent from men or by a man, but by Jesus the Messiah, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead
For I did not receive it from a man, nor was I taught it, but it was revealed to me by Jesus the Messiah.
I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries, because I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.
nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia and then came back to Damascus.
nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia and then came back to Damascus.
nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia and then came back to Damascus. Then three years later, I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.
Then fourteen years later, I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus with me.
In fact, they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly wrong.
You know that it was because I was ill that I brought you the gospel the first time.
That is why you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household,
To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given so that I might proclaim to the gentiles the immeasurable wealth of the Messiah
Indeed, I cannot decide between the two. I have the desire to leave this life and be with the Messiah, for that is far better.
The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel,
Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in the Messiah Jesus:
Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee.
Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee.
Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee.
Having been circumcised on the eighth day, I am of the nation of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. As far as the Law is concerned, I was a Pharisee.
But whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of the Messiah.
You Philippians also know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church participated with me in the matter of giving and receiving except for you.
From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.
In him are stored all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
From you the word of the Lord has spread out not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place where your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything about it. For people keep telling us what kind of welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve a living and true God
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time.
Brothers, you remember our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in union with the Messiah Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as they did from those Jews
That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way.
Therefore, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to remain alone in Athens
But we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve like other people who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so through Jesus God will bring those who have died with him. read more. For we declare to you what the Lord has told us to say: We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have died. With a shout of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of God's trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. So then, encourage one another with these words.
not to be so quickly upset or alarmed when someone claims that we said, either by some spirit, conversation, or letter that the Day of the Lord has already come.
We did not eat anyone's food without paying for it. Instead, with toil and labor we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to any of you.
I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine. It is the way I write.
They will try to stop people from marrying and from eating certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
Therefore, I want younger widows to remarry, have children, manage their homes, and not give the enemy any chance to ridicule them.
Stop drinking only water, but use a little wine for your stomach because of your frequent illnesses.
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.
I constantly thank my God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did when I remember you in my prayers night and day,
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first existed in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced that this faith also exists in you.
Therefore, never be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God's power, join me in suffering for the sake of the gospel.
You know that everyone in Asia has abandoned me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, for he often took care of me and was not ashamed that I was a prisoner. read more. Instead, when he arrived in Rome he searched diligently for me and found me. May the Lord grant that he finds mercy on the day he comes again. You know very well how much he assisted me in Ephesus.
and how I was persecuted and suffered in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures that are able to give you the wisdom you need for salvation through faith in the Messiah Jesus.
Do your best to come to me soon, because Demas, having fallen in love with this present world, has abandoned me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. read more. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful in my ministry. I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the coat I left with Carpus in Troas, as well as the scrolls and especially the parchments. Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will pay him back for what he did. You, too, must watch out for him, for he violently opposed our message. At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them!
At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles could hear it. I was rescued out of a lion's mouth. read more. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will take me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory belongs to him forever and ever! Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus in Miletus because he was sick. Do your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with all of you! Amen.
They must be silenced, because they are the kind of people who ruin whole families by teaching what they should not teach in order to make money in a shameful way.
and not pay attention to Jewish myths or commands given by people who reject the truth.
Always set an example for others by doing good actions. Teach with integrity and dignity.
22Meanwhile, prepare a guest room for me, too, for I am hoping through your prayers to be returned to you.