Act 6:1

Act 6: “In Act 6 is revealed: The First Organisation (vv 1-7). It is important that ecclesias be established in the principles of ‘decency and order,’ so that the greatest good is elevated in the minds and hearts of each member. The First Martyr is revealed in v 8, for Stephen faced the false accusation of his fellows (vv 8-11). Stephen is arrested and charged (vv 12-15) as a result of the evil reports arousing the feelings of the people, exciting them to arrest Stephen. There is to be a reflection of the trials and death of the Lord Jesus in his servant Stephen” (GEM).

Background: Converts to Christianity would certainly be denied any form of public support — to which their fellow-Jews might be entitled.

WHEN THE NUMBER OF DISCIPLES WAS INCREASING: Cp the situation of the persecuted Jews in Egypt: Exo 1:7,20.

Complaining: the first symptom of any loss of unanimous goodwill (Act 4:32).

GRECIAN JEWS: Jews who spoke Greek.

HEBRAIC JEWS: Jews who spoke Hebrew (cp Phi 3:5; 2Co 11:22).

THEIR WIDOWS: The “enrolled” widows: Act 9:41; 1Ti 5:3,9-11,16.

WERE BEING OVERLOOKED: Poss the language barriers contributed to the problem.

Act 6:2

// Jethro’s advice to Moses — “Delegate”: Exo 18:13-26.

TO WAIT ON TABLES: The seven, and those whom they supervised (v 3n), were taking upon themselves the “form of servants” (cp Phi 2:7,8).

Act 6:3

FULL OF THE SPIRIT AND WISDOM: No definite article; should be “full of spirit and wisdom” — ie, energetic and wise.

WE WILL TURN THE RESPONSIBILITY OVER TO THEM: Even the seven were in supervisory roles.

Act 6:5

The first ecclesially-sponsored charitable organization.

Men of Hellenistic names. (Not decisive, however, since some Hebrews had Greek names: Nicodemus, Didymus.)

Act 6:6

WHO PRAYED AND LAID HANDS ON THEM: See Lesson, Laying on of hands. They receive the gift of “administration” (1Co 12:28).

Act 6:7

THE NUMBER OF DISCIPLES IN JERUSALEM INCREASED RAPIDLY: Implying there were believers outside of Jerusalem as well.

A LARGE NUMBER OF PRIESTS: First major inroad into ranks of Jewish authority: “For the lips of a priest OUGHT TO preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men SHOULD seek instruction” (Mal 2:7).

Act 6:9

FREEDMEN: AV has the rather misleading “Libertines”.

CILICIA: Perhaps including Saul of Tarsus (a city of Cilicia).

Act 6:10

THE SPIRIT BY WHOM HE SPOKE: The power of speech for defense was promised to the apostles (Mat 10:19) and the disciples in general (Act 6:10; Luk 12:11,12).

Act 6:11

PERSUADED: “Hupoballo” = to put under — ie to substitute. Once in NT. RSV has “secretly instigated”; AV has “suborned”: suggesting false accusations — as against Christ — insinuation, innuendo.

AGAINST MOSES AND AGAINST GOD: In their zeal for the Law, they put Moses ahead of God.

Act 6:13

FALSE WITNESSES: Cp Mat 26:59-61; Mar 14:55-59.

Vv 13,14: They charge Stephen with speaking against the Temple and the Law. In answer to these charges, Stephen (in Acts 7) will demonstrate: (1) true worship of the One God is independent of place or ancestry, and (2) the true blasphemers are his accusers, who rejected God and crucified His Son.

Act 6:14

JESUS WILL DESTROY THIS PLACE: Cp the charges against Jeremiah (Jer 26:4-11).

Act 6:15

FACE OF AN ANGEL: Bright as the face of Moses had been (Exo 34:30). Stephen was a doomed man before he opened his mouth to defend himself, but the Sanhedrin was being given a divine warning — in the brightness of his countenance. (This explains also Stephen’s early ref to the “God of GLORY”: Act 7:2.)

Act 7:1

Acts 7: The main point of Stephen’s defense:

• God works in other lands: vv 2,9,10,11-16, 34,36.
• Moses (who typified Christ: v 37), was born in a strange land, lived and worked in strange lands, and apart from his own people, and even was rejected by his own nation.
• The Temple was not necessary to true worship: vv 2,33,44-46,49.
• A final great indictment of his accusers: vv 51-53.

There are extensive parallels with Heb 11: since both chapters describe faith demonstrated in actions, outside of the LM.

Act 7:2

THE GOD OF GLORY: Outward, visible glory: Shekinah. Cp “King of glory” (Psa 24:7,8); “Lord of glory” (1Co 2:8).

OUR FATHER ABRAHAM: Stephen uses “OUR father” so long as they might be persuaded (vv 11,12,15,19,39,44,45). Finally, at end, he abandons this (cp vv 51,52).

Act 7:3

THE LAND I WILL SHOW YOU: Abraham went out, not knowing where he was to go (Heb 11:8).

Act 7:5

HE GAVE HIM NO INHERITANCE HERE: Abraham has never seen the fulfillment of God’s promise: He “died in faith”: Heb 11:13. Abrahamic covenant: Gen 13:14-17.

NOT EVEN A FOOT OF GROUND: See Article, Ownership of property.

Act 7:6

IN A COUNTRY NOT THEIR OWN: Proving the worship of God was accepted outside Palestine, and without any temple or tabernacle. Joint quotation of Gen 15:13,14 and Exo 3:1,12.

400 YEARS: Includes only posterity of Abraham (“your descendants”) — from mocking of Isaac by Ishmael. 430 years includes Abraham’s time spent in Egypt (from approx age 75): Heb 11:9; Gen 15:13n.

Act 7:7

AND WORSHIP ME IN THIS PLACE: “This place” = Mt Sinai, outside Palestine. God may be worshiped in many places besides Jerusalem (Exo 3:12).

Act 7:8

The covenant of circumcision: Rom 4:10-19.

Act 7:9

THE PATRIARCHS WERE JEALOUS: God was using the hardheartedness of the Jews!

THEY SOLD HIM (JOSEPH) AS A SLAVE INTO EGYPT: Joseph typ Christ, delivered up out of envy (Mat 27:18).

GOD WAS WITH HIM: Again, God remembered His children, even in Egypt!

Act 7:11

A FAMINE STRUCK ALL EGYPT AND CANAAN: “The dearth was in all lands” (Gen 41:54).

…COULD NOT FIND FOOD: That is, no fodder for cattle.

Act 7:12

GRAIN IN EGYPT: The gospel of life to be found in lands of Gentiles!

HE SENT OUR FATHERS ON THEIR FIRST VISIT: The only hope for the sons of Jacob was to leave their own land and go to a foreign land, where they would find their brother and savior Joseph.

Act 7:13

ON THEIR SECOND VISIT: “They will look on [ Or to ] me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son” (Zec 12:10).

Act 7:14

SEVENTY-FIVE IN ALL: “70” in Gen 46:26, but “75” in Gen 46:26 LXX — including those born in Egypt (outside of covenant-land!) — agreeing with Exo 1:5.

Act 7:16

Jacob was buried in Machpelah near Hebron (Gen 50:12,13). “They” (Jacob’s sons), were buried at Shechem (cf Jos 24:32), on land bought by Abraham to build an altar (Gen 12:6,7).

HAMOR AT SHECHEM: Not “Hamor the father of Shechem” (as KJV). Two different Hamors (cp Gen 33:19n).

Act 7:18

KNEW NOTHING ABOUT: That is, had no respect for…

Act 7:19

Cp Herod the Great / babies of Bethlehem to Pharaoh / male children of Israelites.

TO THROW OUT THEIR NEWBORN BABIES: “Cast out their young children” (KJV). “To expose their infants” (RSV).

Act 7:20

// Heb 11:23.

MOSES WAS BORN: Even Moses the giver of the Law, was born in EGYPT (not land of Canaan)!

NO ORDINARY CHILD: Lit “fair to God”: same idiom in Gen 10:9; 30:8; Psa 36:6; 80:10; Jon 3:3.

Act 7:22

ALL THE WISDOM OF THE EGYPTIANS: Philosophy, medicine, astronomy, geometry, engineering.

POWERFUL IN SPEECH AND ACTION: Josephus says that while he was still in his early manhood the Ethiopians invaded Egypt and threatened Memphis. Moses was entrusted with the command of the royal troops. He surprised and defeated the enemy, captured their principal city, Meroe, and returned to Egypt laden with the spoils of victory.

Act 7:23

At 40 (“when he was grown”: Exo 2:11), Moses was eloquent, but God did not use him. At 80, he was no longer eloquent (Exo 4:10-12); NOW God used him!

VISIT: Help or relieve, as in Mat 25:36; Luk 1:68; Jam 1:27. Cp Gen 50:24.

Moses’ life consisted of 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in Midian (v 30), and 40 years in wilderness (v 36). 120 years, but none of it in the Land of Promise!

Act 7:25

HIS OWN PEOPLE WOULD REALIZE… BUT THEY DID NOT: It was not God’s desire that Moses wait another 40 years before bringing deliverance. It was the people’s desire! Cp John 1:11: “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

The following is based on the contrasting viewpoint — ie, that Moses should not have acted at all at this time… “There was a great deal for Moses to learn. In days to come he would learn the ways of the Lord. ‘He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel’ (Psa 103:7) But now he is full of his own ways. In days to come he will be a hand, nerved, and used and empowered by God Himself. ‘Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron’ (Psa 77:20). But now he is acting in his own self-energy — rash, impetuous, headstrong, girding himself and walking as he perceives. In days to come he will be the meekest (most humble) and least obtrusive of men, conscious to a fault of his own weakness, and at every step looking up for guidance and help; but now he is leaning wholly on his own understanding and, without counsel of God, he tries to secure the emancipation of his people by the assertion of his will and his might.

“This is the making of a saint in him; but it will take many a long year of lonely waiting and trial before this strong and self-reliant nature could be broken down, shaped into a vessel meet for the Master’s use and prepared for every good work. God’s servants must be specially fitted for the service they are to render. That special adaptation is not natural to any of us, and can only come after years of deep and searching discipline.

” ‘He went out unto his brethren.’ Human sympathy will not serve God. It serves itself. It was a chivalrous act. He meant well. It showed the strength of the emotions pent up within him; but, after all, the mere impulse of pity would never have been strong enough to bear him through the weary years of the desert march. We must distinguish between passion and principle, between impulse and settled purpose. Missionary enthusiasm is not the loftiest motive for Christian service, and it certainly is not the most permanent. After a little while it dies down. When we become the channels through which the unebbing torrent of Divine pity is flowing, we have secured a principle of action that will bear us through disappointment, failure and ingratitude. The way in which men treat us will make no difference to us, because all is done for Him.

“It was premature. God’s time for deliverance of his people was not due for forty years. Moses education was not complete either. It will take at least forty years to drain him of his self-will and self-reliance, and make him a vessel meet for the Master’s use. Jesus knew this timing in waiting upon Father when He said. ‘My time is not yet come; but your time is always ready’ (John 7:6). Oh, for the grace to wait and watch with God, even though a horror of great darkness fall on us, and sleep steals up into our eyes and our head becomes thickly sown with the gray hair of age. One blow struck when the time is fulfilled is worth a thousand struck in premature eagerness.

“As Meyer wrote, ‘It is not for thee, O my soul, to know the times and seasons which Father hath put in His own power; wait thou only upon God; let thy expectation be from Him; wait at the gates of thy Jericho for yet seven days; utter not a sound till He says, ‘Shout’: but when He gives the signal, with the glad cry of victory thou shalt pass over the fallen wall into the city’ ” (Veal).

Act 7:26

RECONCILE: “Sunelauno” = to drive together. Their common suffering by hand of others should have kept them from quarreling with each other.

YOU ARE BROTHERS: “For we are brothers” (Gen 13:8).

Act 7:27

The Jews may have been agreeable to being avenged and redeemed, by the hand of Almighty God, but not to making peace with one another at the behest of their Saviour!

Act 7:29

HE FLED TO MIDIAN: He was not afraid of Pharaoh (Heb 11:27) if his brethren would support him. But when they did not, and realizing his deeds were known, he had no choice but the leave Egypt.

Act 7:30

SINAI: = Horeb (Exo 3:1). The two terms are interchangeable: cp Deu 4:10; 33:2.

BURNING BUSH: The bush burning but not consumed typified Israel in Egypt, and Israel in her long period of persecution.

Notice that God revealed Himself in a bush in the wilderness, NOT in a tabernacle or temple!

Act 7:33

TAKE OFF YOUR SANDALS: Expressing reverence — the shoe was unclean: Exo 3:5; Jos 5:15; Ecc 5:1.

THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND: Notice that this holy ground was in Midian (not Israel), and apart from any Temple, and before any Law was given!

Act 7:35

“Whom THEY had rejected”: The rejection of one (v 27) is seen as the rejection by all. The great ct: the divine mission of Moses, and his all-too-human rejection by God’s people.

RULER AND DELIVERER: “Redeemer, ransomer” — as was Christ.

THROUGH THE ANGEL WHO APPEARED TO HIM IN THE BUSH: The angels (ie, messengers) of God speak in His Name (notice “I” in v 32): cp Exo 3:6; 24:12,17,18.

Act 7:36

WONDERS AND MIRACULOUS SIGNS IN EGYPT: Manifestations of God’s power and goodness have not been restricted to Holy Land.

Act 7:37

Deu 18:15,18: already applied to Christ by Peter in Act 3:22.

Act 7:38

Notice the general outline, and plain parallels: (1) Land of Egypt = Law of Moses; (2) Moses = Jesus Christ, the deliverer; and (3) priests of Zoan = priests of Law (cp 2Ti 3:8).

ASSEMBLY: “Church” (KJV); “congregation” (RSV).

THE ANGEL WHO SPOKE TO HIM ON MOUNT SINAI: The Law was given to Moses by the hand of the angel, yet it is said that God spoke to him: Lev 1:1; Exo 19:3-6; 20:1-6.

LIVING WORDS: Its source: life; its effect: life. Stephen offered them the true living word (Christ), not dead traditions. Cp Deu 30:19; 32:47.

Act 7:39

BACK TO EGYPT: Being addicted to their idols (Eze 20:7,8).

Act 7:41

MADE: Constrained Aaron to make (Exo 32:1-4).

A CALF: Perhaps out of mistaken reverence for cherubim. Stephen shows how true can be corrupted into idolatry (as they were doing with Moses).

A CELEBRATION: A licentious festival (Exo 32:6; 1Co 10:7).

Act 7:42

This abandonment to idolatry occurs later than the time of the Exodus, but it was the outcome of their attitude there: cp Rom 1:28; 2Th 2:11,12.

Vv 42,43: The inspired prophet (Amos, in Amo 5:25-27) had warned of the imminent destruction of the Temple; Stephen implies the like thing here.

Act 7:43

BEYOND BABYLON: Or Damascus, in Amo 5:27. (1) Perhaps Stephen is combining Jer 20:4,5 with Amos; or simply (2) see Lesson, Babylon = Assyria.

Act 7:44

// Heb 8:5.

IN THE DESERT: An official tabernacle outside of the Holy Land!

AS GOD DIRECTED…: Appointed by God, not by Moses!

PATTERN: Gr “tupos”: implying a higher reality: Heb 8:5; 9:23,24.

Act 7:45

JOSHUA: “Jesus”, but wrongly, in KJV.

UNTIL THE TIME OF DAVID: The dispossession of Canaanites was not completed until days of David — when Jebusites were defeated (2Sa 5:6).

Act 7:47

BUT IT WAS SOLOMON WHO BUILT THE HOUSE FOR HIM: God, not man, chose who may build His “house”.

Act 7:48

THE MOST HIGH DOES NOT LIVE IN HOUSES MADE BY MEN: Or, “made by hands”. The greatest “house” is the one built “without hands” (ie Dan 2:34), ie Jesus (Gen 3:15). (Cp Paul in Athens: Act 17:24.) Therefore, even if Herod’s temple were destroyed (cp Acts 6:14; John 2:19), God would still have a “temple” — ie, Christ and the saints (Eph 2:19-22; 1Pe 2:3-5; Heb 3:6; Rev 3:12).

Act 7:50

// Rom 2:17-19.

Stephen stops his quotation of Isa 66 immediately before the words: “This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word” (Isa 66:2). Those who are humbled by the Word of God are His last, and greatest, “temple” — in them He will dwell forever!

Stephen stops his quotations before these words, leaving the erudite Sanhedrin to think of them… then he replaces them with Acts 7:51. What a blistering indictment!

Act 7:51

Instead of continuing the quotation (Isa 66: I will look to the man who is meek and contrite…), Stephen (knowing they will complete the quotation in their minds) castigates his listeners for NOT being meek and contrite and trembling! ‘Such a sudden change in tone must have been occasioned by sighs of impatience and displeasure in the audience.

STIFF-NECKED: Only NT use of a common OT word (as used in LXX).

UNCIRCUMCISED: Having a covering over heart and ears, making them impervious to Truth (Lev 26:41; Deu 10:16; Jer 6:10; 9:26; Eze 44:7).

RESIST: “Antipipto” in Num 27:14 LXX.

Generally, cp Mat 23:29-37; 2Ch 36:16; 1Th 2:15,16.

Act 7:52

PERSECUTE: Mat 5:11,12.

THOSE WHO PREDICTED…: “Who showed beforehand) the coming of…” — ie, not just by their words, but esp by their actions and their lives!

THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: Designation of Messiah suggested by Isa 53:11 (cp Act 3:14; 22:14).

BETRAYED: By consorting with Judas.

Act 7:54

FURIOUS: Lit “to cut in two”: sw Act 5:33.

Act 7:55

FULL: Sig a permanent endowment.

LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN: Standing in the temple “heavens”, he gazed up into the true “heavens”.

Act 7:56

THE SON OF MAN: A title never otherwise given to Christ by an apostle or evangelist. (Used 82 times by Christ of himself.)

STANDING: Why does Jesus stand here, when elsewhere he is always sitting? The answer may be found in Paul’s last words: “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord STOOD at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2Ti 4:16-18).

Christ was so involved with the life of his servant Stephen that he was moved to stand beside him. He tore, as it were, the thin veil separating us from his sight, rose from his seat, and revealed himself to Stephen, encouraging him as he himself had been encouraged by an angel at Gethsemane.

Jesus is acting as the “Comforter” or “Advocate” — the Greek being “Paraklete”, which is a legal term for one who is called to stand alongside, that is, a defense attorney (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7; 1Jo 2:1). The defense attorney, then as now, stood alongside the accused in the courtroom and took his part with the Judge.

Act 7:57

// Acts 19:29: the madness of the mob at Ephesus.

Act 7:58

OUT OF THE CITY: Quite possibly to Golgotha, the place of his execution — as that of his Lord. “And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore” (Heb 13:12,13).

TO STONE HIM: The punishment for blasphemy (Lev 24:16). Notice how they were careful to observe even the forms of the Law (Num 15:35; Luk 4:29).

THE WITNESSES LAID THEIR CLOTHES AT THE FEET OF A YOUNG MAN NAMED SAUL: ” ‘The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.’ David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this” (1Sa 30:24,25). See Paul’s later refs to his own role in the persecutions: Acts 22:20; 26:10; 1Co 15:9; Gal 1:13; 1Ti 1:13.

Act 7:59

LORD JESUS, RECEIVE MY SPIRIT: Cp the words of Jesus: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (citing Psa 31:5).

Act 7:60

LORD, DO NOT HOLD THIS SIN AGAINST THEM: These words seem to be the conscious echo of Jesus’ dying words in Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” But there is this exception: Stephen does not add the last phrase, because they — Israel’s rulers — DO know what they are doing! With this final rejection of the word of life by the leaders of Israel, the way is finally and conclusively opened to the Gentiles — to Samaria and beyond.

It has been well said that the church owes Paul to the prayer of Stephen. This martyr died, but — in answer to his dying words, the Lord Jesus Christ sought out Saul of Tarsus — and Stephen’s words, his spirit, and his mission were destined to live on in the life of his accuser and murderer, who stood unknowingly there that day — presiding over his execution.

Likewise, Paul’s dying words — 30 years later — may be compared both to those of his Lord and to those of his victim, Stephen: “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. MAY IT NOT BE HELD AGAINST THEM” (2Ti 4:16). The spirit of Stephen, and of Christ, had become his, and the man Paul, knowing that soon he would die, prayed that those who had turned their backs on him would not be held accountable for that desertion.

“They were the spiritual leaders of the people but Stephen’s description of them is much less than flattering. They may have been the spiritual leaders, but in actual fact they were rogues, power-hungry, money-hungry and opposed to anyone who got in their way. As Stephen said, they were just like their fathers who killed the prophets God sent to them — in fact even worse — because they killed the Messiah. ‘You stiff necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: you always resist the Holy Spirit!’

“Now they had turned on Stephen. The more truth they heard, the more rage they had. And when he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of the throne of God,’ they completely lost their selfcontrol. They dragged Stephen out of the city and began to stone him.

“But Stephen’s last words must have made some of them stop to think. ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ How could Stephen be so forgiving to these hypocritical wicked people? The answer is because he loved them and followed the example of Christ. When we are wronged (and usually it is a lot less than murder), let us do the same and be as forgiving as Stephen” (RP).

Act 8:1

“Everyone who kills you will think he is doing God service” (Joh 16:2).

AND SAUL WAS THERE, GIVING APPROVAL TO HIS DEATH: Prob Saul was one of the judges, and thus was excluded from actually and literally executing the judgment (cp Deu 17:4-7,12). Cp Acts 26:10: “When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.”

…SCATTERED…: Gr “diaspeiro” — from which is derived the English “diaspora” or dispersion: this describes a scattering of seed, as done by a farmer — and thus, symbolically, the scattering of the “seed” of the gospel (Mat 13:3). The persecution of the early church led to its dispersion; and this became the means by which Christ’s promise was to be fulfilled — that his disciples would preach in all nations. (The fruits of this are soon obvious, as seen later in this very chapter: with Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.)

“For here we do not have an enduring city” (Heb 13:14). Those who were driven away from the earthly Jerusalem went forth to preach a heavenly Jerusalem!

Act 8:2

GODLY MEN: Prob Christian sympathizers among the Jews, but not themselves Christians — or else they would have been called “brethren”. (Simeon was so called in Luk 2:25.)

MOURNED: Lit, a beating, ie of the chest.

Act 8:3

See Act 26:10… indicating Paul, though young, was a member of the Sanhedrin. (Cp Acts 22:4,19; 1Ti 1:13,15; Gal 1:13.)

DESTROY: “Made havock” (KJV). A similar word in Gal 1:13: “to destroy it”. Used in Psa 80:13 LXX, of a wild boar in a vineyard.

GOING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE: Thorough and meticulous.

Act 8:4

The beneficial effect of persecution: a wider dispersion of the gospel message.

Act 8:5

PHILIP: The deacon (Act 6:5), not the apostle. If this were the apostle, he would not have needed the presence of Peter and John to convey Holy Spirit to others (v 15). Philip was first apostolic preacher to go beyond walls of Jerusalem. He built upon previous work of Christ (Joh 4).

WENT DOWN: The classic language of theophany, or Yahweh-manifestation. Occurs often in Acts in the context of gospel preaching, as if the witness to the gospel were another manifestation of the Yahweh-Name: Act 8:5; 10:21; 13:4; 14:25; 15:30; 16:8; 18:22.

Act 8:6

THE MIRACULOUS SIGNS HE DID: The Holy Spirit witnessed to preaching of the apostles: Mark 16:17,18; Gal 3:4; 1Co 2:4,5. Power of healing: Acts 3:6; 5:15,16; 14:8-10; 28:8. Holy Spirit witnessed to preaching of Jesus: Acts 2:22. (See Lesson, Holy Spirit gifts, available today?)

Act 8:9

SORCERY: Such wizards and conjurers were numerous at this time, taking advantage of the general Messianic expectations of the people.

HE BOASTED THAT HE WAS SOMEONE GREAT: He was preaching the “god” “Self”! Not the first, nor the last, to do such a thing!

Act 8:10

THE GREAT POWER: A false Christ, essentially: Mar 13:6,22.

Act 8:11

Witchcraft — absolutely forbidden by Jewish law (Exo 22:18; Lev 20:27), among works of flesh (Gal 5:20).

Act 8:12

See Lesson, Acts, conversions.

BAPTIZED: From Gr word used of dyeing of fabrics.

BOTH MEN AND WOMEN: “There is neither… male nor female” (Gal 3:2i). Men and women, but no children!

“The thoughtful reader will ask, ‘What are the things concerning the kingdom of God?’ The Bible definitely points out six things that concern the kingdom of God: (1) The King: all will agree that this is Christ; (2) the Territory: The Lord shall be king over all the earth (Zec 14:9); (3) Christ’s helpers: a royal household of kings and priests (Rev 5:10); (4) Subjects: the mortal nations, all dominions (Dan 7:27); (5) Seat of government: Jerusalem, ‘the city of the great King’ (Psa 48:2); (6) Laws: the law shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Mic 4:2).

“Note carefully that in apostolic days the people believed the things of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ BEFORE they were baptized. Is such a belief necessary today? Before Pentecost the kingdom was preached; after Pentecost the name was added. Is the name important? We read in Luke 24:46: ‘Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.’ And Acts 4:12: ‘For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved’ ” (OLD).

Act 8:13

Baptism always follows belief in the gospel: Acts 2:37-41: Jews on Pentecost; Acts 8:12,13: Samaritans at preaching of Philip; Acts 8:36-39: Ethiopian eunuch; Acts 9:18: Saul of Tarsus; Acts 10:47,48: House of Cornelius; Acts 16:14,15: Lydia and her house; Acts 16:30-33: Philippian jailer and his house; Acts 18:8: Crispus, many Corinthians; 1Co 1:14: Gaius; 1Co 1:16: Household of Stephanas.

Cp Gen 7:1: only 8 saved, and only by water (1Pe 3:21). 1Co 10:1,2: Israel baptized in Red sea and in cloud: the first act of obedience, beginning a period of probation, during which continuous obedience is required.

Act 8:14

SAMARIA: The country, not the city. The first extension of Christianity beyond limits of Judaism.

JOHN: The same John only a few years previously had wanted to call down “fire from heaven” on a village in Samaria (Luk 9:51-56).

Vv 14,15: Philip was unable to give Holy Spirit to others. Apostles were sent to Samaria (v 17), laying on hands. No case where Holy Spirit was granted where an apostle was not present. Was Paul an exception (Acts 9:17)? No. Paul was also an apostle: Rom 1:1; 1Co 9:1,2; 2Co 11:5. Ultimate purpose of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:21.

Act 8:15

ARRIVED: Or “came down” — usual description for leaving Jerusalem (Luk 2:51; Joh 7:8).

Act 8:16

Notice: the bestowal of the Holy Spirit, with any gifts, was not automatic at baptism.

Act 8:17

See Lesson, Laying on of hands.

Act 8:18

The apostles only could convey Holy Spirit to others. These, in turn, could not pass along Holy Spirit gifts to next generation.

Act 8:20

Peter himself had no money (Act 3:6), and was not swayed by bribes. Man is not redeemed by money (1Pe 1:18,19; cp Isa 55:1,2; Rev 3:18).

Act 8:21

NO PART OR SHARE: A proverbial phrase: Deu 10:9; Num 18:20.

Act 8:23

FULL OF BITTERNESS: “The gall of bitterness” (RSV): Deu 29:18 — a root that bears gall = serving other gods. Thus, the bitter results (for followers as well as leaders) of serving other “gods”: cp Heb 12:15.

Act 8:24

An unfinished story: we are told nothing further about Simon. Did he repent, or perish?

Act 8:26

Acts 8:26 to end of Book: “To the uttermost parts of the earth” — thus fulfilling Acts 1:8: (1) towards Africa (Act 8:26-40); (2) towards Asia (Acts 9:1-16:5); (3) towards Europe (Acts 16:6-18:7); (4) in Asia (Acts 18:18-26:32); and (5) in Europe (Acts 27:1-28:31).

SOUTH: “Mesembria” = lit, “middle-day”, or noon (so rendered in Act 22:6, only other usage). From “mesos” (middle) and “hemera” (day) (Vine).

THE DESERT ROAD: There being several different roads from Jerusalem to Gaza.

THAT GOES DOWN FROM JERUSALEM: Cp Luk 10:30-34.

GAZA: A flourishing city of trade at this time (Spk).

Act 8:27

Firstfruits of “uttermost parts of earth” (Act 1:8).

EUNUCH: Not always to be taken literally (cp Gen 37:36 / 39:1). May perhaps only sig an official. However, see Isa 56:3-5 and cp with his question (v 33). By tradition, his name was Theophilus (SB 62).

CANDACE: A title, not a name. Borne by several successive queens.

HAD GONE TO JERUSALEM TO WORSHIP: He was a Gentile proselyte.

Act 8:28

AND ON HIS WAY HOME: The new persecutions (and scattering of disciples) would make it unlikely that a visitor to Jerusalem would now hear the gospel preached.

Act 8:30

AND HEARD HIM READING: In ancient times, people generally read aloud.

Act 8:31

…UNLESS SOMEONE EXPLAINS…: Mysteries are revealed to the meek. And Jesus is the “key” to unlock the OT: Luk 24:25-27,44-47.

EXPLAIN: Gr “hodegeo”: to lead, or guide, in the road. As Christ was “led” (v 32) to his death, so the Ethiopian was “led” to believe in him!

Act 8:32

Isa 53 cited in ref to Christ in Mat 8:17 and 1Pe 2:23. This passage is quoting from the LXX; cp (a) Isa 53:7: ewe… her… shearers; (b) Acts 8:32: lamb… his or its or the (different versions)… shearer (singular); and (c) Isa 53:7 LXX: lamb… the… shearer.

Act 8:33

Jesus was a “eunuch” too — having no natural offspring (Isa 53:8); yet he was still to have a succeeding “generation” (Isa 53:10,11; 56:3-5)! This idea, and prospect, excited the feelings of the Ethiopian. Learning the gospel, he went his way rejoicing (v 39), and proceeded to create his own future “generations”, by sharing that gospel with others!

Act 8:34

WHO IS THE PROPHET TALKING ABOUT?: “It needs to be recognised, specially by those who write themselves off as incompetent in this field, that even the most ill-equipped among us are capable of Bible study of the best sort. For this is not a matter of erudite commentaries and lots of Greek and Hebrew. It consists, quite simply, of developing the faculty, which we all have, of asking questions. One of the first mathematicians in Britain, a man with an international reputation, once said to me, ‘The way to make advances in mathematics is to find problems that need answering. Once you realise you are faced with a problem that no one else has yet dreamed of tackling, then you are on the way to extending the boundaries of the subject.’ He did not know that he was, in effect, enunciating a wholesome principle for much rewarding Bible study. There is no block of three or four verses in the Bible which when read with care does not provoke questions. And often, though not always, the search for answers leads to wider understanding” (Tes 50:218).

HIMSELF: From tradition of Isaiah’s violent death at hands of Manasseh.

Act 8:35

BEGAN: Lit “opened his mouth” — indicating a solemn pronouncement (as in Mat 5:2).

Act 8:36

Baptism = a complete immersion in water: v 39. John baptizes near “much water” (Joh 3:23). Belief: an absolute prerequisite to baptism: Mark 16:15,16; 1Pe 3:21.

Act 8:38

See Lesson, Acts, conversions.

INTO THE WATER: V 38: “Into” the water = Greek “eis” = in the interior! Complete immersion. Purpose of baptism: forgiveness of sins: Acts 2:38. Paul’s baptism: Acts 22:16.

To fulfill Psa 68:31: “Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands unto God.”

Act 8:39

SUDDENLY TOOK: Sw 1Th 4:17: “caught away”.

DID NOT SEE HIM AGAIN: No further mention of Philip for 20 years (Act 21:8).

WENT ON HIS WAY: One “way” (v 36) has been exchanged for another “way”!

REJOICING: “These [ie eunuchs: v 4, and foreigners: v 6] I will bring to my holy mountain [Jerusalem] and give them joy [the eunuch rejoicing!] in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations [the gospel is now preached to Ethiopia]” (Isa 56:7).

Act 8:40

Act 8:40

AZOTUS: Ashdod (Jos 11:22; 1Sa 5:3).

ALL THE TOWNS: Ekron, Rama, Joppa, Lydda — where many Jews lived.

Act 9:1

Act 9:1 — Act 16:5: Towards Asia:

• Act 9:1-31: Saul the instrument.
• Act 9:32-43: Peter: his authority confirmed.
• Act 10:1-48: Door opened to Gentiles
• Act 11:1-18: Preaching to Gentiles defended by Peter.
• Act 11:19-30: Gospel spreads through persecution.
• Act 12:1-24: Successful defiance of authorities.
• Act 12:25–Act 13:4: Paul the instrument commissioned.
• Act 13:5–Act 14:28: Paul to instrument used.
• Act 15:1-35: Jerusalem council.
• Act 15:36–Act 16:5: Separation of Paul and Barnabas.

Act 9: “The change is such a zealous and fervent man as Saul of Tarsus is remarkable. To cp v 1 with v 6 shows the effect of the Truth when a man has a mind to accept its reality. So the instrument was found, and Saul was called to ‘repent and be baptised.’ He responded in typical passion. It was the blinding light, and the voice from heaven, that changed this ‘son of a Pharisee’ and altered the complete pathway of his life. Having secured the dispersion of the ecclesia (Act 8:3), and the death of brethren (Act 22:4), he extended his activities beyond Judea (Act 26:11). He had dedicated himself to destroying the hated sect. Threatening and slaughter constituted the very atmosphere in which he lived. But that was all to change, and with such drama.

“(1) The road to Damascus sees a change in Saul: vv 1-9. (2) Ananias doubts the divine mission: vv 10-16. (3) Saul is baptised: vv 17-19. (4) Saul preaches in Damascus: vv 20-22. (5) His life endangered in Damascus: vv 23-25. (6) He joins the Jerusalem Ecclesia: vv 26-28. (7) He is forced to retire to Tarsus: vv 29-31. (8) Peter’s authority is confirmed by miracle: vv 32-35. (9) Dorcas raised from the dead: vv 36-43. It was a time of great wonder for the ecclesia. As a Pharisee in Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s crucifixion, Saul would have witnessed the action of the elders in their complete absorption for the death of Jesus. He would have been aware that the body of the Lord rested in the grave for three days — and now he found himself blinded for three days. He neither ate nor drank. He was as a dead man. And yet his mind was opened, and he obviously pondered his circumstances. It was the beginning of a most remarkable career for the Truth, which ended by him ‘bearing the Name before kings’ (v 15), and the persecutor became the persecuted. There was a vision that never left the apostle Paul. He could not erase from his memory that terrible day when in fury he consented to the death of the righteous Stephen. He opposed Stephen’s enemies at Jerusalem for that very reason (Act 9:29; 22:20). Paul was the greatest miracle of Acts 9” (GEM).

V 1: BREATHING OUT MURDEROUS THREATS: The word “out” should be omitted. Saul was breathing IN the prevailing Jewish atmosphere of hatred toward Christians.

Act 9:2

DAMASCUS: And Damascus was not the first city! (see Acts 26:11). Description of Damascus in C&H 77. Oldest city in world (Gen 14:15; 15:2).

THE WAY: The characteristic direction of life as determined by faith in Christ: Act 19:9; 22:4; 24:22; fuller expression in Act 16:17; 18:25. From Joh 14:5,6.

Act 9:3

“The conversion of Saul was like that of a second Abraham: he journeyed from south to north on same route Abraham had travelled in the opposite direction, the ‘glory of God’ appearing to him (cp Act 7:2). He left his family, his nation, his land. He travelled into new lands — ever a stranger and a pilgrim (Act 7:3-5)” (C&H 68).

3 principal narratives of Paul’s conversion: here (to Christians); Act 22 (to Jews); Act 26 (to Gentiles).

This happened at noon: Act 22:6; 26:13.

A LIGHT FROM HEAVEN: So bright as to eclipse the noonday sun: Act 22:6; 26:13.

Act 9:4

A VOICE: In Heb tongue (Act 26:14).

WHY DO YOU PERSECUTE ME?: The reverse of Mat 10:40: “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.” Cp Mat 25:40: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” And esp the negative, in Mat 25:45: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did NOT do for one of the least of these, you did NOT do for ME.”

Act 9:5

“Have I not seen Jesus?” (1Co 9:1). “Last of all… as one born out of due time” (1Co 15:8).

The KJV has: “It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks”, prob borrowing from Acts 26:14 — but not found in the best texts for Acts 9 (Vincent).

Act 9:6

The KJV has: “What will you have me to do?” …which is not found in most manuscripts.

Act 9:7

STOOD: May sig that their progress was arrested. Some at least fell to the ground (Act 26:14).

THEY HEARD THE SOUND: But did not understand the words: Act 22:9.

BUT DID NOT SEE ANYONE: Paul, by contrast, actually did see the Lord, through the blinding light: 1Co 9:1; 15:8.

Act 9:8

// Elisha, Dothan, men blinded: 2Ki 6.

Act 9:9

FOR THREE DAYS HE WAS BLIND, AND DID NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING: Like Jesus before him, Saul was virtually “dead” for 3 days. During this time, he fasted and prayed, and thought upon all the Scriptures as they testified of Jesus. (Thus, when healed of his blindness, he could be immediately baptized.)

Act 9:11

FOR HE IS PRAYING: “Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. ‘Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle,’ implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but ‘prayer is the falling of a tear.’ Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with ‘the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high.’ Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob’s ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. ‘He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.’ True, He regards not high looks and lofty words; He cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; He listens not to the swell of martial music; He regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; He marks it down in the registry of His memory; He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom” (CHS).

Act 9:12

Saul, though literally blind (v 9), still saw a “vision”!

See Lesson, Laying on of hands.

Act 9:13

LORD… I HAVE HEARD MANY REPORTS: We may think we know a man’s character better than God does!

How often people have made this type of reply to God. Apart from the occasion (Exo 4:13,14) of Moses complaining that he would not be able to perform the task God had set him, God appears not to be angry at the weakness of the flesh, but instead provides comfort in one way or another to allay these fears: 1Sa 16:2; 1Ki 18:9-14; Jer 20:9,10; Eze 3:14; Mat 10:16.

Act 9:14

Ananias, a true watchman, is aware of the dangers confronting the flock.

Act 9:15

God’s purposes in Saul’s conversion: vv 15-17; Acts 22:14,15; 26:17,18.

MY CHOSEN INSTRUMENT: Lit, “vessel” (2Ti 2:21).

Act 9:16

// 2Co 11:25-28.

Act 9:18

See Lesson, Acts, conversions.

In ct 2Ki 5:12, the rivers of Damascus are now acceptable for washing.

Saul, his eyes opened, looked up into the face of a man whom, 4 days earlier, he would have happily led away to his death!

Act 9:20

JESUS: This is the correct reading; KJV has “Christ”.

Act 9:21

A question of the Jews, not the Christians (notice the “them”).

RAISED HAVOC: Sw Gal 1:13.

Act 9:22

PROVING: Sig to combine and compare, ie, various passages.

Act 9:23

AFTER MANY DAYS: About 3 years. Prob insert here Gal 1:17: A visit to Arabia, prob Sinai (Gal 4:25) — to pray and ponder. Here he received a revelation of God’s purpose with Gentiles (Rom 16:26; Eph 3:2-5).

Act 9:25

A humiliating experience for a proud Pharisee (cp David’s flight: 1Sa 19:12; Psa 59).

BASKET: The basket here is a “spuris” — a large basket — obviously large enough for a man to hide in. This was the same sort of basket which was filled, seven times over, with the bread miraculously multiplied by Jesus (Mat 15:37; 16:10). And here, on a spiritual level, was part of the “bread” of Christ — his “body”! — being miraculously multiplied again! For this man Paul, escaping from Damascus in the basket (2Co 11:32,33), would live to see a miraculous multiplying of the “bread” or “body” of Christ — through his labors in traveling and preaching the gospel.

Act 9:26

HE TRIED TO JOIN THE DISCIPLES: With purpose of visiting Peter (Gal 1:18).

NOT BELIEVING THAT HE REALLY WAS A DISCIPLE: The time spent in Arabia (Gal 1:17) may have caused this.

NOT BELIEVING: This is the continuous tense, ie happening time after time.

Act 9:27

Barnabas (the man known for his great generosity: Act 4:36) is the only one to support the new convert Saul.

…TO THE APOSTLES: Actually, only to Peter and James the Lord’s brother (Gal 1:18,19). He stayed with Peter for 15 days (Gal 1:18).

Act 9:28

MOVED ABOUT FREELY: Lit “coming in and going out”: a Heb idiom for assuming leadership, as a shepherd (Num 26:17; 1Sa 18:13; Acts 1:21). He is now accorded the full status of an apostle.

Act 9:29

THE GRECIAN JEWS: Those who had been his partners in executing Stephen.

Act 9:30

Paul had received a vision and message while in the Temple, that he must go to the Gentiles (Act 22:17-21).

TO TARSUS: That is, to regions of Syria and Cilicia (Gal 1:21). The narrative conc Paul is resumed at Act 11:30.

Act 9:31

A TIME OF PEACE: For first time since death of Stephen. This extends to Act 12:1. At this time Caligula the emperor issued his decree for placing a statue in the holy place of the Temple. This aroused Jewish opposition and apparently diverted their attention from persecuting Christians for several years (SB 13:78).

ENCOURAGED…: “Comfort” (Gr “paraklesis”) in RSV.

FEAR: Fear and comfort are not incongruous pair. “There is many a one who might have been more comfortable in mind, had he minded his comfort less and his duty more.”

Act 9:32

LYDDA: Lod of OT (Ezr 2:33), a day’s journey from Jerusalem, 18 miles to nw. Several miles north of road connecting Jerusalem to Joppa.

Act 9:35

SHARON: That is, the plain of Sharon.

Act 9:36

JOPPA: Modern Jaffa — a suburb of Tel Aviv, 38 mi from Jerusalem. From Joppa Jonah had fled rather than go to Gentiles (Jon 1:3). From Joppa also, Peter went willingly to the Gentiles.

GAZELLE: A favorite symbol of beauty and gracefulness (Song 2:9,17; 4:5; 7:3; Pro 5:9).

Act 9:39

ALL THE WIDOWS: Specially cared for (1Ti 5:3-16).

Act 9:40

SENT THEM… OUT…: After Christ’s example in house of Jairus (Luk 8:54; Mar 5:40).

Act 9:43

A TANNER: an unclean and degrading profession, in eyes of Jews — associated with an offensive odor, and dead beasts. Peter has begun at least to forget his Jewish prejudices. This is a step in the right direction, and further steps will be taken in Act 10.

Act 11:1

Act 11: “The work of the Truth in the first century continued apace as the apostle Paul defended his preaching to Gentiles. It was a time of acute agitation, as brethren contended over the matter. It was difficult for the Jewish believers to accommodate the involvement of Gentiles on the same basis as those of the covenant nation. ‘They of the circumcision’ (Act 11:2) questioned the work of the apostle with Cornelius (Act 10). The witnesses that Peter took with him as so described in Act 10:45. Perhaps, before he left with the messengers of Cornelius there had been some discussion as to whether such action should be taken, and Peter had selected witnesses who had voiced their opposition to such a reversal of tradition. In the face of God’s obvious endorsement of Cornelius (vv 44-46), they were silenced, and Cornelius was baptised. In Jerusalem, however, the action of Peter had created a party now known as ‘they of the circumcision’, determined to maintain the traditional attitude of Judaism. He had anticipated this, and took six witnesses back to Jerusalem with him (Act 11:12). So the record continues: (1) Controversy within the ecclesia: vv 1-3. (2) Peter explains the circumstances: vv 4-17. (3) The opposition is temporarily silenced: v 18. (4) The Gospel spreads to Antioch: vv 19-21. (5) Barnabas is sent to supervise the work: vv 22-24. (6) Barnabas seeks the help of Paul: vv 25,26. (7) Famine predicted: relief is sent to Jerusalem through Barnabas: vv 27-30” (GEM).

Act 11:2

PETER WENT UP TO JERUSALEM: Accompanied by the six witnesses (Acts 10:23; 11:12).

Act 11:3

Did the “agape” feast involve non-kosher food?

Act 11:19

Vv 19-30: Antioch becomes the new center for the proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles.

Act 11:20

GREEKS: Actually, “Hellenists”, ie, ones who imitate the manners and customs or the worship of the Greeks, and use the Greek tongue; used in the NT of Jews born in foreign lands and speaking Greek.

Act 11:21

THE LORD’S HAND WAS WITH THEM: By miraculous signs: Act 2:47; 13:11.

Act 11:23

EVIDENCE OF THE GRACE OF GOD: “Grace must find expression in life; otherwise it is not grace” (Karl Barth).

What was the evidence of God’s grace in the new believers? Holy Spirit gifts? Not necessarily. How about? (1) Self-sacrifice for Truth: the giving up of this life’s pleasures for the hope of something far better. (2) Willingness to change: the true measure of a profession of repentance. (3) Eagerness to learn, from the Bible itself and one’s teachers, the details of the plan and purpose of God, and personal and practical application of the teachings of God’s Word. (4) The love of the brethren, in real and practical examples.

Act 11:25

Barnabas recruits Saul for the great new work.

Act 11:26

CALLED: Gr “chrematizo”, sig “to impart a revelation, injunction or warning; bear a name, be called or named… a divine statement or answer” (NIDNTT). Elsewhere the sw ref to communication from God or an angel (Mat 2:12,22; Luk 2:26; Act 10:22; Rom 7:3 — poss; Heb 8:5; 11:7; 12:25). Therefore, even though it appears that the name “Christian” is given to the disciples by the people of Antioch, such a naming may have been arranged by God in His providence. Why? Because — with the imminent influx of Gentile believers — a new designation was in order for a new “church” which would no longer be exclusively Jewish.

CHRISTIANS: A name occurring elsewhere only in Act 26:28 and 1Pe 4:16.

Act 11:28

AGABUS: Sig “locust”: the insect of famine. (Both of his prophecies were of calamities.) Cp Act 21:10.

Act 11:29

TO PROVIDE HELP FOR THE BROTHERS LIVING IN JUDEA: The Christians in Jerusalem would be the most affected, being a much hated, yet significant, minority. The other Jews would use the famine as an excuse to deny them food and other necessities.

Act 12:1

Act 12: “Outline: [1] Martyrdom of James: vv 1,2. [2] Peter is imprisoned: vv 3-5. [3] The escape: vv 6-10. [4] Peter’s astonishment: v 11. [5] The ecclesia is taught the power of prayer: vv 12-16. [6] Flight of Peter: v 17. [7] Confusion and anxiety of the guard: vv 18,19. [8] Death of Herod Agrippa: vv 20-23. [9] Paul, the instrument commissioned: vv 24,25” (GEM).

Act 12:2

PUT TO DEATH WITH THE SWORD: Publicly beheaded. Since blasphemy is punishable by stoning, this execution was prob done at the king’s orders, by military mandate.

Act 12:3

WHEN HE SAW THAT THIS PLEASED THE JEWS: The mark of a consummate politician.

DURING THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD: Just prior to Passover. As with Christ, the rulers of Israel showed a meticulous compliance with the letter of the Law, but a gross denial of its spirit (John 18:28).

Act 12:4

HE PUT HIM IN PRISON: Peter is now in prison for the third time (cp Acts 4:3; 5:18).

FOR PUBLIC TRIAL: And probable execution, as with James.

THE PASSOVER: Erroneously translated “Easter” in KJV.

Act 12:5

PETER WAS KEPT IN PRISON: Possibly in Tower of Antonia, at nw corner of Temple (cp Acts 21:34).

THE CHURCH WAS EARNESTLY PRAYING: Prayer for deliverance from a Jewish “Pharaoh”! The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.

It was deemed appropriate on this occasion to get people together in one place to pray about this particular issue. Whilst God hears our individual prayers in secret and rewards us openly, it seems there is also room for this more communal approach, and its effectiveness is clear: Eph 6:18,19; 1Th 5:17; Jam 5:16.

Act 12:6

Cp Peter’s attitude here with his attitude the night before Christ’s crucifixion: “Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator” (1Pe 4:19). Thus faith resists fleshly power.

Act 12:7

“The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” (Psa 34:7).

HE STRUCK PETER ON THE SIDE: Smiting in love (here), and in vengeance (v 23)!

Act 12:8

PUT ON YOUR CLOTHES AND SANDALS: “Gird up your loins” — a Passover commandment (Exo 12:11; 1Pe 1:13). Note other allusions to Passover (vv 3,5). Ct Joh 21:18: the time to be girded by another has not yet come.

Act 12:10

THE FIRST AND SECOND GUARDS: One sentry at cell door, another at prison door.

THE IRON GATE… IT OPENED FOR THEM: “Your descendants will take possession of the cities [lit, gate] of their enemies” (Gen 22:17). Cp the great stone at the tomb of Christ.

Act 12:11

THEN PETER CAME TO HIMSELF: Until this point, Peter had thought he was dreaming.

Act 12:12

HE WENT TO THE HOUSE OF MARY: Poss her home was the site of the last supper, and the gathering of the apostles in Acts 1 (SB 14:185,186).

THE MOTHER OF JOHN, ALSO CALLED MARK: Son of Mary (Acts 12:12), cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10, RSV), companion of Paul (Phm 1:24) and Peter (1Pe 5:13), and author of the second Gospel. Like many other Jews of his day, he had assumed a Latin surname (Marcus: “a large hammer”) in addition to his Heb name John. His father is not mentioned in the NT, but his mother appears to have been a prominent and somewhat well-to-do member of the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:12). It has been conjectured that Mark was the youth who fled from the scene of Christ’s arrest (Mar 14:51,52), and that he was the man with the pitcher whom the disciples were to follow (Mar 14:13).

Act 12:14

The angel who delivered him from the heavily-guarded and fortified prison could not get him into the ordinary house where the ecclesia was!

Act 12:15

“YOU’RE OUT OF YOUR MIND,” THEY TOLD HER: Evidently, since James had been slain despite their prayers, they now doubt the efficacy of all their prayers — which was a great mistake!

IT MUST BE HIS ANGEL: See Mat 18:10; Psa 34:7; Heb 1:14.

Or, alternatively… “Angel” sig “messenger” (Mat 11:10; Mark 1:2; Luk 7:24; 9:52; Jam 2:25): Possibly they meant, ‘You just thought it was Peter; it is a messenger from Peter!’ Note: Rhoda heard only; she did not see. Perhaps the door and walls were so thick that voices were from outside were muffled. Perhaps, also, Peter was trying to be quiet, so he didn’t raise his voice, but whispered (v 17).

Act 12:17

PETER MOTIONED WITH HIS HAND FOR THEM TO BE QUIET: He was prob afraid that too much noise might bring the authorities.

AND THEN HE LEFT FOR ANOTHER PLACE: Prob to some more obscure house of Christians in the vicinity — unknown to the authorities. Later, he seems to have gone to Antioch (cp Gal 2:8-14).

Act 12:19

CROSS-EXAMINED: Prob including torture.

AND ORDERED THAT THEY BE EXECUTED: “The words translated put to death may mean ‘led off to prison’; but Roman law prescribed that if a prisoner escaped, the penalty due him should be inflicted on his guard” (WyC).

Act 12:20

TYRE AND SIDON: There were murmurings and talk of revolt in these areas.

THEY DEPENDED ON THE KING’S COUNTRY FOR THEIR FOOD SUPPLY: Although Tyre and Sidon were free cities, they were dependent for their food upon the grain of Galilee in Herod’s kingdom

Act 12:23

AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STRUCK HIM DOWN: Cp Psa 35:5: in keeping with Passover motif, angels of the LORD may deliver — as with Peter (Psa 34:7) — AS WELL AS destroy — as here.

HE WAS EATEN BY WORMS: “Like a rotten cabbage” (HAW).

AND DIED: He died 5 days later, at age of 54 (Josephus).

“All flesh before Him is as nothing. He will not allow the flesh to glory in His sight. Adam was banished from Eden for casting dishonour on Him by disobedience. Moses was punished for taking to himself the credit of the miracle at the rock of Meribah. David fell into the hands of God, in three days’ plague, for exalting in the numbers of his army. The Assyrian was brought down for taking to himself the credit of what God did by him in the punishment of Israel. Mighty and arrogant Nebuchadnezzar was sent to herd among the beasts till he learnt that ‘the heavens do rule.’ Herod was eaten up by worms, because he gave not God the glory; and salvation is by God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself — not of works, lest any man should boast” (SC 62).

Act 12:25

THEY RETURNED FROM JERUSALEM: They went back to Antioch from Jerusalem — where they had delivered the relief supplies and money collected (Act 11:29,30).

Act 13:1

Acts 13: “Paul is about 40 years old as he embarks upon a journey to the ecclesias. He is introduced to the work: vv 1-3. Then he becomes involved in the preaching of the gospel in Cyprus: vv 4,5. Barnabas seems to be in charge of the company at this point, being mentioned first in v 1. Then comes an early challenge to the Truth. A great contrast is presented in two men: Elymas is rebuked; Sergius Paulus is converted: vv 6-12. Now came a sad moment in the life of Paul, and yet one which ultimated in the development of a sound and sterling brother. The reason for the departure of John Mark is not clear, but sufficient to cause a rift between the two great brethren. Mark’s courage might have failed him as he saw the mixed world of Pamphylia and realised the dangers before him. Perhaps he resented the manner in which the vigorous Paul was becoming the dominant influence, and found his dedicated and driving urge to work less pleasant than the gentler Barnabas, his cousin. Ultimately, Paul recognised the qualities in Mark, and sought for his companionship (2Ti 4). Paul continued his journey, and spoke to the those at Pisidia: vv 14,15. Here is his first recorded speech given (vv 16-41), a renowned exposition of the Word. The record now continues with a personal appeal to the people (vv 38-41). The exciting chapter concludes with a record of the keen interest aroused in an environment of antagonism and strife: vv. 42-52” (GEM).

SIMEON CALLED NIGER: A Christian prophet and/or teacher in the ecclesia at Antioch at the time of the call of Barnabas and Paul to missionary service. He was also known by his Latin name “Niger”, meaning “black,” suggesting that he may have been an African. Is this the same as Simon the Cyrenian (Mark 15:21)?

LUCIUS OF CYRENE: Quite possibly the same as Lucius at Corinth, one of Paul’s “kinsmen” or fellow Jews who sent greetings to Christians in Rome (Rom 16:21).

MANAEN (WHO HAD BEEN BROUGHT UP WITH HEROD THE TETRARCH): “Foster-brother” (‘syntrophos’: ‘brought up’) of Herod the tetrarch, ie Herod Antipas (4 BC — AD 37). The latter designation may mean that he was brought up (NASB) and educated with this Herod. Some have speculated that he was the son, or at least a relative, of Manaen the Essene who predicted to Herod the Great, when a child, that he would become king of the Jews. When the prediction was fulfilled, Herod held Manaen the Essene and his sect in high regard (Jos Ant 15:10:5). Poss Manaen of Acts 13:1 was adopted by Herod the Great and made a companion to one of his sons. The term “syntrophos”, however, may mean simply an intimate friend or “member of the court” (RSV; cf NEB).

Act 13:2

THE WORK TO WHICH I HAVE CALLED THEM: The special preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles: Rom 16:25,26; Eph 3:2-6). Also see Gal 1:1; 1Ti 1:1; Tit 1:3.

Act 13:3

See Lesson, Laying on of hands.

Act 13:4

WENT DOWN: The classic language of theophany, or Yahweh-manifestation, occurs often in Acts in the context of gospel preaching, as if the witness to the gospel were another manifestation of the Yahweh-Name: Act 8:5; 10:21; 13:4; 14:25; 15:30; 16:8; 18:22.

CYPRUS: Barnabas’ native land (Act 4:36), already seen to be receptive to the Truth (Act 11:19,20).

Act 13:5

SYNAGOGUES: Plural: there were numerous Jewish communities there.

Act 13:7

BARNABAS AND SAUL: Note the order at the beginning; but Saul/Paul quickly emerges as the leader, although young and inexperienced.

Act 13:9

PAUL: The name Paul — used for the first time here — signifies “little” or “small” — it is a sign of Saul’s newfound humility. Also, a Greek name to replace a Hebrew name (symbolizing his new mission, as he stands before Sergius Paulus, a leading member of the Gentile world). Had not the prophet Samuel said to Saul’s namesake (also of the tribe of Benjamin)?: ‘When you were SMALL in your own eyes, did not God exalt you?’ (1Sa 15:17).

The whole incident here is an enacted parable, suggesting Saul/Paul’s own experiences (Acts 9): first Saul is like Elymas, the “wise”, who is blinded and silenced (v 11); then he is like Sergius Paulus, the “unlearned”, who asks for (“Saul” signifies “asked for”) and receives the faith of Christ.

Act 13:10

Elymas was also called “Bar-Jesus” in v 6 (“son of Jesus); Now his name is changed by Paul to “Son of the devil”! He is not the son of Jesus; he is the son of the serpent! Notice the close link with Christ’s words in Joh 8:41-44: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire… When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

Act 13:11

BLIND: ‘Just as I was when I thought to kick against the prick, or sting’ (Acts 26:14)!

Elymas the sorcerer is given the same opportunity as was Saul on the Damascus road: he is blinded physically, but enlightened mentally and spiritually.

Like the Jews described by Christ, Elymas had lost sight of the characteristics of a true son of Abraham. Like the Jews, he had become an “enemy of all righteousness” (Acts 13:10) and an enemy of the gospel (Rom 11:28).

Elymas’ main concern was the preservation of his source of wealth (the munificence of Sergius Paulus), his power over the proconsul (who was himself an important man — so much the better!), and his pride at his own presumed “wisdom”. In short, Elymas was motivated by the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1Jo 2:16)!

The sentence of blindness passed upon Bar-Jesus suggests, in this typical parable, the spiritual “blindness” decreed upon Israel because of their rejection of God (Deu 28:28; Isa 6:10). However, just as the sorcerer’s blindness was temporary (“for a season” — Acts 13:11), so Israel’s blindness will be temporary: “Blindness in part is happened to all Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (Rom 11:25).

Act 13:12

WHEN THE PROCONSUL SAW WHAT HAD HAPPENED, HE BELIEVED, FOR HE WAS AMAZED AT THE TEACHING ABOUT THE LORD: The final act in this miniature “play” is the conversion of Sergius Paulus — which surely signifies the initiation of the Gentiles into the hope largely abandoned by Israel. The opposition of the apostate Jew provided the very opportunity for the Gentile to believe!

This one incident, then, is seen to set the pattern of Paul’s work as a missionary to the Roman world: the unbelief of the Jews and the faith of the Gentiles. Thus is summarized, for that matter, the broad outline of two thousand years of ecclesial history. It appears that, in recognition of God’s expanding purpose with the Gentiles and the instrumental part he was to play in it, Saul of Tarsus then and there adopted the new name “Paul” from his Gentile convert.

Act 13:13

PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS: From now on, Paul (with a new name) assumes leadership of the company… and so it continues to the end.

PERGA IN PAMPHYLIA: Perga was the capital of the district, later the Roman province, of Pamphylia on the southern coast of Asia Minor, located on the Cestrus River, 12 miles inland from its port city of Attalia. On Paul’s first missionary journey, he seems to have passed through Perga without stopping as he made his way up into the mountains of the interior. It has been suggested that at that time of year, malarial conditions in the lowland city had emptied it of most of its inhabitants and Paul himself may have had the fever (Acts 13:13,14; cf Gal 4:13). At the close of the first missionary journey, on his way back to Syrian Antioch, Paul stopped and preached the Word in Perga (Acts 14:25). Perga was never much influenced by the Greeks, but remained oriental in character with worship centered in the Artemis of Perga. It would seem that Paul’s ministry had little effect in Perga, for there is no mention of the city until centuries later.

JOHN LEFT THEM: Examples of prophetic reluctance: Exo 4:10; Jer 1:6; Eze 3:14; Jon 1:3; 1Ki 19:10; Luk 5:8,10; 9:59; 18:23; Act 13:13; 18:9. Ct Isa 6:8. Other possible reasons for Mark’s departure: (a) This was a very dangerous area: semi-barbarous, filled with brigands and robbers (cp 2Co 11:26); (b) Perhaps Paul’s new leadership is less acceptable to Mark than was his uncle’s guidance.

Act 13:14

PISIDIAN ANTIOCH: “A city of Phrygia in southern Asia Minor. It was called Pisidian Antioch to distinguish it from the many other cities of the same name founded by Seleucus Nicator in honor of his father, probably soon after 301 BC. It was a garrison point commanding the great Roman road connecting Ephesus with the Cilician Gates, a mountain pass just above Tarsus. After 25 BC Rome made it a city of Galatia, then elevated it to colony status shortly before 6 BC. Roman roads henceforward connected it with the other colonies (eg, Lystra) founded in the district.

“On his first mission Paul planted a church in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-52) and its witness was heard throughout the ‘region’ (Acts 13:49); only in Ephesus and Thessalonica were there comparable results. Jews were present in great numbers from 200 BC onward and no doubt their proselyting efforts had prepared many Gentile hearts for the gospel” (WyE).

Act 13:22

Citing 1Sa 13:14: “The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart.” And Psa 78:70-72: “He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

Act 13:24

THE COMING: As in Mal 3:1,2.

Act 13:29

THE TREE: The cross on which Christ was crucified is called by the apostles a “tree” (Acts 5:30; 10:39; Gal 3:13; 1Pe 2:24), because — though a piece of wood that meant death for those hung thereon — that special cross meant life to those who looked to it in faith! The “wood of death” was for them “a tree of life”, and the “fruit” that hung from its branches, if partaken of, would give life everlasting (Gen 2:9; 3:22; Rev 2:7; 22:2,14,19).

Ever after, in the peculiar vision and language of the inspired writers of the New Testament, the dull, barren, bloody, and forbidding piece of wood would seem like a bright, green, fruitful and inviting tree… the tree of life!

Act 13:30

See VL, Christ’s resurrection, reality.

Act 13:33

RAISING UP JESUS: Applies to birth of Jesus: cp v 34… then “raised” from the dead! Cp use of “raise” in Deu 18:15,18; Exo 9:16; Jdg 3:9; Eph 2:6; and esp Act 2:30; 2Sa 7:12; Psa 89:35,36.

Act 13:34

THE HOLY AND SURE BLESSINGS PROMISED TO DAVID: The promise to David was that his “son” would reign forever (2Sa 7:13,16; 1Ch 17:12,14).

Act 13:36

DAVID HAD SERVED GOD’S PURPOSE IN HIS OWN GENERATION: David had served “the men of that age and generation in which he lived, the subjects of his kingdom; by governing them with wholesome laws, protecting them in their rights and properties, defending them against their enemies, and regulating and promoting the worship of God among them” (Gill).

Act 13:38

THIS MAN: “Receives sinners” (Luk 15:2). “Never man spoke like…” (Joh 7:46). “No fault in…” (Luk 23:4,14,41). “Has somewhat to offer” (Heb 8:3). “Through this man… forgiveness” (Act 13:38). “Is worthy of more honor than Moses” (Heb 3:3). “Sat down” (Heb 10:12). “Continues forever” (Heb 7:24). “Was Son of God” (Mar 15:39).

Act 13:42

AS PAUL AND BARNABAS WERE LEAVING THE SYNAGOGUE, THE PEOPLE INVITED…: They were leaving the Jewish synagogue. The Gentiles (proselytes?: v 43) who were outside asked them for more!

Act 13:43

FOLLOWED PAUL AND BARNABAS: The Syriac adds: “asking to be baptized”.

AND URGED THEM…: Paul’s powers of persuasion:         Acts 18:4; 19:8; 26:28; 28:23; Gal 1:10.

Act 13:46

WE HAD TO SPEAK THE WORD OF GOD TO YOU FIRST: “It was necessary” (AV), because Christ prayed that you be forgiven, and we have offered you the opportunity: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luk 23:34).

Act 13:47

YOU… YOU: The pronouns are singular, as they are in Isa 49:6… but are interpreted by Paul and Barnabas as plural: ie commanded of those “in Christ”.

Act 13:48

APPOINTED: “Arranged”, “set in order”: continuous verb.

Act 13:49

So Pisidian Antioch became a center for the spread of the gospel, just as Syrian Antioch.

Act 13:50

GOD-FEARING WOMEN OF HIGH STANDING: IN this province women were often involved in public affairs at a high level. Even the Jews of Antioch were not against having a woman as “chief” of the synagogue (WAc 200).

Act 13:52

Preaching leads to persecution; persecution leads to joy.

Act 14:1

Act 14: “These were dramatic times, as the ecclesia was being formed out of the difficulty and persecution from both Judaizers and the Roman Pagan Empire. At the same time, those troublous times gave impetus to such as the apostle Paul, confirming him in his newly-found realization of the identity of Messiah and the fulfillment of the OT scriptures. Act 14 records the second of two addresses by the apostle Paul, and introduces his work to the Gentiles as continuing that of the apostle Peter to the Jews. His first address was given in Antioch (Pisidia): Act 13:16-41, and his second at Lystra: Act 14:15-17. Amazingly, the audience were not prepared to accept the logical and clear contentions of the apostle — typical of the spirit of the flesh, then and now! Cp some of the drama of the record: in Act 14:19 Paul feels the impact of stoning by the Jews; and thereby shared the fellowship of the sufferings of Stephen, when he, himself, had given his support to those stoning the believer because of his testimony (Act 7:58)!” (GEM).

V 1: ICONIUM: An ancient city of Asia Minor, now called Konya, that was visited several times by Paul on his missionary journeys. Named for the “eikon” — the famous head of Medusa that was located there. The chief city of Lycaonia in the Hellenistic period, Iconium lay on the border of the districts of Phrygia and Lycaonia. It was incorporated into the Roman province of Galatia in 25 BC. It stood on a level plateau 3,400 feet above sea level, with 5,000-6,000 foot mountains a few miles to the west.

Paul brought the gospel there on his first missionary journey (Acts 13:51; 14:1-6,21) and returned there on his second journey (Acts 16:2), and prob on his third as well (Acts 18:23). It was poss to Iconium as well as the other cities in that area that Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to combat the inroads of the Judaizers.

Act 14:3

The apostles prayed for aid in their work of preaching, and received it. Christ’s personal concern and activity in the work of his men: Acts 7:55; 9:4,10; 13:52; 16:7,14; 18:5; 22:17; 23:11.

Act 14:6

LYSTRA: A city about 18 miles sw of Iconium in the Roman province of Galatia where Paul established an ecclesia on his first missionary journey and which he visited on his second and third journeys (Acts 14:6-20; 16:1-5; 18:23). At Lystra or Derbe Paul met Timothy. Founded as a Roman colony by Augustus about 6 BC, for the purpose of training and regulating the mountain tribes on the southern frontier of the province of Galatia, Lystra was a place of some importance under the early emperors.

DERBE: “A town in Asia Minor in the se corner of Lycaonia on the main road from Lystra to Laranda. On Paul’s first missionary journey he came to Derbe after having been stoned at Lystra and made many disciples there (Acts 14:6, 20). Paul passed through Derbe on his second journey from Cilicia to Lystra (Acts 16:1) and likely visited there on his third journey. Gaius, one of Paul’s disciples and companions, was from Derbe (Acts 20:4).

“Since Sir William Ramsay identified Derbe with Gudelisin in 1890, that view has been generally accepted. But two inscriptions found in recent years have demonstrated rather conclusively that Kerti Huyk is the correct site of ancient Derbe. Gudelisin is about 30 miles west of the modern Turkish town of Karaman (66 miles by road se of Konya), and Kerti Huyuk is some 15 miles nw of Karaman” (WyE).

Act 14:7

WHERE THEY CONTINUED TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS: Timothy, a resident of Lystra (Acts 16:1), was converted, becoming Paul’s “son in the faith” (1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2).

Act 14:9

HEALED: Gr “sozo”, lit “saved” or “delivered”.

Act 14:10

Cp similar miracle performed by Peter at Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:8). One Jew and, now, one Gentile!

Although the lame man had NEVER walked (v 8), he did not need to learn how now!

Act 14:11

IN THE LYCAONIAN LANGUAGE: “In their excitement, the people fell into their native Lycaonian tongue, and Paul and Barnabas could not understand what was happening. Much of the Mediterranean world was bilingual, the people speaking the general language, Greek, and also their native dialect” (WyC).

THE GODS HAVE COME DOWN TO US IN HUMAN FORM: “You welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself” (Gal 4:14).

Act 14:12

“The two visitors were thought to be two gods. Zeus was the chief god of the Greek Pantheon, and Hermes was the herald of the gods. Jupiter and Mercurius (AV) are the Latin equivalents for the Greek names of these gods, but the Greek terms ought to be used. Since Paul was the spokesman of the two, the people called him Hermes; while Barnabas, the more silent partner who stood in the background, they called Zeus, the father of the gods. Legends existed that told of other occasions when these two gods visited people of this area” (WyC).

Act 14:13

THE PRIEST OF ZEUS: Zeus was the patron god of Lystra; his great statue was erected at the principal gate. The priest of Zeus prepared oxen adorned with decorations to offer sacrifice to their unexpected visitors.

Act 14:14

Although the apostles could not understand the Lycaonian dialect (v 11), the actions of the priests soon indicated their purpose to sacrifice, and when the apostles realized their intent, they strongly protested. They tore their clothes — a Jewish gesture of horror at blasphemy (Mar 14:63).

Act 14:16

As long as nations did not come into contact with God’s truth, they were not held accountable for their sins: Acts 17:30. By contrast, Israel’s close acquaintance with their Creator brought them greater responsibility — and greater punishment — for their sins (Amo 3:2). Jesus’ teaching on the grounds of responsibility: John 3:18-21.

Act 14:19

FROM ANTIOCH: A 100-mile trip.

THEY STONED PAUL: 2Co 11:25; 2Ti 3:11; Gal 6:17.

Act 14:20

HE GOT UP: “Anistemi” = he rose, implying a true resurrection! Note: although he seemed to be dead, he requires no assistance when he “stands up”! A miracle.

Act 14:21

Here (in Derbe) Gaius is converted (Act 20:4).

THEN THEY RETURNED TO LYSTRA, ICONIUM AND ANTIOCH: Rather than taking the easy and direct route to Tarsus and Syrian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas retraced all their steps in a circuitous trip — so as to visit all the newly-formed ecclesias, and strengthen them.

Act 14:22

WE MUST GO THROUGH MANY HARDSHIPS TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD: Paul had been the perfect example, demonstrating in his own trials the truth of these words! Note also Christ’s words of warning and encouragement: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Mat 10:21,22,38; cp Mat 16:24). “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me” (John 12:25,26). “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God… I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:1,2,33).

Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Consider the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the “father of the faithful” (Rom 4:11-16). Study the lives of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and the early brethren, and you shall discover that there were none of those whom God made vessels for His mercy, who were not — like fine pottery in the hands of the Potter — made to pass through the furnace of affliction.

It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King’s vessels of honor are distinguished. But although tribulation is the path marked out for God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has walked that path before them; they have his presence and sympathy to encourage them, his grace to support them, and his example to teach them how to endure. And when they reach the kingdom, it will more than make up for the tribulations through which they passed on their way!

Act 14:24

PAMPHYLIA: A small province between Galatia and the Mediterranean Sea, of which Perga was the capital and Attalia the chief seaport (v 25).

Act 14:25

WENT DOWN: The classic language of theophany, or Yahweh-manifestation, occurs often in Acts in the context of gospel preaching, as if the witness to the gospel were another manifestation of the Yahweh-Name: Act 8:5; 10:21; 13:4; 14:25; 15:30; 16:8; 18:22.

ATTALIA: “A city on the coast of Pamphylia, visited by Paul on his first missionary journey (Acts 14:25). It was founded c 165-150 BC by Attalus II Philadelphus (159-138 BC) of Pergamum to be an outlet to Egypt and Syria. It was punished by the Roman consul Isauricus (c 77 BC) for aiding Zenicetes in his piracy by being added to the Roman province thereafter.

“Coins were struck from the time of the founding of the city and its name is spelled thereon as Attaleon (‘belonging to Attalia’). When Paul was there, the main type of coin showed Claudius on the obverse, and on the reverse Athena dressed in a crested Corinthian helmet. It should be remembered that the people of Attalia claimed kinship with the Athenians… The situation of this port city, rising as it does by tiers from its harbor is still picturesque and is partly responsible for its continued existence and commercial activity. Ruins there are traceable to the Roman and Hellenistic periods. It is called Antalya today” (WyE).

Act 14:27

At this time there was contention between Paul and Peter regarding the treatment of Gentile converts at Antioch: Gal 2:11-17.

GOD… HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH TO THE GENTILES: Barriers to Gentiles going down: Acts 6:5 (proselytes as well as Jews); Acts 6:14 (Stephen’s argument); Acts 8:5 (Samaritans); Acts 8:35 (Ethiopian eunuch); Acts 10:20; 11:18 (Gentiles!).

Act 15:1

These Judaizers also tried to impose the keeping of the Law on Gentile converts: Acts 15:5.

Act 15:2

// Gal 2:1-5. Paul took along Titus, a Gentile convert who was uncircumcised.

Act 15:5

The Sabbath Law, part of Moses’ law: Exo 31:12-18. Decision of the Jerusalem council: Acts 15:23-29.

Act 15:7

GOD MADE A CHOICE: This is GOD’S work (vv 8,12,18).

Act 15:8

WHO KNOWS THE HEART: “Cardio-gnostes” = “heart-knower” (only other use in Acts 1:24; cp Psa 139:1).

Act 15:10

Note links with Paul’s arguments in Galatians: Gal 3:19,23,24.

Act 15:14

V 14: Visitation, invitation, separation, identification, dedication.

BY TAKING FROM THE GENTILES: The Jews were practically Gentiles in Egypt. This v is practically an epitome of Exodus: (1) “visit” (KJV) = “inspect, and deliver” (Exo 3:1; 1:1-11:10); (2) “taking from” = Passover (Exo 12:1–15:21); (3) a people: to be molded and educated (Exo 15:22–24:18); and (4) for himself = lit, for His Name! The Law given to develop His Name, or character, in this people.

Act 15:16

AFTER THIS I WILL RETURN: Actually, a brief allusion to Jer 12:15,16, where the Gentiles embrace the Hope of Israel.

Act 15:17

“Isaiah had expected Gentile converts to come to Jerusalem to learn God’s ways so that they might walk in them. But Isaiah also spoke of the Gentiles’ persistence as nations whose salvation did not destroy their national identities (cf Isa 2:4; 25:6,7). Likewise, Amos spoke of ‘the remnant of men’ (LXX, DSS) in the last days when ‘David’s fallen tent’ would be rebuilt as being ‘all the Gentiles who bear my name’ and whose continuance as Gentiles was understood. In the end times, James is saying, God’s people will consist of two concentric groups. At their core will be restored Israel (ie, David’s rebuilt tent); gathered around them will be a group of Gentiles (ie, ‘the remnant of men’) who will share in the Messianic blessings but will persist as Gentiles without necessarily becoming Jewish proselytes. It is this understanding of Amos’ message, James insisted, that Peter’s testimony has affirmed, the result being that the conversion of Gentiles in the last days should be seen not as proselytizing but in an eschatological context. James’ quotation of Amo 9:11,12 is both textually and exegetically difficult. As given in Acts, the text of v 12 deviates from the Masoretic Text and agrees with the LXX in reading ‘they will seek’ (Gr ‘ekzetesosin’) for ‘they will inherit’ (Heb ‘yiresu’), in reading ‘of men’ (Gr ‘ton anthropon’) for ‘of Edom’ (edom), and in treating ‘the remnant’ (Gr ‘hoi kataloipoi’) as the subject of the sentence rather than its object. It would have been impossible, in fact, for James to have derived his point from the text had he worked from the Masoretic.

“On the other hand, the text of v 11 here differs from the LXX in reading ‘after this’ (Gr ‘meta tauta’) for ‘in that day’ (Gr ‘en te hemera ekeine’), in reading ‘I will return and rebuild’ (Gr ‘anastrepso kai anoikodomeso’) for ‘I will raise up’ (Gr ‘anasteso’), in reading ‘I will restore’ (Gr ‘anorthoso’) for ‘I will raise up’ (Gr ‘anasteso’), and in omitting the clause ‘and I will rebuild it as in the days of old’ (Gr ‘kai anoikodomeso auten kathos hai hemerai tou aionos’).

“Focusing on the quotation’s difference from the Masoretic and essential agreement with the LXX, many commentators have complained that ‘the Jewish Christian James would not in Jerusalem have used a Septuagint text, differing from the Hebrew original, as scriptural proof,’ and have therefore concluded, ‘It is not James but Luke who is speaking here’ (Haenchen, Acts of the Apostles 448). But while the text of Amo 9:11,12 differs from the Masoretic in meaning and the LXX in form, ‘it is exactly identical with… [some attested readings of the DSS]’ ” (EBC).

“It should not be difficult to see the relation to circumcision [Act 15:1]. To the members of the council, the argument would have been immediately apparent. James said that Amos predicted that when the Lord would come back to re-establish the habitation of David, those to whom He would come, who would seek after Him, would include ‘Gentiles upon whom my name is called.’ This being the case, there was no reason to require the Gentiles who are joining the Christian church to be circumcised and thereby to become Jews. Many Gentiles had become Jewish proselytes during the two centuries preceding this council, and some of these Jewish proselytes had already become Christians. The point was not that Gentiles could become Christians, but that they could become Christians and yet continue to be Gentiles. The force of James’ argument is this: ‘If God, who knows all His works from the very beginning, has predicted through Amos that when Jesus comes back to this earth to set up His kingdom He will then find awaiting Him, not only believing Jews, but also ‘Gentiles upon whom my name is called,’ this fact of prophecy should enable His people to understand the fact of experience that Peter and Paul have described, that God has received Gentiles into the church, by giving them the Holy Spirit, without requiring that they first become Jews by being circumcised.’ Thus the quotation from Amos, if taken as describing the situation which will exist when Christ returns to set up His kingdom, gives a clear and logical reason why the council should decide that it was not necessary for new Gentile converts to be circumcised, thereby becoming Jews. This fits exactly with the way in which James introduces the actual quotation from Amos: ‘After this I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down.’ Amo 9:11 begins: ‘In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen.’ The words ‘After this I will return and’ are not in the Heb of the book of Amos, nor in the LXX translation. There can be no doubt that James deliberately substituted them for the general expression of time with which the Amos passage begins, as a means of introducing the quotation. It was his way of pointing out the place of Amo 9:11-12 in its context, where it is preceded by a description of the woes that God will bring upon those who depart from Him, and followed in vv 13-15 (of Acts 15) by an account of the great prosperity and happiness which God’s people are to enjoy when He again plants them upon their land. James begins the quotation by summarizing the context in such a way as to show to what point it refers in God’s plan for the ages. It is as if he had said: ‘Listen to what God has predicted about the events that will occur at the return of Christ, after the present age has run its course. When Christ returns and sets up his kingdom, he will come to an earth on which there will be Gentiles who are called by his Name. He is even now continuing the process which he began when he sent Peter to the house of Cornelius, namely, visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his Name. It is thus seen to be God’s revealed will that when Christ returns he should find awaiting him, and seeking him, Christians who have not ceased to be Gentiles. Since this is the case, it would be folly for us to resist the divine plan by requiring that the Gentiles who turn to the Lord should be circumcised and thereby become Jews” (BibSac 110:319).

Act 15:18

KNOWN FOR AGES: “Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD?… Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth” (Isa 45:21,22).

Act 15:20

FOOD POLLUTED BY IDOLS: The food restrictions: only for a temporary, transitional period: ct 1Co 8:8; Rom 14:3; 1Ti 4:4.

FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY: The doctrine of Balaam (Rev 2:14), ie, that participation in idolatrous and lustful Temple rituals was not really sin.

Act 15:22

WITH THE WHOLE CHURCH: It was formally agreed to by the whole assembly: vv 25,28,34.

TWO MEN WHO WERE LEADERS AMONG THE BROTHERS: Two prominent LOCAL brothers, to endorse the decision of the elders.

Act 15:23

IN ANTIOCH, SYRIA AND CILICIA: It was never intended, therefore, to be of universal application.

Act 15:26

WHO RISKED THEIR LIVES: Was this also true of the Judaizers? Ct 2Co 10:12.

Act 15:28

THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: The “necessary things” (AV) were love, forbearance, concern for others — not the Jewish scruples listed: cp 1Co 8:8; 10:25-28.

Act 15:29

No mention of Sabbath-keeping. Obviously not to be imposed. Warnings against imposing rituals of the law: Gal 5:1-4; Col 2:13-17.

Act 15:30

WENT DOWN: The classic language of theophany, or Yahweh-manifestation, occurs often in Acts in the context of gospel preaching, as if the witness to the gospel were another manifestation of the Yahweh-Name: Act 8:5; 10:21; 13:4; 14:25; 15:30; 16:8; 18:22.

Act 15:37

BARNABAS WANTED TO TAKE… MARK… WITH THEM: Mark had apparently accompanied Paul and Barnabas from Jerusalem to Antioch (v 30).

Act 15:38

HE HAD DESERTED THEM: The KJV has “departed”, which is not strong enough. The Gr “aphistemi” sig “desert” or “apostasize” — thus implying a doctrinal difference: prob Mark’s Judaistic tendencies (ct 2Ti 4:11).

Act 15:39

“Perhaps it is something of a comfort in our own problems to know that for a time two great apostles were not in the same fellowship!… in God’s providence such a disastrous division was not to be” (AE, Xd 108:60). Cp Gal 2:9,13; 1Co 9:6; 2Ti 4:11 esp: later, Paul speaks highly favorably of Mark; apparently, there was no continuing rift.

“Here it appears either Paul or Barnabas went too far. It must have been a violent disagreement to separate two associates who were so closely united. Indeed, the text indicates as much.

Such examples are written for our consolation: for it is a great comfort to us to hear that great saints, who have the Spirit of God, also struggle. Those who say that saints do not sin would deprive us of this comfort. Samson, David, and many other celebrated men full of the Holy Spirit fell into grievous sins. Job and Jeremiah cursed the day of their birth; Elijah and Jonah were weary of life and desired death. No one has ever fallen so grievously that he may not rise again. Conversely, no one stands so firmly that he may not fall. If Peter (and Paul and Barnabas) fell, I too may fall. If they rose again, I too may rise again” (ML).

“It’s one of those things that seems to afflict just about every human being that has walked this earth. Sooner or later we will have a disagreement with someone else and the stronger minded we are (or they are), the harsher our disagreement will be. Disagreement is inevitable, but what we must do about it is to lessen the impact so that it will not be so severe.

“The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas was so sharp that they parted company, and, if we read between the lines, they split up a great friendship. Paul and Barnabas had been best of friends. They had worked together as a fantastic team. Now, because of their disagreement, that had all been undone.

“Later on it appears that Paul had changed his mind about the issue, and had they still been together, there would have been agreement once again.

“When we think about our disagreements in the past, how many of them were worth the stress and worry that they gave us? Were they worth the broken relationships or the missed opportunities?

“Let’s soften the blow by considering the long term repercussions of the sharpness of our disagreements. Let’s put them into perspective and save what is really important — relationships, love and opportunities” (RP).

BARNABAS TOOK MARK AND SAILED FOR CYPRUS: This would be a much easier campaign.

Act 15:40

SILAS: Silas first appears (Acts 15:22,27,32) in the NT narrative as one of the leading men sent to carry the decree of the Jerusalem council to the Gentile believers of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. He was probably a Hellenistic Jew since his name is the Gr form equivalent to Heb “Saul.” He was a Christian prophet, able to exhort and strengthen by his preaching. Like Paul, he enjoyed Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37,38). Silas appears as Silvanus (the Latin form of his name) in 2Co 1:19 (cf Acts 18:5); 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1; 1Pe 5:12. Silas was to be Paul’s companion in the dramatic events of the Philippian imprisonment (Acts 16:19,25,29).

Act 10:1

CAESAREA: Caesarea was the capital of Judea under the Roman procurators (eg, Pilate). It had been rebuilt and renamed from Strato’s Tower to Caesarea Sebaste (in honor of Augustus) by Herod the Great. Located on the coast about 30 miles north of Jaffa (old Joppa) and about 30 miles nw of Jerusalem, it was a magnificent city containing many palaces and lavish public buildings, and a seaport. It was here that King Herod Agrippa I, in Luke’s account, “was eaten of worms, and died” (Acts 12:19-23). A city of mixed population, leading to frequent Jewish-Gentile friction, it is connected in Acts with various preaching efforts. Philip (one of the seven deacons, Acts 6:5), lived there, together with his four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9).

CENTURION: Every NT ref shows centurions in a good light: Luk 7:1-10; 23:47; Act 10:1,2; 22:25,26; 23:17,18; 27:43.

CORNELIUS: Sig “beam of light”. Poss Cornelius was also the centurion of Luk 7 (see v 2n).

ITALIAN REGIMENT: A special legion associated with the emperor.

Act 10:2

DEVOUT AND GOD-FEARING: A proselyte, an outer-court worshiper (Elp 203), like the eunuch (Acts 8:27): Exo 12:48; Num 9:14; 15:14.

There were 2 types of proselytes: (1) a “proselyte of righteousness”: a full proselyte, circumcised, admitted to all aspects of worship, and (2) a “proselyte of the gate”: who worshiped the God of Israel, but had not submitted to circumcision, and was denied the closest association with other Jews. Was the Ethiopian the first, and Cornelius the second? (SB 13:61).

Were the centurion of Luke 7 and Cornelius the same person? A comparison: Each was a lover of Israel (Luke 7:5; Acts 10:2,22). Each was a lover of God (Luke 7:4; Acts 10:2,22). Each was a lover of Christ (Luke 7:6; Acts 10:37,38).

Act 10:3

THREE IN THE AFTERNOON: “Ninth hour” (RSV). Time of evening sacrifice (Act 3:1; Dan 9:21) and afternoon prayer (Psa 141:2). Time of death of Christ (Mat 27:46).

HE DISTINCTLY SAW: Being awake, and not in a trance.

Act 10:4

HAVE COME UP: Ascended, like incense (Rev 5:8; 8:3,4).

God hears one NOT “in covenant” (here), and He does not hear one “IN covenant” (1Sa 28:6).

Act 10:5

The angel has no commission to give instruction to potential converts. This is reserved for other mortal men. (Even Christ does not first instruct Paul.)

JOPPA: The first prospective convert from among the Gentiles calls on Peter (or Simon son of JONAH: Mat 16:17) at JOPPA, the very place where the original Jonah had boarded a ship to run away from his call (Jon 1:3). This “son of Jonah”, though, does not ignore the call, and so the sign of Jonah (Mat 12:39-41) is finally and completely fulfilled in the repentance of the Gentiles.!

Act 10:6

WHOSE HOUSE IS BY THE SEA: Across which Peter could look toward the lands of the Gentiles!

KJV adds: ” he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.”

Act 10:7

A DEVOUT SOLDIER: Poss the same servant who was healed of his illness in Mat 8:6?

Act 10:9

THE ROOF: A flat area, protected by a parapet (Deu 22:8), accessible by outside staircase (Act 20:10; Mat 24:17; Luk 5:19; 12:3; 17:31), suitable for privacy (1 Sam 9:25), used for various purposes (Neh 8:16; 1Sa 9:26; Jer 19:13).

Act 10:11

A LARGE SHEET: Recalling an image most familiar to Peter’s early life: the wind-swept canvas of a craft on the lake of Galilee.

FOUR CORNERS: Lit, 4 beginnings (archais).

Act 10:13

KILL: Elsewhere translated “sacrifice”: Act 14:13,18; 1Co 10:20.

AND EAT: Cp John 6:53-58: “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you…” This too was the eating of that which the orthodox Jew saw as an abomination! Cp Acts 10:41.

Act 10:14

SURELY NOT, LORD: Expressing a Jewish ceremonial revulsion: cp v 39: the one who hangs on a tree is “unclean”.

Act 10:16

THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES: Suggesting completeness, finality (vv 19,40). Also suggesting the testimony of three witnesses (Deu 17:6).

TAKEN BACK TO HEAVEN: As Christ, who was first unclean, then made clean, and finally taken into heaven!

Act 10:21

WENT DOWN: The classic language of theophany, or Yahweh-manifestation, occurs often in Acts in the context of gospel preaching, as if the witness to the gospel were another manifestation of the Yahweh-Name: Act 8:5; 10:21; 13:4; 14:25; 15:30; 16:8; 18:22.

WHY HAVE YOU COME?: Did he think, perhaps, that they had come to arrest him?

Act 10:22

Did Peter now recall the other request, made by a centurion to Jesus (Luke 7)?

Act 10:23

TO BE HIS GUESTS: “Practice hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1Pe 4:9). Peter had already begun to eat with Gentiles.

SOME OF THE BROTHERS: Six of them (Act 11:22). Brethren from the local ecclesias, to act as witnesses.

Act 10:26

I AM ONLY A MAN MYSELF: Cp experiences of Paul and Barnabas (Act 14:15). Also cp Luk 5:8; Rev 19:10; 22:8,9. By ct, Christ accepted all homage.

Act 10:28

GOD HAS SHOWN ME THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL ANY MAN IMPURE OR UNCLEAN: Cp Eph 2:11-22.

Act 10:30

FOUR DAYS AGO: Cornelius sym the Gentiles — dead in their sins for 4,000 years until the death of Christ. Cp Joh 11:39: Lazarus dead for four days.

Act 10:33

WE ARE ALL HERE TO LISTEN: Cornelius had gathered together others also to hear Peter.

Act 10:34

GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM: “God is no respecter of persons” (AV). A good and righteous ancestry is by itself no recommendation to God. A Chicago bank once asked for a letter of recommendation upon a young Bostonian being considered for employment. The Boston investment house to which the bank applied could not say enough about the young man. His father, they wrote, was a Cabot; his mother was a Lowell. Further back was a happy blend of Saltonstalls, Peabodys, and other of Boston’s first and foremost families. His recommendation was given without hesitation. Several days later, the Chicago bank sent a note saying the information supplied was altogether inadequate. It read: “We are not contemplating using the young man for breeding purposes. Just for work.”

Act 10:36

YOU KNOW THE MESSAGE GOD SENT TO THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL: They possessed considerable familiarity with gospel already.

PEACE: Actually, the breaking down of the middle wall of partition (Eph 2:15-17). Peter is preaching “peace” to a professional soldier!

WHO IS LORD OF ALL: He is so much more than another prophet!

Act 10:38

HOW GOD ANOINTED JESUS…: Cp Isa 42:1; 60:1.

HE WENT AROUND DOING GOOD: “Few words, but yet an exquisite miniature of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are not many touches, but they are the strokes of a master’s pencil. Of the Saviour and only of the Saviour is it true in the fullest, broadest, and most unqualified sense. From this description it is evident that he did good personally. The evangelists constantly tell us that he touched the leper with his own finger, that he anointed the eyes of the blind, and that in cases where he was asked to speak the word only at a distance, he did not usually comply, but went himself to the sick bed, and there personally wrought the cure. A lesson to us, if we would do good, to do it ourselves. Give alms with your own hand; a kind look, or word, will enhance the value of the gift… Our Lord’s mode of doing good sets forth his incessant activity! He did not only the good which came close to hand, but he ‘went about’ on his errands of mercy. Throughout the whole land of Judea there was scarcely a village or a hamlet which was not gladdened by the sight of him. How this reproves the creeping, loitering manner, in which many professors serve the Lord. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, and be not weary in well doing. Does not the text imply that Jesus Christ went out of his way to do good? ‘He went about doing good.’ He was never deterred by danger or difficulty. He sought out the objects of his gracious intentions. So must we. If old plans will not answer, we must try new ones, for fresh experiments sometimes achieve more than regular methods. Christ’s perseverance, and the unity of his purpose, are also hinted at, and the practical application of the subject may be summed up in the words, ‘He hath left us an example that we should follow in his steps’ [1Pe 2:21]” (CHS).

Act 10:39

THEY KILLED HIM BY HANGING HIM ON A TREE: Cp Act 5:30; 13:29.

Act 10:40

See VL, Christ’s resurrection, reality.

Act 10:43

Sins forgiven only through Jesus: Act 5:31; 13:38; 3:19.

Act 10:44

THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON ALL…: Showing that the admission of Gentiles was the will of God.

Act 10:45

THE CIRCUMCISED BELIEVERS… WERE ASTONISHED: In other words, they now see that it is not necessary to circumcise Gentiles before admitting them to the fellowship of the saints.

Act 10:47

These words are addressed to the 6 brethren who had accompanied Peter (Act 11:12); none of them objected.

Act 10:48

See Lesson, Acts, conversions.

HE ORDERED: It is a command to be baptized; to refuse is to disobey: 1Pe 4:17; 2Th 1:8.

…PETER TO STAY… FEW DAYS: During this time he ate with Gentiles (Act 11:3).