Interpretive Study of Acts - Summary:
Book theme is: How God Started the Church.

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, God.

Chapter 8 Summary: Chapter theme is: God scatters the church.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge reports: 'And Saul. this clause evidently belongs to the conclusion of the previous chapter; there is scarcely a worse division of chapters than this'. Actually, there is a chapter division which occurs in the middle of a sentence. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge has many good references, but not all are accurate, which is why I include it but do not make their references links. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge was written using man's way to interpret the word of God, which uses verse divisions and produces the conflicts and errors which men blame on God's perfect word. So, use the references but be sure to verify everything provided because the references provided sometimes lead to doctrinal error.

Acts 8 starts with the scattering of the church due to the persecution that came after Stephen was martyred. As section of this scattering, we have this verse. In Acts 1:8 Jesus instructed ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost section of the earth. They had testified in Jerusalem, as has been reported between 1:8 and now. Now the church members will testify in all Judaea, by being scattered, and Philip will testify in Samaria. The rest of Acts tell of testimony unto the uttermost section of the earth.

Our second sentence tells us at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem. Then it tells us about the deacon named Philip, not the apostle, who was also an evangelist, taking the word of God to half Jews. First, he went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. However, the Samaritans did not get saved until Peter and John went there and laid hands on them. (Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them.) God always works through His authority structure and Jesus had given the apostles the authority of ambassadors (Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. {Matthew 16:19; Matthew 18:18 }. God did not give anyone else the authority to open the door of salvation for non-Jews.

We also read that Philip also dealt with the Ethiopian eunuch. He was also a half-Jew. Reportedly, when the queen of the south visited Solomon, she went home pregnant, which is why there were half-Jews in Ethiopia. But, since this was after Peter and John opened the door for half-Jews to be saved, the Ethiopian eunuch was saved with the preaching of Philip the evangelist.

Now, the above paragraph gives us a summary of our chapter but we also need to consider how this chapter fits within the overall report of this Bible book.

Returning to the start of our chapter, we read that there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem. Before returning to Heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ had commanded them to take the Gospel unto the uttermost part of the earth. But they were staying in Jerusalem and only giving the Gospel to the Jews. And, when God brought a great persecution against the church, in order to scatter them and get the Gospel to more than the Jews, we are told and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. The apostles were the preachers, but they stayed where they were at while the regular church members scattered and obeyed our Lord Jesus Christ. The first chapters told us about multiple thousands being saved but we no longer have reports like that. Instead, we read about persecution and then starvation of the Jews in Jerusalem. This chapter tells about the salvation of half-Jews, but the church leaders had a fit when God used Peter to lead a Gentile to salvation. And, when the church members went to Antioch, they obeyed the commandments from their church leaders and were preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. However, the Jews in that city were married to Gentiles and, as a result, Gentiles were saved also.

So, this chapter is telling us about the effort of the non-preacher named Philip. The end of this chapter and our next chapter tell us about God working through Peter. Then Chapter Ten tells us about Peter opening the door for Gentiles to receive the Gospel, but God had to force that action and the leaders of the Jerusalem Church had a fit with Peter for doing what the Lord Jesus Christ had commanded. This is when the account turns to report what the non-preachers were doing in Antioch. At the same time, God removed His blessings from the Jerusalem Church and some of the people started to starve. That is why Chapter Eleven ends with: Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Further chapters tell us more about God punishing the Jerusalem Church. We learn the reason in Acts 15:1, where we read: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. They were preaching a 'works salvation'. We also read, in that chapter, about the Jerusalem church debating the doctrine of salvation and deciding that Paul and Barnabas should take the Gospel to the Gentiles while they took it to the Jews. But, what they did not say, at that time, is that they would keep preaching a 'works salvation' to the Jews. And, they kept being punished by God while Paul's ministry was blessed.

Eventually, Paul brought money for the relief of the saved Jews in Jerusalem, but those same Jews believed lies told by others about Paul. and, instead of investigating what Paul actually preached, they said: And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law (Acts 21:20). And, their conclusion was: the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come (Acts 21:22). That is, they were more concerned with appeasing church members who were zealous of doctrinal error (keeping Jewish religious traditions which God had replaced with the New Testament) instead of finding doctrinal truth from God and correcting the doctrinal error. After this, we read about Paul being arrested for trying to satisfy the religious bigots. And, his being sent to Rome where he preached to a couple of kings, other Jewish religious leaders and others along with writing the prison epistles. And, after his head was cut off, God sent in the Roman Army to tear down the Temple so that saved Jews could no longer keep religious traditions which required the Temple. And, God killed or scattered the members of that church, effectively scattering it.

The point, which I am making, is one that I have never heard preached. The mother church, which probably had 20,000 members at one time, was completely destroyed by God because they refused to let God correct their wrong doctrine. God made it clear to them, several times, that 'works salvation' and 'works sanctification' (we are made holy by doing religious acts) were wrong doctrines. And, since God destroyed that church for holding onto doctrinal error, all other churches should expect the same. We hear of many large ministries in England and America which turned corrupt and were destroyed within a generation of the main preacher dying. The point is that the people believed what the preacher preached but never transferred their authority figure to the word of God and to our Lord Jesus Christ. Only He, and the written word of God never change and keep our doctrine the same. The Jerusalem church, and many others since then, have been destroyed for holding religious traditions and the opinions of preachers above the written word of God.

Acts 8:1-4 tell us the general reaction to the murder of Stephen.

Acts 8:5-13 tell us about Philip going to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. Many believe and were baptized but were not truly saved. Philip was a deacon and evangelist but was not an apostle. It was not until the apostles, Peter and John, went there that God opened the door for half-Jews to be truly saved.

Acts 8:14-17 tell us that the apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John, who prayed and then laid they their hands on them, (that) they received the Holy Ghost. Thus, we see that God honored His authority structure and only opened the door of salvation through His apostles.

Acts 8:18-24 tell us about Simon, a sorcerer, thinking that the apostles had some trick religious power and tried to buy it. Peter cursed him for that and he repented. Many people make the mistake of thinking that the true power of God is just the result of a religious activity and that we can force God to do what we want if we do the right religious act the right way.

Acts 8:25 tell us And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Thus, we see that they preached, and probably saw people saved, but did not organize churches nor provided a follow-up ministry. Part of that could be ignorance and part of it could be the cultural attitude towards non-Jews.

Acts 8:26-40 tell us about the salvation of the Ethiopia eunuch. He was a different type of half-Jew. Thus, we see that after God has opened the door for salvation for a people, it remains open and anyone can lead those people to salvation.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as:
'1-8. By occasion of the persecution in Jerusalem, the church being planted in Samaria, by Philip the deacon, who preached, did miracles, and baptized many;
9-13. among the rest Simon the sorcerer, a great seducer of the people;
14-17. Peter and John come to confirm and enlarge the church; where, by prayer and imposition of hands giving the Holy Ghost;
18-25. when Simon would have bought the like power of them, Peter sharply reproving his hypocrisy and covetousness, and exhorting him to repentance, together with John preaching the word of the Lord, return to Jerusalem;
26-40. but the angel sends Philip to teach and baptize the Ethiopian Eunuch.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C8-S1 : Saul completely agreed with the murder of Stephen for religious reasons.
C8-S2 : God caused church members to scatter.
1. The phrase And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem means: 'The reaction by most of the Jews to the murder of Stephen. Since the Jewish Council got away with murder, other Jews thought they could also get away with lesser wrong acts'.
2. The phrase and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria means: 'They left Jerusalem but stayed in the same culture'.
3. The phrase except the apostles means: 'The apostles stayed in Jerusalem'.
C8-S3 : Stephen was buried.
C8-S4 : Saul started a campaign of serious persecution.
C8-S5 : the Gospel was spread as a result of persecution.
C8-S6 : Philip took the Gospel to the Samaritans.
C8-S7 : How and why the people responded to the preaching.
1. The phrase And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake means: 'How the people responded to the preaching'.
2. The phrase hearing and seeing the miracles which he did means: 'Why the people responded to the preaching'.
C8-S8 : in this sentence we see that God provided evidence of His approval on the preaching of Philip.
1. The phrase For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them means: 'Devils were cast out of possessed people'.
2. The phrase and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed means: 'People were miraculously healed'.
C8-S9 : the results of a city truly turning to God in obedience.
C8-S10 : the reaction of a sorcerer.
1. The phrase But there was a certain man, called Simon means: 'This identifies the man'.
2. The phrase which beforetime in the same city used sorcery means: 'This identifies his source of making people fear him'.
3. The phrase and bewitched the people of Samaria means: 'This was his effect on lost people'.
4. The phrase giving out that himself was some great one means: 'This was his claim'.
5. The phrase To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest means: 'This is who listened to him'.
6. The phrase saying, this man is the great power of God means: 'This is the lie which they believed'.
C8-S11 : Here's why people listened to Simon.
C8-S12 : the reaction of the people to the preaching of Philip. Please see the Detailed Note, and the associated notes reached from it, in order to understand the true doctrine of this sentence and how it fits within the context.
C8-S13 : What the sorcerer did.
1. The phrase Then Simon himself believed also means: 'He believed, but it might not have been the right type of belief. Saving belief is in the heart while head level belief does not save'. Please see the Message called Saving Belief versus NonSaving Belief.
2. The phrase and when he was baptized means: 'This was when he started doing what is reported here'.
3. The phrase he continued with Philip, and wondered means: 'This is what and why he did what he did'. Remember that he had devils doing miracles for him. However, his sorceries could not match the power displayed by Philip. Therefore, he wondered and tried to figure out how Philip did the miracles so that he could duplicate the power of God using his flesh.
4. The phrase beholding the miracles and signs which were done means: 'Simon looked closely at what Philip did but he only looked in the flesh. He did not understand the true spiritual power which was being demonstrated. And, his attitude when Peter and John showed up demonstrated this truth'.
C8-S14 : the actions by the apostles. Please see the Detailed Note for the sentence outline and explanation of the doctrine in this sentence. It is easy for people to misunderstand the doctrine here if they don't know broader doctrinal considerations which apply or do not completely understand the context.
C8-S15 : the apostles ceremoniously represented our Lord Jesus Christ and made them children of God.
1. The phrase Then laid they their hands on them means: 'This was the ceremony'.
2. The phrase and they received the Holy Ghost means: 'This was the result'. They now were officially saved children of God.
C8-S16 : the reaction by Simon.
1. The phrase And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given means: 'What he saw and when'.
2. The phrase he offered them money means: 'How he reacted'.
3. The phrase Saying, Give me also this power means: 'What he asked for'.
4. The phrase that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost means: 'What he wanted to do with what he asked for'. He, obviously, was thinking that he could sell giving the Holy Ghost for a lot of money. And, with doing it several times, he would become quite rich. The idea of selling spiritual favors persists even to today.
C8-S17 : the response from Peter.
C8-S18 : Why the offer from Simon was rejected.
1. The phrase Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter means: 'Simon had nothing to do with giving God's Holy Ghost. That was completely a spiritual matter between the representative of God and a true believer. Simon only believed in his head and was not qualified to receive God's Holy Ghost. The evidence of this truth was the thought which prompted his offer'.
2. The phrase for thy heart is not right in the sight of God means: 'Simon had a wrong heart attitude as demonstrated by his offer'.
C8-S19 : Peter commands him to truly Biblically repent. Notice that Peter says if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. Peter does not guarantee forgiveness. That depends on if his repentance is truly from his heart and if God choses to truly forgive him. Along with the false religious doctrine of selling spiritual blessings is the claim that God has no choice in the matter of forgiveness if the person does the right religious activity.
C8-S20 : What Peter saw and understood.
C8-S21 : the response by Simon.
C8-S22 : Peter and John preached and returned to Jerusalem.
C8-S23 : Philip received a direct command from God. Notice that God didn't tell him what he would do nor exactly where he was going. God often gives us imprecise commands to test our obedience. As we see in this account, Philip received further instructions after he obeyed. People who do not obey immediately often lose opportunities to serve God and to receive the resulting blessings.
C8-S24 : the start of the next account in this chapter.
1. The phrase And he arose and went means: 'Philip obeyed immediately'. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is added to the prior sentence where read that Philip received a command from the angel of the Lord.
2. The phrase and, behold means: 'Pay close attention. Not only are we reading a different response from God to the preaching. But we are also seeing how God sent the Gospel to Africa at the start of the Church Age'.
3. The phrase a man of Ethiopia means: 'This is a country in Africa where the queen of the South came from to visit Solomon'.
4. The phrase an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians means: 'He had the position to command all of the country to listen to the Gospel'.
5. The phrase who had the charge of all her treasure means: 'He was extremely trusted'.
6. The phrase and had come to Jerusalem for to worship means: 'This is why he was in the area'. That would have been a long and dangerous trip by chariot at that time. He, almost certainly, had guards with him and, yet, God made sure that Philip could speak to him.
7. The phrase Was returning means: 'He was going back to Ethiopia'.
8. The phrase and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet means: 'He was spending his time studying the word of God'. How many of us do the same while we travel when someone else is in charge of the driving?
C8-S25 : What God's Holy Spirit told Philip to do next. Before, Philip was just told to Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. He was not told why nor any detail on what he would do until after he obeyed.
C8-S26 : Philip used the opening that God provided.
1. The phrase And Philip ran thither to him means: 'Philip obeyed the command in the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase and heard him read the prophet Esaias means: 'When Philip reached him, he heard what Philip understood but which many people did not understand'.
3. The phrase and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? means: 'Philip asked him if he understood as an opening question'.
C8-S27 : the responding question from the Ethiopian eunuch.
C8-S28 : the eunuch added this request to his admittance of a need for help. (And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him).
C8-S29 : this sentence tells us the scripture which the eunuch read. Please see the Detailed Note for more explanation of this sentence.
C8-S30 : the evidence that the judgment of Jesus was taken away:. (for his life is taken from the earth) means: 'Others decided to murder Him'.)
C8-S31 : the eunuch asked Philip to explain.
C8-S32 : Our sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence and has what the eunuch thought were the possible answers to his question, in the prior sentence.
C8-S33 : Philip preached the Gospel starting with what the eunuch understood. That is, he started with the eunuch understanding that we are to believe what the scripture tells us.
C8-S34 : the eunuch understood the spiritual need for a proper baptism.
1. The phrase And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water means: 'The opportunity presented itself'.
2. The phrase and the eunuch said, See, here is water; means: 'The eunuch observed the opportunity'.
3. The phrase what doth hinder me to be baptized? means: 'He asked to be baptized'.
C8-S35 : the answer from Philip to the question in the prior sentence this sentence specifies certain requirements for true Biblical salvation which are ignored or even denied by religions which claim to believe the word of God. Please see the Detailed Note for the identification and explanation of those doctrines.
C8-S36 : the statement of faith from the Ethiopian eunuch.
C8-S37 : the eunuch was scripturally baptized. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C8-S38 : the end of this report.
1. The phrase And when they were come up out of the water means: 'This is when the account ends'.
2. The phrase the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip means: 'Philip left'.
3. The phrase that the eunuch saw him no more means: 'The eunuch didn't see him leave because he was too busy rejoicing'.
4. The phrase and he went on his way rejoicing means: 'The eunuch continued to rejoice as he returned home'.
C8-S39 : Where Philip went next.
1. The phrase But Philip was found at Azotus means: 'This is where he was seen next'.
2. The phrase and passing through he preached in all the cities means: 'Philip continued to travel and preach and do the job of an evangelist'.
3. The phrase till he came to Caesarea means: 'He stopped going north when he reached the border of Jewish lands'.

Chapter 9 Summary: Chapter theme is: Peace in the churches.

Many people concentrate on the start of this chapter and the salvation of Saul. That is a very important account. But it is not all that is reported in this chapter. Our chapter also reports Peter visiting gatherings of saved people, which were outside of Jerusalem, and doing miracles. He brought them peace and the blessings of God. In addition, the salvation of Saul also brought peace to the saved. So the real theme, which is throughout the chapter, is peace and blessings given to saved people because they took the Gospel beyond Jerusalem. These saved people were blessed for their obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord occurs by itself 12 times in this chapter and once as Lord Jesus. Jesus occurs by itself 3 times in this chapter and once as Lord Jesus and once as Jesus Christ. Christ occurs by itself 2 times in this chapter and once as Jesus Christ. These numbers should make it obvious that this chapter deals with each of the roles of the Son of God, and ouches on two combinations of roles, but is mainly concerned with God the Son's role as Lord. About 2/3 of the chapter is about the conversion of Paul and the last 1/3 is about further activities of Peter.

Acts 9:1-19 tell us about the salvation of Saul. It includes the account of a saved disciple being reluctant, but eventually obeying our Lord. There are many times when God does things which seem wrong to us. However, we need to obey because we do not know everything. In particular, we do not know the future consequences of our obedience. Therefore, we need to obey with true Biblical faith that God is in control and will make things work out for our good and His glory. Please see the Section on Miracles, in Significant New Testament Events Document for links to other miracles fulfilled in the new Testament. Paul is reported to also give his testimony in Acts 22:4-11 and .Acts 26:12-18

Acts 9:18-19 tell us that Saul was baptized as soon as he was saved. I believe that they did not have all of the confusing doctrinal error about baptism being taught at that time.

Acts 9:19-20 tell us that Saul joined the local church and then went out preaching the Gospel. This is also the true pattern that God wants saved people to follow. When people get truly saved there should be evidence of a God-caused change in their life.

Acts 9:21-22 tell us the reaction which Saul received when he preached what he used to arrest people for preaching.

Acts 9:23-24 tell us that the local Jews tried to kill Saul.

Acts 9:24-26 tell us that Saul was sneaked out of the city and went to Jerusalem.

Acts 9:26-30 tell us that the church at Jerusalem was afraid of Saul at first, but Barnabas convinced them that he had a God-caused changed life. Then Saul was with the Jerusalem Church and witnessing until the Jews there tried to kill him. And, that was when he was sent to Tarsus.

Acts 9:31 gives us the transition from the account of the salvation of Saul to the ministry of Peter in the churches throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria.

Acts 9:32-35 tell us about Peter doing a miracle of healing in Lydda and many people getting saved as a result.

Acts 9:36-43 tell us about Peter raising a dead church member in Joppa and many people getting saved as a result.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-1-9. Saul, going towards Damascus, is stricken down to the earth, and led blind to Damascus;
10-17. is called to the apostleship;
18-19. and is baptized by Ananias.
20-22. He preaches Christ boldly.
23-28. the Jews lay wait to kill him;
29-30. so do the Grecians, but he escapes both.
31-35. the church having rest, Peter heals Aeneas of the palsy;
36-43. and restores Tabitha to life.
Cir A.M. 4039. A.D. 35.'.
Home, Start of Summary

C9-S1 : this sentence explains the attitude and actions of Saul before his conversion.
1. The phrase And Saul means: 'This adds his attitude to the prior chapter. The Jews had taken the Gospel out of Jerusalem. As a result, God stopped the persecution, which had caused them to scatter, and brought peace and blessings to the church. As a result of that, Satan had Saul start his attack as reported here'.
2. The phrase yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord means: 'Saul was doing these things so often and so fervently that it was like every breath of his included one of these threats'.
3. The phrase went unto the high priest means: 'He was the man who led the Jewish Council to crucify Jesus and beat the apostles and martyr Stephen'.
4. The phrase And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues means: 'Saul was determined to take the persecution and murder of the church everywhere that it was at'.
5. The phrase that if he found any of this way means: 'He had official permission to arrest anyone who had a God-caused changed life'.
6. The phrase whether they were men or women means: 'The Jewish culture made a big distinction between men and women. However, in this case, they were putting aside their cultural distinctive'.
7. The phrase he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem means: 'Saul had legal permission to arrest anyone and drag them to be tried by the Jewish Council which would martyr them'.
C9-S2 : What happened while Saul was on his way to persecute the church.
1. The phrase And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus means: 'This is where the Lord acted'.
2. The phrase and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven means: 'The Lord made sure that Saul knew Who was dealing with him'.
3. The phrase And he fell to the earth means: 'Falling from a horse, especially as it is moving quickly, can hurt or even kill'. I've personally had such a fall because the saddle was not tight enough and it took at least a month for me to recover. in this case, our Lord Jesus Christ made sure that He had Saul's attention. Unfortunately, too many people will end up with a bad judgment because they refuse to pay attention when the Lord sends them a message.
4. The phrase and heard a voice saying unto him means: 'Not only was Saul literally knocked off his horse, but the Lord spoke to him in an audible voice while he was awake'.
5. The phrase Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? means: 'I have no doubt that this accusation shocked Saul. Here, he was positive that he was doing the will of God and God literally knocked him off his horse, to get his attention, and then made this accusation'. I don't know about you, but i doubt that I would ignore such an accusation after such of an experience.
C9-S3 : Saul's response to what had happened to him.
C9-S4 : the answer to Saul's question. Please see the Detailed Note for the link to the Lord Jesus Christ Study, which has additional doctrinal considerations of this sentence.
1. The phrase And the Lord said means: 'Our sentence adds this answer to the question in the prior sentence. Please note that this answer was from t56he role of Lord. Refusal to accept this answer would be a violation of God's law and would bring punishment when he was judged at the end of life'.
2. The phrase I am Jesus means: 'There was no question in Saul's mind which Jesus was being identified. After all, Saul was no his way to that city in order to arrest the followers of Jesus of Nazareth'.
3. The phrase whom thou persecutest means: 'Here is the accusation against him from God. Notice that Saul was attacking the followers of Jesus of Nazareth, But the Lord said it was an attack against Him personally. When people attack God's messenger, many claim that they are only rejecting the messenger. However, when the messenger is delivering a true message from God, God takes that as a personal attack against God. And, Saul knew enough Bible truth to realize this fact'.
4. The phrase it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks means: 'There are times when we are affected by something too small to see but it affects a large part of our body. Kicking into the air has no effect upon what ails us. That is what Lord Jesus is saying here. Saul can arrest and kill many of the followers but he can not fight against the Lord Jesus, Who is making many more followers'.
C9-S5 : the response of Saul.
C9-S6 : the command of the Lord. Here we see that he was not told everything. Saul was given one simple command which he had to obey before he received further instructions, commands, explanations, or anything else. Too many people fail this common test by our Lord. We are told a simple command and nothing else, as a test. Those who obey receive further from our Lord. Those who refuse to obey until they understand more receive nothing further.
C9-S7 : the others heard evidence of the Lord instructing Saul.
1. The phrase And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless means: 'They could not explain what they experienced because it was supernatural'. Please see the note for Luke 3:21-22 for links to the many places where we read about a voice from Heaven.
2. The phrase hearing a voice, but seeing no man. means: 'What they could not explain'. . . .
C9-S8 : Saul obeyed the command. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C9-S9 : the length of time that Saul fasted and prayed.
C9-S10 : Who the Lord called to do His will.
1. The phrase And there was a certain disciple at Damascus means: 'This was his relationship to our Lord and where he lived'.
2. The phrase named Ananias means: 'This identified him'.
3. The phrase and to him said the Lord in a vision means: 'This was how the Lord spoke to him'.
4. The phrase Ananias means: 'The Lord first made sure that He had the attention of Ananias'.
C9-S11 : the answer from Ananias. Please see the Detailed Note for links to other places in the Bible where other people answered the same way.
C9-S12 : the commandment from the Lord. While this sentence has a lot of words, it is basically simple. Here we read the commandment from the Lord where He promises a miracle to Saul. Please see the New Testament Significant Events Study for links to other miracles reported in this book.
C9-S13 : the objection from Ananias. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C9-S14 : the answer from the Lord. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C9-S15 : Ananias obeyed.
C9-S16 : the miraculous results of obedience in this instance. Please see the New Testament Significant Events Study for links to other miracles reported in this book.
C9-S17 : After his baptism. Saul had bee fasting and praying so he was hungry. In spite of that, he was baptized before he ate. This shows his priorities.
C9-S18 : Saul immediately joined the church.
C9-S19 : What Saul did next.
C9-S20 : Saul's changed life amnazed people.
C9-S21 : Saul became a more effective witness.
1. The phrase But Saul increased the more in strength means: 'Saul increased in his spiritual strength and was more effective in answering arguments from the religious lost people'.
2. The phrase and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus means: 'Saul abashed; to cast down; and made ashamed all of the Jews which challenged him'. Notice that he was doing the right thing the wrong way. Later, in his ministry, he would learn to do the right thing the right way. However, at this time, his own doctrine had just been corrected and his main interest was correcting the doctrines of others.
3. The phrase proving that this is very Christ means: 'He4 didn't just express an opinion. Nor did he argue his point but he proved it. Many people think that they prove their point when they fail to do so. Saul removed all doubt and shut down all counter arguments. That was why they wanted to kill him'.
4. Note: the word prove is defined as; 'An action verb whereby someone provides evidence which allows a claim to continue to stand, no matter what test or circumstance the claim is put through'. Many people believe that they have proven their point if their position hold up to their own thoughts and do not care if their position fails to other considerations. Such an attitude does not meet God's requirement to prove.
C9-S22 : the reaction by Jews to Saul's arguments.
1. The phrase And after that many days were fulfilled means: 'They argued for many days'.
2. The phrase the Jews took counsel to kill him means: 'A group agreed together to kill him because they could not win the arguments'.
3. The phrase But their laying await was known of Saul means: 'They did not catch him by surprise'.
C9-S23 : the Jews who wanted to kill Saul made sure that he could not leave by the city gate.
C9-S24 : How he left the city.
C9-S25 : What happened when Saul returned to Jerusalem.
1. The phrase And when Saul was come to Jerusalem means: 'This is added (And) to the account found in prior sentences. Thus, it is telling us what happened when Saul left Damascus and went to Jerusalem'.
2. The phrase he assayed to join himself to the disciples means: 'Saul tried several times to join the church but could not do so'.
3. The phrase but they were all afraid of him means: 'This is why he could not join the church'.
4. The phrase and believed not that he was a disciple means: 'They believed that he was lying and only wanted to identify the church members so that he could arrest them'.
C9-S26 : How Barnabas reacted differently.
1. The phrase But Barnabas took him means: 'Barnabas overcame his own fear and verified the truth'.
2. The phrase and brought him to the apostles means: 'Barnabas brought Saul to the church leaders'.
3. The phrase and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way means: 'Barnabas declared the true testimony of Saul'.
4. The phrase and that he had spoken to him means: 'Barnabas to09ld that he had personally verified Saul's testimony'.
5. The phrase and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus means: 'Barnabas told the verified testimony from Damascus'.
C9-S27 : the results of the prior sentence.
C9-S28 : What Saul did after joining the church.
1. The phrase And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus means: 'Saul was deliberately using the name forbidden by the Jewish religious leaders'.
2. The phrase and disputed against the Grecians means: 'Saul got into doctrinal fights with Jews who came from Greek speaking countries'.
3. The phrase but they went about to slay him means: 'This was their reaction at that time'. Please see the Detailed Note for how these particular Jews continued to cause Paul trouble through his ministry. The Jerusalem Church accepting their doctrinal error is what caused the destruction of that church by God.
C9-S29 : Saul was sent away again.
1. The phrase Which when the brethren knew means: 'This is when and what prompted them to act'.
2. The phrase they brought him down to Caesarea means: 'This is where they took Saul before sending him on his way'. They were pretty sure that the people in Caesarea wouldn't kill Saul before he went home.
3. The phrase and sent him forth to Tarsus means: 'They sent him to his home city'.
C9-S30 : Peace came after the arguing about doctrine ended.
1. The phrase Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria means: 'This is how far churches had spread'.
2. The phrase and were edified means: 'The churches were lifted up as they did the next Step of this sentence'.
3. The phrase and walking in the fear of the Lord means: 'They stopped their sinning in fear of punishment from the Lord'.
4. The phrase and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost means: 'They were comforted as they obeyed the personal commands from Jesus Christ which were sent through the Holy Ghost'.
5. The phrase were multiplied means: 'Their living right and obedience resulted in more people being saved'.
C9-S31 : the start of the report of the next incident.
C9-S32 : What Peter found.
C9-S33 : Peter is used to heals the man.
C9-S34 : Aeneas obeyed immediately and proved his faith.
C9-S35 : the greater results of healing.
C9-S36 : the start of the report of the next incident.
C9-S37 : What happened to Dorcas.
C9-S38 : the church at Lydda sent for Peter. They sent even though Dorcas was already dead. Obviously, they hoped that Peter could raise her from the dead.
C9-S39 : Peter went as soon as requested.
C9-S40 : the church members showed Peter why they made a request from him.
C9-S41 : God used Peter to resurrect the dead.
1. The phrase But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed means: 'Peter got rid of any potential doubters before praying'.
2. The phrase and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise means: 'Peter spoke to the dead body but expected her spirit to also hear and return to her body so that she could obey the command'. What religion does not understand is that it was actually a personal command from God as He used Peter to say the words.
C9-S42 : Tabitha proved that she was physically alive. I have personally died and been resurrected. God only does that if God still has things for the person to do before they finish their physical life. There should be no doubt that she still had things to do. But, God used her to assure those believers, and us, that resurrection is real.
C9-S43 : the proof of resurrection.
C9-S44 : the results of resurrection. (many believed in the Lord).
C9-S45 : Peter returned to Joppa and stayed with Simon a tanner.

Chapter 10 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Salvation of Gentiles.

This entire chapter is about the salvation of the household of Cornelius. In Acts 1:8, Lord Jesus Christ had commanded the church to each personally (ye) be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Starting in Acts 2, we have the account of Pentecost and the salvation of thousands of Jews in Jerusalem. But they did not go out of the city. So, in Acts 5, we read that the apostles were beat because they preached the Gospel. Then in Acts 6, we read about problems in the church and the decision to arrest Stephen. Then in Acts 7, we read that Stephen was martyred. That resulted in the saved Jews going to Judaea and Samaria, as is reported in Acts 8. Notice that it took a death before the church took the second step of the 'Great Commission' and, even then, it was the non-preachers who took the Gospel to those areas. However, the result of them obeying the 'Great Commission' was that the church had rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied (Acts 9:31).

Now, in this chapter, we see our Lord Jesus Christ pretty much forcing Peter to take the Gospel to a Gentile named Cornelius along with his household. However, our next chapter tells us they that were of the circumcision contended with (Peter), Saying, thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. And we see these Jews continue to insist upon the false doctrine of works salvation claiming that people had to be circumcised in order to be saved. And, in spite of God repeatedly proving to them that their doctrine was wrong, they kept insisting on the wrong doctrine of works sanctification. That is, Jews could only be sanctified and blessed by God if they kept the Jewish religious traditions. And, it was these same saved Jews which caused Paul to be arrested and beheaded.

Notice that Acts 11:26 tells us: And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Even though there were thousands of saved Jews in the Jerusalem Church, they were not called Christians. And, Acts 12:1-2 tells us: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. We no longer read about the Jerusalem Church winning souls and, after they had Paul arrested, God completely destroys the Jerusalem Church and all of the Jews who refused to let God correct their doctrinal error.

The lesson is simple and clear. God will bless those churches which are doing the 'Great Commission'. However, God will also remove His blessings, and eventually destroy, any church which spreads doctrinal error and refuses to accept doctrinal correction from God.

Above is where this chapter fits within the over-all account of Acts. Below is a more detailed review of the chapter.

Acts 10:1-6 tells us that God sent an angel to Cornelius to tell him what to do in order to be saved.

Acts 10:7-8 tells us that Cornelius did exactly as he was commanded to do.

Acts 10:9-16 tells us that God prepared Peter to preach the Gospel to a Gentile.

Acts 10:17-20 tells us that God's Holy Spirit told Peter how he was to react to his vision.

Acts 10:21-24 tells us about Peter going to the house of Cornelius.

Acts 10:25-29 tells us about Peter meeting the household of Cornelius and telling them that his going there was against Jewish religious law.

Acts 10:30-33 tells us about Cornelius telling about God sending an angel to tell him what to do. That is why he sent for Peter and gathered all of his household to hear the Gospel.

Acts 10:34-35 says: Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Here we read that God made it clear to Peter that the Jewish attitude of spiritual superiority was wrong. Their belief that only Jews could be saved. Unfortunately, even though Peter was the top apostle, he did not get the Jerusalem Church to change their attitude and God, eventually, destroyed this church in order to wipe out this doctrinal error.

Acts 10:36-43 tells us a summary of what Peter preached.

Acts 10:44 says: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

Acts 10:45-48 tells us the results of Gentiles being saved by God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-10. Cornelius, a devout man, being commanded by an angel, sends for Peter,
11-16. who by a vision is taught not to despise the Gentiles;
17-24. and is commanded by the Spirit to go with the messenger to Caesarea.
25-33. Cornelius shows the occasion of his sending for him. 34-43. As he preaches Christ to Cornelius and his company,
44-48. the Holy Ghost falls on them, and they are baptized.'.
Home, Start of Summary

C10-S1 : the character of Cornelius.
1. The phrase There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius means: 'His identification'.
2. The phrase a centurion of the band called the Italian band means: 'His position in this world'.
3. The phrase A devout man means: 'His relationship to God'.
4. The phrase and one that feared God with all his house means: 'His character in regards to God. He made sure that all of his household had the same relationship to God'.
5. The phrase which gave much alms to the people means: 'His relationship to the people around him'.
6. The phrase and prayed to God alway means: 'His activity with God'.
C10-S2 : How Cornelius received his instructions.
C10-S3 : the response of Cornelius.
1. The phrase And when he looked on him means: 'Cornelius saw the angel'.
2. The phrase he was afraid, and said means: 'The reaction of Cornelius'.
3. The phrase What is it, Lord? means: 'The question of Cornelius'. Notice that our sentence uses a capitalized Lord. Although Cornelius saw an anger, he understood that the angel was just a messenger and that the message was truly from God.
C10-S4 : the angel tells Cornelius why God sent a message by the angel.
C10-S5 : the commandment to Cornelius.
C10-S6 : Cornelius did as commanded.
C10-S7 : Peter receives a vision. Please see the Detailed Note about the phrases of this sentence.
C10-S8 : God told Peter what to do. As we see in the next few sentences, the commandment from God went against the Jewish religious traditions which came from the religious part of the Mosaic Law. But that is what the New Testament replaces. And, God was trying to get peter to understand the changes brought in by the New Testament, including the Jewish insistence that no Gentile can be saved.
C10-S9 : Peter objects to the command. Notice that it is based upon religious traditions and not on what the word of God says. Yes, the Mosaic Law told the Jews to not eat certain things, but that restriction was removed for the church in the New Testament. And yes, it can be argued that Peter did not know of this change, at that time, but he did not reference any scripture. Therefore, his objection was based upon religious traditions and not on what the word of God. in this chapter, we see God changing those religious traditions for the church in the New Testament.
C10-S10 : the spiritual explanation from God.
1. The phrase And the voice spake unto him again the second time means: 'God gave this explanation'.
2. The phrase What God hath cleansed means: 'God did a spiritual work of cleansing. No man has the authority nor power to challenge what God says that He did spiritually'.
3. The phrase that call not thou common means: 'The word common was used by God and by the Jews for something which had no spiritual value when they were talking about spiritual things like God did in the prior phrase'.
C10-S11 : God, symbolically, showed that the message was from all members of the Trinity.
C10-S12 : Peter tried to understand the spiritual message.
C10-S13 : God's Holy Spirit directed Peter to deal with the men sent from Cornelius.
C10-S14 : Instructions from God's Holy Spirit.
C10-S15 : Peter obeyed.
C10-S16 : the answer from the servants of Cornelius.
1. The phrase And they said means: 'Their answer is added to the question from Peter in the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase Cornelius the centurion means: 'Who their master is'.
3. The phrase a just man, and one that feareth God means: 'What his character is'.
4. The phrase and of good report among all the nation of the Jews means: 'What his reputation is among the Jews'.
5. The phrase was warned from God by an holy angel means: 'Why he sent his servants'.
6. The phrase to send for thee into his house means: 'He was to get Peter personally and no one else in Peter's place'.
7. The phrase and to hear words of thee means: 'They were to hear, accept, and obey whatever Peter preached to them'.
C10-S17 : Peter provided for them to stay the night because it was too late to travel the distance back that same day.
C10-S18 : Peter, and other saved Jews, went to the house of Cornelius.
C10-S19 : It took them more than a day to get there.
C10-S20 : Cornelius did all that he could to get as many people saved as he could.
C10-S21 : How Cornelius greeted Peter.
C10-S22 : Peter told him to not worship men.
C10-S23 : Peter found the entire group waiting to hear the Gospel.
C10-S24 : Peter tells the group the religious consideration of his being there.
1. The phrase And he said unto them means: 'Peter added this message to the group to what he had already told Cornelius'.
2. The phrase Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company means: 'Each and every one of them were well aware of the Jewish religious prejudices which they had made part of their religious law'.
3. The phrase or come unto one of another nation means: 'The Jews weren't the even talk to other people unless absolutely necessary'.
4. The phrase but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean means: 'God showed Peter that the Jewish religious law was not right. That law claimed that violating it made a Jew spiritually unclean and subjection to punishment by God. But God showed Peter that the law was wrong'.
C10-S25 : this is why Peter went to their house.
1. The phrase Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying means: 'Peter did not expect them to give him anything and did not argue about the request'.
2. The phrase as soon as I was sent for means: 'Peter went as soon as asked'.
3. The phrase I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? means: 'Peter wonders why they sent for him'.
C10-S26 : Cornelius starts to recount his vision of an angel. Acts 10:3-8 reports the original incident that Cornelius is recounting in this sentence and the next sentence.
C10-S27 : Cornelius finishes his recount his vision of an angel. Acts 10:3-8 reports the original incident that Cornelius is recounting in this sentence and the prior sentence. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C10-S28 : Cornelius was told to send for Peter to preach the Gospel.
C10-S29 : Cornelius tells Peter that they are ready to hear the Gospel.
C10-S30 : Peter received a revelation from God.
1. The phrase Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons means: 'This is when and what God revealed to Peter'.
2. The phrase But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him means: 'This is Peter's conclusion from the revelation'.
C10-S31 : Peter started his message by introducing Jesus of Nazareth. This is a complex sentence which is explained in detail within the note for it within the Book Study.
C10-S32 : the second sentence of Peter's message. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C10-S33 : What our Lord Jesus Christ commanded all saved to do.
C10-S34 : Peter references Old Testament prophets.
C10-S35 : the evidence of salvation given to Gentiles.
C10-S36 : the Jews were astonished because Gentiles were also saved and their religious beliefs claimed that salvation of Gentiles was impossible.
C10-S37 : Peter challenges the Jews to (not) forbid baptism.
C10-S38 : Peter challenges the Jews to (not) forbid baptism.
C10-S39 : Peter commanded the Gentiles to be baptized.
C10-S40 : the Gentiles asked Peter to stay for a while and teach

Chapter 11 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Lord working to save Gentiles.

Our chapter starts with the account of they that were of the circumcision contended with Peter about breaking Jewish religious traditions. And, Peter answered that he did as the Lord commanded him and it was Lord Who saved the Gentiles. Peter then asked them: what was I, that I could withstand God? Unfortunately, these same saved Jews will continue their same wrong doctrine based upon Jewish religious traditions until God has to destroy the Jerusalem Church in order to kill off the doctrinal error.

After the report of that contention over religion, we have the report of people being saved in Antioch. The non-preachers were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen. And, as their church commanded, they were preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. However, in Antioch, the Jews were married to Gentiles and the Gentiles were saved also. Thus, God had a mixed-race church and that church was the church which sent out Paul as their missionary. They were the church which, finally, did all of the 'Great Commission'.

Please notice that God had to get the apostles beat and Stephen martyred before the church left Jerusalem and took the Gospel to the rest of Judaea and to Samaria. Then, God had to do the prior chapter in order to get Peter to take the Gospel to Gentiles. It is only after that that we read about Jews taking the Gospel into foreign countries. But, even then, they were preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. Thus, God had to work around the religious prejudices of His saved Jews.

Acts 11:1-3 tell us that the Jews in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God and the Jews in the Jerusalem Church contended with Peter over it.

Acts 11:4-12 tell us that Peter rehearsed his vision from God and instructions to go.

Acts 11:12-17 tell that God saved the Gentiles and that Peter could not fight God.

Acts 11:18 tell us that the Jews accepted what God did.

Acts 11:19-21 tell us that the non-preachers were scattered abroad and spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 11:22-24 tell us that the Jerusalem Church sent Barnabas to be pastor at Antioch.

Acts 11:25-2 tell us that Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch to teach and that the result was the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Acts 11:28-30 tell us that a prophet told should be great dearth throughout all the world and that the saved outside of Jerusalem sent relief to the Jerusalem Church.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-4. Peter, being accused for going in to the Gentiles,
5-17. makes his defence;
18. which is accepted.
19-25. the gospel being spread in Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, Barnabas is sent to confirm them.
26. the disciples there are first called Christians.
27-30. they send relief to the brethren in Judea in time of famine.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C11-S1 : the Jews in Judaea heard that Gentiles were saved.
C11-S2 : Religious Jews accused Peter of violating religious traditions instead of praising God for saving souls.
C11-S3 : Peter explains his experience. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C11-S4 : What Peter was commanded to do.
C11-S5 : Peter's reaction was to the command. in this sentence, Peter claims to have always followed the religious traditions which he was taught. However, in our next sentence, we read that God overrode the religious traditions and corrected the additions to the law which God gave to Moses. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this correction by God.
C11-S6 : God corrects Peter's religious belief.
C11-S7 : the symbolic message.
C11-S8 : the three men represented a message from God.
C11-S9 : Peter's spirit told him to go with them.
C11-S10 : the saved Jews were witnesses to what God's angel said. As the detailed sentence explains, God chose to save the Gentiles. Therefore, their complaint was against God.
C11-S11 : God gave the Gentiles the same evidence of salvation as God gave to the Jews.
C11-S12 : Peter remembered the instruction from John the Baptist.
C11-S13 : Peter asks the Jews how he was supposed to stop God.
1. The phrase Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us means: 'God's the One who saved the Gentiles, not Peter'.
2. The phrase who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ means: 'Not all Jews are saved'. Salvation is dependent upon their believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, He decides whom He will save.
3. The phrase what was I, that I could withstand God? means: 'By what power does any man fight against God?'.
C11-S14 : at this time, the Jews reacted right.
C11-S15 : What the non-preachers did due to persecution.
C11-S16 : What they preached.
C11-S17 : People believed, obeyed, and were saved
C11-S18 : the reaction of the Jerusalem Church.
C11-S19 : How Barnabas reacted to the mission work when he saw it.
1. The phrase Who means: 'Barnabas, the pastor sent from the Jerusalem Church'.
2. The phrase when he came, and had seen the grace of God means: 'This is when he reacted. He did not make the mistake of many people and form an opinion of expectation before he truly saw what was there and how the people reacted to the truth from God'.
3. The phrase was glad, and exhorted them all means: 'How he reacted and did as a result of what he found'.
4. The phrase hat with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord means: 'This was the main thing that he preached. Notice that he did not make the mistake of a lot of preachers and have them dependent upon him. He also told them to obey God's commandments (Lord)'.
C11-S20 : Why Barnabas ministered like he did.
1. The phrase For he was a good man means: 'He did what God told him to do'. The Biblical meaning of the word good is: 'What comes from God'.
2. The phrase and full of the Holy Ghost means: 'God's Holy Ghost controlled everything that he did in life'.
3. The phrase and (full) of faith means: 'He believed and acted on what God told him even when he did not understand'.
4. The phrase and much people was added unto the Lord means: 'Lots of people were saved through his preaching'.
C11-S21 : Barnabas sought out Saul specifically for how he could help the church that Barnabas was pastor of. There are very few pastors who would do this today, especially when we think about the time, effort and danger involved in those days. Few pastors would admit that they need the help of another man who might be seen as being more important than the pastor.
C11-S22 : How the results of the next sentence were achieved.
C11-S23 : And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. .
C11-S24 : Prophets left the Jerusalem Church. Please see the Detailed Note for more about this sentence.
C11-S25 : A prophecy of that day.
C11-S26 : the saved in the Church of Antioch sent financial help to the people in the Jerusalem Church.

Chapter 12 Summary: Chapter theme is: God supports right doctrine and punishes wrong doctrine.

It is very easy to think the theme of this chapter is something other than what is reported above because most of the chapter is telling about Peter being imprisoned and then freed. However, the true chapter theme matches everything that the chapter speaks about and the end of this chapter tells us about God killing a king because he supported doctrinal error. In addition, God is a Spirit (John 4:24). Therefore, the primary message is spiritual and we must also consider how this chapter fits within the context of other chapters.

We saw God blessing the Jerusalem Church as they started out preaching the Gospel and winning souls. But when they refused to go beyond Jerusalem, God brought punishment. When they brought the Gospel the Judaea and Samaria, God blessed. But, when they stopped there, God gave Peter a vision ('message direct from God') and had Peter open the door of salvation to the Gentiles. Now, there were in the Jerusalem Church Jews who insisted that only Jews could be saved and that Jews had to keep the Jewish religious traditions which were added to God's law. They also insisted that Gentiles could not be saved and that they were to preach the Gospel unto Jews only (Acts 11:19). As a result of Peter taking the Gospel to Gentiles, and proving their doctrine wrong, those saved Jews chided Peter out. But, Peter responded with what was I, that I could withstand God?. Therefore, they accepted what God had done through Peter but treated it as a one-time event and kept insisting on their doctrines that only Jews could be saved and that Jews had to keep the Jewish religious traditions which were added to God's law.

Now, we come to our current chapter and we read: Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. Notice that the purpose of the king was spiritual because he acted to vex certain of the church. And, we see God using a lost man to punish His church (he killed James the brother of John with the sword) because they refused God's correction of their doctrine which denied salvation to Gentiles, even after God saved Gentiles. Next, we read: And because he (king Herod) saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. Only Peter had accepted God's doctrine of salvation being given to Gentiles. So, God sent His angel to do a miracle for Peter but God waited until curtain of the church prayed all night and recognized that God could do what they could not do. The church members at the prayer meeting were, most likely, not the saved people who demanded that God submit to their doctrinal error. Therefore, what we have here is God punishing the Jerusalem Church for allowing doctrinal error to persist but God also blessed certain church members who truly submitted to God.

Now, that brings us to the end of our chapter where we read that God killed king Herod because he accepted when the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

As shown in the paragraphs above, we have a spiritual theme running through this book with God blessing His people who truly believe and obey His doctrine and with God punishing anyone who opposes true spiritual doctrine. After this chapter, we don't read about God blessing the Jerusalem Church and using them to win souls. Instead, we read about their members starving and the church ignoring God's removal of blessings while they supported doctrinal error. Now, the Bible does not report it but history tells us that God sent the Roman Army in to tear down the Temple when His people kept insisting that saved Jews had to keep Jewish traditions. (People claimed that it was because of the general Jew but they had not changed in 400 years of Roman rule. No, what changed was the saved Jews refusing to let God change their doctrine.) And, history also leads us to believe that God killed or scattered all of the saved Jews who taught that doctrinal error.

The obvious spiritual lesson, which is ignored by saved religious people, is that the saved need to be sure that their doctrine matches the character of God and what the word of God teaches is spiritual truth.

Acts 12:1-19 tell us about king Herod being used by devils to vex certain of the church. Acts 12:1-2 tells us about him killing James the brother of John and the rest of that section tells about his arresting Peter and the results of that. Nineteen of the first twenty eight sentences starts with the word and and three of those sentences start with the word but. Thus, all of those sentence are starting with a connecting word. Therefore, it should be obvious that all of them need to be considered together as a single unit.

Acts 12:3-4 tell us about his arresting Peter and making sure that he could not escape. When the angel of God freed Peter, king Herod had the guards killed for failing to keep Peter.

Acts 12:5-12 tell us about Peter being freed by an angel and the church refusing to believe their prayers were answered when he showed up where they were praying.

Acts 12:13-16 tell us about the church refusing to believe until Peter went into their midst.

Acts 12:17 tell us about Peter testifying what happened to him, his instructing the people to tell the rest of the church and them Peter going into hiding.

Acts 12:18-19 tell us about Herod having the keepers killed for not keeping peter in prison.

Acts 12:20-23 tell us about Herod letting people call him a god and God killing him for that.

Acts 12:24-25 tell us the results in the church to God killing Herod.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-19. King Herod persecutes the Christians, kills James, and imprisons Peter; whom an angel delivers upon the prayers of the church.
20-23. Herod in his pride taking to himself the honour due to God, is stricken by an angel, and dies miserably.
24. After his death, the word of God prospers.
25. Saul and Barnabas return to Antioch.
Cir. A.M. 4048. A.D. 44.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C12-S1 : the worldly king acted to get support from the lost but religious Jews.
C12-S2 : Herod decided to do more for political advantage.
1. The phrase And because he saw it pleased the Jews means: 'This is why he did more. The Jews, who were pleased were the politically powerful religious leaders'. Remember that they forced Pilate to crucify Jesus. Therefore, they had lots of political power and Herod wanted that political power backing him.
2. The phrase he proceeded further to take Peter also means: 'He knew that the religious leaders wanted to kill Peter but were limited by what the people believed religiously'. However, like with John the Baptist, the political leader can get away with murder where the religious leaders had to use religious justification. The political leader could claim political justification without producing evidence to the common people.
C12-S3 : Herod's plan. Herod did what pleased the politically powerful lost religious Jews in order to get them to back him politically.
C12-S4 : the time of this incident was the God ordained feast of Passover.
C12-S5 : What happened next. Herod did everything that he could, physically, to make sure that Peter did not escape.
C12-S6 : What happened after that. Herod kept Peter in prison where he fell asleep and some of the church had an all night prayer meeting.
C12-S7 : the physical provisions to keep Peter. in this sentence we read what king Herod and the soldiers did to physically keep Peter. However, we are also told that Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. Therefore, it is obvious that Peter was not worried about his future fate.
C12-S8 : God's angel wakes Peter.
C12-S9 : God's angel frees Peter.
C12-S10 : the angel had to tell him to do simple things because Peter was not fully awake.
C12-S11 : Peter obeyed (And so he did).
C12-S12 : Peter is still half asleep and has to be told to do simple things.
C12-S13 : Peter thought he was dreaming.
C12-S14 : the angel finished making Peter free. Please see the Detailed Note about this sentence. Please also realize that there are several supernatural events reported in this incident.
C12-S15 : Peter finally realized what had happened.
C12-S16 : Peter went to where people were praying for him to be delivered.
C12-S17 : What happened when Peter arrived at the prayer meeting.
C12-S18 : the woman reacted emotionally instead of thinking and letting Peter in. Since our report says that others also refused to believe, she should not be picked on.
C12-S19 : the people in the prayer meeting refused to believe and refused to verify her report.
C12-S20 : Rodah kept assuring them that she was not mistaken.
C12-S21 : the listeners express a foolish opinion.
C12-S22 : they find out the truth.
C12-S23 : Peter got the people to shut up and then declared the miracle by the Lord
C12-S24 : Peter tells them to report the miracles to the rest of the believers in the church.
C12-S25 : Peter went where the government could not accuse the church of hiding him.
C12-S26 : the soldiers were upset about Peter's disappearance.
C12-S27 : the soldiers were killed because of Peter's disappearance.
1. The phrase And when Herod had sought for him means: 'The king looked forward to using Peter to increase his own political power. He was extremely upset when he found out that he would not receive the power he planned on receiving.'.
2. The phrase and found him not means: 'This is when and why he was upset'.
3. The phrase he examined the keepers means: 'The king demanded an explanation from the soldiers'.
4. The phrase and commanded that they should be put to death means: 'This is how the king expressed his anger'.
C12-S28 : Peter left the jurisdiction of king Herod to avoid further problems for the church.
C12-S29 : the start of the report of the next incident in this chapter. Two cities wanted peace with king Herod because his country could hurt them. When he made a speech, they called him a god. He did not correct that claim and God killed him for it.
C12-S30 : Herod sought to impress everyone.
C12-S31 : Here we see people willing to lie in order to achieve political favor.
C12-S32 : the judgment of God for pride.
1. The phrase And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him means: 'God used a miracle to kill king Herod. Notice that it was immediately'.
2. The phrase because he gave not God the glory means: 'Here's why. When God works through us, or in us, and we refuse to give God the glory we are daring God to punish us'.
3. The phrase and he was eaten of worms means: 'Imagine being eaten alive from the inside out. imagine the effect that would have on people who saw it and remembered it. That was not what he wanted to be remembered for'.
4. The phrase and gave up the ghost means: 'He3 died'.
C12-S33 : the opposite spiritual result from a prideful king. (But the word of God grew and multiplied).
C12-S34 : Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch and brought John Mark with them.

Chapter 13 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Start of the First Missionary Trip to Gentiles.

Rather than providing a summary of this chapter, the following notes on different sections of sentences in the chapter is the best summary. This chapter is a report of ongoing incidents and the chapter itself provides the best flow of events where one incident leads to the next incident.

Acts 13:1-3 tells us that God had the church of Antioch send Barnabas and Saul as the preachers of their first missionary team. Others, such as John Mark also went as helpers but they are not named at this time. (Notice that Acts 13:13 says: Paul and his company loosed from Paphos.)

Acts 13:4-5 tells us that they were sent forth by the Holy Ghost. They preached to Jews in their synagogues at this start of their mission trip. In addition, John Mark was their minister until he saw devils truly affecting this world and he was afraid.

Acts 13:6-12 tells us that they ran into a sorcerer whom Paul cursed because he directly opposed the Gospel. After he was cursed, the deputy of the region believed and Paul and Barnabas continued on their mission trip. However, John mark returned to his mother's house in Jerusalem.

Acts 13:14-41 tells us the first sermon from Paul which is reported in the Bible. It was given to Jews in their synagogue on the Sabbath day. The points of Paul's message were:

Acts 13:15 : Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak to the congregation after the reading of the law and the prophets.
Acts 13:16-22 : Paul gives a summary of the history of the Jews up through king David.
Acts 13:23 : Paul tells them that Jesus was the descendent of king David and God's promised Saviour. Also, he told them that John the Baptist first preached repentance to prepare the people for Jesus.
Acts 13:24-26 : Paul told them that John the Baptist gave witness that Jesus was their promised Saviour.
Acts 13:27-29 : Paul tells them that the religious rulers in Jerusalem did not recognize their promised Saviour and they did not know the scriptures. Therefore, the had Jesus crucified.
Acts 13:30-31 : tells us that God raised Jesus from the dead and, through Jesus, promised the sure mercies of David and incorruptible life.
Acts 13:36-37 : says that the Law of Moses could not give forgiveness of sin but that forgiveness of sins, and justification, only came through believing on Jesus.
Acts 13:40-41 : tells us that Paul references scripture and warned the Jews of God's promised judgment and that they would not believe even when the Gospel was preached to them.

Acts 13:42 tells us that the Gentiles asked Paul and Barnabas to preach to them the next Sabbath.

Acts 13:45 says: But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Instead of recognizing the work of God in how many came out, they reacted sinfully.

Acts 13:46-49 tells us that Paul and Barnabas turned to the Gentiles because the Jews reacted wrongly. They did this based upon the call that Jesus gave to Paul when he was first saved. And, when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

Acts 13:50-52 tells us the results of their turning to the Gentiles.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-5. Paul and Barnabas are chosen to go to the Gentiles.
6-12. Of Sergius Paulus, and Elymas the sorcerer.
13-41. Paul preaches at Antioch that Jesus is Christ.
42-43. the Gentiles believe;
44-49. but the Jews gainsay and blaspheme, whereupon they turn to the Gentiles, of whom many believe.
50-52. the Jews raise a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, who go to Iconium.
Cir. A.M. 4049. A.D. 45.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C13-S1 : How God started His missions program.
1. The phrase Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers means: 'The type of people that God chose to work through.'.
2. The phrase as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul means: 'Whom God chose.'.
C13-S2 : What they were doing when God chose them.
1. The phrase As they ministered to the Lord means: 'Hey were busy serving the Lord. God does not call lazy people'.
2. The phrase and fasted means: 'They did what the word of God says is how we get the greatest spiritual power from God.'.
3. The phrase the Holy Ghost said means: 'God honored their service and fasting with specific instructions for what they were to do'.
4. The phrase Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them means: 'God chose the best for His work'.
C13-S3 : the missionary team were sent after the church fasted and prayed.
C13-S4 : Who sent them and where.
C13-S5 : the start of their mission work.
C13-S6 : their first opposition from a devil. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C13-S7 : What the sorcerer did.
C13-S8 : Paul identifies the true nature and purpose of the sorcerer. Please see the Detailed Note for a good sized explanation of this sentence.
C13-S9 : Paul curses the sorcerer and gives him physical blindness as a sign of his spiritual blindness.
C13-S10 : God proved that He was more powerful than the devil that the sorcerer served.
C13-S11 : the deputy understood the difference between the doctrine of the Lord and the doctrine from the false prophet.
C13-S12 : Where the mission team went next.
C13-S13 : the next place where they preached to the Jews.
C13-S14 : the rulers of the synagogue opened the floor to let visitors speak.
C13-S15 : Paul started his message.
C13-S16 : What God did for the Jews.
1. The phrase The God of this people of Israel choose our fathers means: 'God chose the Jews. They did not choose Him'.
2. The phrase and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt means: 'God raised them up from a race of slaves. They had no special value in this world'.
3. The phrase and with an high arm brought he them out of it means: 'God used many miracles to display His power when He freed the Jews from slavery'.
C13-S17 : Paul adds a reminder of their forty years of sin.
C13-S18 : God gave them the promised land. They did not take it and they did not earn it.
C13-S19 : God gave them Judges to be between God and the people. They chose when to obey and when to ignore the judge.
C13-S20 : the Jews demanded what was not good for them. God gave them the type of king that they wanted and they suffered for it.
C13-S21 : God changed who would be king of Israel.
1. The phrase And when he had removed him means: 'God removed Saul and his family from being king'.
2. The phrase he raised up unto them David to be their king means: 'God made David and his family from being king'.
3. The phrase to whom also he gave testimony, and said means: 'Go0d explained why He made the change'.
4. The phrase I have found David the son of Jesse means: 'God searched until He wound what He desired'.
5. The phrase a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will means: 'An obedient man with the type of chartacter that God wanted in a leader of His people'.
C13-S22 : God fulfilled His promise to king David.
1. The phrase of this man's seed means: 'Jesus is a physical descendent of king David'.
2. The phrase hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour means: 'God fulfilled His promise to His people Israel'.
3. The phrase Jesus fulfills God's promise of a Saviour.
4. The phrase When John had first preached before his coming means: 'John the Baptist was sent to prepare Israel for their Saviour'. . . .
5. The phrase the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel means: 'John preached being identified with true Biblical repentance'.
C13-S23 : Paul reminds them of what John the Baptist said
C13-S24 : John the Baptist clearly said that he was not God's Christ.
C13-S25 : Paul starts his main message based upon the prior history.
C13-S26 : Why Paul is not preaching at Jerusalem. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C13-S27 : the religious leaders wanted Jesus murdered even though He was innocent.
C13-S28 : God raised Jesus from the dead.
C13-S29 : Jesus was buried. The prior sentence, this sentence and the next sentence provide the basic points of the Gospel.
C13-S30 : God raised Jesus from the dead.
C13-S31 : Paul declares the fulfillment of prophecy.
1. The phrase and we declare unto you glad tidings means: 'Paul and his team were declaring fulfillment of prophecy'.
2. The phrase how that the promise which was made unto the fathers means: 'God made these promises unto the fathers for their descendants'.
3. The phrase God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children means: 'God fulfilled His promises in their day'.
4. The phrase in that he hath raised up Jesus again means: 'This is the proof of fulfillment of prophecy. Therefore, other prophecies, from God, are also reliable'.
5. The phrase as it is also written in the second psalm means: 'Here is the prophecy which Paul references'.
6. The phrase Thou art my Son means: 'This is why God raised Jesus from the dead. This was not based upon a religious promise but was based upon a personal relationship whereby Jesus had the same character as God (because He was a Son). Likewise, we must also have a personal relationship with God whereby we receive the same character as God if we want to receive this promise'.
7. The phrase This day have I begotten thee means: 'God the Father not only had Jesus physically birthed but He also gave Him His character'.
C13-S32 : God's promise of the sure mercies of David.
C13-S33 : Quote of Psalms 16:10.
C13-S34 : the comparison of the testimonies of king David and Jesus Christ. Please see the Detailed Note for the details.
C13-S35 : Paul's altar call.
1. The phrase Be it known unto you means: 'Paul wants them to be clear in what he is telling them'.
2. The phrase men and brethren means: 'He is speaking to everyone who is there. That includes all Jews and all non-Jews'.
3. The phrase that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins means: ' is available through the resurrected Jesus Christ'.
4. The phrase And by him all that believe are justified from all things means: 'In addition, justification from all things is available through true belief in Jesus Christ'.
5. The phrase from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses means: 'The Mosaic Law could never provide justification'.
C13-S36 : the warning against ignoring the invitation.
1. The phrase Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets means: 'The warnings come from the prophets'.
2. The phrase behold, ye despisers references Proverbs 1:24-32, Proverbs 5:12; Isaiah 5:24 and Isaiah 28:14-22.
3. The phase and wonder, and perish references Deuteronomy 28:28 and Isaiah 66:15.
4. The phrase for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. references Isaiah 29:14 and Habakkuk 1:5.
C13-S37 : the Gentiles sought to hear the truth of the Gospel.
C13-S38 : the people who believed followed the disciples.
C13-S39 : the response of the Gentiles to the chance to hear the Gospel.
C13-S40 : the first reaction by the religious Jews.
C13-S41 : the reaction of Paul and Barnabas to blasphemy by the Jews.
1. The phrase Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold means: 'They were not intimidated by the religious Jews'.
2. The phrase and said means: 'They spake God's judgment upon their behaviour'.
3. The phrase It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you means: 'God required His Gospel to be preached to His people, the Jews, first'.
4. The phrase but seeing ye put it from you means: 'They pushed the truth from God away in order to cling to their doctrinal error'.
5. The phrase and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life means: 'They rejected true Biblical salvation and condemned themselves, and their followers, to Hell'.
6. The phrase lo means: 'Pay close attention to the judgment which your behaviour caused'.
7. The phrase we turn to the Gentiles means: 'Paul and Barnabas continued to preach to the Jews but did not limit their preaching to Jews. They also preached to Gentiles'.
C13-S42 : the Lord gave a personal command to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.
C13-S43 : the reaction of the Gentiles to the prior sentence.
C13-S44 says: And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. Please see the Detailed Note for this sentence because contextual requirements are critical to avoid doctrinal errors. That note explains the contextual requirements.
C13-S45 : How the lost religious Jews fought against the authority of the Lord.
1. The phrase But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women means: 'They went to people who wanted greater authority and offered to help them achieve their goals'.
2. The phrase and the chief men of the city means: 'They also promised political and financial support to these men'. Even at that time, the Jews were considered to be the bankers of the world.
3. The phrase and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas means: 'They sought to cause people to turn violent against Paul and Barnabas'.
4. The phrase and expelled them out of their coasts means: 'The Jews drove them out of the entire region'.
C13-S46 : Paul and Barnabus moved on.
C13-S47 : the reaction of the disciples to persecution.

Chapter 14 Summary: Chapter theme is: Finishing the First Missionary Trip to Gentiles.

The prior chapter told us the start of this report and this chapter tells us the finish. An important point is that the missionaries reported back to the sending church as soon as they were able. They did not have world-wide communication, at that time, like we have today. Sending churches need to be supporting their missionaries with constant prayer, money, and other supports when possible. Missionaries need to be reporting to their sending churches on a regular basis. Everybody in the sending church knew Paul, Barnabas, and the rest of the missionary team. They were all church family. Today, most church members don't know how many missionaries their church supports much less know who they are and what problems that they face. Current missions programs emphasize sending a little support to many missionaries and relying on the Mission Board to check on doctrine and behavior of missionaries. The result is lots of 'moochenaries', who claim to be missionaries but are not truly producing results. In addition, there have been several incidents where Mission Boards have demanded that missionaries support doctrinal error. Further, there have been unverified lies passed to pastors and churches which come from jealous missionaries about other missionaries. And, I write these three truths as a witness who has personally seen, and verified, each of these doctrinal errors. Each one of these things are results of the current popular way to support missions, which is different from what we read in this Bible book.

There is a very important lesson in this report about the first missionary trip. The missionary must be spiritually mature enough before going to the mission field or they will fail and take others down with them. John Mark went on this first trip but went home earl because of spiritual immaturity. When it came time for the second missionary trip, Barnabas insisted on taking him and Paul refused. The two split and went separate ways and we never read about Barnabas again. So, John Mark's spiritual immaturity messed up his uncle Barnabas also. At the same time, we read that devil-motivated Jews pursued Paul and Barnabas and caused them to be run out of several cities until they had Paul stoned in one and had his body put in the city dump. A missionary must be able to adapt to different cultures and to suffer any physical hardship including torture and death.

14:1-7 tell us that Paul's mission team went to Iconium after they were expelled out of the coasts of Antioch in Pisidia, as reported in the prior chapter. There they preached the Gospel and a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe.

14:8-18 tell us that Paul healed a man who was impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb. The citizens thought that The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. They wanted to make sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, but they restrained the people and preached the Gospel.

14:19 says: And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Think about how few people would continue to be a missionary after an experience like that.

14: says: Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. Paul must have still been in great pain from all of the bruises caused by stones. Yet, he continued on to the next place to preach at.

14:20-26 tell us about the return trip, to Antioch, of Paul and Barnabas.

14:27-28 tell us about Paul and Barnabas reporting the results of their mission trip to the sending church.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-7. Paul and Barnabas are persecuted from Iconium. \
8-18. At Lystra Paul heals a cripple, whereupon they are reputed as gods.
19-20. Paul is stoned.
21-25. they pass through divers churches, confirming the disciples in faith and patience.
26-28. Returning to Antioch, they report what God had done with them.'.
Home, Start of Summary

C14-S1 : they preach in Iconium.
1. The phrase And it came to pass in Iconium means: 'Where Paul and Barnabas were at'.
2. The phrase that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews means: 'Where Paul and Barnabas went to preach'.
3. The phrase and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed means: 'The results of their preaching'.
C14-S2 : the unbelieving Jews started trouble again.
C14-S3 : the Lord worked through Paul and Barnabus to fight against lies from devils.
1. The phrase Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord means: 'They spoke with the authority of the Lord'.
2. The phrase which gave testimony unto the word of his grace means: 'They told about His grace'.
3. The phrase and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands means: 'They did miracles to prove His grace'. Please see the section on Miracles in the New Testament Significant Events Study.
C14-S4 : the people of the city were divided into two groups.
C14-S5 : the end results.
1. The phrase And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about means: 'The devil's people tried to murder Paul and Barnabas'.
2. The phrase And there they preached the gospel means: 'The Lord warned them and they escaped'.
C14-S6 : the miracle at Lystra. This starts a report which continues through most of this chapter. Thus. all of the related sentences need to be considered together.
C14-S7 : the man obeyed and received his miracle.
C14-S8 : the people reacted to a wrong assumption.
1. The phrase And when the people saw what Paul had done means: 'The people reacted to what they saw in the physical reality and assumed that the spiritual power was his without first verifying'.
2. The phrase they lifted up their voices means: 'The people who made the wrong assumption started hollering their wrong assumption to everyone'.
3. The phrase saying in the speech of Lycaonia means: 'Since they were using their local language, neither Paul nor Barnabas understood what they said'.
4. The phrase The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men means: 'This is the error which they claimed'.
C14-S9 : the false gods that the people called Paul and Barnabas.
C14-S10 : the local religious priest responded.
C14-S11 : How Paul and Barnabas reacted when they finally understood what was going on.
C14-S12 : Summary of the message from Paul and Barnabas.
1. The phrase We also are men of like passions with you means: 'They were not so-called gods. They had the same desires, wishes, physical feelings and other things as were common to all physical men'.
2. The phrase and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God means: 'The things they were doing had a good outward appearance but no real spiritual substance (vanities). They needed to replace what they were doing with true worship of the living God, which had true spiritual value'.
3. The phrase which made heaven means: 'The living God made heaven. Therefore, He is greater than any so-called god who claimed to live in heaven'.
4. The phrase and earth means: 'The living God made the earth. Therefore, He is greater than any so-called god who claimed to live in the earth'.
5. The phrase and the sea means: 'The living God made the sea. Therefore, He is greater than any so-called god who claimed to live in the sea'. Between these three places, Paul has covered every place of any so-called god. Therefore, he has declared the living God to be greater than any other so-called god.
6. The phrase and all things that are therein means: 'The living God made all things that are therein. Therefore, He is greater than any so-called god who claimed to done some great deed to prove that he was a god'.
7. The phrase Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways means: 'The living God allowed people to do this in the past. Their wrong actions made Him suffer. But, as our next sentence says, the living God left Himself witnesses who were given the job of telling people Who the living God was and how to worship Him'.
C14-S13 : God always had a witness here. Whether people understand it or not, the seasons and provisions of nature are a witness of God's provision, protection, and character.
C14-S14 : Paul and Barnabas barely stopped the people from a wrong worship of them.
C14-S15 : the devils try again to murder Paul.
C14-S16 : What happened after the Jews left Paul as dead.
1. The phrase Howbeit means: 'how, be, and it. Be it as it may; nevertheless; notwithstanding; yet; but; however'. The Jews left him as dead and the other disciples also thought he was dead but God raised him back up.
2. The phrase as the disciples stood round about him means: 'They thought he was dead and were not sure what to do'.
3. The phrase he rose up means: 'We are not told if he actually died and God revived him or if he only appeared to be dead. Either way, it took the power of God for him to rise up without human help'. Please also see New Testament Significant Events Study for links to other miracles reported in the New Testament.
4. The phrase and came into the city means: 'Apparently, he walked in on his own. This, and the next phrase, are physically impossible without a miraculous healing from God'.
5. The phrase and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe means: 'They left to cause the devil-motivated Jews to think they had won and cause them to also leave so the new church did not have to contend with them'.
C14-S17 : they returned homeans preached at every established church along the way. Please also see the Detailed Note for an important consideration of the doctrine of the phrase kingdom of God.
C14-S18 : What Paul and Barnabas did in every church as they returned home.
C14-S19 : the cities they passed through as they returned home.
C14-S20 : the last city preached in before they reached home. This was the city that John Mark left the from at the start of their missions trip.
C14-S21 : they reported to the sending church.
C14-S22 : And there they abode long time with the disciples.

Interpretive Study of Acts - Summary:Book theme is: How God Started the Church.

Chapter 8 Summary: Chapter theme is: God scatters the church.

Chapter 9 Summary: Chapter theme is: Peace in the churches.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 10 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Salvation of Gentiles.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 11 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Lord working to save Gentiles.

Chapter 12 Summary: Chapter theme is: God supports right doctrine and punishes wrong doctrine.

Chapter 13 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Start of the First Missionary Trip to Gentiles.

Chapter 14 Summary: Chapter theme is: Finishing the First Missionary Trip to Gentiles.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

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Interpretive Study of Acts - Summary:
Book theme is: How God Started the Church.