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 15 Summary: Chapter theme is: Devil Motivated Contention.

The prior two chapters told us about the first missionary trip and ended with Paul and Barnabas homeans safe. They had been persecuted, Paul had been stoned and left for dead, and they had suffered many physical hardships. Yet, they had triumphed spiritually and started many churches.

Since Satan could not stop them from doing God's will and taking the Gospel to the Gentiles, his next action is to introduce corruption into the doctrine of the Gospel. Specifically, Satan had saved religious men spreading the claim that circumcision is required for salvation. That is a doctrine of 'works salvation' and even today we are still fighting that heresy. In addition, Satan had saved religious men spreading the claim that keeping Jewish religious traditions was required for sanctification and blessings from God. That is a doctrine of 'works sanctification' and we have several religions claiming their own form of 'works sanctification' today.

Please note, these people were highly influential in the Jewish religion before they were saved and, apparently, retained their influence after being saved even though they were spiritual babes. When God used Peter to lead the household of Cornelius to salvation (10), they gave Peter a hard time and expected him to fight God and make God accept their religious beliefs. In addition, at that time, they were shown, by God, that their religious traditions were replaced, in the new Testament, by God. Yet they persisted in their doctrine even after God proved it wrong.

These people persisted until God had the Temple torn down so that they could not keep the Jewish religious traditions which required sacrifice. God also destroyed the Jerusalem Church by scattering, or killing, everyone who clung to this doctrinal error.

What we see here are very selfish, and spiritually immature, people who claimed to be leaders in the church because of religious credentials and not based upon evidence of God leading them. They were more interested in their position among men than what was best for the church or haw they were supposed to be serving God. Realize that, from this point forward, instead of winning souls themselves, or starting their own churches, they wanted to take over the churches which Paul started. That attitude is what we need to beware of.

They kept demanding that the church compromise doctrine to accommodate their doctrinal error instead of the preachers (apostles) correcting their doctrinal error. They persisted until they destroyed the church and the preachers (apostles) can be blamed for not correcting them. Titus 3:10-11 says: A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. The church was destroyed because they did not do this. Again, 2Thessalonians 3:14-15 says: And if any man obey not our word By this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Again, they failed to do this and allowed their church to be destroyed.

15:1 tells us that devil-motivated men went to Antioch and taught doctrinal error.

15:2 tells us that Paul and Barnabas disputed their error and forced the doctrinal fight to go the mother (Jerusalem) Church.

15:3-4 tells us that saved people who heard about Gentiles being saved praised God for His work.

15:5 tells us certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. Since these Gentiles were, obviously, already saved and had spiritual gifts, it is not clear what basis they used for their claim.

15:6-11 tells us about the dispute in the Jerusalem Church.

15:12 tells us about the Jews listening to Paul and Barnabas testifying about God working among the Gentiles.

15:13-21 tells us the summary of the church.

15:22-31 tells us about the church sending Paul, Barnabas and two others back to Antioch with their conclusions.

15:32-35 tells us about Silas staying at Antioch while Judas returned to Jerusalem.

15:36-41 tells us about Paul and Barnabas splitting over the second missionary trip. It is important to consider all of these sentences together in order to avoid misunderstanding.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-4. Great dissensions arise touching circumcision.
5-21. the apostles consult about it,
22-35. and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36-41. Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brethren together, disagree, and travel different ways.
Cir. A.M. 4057. A.D. 53.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C15-S1 : Doctrinal error was taught at Antioch.
C15-S2 : How they determined to resolve the dispute. They went to the mother (Jerusalem) Church for a doctrine to be accepted by all. The Jews were willing to have Paul and others submit to their doctrine if they prevailed. However, they refused to do the same, even though they agreed to do so. That proved them to be lying hypocrites who pushed a doctrine from a devil.
1. The phrase When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them means: 'This is when and why they went to mother (Jerusalem) Church for a doctrine to be accepted by all saved'.
2. The phrase they determined that Paul and Barnabas means: 'These were the two main people who disputed with these Jews who taught doctrinal error'.
3. The phrase and certain other of them means: 'This included Titus'. Galatians 2:1-3 says: Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also...But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. Thus, they took people who constituted absolute proof that God did not require circumcision in order to be saved.
4. The phrase should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question means: 'They went to the highest human authority in the church to gat a resolution which was to be imposed upon all saved'.
C15-S3 : What happened on the way to Jerusalem. The saved, who were not at Jerusalem, praised God for saving Gentiles.
C15-S4 : Paul and Barnabas testified to the Jerusalem Church. Notice that they declared all things that God had done with them. They did not testify their own religious opinion, which could be disputed. They testified what God did, which could not be disputed.
C1-S5 : Saved people in the church insisted that the church submit to doctrinal error.
C15-S6 : the church leaders considered the dispute.
C15-S7 : After much dispute, Peter reminded them of the testimony of the Lord.
C15-S8 : the proven testimony of God.
1. The phrase And God means: 'In addition to how God worked through Peter, God worked directly on the hearts of the lost Gentiles'. This is not an argument about religious beliefs. God is greater than all and there is no religious argument that is greater than what God did.
2. The phrase which knoweth the hearts means: 'God acted based upon their hearts'. The Pharisees lost their argument against Jesus when they claimed that outward religious acts spiritually defiled and purified while He said that spiritual defilement and spiritual purification are based upon the attitudes of the heart (Matthew 15:8-18; Mark 7:15-23). Salvation is the ultimate purification, and as Jesus said, God bases it on the heart.
3. The phrase bare them witness means: 'God Himself directly saw and reported His judgment of their hearts by doing the next phrase'.
4. The phrase giving them the Holy Ghost means: 'During the 'Church Age', this is the ultimate evidence of true salvation'.
5. The phrase even as he did unto us means: 'The saved Jews could not argue against their own evidence of salvation'.
6. The phrase And put no difference between us and them means: 'Men make differences in men based upon physical attributes but God does not'. Please see the note for Romans C10S13 about no difference in people. Please also see the notes for Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25 and James 2:1 about no respecter of persons.
7. The phrase purifying their hearts by faith means: 'God made their hearts pure. It was not an act done by men'.
C15-S9 : Why are you each personally daring God to punish you?
1. The phrase Now therefore means: 'After you understand what was just explained about the historical consequences of what you are considering doing'. God does not change and the Jewish history was full of examples of God punishing His people for going against the revealed will of God.
2. The phrase why tempt ye God means: 'Why are each and everyone of you personally daring God to punish you and your families?'.
3. The phrase to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples means: 'You are trying to force God's disciples to obey you instead of obeying God'.
4. The phrase which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? means: 'What you are demanding they do none of the Jewish fathers were able to do'.
C15-S10 : the true source of salvation.
C15-S11 : they finally shut up and listened to the testimony of God.
C15-S12 : James summarizes the meeting.
1. The phrase And after they had held their peace means: 'The finally had nothing to say against the testimony of the working of God'.
2. The phrase James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me means: 'James was the administrator of the church. Therefore, he summarized the discussion'.
3. The phrase Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles means: 'Peter reminded them of how God had already saved uncircumsized Gentiles'.
4. The phrase to take out of them a people for his name means: 'God did it to have people who served His name'.
C15-S13 : What God sais that He will do. This is a continuation of the summary by James. Please see the Detailed Note for more about this sentence and the context.
C15-S14 : Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
C15-S15 : Summary of the requirements for Gentiles. Basically, they laid no religious requirements on the Gentiles but did require them to keep their moral relationship with God. Please see the Detailed Note for more details.
C15-S16 : Why the Gentiles don't need to keep Jewish traditions. The Jews already have places to teach their traditions and God does not require the traditions from Gentiles.
C15-S17 : the response sent to Gentiles from the Jerusalem Church Please see the Detailed Note as there is considerable information there about this sentence.
C15-S18 : Why they sent men as messengers
C15-S19 : A second summary of what the Jerusalem Council determined. Please see the note for C15-S15, which has the first summary statement of what the council determined.
C15-S20 : Final blessing.
C15-S21 : the messengers did their job.
1. The phrase So when they were dismissed means: 'The messengers made sure that everything was concluded before they left for Antioch'.
2. The phrase they came to Antioch means: 'They arrived at the place where they were sent'.
3. The phrase and when they had gathered the multitude together means: 'They waited until everyone was there before they delivered their message. The message was to every member and not just to the leaders or some other select group within the church'.
4. The phrase they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read means: 'They read the epistle to everyone and answered any question that anyone might have had about the epistle'.
5. The phrase they rejoiced for the consolation means: 'Everyone in the church rejoiced because of the comfort (consolation) sent in the epistle'.
C15-S22 : the messengers from the Jerusalem Church confirmed the words of the epistle and added further doctrine which supported the message of the epistle.
C15-S23 : the messengers waited until everyone in the church was comfortable with the message they delivered.
C15-S24 : Silas decided to stay in Antioch.
C15-S25 : the people at Antioch received the word of the Lord.
C15-S26 : Paul was concerned about the spiritual welfare of the mission churches.
C15-S27 : Barnabas wanted to take his nephew.
C15-S28 : Paul disagreed.
C15-S29 : the results of the contention.
1. The phrase And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other means: 'The main result'.
2. The phrase and so Barnabas took Mark and sailed unto Cyprus means: 'What Barnabas did'
3. The phrase And Paul choose Silas, and departed means: 'What Paul did'.
4. The phrase being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God means: 'Paul had the blessing of the church for his trip'.
C15-S30 : Where Paul started his mission trip and what he was doing.

Chapter 16 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Start of the Second Mission Trip.

In Acts 16:1-3, Paul met Timothy and added him to the missionary team.

In Acts 16:4-5, they confirmed established churches and helped them to increase in number daily.

In Acts 16:6-9, they tried to go several places but were forbidden of the Holy Ghost. Then Paul had his Macedonian vision and they went there.

In Acts 16:10-15, we read about their arrival in Philippi where they met Lydia and she had them stay at her house after she was baptized.

In Acts 16:16-24, we read about Paul casting a devil out of a girl who was trying to interfere with their giving the Gospel. (The devil had her crying and: saying, these men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. The devil was trying to cause people that a devil was the power behind the Gospel.) After Paul cast out the devil, her masters had Paul and Silas beat and thrown in prison.

In Acts 16:25-34, we read that at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God. As a result, the jailer, and his household, were saved.

In Acts 16:35-40, we read that the government officials tried to set them free in secret. That is when Paul let them know that they had beat and imprisoned Roman citizens when they were not charged with breaking a law. Such actions could get the government officials in trouble and possibly killed. Paul and his team left that city shortly after but Paul's dealing with the government officials assured that they would not persecute the new church in Philippi.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-6. Paul having circumcised Timothy,
7-13. and being called by the Spirit from one country to another,
14-15. converts Lydia,
16-18. and casts out a spirit of divination;
19-24. for which cause he and Silas are whipped and imprisoned.
25-30. the prison doors are opened. 31-34. the jailor is converted,
35-40. and they are delivered.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C16-S1 : Paul meets Timothy. Please see the Detailed Note for more doctrine on this sentence.
C16-S2 : What Paul did to Timothy so that he could join the mission team. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C16-S3 : the mission team told all churches the decrees which were ordained at Jerusalem. They went to established churches first, and did this duty, before starting new churches.
C16-S4 : they helped existing churches.
C16-S5 : God's Holy Ghost directly guided where the mission team went.
C16-S6 : Where they went next.
C16-S7 : Paul received his Macedonian vision.
C16-S8 : they obeyed the vision immediately.
C16-S9 : How they arrived at Philippi.
C16-S10 : the mission team went to where believers met.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior. They were in that city abiding certain days before they met the believers. Since there is no mention of them going to a synagogue, as was their reported habit, there possibly was not one in that city. However, since Paul's team was persecuted every time that they went to the synagogue, they mat have decided to skip it and go where they were likely to meet true believers. Therefore, they had to find out where the Jewish believers met before they could go to the meeting'.
2. The phrase on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side means: 'This is when and where they went'.
3. The phrase where prayer was wont to be made means: 'This is why they went there'.
4. The phrase and we sat down means: 'This is how they indicated to the people meeting there that they were teachers of the word of God. This action was accepted in cultures of that time to indicate a teacher'.
5. The phrase and spake unto the women which resorted thither means: 'They told them the truth of the Gospel'.
C16-S11 : the testimony of the salvation of Lydia.
1. The phrase And a certain woman named Lydia means: 'Who she was'.
2. The phrase a seller of purple means: 'What she did for a living. She sold cloth to royalty because, at that time, only royalty were allowed to wear the color of purple'. This would have made her wealthy and a highly influential person in that area.
3. The phrase of the city of thyatira means: 'The church in that city, which was started in the home of Lydia, is one of the churches identified in Revelation 1:16; Revelation 1:18-34 '.
4. The phrase which worshipped God means: As explained in the Detailed Note, 'Worship is a personal act that often requires personal sacrifice'.
5. The phrase heard us means: 'She had spiritual ears to hear the spiritual message which resulted in her personal salvation'.
6. The phrase whose heart the Lord opened means: 'The Lord caused her to truly believe the Gospel'.
7. The phrase that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul means: 'She paid close attention and considered what Paul said'.
C16-S12 : the church was started in her home.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. There, we read about her salvation. Here we read about her using her physical possessions to serve the Lord. This is the example for people to follow when they are truly saved'.
2. The phrase when she was baptized means: 'She was identified with our Lord Jesus Christ'. Her life displayed the change which only He can cause.
3. The phrase and her household means: 'She made sure that everyone in her household also believed and had a changed lifestyle'.
4. The phrase she besought us, saying means: 'She begged for the opportunity to do more to serve the Lord'.
5. The phrase If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord means: 'This was the basis for her request'. Many people want blessings without first paying the price. The price which she paid was being faithful to the Lord.
6. The phrase come into my house means: 'Use her house for the place that the church would meet'.
7. The phrase and abide there means: 'Continue to live there and continue to have the church meet there'. As mentioned for the prior sentence, this church is one of the seven mentioned in Revelation.
C16-S13 says: And she constrained us. Please see the Detailed Note about this sentence.
C16-S14 : the spiritual attack Satan added to the new mission church.
1. The word And means: 'This is added to the prior sentences and report'. Our sentence would seem to start a totally new report. And, on a physical level, that is true. However, by starting with the word and we see that it is a continuation of the prior report in this chapter. That is true on a spiritual level where we see God's Holy Ghost using men to expand God's kingdom through true salvation and starting new churches, such as we just read about. And, in response to the new church, on a spiritual le4vel, Satan added this spiritual attack to try and stop, or at least discourage, God's ministers. And, in this attack, Satan is trying to corrupt their message by causing people to believe that the power of God is really just the power of another devil.
2. The phrase it came to pass means: 'This happened after the church moved to the house of Lydia, but we are not told how long after'.
3. The phrase as we went to prayer means: 'Satan not only had her causing long-term problems but Satan wanted to interfere with their prayer life and their support from God for immediate problems'.
4. The phrase a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us means: 'The lower-case word spirit, along with what he was doing, let us know that this was a devil'. By providing divination, this devil supported the wrong worship of Diana.
5. The phrase which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying means: 'This was their reward for encouraging the worship of a false god'.
6. The phrase The same followed Paul and us means: 'The devil made her follow and constantly harass Paul and others on the mission team'. Note, with the use of the word us, we can know that Luke had joined the mission team at this time.
7. The phrase and cried, saying means: 'The devil made sure that everyone heard her message'.
8. The phrase These men are the servants of the most high God means: 'She told a truth but made it seem as if the most high God was just another god and no better than Diana'.
9. The phrase which shew unto us the way of salvation means: 'This is another truth which was said in a way to discourage people from listening or to at least discount its importance'.
C16-S15 : this was a non-stop harassment by the devil.
C16-S16 : Paul ordered the devil out of her.
C16-S17 : the devil left the damsel.
C16-S18 : the masters lied in order to get Paul, and others, beat and put into prison.
1. The word and means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences. All sentences in this sub-group need to be considered together for context requirements. This sentence tells us the reaction by lost men to Paul casting the devil out of the damsel'.
2. The phrase And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone means: 'They were motivated by money. Note that they didn't care what the devil did to the damsel so long as they made money'.
3. The phrase they caught Paul and Silas means: 'This was not all of the mission team but the leaders. Remember that we already saw that Timothy and Luke were also part of the team at this time'.
4. The phrase and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers means: 'This was where government business was conducted'.
5. The phrase And brought them to the magistrates, saying means: 'These men lied to the magistrates and they believed the local important men without verifying the claims. Devils will motivate men to do these types of things to try and get God' people to not do the will of God'.
6. The phrase These men, being Jews means: 'Their claim is based upon prejudice. Both Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, as we see reported at the end of the chapter.'.
7. The phrase do exceedingly trouble our city means: 'Lie. They troubled the money making of these men which was dependent upon a devil possessing a damsel. They were not exceedingly troubling our city'.
8. The phrase And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe means: 'Lie. Since Paul and Silas were both Roman citizens, it should have been obvious that it was lawful for us to receive and to observe the Gospel. Devils have no problem with motivating lost people to lie if that is required to stop the spread of the Gospel'.
9. The phrase being Romans means: 'Lie. Since Paul and Silas were both Roman citizens, it should have been obvious that being Romans had nothing to do with their complaint. However, the magistrates failed to verify the lies of local important people'.
C16-S19 : Abuse of judicial power.
1. The phrase And the multitude rose up together against them means: 'The lying masters had a multitude show up to support their lies and to threaten the government people with a riot'.
2. The phrase and the magistrates rent off their clothes means: 'The magistrates demonstrated extreme stress at the threat from the multitude'.
3. The phrase and commanded to beat them means: 'The magistrates did not investigate the truth because they were more concerned about the multitude causing a riot'.
C16-S20 : What was done to Paul and Silas.
1. The word and means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences'. Here, we are told what was done to Paul and Silas because of the lies and devil motivations reported in prior sentences.
2. The phrase when they had laid many stripes upon them means: 'They were beat severely the word stripes means there were red lines which would also be bleeding'.
3. The phrase they cast them into prison means: 'They were kept for further punishment'.
4. The phrase charging the jailer to keep them safely means: 'The jailer was threatened to take their punishment if they escaped'.
5. The phrase Who, having received such a charge means: 'The jailer responded to the real threat'.
6. The phrase thrust them into the inner prison means: 'He put them in the most secure part of the prison'.
7. The phrase and made their feet fast in the stocks. means: 'He chained them to the wall within the inner prison'.
C16-S21 : What Paul and Silas did in prison.
C16-S22 : the miracle response from God when Paul and Silas rayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Please also see the Doctrinal Studies called Miracles in Gospels and the Miracles section of the Significant Events in the New Testament for links to other miracles reported in the New Testament.
C16-S23 : the Jailer almost committed suicide.
C16-S24 : Paul stopped the jailer from killing himself. Think about this. He preferred death to what would happen to him if everyone escaped and it did not matter if he could not have prevented the earthquake.
C16-S25 : the jailer understood that this was a spiritual display of power and that he did not serve the God Who displayed this power. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C16-S26 : they told the jailer how to be saved. In addition, the next sentence was also part of their message and can not be ignored. Doing so is using the way of Satan to ignore context. As explained in the note for the Lord Jesus Christ Study, the emphasis is on the role of Lord, and not Jesus. In addition, as our next sentence says, they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and not just the word of God. Changing what is said here, for salvation, from Lord to Jesus, is a perversion of Satan. Please see the Detailed Note for this very important doctrinal difference.
C16-S27 is added to the prior sentence and the note above also applies to this sentence.
C16-S28 : the Jailer dealt with the needs of the preachers.
1. The phrase And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes means: 'First He took care of their physical needs'.
2. The phrase and was baptized, he and all his, straightway means: 'Next, they took care of his spiritual needs'.
C16-S29 : the jailer took care of them the best way that he could.
1. The word and means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. The two sentences tell us about the changed behavior of the jailer after he was saved. True salvation results in a changed life'.
2. The phrase And when he had brought them into his house means: 'He took them out of the inner prison and took them to his own home as the best accommodations which he could give them'.
3. The phrase he set meat before them means: 'He fed them. They would not have been fed since before they were arrested'.
4. The phrase and rejoiced means: 'The jailer, his household, Paul and Silas all rejoiced at spiritual salvation even though Paul and Silas would still be hurting physically'.
5. The phrase believing in God with all his house means: 'This was what they were rejoicing about'.
C16-S30 : What the government officials did the next day. This sentence through the end of the chapter report a single incident and all of the sentences need to be considered together for contextual reasons.
C16-S31 : the message was passed to Paul and Silas.
C16-S32 : the response from Paul.
1. The word but means: 'This sentence is continuing the main subject as the prior sentence while providing a contrast to what was said prior'.
2. The phrase Paul said unto them means: 'The magistrates instead of speaking for themselves. In contrast, Paul spoke for himself'.
3. The phrase They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans means: 'Paul accused them of violating Roman law in a way which could get them beaten and imprisoned and even, possible, executed'.
4. The phrase and have cast us into prison means: 'This is a second illegal act which the magistrates did'.
5. The phrase and now do they thrust us out privily? means: 'Paul is accusing them of violating the law in public and then trying to hide their actions'.
C16-S33 : the response from Paul.
C16-S34 : Paul assured the government officials would leave the new church alone.
C16-S35 : the magistrates did as Paul demanded.
C16-S36 : Paul and company comforted the church and then left.

Chapter 17 Summary: Chapter theme is: Continuing the Second Mission Trip

17:1-10 tells us that they arrived at thessalonica and preached there. Some Jews and Greeks believed. But, the non-believing Jews started a riot and attacked their host, Jason. So, Paul and Silas went to Berea. .

17:11 tells us These were more noble than those in thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Most religious people, saved or lost, fail to do this.

17:12-14 tells us that many believed. But, when the Jews of thessalonica heard that, they went to Berea and stirred up the people. Therefore, the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.

17:15-34 tells us about Paul preaching at Athens.

17:16-21 tells us that Paul preached to the Jews and in the marketplace. Certain philosophers listened to hear some new philosophy.

17:22-32 tells us Paul's message at Mars' hill.

17:32 says: And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

17:33-34 tells us that Paul departed from them but some who were there believed.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-4. Paul preaches at thessalonica, where some believe,
5-9. and others persecute him.
10-12. He is sent to Berea, and preaches there. 13-15. Being persecuted by Jews from thessalonica,
16-31. he comes to Athens, and disputes and preaches the living God, to them unknown;
32-34. whereby, though some mock, many are converted unto Christ.
'

Home, Start of Summary

C17-S1 : Paul and others arrived at thessalonica. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this sentence.
C17-S2 : Some believed the preaching of Paul.
1. The phrase And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas means: 'Those who truly believed consorted with the preacher and other true believers'. We need to question the sincerity of people who claim to believe but refuse to consort with the preacher and other true believers.
2. The phrase and of the devout Greeks a great multitude means: 'These were non-Jews'. Paul was sent to preach to the Gentiles.
3. The phrase and of the chief women not a few means: 'These were the important women, both Jews and Gentiles'.
C17-S3 : the unbelieving Jews assaulted the house of their host.
C17-S4 : the lies told by the unbelieving Jews.
1. The phrase And when they found them not means: 'They were looking for Paul and Silas but did not find them'.
2. The phrase they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying means: 'They blamed others for what Paul and Silas had preached. The people whom they drew unto the rulers of the city did not do what they accused them of doing'.
3. The phrase These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also means: 'Yes, Paul and Silas did turned the world upside down by preaching truth instead of popular religious lies. But the people they had (these) were not Paul and Silas'. Devil motivated people will blame innocent people when they can not blame the people who truly caused their upset.
4. The phrase Whom Jason hath received means: 'This much was true'.
5. The phrase and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar means: 'This is a lie. Galatians 5:22-23 says: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Therefore, their claim that what these all do was contrary to the decrees of Caesar was a lie. Notice that they are not claiming that the Gospel was illegal but that the life changes caused by the Gospel (what they do) legal'.
6. The phrase saying that there is another king, one Jesus. means: 'This was the lie made by the ruling Jews to Pilate and he called it a lie. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world. Therefore, it was not a conflict with the government of this world'.
C17-S5 : the result of the lies in the prior sentence.
C17-S6 : they made Jason pay money to assure that he would not start a riot.
C17-S7 : How the brethren avoided further civil conflict.
1. The phrase And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea means: 'The sent away the people who upset the unbelieving Jews'.
2. The phrase who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews means: 'Paul and Silas preached to the Jews in Berea'.
C17-S8 : the spiritual character of the Jews in Berea.
1. The phrase These were more noble than those in thessalonica means: 'They had a different attitude and character which made them respond differently from the Jews in thessalonica'.
2. The phrase in that they received the word with all readiness of mind means: 'This is the main mental attitude we need to have when dealing with the word of God'.
3. The phrase and searched the scriptures daily means: 'They verified what they were told'. This is the main failure of most religious people, including the saved. In the Gospels, when Jesus said verily, it meant that He had verified what was said and that we were commanded to also verify what was said.
4. The phrase whether those things were so means: 'They verified what they were told against what was written in the word of God. They did not check what they heard against their own beliefs nor against the beliefs of others. They truly believed that the word of God was their final authority'.
C17-S9 : the results of people searching the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Many Jews and Greeks believed.
C17-S10 : the unbelieving Jews traveled to persecute in another city.
C17-S11 : the response by the believers in Berea.
C17-S12 : Paul ended up in Athens. The unbelieving Jews had followed Paul and he left so that the new church would not be persecuted.
C17-S13 : Paul was motivated to start preaching even while he waited for Silas and Timothy to catch up with him.
C17-S14 : Paul reacted to doctrinal error because he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.
C17-S15 : Philosophers of that time and city met Paul.
C17-S16 : they thought Paul was ignorant.
C17-S17 : What others thought.
1. The phrase other some means: 'Other philosophers thought differently.'.
2. The phrase He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods means: 'They thought He just preached another god who was less than their false gods'.
3. The phrase because he preached unto them Jesus means: 'They thought that Jesus was just another false god'.
4. The phrase and the resurrection means: 'They thought that resurrection was just another philosophy'.
C17-S18 : the Philosophers took Paul to their debating place and asked him to give them the details of what they thought was just another philosophy.
C17-S19 : Why they brought Paul to Mars' hill.
C17-S20 : the people listening thought of themselves to be great intellectuals. 1Corinthians 1:20 says: Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?.
C17-S21 : Paul said that they were overly worried about offending any spirit (devil) which called itself a god.
C17-S22 : Why Paul made the accusation in the prior sentence.
C17-S23 : Paul said that he would declare the God Whom they admitted ignorance of.
C17-S24 : the Gospel which Paul presented at Mars' hill. Please see the Detailed Note about this sentence and the doctrine within it.
C17-S25 : Paul told them to not think that God is an idol.
C17-S26 : God has changed how He judges men since Jesus died and rose from the dead.
1. The word and means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences of Paul's message. This sentence required the listeners to make a decision'.
2. The phrase And the times of this ignorance God winked at means: 'In the past, God gave mercy to ignorant men who tried to live right. God judges the heart and those whose heart's desire was to live right received a wink at their errors and sins'.
3. The phrase but now commandeth all men every where to repent means: 'The word but gives us a contrast with God now judging sin differently than in the past. God has commandeth all men every where to repent and God not judges men for their obedience'.
4. The phrase Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness means: 'Each and every man will face God and have his life judged for how much righteousness he lived by'.
5. The phrase by that man whom he hath ordained means: 'Jesus will be the judge of all men'.
6. The phrase whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead means: 'God gave us assurance of this future when He raised Jesus from the dead'.
C17-S27 : the reaction to Paul's message.
C17-S28 says: So Paul departed from among them.
C17-S29 : Some people believed and clave to Paul. This type of behavior is a sign of true salvation.

Chapter 18 Summary: Chapter theme is: Continuing the Second Mission Trip. Paul establishes the church in Corinth.

In Acts 17 Paul had been run out of thessalonica (Acts 17:5-9) by the Jews which believed not. Paul and others then went to Berea (Acts 17:10) but the Jews which believed not followed Paul there and again got him run out of town. However, Paul left others to start a church and moved on to Athens alone. There many treated the gospel as an 'intellectual philosophy' and put it below the thinking of humans. Paul then left Athens and came to Corinth (Acts 18:1-2) and found Jews ([and] Priscilla) who had the same occupation (tentmakers) as Paul and they befriended Paul. It should be noted here that Paul, and others of his missionary team, worked jobs and were not full time missionaries relying solely upon support from sending churches. Yes, there are places where missionaries can't get a local job and, therefore, must have some other financial support. However, the current belief that only full time preachers and their families can be missionaries does not match what we find here in the Bible.

in this chapter we see Paul visiting several other cities and starting churches. We also see our Lord Jesus Christ protecting him. Therefore, the unbelieving Jews attacked the new believers. We are also introduced to Aquila and his wife Priscilla, who helped Paul and traveled with him as far as Ephesus. Paul left them there and when Apollos went to Ephesus and preached the baptism of John. Then Aquila and Priscilla took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Acts 18:1-4 tells us that Paul went to Corinth and met Aquila and his wife Priscilla and they worked together as tentmakers. While there, Paul reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. These two helped the start the churches in Corinth, Ephesus and Rome.

Acts 18:5-6 tells us that When Silas and Timotheus joined him, Paul started to testify to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. However, as before, many believed and many opposed. Therefore, Paul told them: Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

Acts 18:7-11 tells us that Paul stayed with a believer named Jason and preached for a year and six months with the assurance from the Lord that: Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: forI am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

Acts 18:12-17 tells us that the Jews, again, made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat. But the deputy of Achaia refused to get involved in a religious dispute.

Acts 18:18-21 tells us that Paul took Aquila and his wife Priscilla to Ephesus. After Paul testified in the synagogue there, he left Aquila and his wife Priscilla in Ephesus but he continued to Jerusalem for an upcoming Jewish religious feast.

Acts 18:22-23 tells us how Paul went there and that he was strengthening all the disciples along the way.

Acts 18:24-28 tells us that Apollos went to Ephesus and preached the baptism of John. Then Aquila and Priscilla took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. When he moved on, he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-8. Paul labours with his hands, and preaches at Corinth to the Gentiles.
9-11. the Lord encourages him in a vision.
12-17. He is accused before Gallio the deputy, but is dismissed.
18-23. Afterwards passing from city to city, he strengthens the disciples.
24-28. Apollos, being more perfectly instructed by Aquila and Priscilla, preaches Christ with great efficacy.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C18-S1 : Paul traveled to Corinth next.
1. The phrase After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth means: 'Where Paul went next'.
2. The phrase And found a certain Jew named Aquila means: 'This was the husband of this important non-preacher married couple'.
3. The phrase born in Pontus, lately come from Italy means: 'Where he was fRomans how he arrived in Corinth'.
4. The phrase with his wife Priscilla means: 'This was the wife of this important non-preacher married couple'.
5. The phrase (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) means: 'Why they arrived in Corinth'.
6. The phrase and came unto them means: 'Paul went to them'.
C18-S2 : Why Paul worked with Aquila and Priscilla.
1. The word and means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence and tells us more about the relationship between Paul and Aquila and Priscilla'.
2. The phrase And because he was of the same craft means: 'They were all tentmakers'.
3. The phrase he abode with them means: 'Paul lived with Aquila and Priscilla'.
4. The phrase and wrought means: 'Paul worked as a tentmaker'. One of the doctrinal errors currently taught is that someone can not go to the mission field unless they first spend years raising support so that they don't have to work on the mission field. Please also see the Message called Tent-Maker Ministry.
5. The phrase for by their occupation they were tentmakers means: 'This was how they earned their money'.
C18-S3 : What Paul did while waiting for the rest of his mission team. We see here that we are to always try to be a witness, even if we are alone.
C18-S4 : Paul became more bold with others supporting him spiritually.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences of this chapter. It tells us of a change in the ministry of Paul and the reason for that change'.
2. The phrase when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia means: 'This is when the change occurred and the reason for it. Paul now had spiritual support from Silas and Timotheus'. Thus we see the need for others to support and encourage us in the ministry.
3. The phrase Paul was pressed in the spirit means: 'This was his own spirit which was pressed because he was the leader and he was not being as fervent as he had been at prior times'.
4. The phrase and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ means: 'In the prior sentence, we saw that Paul reasoned with the Jews in the Synagogue and that he tried a soft approach. However, he is now being more forceful as He testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ'.
C18-S5 : Paul's response to the unbelieving Jews.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences of this chapter. It tells us of the changed response from the unbelieving Jews when Paul made it clear to them that their religious doctrine opposed scripture.'.
2. The phrase when they opposed themselves means: 'They claimed different doctrines which opposed each other'. They refused to accept where their doctrines contradicted each other and contradicted scripture.
3. The phrase and blasphemed means: 'They spoke against the character of God as well as speaking against His word'.
4. The phrase he shook his raiment, and said unto them means: 'Paul symbolically and verbally told them that he was no longer responsible for their souls'.
5. The phrase Your blood be upon your own heads means: 'They were responsible for their own spiritual life. Paul had no more responsibility for telling them God's truth'.
6. The phrase I am clean means: 'Paul had fulfilled his responsibility towards them'.
7. The phrase from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles means: 'This was Paul's future plan of ministry'. Paul still tried to reach the Jews, but he concentrated on reaching the Gentiles.
C18-S6 : Where Paul stayed in Corinth.
C18-S7 : Many Jews in Corinth were saved and baptized.
C18-S8 : Paul received a commandment from the Lord in a vision.
1. The word Then means: 'after the prior sentence occurred. The start of a church happened before Paul was encouraged to make it reach many more people'. There are times that we must obey God's commandment to us before God gives is a greater vision.
2. The phrase Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision means: 'This is how God revealed His will before the New Testament was written. God now reveals His will to His people as they study His word and meditate on what he commands in it. God completed the word of God when John finished Revelation and He now reveals what is written in the word of God but does not give new revelation beyond it. That written, God does still give personal commands to His people'.
3. The phrase Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace means: 'He was told to obey Isaiah 58:1 '.
4. The phrase For I am with thee means: 'This is the main promise that all of God's people are to obey'.
5. The phrase and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee means: 'Consider all that Paul endured on his mission trips including being stoned and left for dead'.
6. The phrase for I have much people in this city means: 'This is why God gave this command to Paul'.
C18-S9 : How long Paul taught there.
C18-S10 : the Jews, again, tried to get the civil government to punish Paul for preaching the Gospel.
1. The phrase And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia means: 'This is who was the civil authority in that place and at that time'.
2. The phrase the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul means: 'They started a riot again because that was how they forced the government to do what they wanted, even when it was illegal'.
3. The phrase and brought him to the judgment seat, Saying means: 'The Jews demanded the civil authority punish Paul for preaching the Gospel'.
4. The phrase This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law means: 'This is a lie. Galatians 5:22-23 says: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Therefore, their claim that Paul persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law was a lie. Notice that they are claiming how people personally worshipped God was illegal'. This is very similar to what was claimed in Acts 17:6-7. But, since that claim was rejected by the civil judge, they tried just enough of a different claim to hope it would be accepted the second try. However, God made sure that this lie was also rejected by the court.
C18-S11 : Gallio refused to listen to their complaint.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in this report. All of the sentences of the report need to be considered together for contextual requirements'.
2. The phrase when Paul was now about to open his mouth means: 'Paul was ready to defend himself and his actions'.
3. The phrase Gallio said unto the Jews means: 'Paul did not have to defend himself. The judge told the Jews that they were wrong to bring their religious complaint to a civil court'.
4. The phrase If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness means: 'If their complaint was about wrong public actions, then they could bring it to a civil court'.
5. The phrase O ye Jews means: 'Gallio understood the attitudes of the Jews and refused to accept them'.
6. The phrase reason would that I should bear with you means: 'If their complained truly belonged in the civil court then they could have expected him to hear their case'.
7. The phrase But if it be a question of words and names means: 'That was not a matter for the civil court'.
8. The phrase and of your law means: 'That also was not a matter for the civil court'.
9. The phrase look ye to it means: 'They needed to solve their own dispute outside of the civil court'.
10. The phrase for I will be no judge of such matters means: 'Gallio refused to get involved in their dispute'.
C18-S12 : And he (Gallio) drave them from the judgment seat.
C18-S13 : the unbelieving Jews beat the saved ruler of the synagogue for getting saved.
C18-S14 : the head of the civil government ignored their religious dispute.
C18-S15 : Paul moved on with Priscilla and Aquila.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in this report. All of the sentences of the report need to be considered together for contextual requirements'. This sentence tells us of the finish of Paul's first visit to Corinth.
2. The phrase And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while means: 'Paul continued to teach the church until he had to leave'.
3. The phrase and then took his leave of the brethren means: 'Paul left Corinth'.
4. The phrase and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila means: 'Paul took with him Priscilla and Aquila, whom he left at Ephesus, which was their prior home before they went on a mission trip with Paul'.
5. The phrase having shorn his head in Cenchrea means: 'This was the Jewish way to show that they had made a vow to God'.
6. The phrase for he had a vow. means: 'Why Paul did everything reported in this sentence'.
C18-S16 : What happened when they arrived at Ephesus.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in this report. All of the sentences of the report need to be considered together for contextual requirements'. The prior sentence tells us that Paul, Aquila and Priscilla left Corinth to go to Ephesus. This sentence tells us what happened when they arrived.
2. The phrase And he came to Ephesus means: 'This is when the events of this sentence happened'.
3. The phrase and left them there means: 'Paul left Aquila and Priscilla with the church at Ephesus'.
4. The phrase but he himself entered into the synagogue means: 'Paul went to the synagogue by himself'.
5. The phrase and reasoned with the Jews means: 'Paul tried to convert more Jews to true salvation'.
C18-S17 : Paul explains his travel pl and when he leaves Ephesus. The explanation of each Step, and Equivalent Section, in the sentence outline, within the Detailed Study, should explain this sentence sufficiently for people to understand what it tells us.
C18-S18 says: And he sailed from Ephesus thus, Paul left there.
C18-S19 : Churches Paul visited on his way to Jerusalem.
C18-S20 : Paul continued to Jerusalem and then returned to the mission field to encourage all of the churches, that he visited, all along the way.
C18-S21 : Apollos came to Ephesus.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in this report. While this sentence can be said to start a new report, it also, at a spiritual level, continues the report of the ministry of Paul. This sentence tells us that disciples of Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, knew their doctrine well enough to correct the doctrine of a world traveling preacher. Thus, we see the level of spiritual maturity which pastors are supposed to give to their disciples'.
2. The phrase And a certain Jew named Apollos means: 'This is who he was'. We see him mentioned again in the New Testament. And, while he was not a follower of Paul, he is reported to get along with the doctrine of Paul
3. The phrase born at Alexandria means: 'This was the center of worldly wisdom in that day'. We are told that all Bible doctrine comes from Antioch, which sent Paul out as their missionary, or from Alexandria, which insists that we must use worldly wisdom in order to understand scripture. in this report, we read that Apollos went from depending on worldly religion to depending on what scripture truly taught spiritually.
4. The phrase an eloquent man means: 'People likes his preaching'. He would get lots of 'Amens' today.
5. The phrase and mighty in the scriptures means: 'He could quote scripture but did not truly understand the spiritual truth found in them'. There are many well known preachers who are / were like him.
6. The phrase came to Ephesus means: 'He can to the church where Aquila and Priscilla were members'.
C18-S22 : the early ministry of Apollos. Please see the Detailed Note for several important doctrinal considerations related to this sentence.
C18-S23 : the early message of Apollos.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in this report. Here, we read about what Apollos started preaching and how Aquila and Priscilla corrected his doctrine. This sentence is added to the prior sentences which told us about his arrival at Ephesus and his background.'.
2. The phrase he began to speak boldly in the synagogue means: 'He was bold in what he knew of the scriptures'.
3. The phrase whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard means: 'These were the non-preachers who knew their doctrine since Paul had been diligent in instructing them. When they heard him, they knew that he had incomplete instructions in the way of God'.
4. The phrase they took him unto them means: 'They made sure that this was a private meeting so that they did not embarrass him'.
5. The phrase and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly means: 'They showed him scripture which he had not been shown before. Note: they did not argue their own personal belief but made sure that everything which they showed him was based on scripture and taught the actual way of God more perfectly. (He knew way of God, just not all of it)'.
C18-S24 : When Apollos moved on, the church at Ephesus gave him a recommendation. He helped the believers and he convinced the lost that Jesus was Christ.

Chapter 19 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul's ministry at Ephesus and in Asia.

Acts 19:1-7 Tell us that Paul met people who believe in John's baptism but were not saved. The believe in true repentance, but they did not have an ongoing personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. That was why they were not saved and when Paul told them that John the Baptist preached that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus, then they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and they were saved.

Acts 19:8 Paul preached to the Jews in the synagogue at Ephesus.

Acts 19:9 says: But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. God commands His people from hardened unbelievers because witnessing to them is a waste of effort.

Acts 19:10-12 tells us about the ministry of Paul in all Asia.

Acts 19:13-16 Tells us about certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, who thought they could use the power of our Lord Jesus Christ without an ongoing personal relationship with Him as a personal God. That is the philosophy of the movies 'Star Wars' and of many Eastern religions. They claim that God is just a power that anyone can access, it they know the right 'magic' way. However, these certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, found out differently when the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Acts 19:17-20 tells us that And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus. As a result, Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men and many people turned from the many forms of occult beliefs to a true personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Our sub-section ends with: So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Acts 19:21-41 tells us that Paul purposed in the spirit further travels in the mission field and he sent Timotheus and Erastus ahead where he planned to go but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way because a silversmith felt he was losing money by not being able to sell idols of the false god Diana. They got everybody upset and dragged a believer to the townclerk. But he told them that their religious dispute was not a civil matter and that if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. He then told them that the higher Roman authority would come down on them for their illegal actions and dismissed them.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-7. the Holy Ghost is given by Paul's hands.
8-12. the Jews blaspheme his doctrine, which is confirmed by miracles.
13-15. the Jewish exorcists, 16-18. are beaten by the devil.
19-20. Conjuring books are burnt.
21-34. Demetrius, for love of gain, raises an uproar against Paul;
35-41. which is appeased by the townclerk.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C19-S1 : Paul started his ministry at Ephesus. Please see the Detailed Note for more on the doctrine of this sentence.
C19-S2 : they denied knowledge of the Holy Ghost and of true salvation.
C19-S3 : Paul questioned them closely about the basis of their belief.
C19-S4 : their answer to the question in the prior sentence.
C19-S5 : Paul explained what they understood correctly and what they were missing.
C19-S6 : the men responded properly to the truth of the word of God.
C19-S7 : they had signs of true salvation.
C19-S8 : How many men were saved.
C19-S9 : Paul tried to persuade the Jews to believe scripture over their religious traditions.
C19-S10 : Paul separated true believers from religious unbelievers.
1. The word But means: 'This sentence is contrasted with the prior sentence. We see the two sentences connected with the prior sentence telling us what Paul trued to do and this sentence telling us what he did when his message was rejected'.
2. The phrase But when divers were hardened means: 'This is when Paul changed his actions. The devils is who hardens the heart of men like he did with Pharaoh. When that happens, it is useless to try and persuade such men. Therefore, like Paul did in this sentence, we need to leave them to their judgment by God and move on to people who are willing to hear the truth'.
3. The phrase and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude means: 'Notice that they not only believed not but they also spake evil of that way and they did it before the multitude. There are people who will disagree, but I personally believe this constituted blasphemy against the Holy Ghost because it is God's Holy Ghost who truly speaks through a God called man who is delivering God's message instead of his own opinions or the claims of popular religion'.
4. The phrase he departed from them, and separated the disciples means: 'Paul left the unbelieving and hardened Jews and took those who would listen elsewhere. It does no good to let people see you arguing with a person who has a closed mind. If you do, then you lower yourself to doing the equivalent of arguing against an animal who makes angry noises back at you'.
5. The phrase disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus means: 'Here is where Paul took those who would listen and He used scripture to answer all of their objections and questions'. It is one thing to dispute with someone who will truly consider what you say. However, if is foolishness to try and do the same with someone who has closed their mind. As the saying goes: 'There are none so deaf as those who will not hear. There are none so blind as those who will not see'.
C19-S11 : the word of the Lord Jesus was spread for two years throughout Asia.
C19-S12 : the miracles done through Paul to show God's approval on Paul's message.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in this report. Here, we read about God adding signs of His approval to the messages which Paul taught'. Starting in the next sentence, we have a related report about unbelieving Jews trying to use the power which was displayed through Paul even though they did not have the required personal relationship with God not did they have the permission to call upon the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. The phrase And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul means: 'God showed His approval on Paul's message with signs which the Jews trusted in'.
3. The phrase So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons means: 'By allowing this indirect method of healing, God was showing them that a physical touch was not required. They only had to have a true belief in God Who worked through Paul'.
4. The phrase and the diseases departed from them means: 'This was the displayed result which people received when they had true belief in God Who worked through Paul'.
5. The phrase and the evil spirits went out of them. means: 'God also cast out devils to prove that He is more powerful than any devil'.
C19-S13 : Unbelieving and lying Jews tried to use the power of Lord Jesus When He had not approved their doing so.
1. The word Then means: 'After what is reported for the prior incident'.
2. The phrase certain of the vagabond Jews the word vagabond. This was the curse that God put on Cain because he murdered his brother. Therefore, this phrase identifies these Jews as: 'Religious people who would murder the spirits and souls by causing them to believe lies from devils which will sent them to Hell'. This is easier to understand when we consider the next word, which also describes.
3. The phrase exorcists means: 'They cast our devils. But, since they were lost and representing devils to men, they did it with the cooperation of the devils so that people would believe the lies from devils and die lost and go to hell'.
4. The phrase took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus means: 'They tried to use the power of (the name) of the Lord Jesus. But He did not cooperate with them like devils did. They were lost and did not have a relationship with Him nor did they have authority to call upon His name'. Like many religions, they regarded God as some unthinking power which they could command if they said the right 'magic words'.
5. The phrase saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth means: 'They did not personally know Jesus. Therefore, they said whom Paul preacheth'.
C19-S14 : Who the fools in this account were.
C19-S15 : the devil answered them. They tried to claim a legal authority which they did not have and suffered for it as explained in the next sentence.
C19-S16 : What the devil did to them.
C19-S17 : Knowledge of the truth made people seek the protection of the Lord Jesus.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in this report. Here, we read the results of those vagabond Jews trying to claim a legal authority which they did not have'.
2. The phrase And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus means: 'Everybody in the city knew what happened'.
3. The phrase and fear fell on them all means: 'People feared and realized that only the Lord Jesus could protect them from devils'. They had relied of those fake exorcists, but realized that they were lying cheats who could not protect them.
4. The phrase and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified means: 'People 'lifted up' (magnified) the name of the Lord Jesus because they realized that only He could protect them from devils'. They accepted that the literal physical man named Jesus was truly 'God in human flesh' (Lord) and, therefore, that He could overpower devils and truly protect them.
C19-S18 : People showed true evidence of true repentance.
C19-S19 : People destroyed a lot of occult books which were worth a lot of money.
C19-S20 : the word of God overcame the works of devils.
C19-S21 : Paul made pl and for future travels. He did those travels, but not as he thought he would. We must remember that God has final say over the events of the lives of all of His people.
C19-S22 : What Paul actually did to start his trip.
C19-S23 : What happened while Paul delayed leaving.
C19-S24 : Who started the civil disturbance and why.
C19-S25 : the exaggerated claims of total disaster.
C19-S26 : they reacted emotionally.
C19-S27 : they grabbed the wrong men and rushed to get judgment and punishment.
C19-S28 : Paul was not allowed to get involved.
C19-S29 : Certain of the chief of Asia agreed that Paul not get involved.
C19-S30 : Everyone was confused.
C19-S31 : the unbelieving Jews took advantage of the confusion to attack Paul's companion.
C19-S32 : Alexander tried to defend himself.
C19-S33 : Why Alexander could not defend himself.
C19-S34 : the townclerk reasoned with the mob.
C19-S35 : He claimed that no one could question their religion.
1. The phrase Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against means: 'He is telling them that they have nothing to get upset about'.
2. The phrase ye ought to be quiet means: 'Here he appeals to them to each personally (ye) act like rational law abiding citizens'.
3. The phrase and to do nothing rashly means: 'Here he appeals to them to not cause trouble'.
C19-S36 : He told them that they had no reason to be upset with the companions of Paul.
C19-S37 : the townclerk gave them the right solution.
C19-S38 : they must do things lawfully.
C19-S39 : Why they need to be quietly dismissed.
1. The word For means: 'This is why the instructions in the prior sentences need to be obeyed'.
2. The phrase For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar means: 'He is warning them that the higher officials in the Roman Government will come in demanding answers. And the townclerk, nor any other official, will take the fall for them. Therefore, Demetrius, the silversmiths and the unbelieving Jews might find themselves beat and jailed or even killed if they do not quietly dismiss'.
3. The phrase there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse means: 'There was no legal excuse for the uproar. Therefore, there would surely be punishments given out if they did not dismiss'.
C19-S40 : He told them to go homeans they went.

Chapter 20 Summary: Chapter theme is: the End of Paul's Mission Trips.

Acts 20:1-6 tells us Paul left Ephesus and went to Macedonia and exhorted the brethren. Then he went to Greece for three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him...he purposed to return through Macedonia. And, Paul had others traveling with him. Then he, and others, traveled to Troas and stayed five days.

Acts 20:7-12 tells about Paul preaching a long time and a young man falling asleep and then falling from a window to his death. (Don't fall asleep in church!) Paul raised him from the dead and they continued to talk till day.

Acts 20:13-21 tells us Paul's travels back through Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem to be there on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:22-38 tells us At Ephesus he told the elders And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. Paul continued his message through the end of the chapter. He expected to never return to Ephesus.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-6. Paul goes to Macedonia, and thence to Troas.
7-8. He celebrates the Lord's supper, and preaches.
9-12. Eutychus having fallen down dead is raised to life.
13-16. He continues his travels;
17-27. and at Miletum he calls the elders together, tells them what shall befall to himself,
28. commits God's flock to them,
29-31. warns them of false teachers,
32-35. commends them to God,
36-38. prays with them, and departs.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C20-S1 : Paul left for Macedonia after the uproar was ceased.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentences in the prior chapter. This chapter continues the report of Paul's mission trip and ends with him determined to go to Jerusalem, which was when and where he was arrested'.
2. The phrase after the uproar was ceased means: 'This was when Paul decided to move on'.
3. The phrase Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them means: 'Paul expressed his love for the brethren before leaving'.
4. The phrase and departed for to go into Macedonia means: 'This was where he planned to go next. He may or may not have had any idea, but this was his good-by trip visiting the churches that he started'.
C20-S2 : Paul exhorted the people in Macedonia and then moved to Greece.
C20-S3 : Paul found out that the unbelieving Jews planned to attack him. Therefore, he changed the route that he took to Jerusalem.
C20-S4 : this sentence lists several of the companions of Paul, at this time.
C20-S5 : Some went ahead of others.
C20-S6 : the next phase of travel.
C20-S7 : What happened at Troas. A foolish boy fell asleep in a window during the preaching, fell out and died, and Paul revived him.
C20-S8 : the conditions where Paul preached.
C20-S9 : the accident.
C20-S10 : Paul revived the young man.
C20-S11 : What they did after the young man was revived.
C20-S12 : the church members were vastly relieved by the revival of the Young man.
C20-S13 : How they traveled to Assos.
C20-S14 : Paul traveled with the rest to Mitylene.
C20-S15 : three stops before Miletus.
C20-S16 : Why Paul chose the route in the prior sentence.
C20-S17 : Paul called the elders of Ephesus to him.
C20-S18 : Paul's testimony.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence which told us that Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. This sentence gives us the testimony of Paul which he called on them to verify'.
2. The phrase when they were come to him, he said unto them means: 'He told them his testimony and had them agree with it'.
3. The phrase Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia means: 'This was when his testimony started and it continued from then to be the same as long as they knew Paul'.
4. The phrase after what manner I have been with you at all seasons means: 'They knew how he had acted, how he cared and how he sacrificed for them'.
5. The phrase Serving the Lord with all humility of mind means: 'He avoided pride in spite of many revelations and understandings beyond what other men had. His main goal of all of his study was to Serve the Lord'.
6. The phrase and with many tears, and temptations means: 'They knew his trials, temptations and how he cried for the souls of others'.
7. The phrase which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews means: 'This happened in every city where he preached. Yet, he continued to preach and try to lead Jews and Gentiles to salvation'.
8. The phrase And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you means: 'He did not make them dependent upon him, like many preachers did and still do. He did all that he could to help them become spiritually mature and able to get guidance from God directly'.
9. The phrase but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly means: 'He preached and taught in public meetings'.
10. The phrase and from house to house means: 'He taught in private sessions when it was profitable for the other person'.
11. The phrase Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks means: 'He got rid of the Jewish cultural prejudices against Gentiles and treated men of all cultures the same'.
12. The phrase repentance toward God means: 'He preached repentance so that people could receive mercy and grace'.
13. The phrase and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ means: 'He taught them faith which produces obedience and results in our Lord Jesus Christ making them righteous'.
C20-S19 : Paul tells them that he is going to Jerusalem.
C20-S20 : Nothing would deter Paul from obeying God.
1. The word but means: 'This sentence is continuing the main subject as the prior sentence while providing a contrast to what was said prior. The prior sentence told of the many testimonies that Paul was heading for bonds and afflictions, which would cause most people to disobey God and not go. This sentence is providing a contrast and has Paul's testimony that nothing will make him disobey God'.
2. The phrase none of these things move me means: 'Nothing would make Paul disobey God'.
3. The phrase neither count I my life dear unto myself means: 'He did not value his physical life over his obedience and related everlasting rewards'.
4. The phrase so that I might finish my course with joy means: 'Paul wanted to end his life with joy due to his always obeying God'. John 1:4 lists 16 attributes of joy; John 15:11 has links to everywhere where the New Testament mentions joy. Joy is different from happiness. Joy is 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'.
5. The phrase and the ministry means: 'Paul also expected to finish his ministry with joy'.
6. The phrase which I have received of the Lord Jesus means: 'The Lord Jesus is Who gave him his ministry and is Who will judge him (Lord) for how well he obeys in his flesh (Jesus)'.
7. The phrase to testify the gospel of the grace of God means: 'This was the basic ministry that Paul received from the Lord Jesus'.
C20-S21 : Paul is prophesying here.
C20-S22 : Paul was telling them that God in Heaven was recording that they were Paul's witnesses to the claim in this sentence.
C20-S23 : Why Paul can make the claim in the prior sentence.
C20-S24 : Paul's final warning. It continues for the next three sentences.
1. The phrase Take heed therefore unto yourselves means: 'Pay close attention to any minor sign of carelessness in doctrine or testimony'.
2. The phrase and to all the flock means: 'Do the same for church members, especially the spiritually young'.
3. The phrase over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers means: 'Most preachers will have a fit over this phrase and sentence because it is said to the elders and not to pastors'.
4. The phrase to feed the church of God means: 'The elders are to do this by preaching and teaching the testimony of the Lord. That is: they are to teach what they have experienced which the younger people are about to experience and tell them, based on experience, what will bring blessings from God and what will bring cursing's'.
5. The phrase which he hath purchased with his own blood means: 'We are to always remember the pain and suffering that Jesus Christ paid to save us'.
C20-S25 : Paul prophesies agents of devils entering the church to spiritually cripple and destroy.
C20-S26 : this second source of corrupt doctrine is added to that mentioned in the prior sentence
C20-S27 : Paul's conclusion of prophetic warning.
C20-S28 : Paul commends them to God.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence which told us that Paul's prophecy for future corruption of the church at Ephesus. And, that prophecy actually fits all New Testament churches. With that in mind, Paul adds this sentence. He commends them to God with the hope that God will preserve them.'.
2. The word now means: 'After you understand what came prior to this sentence. The prior sentences were warnings which they had to take heed to if they were to put off the corruption which Paul prophesied would happen'.
3. The phrase brethren means: 'Paul is talking to the elders and not to the preachers'. Baptists claim that there are only two ordained offices in the church, pastors and deacons. Acts 14:23;
4. Acts 16:4 and Titus 1:5 all tell us that they ordained elders in the early church.
5. The word commend is defined as: 'To represent as worthy of notice, regard, or kindness; to speak in favor of; to recommend'. phrase I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace means: 'Paul recommended that God find these elders, and the church that they lead, as worthy of blessing and doing the work of God. Paul did this in his prayer life'. Please notice that Paul added and to the word of his grace to I commend you to God. We will not receive God's grace unless we are obeying God's word.
6. The phrase which is able to build you up means: 'God is able to make you stronger and more able to do His work'.
7. The phrase and to give you an inheritance means: 'This is the promise of everlasting rewards in Heaven'.
8. The phrase among all them which are sanctified means: 'One of the major lies being pushed by devils, in God's churches, is that everyone will receive the same reward with apostles and martyrs only receiving an inconsequential additional reward for their life of service. Too many people believe 'There are no tears in Heaven. All saved will be in eternal bliss as soon as they die. All saved will get a mansion. All saved will return to rule this world regardless how they live now. And other related lies from devils. Our phrase clearly says that these promises are limited to them which are sanctified. Saved people who are not sanctified and who do not serve in this life do not have these promises.''.
C20-S29 : Paul's testimony of seeking the things of this world. The next sentence adds clarifying details to this sentence.
C20-S30 : this sentence adds clarifying details to the prior sentence. There, Paul gave his testimony of seeking the things of this world.
1. The word Yea means: 'Yes with more emphasis on the truth than a simple yes provided'. Thus sentence is giving a very positive evidence of the claim in the prior sentence.
2. The phrase ye yourselves know means: 'Each and every one of them personally knew this truth'.
3. The phrase that these hands have ministered unto my necessities means: 'Paul worked and financially supported himself even while he was a missionary in their city'.
4. The phrase and to them that were with me means: 'Paul worked and financially supported those who were with him. He refused to be a financial burden to the new mission work'.
C20-S31 : He did not preach only what was popular nor did he preach only 'milk doctrine'. Please see the Detailed Note for more on the doctrine of this sentence.
C20-S32 : Paul prayed for God's blessings on them.
C20-S33 : the main reason why the elders of Ephesus were upset.
C20-S34 : Paul delayed his further travels long enough to meet the elders from Ephesus.

Chapter 21 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul arrives at Jerusalem.

Acts 21:1-3 : How they traveled to Tyre.

Acts 21:4 : Paul was told, again, to not go to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:5-8 : the missionaries prayed with the families of the local believers before getting on the ship. Then they traveled to Caesarea, where they entered into the house of Philip the evangelist. (He was one of the original deacons for the church at Jerusalem.).

Acts 21:9 tells us And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Acts 21:10-13 tells us that there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus and he also said that Paul should not go to Jerusalem. Then Paul's companions also said the same until Paul replied with: What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 21:14 tells us And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, the will of the Lord be done. They finally accepted that this was the will of the Lord for Paul and no physical threat could keep him from doing the will of the Lord.

Acts 21:15 says: And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

Acts 21:16 says: There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. This sentence tells us how provided the place for the mission team to stay.

Acts 21:17 says: And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. Please realize that the others received a different reception than Paul received.

Acts 21:18-24 : Paul met with James and all the elders of the Jerusalem church. They glorified the Lord, when they heard what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. Then they, immediately, told Paul about their own church problem and ended with: the multitude must needs come together. They were demanding that Paul deal with their problem of not correcting a religious doctrinal error (Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law. God had corrected that 'works doctrine' at least three times but they refused correction from God.) they had a compromise solution, which Paul agreed to do, but the multitude holding onto doctrinal error believed more lies about Paul and demanded his death. (This is seen in the remainder of this chapter and in the next chapter.)

Acts 21:25 : they agreed that they had concluded that the Gentiles did not have to keep the Mosaic Law and Jewish religious traditions. But, they insisted that Jews did have to do those things. This is a claim that God had more than one way of salvation. It was a claim of: 'Works Salvation' and 'Works Sanctification'. God ended up tearing down the Temple and killing or scattering all saved Jew who refused doctrinal correction from God.

Acts 21:26-29 : Paul did the request of the Jerusalem Church elders. However, the saved Jews were not satisfied and stirred up the lost Jews and started a riot.

Acts 21:30-32 : they dragged Paul out of the Temple. The Temple doors were closed. And when they were going to murder Paul, the chief captain of the band (Roman soldiers) immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them. That caused the Jews to leave off on beating of Paul.

Acts 21:33-36 : the chief captain of the band tried to find out what the riot was about but could not understand all of the confusing replies. So, he arrested Paul and took him to the place of the Roman soldiers to find out what the problem was.

Acts 21:37-22:1 : (The last sentence is wrongly broken into two parts with one part in chapter 21 and the other part in chapter 22.) Paul got the people to quiet down and then spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-9. Paul calls at the house of Philip, whose daughters prophesy.
10-16. Agabus, foretelling what should befall him at Jerusalem, he will not be dissuaded from going thither.
17-26. He comes to Jerusalem;
27-36. where he is apprehended, and in great danger, but by the chief captain is rescued;
37-40. and requests, and is permitted to speak to the people.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C21-S1 : the first part of their travel.
C21-S2 : the next part of their trip.
C21-S3 : Paul was told, again, to not go to Jerusalem. Many people misunderstand these messages and some even criticize Paul for going to Jerusalem. But God's Holy Spirit was telling people what awaited Paul and not what they were to order Paul to do. Paul was an apostle and the others were not. Therefore, they did not have the authority to give orders to Paul. No, God's Holy Spirit was telling people to show them Paul's testimony of obedience. God's Holy Spirit was proving to many people that Paul obeyed His Lord no matter what the consequences to himself were. And, that is the example which we are supposed to follow.
C21-S4 : they continued their travels after the seven days spent with those disciples.
C21-S5 : the final departing.
C21-S6 : the next stop on the way home.
C21-S7 : the mission team went to the house of Philip the evangelist.
C21-S8 : the daughters of Philip.
C21-S9 : A prophet came while they stayed with Philip and his daughters many days.
C21-S10 : Once again Paul receives a prophecy of future mistreatment by the Jews in the Jerusalem Church.
C21-S11 : the reaction of the Mission Team to the prophecy.
C21-S12 : the first part of Paul's answer.
C21-S13 : the second part of Paul's answer. Why he will obey his Lord without any personal physical consideration.
C21-S14 : they finally accepted that this was the will of the Lord for Paul and no physical threat could keep him from doing the will of the Lord.
C21-S15 : the entire mission team went to Jerusalem.
C21-S16 : this sentence tells us how provided the place for the mission team to stay.
C21-S17 : the Mission Team received a different welcome than Paul received.
C21-S18 : Paul went to meet the leaders of the Jerusalem Church.
C21-S19 : Paul did the talking and started with the report of the mission trip.
C21-S20 : the church leaders tell Paul their church problem and demand that he solve it. The second next sentence makes it clear that they demand Paul to compromise his doctrine instead of finding the truth.
1. The phrase And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord means: 'The church leaders glorified the Lord for how He worked among the Gentiles but moved to their problem so fast that it is reported in the same sentence. Therefore, their glorifying the Lord was only a surface consideration that they were required to get out of the way before they got to the problem which was their real concern'.
2. The phrase and said unto him means: 'They said the following to Paul'.
3. The phrase Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe means: 'You personally see this problem of our church'.
4. The phrase and they are all zealous of the law means: 'These many thousands of Jews are all zealous to keep what God has clearly set aside and, at least three times, informed the Jerusalem Church that He set it aside'. Therefore, their problem was that they had many thousands of Jews who refused to obey God and set aside religious traditions to follow a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
5. The phrase And they are informed of thee means: 'They have been told unverified lies about you personally'.
6. The phrase that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses means: 'This is what they were told which has not been verified'.
7. The phrase saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs means: 'The lying Jews made claims which were not verified'. Paul had Timothy and others circumcised because of Jewish sensibilities about their religious customs even though it is not required in the new Testament. Where is this in Paul's writing? Yes, he told believers to maintain their personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, but where did he write these commands? Yes, he wrote that there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, but that does not fulfill these accusations. No, these were lies told by devil-motivated people who may have been saved but who still did evil.
C21-S21 : this question can be said as 'What are the results of the prior sentence'.
C21-S22 : their demand that Paul satisfy the Jews who believed doctrinal error.
C21-S23 : their compromise solution which did not work. Nothing would satisfy the religious fanatics short of the death of Paul.
1. The phrase Do therefore this that we say to thee means: 'You personally are to do what we command'. They believed that Paul doing this religious act would satisfy the fanatics, but it did not. When you come up with a solution in a life-and-death situation, you need to verify that your solution will actually produce the desired results.
2. The phrase We have four men which have a vow on them means: 'These men already (have) made a vow about Paul. Apparently, they were part of the religious fanatics within the Jerusalem Church'.
3. The phrase Them take, and purify thyself with them means: 'Go do this religious activity'. Notice that they, like most religious people, were more concerned about the physical activity than the spiritual attitudes which God actually demands. Like most religious people, they believed their religious activities forced a change in the spiritual reality. The truth is that God changes the spiritual reality when we obey Him. However, He is keeping His promise and our physical activity does not force God to act.
4. The word charge means: 'A superior authority gives a formal and legal command to a subordinate which includes the necessary rights and responsibilities to accomplish the assigned task'. They did not have authority over Paul since they were leaders of the local church and Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. In addition, since they failed to exercise their authority over their own church members, they compromised their own authority and could not exercise it over anyone outside of their church until they controlled their own church. With that in mind, we see the phrase and be at charges with them means: 'Go and do what we command with these men who have taken a vow about you even though they do not know the truth about you (Paul)'.
5. The phrase that they may shave their heads means: 'This is the religious activity demanded'. It was an accepted external sign, in the Jewish religion, of someone who took a vow to God.
6. The phrase and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee means: 'They actually believed that Paul doing this religious activity would satisfy religious fanatics who demanded that Paul die'. Notice that they were doing nothing to find the truth. The church leaders understood that they had lost control of their own church members and that the church members would refuse to listen to the truth.
7. The phrase are nothing means: 'They believed that religious fanatics would accept that they had believed a lie simply because Paul did this religious ceremony with some of the fanatics'.
8. The phrase but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law means: 'Paul did walkest orderly, and keepest the law and had proven it several times by doing things like circumcising Timothy. However, all of the evidence in the world and all of the evidence from God will not satiisfy a religious fanatic who has closed their mind and is willing to murder anyone who refuses to accept their preferred lie'.
C21-S24 : the reference to the Jerusalem Council. In the sentence, the leaders of the Jerusalem Church acknowledged their prior Council which was caused by the same doctrinal error being pushed by the same fanatics (Acts 15). At that time, God provided undeniable proof that circumcision was not necessary for salvation and that keeping Jewish traditions were not required for sanctification and blessings from God. The problem, which was started then, was that they compromised and claimed that God had two pl and of salvation and two pl and of sanctification when they really should have said that the evidence applies to everyone. However, they had 5too many generations of Jewish prejudices to accept that, in God's eyes, God makes no such distinction between people. Again God proved that to be wrong when God used Peter to lead Gentiles to salvation. And, God also provided other evidences that their doctrine was wrong. Thus, they ended up with the problem which is reported in our current chapter. And, instead of letting God correct the church doctrine, they continued to compromise with doctrines from devils with the eventual result of God destroying the Temple and the Jerusalem Church.
C21-S25 : Paul submitted to their demand.
C21-S26 : the Jews of Asia, again, sought to kill Paul.
C21-S27 : they claimed their assumption was a fact when their claim was a lie.
C21-S28 : All the city joined in to riot.
C21-S29 : God intervened.
C21-S30 : the chief captain led soldiers to the uproar to contain it.
C21-S31 : The chief captain took control of the situation.
C21-S32 : the chief captain commanded that Paul be taken to the place of the Roman Army.
C21-S33 : the people were so violent that the soldiers had to carry Paul.
C21-S34 : Why the soldiers had to carry Paul. After the beating he took, Paul probably had trouble walking and the soldiers would want to get out of a dangerous situation quickly. And, since our sentence says: the multitude of the people followed after they, obviously, were so mad that they didn't worry about their own safety. When soldiers are dealing with a mob which has such an attitude, even the armed soldiers can get hurt. Therefore, they were returning to the safety of their castle as quickly as they could.
C21-S35 : Paul asked for permission to speak.
C21-S36 : Apparently, the chief captain had some problems speaking Hebrew and preferred the Greek language.
C21-S37 : the chief captain had a second question because he was trying to identify Paul.
C21-S38 : Paul answered his question and asked to speak to the people.
C21-S39 : Paul got the people to quiet down enough that he could be heard.
C21-S40 : Paul spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, thereby proving that he was a Jew and that, at least part of what they had been told, was a lie. This sentence is wrongly divided in the middle with the rest of it presented as the first verse in the next chapter.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence which told us that Paul was given permission to speak to the people from the safety of the castle steps'.
2. The phrase when there was made a great silence means: 'This is when Paul spoke'. His standing on the steps, but not speaking, made it obvious that he had something to say but that he would not complete with the tumult. Therefore, they gave him a great silence so that they could all hear. They knew that they could protest more if they didn't like what he said. And, they knew that they could no more beat on him because the Roman soldiers would start killing people if they tried. So, they all quieted and listened.
3. The phrase he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying means: 'They did not expect this as, through the confusion, as they were told that Paul polluted the Temple, some thought that he was a non-Jew and had been dragged out of the Temple because he personally polluted the Temple by entering as a non-Jew'.
4. The phrase Men, brethren, and fathers means: 'No non-Jew would ever call a Jew these things. By using this opening address, Paul made it clear to the Jews that he was also a Jew'.
5. The phrase hear ye my defense which I make now unto you means: 'The Jews knew that they were required by God's law to allow a Jew to make his own defense when he was accused of a crime. And, they understood that if they refused, then God would punish them and possibly punish the nation. Therefore, they understood that what Paul said, in this phrase, was backed by God.'

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

Chapter 15 Summary: Chapter theme is: Devil Motivated Contention.

Chapter 16 Summary: Chapter theme is: the Start of the Second Mission Trip.

Chapter 17 Summary: Chapter theme is: Continuing the Second Mission Trip

Chapter 18 Summary: Chapter theme is: Continuing the Second Mission Trip. Paul establishes the church in Corinth.

Chapter 19 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul's ministry at Ephesus and in Asia.

Chapter 20 Summary: Chapter theme is: the End of Paul's Mission Trips.

Chapter 21 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul arrives at Jerusalem.

Contact: Webmaster@LJC1611KJV.com. Member of Tower Road Baptist Church, Abq., NM, U.S.A., 87121. Copyright 2009 Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV. All rights reserved. Revised: 02/27/24.

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