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 Summary : Chapter theme is: Paul gives his testimony of salvation to the Jews.

Our chapter starts with Paul speaking to the Jews. He starts by telling them where he was from and that he was as zealous of the law as any of them were at that time. He tells them that he persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women and that he dragged them to Jerusalem to be punished. However, while on the way to Damascus, a light came to him from God and old him he was doing wrong. And, God told him I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. Further, he was blinded by the light. Then, while praying in Damascus, as man was sent to restore his sight and he was commanded to be a messenger for God. After that, he returned to Jerusalem and, while praying in the Temple, was told to go to the Gentiles.

The response of the Jews was to demand Paul's death. The chief captain was going to have Paul scourged until Paul told him that he was a Roman citizen. Therefore, the chief captain took him into the castle and, in the morning, demanded that the Jewish religious leaders come to the castle and explain the tumult.

in this chapter, Paul tells his conversion experience from Acts 9. Please also see notes on verses related to Paul's conversion in Acts 9. Some people preach on the differences between the three reciting of Paul's conversion, but they are not relevant to this study. Basically, what Paul reported was his agreeing to obey on a personal basis. In the three reports, we read the same message, but different facts are emphasized based upon the circumstances that Paul found himself in and the type of audience that he was addressing. As seen throughout Acts and Paul's writings, he believed in obeying his personal Lord without question or objection.

Acts 21 tells of Paul going to Jerusalem and reporting to the church there all that the Lord had done. (Please see the note for Acts 21:20 about that incident.) the church leaders were more concerned about their o2wn problem and demanded that Paul go to the Temple and do a religious ceremony in order to satisfy the religious demands of spiritually immature members. They should have taught those members what the Lord had proved was His will and old them to grow up, but they compromised instead. As Paul was obeying their command, Acts 21:27 tells us and when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the Temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,. There is reason to believe that Paul was there only at the command of the elders of the Jerusalem church, but we can't know for sure. We do know that shortly after this God brought judgment upon all of Jerusalem, including this church.

Regardless of that, when these religious fanatical Jews started a riot with their lies, God sent word to the local authorities (Acts 21:31) Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them. Like most authorities, they sought to end the problem as quickly as possible by arresting Paul (Acts 21:33) but then they tried to find out what happened. When the local authorities couldn't calm things down (Acts 21:34-37) Paul got permission to speak and God calmed the crowd down long enough to hear Paul's testimony (Acts 21:40Acts 22:22). When Paul's testimony used the word of God to prove that their religious doctrine was in error, these people refused to submit to the Lord and starting rioting again.

While we can see their error by 'hindsight', we can also see many people making the same error today. When they stand and before God in judgment and God brings this incident up, it will be impossible for these people to claim that God never told them the truth of how to be saved. They will not be able to deny that they personally rejected God's truth in favor of man's religion. Unfortunately, many people today will have the same truth proven against them by God. What's worse is that many of God's children are committing this same error even while they have the Spirit of God to show them the truth.

in this chapter, we read Paul's testimony that was given to this riotous crowd of Jewish religious fanatics. He started out by letting them know that he was like them by speaking unto them in the Hebrew tongue (Acts 21:40) and calling them Men, brethren, and fathers (Acts 22:1) and claiming to be a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia (Acts 22:3) and claiming the best religious education yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, (Acts 22:3) and claiming to be a like fanatic was zealous tward God, as ye all are this day. and I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women (Acts 22:3-4) and claiming the most accepted legal witness As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders (Acts 22:5) and claiming legal documentation to verify his claims from whom also I received letters unto the brethren (Acts 22:5).

With all of these credentials, they would have a hard time refusing to listen, once they heard Paul's credentials. God made then shut up and calm down long enough to decide Paul was their kind of religious hero and they became quiet and listened to him. That's when Paul's testimony changed from the direction they expected it to go and Paul essentially proved that the Lord demanded different actions than what their religion expected. In Acts 22:6-7 Paul told of the kind of miracle and 'vision' that they were all familiar with. Therefore, they should have accepted Paul's word that he was obeying God. However, like all fanatics, they insisted that someone can only obey God if they do what the fanatic demands.

Returning to our account, Paul related a miracle and 'vision' is a way well understood by these fanatical religious Jews. 1Corinthians 1:22 tells us For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. We don't seek the same type of proof as the Jews seek because we are Greeks. However, God did give these Jews the type of proof that they sought. Where Paul reacted properly to God's proof, these fanatical religious Jews rejected God's proof. Thereby, they proved to be like all that killed their own prophets and the Son of God. They deliberately rejected what they were proved to be a Word from God in favor of their religious beliefs.

Unfortunately, there are many religious people who do the same today. More than once I have shown people many verses which prove their religious doctrine to be wrong and show them the correct doctrine and show them the advantages of the correct doctrine. While they can not dispute all of the proof that I show them, many have told me that what I showed was the meat and most people could only handle milk so God wanted them to continue teaching error that was accepted by milk loving immature Christians (1Corinthians 3:1-9). That's what these people did here and they brought great judgment from the Lord upon themselves, their children and all that were in their 'ministry'.

22:1-21 : tells us that Paul tells the crowd his defense. This includes his testimony of salvation and his command to take the Gospel to the Gentiles.

22:22-29 : tells us that the Jews, again, demanded Paul's death. The chief captain was going to scourge Paul until he let him know that he was a Roman citizen. After discussing Paul's citizenship, the chief captain took Paul into the castle.

22:30 : tells us that the chief captain commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear and meet with Paul so that the chief captain could determine what the tumult was about.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-16. Paul declares at large how he was converted to the faith,
17-21. and called to his apostleship.
22-23. At the very mentioning of the Gentiles the people exclaim on him.
24. He would have been scourged;
25-30. but claiming the privilege of a Roman, he escapes.'.

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C22-S1 : this sentence is wrongly divided in the middle with the first part of it presented as the last verse in the prior chapter. Please see the note for the last sentence, in the prior chapter, about this verse.
C22-S2 : Paul speaks to the Jews.
C22-S3 : Paul persecuted the way.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. This sentence tells us how Paul acted based upon the beliefs which he reported having in the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase I persecuted this way unto the death means: 'Paul was as extreme as it is possible to be'.
3. The phrase binding and delivering into prisons means: 'Paul sometimes arrested people instead of killing them. This would have been when there was some question if the person actually followed the way'.
4. The phrase both men and women means: 'Paul treated everyone the same'.
C22-S4 : the witnesses to Paul's past.
C22-S5 : Paul experience something that could only come from God.
C22-S6 : What happened next
C22-S7 : Paul answers the question from our Lord Jesus Christ with an expression of confusion.
C22-S8 : Our Lord Jesus Christ answers clearly.
C22-S9 : the witness of others traveling with Paul.
C22-S10 : Paul asks for a command.
C22-S11 : the command to Paul from the Lord.
C22-S12 : Paul was blind until Jesus restored his sight.
C22-S13 : the testimony of the man used by God to restore sight to Paul.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. This sentence tells us about Ananias'. God only uses saved, serving and spiritually clean people to do His work.
2. The phrase one Ananias means: 'Who he was'.
3. The phrase a devout man according to the law means: 'His testimony before God'.
4. The phrase having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there means: 'His testimony before men'.
5. The phrase Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me means: 'He did as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ'.
6. The phrase Brother Saul, receive thy sight means: 'Our Lord Jesus Christ used him to do this miracle'.
C22-S14 : Paul's sight was restored.
C22-S15 : Ananias said why Paul had his sight restored.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. This sentence tells us the prophecy about the ministry of Paul. In the prior sentence, we read how Paul had his physical sight restored. in this sentence, we read how Paul had his spiritual sight activated so that God could use him to reveal many spiritual truths which God hid until He used Paul to reveal them'.
2. The phrase he said means: 'This is the prophecy from Ananias, who was a proven prophet of that day' Please see the Significant Events in the New Testament for links to other prophecies reported in the New Testament and outside of the Gospels.
3. The phrase The God of our fathers hath chosen thee means: 'God the Father chose Paul personally. Paul was not just one possible person for this job. (Please also see Jeremiah 1:5 for another place where we are told that God did this)'.
4. The phrase that thou shouldest know his will means: 'take the Gospel to the Gentiles'. The Jews, in general, believed that no Gentile could be saved and the Jerusalem Church religious leaders gave Peter a hard time for obeying our Lord Jesus Christ and preaching the Gospel to Cornelius.
5. The phrase and see that Just One means: 'Paul would see that our Lord Jesus Christ treats everyone the sameans does not discriminate between Jews and Gentiles'. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God, in the Significant Gospel Events Study, about the title of: Just One. Paul would see that our Lord Jesus Christ treats everyone the sameans does not discriminate between Jews and Gentiles.
6. The phrase and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth means: 'Paul would receive personal commands from our Lord Jesus Christ'. Please see the section on Miracles, in the Significant Events in the New Testament for links to where our Lord Jesus Christ gave personal messages to Paul and others.
C22-S16 : Why Paul would receive the blessings told in the prior sentence.
C22-S17 : Ananias asks him what he is waiting for. He needs to get busy working for the Lord.
C22-S18 : What Paul was commanded to do.
C22-S19 : What happened when Paul returned to Jerusalem.
1. The phrase And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem means: 'This is what happened when Paul returned to Jerusalem and prayed in the Temple'.
2. The phrase even while I prayed in the temple means: 'This is when our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Paul'.
3. The phrase I was in a trance means: 'This is how our Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Paul'.
4. The phrase And saw him saying unto me means: 'Paul saw our Lord Jesus Christ speaking to him'.
5. The phrase Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem means: 'This was the command to Paul'.
6. The phrase for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me means: 'This is why he was given this command'.
C22-S20 : Paul confessed his prior sinful actions.
C22-S21 : the answer from our Lord Jesus Christ
C22-S22 : the unbelieving Jews reacted to the prior sentence.
C22-S23 : the reaction to their violence.
C22-S24 : Paul asks a question to avoid scourging.
C22-S25 : the centurion that Paul had questioned warned the chief captain that Paul was a Roman citizen.
C22-S26 : the chief captain verified what he was told.
C22-S27 days: He said, Yea.
C22-S28 : the chief captain said it was hard for him to pay for his own citizenship.
C22-S29 : Paul did not have to pay for his citizenship.
C22-S30 : the reaction of the Roman soldiers when they learned that Paul was a Roman citizen.
1. The word then means: 'After they found the truth of the prior sentence.'.
2. The phrase Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him means: 'The soldiers who were ordered to beat Paul left him straightway'.
3. The phrase and the chief captain also was afraid means: 'All of the soldiers, up to and including the chief captain were afraid because they had broken Roman law about treating Roman citizens'.
4. The phrase after he knew that he was a Roman means: 'This was when and why he was afraid'.
5. The phrase and because he had bound him means: 'Even this little thing was illegal'.
C22-S31 : the chief captain ordered the Jewish religious leaders to come and meet Paul in an environment where he could control any violence. However, they could not come to an agreement over the religious issues.

Chapter 23 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul is judged by the Jewish Council for the last time.

In further chapters, the Jewish Council speaks to Festus, but they are no longer doing the judging.

In the prior chapter, the Jews from Asia stirred up the city with lies about Paul. As already explained, they were proxies for devils. However, Paul was God's proxies in the spiritual war between God and devils. God is letting the devils do their best to destroy Paul while God protects Paul until God is ready to take him to Heaven. God said that Paul would testify to kings, and he has yet to do that. Paul will do so because of this fight. In addition, Paul will write the 'prison epistles'. So, God is protecting Paul because he has things which He wants Paul to do before he dies. God is also protecting Paul to prove the everyone that He is more powerful than all of the devils combined.

That is what is going on spiritually throughout the rest of this Bible book. Physically, we have more details in this chapter and the following chapters.

In the last sentence of the prior chapter, we read that the chief captain...commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them. The first thing that happened is that high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. He did this because Paul spoke one sentence of truth. With that, it was made clear that the Jewish religious leaders would not listen to the truth. So, we read next, But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. The Jewish religious leaders broke into a violent disagreement and the chief captain ordered his men to remove Paul and dismissed the Jewish religious leaders. Later, in Acts 24:7-8, when the Jewish religious leaders were testifying to Festus, they claimed the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands. Like all political liars, he refused to acknowledge that they had turned violent first and it was only possible for the chief captain to protect Paul, who was under his protection, with great violence. They caused that reaction and then blamed the authority for the reaction which they caused.

After that, Felix dismissed the Jewish religious leaders and kept Paul a prisoner for two years because he hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him.

The account continues in the next chapter.

Acts 23:1-9 : Paul addressed the Jewish Council. When he was physically assaulted, and perceived that one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. This resulted in them fighting against each other and they ignored Paul.

Acts 23:10 says: And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. That ended their chance to resolve it locally.

Acts 23:11 says: And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. This, Paul was assured that he would live long enough to get to Rome if not longer. God gives special assurances to saved people who dedicate their lives to Him. However, saved people who refuse to serve God lose even their assurance of salvation.

Acts 23:12-35 : tells us about a band of Jews who took a vow to neither eat not drink until they had killed Paul. The Jewish Council agreed to call for Paul to come to them so that these Jews could kill him. However, Paul's nephew heard of it and warned the chief captain. As a result, he sent Paul to the governor, named Festus, with a large band of soldiers to protect Paul. As a result, Festus commanded Paul to be kept and wait for the Jewish Council to show up and make their accusations.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: ''.

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C23-S1 : Paul started out trying to win the Jewish religious Council over to the truth.
C23-S2 : the high priest commanded Paul to be assaulted.
C23-S3 : Paul's response to being struck.
C23-S4 : the supporters of the high priest rebuked Paul for his honest response.
C23-S5 : the response from Paul.
C23-S6 : Paul identified himself with Pharisees and their doctrine.
C23-S7 : Paul exploited their political divisions.
C23-S8 : Why the Council was divided,
C23-S9 : the objection from the Pharisees.
C23-S10 : Paul was removed from the fight by the Jews.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. This sentence tells us that the Jews became violent in their disagreement with each other. In Acts 23:6, we read how Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees. And, the Lord showed Paul how to exploit that disagreement so that they ended up fighting against each other instead of being united is seeking Paul's death'.
2. The phrase when there arose a great dissension means: 'This is when and why the captain acted'.
3. The phrase the chief captain means: 'This is who commanded his soldiers to act'.
4. The phrase fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them means: 'This is the result that he feared if he did not act'.
5. The phrase commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle means: 'This is the action which he commanded his soldiers to take'..
C23-S11 : The Lord reassured Paul.
C23-S12 : the conspiracy to kill Paul.
C23-S13 : the number of men who made this conspiracy.
C23-S14 : they told their plan to the chief priests and elders.
C23-S15 : the part the Jewish Council were supposed to play in the conspiracy.
C23-S16 : God let Paul's nephew hear and had him warn Paul. Remember that this is really a spiritual war between God and devils with both sides using men as their proxies. Men think they have everything planned out without realizing they are being used by devils to fight against God.
C23-S17 : Paul sent the message to the chief captain.
C23-S18 : the centurion did as asked.
C23-S19 : the chief captain was careful about handling the boy.
C23-S20 : the boy told their plan.
C23-S21 : the warning.
C23-S22 : the young man was sent away with a warning to say nothing.
C23-S23 : the chief captain made pl and to deliver Paul safely to the governor.
C23-S24 : the chief captain wrote a letter to the governor explaining why he sent Paul.
C23-S25 : He immediately writes the problem.
C23-S26 : the chief captain investigated and found no violation of Roman law.
C23-S27 : What the chief captain did when he heard that a group planned a violation of the law which amounted to rebellion.
C23-S28 : the chief captain only closed his letter with: Farewell. However, if the reader has been paying attention to what was really going on, the reader should recognize that the chief captain was glad to turn the problem over to the governor.
C23-S29 : the soldiers took Paul to a separate, but near by, place and had him continue with just the horsemen.
C23-S30 : What all of the soldiers did.
C23-S31 : the first thing that Felix did was verify that Paul belonged to his area.
C23-S32 : Felix agreed to hear the case when the Jewish religious Council showed up.
C23-S33 : Paul was kept in Herod's judgment hall. That is, he was treated as a prisoner.

Chapter 24 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul's judgment by Felix.

In Acts 9:15, the Lord said: Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: while talking about Paul. Felix was not a king, but, given his authority as a Roman governor, he had the same level of authority.

Acts 24:1 tells us that Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator went to Felix. They hired the equivalent of a lawyer today to do their speaking. Basically, they understood that if they failed this time, they would not get another chance to kill Paul.

Acts 24:2-9 tells us the accusation by the Jews. Notice that they claimed that the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands. However, they did not admit that the great violence was required because of the way that the Jews were acting.

Acts 24:10-21 tells us Paul's defense. In it, he accuses certain Jews from Asia of assaulting him while he was quietly praying in the Temple. And, he says: Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Paul then adds: Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. Felix understood the Jewish religious doctrines enough to understand that the resurrection was an ongoing dispute and not something which deserved death nor imprisonment.

Acts 24:22 tells us that Felix could have decided the matter then but claimed that he delayed judgment until the chief captain came and testified. The second last sentence, of our chapter, tells us that he really delayed in hope that Paul would give him money to be let go.

Acts 24:23 tells us that Felix ordered a centurion to stay with Paul but to let him have freedom otherwise.

Acts 24:24-26 tells us that Paul was able to give the Gospel, several times, to Felix and his sister.

Acts 24:27 tells us that Porcius Festus (replaced) Felix and Paul was kept bound in order to please the Jews.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-9. Paul being accused by Tertullus the orator,
10-23. answers for his life and doctrine.
24-25. He preaches Christ to the governor and his wife.
26. the governor hopes for a bribe, but in vain.
27. At last, going out of his office, he leaves Paul in prison.'.

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C24-S1 : the Jewish religious leaders show up to make their accusations.
1. The phrase And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders means: 'The Jewish religious leaders came rather quickly'.
2. The phrase and with a certain orator named Tertullus means: 'They also hired a spokesman'.
3. The phrase who informed the governor against Paul means: 'He made the accusations for the Jewish religious leaders'.
C24-S2 : Tertullus starts his speech by claiming how wonderful Felix is.
C24-S3 : He begs Felix to listen.
C24-S4 : the next set of lies.
1. The word For means: 'Here's why they were asking Felix to listen to their complaints'. Notice that they offer no evidence to back their claims. In addition, his next sentence is also lies, which Felix would know top be lies. In addition, in Acts 24:12-13, Paul points out that they provided no proof because they had no proof to back their claims. , in Acts 24:20-21, Paul tells what their true (religious) complaint was.
2. The phrase For we have found this man a pestilent fellow means: 'This phrase is a lie. Paul did not bother them but the Jews of Asia followed him from city to city trying to disrupt his ministry and trying to murder him. They are accusing Paul of doing what the Jews of Asia were actually doing to Paul'.
3. The phrase and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world means: 'This phrase is a lie. Paul preached submission to government with faith that God would take care of problems'.
4. The phrase and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes means: 'This phrase is a lie. Yes, Paul was an apostle but there were many more in the Jerusalem Church which they did not object to. Yes, Paul was a leader, but not a ringleader, which means a leader of men who violate the law'.
5. The phrase Who also hath gone about to profane the temple means: 'This phrase is a lie. Paul never did this but the Jews of Asia assumed that he did simply because they saw Paul on the street talking to an Egyptian'.
6. The phrase whom we took means: 'This phrase is actually true. They took him to murder him even though it was a violation of Roman law. They were the criminals, not Paul'.
7. The phrase and would have judged according to our law means: 'This phrase is a lie. They were trying to murder him without a trial and without allowing him to answer for himself, which even their law required'.
C24-S5 : the next set of lies are half-truths.
1. The word But means: 'providing a contrast to what was said prior. The prior sentence claimed that they were quite reasonable. The note for that sentence showed it to be a pack of lies. Now, this sentence is a half-truth lie. Yes, it was true that the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence. What is not said and that he tries to hide, is that the great violence was required in order to control the Jews who were literally trying to beat Paul to death and, if it were possible, would have dismembered his limbs'.
2. The phrase the chief captain Lysias came upon us means: 'He ordered his soldiers to do that because the Jews refused to listen to orders to stop. The chief captain would not send his men among the citizens unless absolutely necessary because there would be too much of a chance for something small to escalate into a big problem'.
3. The phrase and with great violence took him away out of our hands means: 'What these foolish Jews failed to consider is that Felix understood how that commanders in the Roman Army were required to minimize violence when possible. They only used great violence when absolutely required. Therefore, he, unknowingly, confessed how the Jews acted to force the chief captain to respond this way'. . . .
4. The phrase Commanding his accusers to come unto thee means: 'Obviously, this problem and gone beyond a local problem and one of violence. It had become a political problem with the Jews using threats of riots to try and force the local commander to let them act illegally and kill Paul'.
5. The phrase by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things means: 'They expected Felix to only examine Paul. They failed to realize that they were being examined also for what political problems they would cause'.
6. The phrase whereof we accuse him means: 'They expected Felix to accept their accusations w2ithout any proof to back those accusations'.
C24-S6 : All of the Jews who went to Felix agreed with their spokesman.
C24-S7 : Paul starts his answer.
1. The word Then means: 'After the Jews made their accusations against Paul'. Considering all of the lies told, I'm sure that it was only with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ that Paul gave a calm, and reasoned, answer as we read here.
2. The phrase Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered means: 'Paul calmly waited his turn to speak'.
3. The phrase Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation means: 'Paul did not use the gross flattery of the opposition but recognized the true experience of Felix'.
4. The phrase I do the more cheerfully answer for myself means: 'Paul didn't bring in a fancy orator but spoke honestly for himself'.
5. The phrase Because that thou mayest understand means: 'Paul wanted Felix to understand the basis of the disagreement'.
6. The phrase that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship means: 'He went to Jerusalem for to worship'. There were thousands of Jews who did that, especially around the Jewish religious holy days. Thus, Paul was not doing anything unusual and was not causing any disturbance.
C24-S8 : Paul was not causing problems and they can not prove their accusations.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. This sentence tells us more of Paul's defense. in this sentence, Paul is claiming that they have no proof of their accusations because all of the accusations are lies'.
2. The phrase they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man means: 'Paul was not disputing in the Temple. The religious leaders never came to him in the Temple, like they did with the apostles and others, when they disputed the doctrine being taught in the Temple because Paul was not doing that'.
3. The phrase neither raising up the people means: 'Paul was not acting like a ringleader nor like a mover of sedition among all the Jews'.
4. The phrase neither in the synagogues means: 'Paul did not go to other gathering places of Jews and do what he was accused of doing among Jews'.
5. The phrase nor in the city means: 'Paul did not go to the market nor any other public place to do what he was accused of doing'.
6. The phrase Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me means: 'They have no evidence nor witnesses to back their lies'.
C24-S9 : What Paul admits doing.
1. The word But means: 'providing a contrast to what was said prior. The prior sentences claimed that the Jews were lying about Paul and his activities. This sentence tells the truth about Paul and his activities'.
2. The phrase This I confess unto thee means: 'Paul now states what he is guilty of'.
3. The phrase that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers means: 'He worships God in a way that they disapprove of'. True worship is private and between man and God. However, religious people deny private worship and a personal relationship with God. They insisted that people can only deal with God in a way which they control. Again, we see that it is all about control.
4. The phrase believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets means: 'Here Paul states the basis if his personal beliefs and service to God and worship'.
5. The word hope means: 'causes us to act just like faith. However, where faith is based on a promise found in the word of God, hope is based upon the character of God'. Therefore, the phrase And have hope toward God means: 'Paul acted in his service to God based upon the character of God'.
6. The phrase which they themselves also allow means: 'They are complaining about Paul doing what they agree is OK to do'.
7. The phrase that there shall be a resurrection of the dead means: 'This is what split the Jewish religious Council. The high priest and the ones leading the Council disputed this belief, but allowed it for others in the Council. Therefore, they are hypocrites to condemn Paul for what they allow in other Council members'.
8. The phrase both of the just and unjust means: 'The saved and the lost will be resurrected in the end of time'.
C24-S10 : Paul makes sure that he has a conscience void of offence toward God, and oward men.
C24-S11 : Why Paul came to Judaea.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what came before this sentence'. Before this, Paul said that he went into the Temple to worship God privately and did nothing to cause problems. The Jewish religious leaders told lies and blamed Paul for problems caused by others. And, that was evidenced by their repeatedly trying to kill him when they were supposed to be testifying as to what they had against him. He did nothing other than to try and worship God privately.
2. The phrase after many years I came to bring alms to my nation means: 'Paul returned to Judaea to bring financial help to people who were starving'.
3. The phrase and offerings means: 'Paul also returned to make an offering at the Temple'.
C24-S12 : Certain Jews from Asia caused the tumult. Paul was in the Temple, purified and praying quietly when they dragged him out of the Temple and started telling lies about him.
C24-S13 : Since the Jews from Asia actually caused the tumult, they are who should be judged.
1. The phrase Who ought to have been here before thee means: 'They are who should be judged'.
2. The phrase and object means: 'They should be the people complaining against Paul and not the Jewish religious Council'.
3. The phrase if they had ought against me means: 'Paul says if because he knew that they had no legitimate objection to anything that Paul did. They simply allowed themselves to be used by devils in their spiritual fight against God and God's true minister'.
C24-S14 : Paul demands that the Council identify any evil that he did beyond believing scripture.
1. The phrase Or else let these same here say means: 'Paul is directly challenging the Jewish religious leaders'. Included with them was the high priest who was a Sadducee and denied existence of spirits, of God and of resurrection.
2. The phrase if they have found any evil doing in me means: 'They made lots of general claims and offered no evidence. This phrase is a demand that they specify any specific incident which they can prove. They, of course, said nothing in response to this demand'.
3. The phrase while I stood before the council means: 'They had a time when they examined Paul and should have received evidence of specific incidents if they existed'.
4. The phrase Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them means: 'Paul admits that he said one thing that the Sadducees denied'.
5. The phrase Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day means: 'The Jewish religious leaders were split on this doctrine and allowed Jews to hold to it'. Please see the Section on Prophecies, in the Significant Gospel Events Study, about Resurrection from the Dead. While most of the references are in the New Testament, there are also several for the Old Testament. And, the Old Testament identifies three people who were raised from the dead. Therefore, these religious leaders, including the high priest, denied the truth of scripture.
C24-S15 : Felix put off making a decision.
C24-S16 : Felix let Paul go almost free.
C24-S17 : Felix listened to more preaching.
C24-S18 : Paul reasoned with Felix but he refused to believe.
C24-S19 : this is why Felix did not get truly saved.
C24-S20 : Porcius Festus tok over as governor but Paul remained bound.

Chapter 25 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul stands at Caesar's judgment.

Our prior chapter ended with Porcius Festus taking over as governor and Felix leaving Paul bound. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed (Festus) against Paul, and besought him, And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. At first, Festus said that Paul would be kept at Caesarea. But, later, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. Paul was getting tired of the local politics where he would never get an honest trial and never be set free.

After that, king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. Paul testified before king Agrippa, in the next chapter, because Festus had nothing to write to Caesar as to why Paul was arrested but the Jewish religious leaders kept demanding his death.

Acts 25:1-5 : tells us that after three days (Festus) ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. The Jewish religious leaders, again, made accusations again Paul and asked for Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem where they could kill him. But, Festus demanded that they go to Caesarea and accuse Paul there.

Acts 25:6-19 : tells us that when Festus returned to Caesarea, the Jewish religious leaders, again, accused Paul and Paul, again, answered their accusations. Again, there was no evidence that Paul violated Roman law. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? at this point, it was obvious that Paul would not get a fair trial nor be set free but would be used as a pawn in the local politics between the Jewish religious leaders and the governor. Therefore, Paul answered: I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. Paul, basically, told the governor that he knew that he was being used as a pawn in local politics and, therefore, demanded to be sent to a higher court where the Jews did not have the political power to pervert justice.

Acts 25:11-13 : tells us that Festus agreed to Paul's legal right to be tried by Caesar.

Acts 25:14-22 : tells us that after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. Eventually, Festus tld king Agrippa about Paul and the accusations against him by the Jewish religious leaders. And, Festus tld king Agrippa Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And, since Festus did not know the religious matters, he asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem to be tried by the Jewish religious leaders. Since Paul knew that he would not get a fair trial but would be murdered, he appealed to Caesar. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself.

Acts 25:23-27 : tells us that they set up the court, again, with great pomp, and Festus, officially and in the court record, again told king Agrippa what the trial was about. Festus also said that he had nothing to write to Caesar because Paul had not violated Roman law and asked king Agrippa to determine what they should write to Caesar. That sets us up for the next chapter where we read about the trial before king Agrippa.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-7. the Jews accuse Paul before Festus.
8-10. He answers for himself,
11-13. and appeals unto Caesar.
14-22. Afterwards Festus opens his matter to king Agrippa;
23-24. and he is brought forth.
25-27. Festus clears him of having done anything worthy of death.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C25-S1 : What Festus did upon arrival.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what came before this sentence. Festus had just been made governor and would have to recover from his travel and meet people in his local government center. Yet, he quickly ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem, which shows the political power enjoyed by the Jewish religious leaders'.
2. The phrase when Festus was come into the province means: 'This was when he arrived to take over the government'.
3. The phrase after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem means: 'This shows the political priorities'.
C25-S2 : the Jewish religious leaders still try to get Paul so that they can murder him.
C25-S3 : Festus tld them no.
C25-S4 : Festus tld them to go to Caesarea if they wanted to charge Paul.
C25-S5 : Festus deliberately delayed to make a political statement.
C25-S6 : the Jews told more unsubstantiated lies.
C25-S7 : Paul answered their complaints by, basically, calling them liars.
C25-S8 : Festus asked Paul if he would go be murdered.
1. The word but means: 'provides a contrast6 between what came before the word and what comes after'. What came before was a trial where it was obvious that Paul was innocent and the Jews were liars. What comes after is an offer to go where the truth does not matter and Paul will be murdered for political expediency. Before was truth. After is corrupt political maneuvering.
2. The phrase But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure means: 'This phrase tells us why Festus asked this question. After several trials, it was obvious that the Jews had no new evidence. It was also obvious that the Jews could not prove their complaints. Festus had already heard everything and, therefore, there was no judicial reason to repeat everything in Jerusalem. The only true reason was so that the Jews could murder Paul and Festus would have a political lever to use over the Jews. Therefore, the true question was: 'Are you willing to die so that a corrupt Roman politician can control corrupt Jewish politicians?'.
3. The phrase answered Paul, and said means: 'Festus asked Paul this question as an answer to Paul's proof that he did nothing wrong and was innocent of all charges'.
4. The phrase Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem means: 'Festus asked Paul if he would go be literally beat to death after he proved that he was innocent of all charges'.
5. The phrase and there be judged of these things before me? means: 'He said before me but everyone knew that Paul would never live long enough to get there and there was nothing new that could be in Jerusalem other than Paul's death'.
C25-S9 : Paul ended all of the local political maneuverings.
C25-S10 : Paul accuses Festus of offering to do an illegal act.
C25-S11 says: I appeal unto Caesar.
C25-S12 : Festus agreed to Paul's demand.
C25-S13 : Festus officially gave the only answer that he could give.
C25-S14 : King Agrippa came to visit Festus.
C25-S15 : Festus asked the advise of king Agrippa.
C25-S16 : Festus claimed that the Jews wanted him to turn Paul over to be murdered without a trial. This may have been true but was not reported earlier in our account.
C25-S17 : Festus reports having court the day after the arrival of the Jews.
C25-S18 : Festus tells king Agrippa the basic dispute between Paul and the Jewish religious leaders.
C25-S19 : Festus lies about why he wanted to send Paul to Jerusalem.
C25-S20 : Festus commanded Paul to be protected from the Jews until he could be sent to Rome.
C25-S21 : Agrippa asked to hear Paul.
C25-S22 : Festus promises that king Agrippa will hear Paul on the morrow.
C25-S23 : they had a great ceremony and invited all of the chief captains, and principal men of the city, along with king Agrippa and his sister, to hear Paul.
C25-S24 : Festus blames the multitudes of Jews for Paul still being arrested.
C25-S25 : Festus finally says what he wants from king Agrippa.
C25-S26 : Festus wants help writing a letter.
C25-S27 : Festus emphasizes that Paul was brought before king Agrippa personally.
C25-S28 : Festus has to explain what crimes Paul did.

Chapter 26 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul's Testimony to king Agrippa.

Festus had set up king Agrippa many important people, with great pomp, to hear Paul's defense against crimes that the Jewish religious leaders claimed he did. However, Paul was sensitive enough to the true spiritual purpose of the meeting to use his personal testimony to preach the Gospel. In the end, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. And, Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. The very last sentence of our chapter concludes with: Then said Agrippa unto Festus, this man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. Even the lost political leaders understood that Paul had not violated any law of man. He was arrested because of a religious dispute between proxies of God and of Devils.

Acts 26:1 says Then Agrippa said unto Paul, thou art permitted to speak for thyself.

Acts 26:1-7 says that Paul was glad to speak because he knew that king Agrippa understood the Jewish culture and religion. He then said that his manner of life from my youth was well known by the Jews and that he lived after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now, he is judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers. That is: where the Jewish religious leaders strayed from what scripture says, Paul stayed with scriptural truth.

Acts 26:8 says that the argument is over God raising the dead.

Acts 26:9-11 says that Paul was an enforcer for the Jewish religion, arresting and killing Jews who disagreed with the Jewish religious leadership.

Acts 26:12-14 tells of Paul being saved. All with him were literally knocked from their horses and Paul heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. It should be obvious to everyone that this was a miracle which required the power of God. Please see the Section on Miracles, in Significant New Testament Events Document for links to other miracles fulfilled in the new Testament. Paul is reported to also give his testimony in Acts 9:1-8 and Acts 22:4-11.

Acts 26:15 says that Paul responded with: And I said, Who art thou, Lord? He had enough sense to recognize a supernatural power when it literally knocked him from his horse.

Acts 26:16-18 tells us the answer from Jesus.

Acts 26:19-20 tells us that Paul obeyed the personal commands which he received from God.

Acts 26:21 says For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Paul was persecuted for obeying God.

Acts 26:22-23 says that Paul continues to be a witness and to teach that what the prophets said was true.

Acts 26:24 says And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

Acts 26:25-27 says that Paul answered Festus and then spoke to king Agrippa, saying that the king knew the truth of what he said.

Acts 26:28 says Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Acts 26:29-32 tells us the conclusion of the meeting and that Paul had done nothing to be arrested. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, this man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

Thus, Agrippa had his answer. He could write to Caesar that the prior governor left a man in bonds whom he had to deal with. Apparently, he was arrested because there was a religious dispute between Paul and the Jewish religious leaders that he did not completely understand because he did not know their religion. And, while he was trying to determine the truth, Paul appealed to Caesar. Therefore, he was required to send Paul to Caesar. And, with that, he admits no wrong while blaming everyone else and also explaining why Paul was sent to Rome.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-11. Paul, in the presence of Agrippa, declares his life from his childhood;
12-23. and how miraculously he was converted, and called to his apostleship.
24-27. Festus charges him with being mad, whereunto he answers modestly.
28-30. Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian.
31-32. the whole company pronounce him innocent.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C26-S1 : Paul is allowed to start the hearing.
C26-S2 : Why Paul was happy to speak.
C26-S3 : Paul starts with his background.
C26-S4 : Paul believes scripture over popular religious error.
C26-S5 : Paul says that the argument is over God raising the dead.
C26-S6 : Why is resurrection incredible?
C26-S7 : What Paul used to believe.
C26-S8 : What Paul used to do because of his belief.
C26-S9 : Details of what Paul did.
C26-S10 : Paul report the miracle of our Lord Jesus Christ intervening in Paul's life.
C26-S11 : What happened after they were all knocked off their horses.
C26-S12 : this symbolic language tells Paul that he is wasting his time fighting against God.
C26-S13 : Paul had enough sense to recognize a supernatural power when it literally knocked him from his horse.
C26-S14 : Jesus identified Himself. A lot of people don't think about the face that Jesus spoke to Paul in an audible voice.
C26-S15 : the command to Paul from Jesus.
1. The word but means: 'provides a contrast6 between what came before the word and what comes after'. What came before was Paul persecuting Jesus as a life-style. What comes after is Paul ministering for Jesus as a life-style.
2. The phrase rise, and stand upon thy feet means: 'Stand up and receive your personal commission'.
3. The phrase for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose means: 'Our Lord Jesus Christ personally appeared to Paul to personally give him this commission'.
4. The phrase to make thee a minister and a witness means: 'To personally make him a minister and a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ'.
5. The phrase both of these things which thou hast seen means: 'of two things. First, of the things which Paul had already seen'.
6. The phrase and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee means: 'Secondly, of the things which our Lord Jesus Christ would personally teach him in the future'.
7. The phrase Delivering thee from the people means: 'and that He would miraculously deliver Paul from the Jews'.
8. The phrase and from the Gentiles means: 'and that He would miraculously deliver Paul from the Gentiles whom our Lord Jesus Christ would send Paul to but who would also reject the message from Paul'.
9. The phrase unto whom now I send thee means: 'Our Lord Jesus Christ was personally sending Paul to the Gentiles which son=me would accept his message and some would reject his message'.
10. The phrase To open their eyes means: 'His message was to open their spiritual eyes'.
11. The phrase and to turn them from darkness to light means: 'and to turn then from the darkness of the world and of devils to the light of God'.
12. The phrase and from the power of Satan unto God means: 'literally what it says'.
13. The phrase that they may receive forgiveness of sins means: 'So that they might receive true forgiveness if they truly turn from their sins to obeying God'.
14. The phrase and inheritance means: 'They would go to Heaven and receive everlasting rewards'.
15. The phrase among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me means: 'Among others who are set aside from a life of sin unto a life of serving God by faith that is in our Lord Jesus Christ'.
16. This is the true Gospel message.
C26-S16 : Paul obeyed the personal commands which he received from God.
1. The word Whereupon means: 'Paul acted upon his command'. The order of the places where Paul says that he preached matches the order of places found in the command of Jesus in Acts 1:8.
2. The phrase O king Agrippa means: 'This is the main person whom Paul is speaking to but he also includes all of the rest of the audience'.
3. The phrase I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision means: 'Paul, indirectly, tells everyone that they should obey any message from God'.
4. The phrase But shewed first unto them of Damascus means: 'That was where Paul was at when his sight was restored and he was baptized'.
5. The phrase and at Jerusalem means: 'That is the first place where Jesus said to preach the Gospel'.
6. The phrase and throughout all the coasts of Judaea means: 'That is the next place where Jesus said to preach the Gospel'.
7. The phrase and then to the Gentiles means: 'That is the last place where Jesus said to preach the Gospel'.
8. The phrase that they should repent and turn to God means: 'This is the basic message of the Gospel. It is not turn to religion but to God. That is what the religious Jews were upset about. Paul refused to tell people to obey religion when religion disagreed with God's word'.
9. The phrase and do works meet for repentance means: 'This is the main message of the Gospel. True repentance is turning from our personal sin to personal obedience to God'.
C26-S17 : Paul was persecuted for obeying God.
C26-S18 : What Paul was doing at the time that he spoke.
1. Please see the Section called Prophecies Fulfilled, in the Study called Significant Gospel Events, for references to verses related to the suffering of Jesus Christ. Please also see the Section called Appearances of Jesus Christ After the Resurrection, in the Study called Gospel Time Sequences, and several Sections in the Study called Significant Gospel Events, for the prophecies of Christ rising from the dead.
2. The phrase Having therefore obtained help of God means: 'Paul reports that God has been helping him and keeping the Jews from killing him'.
3. The phrase I continue unto this day means: 'Paul continues to obey his personal command from our Lord Jesus Christ'.
4. The phrase witnessing both to small and great means: 'Paul witnesses to anyone who will listen'.
5. The phrase saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come means: 'Paul does not add to scripture. He only preaches the fulfillment of prophecy'.
6. The phrase That Christ should suffer means: 'These are the specific prophecies that Paul preaches and that the Jews objected to being preached'.
7. The phrase and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead means: 'These are the specific prophecies that Paul preaches and that the Jews really objected to being preached'.
8. The phrase and should shew light unto the people means: 'Paul preached that our Lord Jesus Christ would show us how to live and please God in order to receive true salvation and blessings from God'.
9. The phrase and to the Gentiles means: 'Paul preached to Gentiles as well as to Jews. The Jews objected to preaching to Gentiles because they insisted that only Jews could be saved'.
C26-S19 : Festus expresses his opinion of the Gospel.
C26-S20 : Paul answers Festus.
C26-S21 : Paul gives Festus a way to verify what he just said.
1. The phrase For the king knoweth of these things means: 'Festus can verify what Paul said by asking king Agrippa'.
2. The phrase before whom also I speak freely means: 'Paul presented the Gospel in a way that made sense to king Agrippa'. Paul had already presented the Gospel to Festus in a way that he could understand. The same Gospel is presented in different ways because different people have different ways of understanding. It is the same Gospel, just different ways of presenting it.
3. The phrase for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him means: 'Paul was persuaded that king Agrippa understood scripture and the importance of relying on what scripture said'.
4. The phrase For this thing was not done in a corner means: 'Paul also knew that king Agrippa could verify the fulfillment of prophecy'.
C26-S22 : Paul makes his challenge personal.
C26-S23 : Paul assures the king that he knows the truth. The king will have no excuse when he is judged by God. Since he has a lifestyle belief (believest) of the prophets, he should also believe the conclusion, from those prophecies, which Paul pointed out.
C26-S24 : this is the response from king Agrippa.
C26-S25 : Paul expresses his wish for the conclusion of his preaching.
C26-S26 : the end of the hearing.
C26-S27 : Festus had the answer that he wanted. Thus, Agrippa had his answer. He could write to Caesar that the prior governor left a man in bonds whom he had to deal with. Apparently, he was arrested because there was a religious dispute between Paul and the Jewish religious leaders that he did not completely understand because he did not know their religion. And, while he was trying to determine the truth, Paul appealed to Caesar. Therefore, he was required to send Paul to Caesar. And, with that, he admits no wrong while blaming everyone else and also explaining why Paul was sent to Rome.

Chapter 27 Summary: Chapter theme is: the attempt to go to Rome that ended at Melita.

Since Paul had appealed to Caesar, he had to be sent to Rome. The prior chapter told us what happened while the governor was waiting for a ship going that way so that he could send Paul. This chapter tells us what happened on the way and why they failed to reach Italy. The next chapter tells us what happened after they reached Italy.

in this chapter we see devils using things like storms to try and kill Paul, or at least prevent him from getting to Rome. But, our Lord Jesus Christ had prophesied that Paul would be a witness for Him in Romeans God protected Paul along the way. That included him prophesying what would happen to the ship on the journey. In addition it also included him shaking a poisonous snake off his hand into the fire and his being able to give the Gospel to more people. Thus, we see that Paul is continuing to be a witness for our Lord Jesus Christ and He, in return, protecting Paul from all that devils and men do until it is time for Paul to go to Heaven and receive his reward.

Acts 27:1-3 tells us about the start of the trip and that the centurion, who was responsible for delivering Paul to Rome, courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

Acts 27:3-6 tells us that they traveled to another port where they found a ship going to Italy. However, the evils were already using the weather, and the winds, to cause problems in travel.

Acts 27:7-8 tells us the next part of their travel and that the winds were against them, making travel slow. By the time that they made it to their next port, it had become the time of year when it was dangerous to continue to sail the ocean.

Acts 27:9-10 tells us Paul prophesied trouble traveling and advised they wait through the winter until it was safe to sail the ocean again. Paul warned that the cargo, the ship and the people would all be in danger.

Acts 27:11-12 says: Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul. And, they decided to try and make it to Phenice...which is an haven of Crete and a better place to spend the winter.

Acts 27:13-20 tells us that And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose. However, they were caught in a big storm and all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

Acts 27:21-26 tells us that Paul told them: Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me so that they would now listen. Then he told them that God had sent him a message that no lives would be lost but that the ship would be lost and that we must be cast upon a certain island.

Acts 27:27-32 tells us that the sailors determined that they were near land. And, they were going to abandon the ship, and take a smaller boat until Paul warn the centurion and he had the small boats cut away.

Acts 27:33-38 tells us that And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, this day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing. After that Paul said that all should eat because all lives would be saved.

Acts 27:39-41 says: And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. Then, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

Acts 27:42-44 tells us that And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. However, the centurion prevented it because he wanted to save Paul. Therefore, some swam and some floated on boards and all escaped all safe to land.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-9. Paul shipping towards Rome,
10. foretells of the danger of the voyage,
11-13. but is not believed.
14-40. they are tossed to and fro with tempest;
41-43. and suffer shipwreck;
44. yet all come safe to land.'.

Home, Start of Summary

C27-S1 : Paul and other prisoners were delivered to the certain who was responsible to deliver them to Italy.
C27-S2 : the start of their sailing.
C27-S3 : the first new port.
C27-S4 : Paul was treated better than a normal prisoner.
C27-S5 : the start of trouble with the weather.
C27-S6 : the next cities passed.
C27-S7 : they switched to a ship going to Italy.
C27-S8 : More trouble traveling because of wind.
C27-S9 : Paul tried to warn then of destruction if they continued.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what was in the prior sentences'. The prior sentences told us that they had sailed slowly many days. The prior part of the trip took many days longer than normal.
2. The phrase when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous means: 'Many large bodies of water become dangerous at certain times of the year'. For example, Gordon Lightfoot sang a song about the Edmund Fitzgerald. It was a 300 foot ship that sailed lake Superior after the lake closed because of storms. It was literally broken in half. The best they can figure out was that the nose of the ship hit the bottom of the lake and a wave that was at least 150 foot high hit it with enough force to break a metal cargo ship in half. So, when Luke reports that sailing was now dangerous, he is not exaggerating and places like the Mediterranean Sea are known to have dangerous storms at a certain time of year.
3. The phrase because the fast was now already past means: 'The Jews measured their year by God dictated holy days and the fast was the same dictated time every year'.
4. The phrase Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs means: 'Paul gave them a prophecy but they doubted his word'.
5. The phrase I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives means: 'This was the prophecy'. Please see the links for Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled in the New Testament Significant Events Study about this and other prophecies reported in the new Testament outside of the Gospels.
6. The next sentence starts with Nevertheless and explains why they chose to not believe Paul's prophecy.
C27-S10 : Paul was not believed.
C27-S11 : Why they did not want to stay where they were.
C27-S12 : they were fooled into believing that it was safe to sail.
C27-S13 : A storm so big that they gave it a name
C27-S14 : they let the wind take the ship where it wanted.
C27-S15 : the sailors did what they could to keep the boat together.
C27-S16 : How they tried to lighten the ship.
C27-S17 : they gave up hope of surviving.
C27-S18 : Paul got everyone's attention.
C27-S19 : Paul's message of hope.
C27-S20 : the results of a Godly manifesting and praying.
1. The word For means: 'Here's why the prior sentence is true'.
2. The phrase there stood by me this night the angel of God means: 'Paul had to be consistent and dilligent until he received his answer'.
3. The phrase whose I am means: 'Many of his audience worshipped devils who claimed to be gods. Paul had to make sure that his God was different and more powerful than all of those other so-called gods. People who do not truly belong to God (are truly saved) have no right to expect Him to answer their prayers. If God does do so, it is for the purpose of getting them to truly trust Him and get truly saved'.
4. The phrase and whom I serve means: 'People who are saved and not serving, or are barely serving, can not expect the same level of help as someone who devotes their entire life to serving God'.
5. The phrase Saying, Fear not, Paul means: 'What follows was the message from God delivered through His messenger'. Too many people, including saved people and preachers, look at the messenger instead of considering that the message comes from God and that they have to believed that the message is from God if they want to receive any promise which is in the message.
6. The phrase thou must be brought before Caesar means: 'God promised Paul that he personally (thou) would stand before Caesar to witness to him about our Lord Jesus Christ'.
7. The word lo means: 'exclaim. Look; see; behold; observe. this word is used to excite particular attention in a hearer to some object of sight, or subject of discourse'. Therefore, he phrase and, lo means: 'Get excited about this additional promise from God'.
8. The phrase God hath given thee all them that sail with thee means: 'Everyone else on the ship would live in spite of all of the efforts by devils'. Think about being a lost person and experiencing what they had experienced for many days. Next, think about a man of God giving you a promise from God, Whom you do not personally know. Now, think about actually receiving the promise and surviving. Would not most people who went through such experiences accept a personal relationship from God? God used their experience to save the lost and to increase the faith of the saved.
C27-S21 : Paul's conclusion from the message that God gave to him.
C27-S22 : What will happen before they are saved.
C27-S23 : What happened after two weeks in the storm.
C27-S24 : the sailors were afraid of crashing into rocks.
C27-S25 : Paul warned about cowardly seamen trying to save themselves when it endangered others.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. The prior sentence told us about the sailors' fear. Paul prophesied that all would live but the ship would be destroyed. However, the sailors were all lost and did not trust God nor did they trust Paul as God's prophet. Therefore, they thought that the best way to save themselves was to abandon the ship and let everyone would die'.
2. The phrase as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship means: 'This tells us their intent'.
3. The phrase when they had let down the boat into the sea means: 'This tells us how they intended to save themselves'.
4. The phrase under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship means: 'This is the lie that they told others'. It would be stupid to attach anchors to the stern of the ship and to the foreship. That would have the same effect as having no anchors. The ship would spin in circles and break up.
5. The phrase Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers means: 'This is who Paul warned about the intent of the sailors'.
6. The phrase Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved means: 'This would be the result to others if the sailors escaped and abandoned everyone else'. Later, in our account, we are told that they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship. The sailors knew how to do that but no one else on the ship could have done it.
7. Please also see the links for Prophecies in the New Testament Significant Events Study for the prophecy in this sentence and other prophecies in the New Testament but outside of the Gospel accounts.
C27-S26 : the soldiers ended the sailors' cowardly plan
C27-S27 : Paul encouraged everyone to eat.
C27-S28 : Paul's concluding recommendation.
C27-S29 : Paul backed his prophecy with action.
C27-S30 : the others celebrated with eating.
C27-S31 : the number of people promised physical salvation.
C27-S32 : After eating, they lightened the ship of everything they could, including food.
C27-S33 : In daylight, the found a place to try and land.
C27-S34 : they did everything humanly possible to land the ship.
C27-S35 : How the attempted landing went.
C27-S36 : the soldiers were only concerned about their own safety.
C27-S37 : the centurion kept Paul, and the other prisoners, alive.
1. The word But means: 'provides a contrast between what was said before the word and what is said after the word. in this case, the prior sentence said that the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners while what follows the word but tells us that the centurion forbid the killing'.
2. The phrase the centurion, willing to save Paul means: 'This is why he forbid the killing'.
3. The phrase kept them from their purpose means: 'This is what he did'.
4. The phrase and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land means: 'This is what he commanded those who could swim'.
5. The phrase And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship means: 'This is what he commanded those who could not swim'.
C27-S38 : the end result.

Chapter 28 Summary: Chapter theme is: the End of the Testimony of Paul.

Our chapter starts with the treatment of the people on the island where they had crashed the ship. The devils tried to kill Paul, one more time, with a venomous snake. But, Paul shook it off into the heat. And, after three months, they took a ship to Italy and finally to Rome. Our chapter does not tell us about Paul seeing Caesar, but history says that he was acquitted of charges. After that, he met with the local Jews and some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. After that, Paul told the Jews: Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. With that said, Paul ministered as a free man. Luke does not tell us why Paul was killed and history is not clear. The only thing is that he was beheaded and most likely when the Roman government turned against true Christians.

Acts 28:1-6 tells us about the locals helping the people from the crashed ship. When Paul added some sticks to the fire they had created, a venomous snake bit him. But, he just shook it off into the fire and was not hurt.

Acts 28:7-10 tells us about God using Paul to heal people on the island. It is important to remember that it is actually God, working through His man, Who does the actual healing. Please see the section on Miracles, in the Significant Events in the New Testament for links to where our Lord Jesus Christ Used Paul to do miracles.

Acts 28:11-16 tells us about the events as they traveled from the island to Rome where the centurion turned in the prisoners but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

Acts 28:17-24 tells us about Paul presenting the accusations against him by the Jews of the Jerusalem Church and he also presented the Gospel to them. And, some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Acts 28:25-29 tells us the Jews could not agree about the Gospel. Paul finalized with: Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

Acts 28:29-31 is the last sentence in this Bible book. It tells us And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. All throughout this book, we have seen the spiritual fight between God and devils being in the background and controlling events which were reported. Our last sentence tells us that God proved that He had more power than the devils and that He let Paul minister without interference for the last few years of his life.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this chapter as: '1-4. Paul, after his shipwreck, is kindly entertained of the barbarians.
5-7. the viper on his hand hurts him not.
8-10. He heals many diseases in the island.
11-16. they depart towards Rome.
17-23. He declares to the Jews the cause of his coming.
24-29. After his preaching some were persuaded, and some believed not.
30-31. Yet he preaches there two years. '.

Home, Start of Summary

C28-S1 : they all made it to shore safe.
C28-S2 : they were helped by the locals.
C28-S3 : the devils used a snake to try and kill Paul.
C28-S4 : the locals judged Paul as a criminal who would die from snake poison
C28-S5 : Paul had enough faith in God to feel and show no worry.
C28-S6 : the locals changed their mind about Paul.
C28-S7 : they stayed with the chief man of the island.
C28-S8 : Paul was used to heal the father of their host.
C28-S9 : God provided further healing through Paul
C28-S10 : When they finally left the island.
C28-S11 : they stayed a little while once arriving at a city.
C28-S12 : the last of their trip to Rome.
C28-S13 : they were met by brethren that they knew who lived in Rome. Remember that Paul had written the epistle to the Romans prior to this.
C28-S14 : How the prisoners were treated after they arrived at Rome.
C28-S15 : Paul called the leaders of the Jews to see what they had been told about him and what their attitudes were about him and the Gospel.
C28-S16 : the Roman government found Paul innocent of any crime.
C28-S17 : the Jewish religious leaders demanded that Paul die even though he had not done a crime.
C28-S18 : Paul explains why he called them.
C28-S19 : the local Jewish religious leaders said that those in Jerusalem hadn't bothered to contact them.
C28-S20 : they asked Paul about the Gospel.
C28-S21 : What Paul preached to the Jews.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. The prior sentence told us that the Jews asked Paul about This sect. And, they arranged a time when many more Jews could hear Paul and not just the Jewish religious leaders. Now, imagine someone, today, preaching from morning till evening. In addition, please realize that Paul used the scripture which they knew (both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophet) so he was not telling them to believe him but to believe God'.
2. The phrase when they had appointed him a day means: 'They scheduled a time so that other Jews could also come and hear Paul'.
3. The phrase there came many to him into his lodging means: 'Lots of Jews came to the preaching'.
4. The phrase to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God means: 'Paul explained the true meaning of the kingdom of God, and then testified how it had changed his own personal life'.
5. The phrase persuading them concerning Jesus means: 'Paul persuaded them that this type of changed life was only possible with an ongoing personal relationship through Jesus'.
6. The phrase both out of the law of Moses means: 'Paul explained how the sacrifices and other parts of the Mosaic law symbolically represented what Jesus would do spiritually'.
7. The phrase and out of the prophets means: 'Paul explained how the prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus'. Please see the Prophecy Fulfilled Section in the Significant Gospel Events Study for links to the Old Testament references which Paul might have used.
8. The phrase from morning till evening means: 'Imagine someone, today, preaching this long'.
C28-S22 : Paul received the normal response to true preaching.
C28-S23 : Paul prophesied God's judgment upon the Jews.
1. The word And means: 'This sentence is added to the prior sentence. The prior sentence told us some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. This was the response to true Holy Ghost preaching. And even after that, our current sentence says: they agreed not among themselves. There was no reasoning with religious people who closed their minds to all evidence. That's why Paul gives us the conclusion in the next sentence'.
2. The phrase when they agreed not among themselves means: 'They argued over doctrine even though they all claimed to understand what the Bible said and all read the same thing'.
3. The phrase they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word means: 'Paul prophesied the future based upon their reaction and the reaction he received all during his long ministry'. Please see the Significant Events in the New Testament for links to other prophecies reported in the New Testament and outside of the Gospels.
4. The phrase Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers, Saying means: 'This is what God's Holy Ghost said using the prophet'. Paul is referencing Isaiah 6:9-10.
5. The phrase Go unto this people, and say means: 'God told him what to say. It was God's message not the message of the prophet'.
6. The phrase Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand means: 'They would hear with their natural ears but not understand because it required spiritual understanding from God's Holy Ghost and they refused to listen'.
7. The phrase and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive means: 'They could see things like Paul's changed life but could not perceive the true meaning without the spiritual help from God's Holy Ghost'.
8. The phrase For the heart of this people is waxed gross means: 'Their heart was fat and lazy and they just accepted whatever their religious leaders said without praying about it and without verifying what they were told and without thinking about if what they were told matched the character of the God of the Bible'.
9. The phrase and their ears are dull of hearing means: 'They treated true scripture as background noise'.
10. The phrase and their eyes have they closed means: 'They refused to truly look at the evidence which God showed them'.
11. The phrase lest they should see with their eyes means: 'If they truly looked, they would see that their religious doctrine did not match the evidence from God'.
12. The phrase and hear with their ears means: 'If they truly considered the doctrine they were taught then they would know that it did not match the character of God'.
13. The phrase and understand with their heart means: 'If they truly used their heart to care for others like God cares then they would understand truth'.
14. The phrase and should be converted means: 'As a result, God would give them a character like His'.
15. The phrase and I should heal them means: 'This is speaking about spiritual healing'. In Luke 17:11-19, we read about Jesus cleansing ten lepers. But, only one turned back and thanked God and Jesus told him: Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. He was the only one saved and spiritually healed. The others assumed that God only gave them their due, as Jews, and never said thanks. That was the attitude which prevented the Jews from being saved and prevents religious people, of today, from being truly saved.
C28-S24 : the result of their ongoing rejection of spiritual truth.
C28-S25 : they argued among themselves using their own natural reasoning.
C28-S26 : the end of the report on Paul.

Home, Start of Summary

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

Chapter Summary : Chapter theme is: Paul gives his testimony of salvation to the Jews.

Chapter 23 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul is judged by the Jewish Council for the last time.

Chapter 24 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul's judgment by Felix.

Chapter 25 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul stands at Caesar's judgment.

Chapter 26 Summary: Chapter theme is: Paul's Testimony to king Agrippa.

Chapter 27 Summary: Chapter theme is: the attempt to go to Rome that ended at Melita.

Chapter 28 Summary: Chapter theme is: the End of the Testimony of Paul.

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