Interpretive Study of Acts 15-16

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.

Acts Chapter 15

Chapter theme is: Devil Motivated Contention.

links to sentences in this chapter:

C15-S1 (Verse 1), C15-S2 (Verse 2), C15-S3 (Verse 3), C15-S4 (Verse 4), C15-S5 (Verse 5), C15-S6 (Verse 6), C15-S7 (Verse 7), C15-S8 (Verse 8-9), C15-S9 (Verse 10), C15-S10 (Verse 11), C15-S11 (Verse 12), C15-S12 (Verse 13-14), C15-S13 (Verse 15-17), C15-S14 (Verse 18), C15-S15 (Verse 19-20), C15-S16 (Verse 21), C15-S17 (Verse 22-26), C15-S18 (Verse 27), C15-S19 (Verse 28-29), C15-S20 (Verse 29), C15-S21 (Verse 30-31), C15-S22 (Verse 32), C15-S23 (Verse 33), C15-S24 (Verse 34), C15-S25 (Verse 35), C15-S26 (Verse 36), C15-S27 (Verse 37), C15-S28 (Verse 38), C15-S29 (Verse 39-40), C15-S30 (Verse 41)'.

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.

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C15-S1 (Verse 1) Doctrinal error was taught at Antioch.

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren,
and said,
Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses,
ye cannot be saved.

Our sentence starts with the word and, which means it is adding to the prior chapter. As noted in the chapter summary, 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.

So, our sentence starts with the word and, because we have a continuation of the report on the spiritual war between devils and God. And, since God's ministers could not be stopped physically, not even with death, Satan is now trying corruption. This is the exact spiritual error which Jude wrote his epistle to warn us against. As Jude warns, these people were motivated by things of the flesh. In the case of these men, it was their standing among their peers in the Jerusalem church. And, as Jude also warns, they taught a system of corrupt morals and ignoring our personal responsibilities to our Lord Jesus Christ, so long as you do the physical religious acts which they taught.

Our sentence only mentions circumcision for salvation. However, they were from the saved Pharisees (Acts 15:5), which Paul had been a leader among (Acts 23:6). They were known to excuse any type of moral sin so long as people submitted to their religious rules. Thus, while our sentence only mentions circumcision for salvation, Paul knew that they were trying to introduce an entire system of corrupt doctrine. And, we see throughout all of Paul's epistles that he had an ongoing spiritual war against this particular form of corruption.

As mentioned before, we no longer read about the Jerusalem Church seeing souls saved. That ended when the church leaders gave peter a hard time for obeying God and taking the Gospel of salvation to Gentiles. From here through the end of this book, we read about Paul and others leading people to salvation and starting churches. However, we only read about people from the Jerusalem Church trying to corrupt the doctrine of those churches by trying to force them to submit to this corrupt doctrine.

Please see the note for John 7:3 about the words Jewry / Judaea / Judea / Judah. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'This name occurs in Ezr 5:8 for the territory of Judah; in Da 5:13 the same is called JEWRY. In the N.T. the name at times refers to a much larger district, including all south of about 32 5' N with the plain on the west border of the land to mount Carmel as generally shown on N.T. maps. the land was thus divided by Rome, with Samaria in the centre, and Galilee in the north. In Lu 3:1 Judaea embraces the above and Samaria; but in other passages a smaller area than the above is implied. Ac 12:19 speaks of Herod going down from Judaea to Caesarea, whereas Caesarea would be part of the Judaea of the Romans. Paul, in Ga 1:22; 1Th 2:14, speaks of the 'churches of Judaea' which would seem to embrace the whole of Palestine. the context will almost always show the extent of the district intended. It is called JEWRY in Lu 23:5; Joh 7:1.'. the New Testament definition is: 'The area of land generally associated with the Southern Kingdom and religious control by Jewish rulers but which varies in size from one reference to another'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S27 about the word teach / taught. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To instruct; to inform; to communicate to another the knowledge of that of which he was before ignorant'. The word taught is the past-tense form of the word teach. Please also see the note for John 3:2 about the word teacher. Please also see the Study called False things According to the Bible about 'false teachers'.

Please see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase I say. The New Testament definition is: 'Uttering in articulate sounds or words; speaking; telling; relating; reciting'. Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:1 about the word sayings (plural). Please also see the notes for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:12-14 about the word speech. Please also see the notes for Ephesians C4S15 and 1Peter 2:1 about the phrase evil speaking. The words speaketh and saith mean that the person 'keeps on keeping on doing the saying'.

Please see the note for John 6:44 about the word except. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to take or leave out of any number specified; to exclude; as, of the thirty persons present and concerned in a riot, we must except two. 2. to take or leave out any particular or particulars, from a general description. When he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted who did put all things under him. 1 Cor.14'.

Please see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word circumcision. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Cutting away the foreskin of males. Symbolically, it is letting God cut away all the sins of the flesh in our life'. Please see the note for Colossians C2S7 about the word circumcise`. The New Testament definition of the word circumcise is: 'To cut off the foreskin of males. To cut off the foreskin of males. A physical ceremony which shows spiritual agreement to cut away of the fleshly parts of our heart and soul. Religiously, it is symbolic submission to God done God's way'. This sentence uses the word Pharisees to identify Jews who were relying upon their religious ceremony for salvation instead of relying on a personal relationship with God for true salvation. They were demanding that the church follow doctrinal error which came from religious traditions and which went against the revealed will of God.

Please see the note for 1Peter C1S4 about the word manner (singular). Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word is: 'form; method; way of performing or executing. Find thou the manner, and the means prepare. 2. Custom; habitual practice. Show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. this will be the manner of the king. 1 Sam.8. Paul, as his manner was--Acts 17. 3. Sort; kind. Ye tiThe mint and rue, and all manner of herbs. Luke 11. they shall say all manner of evil against you falsely--Matt.5. in this application, manner has the sense of a plural word; all sorts or kinds. 4. Certain degree or measure. It is in a manner done already. the bread is in a manner common. 1 Sam.21. this use may also be sometimes defined by sort or fashion; as we say, a thing is done after a sort or fashion, that is, not well, fully or perfectly. Augustinus does in a manner confess the charge. 5. Mien; cast of look; mode. Air and manner are more expressive than words. 6. Peculiar way or carriage; distinct mode. It can hardly be imagined how great a difference was in the humor, disposition and manner of the army under Essex and that under Waller. A man's company may be known by his manner of expressing himself. 7. Way; mode; of things. the temptations of prosperity insinuate themselves after a gentle, but very powerful manner. 8. Way of service or worship. the nations which thou hast removed and placed in the cities of Samaria, know not the manner of the god of the land--2 Kings 7. 9. In painting, the particular habit of a painter in managing colors, lights and shades'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 3:1 about Moses. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'While this name is often used for the physical man, it is also used in the Bible to refer to the Law that God gave to His people through the man. In the New Testament, the Law for the saved comes from the Lord Jesus Christ'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 for links to every place in that epistle where we find the word salvation along with definitions from three different dictionaries and links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'to exclude. When used spiritually, it means to exclude from the damned by having God's life in you. When used physically, it means to exclude from what is endangering physical life'. As we see in the Bible and in this book, our continuing spiritual growth, and our sanctification is part of true Biblical salvation. Please see the note for Main Menu item for Salvation about the word save. Please also see the notes for 2Thessalonians 2:13-LJC and Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase salvation through sanctification. Please also see the note for John 8:30 about the phrase non-saving belief Please also see verses in the New Testament. Summary on the name / role of Saviour. Please also see the note for James 1:21 about the phrase save your soul.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'certain. Ac 21:20; Ga 2:4,12-13 the brethren. Ac 15:23 Except. Ac 15:5; Ro 4:8-12; Ga 5:1-4; Php 3:2-3; Col 2:8,11-12,16 after. Ge 17:10-27; Le 12:3; Joh 7:22 ye. Ac 15:24; 1Co 7:18-19; Ga 2:1,3; 5:6; 6:13-16'.

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C15-S2 (Verse 2) how they determined to resolve the dispute.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them,
they determined that Paul and Barnabas,
and certain other of them,
should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

They all 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.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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'.
The phrase they determined that Paul and Barnabas means: 'These were the two main people who disputed with these Jews who taught doctrinal error'.
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.
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'.

Please notice that they had people there, like Titus, who were obviously saved and were also, obviously, not circumcised. Therefore, these people were insisting that their own personal opinion was a greater authority than the evidence of God working in this world. They refused to be reasonable. And, when people refuse to be reasonable and insist upon denying evidence from God which is shown to them, they identify themselves as a religious fanatic who serves doctrines of devils.

Please see the note for Romans intro about the word therefore. The New Testament definition is: 'what follows the therefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the therefore and result is only seen there'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:12 for links to where Paul is named within the Bible. Please see the note for Colossians C1S6 for links to every place where the phrase I Paul is used. Please also see the second half of the book called SbS-Preacher Missionaries about how God used Paul to show us how He uses a pastor / missionary to build the ministry.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S8 about Barnabas. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This man was a peace maker'.

We find forms of the word dissension only in: Acts 15:2; Acts 23:7; Acts 23:10. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. L., to think. Disagreement in opinion, usually a disagreement which is violent, producing warm debates or angry words; contention in words; strife; discord; quarrel; breach of friendship and union. Debates, dissensions, uproars are thy joy. Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension with them. Acts 15. We see dissensions in church and state, in towns, parishes, and families, and the word is sometimes applied to differences which produce war; as the dissensions between the houses of York and Lancaster in England'.

Please see the notes for Mark 9:33; Romans C14S1 and Philippians 2:14-16 about the word dispute. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'ontested; opposed by words or arguments; litigated'.

Please see the note for Galatians C1-S12 about Jerusalem. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The central place of worship of the true God'. Several Bible dictionaries have quite large entries about Jerusalem because it is so important within the Bible and within world history outside of the Bible.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:1 about the word elder. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An older saved person within the church who has Godly wisdom and is accepted as a leader in the church even if he has no formal position within the church'.

Please see the note for Mark 1:27 about the word question. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '1. the act of asking; an interrogatory; as, to examine by question and answer. 2. that which is asked; something proposed which is to be solved by answer. What is the question? 3. Inquiry; disquisition; discussion. It is to be put to question, whether it is lawful for christian princes to make an invasive war, simply for the propagation of the faith. 4. Dispute or subject of debate. there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews, about purifying. John 3. 5. Doubt; controversy; dispute. the story is true beyond all question. this does not bring their truth in question. 6. Trial; examination; judicial trial or inquiry. of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. Acts 23. Acts 24. 7. Examination by torture. 8. Endeavor; effort; act of seeking. Not in use. 9. In logic, a proposition stated by way of interrogation. In question, in debate; in the course of examination or discussion; as, the matter or point in question'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 15:2; Acts 18:15; Acts 19:40; Acts 23:6; Acts 23:29; Acts 24:21; Acts 25:19; Acts 25:20; Acts 26:3.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Paul. Ac 15:7; Ga 1:6-10; 2:5; Jude 1:3 they determined. Ac 15:25; Ex 18:23; Ga 2:1-2 certain. Ac 15:22,27; 10:23; 11:12 should. Ac 15:4,22-23; 1Sa 8:7; 1Co 9:19-23; Ga 2:2; Phm 1:8-9 the apostles. Ac 15:6,23; 21:18; 1Co 1:1; 2Co 11:5'.

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C15-S3 (Verse 3) What happened on the way to Jerusalem.

Equivalent Section: Paul and Barnabas testified to believers outside of Jerusalem.

And being brought on their way by the church,
they passed through Phenice and Samaria,
declaring the conversion of the Gentiles:.

Equivalent Section: the non-Jerusalem believers had joy when hearing about the salvation of Gentiles.

and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

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

in this sentence, we read that the saved, who were not at Jerusalem, praised God for saving Gentiles. Only the Jews in Jerusalem were caught up in the belief that the Pharisees had greater spiritual authority than the testimony of how God's Holy Ghost worked in the lives of believers.

Please see the notes for John 14:6; 1Corinthians C4S17 and Psalms 119 about the word way. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'How we get from our present condition/place in life to the time that we face the judgment of God upon our life'. Please also see the note for Mark 1:3 about the phrase way of the Lord. Please also see the note for Matthew 13:4 about the phrase way side.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 11:22 about the word church. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a called out assembly of baptized believers'. Please also see the note for 2Thessalonians 1:4 about the phrase church(es) of God. The commonly accepted definition is 'a called out assembly of baptized believers' with most of the disagreement over people including buildings in the definition and people adding or denying different definitions for a 'universal church'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:18-24 about the word churches (plural). Please also note that 1Thessalonians gives us 'The Doctrine of the Church'.

Please see the note for John 4:4 about the word Samaria. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The DISTRICT OF SAMARIA is often alluded to in the N.T. It occupied about the same territory as that of Ephraim and Manasseh's portion in the west. It had the district of Galilee on the north, and Judaea on the south. Lu 17:11; Joh 4:4; Ac 1:8; 8:1-14; 9:31; 15:3'. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:5-6 about the word Samaritan.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:11 about the word declare. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to make clear'

We find forms of the word conversion only in this sentence. The conversion defines this word as: 'This is from ἐπιστρέφω, 'to turn to.' It is in scripture the real effect that accompanies the new birth, a turning to God. It is beautifully expressed in the case of the thessalonians, showing how they "turned to the same word God from idols, to serve the living and true God." 1Th 1:9. Paul and Barnabas were able to make known to the saints the 'conversion of the Gentiles.' Ac 15:3. In Peter's address to the Jews he said, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Ac 3:19. Without being converted they could not enter the kingdom of heaven. Mt 18:3. the word is used in a somewhat different sense in respect to Peter himself. the Lord, knowing that he would fall under the sifting of Satan, said, "When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren;" that is, when he had returned in contrition, or been restored. In the O.T. the Hebrew words signify the same, 'to be turned,' 'to turn back.' Ps 51:13; Isa 6:10; 60:5: cf. Isa 1:27, margin'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S13 about the word Gentile. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In the scriptures, a non-Jew'. Please see the note for Luke 2:32 for links to where the word of God prophesies that God would bring the Gospel to the Gentiles Please also see the Word Study on Gospel about the gospel to the Gentiles.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians C2S5 about the word cause. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Basically, the source of a result. It can also be an action in court, or any legal process whereby someone demands his supposed right'. Please also see the note for Romans C1S10 about the word because. Please also see the note for John 15:25 about the phrase without cause. In John 15:25; we read that the prophecy was fulfilled about Jesus that: They hated me without a cause. Please also see the note for Romans C8S38 about the phrase dying because of the truth.

Please also see the notes for John 1:4 lists 16 attributes of joy; John 15:11; Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a spiritually based sense that we will be blessed by God for enduring current circumstances in a way that brings God glory'. Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the word enjoy.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'brought. Ac 21:5; 28:15; Ro 15:24; 1Co 16:6,11; Tit 3:13; 3Jo 1:6-8 passed. Ac 8:14; 11:19 declaring. Ac 15:12; 14:27; 21:19-20 they caused. Ac 11:18; 13:48,52; Isa 60:4-5; 66:12-14; Lu 15:5-10,23-24,32'.

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C15-S4 (Verse 4) Paul and Barnabas testified to the Jerusalem Church.

And when they were come to Jerusalem,
they were received of the church,
and of the apostles and elders,
and they declared all things that God had done with them.

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

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.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1 and Colossians C2-S4 about the word receive. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept'. In addition, please see the note for Matthew 10:41; which explains that in order to truly receive a person, we must receive their character as our own.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:11 about the word declare. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to make clear'

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'received. Ac 18:27; 21:17; Mt 10:40; Ro 15:7; Col 4:10; 2Jo 1:10; 3Jo 1:8-10 all. Ac 15:3,12; 14:27; 21:19; Ro 15:18; 1Co 15:10; 2Co 5:19; 6:1'.

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C15-S5 (Verse 5) Saved people in the church insisted that the church submit to doctrinal error.

But there rose up 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.

This sentence 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.

These were the sect who demanded Jesus to be crucified because He disagreed with their doctrinal error. This sect also demanded that the apostles be arrested and beat when the church started. They were also who sent out Paul to arrest and kill saved people before he was saved. And, they were known for justifying sins of the flesh and other moral sins so long as people kept their religious rules. So, now that some of them are saved, they still push the same religious doctrines of justifying any sin so long as people keep their religious rules. And, their ongoing influence in the Jerusalem Church is what led to God destroying the Temple and destroying that church.

Notice that they said: That it was needful to circumcise the. A need is not optional. Paul and Barnabas had Titus, and other Gentiles, with them who had obvious evidences of being saved even while they were not circumcised. Therefore, the evidence before the Jerusalem Church was that this claim was a lie. It was not needful. And, as a lie, they should have recognized it as coming from a devil. However, because of the influence of this sect, the church failed to recognize these truths.

Also, notice that our last phrase says: and to command them to keep the law of Moses. This was a claim that it was needful for them to keep the law of Moses in order to be blessed. However, the evidence before the church, was that the Jerusalem Church had stopped winning souls and starting churches. Instead, they were concentrating on this doctrinal dispute and God had stopped blessing them. At the same time, the Gentiles were winning souls, were starting new churches, and were being blessed by God as Paul and Barnabas had testified and as was reported in Acts 15:4. Therefore, this sect was claiming that it was needful for the Gentiles to stop doing what God was blessing and switch to doing what God had proven would cause Him to remove His blessings. And, like religious people all throughout all ages, they weren't bothered by things like The testimony of the Lord and the commandment from The word of God.

The word rose is the past-tense form of the word rise. Please see the note for Colossians C2-S7 about the word rise. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' to move to pass upward in any manner; to ascend; as, a fog rises from a river or from low ground; a fish rises in water; fowls rise in the air; clouds rise from the horizon towards the meridian; a balloon rises above the clouds'. Please also see the note for Mark 10:1 about the words arise / arose. Please also see the note for John 20:2-LJC about the phrase risen Jesus is Lord.

Please see the note for Acts 5:17 about the word sect. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(Gr. hairesis, usually rendered "heresy", Ac 24:14; 1Ch 11:19; Ga 5:20, etc.), meaning properly "a choice," then "a chosen manner of life," and then "a religious party," as the "sect" of the Sadducees (Ac 5:17), of the Pharisees (Ac 15:5), the Nazarenes, i.e., Christians (Ac 24:5). It afterwards came to be used in a bad sense, of those holding pernicious error, divergent forms of belief (2Pe 2:1; Ga 5:20)'.

Please see the note for John 3:1 about the word Pharisee. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'separatists (Heb persahin, from parash, "to separate"). they were probably the successors of the Asside and (i.e., the "pious"), a party that originated in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes in revolt against his heathenizing policy. the first mention of them is in a description by Josephus of the three sects or schools into which the Jews were divided (B.C. 145). the other two sects were the Essenes and the Sadducees. In the time of our Lord they were the popular party (Joh 7:48). they were extremely accurate and minute in all matters appertaining to the law of Moses (Mt 9:14; 23:15; Lu 11:39; 18:12). Paul, when brought before the council of Jerusalem, professed himself a Pharisee (Ac 23:6-8; 26:4-5).
There was much that was sound in their creed, yet their system of religion was a form and nothing more. theirs was a very lax morality (Mt 5:20; 15:4,8; 23:3,14,23,25; Joh 8:7). On the first notice of them in the New Testament (Mt 3:7), they are ranked by our Lord with the Sadducees as a "generation of vipers." they were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Mt 9:11; Lu 7:39; 18:11-12). they were frequently rebuked by our Lord (Mt 12:39; 16:1-4).
From the very beginning of his ministry the Pharisees showed themselves bitter and persistent enemies of our Lord. they could not bear his doctrines, and they sought by every means to destroy his influence among the people'.

Please see the notes for Matthew 7:1 about the word judge. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to pass sentence'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S5 and Ephesians C5S6 about the phrase we are to judge. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the notes for Romans C2S2; Philippians 1:9-11 and Psalms 119 about the word judgment. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat. Please also see the notes for Romans 14:10 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the phrase judgment Seat of Christ. Please also see the note for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about the phrase judgment without mercy.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:19 about the word need. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'n. to be in want. the primary sense is to press. 1. Want; occasion for something; necessity; a state that requires supply or relief. It sometimes expresses urgent want; pressing exigency. What further need have we of witnesses? Matthew 26. 2. Want of the means of subsistence; poverty; indigence. I know how to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S8 about the phrase must needs.

Please see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word circumcision. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Cutting away the foreskin of males. Symbolically, it is letting God cut away all the sins of the flesh in our life'. Please see the note for Colossians C2S7 about the word circumcise`. The New Testament definition of the word circumcise is: 'To cut off the foreskin of males. To cut off the foreskin of males. A physical ceremony which shows spiritual agreement to cut away of the fleshly parts of our heart and soul. Religiously, it is symbolic submission to God done God's way'. This sentence uses the word circumcised to identify the doctrinal error which came from religious traditions and which went against the revealed will of God. In this sentence, the Jerusalem Church supported the revealed will of God and rejected the doctrinal error which came from religious traditions.

Please see the note for Romans 7:8 about the word commandment. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge'. Please note that a commandment is not always written down and often comes through the human person that God has placed in authority over us. Please see the note for Psalms 119:4 for the use of the word commandment within this Psalm and considerations from several other places within the Bible. Please see the note for Romans C7S11 about the word commandment. Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God. Please use This link to see the 'Ten (10) Commandments' and references to them in the New Testament. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S1; Galatians C2-S10 and Psalms 119 about the word law. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The set of written or commonly understood rules for acceptable behavior and which can be used by a legal system for punishing offenders'. Please also see the note for Galatians 3:10 about the phrase book of the law. Please also see the note for Revelation 13:8-LJC about the phrase book of the life. Please also see the notes for Romans C3S31 and 1Corinthians 9:21-LJC about the phrase kinds of laws that apply to us tday. Please also see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please also see the note for Romans C3S25 about the phrase law and faith. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S22 about the phrase Mosaic Law added. Please also see the note for Hebrews 10:28-29 about the phrase New Testament replaces only the religious part of the Mosaic Law. Please also see the note for Hebrews 19:29-LJC about the phrase religious part of Mosaic Law. Please also see the note for Ephesians 4:7-LJC about the phrase righteousness of the Law.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'rose up certain. or, rose up, said they, certain. The sect. Ac 21:20; 26:5-6; Php 3:5-8 exp: Ac 24:5. That it. Ac 15:1,24; Ga 5:1-3 '.

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C15-S6 (Verse 6) the church leaders considered the dispute.
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter

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

Please see the note for John 11:49-50 about the word consider. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To fix the mind on, with a view to a careful examination; to think on with care; to ponder; to study; to meditate on'.

Please see the note for Acts 8:21 about the word matter. Only part of the definition in Webster's 1828 matches the actually usage of this word within the Bible. The other dictionaries which I can access also give erroneous definitions. The part of the definition in Webster's 1828 , which matches every usage within the Bible is: 'a. the very thing supposed or intended. He grants the deluge to have come so very near the matter, that few escaped. b. Affair; business; event; thing; course of things. Matters have succeeded well thus far; observe how matters stand; thus the matter rests at present; thus the matter ended. Tohelp the matter, the alchimists call in many vanities from astrology. Some young female seems to have carried matters so far, that she is ripe for asking advice. c. Cause of any event, as of any disturbance, of a disease, or of a difficulty. When a moving machine stops suddenly, we ask, what is the matter? When a person is ill, we ask, what is the matter? When a tumult or quarrel takes place, we ask, what is the matter?'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 15:25; 6:2; 21:18; Pr 15:22; Mt 18:20; Heb 13:7,17'.

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C15-S7 (Verse 7) After much dispute, Peter reminded them of the testimony of the Lord.

And when there had been much disputing,
Peter rose up,
and said unto them,
Men and brethren,
ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us,
that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel,
and believe.

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

Our sentence starts with the word and, which means it is added to the prior sentence. There was much disputing among the church leaders with some taking sides with religious traditions and others taking sides with obvious signs that the uncircumsized Gentiles were, in fact, saved. This shows us that, when it comes to religion, many people ignore facts.

Next, our sentence tells us that Peter rose up and got them to listen when he reminded them of what God did (ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us). The Pharisees didn't like it then and gave Petera hard time but, as he said then, what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:17).

After Peter reminded them that it was God Who made the choice, he also reminded them that God chose to save Gentiles in spite of their religious traditions which claimed that Gentiles could not be saved. The historical truth was that the saved Pharisees tried to say that everyone, including God, had to submit to their religious beliefs and that God proved them wrong. Now, they were trying to, again, enforce an argument which they already lost against God.

Peter continues his argument with the next sentence also starting with the word and. Then, in the second next sentence, he tells them what they are truly doing what he follows his argument with Now therefore why tempt ye God?. As the Jews know from their own history, that is a good way to receive punishment from God. Therefore, they were not arguing some religious intellectual belief, they were arguing against the proven will of God.

The outline of Peter's message is noted as being:

God made choice among us (Acts 15:7). Salvation is God's choice, not religion's or ours.
should hear the word of the gospel (Acts 15:7): See Romans 10:17.
and believe (Acts 15:7) Please see the notes for Acts 13:47; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:49 and Acts 14:3 where the doctrinal difference between The word of God and The [word/doctrine] of the Lord was covered.
And God, which knoweth the hearts (Acts 15:8): salvation is by God judging our hearts.
bare them witness (Acts 15:8): God gives evidence of true Biblical salvation.
giving them the Holy Ghost (Acts 15:8): this is true evidence of Biblical salvation. Our doing a religious act like saying a prayer is not.
And put no difference between us and them (Acts 15:9): there is not difference in how people get saved.
purifying their hearts (Acts 15:9): true Biblical salvation will purify our hearts.
by faith (Acts 15:9) : true Biblical salvation will result in ongoing acts of faith.
why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples (Acts 15:10) adding religious rules that yoke...The disciples is tempting God and will bring judgment.
The only thing that should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples is The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:11).

Please see the notes for Mark 9:33; Romans C14S1 and Philippians 2:14-16 about the word dispute. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'ontested; opposed by words or arguments; litigated'.

Please see the note for Galatians C2-S6 about Peter. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pebble or little rock. Also, the head apostle and example of Christ'. Please also see the first half of the book called SbS-Preacher Missionaries about how God used Peter to show us how He trains a pastor / missionary.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S25; 1Corinthians C1S11; 2Corinthians C1S5; Galatians C3-S9; Colossians C1S3 and know in 1John about the word know. The word knew is the past-tense form of the word know. The New Testament definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'. Please see the notes for 2Peter 1:2-LJC; 2Peter 2:20-LJC and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge. Please see the note for Romans 6:3 about the phrase Know ye not. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge. Please also see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow.

Please see the note for Romans C7S16 about the word good. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In the Bible, only what comes from God is called good. Therefore, the Biblical definition of good does not match what men think it should be'. 'Original Sin' was eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3). Since then men have thought they could define good, but their definitions have been wrong and have been sin (Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:27). Therefore, the Biblical definition of good does not match what men think it should be. Please also see the note for Romans C11S26 about the word goodness. Please also see the note for Mark 14:14 about the word goodman. Please also see the note for Mark 2:28-LJC about the phrase Good Friday.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:4 about the words chosen. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Past-tense form of choose; to make choice of. the man the Lord doth choose shall be holy. Num. 16'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:64 about the word mouth. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'Is sometimes used in Scripture for speaker, Ex 4:16; Jer 15:19. God spoke with Moses "mouth to mouth," Nu 12.8, that is, condescendingly and clearly. the law was to be "in the mouth" of the Hebrews, Ex 13:9, often rehearsed and talked of. "The rod of his mouth," Isa 11:4, and the sharp sword, Re 1:16, denote the power of Christ's word to convict, control, and judge; compare Isa 49:2; Heb 4:12. the Hebrew word for mouth is often translated "command," Ge 45:21; Job 39:27; Ec 8:2; and the unclean spirits out of the mouth of the dragon, Re 16:14, are the ready executors of his commands'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S14 and Galatians C3-S7 about the word hear. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Perceiving by the ear. This word is often used symbolically for hearing the spiritual message of the word of God, as sound. 1. Listening to; attending to; obeying; observing what is commanded. 2. Attending to witnesses or advocates in a judicial trial; trying'. Please pay attention to the word 'obey' within this definition. That is what most people refuse to do when the Bible says that they do not hear. Please also see the note for James 2:5 about the word hearken. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S2 about the word word. The New Testament definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, The word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. Please also see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. When a Bible reference uses an uppercase word, it is referring to Jesus Christ. The uppercase makes this a formal name of the Son of God. However, while the exact definition is different, the properties are spiritually similar to the lowercase word. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the phrase word of the Lord. Please note that The word of the Lord is a sub-set of The word of God. The word of God contains all of God's written truth including recording the lies of Satan. The word of the Lord is that part of The word of God which will be used to judge us. The lies from Satan are not included within the word of the Lord.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S15; 1Corinthians C14S25 and Galatians C3-S8 about the word believe. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. When we believe upon the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity. When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusions upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience, etc. Tocredit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of something upon the declaration of another, or upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by other circumstances, than personal knowledge. When we believe upon the authority of another, we always put confidence in his veracity. When we believe upon the authority of reasoning, arguments, or a concurrence of facts and circumstances, we rest our conclusions upon their strength or probability, their agreement with our own experience, etc. true Biblical belief causes us to act upon that belief and any claimed belief that does not lead to matching action is a lie. Many people confuse faith and belief. Before people act, they have a belief but that belief does not turn into true faith until the people act upon it. Thus, we need to tell people the true gospel, which requires them to act upon their claimed belief'. Please also see the note for John 3:16 about the word believeth. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a lifestyle belief. This is opposed to whay people call belief but what they have does not stay with them'. Please also see the notes for John 6:42 and John 12:40 about the phrase believe on / believe in. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This identifies an ongoing spiritual relationship'. Please also see the notes for Romans 3:26-LJC and John 20:31-LJC about the phrase believe in Jesus / Christ. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The start of a spiritual relationship with Jesus and / or Christ'. Please also see the note for John 8:30 about the phrase belief, non-saving. Please also see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief (true) changes life.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'much. Ac 15:2,39; Php 2:14 ye know. Ac 10:5-6,20,32-48; 11:12-18; Mt 16:18-19 God. Ac 1:24; 9:15; 13:2; 1Ch 28:4-5; Joh 3:27; 15:16; Ga 2:7-9 exp: Ac 7:25. by my. Ac 1:16; 3:18; 4:25; Ex 4:12; Jer 1:9; Ro 10:17-18'.

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C15-S8 (Verse 8-9) the proven testimony of God.

First Step: what God did.

And God,
which knoweth the hearts,
bare them witness,
giving them the Holy Ghost,
even as he did unto us;.

Second Step: What God proved was His attitude about what they claimed was a major spiritual consideration.

And put no difference between us and them,
purifying their hearts by faith.

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

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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.
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.
The phrase bare them witness means: 'God Himself directly saw and reported His judgment of their hearts by doing the next phrase'.
The phrase giving them the Holy Ghost means: 'During the 'Church Age', this is the ultimate evidence of true salvation'.
The phrase even as he did unto us means: 'The saved Jews could not argue against their own evidence of salvation'.
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.
The phrase purifying their hearts by faith means: 'God made their hearts pure. It was not an act done by men'.

Our sentence is added to the prior sentence by starting with the word and. Our next sentence must also be considered, for contextual reasons, because, in it, Peter warns the leaders of the Jerusalem Church of the possible consequences if they continue to argue against the proven will of God.

These saved Pharisees kept insisting that there was a major difference between Jews and Gentiles, in all matters, especially in spiritual matters. But, as Peter said: God put no difference between us and them. Anyone who tries to justify religious prejudices of any type is pushing a doctrine from devils.

Please see the note for Romans C10S6; 2Corinthians C2S4 and Colossians C2S1 about the word heart. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Our heart controls the same things as our soul only where the soul deals with the long term the heart deals with the short term and we control our heart directly while the soul is the accumulated actions of our heart. Both are the way we think (mind), the way we emotionally respond to circumstances (emotions) and the method we use to make decisions (will)'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S6 about the phrase Lord looketh on the heart. Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S8 about the phrase wicked heart.

Please see the note for John 12:17 about the word bare. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to expose completely with no cover nor obscuring of view'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:4 about the word witness. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'someone who is qualified to testify in court and is available to do so if the court requests'. In addition, we have the definition, as it applies to the Bible, of: 'Basically, if the Bible literally says something in at least two places, that is a law that will be enforced by the court of God and is something that all must accept and obey'. Please also see the notes for John 8:17; 2Corinthians 13:1 and Colossians C3S13 about the phrase witnesses, two or the. Please also see the note for John 5:1 about the phrase witnesses given by Jesus to show that He is God.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:5 about the word give. The New Testament definition is: 'ppr. Bestowing; confering; imparting; granting; delivering. GIV'ING, n. the act of confering'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the words gave and given. The New Testament definition for the words gave and given are: 'the past-tense form of the word give'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giving. The New Testament definition of giving is: 'the ongoing form of the word give'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giveth. The New Testament definition of giveth is: 'a life-style of giving'. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:7 about the word giver. The New Testament definition of the word giver is: 'the person who gives'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S19 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S16; 1Corinthians C3S17; Philippians 1:3-7 and Colossians C1S6 about the word holy. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions. We call a man holy, when his heart is conformed in some degree to the image of God, and his life is regulated by the divine precepts. Hence, holy is used as nearly synonymous with good, pious, Godly'. Please see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Spirit. Please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost. Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city. Please also see the note for 1John 2:20 about the phrase Holy One. Please also see the note for John 7:39 about the phrase Holy Spirit, indwelling.

Please see the note for Romans 12:6-8 about the word different. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. Distinct; separate; not the same; as, we belong to different churches or nations. 2. Various or contrary; of various or contrary natures, forms or qualities; unlike; dissimilar; as different kinds of food or drink; different states of health; different shapes; different degrees of excellence'. Please also see the note for Romans C10S13 about the phrase 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. 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.

Please see the note for Luke 2:22-24 about the words purify / purification. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges'. Please also see the note for Romans C14S27 about the word pure. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 15:9; Acts 20:26; Acts 21:24; Acts 21:26; Acts 24:18.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S3; 2Corinthians C1S17; Galatians C3S27; Ephesians 6:23-LJC; Philippians 1:25-26 and 2Timothy C1S2 about the word faith. The New Testament definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'. Please also see the notes for Colossians 1:1 and Titus 1:1 about the word faithful. The New Testament definition is: 'Firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion. Full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy. being true to oneself, to one's nature, to any promise given, and to any trust committed'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 3:1-LJC about Christ Jesus is faithful. Please also see the notes for Romans 4 and James 2:21-LJC about Abraham's faith. Please also see the note for 2Timothy C1S2 about the phrase faith: unfeigned. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:3 about the word feign. Please also see the note for Romans C10S12 about the phrase faith makes us not ashamed. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S25 about Law and faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about live / walk by faith.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'which. Ac 1:24; 1Sa 16:7; 1Ki 8:39; 1Ch 28:9; 29:17; Ps 44:21; 139:1-2; Jer 11:20; 17:10; 20:12; Joh 2:24-25; 21:17; Heb 4:13; Re 2:23 bare. Ac 14:3; Joh 5:37; Heb 2:4 giving. Ac 2:4; 4:31; 10:44-45; 11:15-17 General references. exp: Ac 10:47.
put. Ac 14:1,27; Ro 3:9,22,29-30; 4:11-12; 9:24; 10:11-13; 1Co 7:18; Ga 3:28; 5:6; Eph 2:14-22; 3:6; Col 3:11 purifying. Ac 10:15,28,43-44; 1Co 1:2; Heb 9:13-14; 1Pe 1:22 General references. exp: Ac 10:47'.

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C15-S9 (Verse 10) Why are you each personally daring God to punish you?

Now therefore why tempt ye God,
to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples,
which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?.

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

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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.
The phrase why tempt ye God means: 'Why are each and everyone of you personally daring God to punish you and your families?'.
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'.
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'.

In the prior two sentences Peter reminded the church leaders how God acted in the immediately prior time sequence and how God acted historically when the Jews went against the revealed will of God. Peter is now asking them why they are considering such a foolish thing to do.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C10S6 about the word tempt. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Trial; a being put to the test. thus, God tempted [Ge 22:1; R.V., 'did prove'] Abraham; and afflictions are said to tempt, i.e., to try, men (Jas 1:2,12; comp. De 8:2), putting their faith and patience to the test'. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 3:5 about the word tempter. Please also see the note for Luke 4:12 about the phrase tempt God. Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S11 about the word temptation.

Please see the note for Galatians C5-S1 about the word yoke. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. G., L., Gr. 1. A piece of timber, hollowed or made curving near each end, and fitted with bows for receiving the necks of oxen; by which means two are connected for drawing. From a ring or hook in the bow, a chain extends to the thing to be drawn, or to the yoke of another pair of oxen behind. 2. A mark of servitude; slavery; bondage. Our country sinks beneath the yoke. 3. A chain; a link; a bond of connection; as the yoke of marriage. 4. A couple; a pair; as a yoke of oxen. 5. Service. My yoke is easy. Matthew 11.
YOKE, v.t. 1. to put a yoke on; to join in a yoke; as, to yoke oxen, or a pair of oxen. 2. to couple; to join with another. Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb. 3. to enslave; to bring into bondage. 4. to restrain; to confine. Libertines like not to be yoked in marriage. the words and promises that yoke the conqueror, are quickly broke'.

Please see the note for Luke 17:2 about the word neck. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'This word is properly the nape or vertebrae of the neck behind, and is so rendered in other languages, L. that is a knob or mass. 1. the part of an animals body which is between the head and the trunk, and connects them. In man and many other animals, this part is more slender than the trunk; hence, 2. A long narrow tract of land projecting from the main body, or a narrow tract connecting two larger tracts; as the neck of land between Boston and Roxbury. 3. the long slender part of a vessel,, as a retort; or of a plant, as a gourd; or of any instrument, as a guitar. A stiff neck, in Scripture, denotes obstinacy in sin. On the neck , immediately after; following closely. First by committing one sin on the neck of another. this phrase is not much used. We more frequently say, on the heels. to break the neck of an affair, to hinder, or to do the principal thing to prevent. to harden the neck, to grow obstinate; to be more and more perverse and rebellious. Nehemiah 9'.

Please see the note for John 1:35-36 about the word disciple. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'a scholar, sometimes applied to the followers of John the Baptist (Mt 9:14), and of the Pharisees (Mt 22:16), but principally to the followers of Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Mt 10:24; Lu 14:26-27,33; Joh 6:69)'. Please also see the note for John 6:67 about the phrase twelve disciples / apostles.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Acts 6:10 about the word able. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Having physical power or strength to perform'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S1 about the word bear (verb). The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to carry a load over a period of time'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Why. Ex 17:2; Isa 7:12; Mt 4:7; Heb 3:9 exp: Ga 2:14. put. Mt 11:28-30; 23:4; Ga 5:1 which. Ga 4:1-5,9; Heb 9:9 General references. exp: Mt 23:4'.

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C15-S10 (Verse 11) the true source of salvation.

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved,
even as they.

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

Our sentence starts with the word but, which means it is continuing the main subject of the prior sentence while providing a contrast with what was said there. In the prior sentence, Peter said that each and every one of the saved Pharisees (ye) were personally claiming that salvation and blessings from God were dependent upon doing certain religious acts. in this sentence, Peter says that doing religious acts does not provide true Biblical salvation. True Biblical salvation came only from The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and ongoing salvation and blessings for the saved are only through. ('entering into and staying in') The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Please use the link in the sentence outline, above, to see links to other places where The word of God uses the phrase through Lord Jesus Christ).

This is the third usage (in Acts) of all three roles of the Son of God (Lord Jesus Christ) and it is again by Peter and again in relation to salvation. Specifically, at the Council of Jerusalem which was convened to dispute the doctrinal requirements of salvation. Notice that Peter doesn't say they shall be saved, even as we but puts it in the opposite order (we shall be saved, even as they). God is subtly dealing with religiously righteous people that want to look down on the salvation of others. It is all done by God and we have no basis for pride (Ephesians 2:8-10). God is providing a doctrinal statement in the book of Acts by making the three most important events about the doctrine of salvation all recognize that it takes each and every role of the Son of God and that true Bible salvation is not found in one role at the exclusion of any other. This doctrine has been covered in many notes within this study and those notes can be easily found by looking at the verses which use all three roles of the Son of God (Lord Jesus Christ). Therefore, it will not be repeated in this note. However, a couple of other items of doctrine need to be covered.

This chapter started with certain men...from who taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved (Acts 15:1). This erroneous doctrine has been well covered in the notes for Galatians; Romans 5 and Romans 6; Ephesians 1:6; Ephesians 2:8-10 and other places. The doctrine of salvation without works is so well understood that many people go too far with it. While it is definite that our works have no part of salvation, it is doctrinally wrong to say that there are NO works. Ephesians 2:10 tells us For we are his workmanship and the fact is that we have many people who 'saying a prayer to Jesus' more than once. The word For means here's why and if God doesn't receive the right to do a work in and through our lives then He will not agree to the covenant (spiritual contract) relationship known as salvation.

If you write a contract for someone to do work for you and then refuse to pay them, that is fraud. We will not fool God into entering a contract when we plan upon being fraudulent. The truth is that it isn't our praying but God's answering that matters and He will not answer the prayer without a sincere heart meant permission for Him to work in and through our lives. Those who want salvation but are not willing to let God work in their lives have their prayers answered with a NO!! from God.

Romans 10:10 tells us For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. If there is no resulting righteousness from God working through the person's life then they have not believed unto righteousnesswith the heart. While it is a Biblical doctrinal certainty that there is none of our works involved in true Biblical salvation, it is also true that there must be God's work and those who teach no works have gone into doctrinal error which is one of the causes of multiple professions.

We also see this in the conclusion from this disagreement that God put into the Bible to settle this matter. In Romans 15:20 and Romans 15:29 we are told ...they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Notice that all of these things are part of the Moral Law. Hebrews 9 makes it clear that the New Testament replaced the Old Testament but that Genesis through Malachi was not replaced. Indeed, the multiple of Old Testament quotes found in the new Testament (as evidenced by the multitude of Old Testament references in this study) make it impossible to throw away all of Genesis through Malachi. However, Hebrews 9 makes it clear that only the religious part of the Mosaic Law was replaced. (Please see the notes associated with Hebrews 9 and Romans 4 and Galatians 5). God has always told us to obey the law of the land that we are in and, therefore, the 'Civil / government' part of the Mosaic Law does not directly apply to us being replaced by the Civil Law of the country that we live in. In addition, Acts 15:20 and Acts 15:29 make it clear that the Moral part of the Mosaic Law does still apply. The 'Moral' part of the Mosaic Law is about our personal relationship with God and all of the examples given in these verses (idols...fornication'strangled...blood) are all things that we (normally) do in private and that no one except God and ourselves know when we do them. Further, Galatians 3:15-18 makes it clear that the Law. cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. Everything in the 'Moral' part of the Mosaic Law only clarifies what God had already established before giving the Law to Moses. Thus we see that salvation is not about outward religious things (circumcision, baptism, prayer, etc) but is about spiritual (inward / heart) relationship with God.

This verse clearly says that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. As has been shown in many other notes and explained (in a not-detail manner) above, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is when He applies His spiritual work to our salvation. If that truly happens, we will be a new creature (2Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15) and act differently including recognizing our personal spiritual responsibility to keep the Moral section of the Mosaic Law which is represented by the examples found in Acts 15:20 and Acts 15:29. And, since God said it twice here, this is the basis for doctrine to all who claim Biblical salvation.

Please see the note for Romans C4S5 about theword grace. The word grace is usually presented as 'God's riches at Christ Expense'. However, that obviously does not fit in James 1:11. So while that is the main application within the Bible, the true definition is: 'that which makes the source look good'. We are given God's grace for the expressed purpose of making God look good. In addition, the New Testament definition of the word gracious is: 'Favorable; kind; friendly; as,the envoy met with a gracious reception'. Please see the note for Galatians C5S4 about the phrase fallen from grace. Please see the note for Galatians C6S18 about the phrase grace through Christ. Please see the note for 11:5 about the phrase election of grace.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'that. Ro 3:24; 5:20-21; 6:23; 1Co 16:23; 2Co 8:9; 13:14; Ga 1:6; 2:16; Eph 1:6-7; 2:7-9; Tit 2:11; 3:4-7; Re 5:9'.

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C15-S11 (Verse 12) they finally shut up and listened to the testimony of God.

Then all the multitude kept silence,
and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul,
declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

This sentence tells us about the Jews listening to Paul and Barnabas testifying about God working among the Gentiles.

Before this time, everyone was busy arguing their religious opinion. As I tell Bible School students: 'You have two ears and only one mouth and they don't work at the same time. God's design is that we listen twice as much as we speak'. Proverbs 29:11 says: A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. Paul and Barnabas kept silent while they argued. However, when peter finally got them to act wise (shut their mouths and listen), then Paul and Barnabas did not express a religious opinion. Instead, as our sentence says, they declared what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. Yes, God worked through them but they made sure to give God the glory and to clearly tell their listeners that it was God doing the work and not them. Therefore, anyone who wanted to argue against what was accomplished proved to everyone that they were arguing against the work of God. Since none of them were willing to do that, this, effectively, ended the arguing (The much disputing).

Please see the note for John 6:2 about the word multitude. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'The state of being many; a great number. 2. A number collectively; the sum of many. 3. A great number, indefinitely. It is a fault in a multitude of preachers, that they utterly neglect method in their harangues. 4. A crowd or throng; the populace; applied to the populace when assembled in great numbers, and to the mass of men without reference to an assemblage. He the vast hissing multitude admires. the multitude have always been credulous, and the few artful'.

The word kept is the past-tense form of the word keep. Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:22 about the word keep. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To hold; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose or part with; as, to keep a house or a farm; to keep anything in the memory, mind or heart. 2. to have in custody for security or preservation'. Please also see the note for Matthew 28:3-4 about the word keeper. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

Please see the note for Matthew 22:34 about the word silence. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To oblige to hold the peace; to restrain from noise or speaking'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 15:12; Acts 21:40; Acts 22:2.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for Luke 7:1 about the word audience. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'present and listening'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S8 about Barnabas. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This man was a peace maker'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:11 about the word declare. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to make clear'

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S28; Matthew 14:16-LJC; Luke 4:41-LJC about the word miracle. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An action in the physical world which is not possible within the laws of nature and required spiritual power to override the laws of nature'. Please also see the Doctrinal Studies called Miracles in Gospels; miracles in OT and the Miracles section of the Significant Events in the New Testament.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:12 about the word wonder. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'that emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to the sight or mind, of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or not well understood; something that arrests the attention by its novelty, grandeur or inexplicableness. Wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less than amazement. It differs from admiration, in not being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem or approbation, nor directed to persons. But wonder sometimes is nearly allied to astonishment, and the exact extent of the meaning of such words can hardly be graduated. they were filled with wonder and amazement. Acts 3. Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance. 2. Cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy. to try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders. I am as a wonder to many. Psalm 71. 3. anything mentioned with surprise. Babylon, the wonder of all tongues. Wonders of the world. the seven wonders of the world were the Egyptian pyramids, the Mausoleum erected by Artemisia, the temple of Diana at Ephesus, the walls and hanging gardens of Babylon, the colossus at Rhodes, the statue of Jupiter Olympius, and the Pharos or watch-tower of Alexandria. 4. A miracle. Exodus 3'. Please also see the note for Matthew 7:22 about the word wonderful. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a. Adapted to excite wonder or admiration; exciting surprise; strange; astonishing. Job 42'. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, for links to this nameans other titles for Jesus.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:5 about the word wrought. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Worked; formed by work or labor; as wrought iron. 2. Effected; performed. She hath wrought a good work upon me. Matthew 26. 3. Effected; produced. He wrought the public safety. A great change was wrought in his mind. this wrought the greatest confusion in the unbelieving Jews. 4. Used in labor. the elders of that city shall take a heifer that hath not been wrought with. Deuteronomy 21. 5. Worked; driven; as infection wrought out of the body. Not used. 6. Actuated. Vain Morat, by his own rashness wrought-- 7. Worked; used; labored in. the mine is still wrought. 8. formed; fitted. He that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God. 2 Corinthi and 5. 9. Guided; managed. Not used. 10. Agitated; disturbed. My dull brain was wrought with things forgot. Wrought on or upon, influenced; prevailed on. His mind was wrought upon by divine grace. Wrought to or up to, excited; inflamed. their minds were wrought up to a violent passion. She was wrought up to the tenderest emotion of pity'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'declaring. Ac 15:4; 14:27; 21:19 exp: Ac 15:3. General references. exp: Ac 19:11'.

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C15-S12 (Verse 13-14) James summarizes the meeting.

Equivalent Section: James got their attention.

And after they had held their peace,
James answered,
saying,
Men and brethren,
hearken unto me:.

Equivalent Section: James reminded them of peter's winning comment.

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles,
to take out of them a people for his name.

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

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase And after they had held their peace means: 'The finally had nothing to say against the testimony of the working of God'.
The phrase James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me means: 'James was the administrator of the church. Therefore, he summarized the discussion'.
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'.
The phrase to take out of them a people for his name means: 'God did it to have people who served His name'.

There is more than one James in the Bible. There is reason to believe this James was the chief administrator of the Jerusalem church, and the author of the book of James; and the brother of the book of Jude and half brother to Jesus However, there is enough ambiguity that others can disagree with this assessment.

Regardless of which James spoke, he is summarizing the meeting.

This sentence is part of the conclusion of the Jerusalem Council and the summary by James. His summary has points of:

(Acts 15:13) James gives the summary
(Acts 15:14) Simeon (Peter) has testified how God demonstrated His decision.
(Acts 15:15-17) the testimony from Simeon (Peter) agree the words of the prophets.
(Acts 15:18) God's works are known unto God...from the beginning of the world: they do not change and God does not change His mind.
(Acts 15:19-20) Don't lay any religious rules on the Gentiles other than keeping the Moral section of the Mosaic Law.
The rest of the Mosaic Law is read in the synagogues every sabbath day. That is, they can go to The synagogues in every city if they feel the need to keep the rest of the Mosaic Law.

The word held is the past-tense form of the word hold. The New Testament definition for this word is:: 'To stop; to confine; to restrain from escape; to keep fast; to retain. It rarely or never signifies the first act of seizing or falling on, but the act of retaining a thing when seized or confined'. Please see the note for Colossians 2:18-19 about the word hold. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Stopping; confining; restraining; keeping; retaining; adhering; maintaining, etc'. Please also see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden. Please see the note for Luke 24:15 about the word holden.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S16; Galatians C1-S1 and Jude 1:1 about the word peace. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines peace as: 'n. L. pax, paco, to applease. 1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind. 2. Freedom from war with a foreign nation; public quiet. 3. Freedom from internal commotion or civil war. 4. Freedom from private quarrels, suits or disturbance. 5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience. Great peace have they that love the law. Ps.119. 6. heavenly rest; the happiness of heaven. 7. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance. 8. Public tranquility; that quiet, order and security which is guaranteed by the laws; as, to keep the peace; to break the peace. This word is used in commanding silence or quiet; as, peace to this troubled soul. Peace, the lovers are asleep. Tobe at peace, to be reconciled; to live in harmony. Tomake peace, to reconcile, as parties at variance. Tohold the peace, to be silent; to suppress one's thoughts; not to speak'. Please also see the notes for Philippians 4:7 and Colossians 3:15 about the phrase peace of God. Please also see the notes for Romans 10:15 and Hebrews 12:14-LJC about the phrase peace with God.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:12 about the word answer. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To speak in return to a call or question, or to a speech, declaration or argument of another person; as, "I have called and ye have not answered." "He answered the question or the argument."'.

He used the name of Simon to identify Peter. Please see the note for Galatians C2-S6 about Peter. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pebble or little rock. Also, the head apostle and example of Christ'. Please also see the first half of the book called SbS-Preacher Missionaries about how God used Peter to show us how He trains a pastor / missionary.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:11 about the word declare. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to make clear'

Please see the note for Luke 1:67 about the word visit. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Waited on; attended; inspected; subjected to sufferings; favored with relief or mercy'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C1S1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word name. The New Testament definition is: 'How a person or thing is identified. In the Bible, the power and authority which is associated with the name is always part of the message where this word is used'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S4 about the phrase The name. That note has links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase in the name. occurs along with links to where similar phrases occur in the New Testament. Please see the note for 1Peter 4:14-LJC about the name of Christ. Please see the note for Luke 13:35 about the phrase name of the Lord. Please also see the Summary and verses documents about the use of this word for the Son of God. Please also see the note for Acts 1:23 about the word surname.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'after. 1Co 14:30-33; Jas 1:19 James. Ac 12:17; 21:18; Mr 15:40; Ga 1:19; 2:9,12; Jas 1:1 exp: Mt 10:3; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:15; Ac 1:13. Men. Ac 2:14,22,29; 7:2; 22:1 exp: Ac 1:16.
Simeon. 2Pe 1:1 (Gr) declared. Ac 15:7-9; Lu 1:68,78; 2:31-32 to take. Isa 43:21; 55:11-13; Ro 1:5; 11:36; 1Pe 2:9-10'.

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C15-S13 (Verse 15-17) What God sais that He will do.

Equivalent Section: God will restore what sin has utterly destroyed.

First Step: the scripture supports this claim.

and to this agree the words of the prophets;

Second Step: Specificscriptire identified.

as it is written,
After this I will return,
and will build again the tabernacle of David,
which is fallen down;.

THird Step: God will repair what sin has ruined..

and I will build again the ruins thereof,
and I will set it up:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord,
and all the Gentiles,
upon whom my name is called,
saith the Lord,
who doeth all these things.

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

The First Equivalent Section tells us what God will do based upon scripture. In it is a quote of Amos 9:11-12 mixed with a sectionial quote (That the residue of men might seek after the Lord) of Isaiah 51:1.Both quotes have been slightly altered by James in this sentence to include all Gentiles. In both cases, we, again, see section of an Old Testament chapter quoted and the message of the entire chapter included.

In Amos 9 God is saying that he will bring judgment upon the religious Jews and that He will sift the house of Israel among all nations (Amos 9:9). We have seen the judgment of God upon the Jews and how He has killed many of them, especially those who think their religion allows them to live for Hell and go to Heaven. Amos 9 ends with God blessing those that remain (those who live righteously). It is this summary (blessing of the righteous) that James quotes. Isaiah 51 starts with Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD and gives instructions to those who have a personal relationship (as opposed to a religious one) on how to live righteously. So the combination of these two quotes is a message on living righteously based upon salvation, which is a personal relationship with God, and James exp ands it to include all men.

The Second Equivalent Section tells us why God will do these things. God will do them so that men turn to God for true Biblical salvation. People must call upon the name ('trust in the power and authority represented by the name') of the Lord ('they must agree to obey') if they want true salvation. However, God is working with the Gentiles because the Jews spent centuries refusing to do the job. And, even at the time of the Jerusalem Council, the Jews had stopped winning souls and starting churches while the Gentiles were doing the job. At least, that is the report we read in the book of Acts.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 6:16 about the word agree. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Concord; harmony; conformity'.

Please see the notes for Luke 1:76; Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5 and Jude about the word prophet. In addition, false prophets are covered in the Study called False things according to the Bible. The most popular religious definition for this word is: 'someone who foretells the future'. However, that definition tends to limit the thinking of people to only those statements when, actually, the majority of their message was doctrinal. Please also see the note for John 1:45 about the phrase law and the prophets. Please also see the links for Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Gospel Significant Events Study and the New Testament Significant Events Study.

Please see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a retained record which can be used for judgment in a court of law'. Please also see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12; John 20:31-LJC about the word write Please also see the notes for Luke 6:3-4; the Study called Prove; Ephesians C1S3 and Romans C3S15 about the phrase it is written.

Please see the note for Acts 1:12 about the word return. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. L. torno. 1. to come or go back to the same place. the gentleman goes from the country to London and returns, or the citizen of London rides into the country and returns. the blood propelled from the heart, passes through the arteries to the extremities of the body, and returns through the veins. Some servants are good to go on errands, but not good to return. 2. to come to the same state; as, to return from bondage to a state of freedom. 3. to answer. He said, and thus the queen of heaven return'd. 4. to come again; to revisit. Thou to mankind be good and friendly still, and oft return. 5. to appear or begin again after a periodical revolution. With the year seasons return, but not to me returns day - 6. to show fresh signs of mercy. Return, O Lord, deliver my soul. Ps. 6. Toreturn to God, to return from wickedness, to repent of sin or wandering from duty'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ will return in glory.

Please see the note for Matthew 7:24-25 about the words build / built. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. Framed and raised; constructed.
BUILT, n. bilt. form; shape; general figure of a structure; as the built of a ship. Species of building'. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C3S10 and 1Peter 2:7-8 about the word builder. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C3S9 about the word building.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word tabernacle. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A tent. Num.24. Matt.17. 2. A temporary habitation. 3. Among the Jews, a movable building, so contrived as to be taken to pieces with ease and reconstructed, for the convenience of being carried during the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness. It was of a rectangular figure, thirty cubits long, ten broad, and ten high. the interior was divided into two rooms by a vail or curtain, and it was covered with four different spreads or carpets. It is also applied to the temple. Ps.15. 4. A place of worship; a sacred place. 5. Our natural body. 2 Cor.5. 2 Pet. 1. 6. God's gracious presence, or the tokens of it. Rev.21. 7. An ornamented chest placed on Roman catholic altars as a receptacle of the ciborium and pyxis.
v.i. to dwell; to reside for a time; to be housed; as we say, Christ tabernacled in the flesh'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:26-27 about the phrase house of David. This phrase refers to king David and all of his descendants including God's Christ. Please also see the note for Verses in the New Testament about the phrase 'son of David.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'moving from a high position to a low position'. This word is often used symbolically for the spiritual meaning which is: 'To drop from a higher place. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse. Apostasy: unexpectedly moving from a high spiritual position to a low spiritual position. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10'. The word fell. is the past-tense form of the word fall.

Please see the note for Luke 6:49 about the word ruin. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Destruction; fall; overthrow; defeat; that change of anything which destroys it, or entirely defeats its object, or unfits it for use; as the ruin of a house; the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of a constitution of government; the ruin of health; the ruin of commerce; the ruin of public or private happiness; the ruin of a project'.

We find forms of the word residue occurring 34 times in 33 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Mark 16:13; Acts 15:17. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'which remains after a part is taken, separated, removed or designated. The locusts shall eat the residue of that which has escaped. Ex. 10. The residue of them will I deliver to the sword. Jer. 15. 2. the balance or remainder of a debt or account'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S9 about the word remnant.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C10S24 about the word seek. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'v.t. pret and pp. sought, pronounced sat. L. sequor, to follow; for to seek is to go after, and the primary sense is to advance, to press, to drive forward, as in the L. peto. 1. to go in search or quest of; to look for; to search for by going from place to place. the man asked him, saying, what seekest thou? And he said, I seek my brethen. Gen. 37. 2. to inquire for; to ask for; to solicit; to endeavor to find or gain by any means. the young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. Ps. 104. He found no place for repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Heb. 12'. Please also see the note for The S and P's of 2Timothy 1. Please also see the note for Acts 17:24-28 about seek the Lord.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call. That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word. The New Testament definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 3:1-LJC; Ephesians 5:8-LJC and 1John 4:14-LJC about the phrase call upon the Lord. The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call and Lord used together, along with a small note on each reference.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 13:47; Ro 15:8-12
this. Am 9:11-12 build again the tabernacle. 2Sa 7:11-16; 1Ki 12:16; Ps 89:35-49; Isa 9:6-7; Jer 33:24-26; Eze 17:22-24; Zec 13:8; Mt 1:20-25; Lu 1:31-33,69-70
The residue. Ge 22:18; 49:10; Ps 22:26-27; 67:1-3; 72:17-19; Isa 2:2-3; 11:10; 19:23-25; 24:15-16; 49:6-7; 66:18-21; Jer 16:19; Ho 2:23; Joe 2:32; Mic 4:1-2; 5:7; Zec 2:11; 8:20-23; Mal 1:11 the Gentiles. Ge 48:16; Nu 6:27; Isa 43:7; 65:1 exp: Isa 60:3. who. Nu 24:23; Isa 45:7-8; Da 4:35'.

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C15-S14 (Verse 18) Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world

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

This sentence is stating a clear truth. Please see the note from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, below, for related Bible references.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; 2Corinthians 4:8-12; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' In a general sense, to move, or to move one way and the other; to perform'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works. Please also see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about the phrase evil heart. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:1 about the word workers. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:9-10 about the word workman.

Please see the note for John 1:1 about the word beginning. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'First entering upon; commencing; giving rise or original; taking rise or origin'.

Please see the note for Romans 16:25-27 which gives links to every place in the New Testament that uses any form of the word world and provides the definition from Webster's 1828 . Please also see the notes for 1Timothy 1:15; 2Timothy C1S5; 1Corinthians C1S19 and World in 1John about the word world. The New Testament definition is: 'The world is not the earth but is all of the people in the earth and often is used for the majority opinion / thought process. that opinion / thought process is the result of lost people thinking that they know better than God does and believe Satan's lie'. Please also see the note for John 9:5 about the phrase light of the world.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 17:26; Nu 23:19; Isa 41:22-23; 44:7; 46:9-10; Mt 13:35; 25:34; Eph 1:4,11; 3:9; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:20; Re 13:8; 17:8 exp: Job 28:23'.

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C15-S15 (Verse 19-20) Summary of the requirements for Gentiles.

Equivalent Section: Don't lay any religious requirements on the Gentiles.

Wherefore my sentence is,
that we trouble not them,
which from among the Gentiles are turned to God :.

Equivalent Section: Require them to maintain their moral relationship to God.

But that we write unto them,
that they abstain from pollutions of idols,
and from fornication,
and from things strangled,
and from blood.

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

The message of our First Equivalent Section is clear: don't lay any religious requirements on the Gentiles. In addition, the message of our Second Equivalent Section is clear. Every sin mentioned in it is directly, or symbolically, related to our relationship with God.

It should be obvious that pollutions of idols is directly related to our relationship with God. What most people of today ignore is that the Roman Catholic religion, and most Protestant religions, have metals of saints and other things which are actually idols. Therefore, that sin is more prevalent than what most people think.

Fornication is: 'A violation of any covenant relationship including salvation and marriage. It includes all wrongful sex which includes the emotional and mental aspects. However, it also goes beyond sex since giving worship to anyone other than God is spiritual fornication. Thus, while all sexual sin is fornication, fornication is not limited to sexual sin but also includes other violations of a sanctified relationship'. Fornication is most prevalent in violating a marriage relationship, butt he marriage relationship is symbolic of the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). Therefore, this sin is also, symbolically, related to our relationship with God.

I can no say why they included strangled because almost every reference, in the Bible, to the word strangled, is also a reference to this command.

Leviticus 17:11 says: For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Also, Jesus Christ shed His blood to pay for our sins and His blood is what is used in heaven to blot out the record of our sins. There is much more about the doctrine of the blood, which is why all man-written perverted bibles remove references to the blood. It is directly, symbolically, related to our salvation and our sanctification and it is only through the blood that we have a relationship with God.

Please see the note for Galatians C5-S10 about the word trouble. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Disturbance of mind; agitation; commotion of spirits; perplexity; a word of very extensive application. 1. Affliction; calamity'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 15:19; Acts 15:24; Acts 16:20; Acts 17:8; Acts 20:10.

Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:22 about the word abstain. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In a general sense, to forbear, or refrain from, voluntarily; but used chiefly to denote a restraint upon the passions or appetites; to refrain from indulgence. Abstain from meats offered to idols. Acts, xv. to abstain from the use of ardent spirits; to abstain from luxuries'.

We find forms of the word pollute occurring 56 times in 55 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Acts 15:20; Acts 21:28; 2Peter 2:20. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to make foul or unclean; in a general sense. But appropriately, among the Jews, to make unclean or impure, in a legal or ceremonial sense, so as to disqualify a person for sacred services, or to render things unfit for sacred uses. Num.18. Ex.20. 2 Kings 23. 2 Chron.36. 2. to taint with guilt. Ye pollute yourselves with all your idols. Ezek.20. 3. to profane; to use for carnal or idolatrous purposes. My sabbaths they greatly polluted. Ezek.20. 4. to corrupt or impair by mixture of ill, moral or physical. Envy you my praise, and would destroy With grief my pleasures, and pollute my joy? 5. to violate by illegal sexual commerce.
POLLU'TE, a. Polluted; defiled'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C8S1 about the word idol. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word is: 'n. L. idolum; Gr. form or to see. 1. An image, form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Idols are usually statues or images, carved out of wood or stone, or formed of metals, particularly silver or gold. the gods of the nations are idols. Ps.96. 2. An image. Nor ever idol seemed so much alive. 3. A person loved and honored to adoration. the prince was the idol of the people. 4. anything on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John.5. An idol is anything which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C5S8 about the word idolater. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S20 about the word idolatry.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C5S1; Galatians C5S20 and Ephesians C5S2 about the word fornication. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A violation of any covenant relationship including salvation and marriage. It includes all wrongful sex which includes the emotional and mental aspects. However, it also goes beyond sex since giving worship to anyone other than God is spiritual fornication. Thus, while all sexual sin is fornication, fornication is not limited to sexual sin but also includes other violations of a sanctified relationship'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 15:20; Acts 15:29; Acts 21:25.

Please see the note for Colossians C1S3 about the word blood. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The fluid which circulates through the arteries and veins of the human body, and of other animals, which is essential to the preservation of life'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:28 about the phrase blood of Christ. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 10:16-LJC about the phrase Christ and blood.

Please see the note for Romans intro about the word wherefore. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'what follows the wherefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the wherefore and seen wherever you look'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'that. Ac 15:10,24,28; Ga 1:7-10; 2:4; 5:11-12 turned. Ac 26:20; Isa 55:7; Ho 14:2; 1Th 1:9 exp: Ac 9:35; 11:21.
from pollutions. Ac 15:29; Ge 35:2; Ex 20:3-5,23; 34:15-16; Nu 25:2; Ps 106:37-39; Eze 20:30-31; 1Co 8:1,4-13; 10:20-22,28; Re 2:14,20; 9:20; 10:2,8 fornication. 1Co 5:11; 6:9,13,18; 7:2; 2Co 12:21; Ga 5:19; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; 1Th 4:3; Heb 12:16; 13:4; 1Pe 4:3 exp: 1Co 5:1. Things. Ac 21:25; Ge 9:4; Le 3:17; 7:23-27; 17:10-14; De 12:16,23-25; 14:21; 15:23; 1Sa 14:32; Eze 4:14; 33:25; 1Ti 4:4-5'.

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C15-S16 (Verse 21) Why the Gentiles don't need to keep Jewish traditions.

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him,
being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

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

The Jews already have places to teach their traditions and God does not require the traditions from Gentiles.

Please see the note for Mark 11:19 about the word city. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An area where many people live together and have a local government rule over them'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S12 about the phrase city of refuge. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1Corinthians C15S1; Galatians C1-S4 and 2Timothy 4:1-LJC about the word preach. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To pronounce a public discourse on a religious subject, or from a subject, or from a text of Scripture. the purpose of preaching is to get people to obey God's word'. Please also see the note for Romans 10:14 about the word preacher. Please also see the Study called False things According to the Bible about 'false preachers'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:13 about the word read. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Getting the meaning of what was written into the mind. this can be done orally or silently'. Please also see the note for Luke 6:3 about the phrase have ye not read.

Please see the note for John 6:59 about the word synagogue. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The word synagogue (sunagoge), which means a "congregation," is used in the New Testament to signify a recognized place of worship. A knowledge of the history and worship of the synagogues is of great importance, since they are the characteristic institution of the later phase of Judaism. they appear to have arisen during the exile, in the abeyance of the temple-worship, and to have received their full development on the return of the Jews from captivity. the whole history of Ezra presupposes the habit of solemn, probably of periodic, meetings'.

Please see the notes for Matthew 12:8-LJC and Colossians 2:16-17 about the word sabbath. The New Testament definition is: 'a day to rest from our work and fellowship with God'. Please also see the note for Matthew 12:8-LJC about how Jesus dealt with the sabbath in the Gospels. That note has links to several places in the Gospels where Jesus did things on the sabbath day which went against the religious rules of the Jews. That sentence, in Matthew, tells us For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day, which means that He was the one to determine what could or could not be done on the sabbath day. The religious leaders did not have that right. In addition, Mark 2:27-28 tells us: And he said unto them, the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Further, Mark 2:27-28 tells us: And he said unto them, the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. Please also see the Luke 5 Summary for a note on the doctrinal dispute over the sabbath which occurred between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'sabbath. Ac 13:15,27; Ne 8:1-12; Lu 4:16 General references. exp: Le 23:3'.

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C15-S17 (Verse 22-26) the response sent to Gentiles from the Jerusalem Church.

Equivalent Section: this letter is the official response from the Jerusalem Church.

First Step: they sent their own official representatives..

Then pleased it the apostles and elders,
with the whole church,
to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas;.

Second Step: Who they were.

namely,
Judas surnamed Barsabas,
and Silas,
chief men among the brethren:.

Equivalent Section: they included a written letter.

And they wrote letters by them after this manner;
The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:.

Equivalent Section: they identified the cause of the letter.

Forasmuch as we have heard,
that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words,
subverting your souls,
saying,
Ye must be circumcised,
and keep the law:.

Equivalent Section: the prior people had no authority from the church.

to whom we gave no such commandment:

Equivalent Section: the following men have official church authority.

It seemed good unto us,
being assembled with one accord,
to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .

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

The common theme of each section of this sentence is the message from the Jerusalem Church about the doctrine of salvation. Several sections specify who was and who was not sent from the Church of Jerusalem and one section says that the message was put into writing so that there can be no further argument about what their message was and one section of the message identifies the wrong doctrine that they are correcting. This sentence tells us what we should do when others misrepresent our words and doctrine.

This sentence states that the Jerusalem Church specifically chose men who had hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ as the messengers of the truth while also stating that they did not send men who preached a salvation which denied the ministry of any (Lord / Christ) of the roles of the Son of God. They deliberately chose to specify each and every role of the Son of God to distinguish them from the men who had taught error and tried to exclude some of the roles of the Son of God.

Philippians 3 calls these men The enemies of the cross of Christ. These men were apparently saved but had turned their back on the ongoing personal relationship that the Son of God has through His role as Christ. They then became The enemies of the cross of Christ (antichrists in 1John 2:18; 1John 2:22; 1John 4:3; 2John 1:7) when they taught that there was another way (keeping the Law) to sanctification other than the ongoing ministry of Christ.

Further, 2Peter 3 warns us about scoffers who challenge the prophecies of coming judgment and deny The commandment of...The Lord and Saviour. This is only one of the many places that we have seen that God the Son s our Saviour within His role as Lord. Indeed, 1Thessalonians and 2Thessalonians both emphasized the role of our Lord in salvation and earlier within Acts we saw that the difference whether someone was saved or not was related to is they heard The word of God or accepted it as The [word/doctrine] of the Lord. We also see Romans and 1John and other books deal with those who deny or distort the ministry of Jesus as related to salvation. However, that is not emphasized here because this particular doctrinal error does not dent the ministry of Jesus. It only denies the ministry of the Lord and the ministry of Christ.

Please see the notes for 2Timothy 2:4 and Galatians 1:10-LJC about the word please. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to excite agreeable sensations or emotions in; to gratify; as, to please the taste; to please the mind. their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem, Hamor's son. Gen.34. Leave such to trifle with more grace than ease, Whom folly Please s, and whose follies Please. 2. to satisfy; to content. What next I bring shall Please thy wish exactly to thy heart's desire. 3. to prefer; to have satisfaction in; to like; to choose. Many of our most skilful painters were pleased or recommend this author to me. to be pleased in or with, to approve; to have complacency in. Matt.3. to please God, is to love his character and law and perform his will, so as to become the object of his approbation. they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom.8.
Please , v.i. s as z. to like; to choose; to prefer. Spirits, freed from mortal laws, with ease Assume what sexes and what shapes they Please. 1. to condescend; to comply; to be pleased; a word of ceremony. Please you, lords, In sight of both our battles we may meet. the first words that I learnt were, to express my desire that he would please to give me my liberty. Please expresses less gratification than delight'. Please also see the note for Luke 8:14 about the word pleasure. Please also see the note for Matthew 21:15 about the word displeased.

Please see the note for Mark 10:52 about the word whole. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'All; total; containing the total amount or number, or the entire thing; as the whole earth; the whole world; the whole solar system; the whole army; the whole nation. 2. Complete; entire; not defective or imperfect; as a whole orange; the egg is whole; the vessel is whole. 3. Unimpaired; unbroken; uninjured. My life is yet whole in me. 2 Samuel 1. 4. Sound; not hurt or sick. they that are whole need not a physician. Matthew 9. 5. Restored to health and soundness; sound; well. thy faith hath made thee whole. Mark 5. His hand was restored whole. Mark 3.
WHOLE, n. 1. the entire thing; the entire or total assemblage of parts. the whole of religion is contained in the short precept, Love God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12. 2. A system; a regular combination of parts'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:3 about the word wholesome.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:4 about the words chosen. The New Testament definition forit is: 'Past-tense form of choose'. Please see the note for Philippians 1:22 about the word choose. The New Testament definition forit is: 'To pick out; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more things offered; to make choice of'.

Please see the note for Acts 1:7 about the word own. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Belonging to; possessed; peculiar; usually expressing property with emphasis, or in express exclusion of others. It follows my, your, his, their, thy, her. God created man in his own image. Adam begat a son in his own likeness. Let them fall by their own counsel. He washed us from our sins in his own blood. In the phrases, his own nations, his own country, the word own denotes that the person belongs to the nation or country. 2. Own often follows a verb; as, the book is not my own, that is, my own book. 3. It is used as a substitute. That they may dwell in a place of their own. 2Sam. 7. in this use, a noun cannot follow own. 4. "He came to his own, and his own received him not," that is, his own nation or people; own being here used as a substitute, like many other adjectives.
OWN, v.t. from the adjective. 1. to have the legal or rightful title to; to have the exclusive right of possession and use. A free holder in the United states owns his farm. Men often own land or goods which are not in their possession. 2. to have the legal right to, without the exclusive right to use; as, a man owns the land in front of his farm to the middle of the highway. 3. to acknowledge to belong to; to avow or admit that the property belongs to. When you come, find me out and own me for your son. 4. to avow; to confess, as a fault, crime or other act; that is, to acknowledge that one has done the act; as, to own the faults of youth; to own our guilt. the man is charged with theft, but he has not owned it. 5. In general, to acknowledge; to confess; to avow; to admit to be true; not to deny; as, to own our weakness and frailty. Many own the gospel of salvation more from custom than conviction'. Please also see the note for Acts 27:11 about the word owner.

Please see the note for John 6:5 about the word company. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' Any assemblage of persons or other animals, in a very indefinite sense'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:25 about the word companion. Please also see the note for Hebrews 6:9 about the word accompany. All of these words have a similar basic meaning while the technical details vary.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 3:11 about Antioch. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The place of the first missionary church and the church which sen out Paul as a missionary'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S8 about Barnabas. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This man was a peace maker'.

Judas surnamed Barsabas was one of the two men considered by the church to replace Judas Iscariot. Therefore, he was a leader in the Jerusalem Church.

Please see the note for Acts 1:23 about the word surname. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'In scripture this means an additional or added name, not a family name, as the word now implies. Isa 44:5; 45:4; Mt 10:3: Mr 3:16-17; etc'.

We find Silas mentioned in: Acts 15:22; Acts 15:27; Acts 15:32; Acts 15:34; Acts 15:40; Acts 16:19; Acts 16:25; Acts 16:29; Acts 17:4; Acts 17:10; Acts 17:14; Acts 17:15; Acts 18:5. He is: 'Paul's partner on his second missionary trip'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:5 about the word chief. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Highest in office or rank; principal; as a chief priest; the chief butler'.

The word wrote is the past-tense form of the word write. Please see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12; John 20:31-LJC about the word write. he New Testament definition for this word is: 'To form by a pen on paper or other material, or by a graver on wood or stone; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures. We write characters on paper with pen and ink; we write them on stone with a graving tool. 2. to express by forming letters and words on paper or stone; as, to write a deed; to write a bill of divorcement. the ten commandments were written with the finger of God on tables of stone. Exodus 31. 3. to engrave. See the preceding definition. 4. to impress durable. Write useful truths on the heart. 5. to compose or produce, as an author. 6. to copy; to transcribe. 7. to communicate by letter'. Please see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a retained record which can be used for judgment in a court of law'.

Please see the note for Romans C7S6 about the word letter. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The detailed portions of the law'.

Please see the note for Luke 20:45-47 about the word greetings. The New Testament for this word is: 'Addressing with kind wishes or expressions of joy'. Please see the note for Philippians 4:21 about the word greet. The New Testament for this word is: 'To salute in kindness and respect'

Please see the note for Galatians 1:21-23 about Syria. The New Testament definition for this word is: '(The highlands lying between the Euphrates River and the Mediterranean Sea) Called ARAM, from the son of Shem: Ge 10:22-23; Nu 23:7; 1Ch 1:17; 2:23; During the time of Abraham it seems to have embraced the region between the Tigris River and the Euphrates River'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 15:23; Acts 15:41; Acts 18:18; Acts 20:3; Acts 21:3.

Please see the note for Galatians 1:21-23 about the place of Cilicia. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This is the area surrounding Paul's home city of Tarsus'. (Every mention of Tarsus in the Bible is related to Paul.) the people from Cilicia were among those disputing with Stephen, when he was martyred. Thus, Paul was with the people from his home region when he was there to participate in the martyrdom of Stephen. There are no links provided by others beyond the verses already mentioned but the commentators have some trivia that might interest some people.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:14 about the word subvert. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to overthrow from the foundation; to overturn; to ruin utterly. the northern nations of Europe subverted the Roman empire. He is the worst enemy of man, who endeavors to subvert the Christian religion. the elevation of corrupt men to office will slowly, but surely, subvert a republican government. this would subvert the principles of all knowledge. 2. to corrupt; to confound; to pervert the mind, and turn it from the truth. 2 Tim.2'.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S1 and Psalms 119:20 about the word soul. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The long-term result of the short-term actions of our heart in deciding how we will think, how we will act emotionally to circumstances of life and how we will decide the issues of life'. Please also see the note for James 1:21 about the phrase save your soul.

Please see the note for Romans C13S8 about the phrase must needs. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This choice is not optional'.

Please see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word circumcision. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Cutting away the foreskin of males. Symbolically, it is letting God cut away all the sins of the flesh in our life'. Please see the note for Colossians C2S7 about the word circumcise`. The New Testament definition of the word circumcise is: 'To cut off the foreskin of males. To cut off the foreskin of males. A physical ceremony which shows spiritual agreement to cut away of the fleshly parts of our heart and soul. Religiously, it is symbolic submission to God done God's way'. This sentence uses the word circumcised to identify the doctrinal error which came from religious traditions and which went against the revealed will of God. In this sentence, the Jerusalem Church supported the revealed will of God and rejected the doctrinal error which came from religious traditions.

The word gave is:'the past-tense form of the word give' along with the word given. Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about this words and the many forms of the word give.

Please see the note for Mark 14:53 about the word assembled. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'collected into a body; congregated'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word accord. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Agreeing; harmonizing when two notes are in a music chord, they move together, up or down, to the next note''. Please also see the note for Psalms 119:23 about the phrase according to works.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love. In particular, the note for 2John 1:3-LJC has links to every place where John writes about the word love. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another. Please see the note for Matthew 19:19 about the phrase love thy neighbour. Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love. Please see the notes for Romans C9S23 and Colossians C3S8 about the word beloved. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:5 for links to every place where the phrase beloved Son is applied to Jesus. The true Biblical doctrine of this word is very complex since it is a character trait of God. That said, the New Testament definition, of the word love, is: 'Doing what brings the greatest ultimate good to another being without any consideration of cost to self and not consideration of any response by the other and a willingness to even bring short-term pain if that is what is required in order to bring the ultimate long-tern good'. The New Testament definition, of the word beloved, is: 'be and loved, from love. Greatly loved; dear to the heart'.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 1:19-20; Life in 1John about the word life. The New Testament definition is: 'Life is that by which a created being enjoys the place in which the Creator has set it'. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC; Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please note that eternal life is different from everlasting life in that while eternal life is 'Without beginning or end of existence', everlasting life 'has a beginning but is without end of existence'. Please see the note for John 5:24 about the phrase everlasting life. Please also see the note for Life in 1John about the phrase eternal life. Please also see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S11; Galatians C2-S14 and Philippians 1:21 about the word live. Please also see the note for Colossians C3S4 about the phrase Christ lives through us. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith.

This sentence is the only place where the Biblew uses the word hazard. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'pp. Put at risk or in danger; ventured'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'pleased. Ac 15:23,25; 6:4-5; 2Sa 3:36; 2Ch 30:4,12 to send. Ac 15:27; 8:14; 11:22 exp: Ac 15:25. Barsabas. Ac 1:23 Silas. Ac 15:27,32,40; 16:19,25,29; 17:4,10,14; 18:5; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1; 1Pe 5:12 Silvanus.
The apostles. Ac 15:4,22 exp: Ac 15:2. greeting. Ac 23:26; Ro 16:3-16; Jas 1:1; 2Jo 1:3,13; 3Jo 1:14 brethren. Ac 11:18; 14:27; 21:25 exp: Ac 6:3. Syria. Ac 15:41; 18:18; 21:3; Ga 1:21 exp: Mt 4:24.
that certain. Jer 23:16; Ga 2:4; 5:4,12; 2Ti 2:14; Tit 1:10-11; 1Jo 2:19 Ye must. Ac 15:1,9-10; Ga 2:3-4; 6:12-13 General references. exp: Ga 2:3.
seemed. Ac 15:28; Mt 11:26; Lu 1:3 being. Ac 15:6; 1:14; 2:1,46; 1Co 1:10 to send. Ac 15:22,27 our. Ro 16:12; Eph 6:21; Col 4:7,9; Phm 1:16; 2Pe 3:15 Barnabas. Ac 15:2,35; Ga 2:9 exp: Ac 9:27; Ga 2:1. General references. exp: Ac 15:6.
hazarded. Ac 13:50; 14:19; Jg 5:18; 1Co 15:30; 2Co 11:23-27; Php 2:29-30'.

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C15-S18 (Verse 27) Why they sent men as messengers.

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas,
who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

15:22-31 tells us about the church sending Paul, Barnabas and two others back to Antioch with their conclusions. They sent letters and messengers so that there would be no mistake in what their true message was. The receiving churches could verify the message between the messengers and the written letters. God put His word into writing so that we could verify what people claim that The word of God says. In addition, several places in The word of God tell us that God preserved 'kept the same as the original') His word beyond our generation. Therefore, anyone who claims that we can not trust the KJV-1611 is a lying minister of Satan. And, while I could go no, the simple truth is that Jesus said verily (Matthew 16:28) many times as reported throughout all of the Gospels. This is a command to verify what people claim comes from The word of God. Therefore, to accept a doctrine as coming from God, without verifying that claim, is a sin of disobedience.

Judas surnamed Barsabas was one of the two men considered by the church to replace Judas Iscariot. Therefore, he was a leader in the Jerusalem Church.

Please see the note above about Silas. He is: 'Paul's partner on his second missionary trip'.

Please see the note for Matthew 18:31 about the words tell / told. The word told is the past-tense form of the word tell. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to communicate to others'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Judas. Ac 15:22 who. 2Jo 1:12; 3Jo 1:13 mouth. Gr. word'.

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C15-S19 (Verse 28-29) A second summary of what the Jerusalem Council determined.

Equivalent Section: What was commanded and what was not commanded.

First Step: What they are not doing.

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost,
and to us,
to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;.

Second Step: What they are requiring.

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols,
and from blood,
and from things strangled,
and from fornication:.

Equivalent Section: the results which they can expect from obeying this sentence.

from which if ye keep yourselves,
ye shall do well.

15:22-31 tells us about the church sending Paul, Barnabas and two others back to Antioch with their conclusions. Please see the note for C15-S15; which has the first summary statement of what the council determined.

Our sentence starts with the word for, and tells us why they wrote the prior sentences. Notice that they start out with: it seemed good to the Holy Ghost. They are clearly writing that they are not just giving their own religious opinion but that these commandments come directly from God.

Next, they write: and to us, which means that they agree with God's Holy Ghost that these instructions are good for the truly saved to obey.

Next, they write: to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things, which means: 'It is a good thing to not add personal religious opinions to what is literally written in The word of God'. They are only telling them to do the necessary things ('non=optional things'). Those necessary things are specified in the rest of the sentence.

Next, they write: ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, Each and every one of them personally (ye) were to abstain from sins which affected their personal relationship with God and their testimony in this world. (The details of this Second Step were covered in the note for Acts 15:19-20.)

Finally, they wrote the results which they can expect from obeying this sentence. The phrase ye shall do well means: 'each and every one of you personally will be obeying the command from God and can expect blessings from God as a result'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:4 and Galatians 6:2 about the word burden. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: '(1.) A load of any kind (Ex 23:5). (2.) A severe task (Ex 2:11). (3.) A difficult duty, requiring effort (Ex 18:22). (4.) A prophecy of a calamitous or disastrous nature (Isa 13:1; 17:1; Hab 1:1, etc.)'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 12:22 about the word necessary. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'a. 1. that must be; that cannot be otherwise; indispensably requisite. It is necessary that every effect should have a cause. 2. Indispensable; requisite; essential; that cannot be otherwise without preventing the purpose intended. Air is necessary to support animal life; food is necessary to nourish the body; holiness is a necessary qualification for happiness; health is necessary to the enjoyment of pleasure; subjection to law is necessary to the safety of persons and property. 3. Unavoidable; as a necessary inference or consequence from facts or arguments. 4. Acting from necessity or compulsion; opposed to free. Whether man is a necessary or a free agent is a question much discussed'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians 6:13; Hebrews 13:8 and Hebrews 13:9 about the word meats. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 dictionary defines meat as: ' n. 1. Food in general; anything eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb--to you it shall be for meat. Gen.1. Every moving thing that liveth, shall be meat for you. Gen.9. thy carcass shall be meat to all fowls of the air. Deut.28. 2. the flesh of animals used as food. this is now the more usual sense of the word. the meat of carnivorous animals is tough, coarse and ill flavored. the meat of herbivorous animals is generally palatable. 3. In Scripture, spiritual food; that which sustains and nourishes spiritual life or holiness. My flesh is meat indeed. John.6. 4. Spiritual comfort; that which delights the soul. My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. John.4. 5. Products of the earth proper for food. Hab.3. 6. the more abstruse doctrines of the gospel, or mysteries of religion. Heb.5. 7. Ceremonial ordinances. Heb.13. to sit at meat, to sit or recline at the table. This word is also used symbolically for spiritual food'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C8S7 about the word offer. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. Presented for acceptance or rejection; presented in worship or devotion; immolated; bid; presented to the eye or the mind'. In addition, since offer is used in relationship to worship, in the Bible, please also see the Word Study onworship.

I can no say why they included strangled because almost every reference, in the Bible, to the word strangled, is also a reference to this command.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C5S1 about the word fornication. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A violation of a sanctified relationship. It includes all wrongful sex which includes the emotional and mental aspects. However, it also goes beyond sex since giving worship to anyone other than God is spiritual fornication thus, while all sexual sin is fornication, fornication is not limited to sexual sin but also includes other violations of a sanctified relationship'. Fornication is most prevalent in violating a marriage relationship, butt he marriage relationship is symbolic of the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:32). Therefore, this sin is also, symbolically, related to our relationship with God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'it. Joh 16:13; 1Co 7:25,40; 14:37; 1Th 4:8; 1Pe 1:12 greater. Mt 11:30; 23:4; Re 2:24 General references. exp: Mt 23:4.
ye abstain. Ac 15:20; 21:25; Le 17:14; Ro 14:14-15,20-21; 1Co 10:18-20; Re 2:14,20 if ye. 2Co 11:9; 1Ti 5:22; Jas 1:27; 1Jo 5:21; Jude 1:20-21,24 General references. exp: De 12:16'.

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C15-S20 (Verse 29) Final blessing.
Fare ye well

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

This is their wish for the saved Gentiles to be blessed by God.

Please see the note for Luke 16:19-21 about the word fare. The New Testament definition is: 'To be in any state, good or bad; to be attended with any circumstances or train of events, fortunate or unfortunate'. Please also see the note for Luke 9:61 about the word farewell.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Fare. Ac 18:21; 23:30; Lu 9:61; 2Co 13:11 General references. exp: De 12:16'.

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C15-S21 (Verse 30-31) the messengers did their job.

Equivalent Section: they took their journey.

So when they were dismissed,
they came to Antioch:.

Equivalent Section: they made sure thateveryone received the message.

and when they had gathered the multitude together,
they delivered the epistle:.

Equivalent Section: Everyone in the church rejoiced because of the comfort (consolation) sent in the epistle.

Which when they had read,
they rejoiced for the consolation.

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

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

The phrase So when they were dismissed means: 'The messengers made sure that everything was concluded before they left for Antioch'.
The phrase they came to Antioch means: 'They arrived at the place where they were sent'.
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'.
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'.
The phrase they rejoiced for the consolation means: 'Everyone in the church rejoiced because of the comfort (consolation) sent in the epistle'.

We find forms of the word dismissed only in: 2Chronicles 23:8; Acts 15:30; Acts 19:41. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'pp. Sent away; permitted to depart; removed from office or employment'.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 3:11 about Antioch. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The place of the first missionary church and the church which sen out Paul as a missionary'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:13-15 about the word gather. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Collected; assembled; contracted; plaited; drawn by inference'. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Collected; assembled; contracted; plaited; drawn by inference'. The New Testament definition for the word gathered is: 'The past-tense of the word gather'. The New Testament definition for the word gathereth is: 'A life-style of gathering'. The New Testament definition for the word gathering is: 'Ongoing action of gather'. Please also see the parable of the 'Parable of the Wheat and Tares' (Matthew 13:24-30), which uses this word.

Please see the note for Mark 9:31 about the word delivered. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Freed; released; transferred or transmitted; passed from one to another; committed; yielded; surrendered; rescued; uttered; pronounced'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C5S8 about the word epistle. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A written message which contains several words which are combined to deliver the thoughts from one person to another person when those words are not spoken'.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S8; Galatians C4-S24 and Philippians 4:4-LJC about the word rejoice. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To experience joy and gladness in a high degree; to be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations; to exult'. Please also see the notes for John 1:4 lists 16 attributes of joy; John 15:11; Romans C14S23 and 1John C1S2 about the word joy. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 6:17-19 about the word enjoy.

Please see the note for Romans C15S5 about the word consolation. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Comfort; alleviation of misery, or distress of mind; refreshment of mind or spirits'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and. Ac 6:2; 21:22 delivered. Ac 16:4; 23:33
they rejoiced. Ac 15:1,10; 16:5; Ga 2:4-5; 5:1; Php 3:3 consolation. or, exhortation'.

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C15-S22 (Verse 32) the messengers from the Jerusalem Church confirmed the words of the epistle and added further doctrine which supported the message of the epistle.

And Judas and Silas,
being prophets also themselves,
exhorted the brethren with many words,
and confirmed them.

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

Judas surnamed Barsabas was one of the two men considered by the church to replace Judas Iscariot. Therefore, he was a leader in the Jerusalem Church.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S3 about the word exhort. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'n. the act or practice of exhorting; the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable. 1. the form of words intended to incite and encourage. 2. Advice; counsel'.

Please see the note for Galatians C3-S16 about the word confirm. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'That which gives new strength or assurance; additional evidence; proof; convincing testimony'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'being. Ac 2:17-18; 11:23,27; 13:1; Mt 23:34; Lu 11:49; Ro 12:6; 1Co 12:28-29; 14:3,29,32; Eph 3:5; 4:11; 1Th 5:20 exhorted. Ac 2:40; 11:23; 14:22; 18:23; 20:2; Ro 12:8; 1Th 2:11; 4:1; 5:14; 2Th 3:12; 1Ti 2:1; 2Ti 4:2; Tit 2:6-15; 1Pe 5:1,12 confirmed. Ac 15:41; Isa 35:3-4; Da 11:1; 1Co 1:8; Eph 4:12-13; 1Th 3:2; 1Pe 5:10'.

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C15-S23 (Verse 33) the messengers waited until everyone in the church was comfortable with the message they delivered.

And after they had tarried there a space,
they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles .

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

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 11:33 about the word tarry. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to stay; to abide; to continue; to lodge. Tarry all night and wash your feet. Gen.19. 2. to stay behind. Ex.12. 3. to stay in expectation; to wait. Tarry ye here for us, till we come again to you. Ex.24. 4. to delay; to put off going or coming; to defer. Come down to me, tarry not. Gen.45. 5. to remain; to stay. He that telleth lies, shall not tarry in my sight. Ps.101. TAR'RY, v.t. to wait for. I cannot tarry dinner. Not in use'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they were. Ac 16:36; Ge 26:29; Ex 4:18; 1Co 16:11; Heb 11:31; 2Jo 1:10'.

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C15-S24 (Verse 34) Silas decided to stay in Antioch.
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still

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

Please see the note for Philippians 1:18 about the word Notwithstanding. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'there is nothing (not) that will hold back (withstanding)' the truth. That is: 'there is nothing in the prior arguments that can stand against the truth and win an argument'.

The word abode is the past-tense form of the word abide. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C7S9 about the word abide. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to be; to continue; to be; to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'it pleased. Ac 11:25-26; 18:27; 1Co 16:12'.

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C15-S25 (Verse 35) the people at Antioch received The word of the Lord..

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch,
teaching and preaching the word of the Lord,
with many others also.

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

Please notice that they were teaching and preaching The word of the Lord. It is different than The word of God, which includes things like the lies of Satan, and doctrinal errors taught by religious people, which we are to not obey. The word of the Lord is a subset of The word of God. It is the part of The word of God which everyone is to obey and which will be used when each person is judged by God.

Our entire chapter, before this, was taken up with doctrinal error which religious people claimed came from The word of God, but which was not part of The word of the Lord and, therefore, was not to be obeyed.

Please also notice the phrase with many others also. The teaching and preaching was done by more than Paul and Barnabas, but all of it was limited to what God commanded to be obeyed (The word of the Lord).

Here, Paul and Barnabas continued to teach what the Lord had said was Law which included judgment, as opposed to what religious heritage demanded. (Please see the note for Acts 4:36 under Son for details of every place that Acts talks about Barnabas.) the Council at Jerusalem confirmed that the word of the Lord was to be taken above religious heritage when the two are in conflict. Again, we see the Son of God use His role as Lord for power and authority. The word of the Lord is the God given Law that we are to obey, without question, if we are to be saved and that the saved person is to continue to obey for the rest of their life, if they want to be right with God and avoid judgment for disobeying God's law.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S8 about Barnabas. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This man was a peace maker'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word continue. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'keep doinf what they were doing before. The dictionary does not make the distinction between the words continue and continueth. Webster's 1828 actually gives the Biblical definition of continueth for the word continue. In the Bible, the word continue is used for when the action stope at some point and uses the word continueth for when the action does not stop in this life'. Please also see the note for James 1:25 about the word continueth. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 7:5 about the word incontinent.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 3:11 about Antioch. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The place of the first missionary church and the church which sen out Paul as a missionary'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'continued. Ac 13:1; 14:28 teaching. Ac 28:31; Mt 28:19-20; Col 1:28; 1Ti 2:7; 2Ti 4:2 General references. exp: Ac 14:28'.

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C15-S26 (Verse 36) Paul was concerned about the spiritual welfare of the mission churches.

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas,
Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord,
and see how they do.

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.

Since there were others qualified to teach and preach the word of the Lord in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas could leave without harming the church. That is why Paul made this suggestion. The churches, which they had started, did not have as many qualified men to teach and preach the word of the Lord. Thus, Paul was concerned about their spiritual needs.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "The cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9). The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isaiah 2:12; Acts 17:31; 2Timothy 1:18; the great day of final judgment'. The New Testament definition, of the phrase last day is: '(end of the) Church Age. However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'. Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13 about the word today. The New Testament definition is: 'obey immediately'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord. Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S8 about Barnabas. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This man was a peace maker'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:67 about the word visit. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Waited on; attended; inspected; subjected to sufferings; favored with relief or mercy'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S9; 2Corinthians 2:17 and Colossians C1S6 about the words see / sight. The New Testament definition is: 'perception of objects by the eye; view. this word is often used symbolically for spiritual understanding'. Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son. Please also see the note for Acts 2:25 about the words foresee / foresaw. Please also see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Cir. A.M. 4058. A.D. 54. Let. Ac 7:23; Ex 4:18; Jer 23:2; Mt 25:36,43 exp: Joh 11:7. in every. Ac 13:4,13-14,51; 14:1,6,21,24-25 and see. Ro 1:11; 2Co 11:28; Php 1:27; 1Th 2:17-18; 3:6,10-11; 2Ti 1:4 exp: Ex 4:18'.

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C15-S27 (Verse 37) Barnabas wanted to take his nephew.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John,
whose surname was Mark.

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.

John Mark was nephew to Barnabas. However, he had left the mission team at the first sign of trouble on the first missionary trip. Paul was concerned about everything related to the mission trip, including the possible discouragement to John Mark if he left the mission team a second time. Later, John Mark would be spiritually mature enough to help Paul. But, at this time, Paul thought he wasn't mature enough and that division of opinion caused Paul and Barnabas to split. And, we never read about Barnabas again. Therefore, we need to be conscious not only of ourselves but also for our influence upon others.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S8 about Barnabas. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This man was a peace maker'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:1 about the word determine. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Ended; concluded; decided; limited; fixed; settled; resolved; directed. Having a firm or fixed purpose, as a determined man; or manifesting a firm resolution, as a determined countenance'. Please also see the note for Acts 2:22-24 about the word determinate.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'John. Ac 12:12,25; 13:5,13; Col 4:10; 2Ti 4:11; Phm 1:24'.

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C15-S28 (Verse 38) Paul disagreed.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them,
who departed from them from Pamphylia,
and went not with them to the work.

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.

Our sentence starts with the word but, which it is continuing the subject of taking John Mark from the prior sentence while providing a change in direction. Barnabas thought it good while Paul thought it not good. Our sentence also tells us why Paul thought this way. He, apparently, did not agree that John Mark had spiritually matures enough to handle the problems and temptations of the mission trip.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:3-6 about the word thought. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The past-tense form of the word think'. Please see the note for Philippians 3:4-6 about the word think. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To have the mind occupied on some subject; to have ideas, or to revolve ideas in the mind. --For that I am I know, because I think. these are not matters to be slightly thought on. 2 to conceive; to imagine'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:8 about the word depart. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to go or move from. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire. Matt. 25. It is followed by from, or from is implied before the place left. I will depart to my own land, that is, I will depart from this place to my own land. Num. 10. 2. to go from; to leave; to desist, as from a practice. Jehu departed not from the sins of Jeroboam. Jehoshaphat departed not from the way of Asa his father'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'who. Ac 13:13; Ps 78:9; Pr 25:19; Lu 9:61; 14:27-34; Jas 1:8'.

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C15-S29 (Verse 39-40) the results of the contention.

Equivalent Section: the main result.

And the contention was so sharp between them,
that they departed asunder one from the other:.

Equivalent Section: What each did.

First Step: What Barnabas did.

and so Barnabas took Mark,
and sailed unto Cyprus;.

Second Step: What Paul did.

And Paul choose Silas,
and departed,
being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God .

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.

What Barnabas failed to understand is what most pastors of sending churches also fail to understand. In the home church, Barnabas was in charge as the local pastor. However, on the mission field, the missionary pastor is in charge. He knows the local environment including doctrinal problems and temptations which do not exist in their home culture. Several mission efforts have been destroyed by a home pastor or a mission board trying to dictate to the mission pastor when they do not understand how what they order will be received differently in a different culture.

Since this was a mission trip, Barnabas was supposed to submit to Paul. However, Barnabas did not understand this because he was the local pastor of the sending church and this was only the second mission trip ever done.

Please notice that our last phrase says: being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. This means: 'Paul had the blessing of the church for his trip'. However, we are not told that Barnabas received the same.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 for links to all of the verses in the New Testament which use the words contend / contention along with a definition and links from other commentators. The New Testament definition forthese words is: 'A violent effort to obtain something, or to resist a person, claim or injury; contest; quarrel'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 11:16 for links to the 5 verses in the Bible which use the word contentious. Please note that this is pretty much the opposite of the words content / contentment.

We find forms of the word sharp in: Exodus 4:25; Joshua 5:2-3; 1Samuel 14:4; Job 41:30; Psalms 45:5; Psalms 52:2; Psalms 57:4; Psalms 120:4; Proverbs 5:4; Proverbs 25:18; Isaiah 5:28; Isaiah 41:15; Isaiah 49:2; Ezekiel 5:1; Acts 15:39; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 14:14; Revelation 14:17; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 19:15. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. 1. Having a very thin edge or a fine point; keen; acute; not blunt. thus we may say, a sharp knife, or a sharp needle. A sharp edge easily severs a substance; a sharp point is easily made to penetrate,it. 2. Terminating in a point or edge; not obtuse; as, a hills terminates in a sharp peak, or a sharp ridge. 3. forming an acute or too small angle at the ridge; as a sharp roof. 4. Acute of mind; quick to discern or distinguish; penetrating; ready at invention; witty; ingenious. Nothing makes men sharper than want. Addison. Many other things belong to the material world, wherein the sharpest philosophers have not yet obtained clear ideas. Watts. 5. Being of quick or nice perception; applied to the senses or org and of perception; as a sharp eye; sharp sight. 6. Affecting the org and of taste like fine points; piercing; penetrating; shrill; as sharp vinegar; sharp tasted citrons. 7. Affecting the org and of hearing like sharp points; poercing; penetrating; shrill; as a sharp sound or voice; a sharp not or tone; opposed to a flat note or sound. 8. Severe; harsh; biting; sarcastic; as sharp words; sharp rebuke. -Be thy words severe'.

Please see the note for Mark 5:2-4 about the word asunder. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Apart; into parts; separately; in a divided state. the Lord hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Ps. 129'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S8 about Barnabas. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This man was a peace maker'.

Please see the note for Luke 8:23 about the word sail. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. Passed in ships or other water craft'.

Please see the note for Acts 4:36 about Cyprus. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'one of the largest islands of the Mediterranean, about 148 miles long and 40 broad. It is distant about 60 miles from the Syrian coast. It was the "Chittim" of the Old Testament (Nu 24:24). the Greek colonists gave it the name of Kypros, from the cyprus, i.e., the henna (see Camphire), which grew on this island. It was originally inhabited by Phoenicians. In B.C. 477 it fell under the dominion of the Greeks; and became a Roman province B.C. 58. In ancient times it was a centre of great commercial activity. Corn and wine and oil were produced here in the greatest perfection. It was rich also in timber and in mineral wealth.
It is first mentioned in the New Testament (Ac 4:36) as the native place of Barnabas. It was the scene of Paul's first missionary labours (Ac 13:4-13), when he and Barnabas and John Mark were sent forth by the church of Antioch. It was afterwards visited by Barnabas and Mark alone (Ac 15:39). Mnason, an "old disciple," probaly one of the converts of the day of Pentecost belonging to this island, is mentioned (Ac 21:16). It is also mentioned in connection with the voyages of Paul (Ac 21:3; 27:4). After being under the Turks for three hundred years, it was given up to the British Government in 1878'.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S1; 2Corinthians 3:1 about the word commend. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To represent as worthy of notice, regard, or kindness; to speak in favor of; to recommend'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The contention. Ac 15:2; 6:1; Ps 106:33; 119:96; Ec 7:20; Ro 7:18-21; Jas 3:2 and sailed. Ac 4:36; 11:20; 13:4-12; 27:4
chose. Ac 15:22,32; 16:1-3 being. Ac 13:3; 14:26; 20:32; 1Co 15:10; 2Co 13:14; 2Ti 4:22; Tit 3:15; 2Jo 1:10-11'.

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C15-S30 (Verse 41) Where Paul started his mission trip and what he was doing.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia,
confirming the churches.

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.

Please see the note for Galatians 1:21-23 about the place of Cilicia. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This is the area surrounding Paul's home city of Tarsus. (Every mention of Tarsus in the Bible is related to Paul.) Paul was with the people from his home region when he was there to participate in the martyrdom of Stephen'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'through. Ac 15:23; 18:18; 21:3; Ga 1:21 confirming. Ac 15:32; 16:4-5 exp: Ac 14:22'.

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Acts Chapter 16

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

links to sentences in this chapter:

C16-S1 (Verse 1-2), C16-S2 (Verse 3), C16-S3 (Verse 4), C16-S4 (Verse 5), C16-S5 (Verse 6-7), C16-S6 (Verse 8), C16-S7 (Verse 9), C16-S8 (Verse 10), C16-S9 (Verse 11-12), C16-S10 (Verse 13), C16-S11 (Verse 14), C16-S12 (Verse 15), C16-S13 (Verse 15), C16-S14 (Verse 16-17), C16-S15 (Verse 18), C16-S16 (Verse 18), C16-S17 (Verse 18), C16-S18 (Verse 19-21), C16-S19 (Verse 22), C16-S20 (Verse 23-24), C16-S21 (Verse 25), C16-S22 (Verse 26), C16-S23 (Verse 27), C16-S24 (Verse 28), C16-S25 (Verse 29-30), C16-S26 (Verse 31), C16-S27 (Verse 32), C16-S28 (Verse 33), C16-S29 (Verse 34), C16-S30 (Verse 35), C16-S31 (Verse 36), C16-S32 (Verse 37), C16-S33 (Verse 37), C16-S34 (Verse 38), C16-S35 (Verse 39), C16-S36 (Verse 40)'.

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.

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C16-S1 (Verse 1-2) Paul meets Timothy.

Equivalent Section: Where they met.

Then came he to Derbe and Lystra:

Equivalent Section: Whom Paul and his team met.

First Step: Timothy identified.

and,
behold,
a certain disciple was there,
named Timotheus,
The Son of a certain woman,
which was a Jewess,
and believed;.

Second Step: the problem with adding him to the mission team.

but his father was a Greek:.

Equivalent Section: Timothy's reputation among the saved.

Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

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

The Timotheus, in this sentence, is whom Paul had take over his ministry when he was beheaded. 1Timothy and 2Timothy were written by Paul to him as instructions to all pastors and as warning of what Timothy can expect to encounter in his ministry.

This sentence tells us about Paul meeting Timotheus and that while he was a Gentile, his mother was a believing Jewess. We also see By this verse saying that Timotheus was the son of his mother, and not the son of his father, that he had the character and faith of his mother. We also see this in 2Timothy 1:5 which says When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. This shows us the importance of being faithful even after we mess up so much that we have permanent consequences.

This Jewess had married a Greek, which was forbidden to the Jews. God did not set aside this marriage and she lived with it the rest of her life. Even so, God still used her because she became faithful. These verses also show us the importance of grand parents and the results of remaining faithful even if you are married to an unbeliever.

Please notice that this chapter continues telling us about Timotheus in Acts 16:3. Paul wanted Timotheus to join the missionary group. In order to do this, Paul took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters. Notice that it says that Timotheus had to go through this very painful and embarrassing procedure (especially for an adult man), not because God required it but because of the Jews. We see here, and other places, that saved people have to do things, which are not wrong, but which are required in order to avoid problems which will interfere with our service to God.

Paul taught about circumcision and uncircumcision in Romans 2; Romans 3; Romans 4; 1Corinthians 7:18-19; Galatians 5; 6; Philippians 3:3-7; Colossians 2; Colossians 3. He certainly knew the truth especially since he was one of the main people involved in the dispute over circumcision which led the to Jerusalem Council back in Acts Acts 15. We are also taught that true spiritual circumcision is of the heart and not of the outward flesh. Given the lessons of Acts 15 and what we find taught by Paul elsewhere the only possible true lesson here was that Paul knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God did not directly require circumcision. However, just as Jesus was baptized to fulfil all righteousness (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22) and just as we are taught about things offered unto idols (1Corinthians 8), there are times when we have to suffer in the flesh in order to not offend the spiritually immature beliefs of others.

The Jews which were in those quarters would have been offended if Timotheus was not physically circumcised even though it made no direct spiritual difference. The difference was indirect in avoiding offense being brought upon the gospel. There are times that God lets His ministers suffer in order to prove to other men the sincerity of their claims of the gospel and how it is more important than considerations of this world. After this suffering, none of these Jews could claim that Timotheus was insincere when he presented the gospel and old people that they had to be willing to suffer loss in the flesh in order to receive eternal rewards from God.

Please notice that our last phrase tells us that Timothy: was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. Remember that the prior chapter ended with Paul and Barnabas splitting from each other because Paul refused to take John Mark on another mission trip at that time. Our phrase explains why Timothy was accepted while John Mark was rejected. Our ability to be effective in the ministry is far more important than our human connections when it comes to the service of God.

Please see the note for Colossians C2S3 about the word behold. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines this word as: 'to fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care. Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1. 2. In a less intensive sense, to look upon; to see. When he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Num. 21. BEHO'LD, v.i. to look; to direct the eyes to an object. And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, a lambdas it had been slain. Rev.5. 1. to fix the attention upon an object; to attend; to direct or fix the mind. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Rev.3.word is much used in this manner for exciting attention, or admiration. It is in the imperative mode, expressing command, or exhortation; and by no means a mere exclamation.' Please also see the note for 2:18-19 about the word holding'.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S27 and Philippians 2:19 about Timothy / Timotheus. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Timotheus (Timothy) was Paul's main disciple. He is one of only three (Timothy, Titus and Onesimus) that Paul called son because he had the same character in the ministry as Paul had'. He is mentioned, in this book, in: Acts 16:1; Acts 17:14; Acts 17:15; Acts 18:5; Acts 19:22; Acts 20:4.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S2 about the words woman / women. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'It is evident from scripture that women were anciently held in much more honour and esteem in Eastern countries than they are now. Solomon, speaking of women, said that such as his soul sought for he did not find one in a thousand. Ec 7:28. this tells of fallen human nature; but the true thought of woman is that she is the glory of the man, his true helpmeet. this is fulfilled in the relationship of the church to Christ.
In the N.T. the true place of the woman in subjection to the man is plainly stated, as indicated in creation; and in the assembly the woman is to be silent, and not to teach. Her bearing and deportment are expressive of what she learns as taught of Christ. 1Co 11:3-15; 14:34-35; 1Ti 2:11. 12. Nevertheless women were greatly honoured in ministering to the Lord, and are accredited as helping on the work of the Lord in the gospel and among the saints. Lu 8:2-3; 23:27,55-56; Ro 16:1,3,6; Php 4:2-3; 2Jo 1:10'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Colossians 3:9-11 about the word Greek. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Found only in the New Testament, where a distinction is observed between "Greek" and "Grecian" (q.v.). the former is (1) a Greek by race (Ac 16:1-3; 18:17; Ro 1:14), or (2) a Gentile as opposed to a Jew (Ro 2:9-10). the latter, meaning properly "one who speaks Greek," is a foreign Jew opposed to a home Jew who dwelt in Palestine'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:2 about the word report. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To make a statement of facs'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:2 about the word report. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To make a statement of facts'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'to Derbe. Ac 14:6,21; 2Ti 3:11 named. Ac 17:14; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4-5; Ro 16:21; 1Co 4:17; Php 1:1; 2:19; Col 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 3:2; 2Th 1:1; 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2; Heb 13:23 which. 2Ti 1:5; 3:15-16 but. Ac 14:1; Ezr 9:2; 1Co 7:14
was. Ac 6:3; 1Ti 3:7; 5:10,25; 2Ti 3:15; Heb 11:2 Iconium. Ac 14:21; 2Ti 3:11 exp: Ac 13:51'.

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C16-S2 (Verse 3) What Paul did to Timothy so that he could join the mission team.

Equivalent Section: Paul selected Timothy to add to the team.

First Step: Paul determined to add Timothy.

Him would Paul have to go forth with him;

Second Step: What Paul did to make Timothy acceptable.

and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

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

What we see here is Paul doing what was necessary in order to make Timothy acceptable to the people that they were trying to reach with the Gospel. This type of thing is often required of missionaries and anyone who can not accept such requirements needs to stay home.

Many places in the New Testament tell us that physical circumcision does nothing spiritually for the person. Yes, God blesses certain physical activities, such as being baptized. However, the blessing is not for doing the physical act but for having a heart of obedience which is willing to be a testimony for God by doing the act in obedience to God.

In our First Equivalent Section, we read that Paul selected Timothy to add to the mission team. And, in order to do this, Paul took two Steps. First, he verified the character and testimony of Timothy to verify that he was saved, and serving God, and spiritually mature enough to handle the problems of the mission field, and other character traits. And, no, our phrase does not tell us that but the many other places where we read about Timothy tell us these things. Paul did not want to leave Timothy home like he did with John Mark.

Our second phrase tells us that Paul found out what would cause a problem with them giving out the Gospel and eliminated the problem. We see here that if someone has the right heart attitude and character, then other problems can, and should, be overcome. And, the problem was because of the Jews which were in those quarters. They sincerely believed that a man had to be physically circumcised in order to be saved. That was wrong, but arguing with the Jews would not change their minds and Paul had learned on his first mission trip that the Jews were willing to persecute the mission team from town to town and even do murder to anyone who disagreed with them. In addition, even if they left that area, they would meet Jews in other places who would have the same attitude. Therefore, Paul did the wise thing and took and circumcised him. No, it was not required spiritually. However, a truth that most people do not realize is that the missionary must accommodate local customs which do not go against the Bible if it gets the locals to listen. A simple example is the missionary to China wearing the local Chinese clothing because that is what it took to get people to listen to the Gospel.

Our last phrase tells us why this was necessary when it says: for they knew all that his father was a Greek. The Jews who did not know him, but who knew that father was a Greek, and that he was not circumcised would cause them to assume that he was an idol worshipping heathen. However, if they knew that his mother was a Jewess, and that he was circumcised, then they would not let their prejudice cause them to dismiss him as an idol worshipping heathen before they even talked to him.

The bottom line is that the missionary needs to do anything required in order to get people to listen to the Gospel. The only exceptions are things which go against our moral relationship with God or things that The word of God specifically forbid or anything which would hurt the testimony of the person or of the church.

Please see the note for Romans C4S13 about the word circumcision. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Cutting away the foreskin of males. Symbolically, it is letting God cut away all the sins of the flesh in our life'. Please see the note for Colossians C2S7 about the word circumcise`. The New Testament definition of the word circumcise is: 'To cut off the foreskin of males. To cut off the foreskin of males. A physical ceremony which shows spiritual agreement to cut away of the fleshly parts of our heart and soul. Religiously, it is symbolic submission to God done God's way'. This sentence uses the word circumcision to identify the ceremony which was demanded by Jews who were relying upon their religious ceremony for salvation instead of relying on a personal relationship with God for true salvation. Paul had Timothy circumcised to avoid doctrinal dispute even though it was not needed for salvation.

Please see the note for Mark 1:45 about the word quarter. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A particular region of a town, city or country; as all quarters of the city; in every quarter of the country or of the continent. Hence. 7. Usually in the plural, quarters, the place of lodging or temporary residence; appropriately, the place where officers and soldiers lodge, but applied to the lodgings of any temporary resident'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'would. Ac 15:37,40 and took. Ac 15:20; 1Co 7:19; 9:20; Ga 2:3,8; 5:1-3,6 General references. exp: Ga 2:3'.

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C16-S3 (Verse 4) the mission team told all churches the decrees which were ordained at Jerusalem.

And as they went through the cities,
they delivered them the decrees for to keep,
that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

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

They went to established churches first, and did this duty, before starting new churches.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 7:37 about the word decree. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To determine judicially; to resolve by sentence; as, the court decreed that the property should be restored; or they decreed a restoration of the property. 2. to determine or resolve legislatively; to fix or appoint; to set or constitute by edict or in purpose. thou shalt decree a thing, and it shall be established. Job xxii. Let us not be solicitous to know what God has decreed concerning us'.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S14; Romans C13S3 and 1Corinthians C7S20 about the words ordain / ordinance. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. Appointed; instituted; established; invested with ministerial or pastoral functions; settled'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they delivered. Ac 15:6,28-29'.

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C16-S4 (Verse 5) they helped existing churches.

And so were the churches established in the faith,
and increased in number daily.

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

Please see the note for Matthew 18:16 about the word establish. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To fix; to settle in a state for permanence; to make firm'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S10 about the word increase. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To become greater in bulk or quantity; to grow; to augment; as plants. Hence, to become more in number; to advance in value, or in any quality good or bad. Animal and vegetable bodies increase by natural growth; wealth increases by industry; heat increases, as the sun advances towards the meridian; a multitude increases by accession of numbers; knowledge increases with age and study; passion and enmity increase by irritation, and misery increases with vice. the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another. 1 thess.3. 2. to become more violent; as, the fever increases; the pain increases; cold, wind or a storm increases. 3. to become more bright or vivid; as, the light increases. 4. to swell; to rise. the waters increased and bore up the ark. Gen.7. 5. to swell; to become louder, as sound. 6. to become of more esteem and authority. He must increase, but I must decrease. John.3. 7. to enlarge, as the enlightened part of the moon's disk'.

Please see the note for Matthew 10:30 about the word number. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Used to count things Also used symbolically in the Bible'. That note is extensive and includes 'Numbers are used as Symbols' from the Morrish Bible Dictionary. Be very careful about the use of this information. Much doctrinal error and division has been caused in God's church by preachers claiming that the symbolicl meaning of numbers provided the single interpretation of The word of God and that the symbolic meaning actually corrected The word of God. All symbolic meanings provide the many applications, must be understood within the context where they are found, and can vary from one application to another. Be careful to not use these symbols beyond their God-given purpose.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'so. Ac 15:41; 2Ch 20:20; Isa 7:9; Ro 16:25; 1Co 15:58; Ga 5:1; Eph 4:13-16; Col 2:6; 1Th 3:2,13; 2Th 2:16; Heb 13:9,20-21; 1Pe 5:10 increased. Ac 2:47; 4:4; 5:14; 6:7; 9:31; 11:21; 12:24; 13:48-49; 19:18-21'.

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C16-S5 (Verse 6-7) God's Holy Ghost directly guided where the mission team went.

Equivalent Section: God's Holy Ghost used things in this world to prevent the team from going the wrong way.

Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia,
and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
After they were come to Mysia,
they assayed to go into Bithynia:.

Equivalent Section: God's Holy Spirit dealt with their spirits to prevent them going to the wrong place.

but the Spirit suffered them not.

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.

This sentence says that the mission team were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia. Thus, the third Person of the Trinity did the same thing three different ways. First, God's Holy Ghost used things in this world to prevent the team from going into Asia. Then, God's Holy Spirit dealt with their spirits to prevent them from going in another wrong way. This second time they were more sensitive to the leading of God's Holy Spirit and He didn't have to use things in this world to prevent them from going in the wrong way. Then, as the third way, we read, in the second next sentence, that Paul had his Macedonian vision. Thus, we see God's Holy Spirit directly leading this mission team.

I'm not positive why they were prevented from going to Bithynia but the saved Jews from Asia caused non-stop problems for Paul. They were leading in preaching that everyone had to keep Jewish religious traditions. They were also leading in the saved Jews who caused a riot while Paul prayed quietly in the Temple and had Paul arrested so that he ended up in Rome. Thus, we see that God's Holy Spirit was keeping them from problems that it was not the time for them to deal with. And, any tile that God's Holy Spirit denies what we want to do for God, we must accept, by faith, that He is preventing us from problems that we are not ready to face.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 10:14-16 about the word region. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines region as: 'A tract of land or space of indefinite extent, usually a tract of considerable extent. It is sometimes nearly synonymous with country; as all the region of Argob. Deut. 3. He had dominion over all the region on this side the river. 1Kings 4. So we speak of the airy region, the etherial regions, the upper regions, the lower regions. 2. the inhabitants of a region or district of country. Matt. 3. 3. A part of the body; as the region of the heart or liver. 4. Place; rank'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:1 about the word forbid. The New Testament definition is: 'To prohibit; to interdict; to command to forbear or not to do'. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S25 about the phrase God forbid.

The New Testament definition forthe word Asia is: 'An area of the world where Paul started churches. While these people in Asia were saved through the ministry of Paul, they were willing to forsake him and choose religion which excused their sin'.

The Jews of Asia are frequently mentioned as causing trouble for the church. On Paul's first missionary trip, he was forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia (Acts 16:6). They were also involved in causing the arrest of Paul by telling lies about his teaching in the Jerusalem Church. Even today, people in this region are involved in never-ending religious wars. Please see the note for C2-S9 for links to other places where this region is mentioned.

Please see the note for Acts 9:26 about the word assayed. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. Examined; tested; proved by experiment'. Basically, they tried several times and different ways, but God's Holy Ghost stopped them each time.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S17 and 1Corinthians C4S13 about the word suffer. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To feel or bear what is painful, disagreeable or distressing, either to the body or mind'. Please also see the note for Romans 9:22 about the word longsuffering. Please also see the note for Mark 8:31-LJC about the phrase suffering of Jesus Christ.

Please use the link in the sentence above and see the notes for Romans C8S1; Galatians C6S8 and Hebrews 8:10-LJC about the word Spirit. The New Testament definition is: 'An intelligent being from the spiritual reality which is a super-set of the physical reality'. As seen in the summary part of the Study on Spirit; 'We are made spiritually alive when God's spirit quickens our spirit'. That study also provides links to many more verses which teach the same doctrine. Please use his link for links to every usage in the Bible where we find the phrase Spirit of the Lord. Please see the note for Romans C11S13 about the phrase spirit of slumber. Please see the note for Galatians 6:1 in Word Study on Spirit for links to every place where we find the word spiritual. Please see the notes for Romans C8S40; Ephesians C6S8 about the phrase spiritual powers. Please see the note for 1Peter C1S11 about the phrase spiritual verses physical. Please see the notes for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits. Please see the note for please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Phrygia. Ac 2:10; 18:23 region. Ac 18:23; 1Co 16:1; Ga 1:2; 3:1; 2Ti 4:10; 1Pe 1:1 forbidden. Ac 16:7; 10:19; 11:12; 13:2-4; 20:28; 2Ch 6:7-9; Isa 30:21; Am 8:11-12; 1Co 12:11; Heb 11:8 Asia. Ac 19:10,26-27; 20:4,16; 2Co 1:8; 2Ti 1:15; 1Pe 1:1; Re 1:4,11 exp: Ac 2:9; 6:9. General references. exp: Ac 8:29.
Bithynia. 1Pe 1:1 General references. exp: Ac 8:29'.

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C16-S6 (Verse 8) Where they went next.
And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas

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.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:12-13 for links to every place in the Bible where we find mention of Troas. Fausset's Bible Dictionary writes about Troas as: 'Alexandria Troas, now Eshki Stamboul, "old Constantinople." A city of Mysia, S. of ancient Troy, opposite the island Tenedos. the country was called the Troad. Antigonus built and Lysimachus enlarged. Troas. It was the chief port between Macedonia and Asia Minor. the roads to the interior were good. Suetonius says Julius Caesar designed to establish there the seat of his empire (Caesar, 79); Augustus and Constantine meditated the same project. Roman sentiment attracted them to Troas, the alleged seat from whence Aeueas, the fabled progenitor of Rome's founder, originally migrated. the rains are large, and the harbour still traceable, a basin 400 ft. by 200 ft. Here on his second missionary tour Paul saw the vision of the man of Macedon praying, "come over and help us" (Ac 16:8-12).
During his next missionary tour Paul rested a while in his northward journey from Ephesus, hoping to meet Titus (2Co 2:12-13). On his return from this his first gospel preaching in Europe, he met at Troas those who went before him front Philippi; he stayed at T. seven days, and here restored to life Eutychus who had fallen from the third loft, being overwhelmed with sleep during Paul's long sermon: a reproof of carelessness and drowsiness in church on the one hand, and of long and late preaching on the other (Ac 20:5-13). Here after his first imprisonment he left his cloak, books, and parchments in Carpus' house (2Ti 4:13). Troas had then the jus Italicum. Beautiful coins of Troas are extant, the oldest bearing the head of Apollo Sminthius. the walls enclose a rectangle, one mile from E. to W. and one mile from N. to S'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Troas. Ac 16:11; 20:5; 2Co 2:12; 2Ti 4:13'.

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C16-S7 (Verse 9) Paul received his Macedonian vision.

First Step: God gave Paul a vision in the night.

And a vision appeared to Paul in the night;

Second Step: the vision explained.

There stood a man of Macedonia,
and prayed him,
saying,
Come over into Macedonia,
and help us.

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. Sometimes people emphasize this vision while excluding the prior sentences. Paul and his team were trying to do the work of God but were forbidden of the Holy Ghost. Now, when they seem to be stopped everywhere they tried to go, they did not stop but kept trying to do the will of God. Paul received this vision after he and his team had proven their faith by continuing to try and do God's will even when it appeared as if they were stopped each time that they tried. The lesson is: 'Don't give up'. God always puts His people through a trial before He blesses them. So, when you are going through a trial, keep going with the absolute assurance that God will bless after the trial is over. However, that is with the provision that you are checking with God's Holy Spirit to be sure that you're attitudes and actions are within the will of God.

Please see the note for Luke 1:22 about the word vision. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'By means of visions God often vouchsafed to make known His will. When Samuel was a child, before the word of Jehovah was revealed to him, for a time 'there was no open vision.' 1Sa 3:1,15. With the prophets they were frequently employed: more than twenty times we read of them in Daniel. In the future when the Spirit will be poured out, Israel's sons and daughters will prophesy; the old men will dream dreams, and the young men will see visions. Joe 2:28; Ac 2:17. the book of Revelation is a series of visions. Re 1:2'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:10 about the word appear. The New Testament definition is: 'The act of coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye'.

Please see the note for John 11:10 about the word night. Fausset's Bible Dictionary defines this word as '(1) the time of distress (Isa 21:12). (2) Death, the time when life's day is over (Joh 9:4). (3) Children of night, i.e. dark deeds, filthiness, which shuns daylight (1Th 5:5). (4) the present life, compared with the believer's bright life to come (Ro 13:12)'. Please also see the note for Matthew 25:6 about the word midnight.

Please use the link in the sentence outline, above, to see what the Bible says about Macedonia.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S25 and 2Corinthians C1S6 about the word pray. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'talking to God'. Please also see the Doctrinal Study called Pray for links to papers on prayer.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S24 about the word help. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To lend aid; to contribute strength or means. A generous present helps to persuade, as well as an agreeable person. to help out, to lend aid; to bring a supply'. Please also see the note for Luke 1:54-55` about the word holpen. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 16:9; Acts 18:27; Acts 21:28; Acts 26:22; Acts 27:17.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'a vision. Ac 2:17-18; 9:10-12; 10:3,10-17,30; 11:5-12; 18:9-10; 22:17-21; 27:23-24; 2Co 12:1-4,7 Macedonia. Ac 18:5; 19:21; Ro 15:26; 2Co 7:5; 8:1; 9:2; 11:9; 1Th 1:7-8; 4:10 exp: Ac 19:22. Come. Ac 8:26-31; 9:38; 10:32-33; 11:13-14; Ro 10:14-15'.

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C16-S8 (Verse 10) they obeyed the vision immediately.

And after he had seen the vision,
immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia,
assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

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.

Notice that they responded immediately. Lots of people miss out on blessings because they do not respond immediately to the call of God.

Please see the note for Mark 1:42 about the word immediate. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Proximate; acting without a medium, or without the intervention of another cause or means; producing its effect by its own direct agency. An immediate cause is that which is exerted directly in producing its effect, in opposition to a mediate cause, or one more remote. 2. Not acting by second causes; as the immediate will of God. 3. Instant; present; without the intervention of time. We must have an immediate supply of bread. Immediate are my needs-- Death--inflicted--by an immediate stroke'.

Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 2:17 about the words endeavour / endeavor. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. endev'or. An effort; an essay; an attempt; an exertion of physical strength, or the intellectual powers, towards the attainment of an object. the bold and sufficient pursue their game with more passion, endeavor and application, and therefore often succeed. Imitation is the endeavor of a later poet to write like one who has written before him on the same subject. Labor is a continued endeavor, or a succession of endeavors.
ENDEAV'OR, v.i. endev'or. to exert physical strength or intellectual power, for the accomplishment of an object; to try; to essay; to attempt. In a race, each man endeavors to outstrip his antagonist. A poet may endeavor to rival Homer, but without success. It is followed by after before a noun; as, the christian endeavors after more strict conformity to the example of Christ. 1. v.t. to attempt to gain; to try to effect. It is our duty to endeavor the recovery of these beneficial subjects'.

Please see the note for Colossians C2S1 about the word assurance. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The act of making a declaration in terms that furnish ground of confidence'. Please also see the note for Acts 2:36 about the words assure / assuredly. Please also see the Message called True Biblical Assurance. As explained in that Message, 'True assurance comes only from God through our ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ'. As explained in that Message, 'True assurance comes only from God through our ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ'. Please also see the message called Assurance, True Biblical.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'immediately. Ac 10:29; 26:13; Ps 119:60; Pr 3:27-28; 2Co 2:12-13'.

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C16-S9 (Verse 11-12) how they arrived at Philippi.

Equivalent Section: The path they took.

First Step: the few cities they arrived at.

Therefore losing from Troas,
we came with a straight course to Samothracia,
and the next day to Neapolis;.

Second Step: Where they ended up.

And from thence to Philippi,
which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia,
and a colony:.

Equivalent Section: What they did after arriving.

and we were in that city abiding certain days.

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.

This city is very important in the history of the early church. It was the first city in Europe where a church was established. The epistle, from Paul, to the church in this city is the only epistle with no rebuke of any kind. The theme of that epistle is: 'Keep on keeping on' and they are an example for all churches, especially in missions efforts.

Please see the note for Matthew 20:11-12 about the word heat. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'JHeat, as a sensation, is the effect produced on the sentient org and of animals, by the passage of caloric, disengaged from surrounding bodies, to the organs. When we touch or approach a hot body, the caloric or heat passes from that body to our org and of feeling, and gives the sensation of heat'.

Please see the note for Mark 1:18 about the words straight / straightway. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'STRAIGHT, a. L., formed from the root of reach, stretch, right. It is customary to write straight, for direct or right, and strait, for narrow, but this is a practice wholly arbitrary, both being the same word. Strait we use in the sense in which it is used in the south of Europe. Both sense proceed from stretching, straining. 1. Right, in a mathematical sense; direct; passing from one point to another by the nearest course; not deviating or crooked; as a straight line; a straight course; a straight piece of timber. 2. Narrow; close; tight; as a straight garment. See strait, as it is generally written. 3. Upright; according with justice and rectitude; not deviating from truth or fairness.
STRAIGHT, adv. Immediately; directly; in the shortest time. I know thy generous temper well; fling but the appearance of dishonor on it, it straight takes fire, and mounts into a blaze'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word course. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A set way for someone or something to move from an existing position in order to reach a goal'. Our sentence tells us that before they set sail, they had a planned way to reach their goal.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:15 about Philippi. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this city as: 'City in the east of Macedonia. It was founded by Philip the father of Alexander the Great, from whom it derived its name. It was the first European city visited by Paul. His preaching was blessed to the conversion of Lydia and others. On his casting out a spirit of divination from the young woman who followed him, a tumult was raised, and Paul and Silas were scourged and cast into prison; but this happily led to the conversion of the jailer and his household. Ac 16:12-40. Paul visited the place for a short time afterwards. Ac 20:6. to the church gathered there the Epistle to the Philippians was written. Php 1:1; 1Th 2:2. Extensive ruins are all that are left of the ancient city, now called Kavalla. It was the chief city, not of all Macedonia, but of that part of it'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:5 about the word chief. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Highest in office or rank; principal; as a chief priest; the chief butler'.

We find forms of the word colony only in this sentence. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The city of Philippi was a Roman colony (Ac 16:12), i.e., a military settlement of Roman soldiers and citizens, planted there to keep in subjection a newly-conquered district. A colony was Rome in miniature, under Roman municipal law, but governed by military officers (praetors and lictors), not by proconsuls. It had an independent internal government, the jus Italicum; i.e., the privileges of Italian citizens'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Philippi. Ac 20:6; Php 1:1; 1Th 2:2 the chief. or, the first. a colony. Ac 16:21'.

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C16-S10 (Verse 13) the mission team went to where believers met.

First Step: Where and when they met the believers.

And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side,
where prayer was wont to be made;.

Second Step: they preached the Gospel to them.

and we sat down,
and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

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.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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'.
The phrase on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side means: 'This is when and where they went'.
The phrase where prayer was wont to be made means: 'This is why they went there'.
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'.
The phrase and spake unto the women which resorted thither means: 'They told them the truth of the Gospel'.

Notice that they first went to where there were potential believers. It is important, when starting a mission work, to get local believers to help. The missionary is usually a stranger and given little trust. However, a local person is known and, usually, trusted more that a stranger. In addition, we see Paul and his team always trying to win the leaders of a local community first because a local leader has more influence in the local community. This is not so that they personally can become influential but so that The word of God has a better chance of being influential.

Please see the note for John 10:41 about the word resort. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.i. s as z. 1. to have recourse; to apply; to betake. the king thought it time to resort to other counsels. 2. to go; to repair. the people resort to him again. Mark 10. John 18. 3. to fall back. the inheritance of the son never resorted to the mother'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'on. Ac 13:14,42; 17:2; 18:4; 20:7 sabbath. Gr. sabbath-day. where. Lu 13:10 exp: Ac 17:1. and we. Ac 16:6; 21:5; Mt 5:1-2; 13:2; Lu 4:20-21; Joh 8:2 spake. Mr 16:15; Ga 3:28; Col 1:23'.

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C16-S11 (Verse 14) the testimony of the salvation of Lydia.

Equivalent Section: Who she was and what she did for a living and her relationship with God.

And a certain woman named Lydia,
a seller of purple,
of the city of thyatira,
which worshipped God,
heard us :.

Equivalent Section: .

whose heart the Lord opened,
that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

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.

Please also see the note on next sentence (below) which is tied to this sentence by starting with the word and. In addition, the link in the sentence outline, above, goes to the Word Study on worship. As explained there, 'Worship is a personal act that often requires personal sacrifice'. That Study also provides links to other places where The word of God teaches this truth.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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.
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 '.
The phrase which worshipped God means: As explained in the Detailed Note, 'Worship is a personal act that often requires personal sacrifice'.
The phrase heard us means: 'She had spiritual ears to hear the spiritual message which resulted in her personal salvation'.
The phrase whose heart the Lord opened means: 'The Lord caused her to truly believe the Gospel'.
The phrase that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul means: 'She paid close attention and considered what Paul said'.

Back in Acts 15:36 Paul said that he wanted to visit the churches that the Lord had started by using Paul. All of the sentences since them have been connected with connection words such as the and which starts this sentence and the next. Within this account of Paul's journey we find that Luke is using they through Acts 16:8 and when Paul and company leave, Luke switches to we (Acts 16:11). This indicates that Luke joined Paul's company at this time. While this is not of doctrinal consequence, it is something that some people find interesting. Hidden within sentences such as these we find hints of several people who join Paul's group and help him and many are not preachers but are missionaries.

Within this account, Paul's group reached Philippi in Acts 16:12. In many cities that Paul went to, he went into the synagogue first and tried to reach the Jews there. This often caused him trouble and he was often beat and cast out of the city. Acts16:13 tells us and on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. Some people claim that there was no synagogue there but that doesn't make sense because Acts 16:12 tells us that Philippiis the chief city of that section of Macedonia, and a colony. Such a place would certainly have attracted enough Jews to have a synagogue.

Regardless of why Paul changed his habit here, he reached Jewish women who were trying to serve the Lord (whose heart the Lord opened) and was able to establish a church in her home without the opposition of Jewish religious leaders as he usually had. We also see this difference in liberty explained in 2Corinthians 3:12-18 which also tells us that the vail is taken away from people's minds when they turn to the Lord. We also see this difference in the claim by many preachers that this church at Philippi is the only one that Paul wrote a letter to and didn't have to correct heresy. They started on a better basis (attitude towards the Lord and the gospel), which resulted in a better service.

While Paul avoided problems with the Jewish religious leaders, Satan wasn't going to be put off and sent a possessed girl to torment Paul and Barnabas (Acts 16:16-18). Satan then used this as a way to have lost men complain about losing money. As we read the account in the rest of the chapter, we find that men are certainly willing to break the law for money but are far less willing to be flagrant about it and Paul was able to put some limits upon the interference with the gospel that he was not able to get when dealing with religious fanatics.

We see Lord used in this sentence because it was the Lord who opened her heart that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. Soul winners often don't realize (or ignore) the fact that Christ doesn't deal with people until after they are saved. Jesus is our Saviour, but so is God the Father and God the Son as Lord and as Christ because there are different aspects to our salvation that are handled by each of these roles. We've seen in this study where lost people sought salvation from Jesus and were not saved but have seen several places that say whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Psalms 116:4; Zechariah 13:9; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; please see the note for Acts 2:21 for further references).

We have also seen that there is a doctrinal difference between The word of God and The [word/doctrine] of the Lord. (Please see the notes for Acts 13:47; Acts 13:48; Acts 13:49 and Acts 14:3.) In each of these places and more we have seen the difference is that the Lord has the power to deliver the lost from the control of Satan and sin but the Lord requires us to swear allegiance to Him and to submit and to trust and obey. Jesus is the weak human role of the Son of God and people don't mind turning to Jesus for salvation, when they would refuse to call on the name of the Lord because they believe that they can argue doctrine with Jesus. That is the difference and those who will not submit and obey without question are not saved.

Where Jews in the synagogues argued doctrine with Paul, Lydia had a heart that The Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. Because she was willing to submit to and obey the Lord from her heart, she was saved.

Please see above about Thyatira.

Please see the note for John 18:20 about the words open / openly. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' Unclosed; not shut; as, the gate is open; an open door or window; an open book; open eyes'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Lydia. Ac 16:40 thyatira. Re 1:11; 2:18-24 worshipped. Ac 8:27; 10:2; 18:7; Joh 12:20 whose. Ac 11:21; Ps 110:3; Song 5:4; Isa 50:5; Lu 24:45; Joh 6:44-45; Ro 9:16; 1Co 3:6-7; 2Co 3:14-16; 4:4-6; Eph 1:17-18; Php 2:13; Jas 1:16-17; Re 3:7,20 General references. exp: Lu 24:29,45'.

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C16-S12 (Verse 15) the church was started in her home.

And when she was baptized,
and her household,
she besought us,
saying,
If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,
come into my house,
and abide 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. This sentence starts with the word and, which adds it to the prior verse. (Please see the note above about that sentence.) In addition, the next sentence also starts with the word and. Therefore, all of these sentences need to be considered together in order to fulfill the requirements of context.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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'.
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.
The phrase and her household means: 'She made sure that everyone in her household also believed and had a changed lifestyle'.
The phrase she besought us, saying means: 'She begged for the opportunity to do more to serve the Lord'.
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.
The phrase come into my house means: 'Use her house for the place that the church would meet'.
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.

Here, Lydia challenged Paul with If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord. She had to leave her religious (Jewish) traditions and prefer the commandments of her Lord above those traditions, and provide visible evidence, before she could make this challenge. This is totally different from what we see from many professing Christians today who feel that they are very spiritual because they attend church regularly. That was what Lydia was doing before she was saved. If it was no crime to be religious but was a crime to display the true Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), she would be found guilty, unlike most professing Christians of today.

Notice that she had to prove that she was faithful to the Lord before she was allowed to do any great work for the Lord such as help start a ministry. However, after she proved to be faithful to the Lord, then she was allowed. Notice that I say 'allowed'. This sentence says and she constrained us. Having a church in your house is very inconvenient, and expensive and imposing and other things. It didn't matter if she was sick or wanted to tae a vacation. It didn't matter how much the 'snotty nosed bus kids' made a mess. It obviously didn't matter about any of these things because she constrained us.

Notice that she did not challenge Paul until after she was baptized. She had to first prove that she was submissive to God's doctrines. In addition, she also made sure that her household was also saved and baptized. This showed that she had her household under control. If a church is associated with people serving a devil, as we see Satan tried to do later in this chapter, then the testimony of the church is damaged and their effectiveness for the kingdom of God is greatly reduced.

The doctrinal meaning of the word baptize is 'identification'. John's baptism 'identified people with true repentance'. Baptism of the Holy Ghost 'identified people a changed life due to having God's life in them'. Please see the messages called Basic doctrine of Baptism and Baptism Gets God's Mercy. Also, Acts 19 tells us about people who repented and were baptized with John's baptism, but were not saved. He only prepared the way of the Lord but people still had to accept Jesus as their Lord in an ongoing personal relationship in order to be truly saved. (That is the main lesson of the reference in Acts 19).

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word house. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' In a general sense, a building or shed intended or used as a habitation or shelter for animals of any kind; but appropriately, a building or edifice for the habitation of man; a dwelling place, mansion or abode for any of the human species. It may be of any size and composed of any materials whatever, wood, stone, brick, etc. This word is also used, symbolically within the Bible, for the descendants of a person'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 4:17 about the phrase house of God. Please also see the note for Luke 1:26-27 about the phrase house of David. Please also see the note for Luke 1:32-33 about the phrase house of Jacob. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:25 about the words household / householder.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:8 about the word besought. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The past-tense form of the word beseech'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S1 about the word beseech. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when. Ac 16:33; 8:12,38; 11:14; 18:8; 1Co 1:13-16 If. Eph 1:1; Php 1:7; Phm 1:17; 1Pe 5:12; 3Jo 1:5 come. Ge 18:4-5; Jg 19:19-20; Mt 10:41; Lu 9:4-5; 10:5-7; Ro 16:23; Ga 6:10; Heb 13:2; 2Jo 1:10; 3Jo 1:8 General references. exp: Mr 6:10; Lu 9:4; Php 1:5'.

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C16-S13 (Verse 15) And she constrained us

Webster's1828 defines constrained as 'Urged irresistibly or powerfully; compelled; forced; restrained; confined; bound; imprisoned; necessitated'. When we honestly consider the great impositions and problems to her life in this world, and consider the effort that she went to in order to get those problems, it should be easy to accept that she believed that the Lord would give her great rewards for eternity that she would not receive any other way. This type of understanding only comes to those who experience the rewards of being faithful to the Lord.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'And she. Ge 19:3; 33:11; Jg 19:21; 1Sa 28:23; 2Ki 4:8; Lu 14:23; 24:29; 2Co 5:14; 12:11; Heb 13:2 General references. exp: Mr 6:10; Lu 9:4; Php 1:5'.

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C16-S14 (Verse 16-17) the spiritual attack Satan added to the new mission church.

Equivalent Section: the devil caused the girl to seek Paul and company.

And it came to pass,
as we went to prayer,
a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us,
which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:.

Equivalent Section: The devil caused the girl to harass Paul and company.

The same followed Paul and us,
and cried,
saying,
These men are the servants of the most high God,
which shew unto us the way of salvation.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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.
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'.
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'.
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.
The phrase which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying means: 'This was their reward for encouraging the worship of a false god'.
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.
The phrase and cried, saying means: 'The devil made sure that everyone heard her message'.
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'.
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'.

Please see the note for Mark 5:40 about the word damsel. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'A young woman. formerly, a young man or woman of noble or genteel extraction; as Damsel Pepin; Damsel Richard, prince of Wales. It is now used only of young women, and is applied to any class of young unmarried women, unless to the most vulgar, and sometimes to country girls. With her train of damsels she was gone. Dryden. then Boaz said, whose damsel is this? Ruth ii. this word is rarely used in conversation, or even in prose writings of the present day; but it occurs frequently in the scriptures, and in poetry'.

Please see the note for Mark 1:32 about the word possess. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To retain control. Men possess lands and other things. Devils can possess people or animals'. Please also see the note for Acts 2:44-45 about the word possession. Please also see the section called Jesus and Devils; in the Study called Significant Gospel Events, for links to every place where Jesus dealt with devils and separates the references according to how He dealt with them. Please note that there are no 'daemons' within the Bible. That word is doctrinal error deliberately taught by devil-motivated men to cause God's children to ignore or think less about the true danger that true devils are. Please also see the note for 12:9 about the word devil. Please also see the Word Study on Spirit for links to every place in the Bible where we find 'Other Spirits', which are devils. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about Satan.

We find the word divination in: Numbers 22:7; Numbers 23:23; Deuteronomy 18:10; 2Kings 17:17; Jeremiah 14:14; Ezekiel 12:24; Ezekiel 13:6-7; Ezekiel 21:21-23; Acts 16:16. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Claiming to receive an answer from a spirit who can be God or a devil'. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The act of divining; a foretelling future events, or discovering things secret or obscure, by the aid of superior beings, or by other than human means. the ancient heathen philosophers divided divination into two kinds, natural and artificial. Natural divination was supposed to be effected by a kind of inspiration or divine afflatus; artificial divination was effected by certain rites, experiments or observations, as by sacrifices, cakes, flour, wine, observation of entrails, flight of birds, lots, verses, omens, position of the stars. 2. Conjectural presage; prediction'. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'of false prophets (De 18:10,14; Mic 3:6-7,11), of necromancers (1Sa 28:8), of the Philistine priests and diviners (1Sa 6:2), of Balaam (Jos 13:22). three kinds of divination are mentioned in Eze 21:21, by arrows, consulting with images (The teraphim), and by examining the entrails of animals sacrificed. the practice of this art seems to have been encouraged in ancient Egypt. Diviners also abounded among the aborigines of Canaan and the Philistines (Isa 2:6; 1Sa 28). At a later period multitudes of magicians poured from Chaldea and Arabia into the land of Israel, and pursued their occupations (Isa 8:19; 2Ki 21:6; 2Ch 33:6). this superstition widely spread, and in the time of the apostles there were "vagabond Jews, exorcists" (Ac 19:13), and men like Simon Magus (Ac 8:9), Bar-jesus (Ac 13:6,8), and other jugglers and impostors (Ac 19:19; 2Ti 3:13). Every species and degree of this superstition was strictly forbidden by the law of Moses (Ex 22:18; Le 19:26,31; 20:27; De 18:10-11).
But beyond these various forms of superstition, there are instances of divination on record in the Scriptures by which God was pleased to make known his will.
(1.) there was divination by lot, by which, when resorted to in matters of moment, and with solemnity, God intimated his will (Jos 7:13). the land of Canaan was divided by lot (Nu 26:55-56); Achan's guilt was detected (Jos 7:16-19), Saul was elected king (1Sa 10:20-21), and Matthias chosen to the apostleship, by the solem lot (Ac 1:26). It was thus also that the scape-goat was determined (Le 16:8-10).
(2.) there was divination by dreams (Ge 20:6; De 13:1,3; Jg 7:13,15; Mt 1:20; 2:12-13,19,22). this is illustrated in the history of Joseph (Ge 41:25-32) and of Daniel (Da 2:27; 4:19-28).
(3.) By divine appointment there was also divination by the Urim and thummim (Nu 27:21), and by the ephod.
(4.) God was pleased sometimes to vouch-safe direct vocal communications to men (De 34:10; Ex 3:4; 4:3; De 4:14-15; 1Ki 19:12). He also commused with men from above the mercy-seat (Ex 25:22), and at the door of the tabernacle (Ex 29:42-43).
(5.) through his prophets God revealed himself, and gave intimations of his will (2Ki 13:17; Jer 51:63-64)'.

Please see the note for 1Peter 2:18 about the word master. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A man who rules, governs or directs either men or business. A man who owns slaves is their master; he who has servants is their master; he who has apprentices is their master, as he has the government and direction of them. the man who superintends and directs any business, is master, or master workman'. When the word Master is capitalized, it always refers to Jesus Christ.

Please also see the note for Philippians 1:21 about the word gain. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To obtain by industry or the employment of capital; to get as profit or advantage; to acquire'. Please also see the note for Romans C10S28 about the word gainsaying. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To contradict; to oppose in words; to deny or declare not to be true what another says; to controvert; to dispute; applied to persons, or to propositions, declarations or facts. I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke.21'.

We find forms of the word soothsaying only in this sentence. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. the foretelling of future events by persons without divine aid or authority, and thus distinguished form prophecy'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S16 about the word follow. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To go after or behind; to walk, ride or move behind, but in the same direction. Soldiers will usually follow a brave officer'. Please also see the note for Romans C14S25 about the phrase follow after. Please also see the note for Mark 2:14 about the phrase follow me. Please also see the Message called Follow Me As I Follow Christ for the application of these verses in the life of the believer. Please see the note for Matthew 3:11 about the phrase come after me. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'follow me to do things the same way as I do'.

Please see the note for Mark 1:3 about the word cry. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Loud notorious exclamation as a crying sin or warning'. The word cried is the past-tense form of the word cry.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To work for; to bestow the labor of body and mind in the employment of another'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. The New Testament definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S8 about the word shew. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The Biblical spelling for the word show, which means: to exhibit or present to the view of others'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'as. Ac 16:13 possessed. Ac 16:18; 8:9-11; Ex 7:11-12; De 13:1-3; 18:9-11; 1Sa 28:7; 1Ch 10:13; Isa 8:19; Ga 5:20; 2Ti 3:8 divination. or, Python. which. Ac 19:24; 1Ti 6:10; 2Pe 2:3; Re 18:11-13 General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Le 19:31.
These. Ac 19:13; Mt 8:29; Mr 1:24; Lu 4:34,41 the servants. Da 3:26,28; 6:16,20; Jon 1:9; 1Pe 2:16 the most. Ge 14:18-22; Ps 57:2; 78:35; Da 4:2; 5:18,21; Mic 6:6; Mr 5:7; Lu 8:28 exp: Heb 7:1. The way. Ac 16:30-31; 18:26; Mt 7:13-14; 22:16; Mr 12:14; Lu 1:77,79; 20:21; Joh 14:6; Heb 10:19-22 General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Le 19:31; Ac 19:15'.

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C16-S15 (Verse 18) And this did she many days

This was a non-stop harassment by the devil.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Le 19:31; Mr 3:12; 5:8; Ac 19:11,15'.

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C16-S16 (Verse 18) Paul ordered the devil out of her.

But Paul,
being grieved,
turned and said to the Spirit,
I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.

Paul uses Jesus Christ as the combination of the ministry of Jesus and of Christ which is evidence of true Biblical salvation. This verse also uses Jesus Christ to identify the true most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. As explained below, the message that this devil possessed girl was giving could be misconstrued into a false profession which made people believe they were saved when they were not.

Notice that this verse starts with And, which adds it to the prior verse. There, we are told that she continued to follow Paul and others crying These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. Now many people would think that this is a wonderful thing. And in fact, this tells us (doctrinally) that lost and/or possessed people, and devils, can tell the gospel. However, when such people do they discredit the truth and ultimately mix sin with truth which leads to the damnable heresy of easy believism. True Biblical salvation isn't just following the form (doing a religious deed) but requires a personal relationship with the Son of God. Notice that she said they are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. If you show me the way to New York, I don't have to join you but can go my own way by following your directions. Religion claims that salvation is possible without joining God and the church. Religion claims that salvation is achieved by following the way of God (religious acts) without needing the relationship.

True Biblical salvation also isn't just 'saying a prayer to Jesus' with no evidence of the ministry of Christ (personal spiritual growth after profession). It also isn't a claimed relationship with Christ (religious conversion) that denies that the man Jesus had to die for personal sins. True Biblical salvation shows evidence of both ministries in the life of the believer. Further, we have seen consistently since the beginning of Acts 13 that there is a difference in salvation due to the difference between hearing The word of God and accepting The [word/doctrine] of the Lord. A person who truly calls on the name of the Lord (Psalms 116:4; Zechariah 13:9; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13; please see the note for Acts 2:21 for further references) agrees to submit to the Lord and accept His judgment of the deeds of this life. Notice that this devil possessed girl didn't say tat they served the Lord but served The most high God. Many religions claim to serve The most high God who have not submitted to the Lord and actually serve a devil who is claiming to be The most high God. The devil in this possessed girl was promising salvation without submission to the Lord because a devil has not (yet) submitted to the Lord.

In addition, as noted for Acts 16:15; Paul and Silas had avoided the religious persecution from Jewish fanatics. By using this girl to follow them and cry this message, the devil was hoping to stir up these religious fanatics against Paul and Silas. Remember, they were not going to the synagogue but to a church that met in a woman's house. This devil possessed girl was 'rubbing the Jews' noses' in the fact tat they did not have The way of salvation. Doing such a thing is usually a good way to get a fanatical reaction. All in all, this devil possessed girl was not helping but was trying to stop Paul and Silas and Paul had good reason to be grieved.

Note: Paul did as we saw that Jesus did in the Gospels. In Acts 19:13-17; we read about some Jews who tried to do the same but could not because they did not have the right to do so. Only those saved people who receive this right from Jesus Christ can cast out devils.

Please see the note for 1Peter 2:19 about the word greif. The New Testament for this word is: 'The pain of mind produced by loss, misfortune, injury or evils of any kind; sorrow; regret. We experience grief when we lose a friend, when we incur loss, when we consider ourselves injured, and by sympathy, we feel grief at the misfortunes of others'. Please see the note for Romans 14:15 about the word grieve. The New Testament for this word is: 'To give pain of mind to; to afflict; to wound the feelings. Nothing grieves a parent like the conduct of a profligate child'. Please see the note for Philippians 3:1 about the word grievous. The New Testament for this word is: 'from grieve, or grief. Heavy; oppressive; burdensome; as a grievous load of taxes. 1. Afflictive; painful; hard to be borne. Correction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way. Prov.15'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'being. Ac 14:13-15; Mr 1:25-26,34 I command. Ac 3:6; 9:34; 19:12-17; Mr 9:25-26; 16:17; Lu 9:1; 10:17-19; Col 2:15 General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Le 19:31; Mr 3:12; 5:8; Ac 19:11,15'.

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C16-S17 (Verse 18) the devil left the damsel.
And he came out the same hour

Please see the note for John 2:4 about the word hour. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a short period of time relative to the perspective. Thus, a thousand years can be considered to be an hour / short period of time from the perspective of eternity'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. exp: Ex 22:18; Le 19:31; Mr 3:12; 5:8; Ac 19:11,15'.

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C16-S18 (Verse 19-21) the masters lied in order to get Paul, and others, beat and put into prison.

And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone,
they caught Paul and Silas,
and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
And brought them to the magistrates,
saying,
These men,
being Jews,
do exceedingly trouble our city,
And teach customs,
which are not lawful for us to receive,
neither to observe,
being Romans.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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'.
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'.
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'.
The phrase and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers means: 'This was where government business was conducted'.
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'.
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'.
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'.
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'.
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'.

People need to realize that these types of lies are still used by devils today in order to try and stop the spread of the Gospel.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S18; 1Corinthians C13S10 and Philippians 1:19-20 about the word hope. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'hope is like faith in that both require us acting upon our belief before we have any factual evidence that we are correct. However, where faith is based upon a promise found in the word of God, hope is based upon the character of God when there is no written promise found'.

The word caught is the past-tense form of the word catch. Please see the note for Luke 5:10 about the word catch. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to seize or lay hold on with the hand; carrying the sense of pursuit, thrusting forward the hand, or rushing on. And they came upon him and caught him. Acts 6. 2. to seize, in a general sense; as, to catch a ball; to catch hold of a bough. 3. to seize, as in a snare or trap; to ensnare; to entangle. they sent certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. Mark 12. 4. to seize in pursuit; hence simply to overtake; a popular use of the word. He ran, but could not catch him companion. 5. to take hold; to communicate to. the fire caught the adjoining building. 6. to seize the affections; to engage and attach to; as, to catch the fair. 7. to take or receive by contagion or infection; as, to catch the measles or small pox. 8. to snatch; to take suddenly; as, to catch a book out of the hand. 9. to receive something passing. the swelling sails no more catch the soft airs and wanton in the sky. Trumbull. to catch at, to endeavor to seize suddenly. to catch at all opportunities of subverting the state. to catch up, to snatch; to take up suddenly'.

Please see the note for Matthew 15:7-8 about the words draw / drawn / drew. The word drawn and drew. are past-tense forms of the word draw. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To pull along; to haul; to cause to move forward by force applied in advance of the thing moved or at the fore-end, as by a rope or chain. It differs from drag only in this, that drag is more generally applied to things moved along the ground by sliding, or moved with greater toil or difficulty, and draw is applied to all bodies moved by force in advance, whatever may be the degree of force. Draw is the more general or generic term, and drag, more specific'.

Please see the note for Luke 7:32 about the word marketplace. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'any place of public resort, and hence a public place or broad street (Mt 11:16; 20:3), as well as a forum or market-place proper, where goods were exposed for sale, and where public assemblies and trials were held (Ac 16:19; 17:17). this word occurs in the Old Testament only in Eze 27:13. In early times markets were held at the gates of cities, where commodities were exposed for sale (2Ki 7:18). In large towns the sale of particular articles seems to have been confined to certain streets, as we may infer from such expressions as "The bakers' street" (Jer 37:21), and from the circumstance that in the time of Josephus the valley between Mounts Zion and Moriah was called the Tyropoeon or the "valley of the cheesemakers"'. Please also see the note for Mark 7:4 about the word market. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'In Greek AGORA, in Latin FORUM, a large open area in many ancient cities, especially of Greece and Rome, having the public market on one side only, the other sides of the are being occupied by temples, theatres, colonnades, courts of justice, baths, and other public structures, the whole square often presenting a magnificent appearance. Here was the city exchange, the focus to which converged all the lines of public life. Hither laborers resorted in search of employment, Mt 20:3-7, and children to pursue their sports, Lu 7:32. Here the ordinary assemblies of the people were held; here philosophers and statesmen met and debated; here laws were promulgated and news announced; hither men resorted for pleasure as well as for business. the most notable public men, and indeed all classes of citizens, here congregated; and what was done here was done before the whole city. Hence the proud Pharisees desired "greeting in the market places," Mt 12:38; and Paul resorted to the agora at Athens to meet and convince the philosophers, Ac 17:17; and the masters of the damsel at Philippi exorcised by Paul and Silas, "drew them into the market place unto the rulers," Ac 16:19'.

Please see the note for John 7:26 about the word ruler. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'One that governs, whether emperor, king, pope or governor; any one that exercises supreme power over others. 2. One that makes or executes laws in a limited or free government. thus, legislators and magistrates are called rulers. 3. A rule; an instrument of wood or metal with straight edges or sides, by which lines are drawn on paper, parchment or other substance. When a ruler has the lines of chords, tangents, sines, etc. it is called a plane scale'.

Please see the note for Titus 3:1 about the word magistrate. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'A public civil officer, invested with the executive government of some branch of it. in this sense, a king is the highest or first magistrate, as is the President of the United States. But the word is more particularly applied to subordinate officers, as governors, intendants, prefects, mayors, justices of the peace, and the like. the magistrate must have his reverence; the laws their authority'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 16:20; Acts 16:22; Acts 16:35; Acts 16:36; Acts 16:38.

Please see the note for Ephesians C2S2 about the word exceed. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'ppr. Going beyond; surpassing; excelling; outdoing. 1. Great in extent, quantity or duration; very extensive. Cities were built an exceeding space of time before the flood. this sense is unusual. 2. adv. In a very great degree; unusually; as exceeding rich. the Genoese were exceeding powerful by sea. I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen.15.
EXCEE'DING, n. Excess; superfluity'. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 7:20; Acts 16:20; Acts 26:11; Acts 27:18.

Please see the note for Romans C13S10 about the word custom. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Frequent or common use, or practice; a frequent repetition of the same act; hence, way; established manner; habitual practice'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:21 about the word observe. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'The sense is to hold in view, or to keep the eyes on. 1. to see or behold with some attention; to notice; as, to observe a halo round the moon; I observed a singular phenomenon; we observe strangers or their dress. I saw the figure, but observed nothing peculiar in it. 2. to take notice or cognizance of by the intellect. We observe nice distinctions in arguments, or a peculiar delicacy of thought. 3. to utter or express, as a remark, opinion or sentiment; to remark. He observed that no man appears great to his domestics. 4. to keep religiously; to celebrate. A night to be much observed to the Lord. Ex. 12. Ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Ex. 12. Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. Gal. 4. 5. to keep or adhere to in practice; to comply with; to obey; as, to observe the laws of the state; to observe the rules and regulations of a society. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Matt. 28. 6. to practice. In the days of Enoch, the people observed not circumcision or the sabbath'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The hope. Ac 19:24-27; 1Ti 6:10 they. Ac 9:16; 14:5,19; 15:26; 18:12-13; 21:30; Mt 10:16-18; 24:9; Mr 13:9; 2Co 6:5 exp: Da 6:12; Ac 19:28. market-place. or, court. General references. exp: Ex 22:18.
being. Ac 18:2; 19:34; Ezr 4:12-15; Es 3:8-9 do. Ac 17:6-8; 28:22; 1Ki 18:17-18; Mt 2:3; Joh 15:18-20; Ro 12:2; Jas 4:4
General references. Ac 26:3; Jer 10:3'.

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C16-S19 (Verse 22) Abuse of judicial power

Equivalent Section: the masters got a multitude to show up and threaten a riot.

And the multitude rose up together against them:

Equivalent Section: the magistrates did not investigate but commanded punishment.

and the magistrates rent off their clothes,
and commanded to beat them.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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'.
The phrase and the magistrates rent off their clothes means: 'The magistrates demonstrated extreme stress at the threat from the multitude'.
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'.

The word rose. is the paast-tense form of the word rise. Please see the note for Colossians C2-S7 about the word rise. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' to move to pass upward in any manner; to ascend; as, a fog rises from a river or from low ground; a fish rises in water; fowls rise in the air; clouds rise from the horizon towards the meridian; a balloon rises above the clouds'. Please also see the note for Mark 10:1 about the words arise / arose. Please also see the note for John 20:2-LJC about the phrase risen Jesus is Lord.

Please see the note for Matthew 26:65 about the words rend / rent. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pp. of rend. Torn asunder; split or burst by violence; torn'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:2-3 about the word clothed. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Covered with garments; dressed; invested; furnished with clothing'.

Please see the note for Mark 13:9 about the word beaten. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Struck; dashed against; pressed or laid down; hammered; pounded; vanquished; make smooth by treading; worn by use; tracked'. Please also see the note for Mark 12:5 about the word beat.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The multitude. Ac 17:5; 18:12; 19:28-41; 21:30-31; 22:22-23 the magistrates. Ac 16:37; 5:40; 22:24-26; Mt 10:17; 27:26; 2Co 6:5; 11:23-25; 1Th 2:2; Heb 11:36; 1Pe 2:24 General references. exp: De 25:2'.

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C16-S20 (Verse 23-24) What was done to Paul and Silas.

Equivalent Section: What the magistrates ordered done to them.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them,
they cast them into prison,
charging the jailer to keep them safely:.

Equivalent Section: What the prison keeper ordered done to them.

Who,
having received such a charge,
thrust them into the inner prison,
and made their feet fast in the stocks.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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.
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'.
The phrase they cast them into prison means: 'They were kept for further punishment'.
The phrase charging the jailer to keep them safely means: 'The jailer was threatened to take their punishment if they escaped'.
The phrase Who, having received such a charge means: 'The jailer responded to the real threat'.
The phrase thrust them into the inner prison means: 'He put them in the most secure part of the prison'.
The phrase and made their feet fast in the stocks. means: 'He chained them to the wall within the inner prison'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 6:3 about the word stripe. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'as a punishment were not to exceed forty (De 25:1-3), and hence arose the custom of limiting them to thirty-nine (2Co 11:24). Paul claimed the privilege of a Roman citizen in regard to the infliction of stripes (Ac 16:37-38; 22:25-29). Our Lord was beaten with stripes (Mt 27:26)'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:29 about the word cast. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In general "to throw," with various degrees of violence; usually, with force, but not so necessarily, as e.g. in cast a net, cast lots'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S19 about the phrase cast away. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:8-10 about the phrase cast down. Please also see the note for Mark 9:28 about the phrase cast out. Please also see the note for Romans C11S1 about the phrase God will not cast away his people.

Please see the note for Matthew 4:12 about the word prison. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The place of detainment and confiment used by a government'. Please also see the note for Philemon 1:1 about the word prisoner. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 6:3 about the word imprisonment.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 1:3-4 about the word charge. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A superior authority gives a formal and legal command to a subordinate which includes the necessary rights and responsibilities to accomplish the assigned task'. Please also see the Message called A Pastoral Charge about the seven charges, that are in 1Timothy. Please also see the note for Luke 21:34 about the word overcharge. Please also see the note for Mark 6:25 about the word charger.

We find forms of the word jailor only in this sentence. he was 'The man in charge of the prison'.

Please see the note for Philippians 3:1 about the word safe. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 dictionary defines safe as: 'a. L. salvus, from salus, safety, health. 1. Free from danger of any kind; as safe from enemies; safe from disease; safe from storms; safe from the malice of foes. 2. Free from hurt, injury or damage; as, to walk safe over red hot plowshares. We brought the goods safe to land. 3. confering safety; securing from harm; as a safe guide; a safe harbor; a safe bridge. 4. Not exposing to danger. Phil. 3. 5. No longer dangerous; placed beyond the power of doing harm; a ludicrous meaning. Banquo's safe. - Aye, my good lord, safe in a ditch. SAFE, n. A place of safety; a place for securing provisions from noxious animals'.

Please see the note for Luke 4:28-29 about the word thrust. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To push or drive with force; as, to thrust anything with the hand or foot, or with an instrument'.

Please see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the word foot. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The end of the leg which people walk on. This word is often used symbolically for how the foot is used'. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Matthew 18:28 about the phrase trodden under foot. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:13 about the word footstool. Please also see the note for Luke 1:76 about the word feet. The word feet is: 'The end of the leg which people walk on. This word is often used symbolically for how the foot is used'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word fast. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Literally, set, stopped, fixed, or pressed close. Hence, close; tight; as, make fast the door; take fast hold. When people stop eating that tine is also called a fast'. Please also see the note for Luke 15:22-24 about the word fasten. Please also see the note for Galatians C5S1 about the phrase stand fast. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C15S54 about the word stedfast.

Please see the note for Philippians 3:5 about the word stock. The American Tract Society Dictionary defines this word as: 'The trunk of a tree, Job 14:8, or a reproachful name for the idols carved out of it, Jer 2:27; Ho 4:12. the stocks in which Paul and Silas were fastened, Ac 16:24, were an instrument well known in Europe and America until recent times; consisting of two beams, the upper one movable, with grooves between them large enough to receive the ankles of the prisoner. the arms also were sometimes confined. Stocks were frequently erected in market places, that the insults of the populace might be added to the pain of confinement, Job 13:27; Jer 20:2'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they cast. Ac 5:18; 8:3; 9:2; 12:4; Lu 21:12; Eph 3:1; 4:1; 2Ti 2:9; Phm 1:9; Re 1:9; 2:10 to keep. Ac 5:23; 12:18; 1Sa 23:22-23; Mt 26:48; 27:63-66 General references. exp: De 25:2; Ac 5:18.
The inner. 1Ki 22:27; Jer 37:15-16; 38:26; La 3:53-55 and made. 2Ch 16:10 (Heb) Job 13:27; 33:11; Ps 105:18; Jer 20:2; 29:26 General references. exp: De 25:2; La 3:55; Ac 5:18'.

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C16-S21 (Verse 25) What Paul and Silas did in prison.

Equivalent Section: When and how they acted.

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed,
and sang praises unto God :.

Equivalent Section: the testimony to God.

and the prisoners heard them.

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.

Our sentence starts with the word and. That 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 how Paul and Silas reacted to being beat and cast into the inner prison'.

They would have been beat during daylight so that all of the people in the city could see it. In that part of the world, sunset is always within an hour of 6PM. Therefore, midnight would have been about six hours later. We can believe that it took them that long to recover enough from the beating to pray and sing sang praises unto God. That is why we are told that they acted at midnight.

Our Second Equivalent Section tells us that The prisoners heard them. They were loud enough to be heard all through the prison. They were not quietly doing this but were deliberately being a testimony. They made it clear to everyone that they trusted God to control their future. I'm sure that they remembered the answer of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the king, in Daniel 3; who said: we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Like them, Paul and Silas were making a public proclamation that they did not fear what men would do to them, nor were they assured of physical deliverance. However, they had faith for spiritual deliverance from the devils who motivated all of the men who had acted against them.

They prayed, and sang praises unto God As their public response to the devils. A lot of people want to have a testimony like that but few are willing to endure what came before their testimony. And, without them enduring what came before their reaction, the effect of their publically praying, and singing praises unto God would not have caused the same effect.

Please see the note for Matthew 26:30 about the words sing / sang / sung. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v. i. pret. sung, sang; pp. sung. 1. to utter sounds with various inflections of melodious modulations of voice, as fancy may dictate, or according to the notes of a song or tune the noise of them that sing do I hear Ex. 32. 2. to utter sweet or melodious sounds, as birds. It is remarkable that the female of no species of birds ever sings. And singing birds in silver cages hung. 3. to make a small shrill sound; as, the air sings in passing through a crevice. O'er his head the flying spear sung innocent, and spent its force in air. 4. to tell or relate something in numbers of verse. Sing of human hope by cross event destroy'd.
SING, v. t. 1. to utter with musical modulation of voice. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. Rev. 15. 2. to celebrate in song; to give praises to in verse. the last, the happiest British king, whom thou shalt paint or I shall sing. 3. to relate or rehearse in numbers, verse or poetry. Arms and the man I sing. While stretch'd at ease you sing your happy loves'. The words sang and sung are the past-tense forms of he word sing.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S2 about the word praise. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to commend; to applaud; to express approbation of personal worth or actions. We praise not Hector, though his name we know Is great in arms; 'tis hard to praise a foe. 2. to extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent works. Praise him, all his angels, praise ye him, all his hosts. Ps.148. 3. to express gratitude for personal favors. Ps.138. 4. to do honor to; to display the excellence of. All thy works shall praise thee, of Lord. Ps.145'. Please also see the note for Romans C15S9 about the phrase praise the Lord.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'at midnight. Job 35:10; Ps 22:2; 42:8; 77:6; 119:55,62; Isa 30:29 prayed. Ps 50:15; 77:2; 91:15; Mt 26:38-39; Lu 22:44; Heb 5:7; Jas 5:13 sang. Ac 5:41; Ps 34:1; Mt 5:10-11; Lu 6:22-23; Ro 5:3; 12:12; 2Co 4:8-9,16,17; 6:10; Php 2:17; 4:4-7; Col 1:24; 3:15-17; 1Th 5:16-18; Jas 1:2; 1Pe 1:6-8; 4:14 and the. Ezr 3:12-13; Ps 71:7; Zec 3:8 General references. exp: La 3:55; Ac 5:18'.

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C16-S22 (Verse 26) the miracle response from God.

Equivalent Section: What happened to the prison.

And suddenly there was a great earthquake,
so that the foundations of the prison were shaken:.

Equivalent Section: What happened to the prisoners.

and immediately all the doors were opened,
and every one's bands were loosed.

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. Please be sure to consider all of the sentences in this section together for contextual requirements.

This was, obviously, a miracle. God deniers try to explain away reports of miracles and, when all else fails, they call The word of God a lie. Now, they can explain away most of this sentence as the result of the great earthquake. However, even a great earthquake. would not cause every one's bands to be loosed.

Please see 1Corinthians 3:11-LJC; in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, for details on our Lord Jesus Christ being our foundation. In that sentence we are told that our foundation is the person of Jesus Christ. Very much related to foundation, by the Bible, is the word Rock. The note for John 1:42; in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, gives links to every verse in the Bible which uses Rock and shows that the Bible uses Rock for a type of Jesus Christ. Thus, Rock and foundation teach the same truth but bring out different aspects of this truth. Symbolically, God was showing them that He could, and would, destroy the very foundation of their religion and their government because they fought against God Himself and not just against His messengers. Remember that every place that we see a miracle reported in the New Testament, it is a physical example to the doctrine that it is in context with. in this chapter, men beat and imprisoned God's messengers and, in response, God did this miracle.

Not only were The foundations...shaken, but immediately all the doors were opened. John 10:7-9 tell us: I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Their prison doors could not keep Jesus from making them free. In addition, our sentence tells us that every one's bands were loosed. Jesus will free saved people from their associations with sin, sinners and a society which compels them to live in sin.

Please see the note for Acts 2:2 about the words sudden / suddenly. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', a. L. subitaneus. 1. Happening without previous notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparatives. And sudden fear troubleth thee. Job.22. Forwhen they shall say, peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them. 1 thess.5. 2. Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate; passionate. Not in use.
SUD'DEN, n. An unexpected occurrence; surprise. Not in use. On a sudden, sooner than was expected; without the usual preparatives. How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost! Of a sudden, is not usual, and is less elegant'.

Please see the notes for Revelation 16:18 and Luke 21:10-11 about the word earthquake. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The first earthquake mentioned is when Elijah was told to stand before the Lord. there passed by a strong wind that rent the rocks, then an earthquake, and fire; but the Lord was not in the earthquake, nor in the fire; but in a still small voice: a lesson for Elijah when he was thinking much of himself. 1Ki 19:11-12. In the days of Uzziah there was a great earthquake, from which the people fled. Am 1:1; Zec 14:5. Josephus (Ant. ix. 10, 4) states that this happened when the king went into the temple and was struck with leprosy. 2Ch 26:16-21. there was an earthquake at the death of the Lord, and the rocks were rent, which drew from the centurion the saying, "Truly this was the Son of God." Mt 27:51,54. there was also a great earthquake at the resurrection of the Lord. Mt 28:2. When Paul and Barnabas were in the prison at Philippi there was a great earthquake that shook the prison, which led to the conversion of the jailer. Ac 16:26. Josephus (Ant. xv. 5, 2) relates the particulars of a dreadful earthquake in Palestine about B.C. 31, when as many as 10,000 of the inhabitants lost their lives. In the future judgments on the earth, earthquakes are often mentioned. Isa 29:6; Mt 24:7; Mr 13:8; Lu 21:11; Re 6:12; 8:5; 11:13,19; 16:18. Symbolically they point to the upheaval of the lower masses of society, overthrowing the social system either partially or entirely'. Please also see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word earth. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'All of this physical world including the influence it has on us. At times, the application o0f this word, will focus on only part of the whole'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:7 about the word earthen. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word earthly. Please also see the note for Revelation 10:11-LJC about the phrase kings of the earth.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C3S12 about the word foundation. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The basis of an edifice; that part of a building which lies on the ground; usually a wall of stone which supports the edifice. Also, the basis or ground work, or any thing; that on which any thing stands, and by which it is supported. The basis of true Christian life is the relationship with Christ'. In this sentence, the application is: 'The basis of the prison, and the ability to keep prisoners bound, was proved inadequate to challenge the power of God'.

The word shaken is the past-tense form of the word shake. Please see the note for Luke 6:47-48 about the word shake. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to cause to move with quick vibrations; to move rapidly one way and the other; to agitate; as, the wind shakes a tree; an earthquake shakes the hills or the earth. I shook my lap, and said, so God shake out every man from his house- Neh. 5. He shook the sacred honors of his head. Dryden. -As a fig casteth her untimely fruit, when it is shaken of a mighty wind. Rev. 6. 2. to make to totter or tremble. the rapid wheels shake the heav'n's basis. Milton. 3. to cause to shiver; as, an ague shakes the whole frame. 4. to throw down by a violent motion. Macbeth is ripe for shaking. Shak. But see shake off, which is generally used. 5. to throw away; to drive off. 'Tis our first intent to shake all cares and business from our age. See Shake off. Shak. 6. to move from firmness; to weaken the stability of; to endanger; to threaten to overthrow. Nothing should shake our belief in the being and perfections of God, and in our own accountableness. 7. to cause to waver or doubt; to impair the resolution of; to depress the courage of. that ye be not soon shaken in mind. 2 thess. 2. 8. to trill; as, to shake a note in music'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:12-13 about the word door. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word is: 'Besides the common use of the door as the means of entrance into a house, and of enclosing those within when shut, it is used in scripture symbolically for the way of entrance into blessing. the Lord said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." Salvation is only by Him. He also said that as the true Shepherd He entered into the sheepfold by the door, that is, though Son of God, He entered as obedient by God's appointed means, being circumcised, presented in the temple, and baptized. Joh 10:1-9. God opened 'The door of faith' to the Gentiles by Paul and Barnabas. Ac 14:27. Opportunities for service are called opened doors. 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3; Re 3:8. When the church is represented as in a Laodicean state the Lord is outside knocking for admission at the door of the assembly, so that the individual may hear, with a promise of blessing to those who open to Him. Re 3:20. Doors in the East are usually made of wood; but in the deserted cities of Bashan doors are found cut out of stone, with a projection top and bottom which served as pivots on which the door turned'.

Please see the note for Mark 15:16 about the word band. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Any narrow ligament with which a thing is bound. To unite; to associate; to confederate for some common purpose'.

Please see the note for Mark 11:4 about the word loose. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to free from restraint or confinement; to set at liberty'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'suddenly. Ac 4:31; 5:19; 12:7,10; Mt 28:2; Re 6:12; 11:13 exp: Ac 2:2. and every. Ps 79:11; 102:20; 146:7; Isa 42:7; 61:1; Zec 9:11-12 General references. exp: Job 37:1; La 3:55; Ac 5:18-19'.

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C16-S23 (Verse 27) the Jailer almost committed suicide.

And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep,
and seeing the prison doors open,
he drew out his sword,
and would have killed himself,
supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

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.

Think about this sentence. Many of the prisoners faces harsh punishment and even possible death. All were free, their bands off, the prison doors open, and yet God kept them there. Please see the Doctrinal Studies called Miracles in Gospels; miracles in OT and the Miracles section of the Significant Events in the New Testament.

Please see the note for Matthew 28:3-4 about the word keeper. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'of anything. 1. One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the custody of prisoners. 2. One who has the care of a park or other inclosure, or the custody of beasts; as the keeper of a park, a pound, or of sheep. 3. One who has the care, custody or superintendence of anything. In Great Britain, the keeper of the great seal, is a lord by his office, and one of the privy council. All royal grants, commissions and charters pass through his hands. He is constituted lord-keeper by the delivery of the great seal. the keeper of the privy seal is also a lord by his office, and a member of the privy council'. The word kept is the past-tense form of the word keep. Please see the note for 1Timothy 5:22 about the word keep. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To hold; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose or part with; as, to keep a house or a farm; to keep anything in the memory, mind or heart. 2. to have in custody for security or preservation'. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C15S31 about the word awake. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'v.t. pret. awoke, awaked; pp. awaked. 1. to rouse from asleep. I go that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11. 2. to excite from a state resembling sleep, as from death, stupidity or inaction; to put into action, or new life; as, to awake the dead; to awake the dormant faculties.
AWA'KE, v.i. 1. to cease to sleep; to come from a state of natural sleep. Jacob awaked out of sleep. Gen. 28. 2. to bestir, revive or rouse from a state of inaction; to be invigorated with new life; as, the mind awakes from its stupidity. Awake, of sword, against my shepherd. Zech. 13. 3. to rouse from spiritual sleep. Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Eph. 5. Awake to righteousness. 1Cor. 15. 4. to rise from the dead. Job 14.
AWA'KE, a. Not sleeping; in a state of vigilance or action'.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word sleep. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.i. pret. and pp. slept. 1. to take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind. the proper time to sleep in during the darkness of night. 2. to rest; to be unemployed; to be inactive or motionless; as, the sword sleeps in its sheath. 3. to rest; to lie or be still; not to be noticed or agitated. the question sleeps for the present. 4. to live thoughtlessly. We sleep over our happiness. 5. to be dead; to rest in the grave for a time. I thess. 4. 6. to be careless, inattentive or unconcerned; not be vigilant'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.

Please see the note for Romans C8S37 about the word sword. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'n. 1. An offensive weapon worn at the side, and used by hand either for thrusting or cutting. 2. Figuratively, destruction by war. I will bring a sword upon you. Lev.26. Is.51. 3. Vengeance or justice. She quits the balance, and resigns the sword. 4. Emblem of authority and power. the ruler--beareth not the sword in vain. Rom.13. 5. War; dissension. I came not to send peace, but a sword. Matt.10. 6. Emblem of triumph and protection. the Lord--The sword of thy excellence. Deut.33'.

Please see the note for Romans C13S12 about the word kill. Webster's 1828 defines the word kill as: 'v.t. 1. to deprive of life, animal or vegetable, in any manner or by any means. to kill an animal or a plant, is to put an end to the vital functions, either by destroying or essentially injuring the org and necessary to life, or by causing them to cease from action. An animal may be killed by the sword or by poison, by disease or by suffocation. A strong solution of salt will kill plants. 2. to butcher; to slaughter for food; as, to kill an ox. 3. to quell; to appease; to calm; to still; as, in seamen's language, a shower of rain kills the wind'.

Please see the note for Luke 24:37 about the word suppose. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Webster's 1828 defines this word as: '1. to lay down or state as a proposition or fact that may exist or be true, though not known or believed to be true or to exist; or to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of argument or illustration. Let us suppose the earth to be the center of the system, what would be the consequence? When we have as great assurance that a thing is, as we could possibly, supposing it were, we ought not to doubt of its existence. 2. to imagine; to believe; to receive as true. Let not my lord suppose that they have slain all young men, the king's sons; for Ammon only is dead. 2 Sam.13. 3. to imagine; to think. I suppose, If our proposals once again were heard-- 4. to require to exist or be true. the existence of things supposes the existence of a cause of the things. One falsehood supposes another, and renders all you say suspected. 5. to put one thing by fraud in the place of another. Not in use'.

Please see the note for Luke 8:34 about the words flee / fled. The New Testament definition, of the word fled, is: 'The past- tense form of flee'. The New Testament definition, of the word flee, is: 'To run with rapidity, as from danger; to attempt to escape; to hasten from danger or expected evil. Also, To avoid; to keep at a distance from such as "Flee fornication"'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The keeper. Ac 16:23-24 he drew. Jg 9:54; 1Sa 31:4-5; 2Sa 17:23; 1Ki 16:18; Mt 27:5 General references. exp: Ge 8:16; La 3:55; Ac 5:18'.

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C16-S24 (Verse 28) Paul stopped the jailer from killing himself.

Equivalent Section: Paul commanded him to not act.

But Paul cried with a loud voice,
saying,
Do thyself no harm:.

Equivalent Section: Why.

for we are all here.

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.

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. Also, realize that it took the power of God to keep everyone there after they were set free.

We should believe that the jailer understood why Paul and Silas were to be locked up like they were. He had to know that there was an argument over gods and their power which caused Paul and Silas to be beat and arrested. Now, he probably stayed out of the arguments, until this miracle happened. Think about what he said as reported in the next sentence (Sirs, what must I do to be saved?). He would not have been thinking about salvation without first understanding that Paul and Silas served a God that he did not know and Who had more power than he had ever seen any god demonstrate. He also understood that God would hurt him for eternity if he did not get truly saved.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The sense of the verb is to throw, to drive out sound; and voice is that which is driven out. Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals'. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from heaven.

Please see the note for 1Peter 3:13 about the word harm. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Injury; hurt; damage; detriment. Do thyself no harm. Acts.16. He shall make amends for the harm he hath done in the holy thing. Lev.5. 2. Moral wrong; evil; mischief; wickedness; a popular sense of the word.
HARM, v.t. to hurt; to injure; to damage; to impair soundness of body, either animal or vegetable'. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:14-16 about the word harmless. Forms of this word are used, in this book, in: Acts 16:28; Acts 27:21; Acts 28:5; Acts 28:6; Acts 28:21.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'cried. Le 19:18; Ps 7:4; 35:14; Pr 24:11-12; Mt 5:44; Lu 6:27-28; 10:32-37; 22:51; 23:34; 1Th 5:15 Do. Ex 20:13; Pr 8:36; Ec 7:17 General references. exp: Ge 8:16; La 3:55'.

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C16-S25 (Verse 29-30) the jailer understood that this was a spiritual display of power and that he did not serve the God Who displayed this power..

Then he called for a light,
and sprang in,
and came trembling,
and fell down before Paul and Silas,
And brought them out,
and said,
Sirs,
what must I do to be saved?.

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.

Our sentence starts with the word then. This means 'after he understood that what happened was beyond the power of nature'. An earthquake might have opened all of the doors, but there was no way that it would have freed everyone's bands sand then kept them in the prison. Forthat to happen, there had to be the power of a God beyond any that he ever heard of before. That is why he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas. He recognized that Paul and Silas represented a God Who had power far beyond any that he had ever heard of before.

Next, we are told that the jailer brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?. He brought them out because he recognized that they were wrongly imprisoned. He also said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? because he recognized that they represented the true God of the universe and he personally needed salvation because of his own personal sins against that true God.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S15; 2Corinthians 4:3-4 and Ephesians C5S6 about the word light. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The spiritual gift from God that overcomes spiritual darkness from sin and Satan. Spiritual light allows us to see and understand things from God's view. Spiritual light allows us to see how to walk, work and live in this world in a Godly way'. Please also see the notes for John 1:9; Romans 13:12; John 8:12 and John 11:9-LJC about the phrase Jesus is our light. Please also see the notes for Light and Darkness in 1John; Romans C13S15 and Hebrews 12:18-24 about the phrase light and darkness. Please also see the note for John 9:5 about the phrase light of the world. Please also see the note for Luke 17:24 about the word lightning. Please also see the note for Hebrews 6:4 about the word enlightened.

Please see the note for Luke 8:7 about the word sprang. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'pret. of spring; but sprung is more generally used'.

Please see the note for Mark 5:33 about the word tremble. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to shake involuntarily, as with fear, cold or weakness; to quake; to quiver; to shiver; to shudder. Frighted Turnus trembled as he spoke. 2. to shake; to quiver; to totter. Sinai's gray top shall tremble. 3. to quaver; to shake, as sound; as when we say, the voice trembles'.

The words fell and fallen are the past-tense forms of the word fall. Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'moving from a high position to a low position'. This word is often used symbolically for the spiritual meaning which is: 'To drop from a higher place. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse. Apostasy: unexpectedly moving from a high spiritual position to a low spiritual position. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10'.

Please see the note for Matthew 21:30 about the word sir. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'In Ge 43:20 the word is adon, often translated 'Lord.' In the Acts (except in Ac 16:30), 'man,' and is used as a term of respect. In all other places in the N.T. the word is commonly translated 'Lord': in these cases the context determines how it should be rendered'.

Please see the note for Romans C13S8 about the phrase must needs. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This choice is not optional'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and came. Ac 9:5-6; 24:25; Ps 99:1; 119:120; Isa 66:2,5; Jer 5:22; 10:10; Da 6:26 and fell. Isa 60:14; Re 3:9 General references. exp: 2Ki 5:9; Job 37:1.
brought. Ac 16:24; Job 34:32; Isa 1:16-17; 58:6,9; Mt 3:8; 5:7; Jas 2:13 Sirs. Ac 14:15 what. Ac 16:17; 2:37; 9:6; 22:10; Job 25:4; Lu 3:10; Joh 6:27-29 exp: Mt 19:16; Mr 10:17; Lu 12:17; 18:18. General references. exp: 2Ki 5:9'.

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C16-S26 (Verse 31) this sentence is often preached wrong for salvation.

And they said,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and thou shalt be saved,
and thy house.

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.

This sentence is used by many soul winners to tell people how to get saved. However, many of those soul winners don't consider the context. Yes, they recognize that Paul and Silas were in jail and talking to the Philippians' jailer. What many don't recognize is that they were there because a devil-possessed girl had followed them around and old the truth. She had cried These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

As stated in the note for Acts 15:26; the testimony of the messenger makes a difference in the perceived truthfulness of the message. As also explained in the note for Acts 16:18; this message from this devil possessed girl could be misconstrued into a false profession. Therefore, this devil-possessed girl was telling the truth, but interfering with the true salvation message being accepted. Because of the interference, Paul cast out her devil and she couldn't prophesy any more. As a result of that, her masters had Paul and Silas beat and thrown in jail. Then God had an earthquake destroy the foundations of the jail, open all of the doors and, beyond the power of an earthquake, loosed the bands of all of the prisoners.

Understand that the true context of this sentence was a spiritual war between God having Paul and Silas tell the truth and Satan having his people tell a perverted message. The true doctrinal dispute was over perversion of God's message and many soul winners of today still pervert God's message without realizing it.

The jailer had enough sense to recognize a spiritual power beyond any he had ever met before and knew that he did not serve God and needed to be saved. Paul and Silas told the jailer how to be saved, and this sentence is part of their message. However, 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 of their message is on the role of Lord, and not Jesus. Many people quote this verse, leave out the next verse, and then tell people 'Ask Jesus to be your Saviour'. But, that is perverting the message that we read here.

In addition to what this sentence says, as our next sentence tells us that 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. People think that they can say this 'magic prayer' and go on living a life of sin and they can ignore the commands of Jesus because 'He's just another man'. However, when they accept The Son of God as their personal Lord, then they also understand that they have to obey Him. Yes, there are people who truly get saved when they 'Ask Jesus to be their Saviour', but God judges the heart and such people, in their heart, agree to obey. Such people are truly saved while the person next to them, who says the exact same prayer, is not saved because the intent of their heart is different.

The emphasis of this sentence, and of the next sentence which is added to this sentence, is on the role of Lord. When God shook the jail and set everyone free, the jailer had no problem believing in the power of the Lord and did not want to challenge Him. When the prisoners didn't escape when they could, the jailer had no problem believing in a life changing Christ. As a jailer, he understood the substitutionary ministry of Jesus, especially since he would personally have to be a substitute for any escaped prisoner. But mainly, this jailer would understand the role of the Lord.

As the jailer, he was in charge of a prison and part of the government which dealt with people who challenged the authority and power of his government. Part of his job was to correct these wrong perceptions. He would have had to deal with many wrong perceptions and would understand what was wrong with each. Therefore, when he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, he understood that he had to submit, trust and obey and that this was an ongoing relationship that he couldn't walk away from after swearing an oath.

Paul used each role of the Son of God in this doctrinal verse for salvation, and the jailer understood each role, the difference between each role and how each role was required for true salvation. We can be positive of this because Paul added the little phrase of and thy house. Paul was sure that this man understood well enough that he not only would believe for himself but would be able to explain it to everyone in his house and would do so. A rebel would not last long in the house of a jailer in Paul's day.

Please also consider the note for the next sentence, which is added to this sentence by starting with the word and.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Believe. Ac 2:38-39; 4:12; 8:37; 11:13-14; 13:38-39; 15:11; Isa 45:22; Hab 2:4; Mr 16:16; Joh 1:12; 3:15-16,36; 6:40,47; 7:37-38; 11:25-26; 20:31; Ro 5:1-2; 10:9-10; Ga 3:22,26; Eph 2:7-8; 1Jo 5:10-13 and thy. Ac 16:15,32; 2:39; 18:8; Ge 17:7; 18:19; Jer 32:39; Ro 11:16; Ga 3:14'.

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C16-S27 (Verse 32) .

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord,
and to all that were in his house.

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.

Our sentence is added to the prior sentence and the note above also applies to this sentence. In addition, please also see the notes for 13:46-49 and Acts 14:3-LJC where the doctrinal difference between The word of God and The [word/doctrine] of the Lord was covered. Please also see the note above for the prior sentence, which this sentence is added onto.

The word of the Lord is the God given Law that we are to obey, without question, if we are to be saved and if the saved person is to be right with God. As a jailer, the person that Paul was preaching to would understand the principals of law and understand what Paul meant by Lord. Further, those who were in his house would also understand this principal because he would not have advanced to be the head of the jail unless he lived By this principal, which means he would also live by it in his own home. In addition, he also understood that the Lord kept all of the prisoners in an open prison and that was enough to make this jailer understand that he was dealing with the power of God. Once he understood Whom he was dealing with, he joined the winning side. Would that more people did the same instead of telling a lie about receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and then keeping serving the world, their flesh and devils.

Understand, the word of God contains everything that God said to us, including when He revealed the lies of Satan. We are to not obey the lies of Satan. At the same time, the word of the Lord is a sub-set of the word of God. It contains all that we are commanded to obey. Satan deliberately has people confused about this distinction and has people causing other to be likewise confused so that he can teach a perversion of the word of the Lord.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they. Ac 10:33-43; Mr 16:15; Eph 3:8; Col 1:27-28; 1Th 2:8; 1Ti 1:13-16 to all. Ro 1:14,16'.

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C16-S28 (Verse 33) the Jailer dealt with the needs of the preachers.

First Step: First He took care of their physical needs.

And he took them the same hour of the night,
and washed their stripes;.

Second Step: Next, they took care of his spiritual needs.

and was baptized,
he and all his,
straightway.

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.

This is a process which many churches do backwards today. They have a preacher come in and give them a message and then pay him based upon how well they like his message. That strongly discourages him from correcting any spiritual errors in the church. We are to provide for the needs of the true man of God first because that is what God commands. God blesses us for supporting His ministers. It also encourages the preacher to deliver the message that God truly gives him instead of delivering an acceptable message in order to be well paid.

Notice that when this jailer did things in proper order, not only was he saved but all in his household were also saved.

Please see the note for Titus 3:4-7 about the word washing. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'WASHING, ppr. Cleansing with water; purifying; overflowing; overspreading.
WASHING, n. 1. the act of cleansing with water; ablution. Hebrews 9. 2. A wash; or the clothes washed'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'washed. Ac 16:23; Pr 16:7; Isa 11:6-9; Mt 25:35-40; Lu 10:33-34; Ga 5:6,13 and was. Ac 16:15; Lu 19:9; 1Co 1:16'.

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C16-S29 (Verse 34) the jailer took care of them the best way that he could.

And when he had brought them into his house,
he set meat before them,
and rejoiced,
believing in God with all his house.

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.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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'.
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'.
The phrase he set meat before them means: 'He fed them. They would not have been fed since before they were arrested'.
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'.
The phrase believing in God with all his house means: 'This was what they were rejoicing about'.

He could not let them go but he did the best he could for them. Obviously, he was no longer worried about their escaping. In fact, as the rest of this chapter says, they refused to go when they were first told that they could go.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'when. Lu 5:29; 19:6; Php 4:17; 1Th 4:9-10; Phm 1:7; Jas 2:14-17; 1Jo 3:18 and rejoiced. Ac 16:27-29; 2:46; 8:39; Isa 12:1-3; 55:12; 57:17-18; 58:7-11; 61:10; Lu 15:22-25,32; Ro 5:2,11; 15:13; Ga 5:22; Php 4:4; 1Pe 1:6-8'.

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C16-S30 (Verse 35) What the government officials did the next day.

And when it was day,
The magistrates sent the serjeants,
saying,
Let those men go.

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. Notice that they sent minor government officials (serjeants) to deliver their message in secret. They had beat Paul and Silas publically in order to satisfy important local people. Now, they are trying to let Paul and Silas go, in secret, so that they don't have more problems with the important local people. However, as we read in the remainder of this chapter, there were more important people than the locals who could do more to hurt them than the locals could. In fact, Paul and Silas could have them removed from office and punished and even, possibly, be killed for what they did.

What we see here is typical around the world and throughout all time. When a group of people become insular, not interacting with larger groups of people, you often have one, or more, people who become more powerful in their local group. And, when that happens, they can become abusive of their local power. However, when someone from a greater authority comes around, that greater authority can stop the abuse. God allowed Paul and Silas to be abused here so that, in the follow up, the local government officials would be afraid of what could happen to them. As a result, the government officials would prevent the locals from abusing the new church further because they would be afraid of what could happen to them if Paul and Silas complained to higher officials. And, what we see here is that, sometimes, God lets the leaders suffer so that the followers are protected.

We find forms of the word serjeant only in this sentence and in Acts 16:38. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'This was literally 'one who carried a rod:' an inferior Roman officer who attended the magistrates to execute their orders, otherwise called a LICTOR. Ac 16:35,38. they carried a bundle of rods, in the centre of which was an axe'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'General references. Ac 4:21; 5:40; Ps 76:10; Jer 5:22'.

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C16-S31 (Verse 36) the message was passed to Paul and Silas.

Equivalent Section: the Jailer passed on the message.

And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul,
The magistrates have sent to let you go:.

Equivalent Section: the Jailer told them that they could go.

now therefore depart,
and go in peace.

Most likely, the magistrates thought they were being magnamous. However, they were looking at things from a physical perspective, and even then from only a local perspective. However, Paul understood the spiritual perspective. In addition, he had experience, from his first missionary trip, of being chased and persecuted from city to city. Therefore, he acted in a way to assure that the locals did not want any further fight with Paul and his mission team.

Please see the note for Matthew 18:31 about the words tell / told. The word told is the past-tense form of the word tell. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to communicate to others'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and go. Ac 15:33; Ex 4:18; Jg 18:6; 1Sa 1:17; 20:42; 25:35; 29:7; 2Ki 5:19; Mr 5:34; Joh 14:27'.

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C16-S32 (Verse 37) the response from Paul.

First Step: What they did.

But Paul said unto them,
They have beaten us openly uncondemned,
being Romans,
and have cast us into prison;.

Second Step: What they want to do.

and now do they thrust us out privily?.

The phrases in our sentence can be explained as:

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 phrase Paul said unto them means: 'The magistrates instead of speaking for themselves. In contrast, Paul spoke for himself'.
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 inprisoned and even, possible, executed'.
The phrase and have cast us into prison means: 'This is a second illegal act which the magistrates did'.
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'.

Here we see Paul telling them what they did illegally. And, implied, is a threat to go to a higher government official and complain about the abuse of power. Our next sentence tell us what Paul required them to do if they wanted to avoid his doing that.

The word uncondemn means; 'not condemned'. Please see the note for Romans C8S1 about the word condemn. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The judicial act of declaring one guilty, and dooming him to punishment'. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase condemnation of fools.

We find forms of the word privily in: Judges 9:31; 1Samuel 24:4; Psalms 10:8; Psalms 11:2; Psalms 31:4; Psalms 64:5; Psalms 101:5; Psalms 142:3; Proverbs 1:11; Proverbs 1:18; Matthew 1:19; Matthew 2:7; Acts 16:37; Galatians 2:4; 2Peter 2:1. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. from privy. Privately; secretly. --False teachers among you, who shall privily bring in damnable heresies. 2 Pet.2'. Please also see the note for Mark 13:3-4 about the word privately. Please also see the note for Acts 5:1 about the word privy.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'They have. Ac 16:20-24; 22:25-28; Ps 58:1-2; 82:1-2; 94:20; Pr 28:1 General references. exp: Ge 8:16; 2Ki 5:9'.

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C16-S33 (Verse 37) the response from Paul.

First Step: Paul refuses their offer.

nay verily;

Second Step: Paul demands they act differently.

but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

Here we see Paul demand that they openly acknowledge treating him and Silas wrongly. This response includes an implied threat to complain to a higher authority if they refuse his demand. It also is a warning to the government officials that Paul will also do that complaint if they do anything against the new church in the future. They acted wrongly at the demand of local people who served devils. in this threat, Paul is ending the ability of local devil serving people to use the government to harm the new church.

One thing that I keep emphasizing to Bible School students is the need to verify anything that someone tells you is in the Bible. The world is full of liars and religious liars are the worse. In addition, most Bible liars are people who claim to be some Bible authority and are repeating some lie which they heard, and liked in their natural sinful self, and started repeating without bothering to verify what they were told. The word verily, in the Gospels, means: 'verify'. Every time that Jesus said verily, He meant that 'He had verified what he said and that we are commanded to verify the same'. Every time that Jesus said verily, verily, in the Gospel of John, He was speaking as The Son of God and telling us a doctrine that is part of God's law and that we will be judged for how well we obeyed that law. (When something is said, literally, two or more times in The word of God, it is part of the law of God that will be used to judge men.)

We find forms of the word fetch occurring in 50 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Acts 16:37; Acts 28:13. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. 1. to go and bring, or simply to bring, that is, to bear a thing towards or to a person. We will take men to fetch victuals for the people. Judges 20. Go to the flock, and fetch me from thence two kids of the goats. Gen. 27. In the latter passage, fetch signifies only to bring. 2. to derive; to draw, as from a source. On you noblest English, whose blood is fetched from fathers of war-proof. in this sense, the use is neither common nor elegant. 3. to strike at a distance. Not used. The conditions and improvements of weapons are the fetching afar off. 4. to bring back; to recall; to bring to any state. Not used or vulgar. In smells we see their great and sudden effect in fetching men again, when they swoon. 5. to bring or draw; as, to fetch a thing within a certain compass. 6. to make; to perform; as, to fetch a turn; to fetch a leap or bound. Fetch a compass behind them. 2Sam. 5. 7. to draw; to heave; as, to fetch a sigh. 8. to reach; to attain or come to; to arrive at. We fetched the syren's isle. 9. to bring; to obtain its price. Wheat fetches only 75 cents the bushel. A commodity is worth what it will fetch. Tofetch out, to bring or draw out; to cause to appear. Tofetch to, to restore, to revive, as from a swoon. Tofetch up, to bring up; to cause to come up or forth. Tofetch a pump, to pour water into it to make it draw water.
FETCH, v.i. to move or turn; as, to fetch about.
FETCH, n. A stratagem, by which a thing is indirectly brought to pass, or by which one thing seems intended and another is done; a trick; an artifice; as a fetch of wit. Straight cast about to over-reach th' unwary conqueror with a fetch'. The New Testament definition is: 'To go and bring, or simply to bring, that is, to bear a thing towards or to a person. We will take men to fetch victuals for the people. Judges 20'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'let. Da 3:25-26; 6:18-19; Mt 10:16 General references. exp: Ge 8:16; 2Ki 5:9'.

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C16-S34 (Verse 38) Paul assured the government officials would leave the new church alone

Equivalent Section: the minor government officials delivered the reply from Paul.

And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates:

Equivalent Section: the government officials responded with fear.

and they feared,
when they heard that they were Romans.

We find forms of the word serjeant only in this sentence and in Acts 16:35. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'This was literally 'one who carried a rod:' an inferior Roman officer who attended the magistrates to execute their orders, otherwise called a LICTOR. Ac 16:35,38. they carried a bundle of rods, in the centre of which was an axe'.

Please see the note for Matthew 18:31 about the words tell / told. The word told is the past-tense form of the word tell. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to communicate to others'.

Please see the note for Romans C11S25 about the word fear. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. the force of This passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed, fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us. the saved are commanded to "fear the Lord"'. Please see the Study called The Fear of the Lord. Please also see the note for Matthew 10:26 about the phrase fear them not. Please also see the note for John 6:19 about the word afraid.

There is an extremely popular doctrinal error which claims that the fear of the lord means 'deep abiding respect'. The true Biblical definition is: 'The absolute assurance that God will hurt us more than we can imagine if we continue in sin'. This doctrinal error causes many of God's children to suffer the wrath of God in this life and to lose many everlasting rewards. Please also see Colossians 3:8 about children of wrath.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and they. Ac 22:29; Mt 14:5; 21:46 General references. exp: Ge 8:16; 2Ki 5:9'.

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C16-S35 (Verse 39) the magistrates did as Paul demanded.

And they came and besought them,
and brought them out,
and desired them to depart out of the city.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S1; 2Corinthians 5:2-3 and Galatians 4:9; Philippians 1:23-24 about the word desire. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An emotion or excitement of the mind, directed to the attainment or possession of an object from which pleasure, sensual, intellectual or spiritual, is expected; a passion excited by the love of an object, or uneasiness at the want of it, and directed to its attainment or possession. Desire is a wish to possess some gratification or source of happiness which is supposed to be obtainable'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'came. Ex 11:8; Isa 45:14; 49:23; 60:14; Mic 7:9-10; Re 3:9 and brought. Da 6:16,23 and desired. Mt 8:34; Mr 5:17 General references. exp: Ge 8:16; 2Ki 5:9; Pr 14:19; Mr 5:17'.

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C16-S36 (Verse 40) Paul and company comforted the church and then left.

And they went out of the prison,
and entered into The house of Lydia and when they had seen the brethren,
they comforted them,
and departed.

Please see the note for John 10:9 about the word enter. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'to leave one place and go into another place'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:1 about the word comfort. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'and entered. Ac 16:14; 4:23; 12:12-17 they comforted. Ac 14:22; 2Co 1:3-7; 4:8-12,16-18; 1Th 3:2-3'.

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Acts Chapter 15

Chapter theme is: Devil Motivated Contention.

links to sentences in this chapter:

Acts Chapter 16

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

links to sentences in this chapter:

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