Subscription Lists

In Acts 21 we read of Paul arriving in Jerusalem at the end of what has been called his Third Missionary Journey.

We have read of two groups who tried to dissuade Paul from going to Jerusalem - but Paul would not be put off - because he had a word from God, through the prophet Agabus. God had spoken prophetically. Jesus had revealed through a man something of what was going to happen to His servant Paul - called, chosen and anointed - but having to face being bound and imprisoned in the city of Jerusalem.

Do not be overly surprised when persecution confronts you.…  ( Click for more )

Acts 21:7. Paul and his missionary colleagues sail homewards, visiting groups of disciples, ministering as they travelled, and on arriving at Caesarea, they lived in the home of Philip the evangelist.

Philip had four daughters who prophesied. Let's just remind ourselves - prophesying is not the same as preaching. God had given these four girls an ability to speak forth specific words to build up and encourage and comfort the church. A word of prophecy can be so very refreshing - as it flows from God. It is new and has a dynamic and relevance about it for the people…  ( Click for more )

Acts 21:4. There are times when we have to take people through the Word of God slowly, because there is so much to learn and understand. These believers in Jesus Christ at Tyre knew that many Jews hated Paul. This news had travelled fast, and they say to Paul - "Paul, you should not go on to Jerusalem." These men and women are genuinely and sincerely concerned for Paul's physical welfare, but Paul knows the will of God and he will not be diverted and sidetracked. They cannot persuade him.

Once the ship was ready to leave - once the seven days were up - all the…  ( Click for more )

At the end of Acts 20, we read of this moving scene, as Paul has this final meeting with these leaders of the Ephesian Church. He speaks of what he had done and how he ministered during his time in Ephesus. He gives us the core - the heart of his preaching.

He speaks about what he thinks is going to happen to him. Then Paul exhorts them to look after themselves - 'watch over yourselves' - 'be shepherds' - attacks will come from the outside - people on the inside will attempt to undermine - and he speaks with tears.

They part on the beach.…  ( Click for more )

Acts Chapter 20:29. Paul the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ is addressing his final word to the elders of the Church in Ephesus. I know this - after I depart wolves will infiltrate the flock and seek to devour the sheep, and also from among you some shall arise and speak false and dangerous things. They will persist in this, and they will draw away disciples after them. One group of elders in a town can prevent that happening.

Wherever there are sheep there are wolves. That is a spiritual theorem - a spiritual truth - a spiritual reality.

Watch - pay attention…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 20:27 we are taught how God used Paul to proclaim the whole Word of God - to share the whole Will of God - without withholding challenging truths which might at first appear unpalatable and could cause you to become unpopular in certain circles. As you minister in such a way, you will have a clear conscience. Of course that means believing it and obeying it first. People need the lot - all that God has for them. We need all the equipment which God provides, and we see that so clearly in those verses. Omit nothing! Is this too challenging for you? I hope not! …  ( Click for more )

In Acts 20 we are studying the tremendous detail which God gives us where Paul has this final and quite moving meeting with the elders of the Church in Ephesus. He is indicating to these elders how they are to serve in the Church of Jesus Christ. Paul is not afraid to show his emotions - as he shares how he wept - and by the end of the passage they are all weeping. These are first century men of God - apostles - prophets - elders.

In verse 22, he opens his heart some more. He is making his way towards Jerusalem and he knows there is going to be trouble. Courageously,…  ( Click for more )

Acts 20:17. Paul is speaking for the final time in his life with these elders from Ephesus, in western Turkey. Final words are important.

This was the man who spoke about joy and rejoicing. Ah, there can be rejoicing and peace - with tears flowing down one's cheeks - only - only - the disciple of Jesus Christ experiences that spiritual reality. And, suffering is the balancing factor.

There are times when God comes and drops a little suffering into our lives. We may think we do NOT need THAT, but HE sees that we do.

Paul wept often. He is so honest…  ( Click for more )

Acts 20:16f. Paul wanted to be back in Jerusalem for Pentecost, one of the most overlooked seasons of the year in the Church of Jesus Christ. It is significant to read of what the New Testament regards as important - Passover - Pentecost - bread and wine - do this in remembrance of ME.

Paul realises that he is not going to be able to re-visit the Ephesian Church, so he sends for the elders, and the come immediately. O, for men like this - sent for - and appearing - laying aside whatever other commitments they might have had. There is the note of urgency and immediacy.…  ( Click for more )

Acts 20:8. Paul is preaching and teaching in Troas and he continues speaking right up to midnight. Some no doubt might wish to criticise Paul for going on so long - but Jesus was pleased - and that is what really matters. There are times when we have to let people say what they want to - and when we are pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not have to pay too much attention to their comments and criticisms.

Nobody was concerned too much that he was long preaching. Nobody would be bored - wandering in their mind - looking out the window - (although on this occasion…  ( Click for more )

We move on into Acts 20, where Paul is preparing to leave Ephesus. Look closely at him as he is with these disciples of Jesus. He calls for them to come around him. He wants to encourage them and strengthen them, after what they had witnessed and been through - that riot - that civil disorder in cultured and well-read Ephesus. They loved Paul and Paul loved them.

Throughout these past two years they had been through a lot together. This happens - doesn't it? When we are thrown together in Christ Jesus we go through a lot together.

They had come to know…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 19, we have been studying the various consequences of Paul' s powerful ministry in Ephesus. At verse 34, we read of an uproar, as people shouted and chanted slogans for some two hours. When people's pockets are touched they invariably react angrily. Ask a religious person to tithe, before he is a disciple of Jesus Christ, and he will rise up in anger. Once a man is born again, then he is in a position to submit to the truth of the word of God - and only then.

As long as 'religion' remains within a building, or private and quiet and so…  ( Click for more )

We continue our studies in Acts 19, where we read of Paul's comprehensive ministry in Ephesus. We have a duty and a responsibility to exercise a full wholesome ministry in line with our calling.

When Paul arrives and meets with these disciples of Jesus, he discerns that something is missing, and Paul is concerned that these disciples of Jesus Christ have everything God wants them to have - as early on as possible. These were important crucial areas - Baptism in water - and - Baptism in the Holy Spirit - areas which are frequently overlooked or ignored today, for fear…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 19:13-17, we read of a very serious situation where real spiritual warfare is encountered. News of this incident got around and some folks became very afraid, and no wonder. But, even in all this, the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ was magnified and glorified.

Verse 18. This led to many who believed, coming to confess their sins, and admitting their sinful ways. Here we see young disciples - fairly new believers - who had been holding onto private or personal sins in their own individual lives. Secret sins.

As a consequence of what had been happening, these believers…  ( Click for more )

Acts 19:9. Paul leaves the synagogue in Ephesus, taking those disciples who wanted to listen and learn, and in a lecture hall he taught them daily - God's Word and God's Ways.

We see here things repeating themselves - what happened on the first and second missionary journeys is being repeated. The opposition comes from within a circle of those who have been regarded as religious, but they were not interested in spiritual matters.

From 11am to 4pm every day, Paul would teach those who were keen to listen and learn. When those who normally used the lecture hall…  ( Click for more )

We have been reading in Acts 19 of how Paul ministered to these twelve men in Ephesus - making sure that they had everything God wanted them to have. Paul is concerned that disciples of Jesus Christ have all they need to do the work God wants them to do. Make sure you have all God wants you to have.

But having all God wants you to have does not make you mature. We still have to learn to use all we have received. That applies to spiritual gifts - as well as to physical gifts and talents and abilities. Some of us take years to learn simple lessons and elementary theology, whereas…  ( Click for more )

When we move into Acts 19, we read of Paul returning to Ephesus. He meets some disciples and joins them, but he is not with them long, when he notices something missing. There is a dimension absent.

Paul had previously visited Ephesus briefly. Apollos had taught the Word of God there and had left behind a group of people who had probably only gone as far as he had gone. Now there is a vital lesson - we duplicate ourselves!

How far had these disciples travelled? As far as the disciples of Jesus did before Pentecost. When Paul sees where they are he asks, "Did you receive…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 18:24, we meet a man called Apollos, and what a man he is. He is a Jew who had lived in Egypt. He was eloquent and could preach. He knew his Old Testament and could put it across enthusiastically. He knew something about Jesus, but he knows only about the baptism of John the Baptist.

It is as if he is only teaching what he had received from other people. His preaching was sincere, but it was second hand. It would be mainly calling men and women to turn from their sins, as John did. Apollos did not know much more than that, especially when it came to the matter of baptism.…  ( Click for more )

With that second missionary journey completed, Paul rests at his home base of Antioch, but not for long. Soon he is off again, visiting the fellowships of disciples in Asia. Concern and compassion and care for these new believers flow from this man.

He wants only to do one thing - strengthen them - encourage them - and build them up in the faith. There is a pattern here. Paul always went back to his home church, reporting how he got on, and giving something of what he and the team had experienced - greeting the church - thanking them for their prayers - and all that comes over…  ( Click for more )

Amidst all the problems of which we have been reading in Acts 18, Paul continues to minister. God saw to it that His man was able to preach and teach - and then, it was time to leave Corinth. There is a time to stay and a time to move on. Knowing which we should do is not always easy!

Paul sailed to Syria, with Aquila and Priscilla, and in Cenchrea, shaved his head, because of a vow he had taken.

In verse 19 we read of him arriving in Ephesus, and off he goes to the synagogue and reasons with the Jews. After all he has experienced at the hands of unbelieving Jews, he…  ( Click for more )

We are in Acts 18, and Paul is in the seaport of Corinth. The situation has become potentially explosive. When Paul preached Jesus Christ in the Jewish synagogue, there arose a strong reaction and violent opposition. Some, who came to believe in Jesus Christ, leave the synagogue, and they begin to fellowship right next door.

Here we have religion in the flesh - and a group of Holy Spirit filled believers.

We saw how Paul has wondered about his future - what was he to do? He considers his position - and Jesus visited him - speaks to him - encourages him - guides him and…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 18:9, we read of how serious the situation was in Paul's life. He is being so sorely and severely tested that he can almost take no more, and the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ intervenes. Now this does NOT happen often, but only when absolutely essential.

"The Will of God will never place you, where the Grace of God cannot keep you."

You would have thought Paul would have known all these things - that he would not have needed such ministry - not so. This is not a promise for every situation - just for Corinth, and we have to hear our own words…  ( Click for more )

In Acts 18:7, when serious trouble broke out yet again, Paul left the synagogue and went into the home of a man who lived next door - Titius Justus - a man who was truly sincere in his worship. Something rather wonderful happened. Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and so did all who lived in his home.

Many Corinthians, when they heard of Jesus Christ and the Cross and the Resurrection, came to believe - and they were baptised immediately. It is as we hear the Word of God that we come to believe. It is as we read and receive…  ( Click for more )

Acts 18 - In this church, at Corinth, which Paul founded, many problems arose, and if it had not been for these problems we would not have had the letters of I and II Corinthians.

There was immorality in the congregation - incest among the members - drunkenness at the Table - divisions in the fellowship modelled on their favourite preachers. Yes, even after 18 months of teaching the Word of God, all this arose.

There was misuse and abuse of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and Paul went on to teach these believers to manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit properly and…  ( Click for more )