Short Reflection from Acts 21-28

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (GP&C) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ACTS 21:1-14

—Just an observation—

v4 They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem

v12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem

v14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”

# Paul persuaded many people in the book of Acts, but He himself would not be persuaded! 😂

 

ACTS 22:7-8

"And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’  So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’"

Obviously, Paul never, never persecuted Christ. Even if he wanted, Christ was already up in heaven.

But persecution against Christians is persecution against Christ. How wonderful it is that Jesus chooses to identify with me! 😇

 

ACTS 23:1

“Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’”

A good conscience before God? Hmm! I agree with Jeremiah even as a Christian, I do not know my heart. I don’t know my motive even for doing those deeds which others have perceived to be good.

I also agree with Paul of 1Cor.4:1-4 that no matter what people, court, or my own conscience say, I am not justified, unless by God.

But, again, nevertheless, a declaration "lived in all good conscience before God until this day" is soul-searching and soul-stirring!

 

ACTS 24:26

"Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him."

How many times had Felix heard the very gospel, its implication, its riches from the very Apostle Paul? But he never repented, rather expecting money from Paul. Could Felix be the most unsuccessful un-convert of Paul?

And Paul obviously continued to press on, only the leaving of Felix stopped their frequent conversations. It's helpful to see in the Scripture that certain areas of my ministry could be unsuccessful or unfruitful, nevertheless, I must go on, because I never know for sure if it will work or not work. After all, I am called to be faithful not to be successful!

 

ACTS 25:26

"have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have I brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write."

I pray that my life will be that of a sincere, lawful, and faithful Christian that even if I am falsely accused any day, some will say like this verse! 👍

What a Model, Paul! 😇

 

ACTS 26

I have been reading through the book of Acts every single year of my Christian life. And of course, v29 always stands out to me.

Today, as I re-evaluate the strategy of Paul in defending himself before all these rulers and his accusers, I see that Paul is more interested in the conversion of his hearers than his liberty.

In other words, Paul’s purpose in defending himself was not to escape prison or a death sentence but to help his hearers escape from the wrath of God to come.

So, in reality, the one who really needed to be freed is not Paul but them.

Paul's life and strategies are totally different from many of us who are fighting for justice. We often see in India a protest, a slogan, "We want justice!"

Many of us wouldn't include the gospel in a fight for justice, they would always compromise the gospel. To them, justice trumps religious beliefs. To Paul, the Gospel trumps all! Actually, true justice is met, satisfied, quenched, only in the Gospel.

 

ACTS 27:42-43

"The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land."

Both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts are written by Luke.

Both books have identical structures, plots, and narratives. In the gospel of Luke, he portrays Jesus' life on earth as a perfect life lived. In the book of Acts, he portrays Paul's life as a faithful life lived

I love how Luke narrated Apostle Paul determined to go to Jerusalem, was arrested, was delivered to Romans, and here, in this passage, we see one man saved the rest. Had it not been for the presence of Apostle Paul, all would be killed. Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem, was arrested, was delivered to Romans, and saved the world from the wrath of God. One man saved humanity.

Even in our real life in this real world, one man often saves the rest. How wonderful it is if that one man is you or me!

 

ACTS 28:19

"But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation."

Paul's love for the Jews despite their persecutions, accusations, and hatred against him is undiminishing. In Romans, he was willing to even go to hell for their reconciliation!

Am I loving my community (especially if they don't like me)? Indeed, Jesus died for the Jews, who had rejected Him. To hold no grudges against anyone in the service of the gospel!

Short Reflection from Acts 11-20

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (GP&C) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ACTS 11:30

"This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."

This is the first time the word "elders" (referring to church leaders) appears in the New Testament. Btw, every time it appears in plural form. That's why I believe a biblical church should strive to have a plurality of elders. Of course, if a church can't have one, it doesn't mean it is a non-biblical church.

I have checked all its occurrences in my Bible software. A few times, we see it in the singular, like John the elder, and we know that's because it is referring to a specific, particular elder. But when addressed to church leadership, it's always plural!

Another observation: even the Apostles submit to the elders. Let no council, no association, no synod, nobody dictate the local church elders to do this and that!

 

ACTS 12: 17, 25

“But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, ‘Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.’ And he departed and went to another place.”

“And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.”

Another observation on church leadership from ACTS 12

James the apostle is dead. Peter is arrested by Herod and freed by the angel. v17. Peter reports to James (the brother of Jesus who wrote the epistle). v25 Barnabas and Paul come back to Jerusalem. Obviously to report their missionary work. Because James is already the head/leader of the church of Jerusalem. We see all these in Acts 15 particularly v19.

Interestingly, James (and not the Apostles or the missionaries) is the leader!

 

𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝟙𝟛:𝟜𝟚

"As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath."

I wish to see this in my ministry or in my lifetime. People hungering for the glorious truth of the Gospel!

 

ACTS 14:2

"But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren."

Yes, that phrase is in the Bible. The Bible acknowledges that there are people who poisoned others' minds. In reflection, is gossiping not a kind of poisoning other's heart to think ill of that person?

I cannot remember how many times I have poisoned people's minds, which I surely must have done a lot. But I still remember and am affected today because some had poisoned my mind to doubt some individuals! Friends, let us not allow ourselves to be busybodies! It often seems to be the case that minding others' business is more harmful to self than harming them!

 

𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝟙𝟝:𝟙𝟙

"But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."

Peter's Gospel like the Paul's Gospel is the Gospel of Grace. Not the observance of Law since none has the ability to obey perfectly. Grace is for those who can't obey perfectly.

 

ACTS 16

I love the spirit of Paul! I pray God will help me develop such an attitude!

Paul faced opposition from within, he compromised because that was better. And the result was the churches were strengthened.

Then Paul faced opposition from without, and after many days of endurance, he confronted them with the power of the gospel.

Then he was beaten, stopped, and imprisoned, but Paul's heart was full of songs unto God. When it was time for his release, he dared to confront the injustice of the magistrates.

# Compromising, endurance, prayerfulness in the midst of opposition and suffering. And the courage to confront injustice. #

 

ACTS 17:9

"So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go."

What kind of security? I don't know for sure. But when I read the letter to Thessalonians, it looks like it is to ban Paul from coming to the town again!

Forbid it, Lord, to let such happen. But this is sobering to think through. What if godless people threaten to kill some group of people if we attempt to reach out to them?

To me, it looks easier to lay down my life than to let others die in the cause of the gospel. I don't know for others.

 

ACTS 18: 11

“And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

The description of Paul’s ministry of 1 and a half years is teaching the word of God. Gospel Ministers (pastors) must be primarily known for teaching the word of God.

 

ACTS 19:10

"And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks."

Only 2 years and the whole of Asia heard the word!!!

I have been to some places and stayed for more than 2 years. It's humbling to even think of Paul!

 

𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝟚𝟘:𝟛𝟝

"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

Helping. Giving. Working.

Those who have continues to work and help the poor. After all, not everyone has the same skills to work nor has the potential to earn much.

 

Short Reflection from Acts 1-10

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (GP&C) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

ACTS 1:4

"And being assembled together with them, He COMMANDED them not to depart from Jerusalem, but TO WAIT for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me’"

So easy and natural to do anything without much prayer in the name of wisdom. This verse reminds us of the need of waiting on God, for His Holy Spirit to empower the ministers of God for God's work. While we are all already commanded to go and preach the gospel and do various kinds of ministry, without the effective presence of the Holy Spirit ministry is in vain.

Every time, before I go out to preach or teach, I have made a habit to kneel down and pray, "Lord, if Your Holy Spirit does not go with me, I go in vain, in sin, and to destroy! Spirit of God, I yield to You."

 

ACTS 2

Thinking through Peter's Sermon. Let me mention only 3 observations among many:

First, this is a condensed summary of Peter’s long sermon (v40)

Second, he confronted them: the mockers (13, 15); the lawless criminal (23), and the religious Jews. [Indeed, it's difficult to preach to such people!]

Third, it's the crowd who wanted to repent, before Peter asked them (v37).

Lesson observed: Strong preaching produces soft hearts.

 

ACTS 3:12

"So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our OWN POWER OR GODLINESS we had made this man walk?’"

I love the way Peter responded here. He not only denied any power in himself. He even denied any pretense of godliness in himself.

Spirit-filled Christians are humble, they aren't hypocrites. Paul said of himself, the greatest sinner! Another level!

Thanks be to God for calling me, a worthless earthen vessel to His ministry for the proclamation of His glorious Gospel!

 

𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝟜:𝟡

"if we are on trial today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has been made well"

If the good men are on trial and the wicked are running loose, society has to collapse. Apostle Peter was on trial for doing a good thing. They thought it was wicked.

The world continues to put godly men on trial. Those with Biblical Conviction are criticized, mocked, and put on trial by many.

Peter went through it. It's the only way.

 

ACTS 5:29

". . .we ought to obey God rather than men"

If I am lazy to study the Scripture, I do not know even what and how to obey God.

If I do not live a holy life, even if I know what and how to obey God, I do not have the courage to obey.

And if I continue in those ways, I rationalize how I've come to be. And perhaps will defend my position. And go on to tell others to do the same. And even tell the others to "disobey" God.

I think this is how sin multiplies! Lord, would You please raise up courageous men! Amen!

 

ACTS 6

What stands out for me in this chapter has always been v4.

And what stands out for me in verse 4 is the word "continually"

This adverb "continually" is for both prayer and the ministry of the word.

And for me: Hmmmn! I have received a lot of comments for my devotion to the word, but haven't received much on my prayer life. Not that I want or care about people's comments, but I also know that great men of God are not only deep in their theology but also deep in prayer!

[However, BTW, exegetically, devotion to the ministry of the word is the primary theme!]

 

𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝟟:𝟡

"The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him"

I am nobody but some people got jealous of me. And to my shame, I had been jealous of some other people too.

One thing is clear: let him who is jealous after commit his soul to God. They were jealous of Joseph but God was with him not only to protect but to prosper!

 

ACTS 8:35

"Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him."

One can preach a sermon. Or he can preach any good news. Or he can preach the gospel. Why did Luke say that Philip preached Jesus?

Jesus is the gospel. The person Jesus is the good news. Jesus is the Salvation. Christianity is all about Jesus. Even my life is Jesus (Gal.2:20)

I am not saying my life is "for" Jesus. I am saying my life is Jesus. It is Jesus that lives in me! That's what Paul says.

Uh...oh! What about all the imperfect things I have committed? Well, let's leave that question to consider when we reach that chapter!

Learning Christ, living Christ, and preaching Christ because Jesus is all in all!

🎼🎼 You are my all in all! 🎼🎼

 

ACTS 9:31

"Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied."

Maybe we should enrich our vocabulary: to greet and to bid goodbyes; to pray and to pronounce the benediction; to hope and to wish for others; to enquire and to bless others.

Why not include Acts 9:31? May you grow in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit!

Are you growing in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit?

Long time no news! I hope you are growing in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit!

Something like that! 👍

 

𝔸𝕔𝕥𝕤 𝟙𝟘:𝟜𝟚

"And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead."

Peter's powerful preaching was not that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for you. Rather, it's the preaching of Judgment that Jesus will preside over the dead and the living!

Bible Reading Reflection from Acts 22-28

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ACTS 22:16

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Some people don't require anyone to tell them to baptize, they ask for baptism like the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8.

Some people need to be told to be baptized. Interestingly, Paul was asked to, that too, as if Paul was procrastinating, hesitating, like many of us.

May the Lord forgive me if my memory is in error, but I do not remember anyone telling me to be baptized. There was no "Reverend" in my village, and I grew up in a residential school, I had no opportunity of presenting myself during a Baptism season [Passion Week].

I took water baptism after my college graduation just before I went to seminary. I walked 25 kilometers on foot just to take water baptism because nobody other than "Reverend" would do the baptism.

I kind of feel satisfied that baptism didn't come easy for me. I walked 25 km. Kind of achievement! 😂

If you aren't baptized yet, or if you know a professing Christian who is not, "Why are you waiting, delaying, procrastinating? Arise! Be obedient to the ordinance. Be baptized!"

 

ACTS 23:1-5

Top 3 observations:

v1. Paul lived in all good conscience before God until this day. It's soul-searching and soul-stirring.

v3. In the words of Greek Scholar A.T. Robertson, "More self-control might have served Paul better." Indeed, Paul too wasn't immune to sin. [And there are some Christians who think of themselves sinless😬]

v5 Paul admitted his mistake/sin. In the words of Puritan William Hacket, "What can surpass the grace with which he recovered his self-possession, and the frankness with which he acknowledged his error? If his conduct in yielding to the momentary impulse was not that of Christ Himself under a similar provocation (Joh 18:22-23), certainly the manner in which he atoned for his fault was Christ-like"

Btw, there are some godly Bible teachers who have interpreted v3-5 differently than I do. Even the great Baptist theologian John Gill seems to not find fault with Paul and justify Paul.

 

ACTS 24:25-26

"Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’ Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him."

Felix definitely had heard the gospel many times before and even in this trial. Paul had definitely confronted him about his adultery when he said "self-control" for Felix lived with somebody's wife.

Felix even realized the coming Judgement and was fearful of God. He was convicted of God's holiness, of his unrighteousness, of the need for repentance, and of the free offer of grace.

Felix chose to dismiss Paul's reasoning instead of repenting. What a tragedy! He went through all this painful hearing. He was already at the gate of heaven but never went in. Like in the story of The Pilgrim's Progress (if you have read, p69) there are some who have managed to reach heaven's gate but descended to the pit of hell!

As a preacher, my prayer is that my hearers will not be like Felix.

 

ACTS 25:11 " . . . I appeal to Caesar."

Some of the teachings in the Bible are paradoxical. When we read 1Peter, Apostle Peter urges us to give up our rights and suffer.

But in the book of Acts, we have seen Paul appealing for his rights often. Even here, as a Roman citizen, he appealed to be judged by the Caesar court than by the compromised governor Festus.

That's why I am of the conclusion that we Christians must have good lawyers, good politicians, good judges, good bureaucrats, good officers, etc. Someday, we may have to fight in the supreme court (not of Caesar) of India!

So, it's my prayer that our church members become competent scholars, thinkers, bureaucrats, etc. not just to help the poor but even to defend our cause! 🙏

 

ACTS 26:2 "I think myself happy, King Agrippa"

Wow! "Happy!"??

I thought the word "happy" or "happiness" didn't occur in the NT😬

I pulled up my Bible software to investigate further. In NIV, it appears 4 times. NKJV 2 times. NASB only 1 time. And ESV zero.

And the Greek word for this is "makarios" which is often translated as "blessed" as in the Beatitudes. I'd say ESV translators are more accurate and more consistent in rendering this word. So, I think it's safe to say there's no "happiness" or "happy" in the NT.

It matters because word matters. And word matters because theology is developed from it. Just a linguistic observation I have discovered today!

[14:52, 4/13/2021] S.R: The other time the word "happy" occurs in NKJV is Romans 14:22. 

I just checked how Legacy Standard Bible translators dealt with that word. As expected, it's consistent, they render "blessed" instead of "happy". Waiting for the most consistent and most accurate English Bible, LSB to be released!

 

ACTS 27:11

"Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul."

He thought it was unwise to listen to the Apostle Paul. The helmsman is the expert. Peter, being the expert in fishing didn't like fishing advice from Jesus, who BTW is the Creator of fish. Even Christians want to listen to the worldly experts than the faithful teachings of the Scriptures concerning anything, yes, even lockdown and Covid19.

Yes, we have no Jesus in bodily form to listen to. Yes, we don't have the Apostle Paul. But we do have the word of God, infallible, inerrant, and sufficient for us to live life in all its fullness. And people, yes, even Christians prefer to listen to scientists, doctors, and PhDs than to search what the Scriptures say.

Be merciful to us, O Lord, even in your judgment!

 

ACTS 28

v2. "showed us an unusual kindness. . . . made us all welcome"

v7. "entertained us courteously"

v10. "honored us in many ways"

v16. 'was permitted to dwell by himself"

v31. "no one forbidding him"

The last chapter of Acts is interestingly sweet. Paul had suffered enough persecutions, trials, and accusations, but this chapter recorded how people were kind to him, and how he was permitted to teach freely. As if to motivate us to go as a missionary!

 Lord, raise up a missionary in our midst. Lord, awake our souls to support missionaries!

 

[05:31, 4/16/2021] S.R: ACTS 29[😶🙃]

Since there’s no Acts 29, let me exhort . . .

I'd like to believe that we're reading God's word regularly, even if you're not updating, keep meditating, friends!

I'd like to hope that some of us are reading the book of Acts along with me and maybe, even a few chapters ahead or behind, keep reading at your pace.

I'd like to think that those updates were edifying, encouraging, and motivating to you in any way. May they be so!

I'd like to wish you to join me in reading another book, and also to update as often as you can. Don't underestimate your thoughts/insight.

I'd like to thank some of you who have given feedback privately and publicly. And I thank you for reading them without complaint.

It is said that it takes 21 days to form a habit and 90 days to form a lifestyle. If we manage to read through the book of Acts regularly, it means we have spent one additional week, enough to polish our habit! 😇

But that saying is not from the Bible, so, I can't guarantee it! Hahaha!