“Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be … Continue reading Superstition
Tag: Paul
Historical Fiction Wondered
I was reading, “Why Revival Tarries”, by Leonard Ravenhill. As he recommended unction, spiritual fervor, passion, rather than mere emotionalism, I recalled Paul and Silas singing hymns in prison. I imagined their conversation. Paul asks, “Silas, are you OK from the flogging?” Yes, I can’t … Continue reading Historical Fiction Wondered
Judicial Systems
Acts chapters 24 through 26 have an interesting portrait of judicial systems that existed in the First Century Roman empire. The gist of the litigation is that Jewish leadership brought charges against Paul as they had successfully done against Yeshua, (Jesus’ Hebrew name). The charges … Continue reading Judicial Systems
Our Imperishable Body
“But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are … Continue reading Our Imperishable Body
Bound By the spirit
“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of … Continue reading Bound By the spirit
Women in the Church
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was … Continue reading Women in the Church
Stand Firm Against the Wicked
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and … Continue reading Stand Firm Against the Wicked
The Hellenistic Christian Jews of Acts
After Jesus’s death and resurrection, the first company of believers included Mary, Jesus’ Mother, and other kinsman, along with the apostles. Since the whole company was Jewish they remained loyal for a time to the Jewish law and continued to worship in the synagogue and … Continue reading The Hellenistic Christian Jews of Acts
Set Apart
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being … Continue reading Set Apart
Word Power
Saul was zealous for God and considered persecuting followers of Yeshua God's work. Yeshua met him on his journey and said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9: 4). Paul might have answered, "As a service to God, I'm persecuting the followers of … Continue reading Word Power
Press On
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, … Continue reading Press On
Love From a Pure Heart
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which … Continue reading Love From a Pure Heart
Paul the Apostle
This week our preacher summarized a very interesting characteristic about Paul, his view of himself and true humility. His epistles are so bold, insightful and emphatic, along with his life full of travels, struggles, and adventure, that it is hard to see much humility. Three … Continue reading Paul the Apostle
The Gift of Discerning of Spirits
"For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of … Continue reading The Gift of Discerning of Spirits
The Conservative Christian Apologist 