Looking for Paul

[JLG]

4) Looking for Paul

Acts 13

- Here we are told about Barnabas, Symeon, Lucius, Manaen and Saul!

- Paul comes last in the list of disciples!

- The holy spirit says to set aside Barnabas and Saul for the work to which he has called them!

- They go to Cyprus and in Salamis they teach the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews!

- There the proconsul Sergius Paulus calls for Barnabas and Saul. There is also Elymas the sorcerer who opposes them!

Then Saul also called Paul becomes filled with holy spirit and speaks against Elymas who becomes blind for some time!

- Then the proconsul, on seeing what has happened, becomes a believer, for he is astounded at the teaching of God!

- Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and arrive at Perga in Pamphylia!

- There we see Paul being filled with holy spirit!

- There we see Paul taking the lead in speaking!

- There we see Paul striking Elymas!

- There the writer tells about Paul and his companions!

- It is as if we could see Saul turning into Paul in direct!

- The apprenticeship belongs to Saul and the leadership belongs to Paul!

 

[JLG]

5) Looking for Paul

Acts 13

- They go to Antioch in Pisidia!

- In the synagogue on the sabbath day, Paul speaks about Jesus.

- And the following Sabbath!

- And many people come so the Jews are filled with jealousy and they begin blasphemously contradicting the things Paul is saying!

- Paul and Barnabas boldly answer them that now they would turn to the nations!

- The Jews provoke persecution against Paul and Barnabas!

- Now Paul is definitely the leader!

 

[JLG]

6) Looking for Paul

Acts 14

- In Iconium they teach in the synagogue of the Jews and many become believers both Jews and Greeks!

- But some Jews influence the people of the nations against the brothers!

- So they spend considerable time speaking with boldness and perform signs!

- So a division occurs for or against the apostles!

- When the people of the nations and the Jews make an attempt to treat them insolently and stone them, they flee to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country!

- There Paul cures a man whose feet are crippled and the man begins to walk!

- As a consequence, the crowds believe they are gods!

- They start calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes since he is taking the lead in speaking!

- But they explain they are just men!

- Then Jews arrive from Antioch and Iconium and persuade the crowds and they stone Paul and drag him outside the city, imagining that he is dead!

- But he gets up and enters the city!

- The next day he leaves with Barnabas for Derbe!

- They teach there then return to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch!

- There they strengthen the disciples and appoint elders!

- Then they keep on their trip!

- Thus events accelerate and many events occur!

- Paul is definitely a chosen vessel!

- Paul seems to be on a high-speed train!

- He is doing an incredible job!

 

[JLG]

7) Looking for Paul

Acts 15

- A discussion occurs about the necessity for the Christians to get circumcised to be saved!

- Thus some men have a discussion with Paul and Barnabas so they decide to go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders regarding this issue!

- Thus we are told about the apostles but also the elders!

- Like Jesus, the apostles make sure they have successors!

- Those who speak in favor of circumcision are former Pharisees!

- It is hard for men to get away from man’s tradition!

- They mix God’s word with man’s tradition!

- Peter clearly explains that God made no distinction between Jews and people from the nations!

- Both groups received holy spirit!

- Then Barnabas and Peter relate the many signs and wonders that God had done through them among the nations!

- So they decide that circumcision is not necessary!

- But all the Christians have to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood!

- It can’t be more precise or simpler!

- End of the story!

- Well, the apostles and the elders and the whole congregation decide to send chosen men from among them to Antioch, along with Paul and Barnabas to tell about the decision!

- In Antioch there is a discussion between Paul and Barnabas because Barnabas wants to take John who is also called mark with them!

- Paul disagrees because John left them go to Pamphylia!

- As a consequence, they decide to separate, Barnabas taking Mark and Paul Silas!

- We see two faithful servants of God who don’t have the same opinion!

- As a consequence, they decide to separate!

- After that, they both keep doing a good job serving God!

- Nothing bad indeed!



- The important is to keep serving God the best way possible!

 

[JLG]

8) Looking for Paul

Acts 16

- Paul wants Timothy to accompany him!

- He circumcises him because of the Jews!

- They are told where not to go!

- Through a vision, Paul is told to go to Macedonia!

- As a consequence, her masters take Paul and Silas to the rulers bec ause they have lost their hope of profit!

- Paul and Silas are put to prison and a great earthquake occurs!

- Thinking that the prisoners have escaped, the jailer wants to kill himself!

- He finally listens to Paul and washes their wounds!

- He and his household get baptized!

- Finally Paul and Silas are released!

- Paul gets through many troubles all the time!

- He could have been killed on many occasions!

- During a big part of human history, it was normal to kill his religious opponents to get rid of them!

- Of course, it had nothing to do with God!

- On the contrary, it showed how many religious leaders were connected with the devil!

- The question is is there a big difference today?

- They did it with Jesus so they would do it with faithful servants of God!

- And Paul is definitely an incredible one!

- When he realized he was wrong, at the same time he started teaching about Jesus and God’s word!

- Usually normal people have trouble turning away from man’s tradition!

 

[JLG]

9) Looking for Paul

Acts 17

- As usual, Paul gets into each synagogue of the Jews in the cities he goes through!

- On the sabbath he teaches the people about the Christ.

- Many become believers!

- The Jews get jealous!

- They don’t find Paul!

- They take Jason and some brothers to the city rulers who protect them before letting them go!

- By night Paul and Silas are sent to Beroea!

- The Jews accept God’s word carefully examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are right!

- Many become believers!

- The Jews from Thessalonica come after Paul! Silas and Timothy go to Athens to meet Paul!

- Paul teaches in the synagogue and in the marketplace with anyone who wants to speak with him!

- Some philosophers take him to the Areopagus to speak with him.

- Paul teaches them about God and about Jesus who was resurrected!

- Some become believers!

- Paul gets into trouble because the Jews are jealous of him!

- They try to kill him as usual!

- He always escape and goes to other cities!

- And each time he keeps teaching people about God and Jesus!

- Wherever he is, Paul always speaks boldly!

- He is never afraid of anybody!

- Thus he is definitely a chosen vessel!

- And an exceptional one doing an incredible work!

- He never stops!

- What an incredible example!

 

[JLG]

10) Looking for Paul

Acts 18

- In Corinth, Paul makes tents with a Jew named Aquila!

- He teaches in the synagogue every sabbath!

- He persuades Jews and Greeks!

- When Silas and Timothy arrive, Paul increases his teaching activity!

- But the Jews oppose him!

- So he turns to the people of the nations!

- Many become believers!

- Paul has a vision of the lord telling him not to be afraid and keeping speaking about the word!

- He stays in Corinth for a year and six months!

- The Jews bring Paul in front of the proconsul Galio who tells them it has nothing to do with him!

- They bring him before Sosthenes the presiding officer of the synagogue and begin beating him!

- He is finally released!

- Paul sails away for Syria!

- In Ephesus, he teaches in the synagogue!

- Then he keeps on his trip!

- Paul has quite a routine, apparently a dangerous one as the Jews always try to kill him!

- That’s why he must often hurry and go to other cities!

- There we see the difference between Paul who speaks and live according to God’s word and the Jews who speak and live according to the devil!

- They belong to two different worlds which are easy to differentiate but apparently as usual the majority is blind!

- It has always been so and it is not going to change!

- That’s why we are where we are and each time it is worse!

- Paul is incredibly efficient and hard-working!

-Jesus knew what he was doing when he chose him!

 

[JLG]

11) Looking for Paul

Acts 19

In Ephesus he meets some Christians who were baptized only in John’s baptism and have not received holy spirit and they don’t know anything about it. So they are baptized in the name of Jesus. Then Paul lays his hands on them and they receive holy spirit and they begin speaking in foreign languages and prophesying. And Paul teaches in the synagogue for three months and because of the opposition of some Jews, he finally gives talks daily in the school auditorium of Tyrannus. Thus for two years, all those who live in the province of Asia hear the word of Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God keeps performing extraordinary powerful works through the hands of Paul. Thus even cloths and aprons touched by Paul could cure people. So many become believers but it goes against those who make profit through false gods. And they fill threatened by the Christians. Paul wants to defend himself in front of the people but the disciples refuse saying it is too dangerous. Finally the situation calms down.

- Paul ‘s teaching is too efficient and too many people become Christians!

- It goes against the interest of many both Jews and Greeks!

- Some Christians who had only received John’s baptism are finally baptized in the name of Jesus!

- After that Paul lays his hands on them!

- After that they receive holy spirit!

- And they start speaking in foreign languages and prophesying!

- So once again everything is well organized!

- And Paul has to lay his hands on the Christians so they can finally receive holy spirit!

- Something not to forget because it tells a lot about the importance of Paul for God and Jesus!

 

[JLG]

12) Looking for Paul

Acts 20

Then Paul travels to Greece. As usual the Jews try to kill him. During one of his long talk at night, Eutychus falls asleep and falls down from the third story and dies. But Paul resurrects him. Then Paul is in a hurry because he wants to arrive in Jerusalem on time for the festival of Pentecost. He is telling the brothers that he knows he won’t see them again because the holy spirit keeps telling him that imprisonment and tribulations are waiting for him. He tells the elders to pay attention to shepherd the congregation of God. He warns them that after him wolves will enter in among them and will not treat the flock with tenderness and they will corrupt God’s word. Thus Paul gives them his last will.

- Paul knows what’s going to happen to him!

- And he tells the disciples about it!

- And he knows what will happen after his death!

- So he tells them to be careful!

- In fact, there is nothing new!

- It was so through all the events told in the Bible!

- God’s word has always been perverted and it will be so till the end!

- The devil is working hard!

- And many men help him!

- But Paul was definitely by God’s side!

 

[JLG]

John is very clear. He wrote the Book of Revelation from Patmos. And he wrote in that Book to seven churches, just as Paul had written to seven churches.

- My answer :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Patmos

John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, John the Theologian) is the name traditionally given to the author of the Book of Revelation. The text of Revelation states that John was on Patmos, a Greek island where, according to most biblical historians, he was exiled as a result of anti-Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/apocalypse/revelation/white.html

The Book of Revelation was written sometime around 96 CE in Asia Minor. The author was probably a Christian from Ephesus known as "John the Elder." According to the Book, this John was on the island of Patmos, not far from the coast of Asia Minor, "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 1.10). This has traditionally been taken to mean that he had been exiled there as a martyr for his Christian faith. Some scholars, however, have suggested that it might have been a regular stop on a preaching circuit.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle

John the Apostle[10] (Ancient Greek: Ἰωάννης; Latin: Ioannes[11] c. 6 AD – c. 100 AD; Ge'ez: ዮሐንስ or Saint John the Beloved was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Generally listed as the youngest apostle, he was the son of Zebedee and Salome. His brother James was another of the Twelve Apostles. The Church Fathers identify him as John the Evangelist, John of Patmos, John the Elder, and the Beloved Disciple, and testify that he outlived the remaining apostles and was the only one to die of natural causes, although modern scholars are divided on the veracity of these claims.

- Let’s say John wrote his last will before dying!

- Now let’s have a look at Paul!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle

Paul[a] (previously called Saul of Tarsus;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Apostle#cite_note-8 c. 5 – c. 64/65 AD), commonly known as Paul the Apostle[7] and Saint Paul,[8] was a Christian apostle who spread the teachings of Jesus in the first-century world.[9] Generally regarded as one of the most important figures of the Apostolic Age,[8][10] he founded several Christian communities in Asia Minor and Europe from the mid-40s to the mid-50s AD.

- Romans:

A.D. 57

When Was Romans Written? The Apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans before the end of his third missionary journey (around A.D. 57–59; approximately twenty-five years after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ).

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans​

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org › manual › the-epistle...

- Corinthians:

The First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, probably written about 53–54 ce at Ephesus, Asia Minor, deals with problems that arose in the early years after Paul's initial missionary visit (c. 50–51) to Corinth and his establishment there of a Christian community.

Letters of Paul to the Corinthians - Encyclopedia Britannica​

https://www.britannica.com › ... › Scriptures

- Galatians:

Paul likely wrote his Epistle to the Galatians while traveling through Macedonia during his third missionary journey in about A.D. 55–57 (see Bible Dictionary, “Pauline Epistles”).

Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians​

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org › study › manual › in..

- Ephesians:

AD 60–61

Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon, as he sent all three letters by the hand of Tychicus, accompanied by Onesimus (Ephesians 6:21; Colossians 4:7–9; Philemon 1:10–12).

Book of Ephesians Overview - Insight for Living Ministries​

https://insight.org › resources › bible › the-pauline-epistles

- Philippians:

about 62 ce

Paul the Apostle to the Philippians, abbreviation Philippians, eleventh book of the New Testament, written by St. Paul the Apostle to the Christian congregation he had established in Philippi. It was penned while he was in prison, probably at Rome or Ephesus, about 62 ce.

Letter of Paul to the Philippians | Summary & Facts | Britannica​

https://www.britannica.com › ... › Scriptures

 

[JLG]

- Colossians:

When and where was it written? Paul wrote this epistle during his first imprisonment in Rome, around A.D. 60–62 (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Pauline Epistles,” scriptures.lds.org). Paul probably wrote the Epistle to the Colossians around the same time he wrote Philippians, Ephesians, and Philemon.

Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians​

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org › study › manual › in.

- Thessalonians:

When and where was it written? “Paul wrote the epistles to the Thessalonians from Corinth during his second missionary journey,” around A.D. 50–51 (Guide to the Scriptures, “Pauline Epistles,” scriptures.lds.org).

Introduction to the First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians​

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org › study › manual › in...

- Timothy:

When and Where Was It Written? Paul's First Epistle to Timothy was likely written sometime between A.D. 64 and 65, possibly while Paul was in Macedonia (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Pauline Epistles,” scriptures.lds.org; 1 Timothy 1:3).

Introduction to 1 Timothy​

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org › study › manual › in..

- Titus:

Paul wrote his letter to Titus from Nicopolis in AD 63, after the apostle's release from his first Roman imprisonment. Upon leaving Timothy in Ephesus to minister there, Paul accompanied Titus to the island of Crete, where he intended Titus to lead and organize the island's churches in their early years of existence.

Book of Titus Overview - Insight for Living Ministries​

https://insight.org › resources › bible › the-pauline-epistles

- Philemon:

When and where was it written? The Epistle to Philemon was prepared by Paul during the Apostle's first imprisonment in Rome, around A.D. 60–62 (see Philemon 1:1, 9; Guide to the Scriptures, “Pauline Epistles,” scriptures.lds.org).

Introduction to the Epistle of Paul to Philemon​

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org › study › manual › in.

- Hebrews:

The letter was composed sometime during the latter half of the 1st century and is the 19th book of the New Testament canon. To judge from its contents, the letter was addressed to a Christian community whose faith was faltering because of strong Jewish influences.

Letter to the Hebrews | Summary, Authorship, & Facts​

https://www.britannica.com › ... › Scriptures

The Epistle to the Hebrews of the Christian Bible is one of the New Testament books whose canonicity was disputed. Traditionally, Paul the Apostle was thought to be the author. However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among most modern scholars is that the author is unknown.

Authorship of the Epistle to the Hebrews - Wikipedia​

https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Authorship_of_the_Ep

 

[JLG]

Well, you certainly don't have to convince me to follow Paul. (I Cor. 11:1. I've got 10 Books of his memorized... And studied his journeys extensively... Phil. 4:9. It changed my whole life 43 years ago...

- My answer :

- I don't want to convince you of anything!

- It's only to see the difference!

- Jesus chose them for different objectives!

- What is striking is that it is like two heads!

- Paul organized his activity by himself!

- Of course, he went to Jerusalem when the discussion about circumcision arose!

- But he created groups and visited them and encouraged them by sending letters!

- Really a good job indeed!

 

[JLG]

13) Looking for Paul

Acts 21

In Tyre, the disciples tell Paul not to go to Jerusalem but he has to go. In Caesarea, a prophet named Agabus says that Paul will be tied and given to the people of the nations. So once again the disciples beg Paul not to go but he must go there. Rumors have spread among the Jews about Paul so he has to explain himself in front of the Jews. But when Paul is in the temple, Jews from Asia seize him and they try to kill him but the commander of the army stops them and takes Paul into custody. And Paul asks the commander to speak to the crowd.

- Paul keeps teaching God’s word whatever happens!

- And many things happened to him!

- On many occasions, the Jews tried to kill him!

- And he was beaten and stoned!

- But he kept speaking boldly about God’s word and about Jesus!

- And he was decided to obey God on any occasion till his death, always speaking boldly before authorities or crowds!

 

[JLG]

14) Looking for Paul

Acts 22

So Paul speaks to the Jews telling about his history and about Jesus. But the Jews start to shout so the commander takes him into the soldiers’ quarters and interrogate him under scourging to know exactly what’s on. Then Paul asks the army officer if it is lawful to scourge a Roman who has not been condemned. So the army officer goes and asks the commander who is afraid because Paul is a Roman by birth. So the next day he has Paul stand among the chief priests and the Sanhedrin.

- At first, Paul can speak!

- After some time, the Jews do everything to prevent him to speak!

- Then he is scourged!

- Then the commander wants to know exactly what’s on so he assembles Paul and the high priests and the Sanhedrin!

- Paul is always ready to defend himself and his faith before anyone!

- The Jews do their best to prevent him and want to kill him!

- As they have no real arguments against Paul, they try to make noise to stop him!

- And if it was possible, they would kill him!

- That’s what we call savages and their father is the devil!

- Paul is not afraid of dying!

- He has filled his mission for God!

 

[JLG]

15) Looking for Paul

Acts 23

- Paul speaks in a way to divide the Pharisees and the Saduceans!

- Fearing for Paul’s security, the commander has Paul brought to the soldiers’ quarters!

- At night Paul has a vision in which the Lord tells him that he will go to Rome!

- The Jews want to kill Paul so they ask the commander to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin!

- Paul is being told of the conspiracy!

- Then the commander is informed of the conspiracy!

- So he sends Paul with many soldiers to Felix the governor!

- Then Felix wants to listen to Paul and his accusers!

- Paul keeps speaking boldly!

- And the Jews keep trying to kill him!

- But they will never succeed because Paul’s mission is not finished!

- And he must go to Rome!

 

[JLG]

16) Looking for Paul

Acts 24

So Felix listens to the accusers and Paul. And Felix decides to wait for the commander to come to take a decision. Paul is kept under arrest but given some freedom. Later he asks Paul to speak about the Christ in front of him and his wife who is Jewish. So Paul has various occasions to speak to Felix who expects Paul to give him money for his freedom. But after two years Felix is replaced by Porcius Festus.

- As usual we are told about corruption: corruption about the Romans and about the Jews!

- And Paul keeps speaking boldly about God’s word and about Jesus!

- Time changes but corruption stays!

- And faithfulness too but not for the majority!

- Faithfulness is a rare jewel or a precious stone or gold!

 

[JLG]

17) Looking for Paul

Acts 25

- So once again the Jews are planning an ambush against Paul!

- But he refuses and he wants to hear about Paul and his accusers!

- Finally Paul appeals to Caesar!

- Thus the governor decides to send him to Caesar!

- Then king Agrippa visits the governor and he wants to listen to Paul!

- But the governor doesn’t know what to say in his letter to Caesar because he has nothing against Paul!

- So the history is repeating again and again and Paul keeps defending himself before whoever listens to him!

 

[JLG]

18) Looking for Paul

Acts 26

- Thus Paul speaks in front of Agrippa!

- And once again those who listen to him find nothing against him!

- So he could have been released!

- But he appealed to Caesar!

- Thus he will go to Caesar!

-What a patience from Paul!

- All the time he has to repeat the same again and again!

- And the Jews are never tired of trying to kill him and accuse him!

- What a strong will from Paul!

 

[JLG]

19) Looking for Paul

Acts 27

During the trip to Rome, Paul warns the army officer that the ship and many lives will be lost if they keep traveling without waiting. But the army officer doesn’t listen to Paul and the ship and people are lost. There is a violent storm and people lose hope to save their lives. But Paul has a vision in which an angel tells him that everybody will be safe because of Paul but they must cast ashore on some island. Some sailors try to escape but Paul tells the army officer that if everybody doesn’t stay on board nobody will be saved. So the army officer prevent the sailors to escape. Finally Paul tells the men to eat to get strength. And they beach the ship. And the army officer prevents the soldiers to kill the prisoners because he wants to bring Paul safely through. Finally all are brought safely to land.

- Really interesting because Paul tells the men exactly what to do to survive!

- At first the army officer doesn’t listen to Paul!

- But finally, seeing how things occur, he follows exactly what Paul says!

- Even if he was wrong at first, then he made the right choice!

- On the contrary, men usually prefers man’s tradition to God’s word!

- They usually make the wrong choice like the Israelites!

- So then it is normal for them to pay the price!

- Paul was wrong and when he was told by Jesus, he changed his mind and his way of doing things!

- He wasn’t told twice!

- With humanity, they don’t care!

- The more they pay, the more they keep in the same direction!

- How intelligent they are!

 

[JLG]

20) Looking for Paul

Acts 28

- In Malta, Paul cures many people!

- So they receive many gifts!

- Finally Paul arrives in Rome and he is permitted to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him!

- Paul speaks before the principal men of the Jews!

- They haven’t received any letters against him!

- So they think it proper to hear from Paul about his beliefs!

- So they arrange a day and many people come to listen to Paul!

- Some begin to believe what Paul says!

- And Paul says that God’s salvation has been sent out to the nations!

- And till his death, he will keep speaking about God’s word and about Jesus!

- Nobody will be able to stop him!

- Definitely a chosen vessel and a precious and excellent one!