N_Acts

The Book of Acts

Acts 1

The gift of the Holy Spirit
According to Rico Cortez (What is the Gospel? (GLC DVD teaching)), the book of Acts Chapter 15 is based solely on the book of Hosea.

Acts 1:12

"¹²Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey." (KJV)

This is a rabbinical or traditional restriction.
When Luke wrote this story, he was still measuring distances according to the traditional Jewish Sabbath laws. He wrote the book of Acts sometime after the final events of Acts had taken place - probably in AD 63 or 70.

Acts 1:13

"¹³And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James." (KJV)

This is only eleven (11) disciples. Judas Iscariot is dead.

Acts 2

Peter's Pentecostal sermon
The community of believers

Acts 2:1

"¹And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." (KJV)

If the Torah had been nailed to the cross, why were HIS disciples meeting on Shavuot after his crucifixion?

Acts 2:5

"⁵And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." (KJV)

Peter was speaking to Jews from all over the world that had come to Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Pentecost. If Christ had already done away with these feasts, this would have been a great time for Peter to explain to all these people that they no longer needed to waste their time and resources coming to Jerusalem for the feasts. But in his sermon Peter did not even allude to any such changes to the law.

Acts 2:14

"¹⁴But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:" (KJV)

Acts 2:15

"¹⁵For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." (KJV)

Approximately 9 am

Acts 2:20

"²⁰The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:" (KJV)

Is this verse referring to a solar and lunar eclipse?

Acts 2:41

"⁴¹Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." (KJV)

When these people were convicted by the Holy Spirit, there was no need for them to abandon their Jewish faith. They simply accepted Jesus as the Messiah that had been foretold in the Jewish Scriptures.

Acts 2:46

"⁴⁶And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart," (KJV)

If the disciples had not been practicing Torah, they would have not been allowed in the temple. The priests would have driven them out.

Acts 3

Peter's sermon

Acts 3:1

"¹Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour." (KJV)

These first Christians didn't go off by themselves to worship away from the noise and bustle of the Jewish temple. Rather, they continued to meet at the temple where the regular Jewish worship rituals and animal sacrifices were going on.
If the Christians were not living according to the Torah, why did they choose to meet in the very place where the Torah was still being taught and practiced? Actually, if the Christians had been breaking the Jewish religious laws they would not have been welcome in the temple courts, and they would not have enjoyed the favor of the other Jews who had come to the temple to worship.
What does it mean by 'the hour or prayer'?

Acts 3:2

"²And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;" (KJV)

What does it mean by 'the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful'?

Acts 3:10

"¹⁰And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him." (KJV)

What does it mean by 'the Beautiful gate of the temple'?

Acts 3:11

"¹¹And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatlywondering." (KJV)

What is meant by 'the porch that is called Solomon's'?

Acts 3:12

"¹²And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?" (KJV)

Here Peter has the people's attention. If he believed the Jews were wasting their energy observing the laws of the Old Testament, he could have told them so. But he didn't.

Acts 3:19

"¹⁹Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." (KJV)

What does he mean by 'the times of refreshing'?

Acts 4

Peter and John arrested
The report to the believers

Acts 5

Anaias and Sapphira
The counsel of Gamaliel

Acts 5:12

"¹²And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch." (KJV)

What or where is Solomon's porch?

Acts 5:13

"¹³And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them." (KJV)

The Christians continued to meet at the temple and they were still respected by the Jewish worshipers that came to the temple to offer sacrifices. That makes it evident that the apostles were not preaching in opposition to the rituals of the temple.

Acts 5:20

"Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." (KJV)

The angel instructs the apostles to preach at the temple the full message of the new Christian life. If the Torah had been annulled and Christians were not supposed to observe its laws any more, the apostles would have started teaching that message in the temple courts. But they didn't. At least Luke didn't record it. Nor did he record any temple riots, which such a message surely would have caused. Later Stephen was falsely accused of speaking against the law, and certain Jews stirred up the people against him. If the apostles had actually been speaking against the Law of Moses, the people would have stirred themselves up against the apostles.

Acts 5:29

"²⁹Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men." (KJV)

We should obey YHWH rather than obey men.

Acts 5:34

"³⁴Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;" (KJV)

"If the chief priests did not have primary authority, but instead the Pharisees controlled the Temple area, the chief priests would have had less reason to be envious of the authority exercised by the Nazarene through the miracles. Instead the Pharisees would have played a more prominent role during the trial due to their authority, and the Pharisees would have shown envy. Note that Mark 15:10 does not say, "The Pharisees had handed Him over", but instead, "the chief priests had handed Him over". The last two times in Matthew that the Pharisees are mentioned are Mat 23:39; 27:62, but the trial occurred between these places. The last time that the Pharisees are mentioned in the other three Gospels are Mk 12:13; Lk 19:39; John 18:3, but these are all before the trial began. Thus the Pharisees by name seem totally absent from the trial."

Treatise on the Biblical Calendar, second edition (abbreviated TBC2) by Herb Solinsky pg 72d

Acts 5:40

"⁴⁰And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go." (KJV)

By this time the apostles were well known in Jerusalem. If they were not living according to the Torah, the people would have known about it. Gamaliel said, "If it is from God you will only be fighting against God". It's highly unlikely that Gamaliel would have been able to convince the rest of the Jewish Sanhedrin that Torah-breaking men might possibly be working for God. To illustrate how unlikely this was, you might try going down to your local Jewish synagogue and in less than 5 minutes (or 5 months) persuade the Jewish elders and rabbis that the pastor of your Christian church has a valid work to do for God preaching at the synagogue, and that if the synagogue leaders resist that work they might be fighting against God.

Acts 5:42

"⁴²And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." (KJV)

The apostles continued to go to the Jewish temple to teach that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews.

Acts 6

Appointment of the seven

Acts 6:13-14

"¹³And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:" (KJV)

"¹⁴For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us." (KJV)

The false witnesses testify against Stephen and the Messiah. This claim is also made in the book of Matthew chapter 26:60-61. The difference being that in the book of Matthew, the false witnesses only talked of the temple where this verse includes the law of Moses.

If these men were false witnesses, that means Stephen never said these things.

Acts 7

The defence of Stephen
The stoning of Stephen
Stephen is tried and stoned to death. Stephen gives a recap of the Scriptures from Abraham to the Messiah.

Acts 7:8

"⁸And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs." (KJV)

The Covenant of Circumcision.

Covenants

Acts 7:14

"¹⁴Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls." (KJV)

75 people

Acts 7:16

"¹⁶And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem." (KJV)

Jacob/Ya'aqob's bones were buried in Sychem/Shekem. This is the place where Joseph met 'a certain man' who told him his brothers were on the way to Dothan.

Acts 7:20

"²⁰In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:" (KJV)

Is there any significance to 3 months?

Acts 7:30

"³⁰And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush." (KJV)

After 40 years. Was this a period of cleansing?

Acts 7:33

"³³Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground." (KJV)

I wonder why you have to take your shoes off on sacred ground?
The priests also go into the holy place (temple) barefoot.
Is this a sandal covenant?

Acts 7:36

"³⁶He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years." (KJV)

40 years. Was this a period of cleansing?

Acts 7:42

"⁴²Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?" (KJV)

40 years. Was this a period of cleansing?

Acts 7:45

"⁴⁵Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;" (KJV)

If this Jesus is really Joshua, why did the Messiah's name get translated differently?

Acts 8

Simon the sorcerer
Conversion of the Ethiopian

Acts 8:28

"²⁸Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet." (KJV)

If they transliterated the Messiah's name to English, why didn't they transliterate Isaiah's name to English?

Acts 8:37

"³⁷And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (KJV)

Translation Difference

The KJV and NIV differ on this verse.
In Acts 8:37, what is the one requirement for baptism?

Acts 9

Conversion of Saul
Paul escapes to Jerusalem

Acts 9:2

"²And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." (KJV)

It appears the priesthood took part in the persecution of the followers of YAHUSHUA.

Acts 9:6

"⁶And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." (KJV)

KJV/NIV Difference

What did Saul ask YAHUSHUA in Acts 9:6?

Acts 9:9

"⁹And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." (KJV)

3 days.

Acts 9:11

"¹¹And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth," (KJV)

What is the significance of the street which is called Straight?

Acts 9:14

"¹⁴And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name." (KJV)

It appears the priesthood took part in the persecution of the followers of YAHUSHUA.

Acts 9:21

"²¹But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?" (KJV)

His disciples were referred to as 'them which called on this name' rather than 'His followers'. Interesting.

Acts 9:23

"²³And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:" (KJV)

Interesting that so called "men of YAH" were plotting to kill someone because they disagreed with him.

Acts 9:29

"²⁹And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him." (KJV)

Interesting to note that with the word, 'Grecians/Hellenists', 1st century believers differentiated between Jews that spoke Greek and those that did not.

Acts 9:40

"⁴⁰But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up." (KJV)

There is information here I am missing. The Scriptures mentions her name by interpretation is Dorcas and use that name twice, but when Peter/Kĕpha goes to awaken her, he calls her by her other name, Tabitha/Tabitha.

Acts 10

Cornelius's vision
Peter's visit to Cornelius
Holy spirit received

Acts 10:11

¹¹And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: ((KJV))

The sheet being gathered at all four corners seems to indicate that the animals were all gathered in the center and therefore touching each other.

This would mean the clean and unclean were touching and by Rabbinical law, the clean animals would become "common" (or unclean) in their judgement.

Acts 10:12

¹²Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. ((KJV))

This verse seems to be saying there were clean and unclean animals in the sheet.

Acts 10:14

¹⁴But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. ((KJV))

The Messiah has been resurrected for some time at this point.

If the dietary instructions had been 'done away with' or 'nailed to the cross' Peter would not see this as a violation of YHWH's instructions.

Acts 10:15

¹⁵And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. ((KJV))

The words used here are clean and common, not clean and unclean.

Acts 10:17

¹⁷Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, ((KJV))

Peter could not understand the vision. Quite possibly because he knew that YHWH could not be telling him to violate his dietary instructions.

Acts 10:28

"And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean." (KJV)

Clean and unclean.

Interesting, by Jewish law, the Jews were practicing seperatism. So how would a convert come into the faith without breaking the Jewish law?

Peter/Kĕpha seems to be saying here that the meaning of the previous vision was not about food but rather about unclean or common men.

Acts 10:35

"³⁵But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (KJV)

This verse is saying that HE is not just a God of the Jews but of all mankind that fear and obey him.

I need to see if I can find a reference like this in the TeNaKh.

Acts 10:45

"⁴⁵And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost." (KJV)

Nice to know for the End of Days.

Acts 11

The church at Antioch

Acts 11:2

"²And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him," (KJV)

Would 'they that were of the circumcision' mean orthodox Jews?

Acts 11:26

"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." (KJV)

Translation Difference

'and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to be that for an entire year they came together in the assembly and taught large numbers. And the taught ones were called ‘Messianites’ first in Antioch.' (The ISR Scriptures)

'And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that for a full year they assembled themselves with the congregation of Yisrael, and taught many people. And the talmidim were called Notsrim first in Antioch. ⁵³¹¹' (The Restoration Scriptures)

⁵³¹¹ - This term is “Christian” as it appears in both the Aramaic and Greek versions. This was a derogatory term, as those at Antioch made fun of the “little moshiachs.” The fact that the Greek preserves this term through transliteration from the Aramaic and not translation, is further evidence that this was a title assigned "by men to men,” and never by YHWH. For when YHWH speaks such as in Galatians 6:16, or through the use of eidta/ekklessia, all believers in Yahshua are called and known as Yisrael. If one is called a “Christian,” it is man’s terminology. If one is called Yisrael, he has adopted YHWH’s terminology and viewpoint.

'And finding him, he brought him to Antioch. And it happened that many of them were gathered to them in the assembly a whole year. And they taught a considerable crowd. And the disciples were first called Kristyane at Antioch.' (Hebrew Roots Bible)

'and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the assembly and taught much people; and the disciples were first called Mashiyachim in Antioch.' (Interlinear Acts)

'and when he had found him he brought him with him to Antiokia. And a whole year together they assembled in the church, and taught much people: from thence first in Antiokia the disciples were called Christianee.' (Khabouris)

'and, having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year, they met with Moshiach's Kehillah there, and taught a large multitude. And it was in Antioch that the talmidim were first called Ma'aminim HaMeshichiyim (Messianic Believers).' (Orthodox Jewish Brit Chadasha)

Antioch/Antioch - a city of Syria; a city of Pisidia; an Antiochian or inhabitant of Antiochia; from Antiochus (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria:--Antioch.; (G490) - from Antiochus (a Syrian king); Antiochia, a place in Syria:--Antioch.

Acts 11:26 is the first mention of the word "Christian". The only other two places are Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16

Acts 12

Peter delivered from prison
Herod kills James the brother of John.

Acts 12:3

"³And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)" (KJV)

Herod arrests Peter.
The date is during the days of unleavened bread or the 3rd week in the 1st moon.
Since these were the days of unleavened bread, this would have been the 3rd week in the 1st month/moon of the Hebrew calendar, the month of Abib/Aviv.

Acts 12:4

"⁴And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people." (KJV)

Translation Difference

"4 So when he had seized him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to watch over him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover." (The ISR Scriptures)

"4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him; intending after Pesach to bring him out to the people." (The Restoration Scriptures)

The word for Passover is mistranslated to Easter.

Acts 12:6-8

The angel of YHWH frees Peter from prison.

Acts 12:21-23

Herod is killed by an angel of YHWH.

Acts 13

Paul on Cyprus
Preaching in Antioch

Acts 13:2-3

"²As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." (KJV)

"³And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away." (KJV)

prayer and fasting

Acts 13:14-16

"¹⁴But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down." (KJV)

Paul and his company went to the synagogue on the sabbath day (satur-day)

"¹⁵And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." (KJV)

The people were reading the TeNaKh.

"¹⁶Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience." (KJV)

Paul and his company went to the synagogue on the sabbath day (satur-day)

Acts 13:18

"¹⁸And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness." (KJV)

40 years

Acts 13:21

"²¹And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years." (KJV)

40 years
Saul was a Benjamite of the tribe of Benjamin.

Acts 13:26

"²⁶Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent." (KJV)

The Salvation message is sent to all who fear God.

Acts 13:27

"²⁷For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him." (KJV)

The people in Jerusalem read the TeNaKh every sabbath.
When people condemn us for OBEYING the ( Torah ) and KEEPING Shabbat, as Moses, the Prophets and Messiah Yeshua did, they are showing that they also -- do NOT really know Him { Messiah }.

Acts 13:42

"⁴²And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath." (KJV)

Obviously this preaching was done every Sabbath.

Acts 13:44

"⁴⁴And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." (KJV)

The sabbath day (satur-day)

Acts 13:46

"⁴⁶Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." (KJV)

Since the Jews rejected Christ, salvation is offered to the Gentiles.

Acts 13:47

"⁴⁷For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." (KJV)

YAHUSHUA says that salvation is offered to the Gentiles. I want to see where he said this and add the reference.

Acts 14

Preaching at Iconium

Acts 14:23

"²³And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." (KJV)

Fasting

Acts 15

The council at Jerusalem
Letters sent to the Gentiles
Paul and Barnabas separate

Acts 15:1

"¹And 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." (KJV)

Circumcision was not according to the manner of Moses. Circumcision was according to the commandment of YHWH in the days of Abraham. (Genesis 17)

Circumcision is not a salvation issue; it is an act of obedience.

Abraham was 75 years old when he first followed the command of YHWH to leave his home (Genesis 12:1-4).
Abraham was 99 years old when he came into covenant with YHWH (Genesis 17).
First you need to obey YHWH, and then you can come into covenant.

You can read more about "Unity Through Acts 15" in the first chapter of Torah Government (HTTP://WWW.NAZARENEISRAEL.ORG) (mirrored PDF)

Acts 15:5

"⁵But 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." (KJV)

Acts 15:15

"¹⁵And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written," (KJV)

If the TeNaKh had been done away with or nailed to the cross, then James would not be quoting from it.

Acts 15:34

"³⁴Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still." (KJV)

KJV/NIV Difference

Write the name of the man mentioned in Acts 15:34.

Acts 16

Paul and Silas imprisoned

Acts 16:14

"¹⁴And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul." (KJV)

...a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira...

Lydia, the seller of purple (WWW.SERMONCENTRAL.COM)

Lydia (HTTP://GARDENOFPRAISE.COM)

Purple (WWW.KEYWAY.CA)

Acts 17

Paul at Thessalonica
Paul at Athens

Acts 17:2

"²And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures," (KJV)

This verse references Paul observing the Sabbath.
Paul/Sha'ul keeping the Sabbath after YAHUSHUA's crucifixtion and using the Tanak.
Three (3) weeks.

Acts 17:5

"⁵But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people." (KJV)

Just like today. Interesting to note they used fellows of the baser sort.

Acts 17:11

"¹¹These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (KJV)

They searced the Scripture to see if what he said was true.

Acts 17:13

"¹³But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people." (KJV)

Just like today.

Acts 17:16

"¹⁶Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." (KJV)

Just like today.

Acts 17:17

"¹⁷Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him." (KJV)

This is not door to door preaching.

Acts 17:21

"²¹(For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)" (KJV)

Just like today. People don't want to go back, they want to 'move forward'.

Acts 17:22

"²²Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious." (KJV)

Mars' hill/Areopagus
Athens/Athens

Acts 17:26

"²⁶And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;" (KJV)

Out of one blood, YHWH has made all the people on the face of the planet earth.

Acts 18

Paul at Corinth
Paul returns to Antioch

Acts 18:4

"⁴And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." (KJV)

Every Sabbath

Acts 18:21

"²¹But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus." (KJV)

What feast is this?

Acts 19

Paul's work in Ephesus
The riot at Ephesus

Acts 19:8

"⁸And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God." (KJV)

If Paul's words had not been in keeping with Torah, the priests would have had him removed.
If his words had been blasphemous, the people would have stoned him.
It sounds like he is trying to tell the people what is in the Scriptures and what it means.

Acts 19:32

"³²Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together." (KJV)

"In English versions of the New Covenant, ekklesia is usually translated church. ¹⁰ However, in our day, like "Jewish," the workd "church" has become a multi-faceted name or title. For instance, there is a true church, and eternal ekklesia that includes all who truly seek to follow the God Of Israel, and there is a "church system" that persecutes true Believers. Some claim to be "of the church" but their faith is questioned by others. The same principle holds true for Jews and Judaism. There are Jewish people who, to the best of their ability, seek to follow the Holy One of Israel, but some Jews belong to the Jewish Mafia, some are sworn atheists. For these reasons, use of these can be confusing unless one knows exactly what is meant with their use. In this work, they will be used with the belief that, in the end, the Holy One Himself will decide whom among both peoples He finds acceptable. ¹¹"

¹⁰ - In Acts 19:32 ekklesia is used to define the confused mob crying out against Paul.

Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Baker, 1983, p 196a; Strong's # G 1577.

¹¹ - Matt 5:20; 7:23; John 8:44; 10:33; Acts 7:38; 2 Thes 1:1; 2:13; 2 Tim 3:1-12; Rev 2:9; 3:9,16.

Acts 20

Macedonia and Greece
Paul and the elders

Acts 20:7-12

"⁷And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (KJV)

"⁸And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together." (KJV)

"⁹And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead." (KJV)

"¹⁰And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him." (KJV)

"¹¹When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed." (KJV)

"¹²And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted." (KJV)

"According to the church, the disciples met on Sunday morning for breakfast, listened to Shaul until midnight (when Eutychus fell out the window), ate an "after midnight meal," and then continued their meeting until daybreak (Monday). This might sound like it makes sense, until we ask why there were so many lamps in the upper room during daylight hours, as well as why they skipped lunch and dinner."

"In contrast, if we assume they still kept the Hebrew calendar, suddenly everything makes sense. Jewish custom is to worship at the synagogue (or at the temple) on the Sabbath, and then to meet at a friend’s house after sundown. When gathering for this after-Sabbath festivity, the Jewish people usually share a communal meal. This is called, "breaking bread." If the disciples gathered after the Sabbath ended (just after sundown) and ate a communal dinner together, this explains why they needed so many lamps. It would also make it clear that they were enjoying a traditional Jewish time of worship and celebration."

"This same kind of post-Sabbath fellowship is also recorded in the book of John."

Acts 20:16

"¹⁶For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost." (KJV)

If YHWH's appointed times (moedim) were done away with by YAHUSHUA, why was it so important to Paul that he observe them?

Acts 20:29-30

"²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." (KJV)

"³⁰Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." (KJV)

Paul's warning.

Acts 20:35

"³⁵I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." (KJV)

No where in the Gospels does it record YAHUSHUA saying this.

Acts 21

Paul travels to Ceasarea
Paul's arrest

Acts 21:20

"²⁰And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:" (KJV)

These are Jews/Yahudim who believe in the Messiah and are zealous of the Torah. This indicates that first century believers practiced Torah.

Acts 21:27-28

"²⁷And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him," (KJV)

"²⁸Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place." (KJV)

These people were claiming that the Messiah was speaking against the Hebrew people and against the law, just like Christians do today. (false witnesses)

Acts 21:30

"³⁰And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut." (KJV)

This is how the people reacted when they thought that Paul/Sha'ul was not following Torah. Therefore, all the other times that Paul/Sha'ul was allowed in the temple, they must have thought that he was practicing Torah.

Acts 21:40

"⁴⁰And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying," (KJV)

If Hebrew was a dead language and most of the people spoke Aramaic, why would Paul/Sha'ul choose to speak to them in Hebrew?

Acts 22

Paul's defence

Acts 22:1

"¹Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you." (KJV)

From the previous verse (Acts 21:40), Paul/Sha'ul is speaking Hebrew to a crowd of common people in Jerusalem/Yerushalayim.

If Hebrew was a dead language and most of the people spoke Aramaic, why would Paul/Sha'ul choose to speak to them in Hebrew?

Acts 22:14

"¹⁴And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth." (KJV)

Saul/Sha'ul is claiming that Ananias/Hananyah stated that YHWH (the God of our fathers) had chosen Saul/Sha'ul to see and hear the words of the Messiah (that Just One).

Acts 22:19

"¹⁹And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:" (KJV)

Saul/Sha'ul was finding the early believers in the Messiah in the synagogues.

Acts 22:22

"²²And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live." (KJV)

The people were willing to listen to Paul/Sha'ul until he claimed that the Messiah wanted him to go to the Gentiles.

Acts 23

Before the Sanhedrin
Paul taken to Caesarea

Acts 23:1

"¹And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." (KJV)

Paul/Sha'ul is talking to the chief priests and all their council (Acts 22:30) and telling them that he has been following Torah.

Acts 23:6

"⁶But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question." (KJV)

Paul/Sha'ul is claiming to be the equivalent of a modern day Rabbi.

Acts 23:9

"⁹And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God." (KJV)

If the council found 'no evil in this man' then Paul/Sha'ul must have been following Torah.

Acts 23:12

"¹²And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul." (KJV)

These are Jews/Yahudim making a oath to commit murder.

Acts 24

Paul tried before Felix
Paul tried before Festus

Acts 24:8

"⁶Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law." (KJV)

"⁷But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands," (KJV)

"⁸Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him." (KJV)

KJV/NIV Difference

Study Acts 24:6-8. What would the Jew have done with Paul? What did the chief captain command?

GENERAL NOTES ON THE BOOK OF ACTS:

Unity through the book of Acts (03/16/12) (mirrored PDF file)