Discuss Acts 23


Acts 23 KJV Bible discussions
 
  • Jesse - 8 months ago
    INTRODUCTION TO LUKE (Part 3):

    II. ABOUT THE RECIPIENT:

    Luke is written specifically to Theophilus, but in general to all Gentiles. Theophilus means "lover of God," THEOS for God, PHILEO for love. It's either a name or title. It was a common name at the time. Many parents named their children Theophilus hoping their kids would love God. It was also used as a title and may have been used in order to hide his identity.

    In Luke, he's not just called Theophilus, but "most excellent Theophilus" which means that he was either in the Roman military or Roman government, and he's getting the gospel about Jesus Christ. So, Theophilus could be a title or a code name for someone so that their real identity is not revealed.

    His title "Most excellent" is one Greek word. It's found to be a title of an officer in the Roman military and also found as a title for an official in the Roman government. Both are called "most excellent" or "most honorable." The title is used three times in Acts. In Acts 23:26, we see "most excellent governor Felix."

    These are all governors of Rome. Acts 24:3, "most noble Felix," and Acts 26:25 "most noble Festus," same word. They held these titles in the Roman military and in the Roman government. He was either a government official or in the military. Tradition says he was from Antioch of Syria. Apparently, Luke and Theophilus knew each other.

    Acts was written to Theophilus. Acts 1:1 says, the former treaties (that would be the gospel of Luke), the former treaties that I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach. So, the book of Acts would be to the same person. And what he's saying is that Luke (the first Volume I gave you), was what Jesus began to do and teach. Now here's what He continues to do and teach, and that would be the book of Acts.

    It's also interesting that Acts 1:1-11 is a summary statement of Luke Chapter 24. So, they overlap. He goes back and summarizes Luke 24 in Acts Chapter 1:1-11.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 9 months ago
    Hi Landry,

    I agree with you, this subject is rooted in the soul being immortal that came from the Greek philosophical influence. My understanding, there is no scripture to support the soul being immortal. If someone is comforted by thinking their loved one who has died is in heaven am I going to tell them their wrong, No. Is it biblical? No, it comes from the Greek definition of death as the separation of the soul from the body.

    The Hebrew word nephesh and the Greek word psuche, translated as the soul that is from Genesis 2:7 to Revelation 18:4. What is the soul? What is death if our soul which is the essence of who we are is immortal? If our soul that is who we are goes to heaven when this body dies why is there a resurrection of the dead?

    The just and the unjust will be resurrected, Matt. 22:31 Luke 14:14 Acts 17:32 Acts 23:6 Acts 24:15 Acts 24:21 1 Cor. 15:12,13,21,42 Phil. 3:11 Heb. 6:2. 1 Cor. 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 1 Cor 15:42-44 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

    I will leave it there; I know discussions of this subject can get pretty dogmatic and I do not want to show any disrespect to those who hold that we go to heaven when we die there are many.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • T. Levis - In Reply on John 3 - 1 year ago
    Additional scripture for you:

    Matthew 3-7, Matthew 5, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 9:10-13, Matthew 9:14-17, Matthew 9:27-34, Matthew 12:14, Matthew 12, Matthew 15, Matthew 16, Matthew 16:6,12, Matthew 19:3, * Matthew 21, Matthew 22, Matthew 22:15, it appears they were wrongfully referring to the book of Tobet, in 1611 version, Tobit 3:7,8, Matthew 22:29,

    * Matthew 23:2, whole chapter Matthew 23, Matthew 27:62,

    Matthew 23:13,14,

    Mark 2:16, Mark 2, Mark 3:1-6, Mark 7:1-23, Mark 8:11,15, Mark 10:2, Mark 12:13,

    Luke 5:17-39, Luke 6:2-11, Luke 7:29-50, Luke 11:37-54, Luke 12:1, Luke 12:31, Luke 14:1-24, Luke 14, Luke 16:14-31, Luke 16, Luke 19:35-39,

    John 1:19-34, John 3:1-21, John 7:28-32, John 7:43-53, John 8:3-22, John 9, John 9:15,16, John 11:37-57, John 12:19, John 12:42, John 18:3,

    Acts 15, Acts 23,

    Hopefully these are helpful in your study, I included several Chapters to read next to verses, to read within context, for better understanding
  • Chris - In Reply - 2 years ago
    I'm in agreement with the other respondents to you, that it was Luke, the author of the Gospel, that wrote the Book of Acts. We learn this from both Luke 1:1 and Acts 1:3,4.

    In Acts, Luke is referring back to the Gospel, where he wrote the letter (Gospel) to Theophilus giving him instruction: "That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed" ( Luke 1:4). It seems that Theophilus was not only well known to Luke, but that he was also quite high up in the Roman hierarchy (we see the word "excellent" also used by Claudius Lysias, the chief captain, when addressing Governor Felix, in Acts 23:25,26). This usage indicates a person of high position & the interaction Luke has with Theophilus shows, not only a close acquaintance between the two, but possibly that Theophilus had more than just a passing interest in the Promise & Coming of the Messiah. God had His witnesses at the right places, & by a few folk, many heard the Gospel & must have been challenged greatly in their hearts.
  • Chris - In Reply on 1 Timothy 1 - 2 years ago
    Hello Ida. The Apostle Paul, known as Saul earlier, was a member of a Jewish religious sect called the Pharisees. Paul himself referred to this position that he previously held (in Acts 23:6; Acts 26:5; Philippians 3:5,6). There were three main Jewish sects at that time of Jesus' Life on Earth: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, & the Essenes. The Pharisees (which meant, 'separated one'), had very strong beliefs, so strong that they compelled people to fully obey God's Laws. And to do this, they created many other laws (practises of behaviour) that weighed heavily upon the common people. And Jesus greatly condemned them for this & their many hypocrisies ( Matthew 23:1-36).

    But when Saul met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, he instantly learned that the Christians he was hunting down & killing were serving this Jesus Whom he was encountering at that very moment. Saul was a changed man & as he learned more from Jesus, with the Spirit filling him to believe & serve, he could say in Philippians 3:7-10, that all that he had learned & believed were now useless & filthy. The new knowledge gained directly from Jesus revealed his errors as a Pharisee - his trusting in the Law to make him righteous could never work, but now having only faith in Christ to save him, did.

    I trust you can see how wonderfully the revelation of Christ to Saul changed him from a strict Pharisee (Saul) to one of a humble obedient servant of Jesus (Paul) trusting in Christ now & moved in his spirit to reach out to his countrymen & also to the Gentiles.
  • Donna - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Brother Dan, please don't be offended by my inability to comprehend why Jesus would say (after his resurrection) in Matthew 2819 to be baptized in the name of the father the son and the Holy Spirit? And why when people bring up scripture on baptism do they leave that one out if they are trying to focus on acts 238?
  • Free - In Reply - 2 years ago
    Dear Catherine Gordon. We should all hope that all who are Jesus saved in here hope and believe that everyone will be. But just like in the rest of society, we are different individuals. Here the talk is really if I think about :) is about the Words in the KJV Bible over all Bibles in my opinion. Then there are those who think that it is not, diversity is widespread. We are many in the world today.

    We have to count on the web and meet all kinds of believers. One thing that is important is to remember that God Is the Same In Him there is no changing shadow, as in us humans. Loving, Patient, Long-suffering but not stupid, we are to be believers. Jesus believers in them shall one find the salt, in them we shall find the Light. Shall we now walk to earth as empty in Jesus Christ. Would it all be a sad sight. It reminds me of the scripture I read today.

    Acts 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

    24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

    25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

    And after: In same chapter. 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

    We belong to the living God as we believe in Jesus Christ. He will do the work in us even if we do not SPEAK in tongues. Everything is fulfilled if we live our lives in Love of God and His Son Jesus Christ in the kingdom of the Holy Spirit.

    A few years ago I got to experience and talk to a sister who is so nice a Christian. But she condemned the stately church. What should one say to such a thing? Is there not a believer in Jesus Christ in the church, I asked. Yes, she said and went for it. Do you need to say anything more? It is God who decides who He wants to come to Him and be with Him and judge the living and the dead. I will not condemned some I leave that to God. God bless u and yours.
  • Chris - In Reply on Genesis 4 - 3 years ago
    This would be an extremely difficult case to build as Paul is simply not specific to what was given him to keep him from becoming conceited after those mighty revelations.

    I have always tended to believe that his eyes caused him a lot of bother. Whether he had first acquired some disease that eventually affected other parts of his body in the long term & especially his eyes, one can't be certain. Anyway, I'll give you some other Scriptures for you to consider (not in any order):

    a. Romans 16:22 (Paul was the author, but Tertius his scribe possibly because of Paul's vision).

    b. 1 Corinthians 16:21 & 2 Thessalonians 3:17 (Paul managed to sign off with his name while others helped with the writing of the epistle).

    c. Galatians 6:11 (Paul wrote in large letters, rather than writing a 'long letter', as he didn't have a scribe to help him).

    d. Galatians 4:13 (Paul preached to the Galatians first, possibly because of the region's higher altitude may have helped with a disease, e.g. malaria which left untreated, might have caused eye problems) & then in Galatians 4:15 (that the Galatians would have given him "their eyes" for his need).

    e. Acts 23:3-5 (Paul insulted the High Priest not recognizing him, or as some suppose, that Paul was saying "I didn't expect a High Priest (of his calibre) to order me beaten").

    Sorry, I'm directing this response towards Paul's eyes, as I feel that this was where his infirmity was. But of course, no one can say with full certainty.
  • Mishael on Matthew 26 - 3 years ago
    COMMENTARY

    "Satan is styled the "accuser of the brethren" ( Rev. 12:10. Comp." " Job 1:6; Zech. 3:1), as seeking to uphold his influence among" "men by bringing false charges against Christians,

    with the view" of weakening their influence and injuring the cause with which they are identified.

    He was regarded by the Jews as the accuser "of men before God, laying to their charge the violations of the" "law of which they were guilty, and demanding their punishment."

    "The same Greek word, rendered "accuser," is found in John 8:10" "(but omitted in the Revised Version); Acts 23:30, 35; 24:8;" "25:16, 18,

    in all of which places it is used of one who brings a" charge against another."

    Mishael: I'm not saying we should tickle ears or stroke egos.

    We should at least spend an equal amount of time Edifying the Brethern. Encouraging, lifting up wilting spirits, undergirding;

    Standing in the gap and in the hedges, sitting in the watchtowers, even,

    Interceding for the Saints, as Jesus is doing.

    We talk the talk, but can we walk the walk of Jesus Christ? All of this knowledge and do we spend time in the Prayer Request room? Praying for the little people? What would Jesus do?

    I don't say this in anger or in accusation. I'm just weary of hoping for change.

    Have a great Saturday. God bless.
  • Greg - In Reply on John 19 - 3 years ago
    Mark Matthews,

    Page 2

    The Hebrew calendar used at the time of Jesus counted a full day from sunset to sunset, not midnight to midnight.

    The Hebrew 24 hour period of time is broken up into two 12 hour segments. The first segment is from 6 pm until 6 am. The second segment is from 6 am until 6 pm.

    6pm - 6am = 1st set of 12 hours- "third hour of the night" Acts 23:23 (9 pm)

    6am - 6pm = 2nd set of 12 hours- "third hour of the day" Acts 2:15 (9 am)

    The "third hour" of the day in Mark 15:25 when Christ was crucified is 9 am

    The "ninth hour" when He gave up the ghost is 3 pm.

    Look at Sixth hour, Ninth hour, eleventh hour, Matthew 20:5
  • Bob Hilt on Genesis 10 - 3 years ago
    Ric - I am no fan of the Pope or the Vatican. However it was not Rome that killed the apostles, the prophets or Jesus.

    King James Bible book of John 5:16 - And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

    John 5:18 - Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.



    John 7:1 - After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.

    Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:14, 16 - For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, EVEN AS THEY HAVE OF THE JEWS: WHO BOTH KILLED THE LORD JESUS, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and THEY PLEASE NOT GOD, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: FOR THE WRATH IS COME UPON THEM TO THE UTTERMOST.

    Revelation 11:8 - And their (2 witnesses) dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Jesus, my LORD, was crucified in Jerusalem, which is spiritually called Sodom)

    Jesus in John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

    Acts 23:12 - And 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.

    Jesus speaks in Matthew 23:15 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees (ALL Pharisees are Jews, not all Jews are Pharisees) , hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. (Rabbis say Jesus was antisemitic)
  • Bob Hilt - In Reply on Genesis 1 - 4 years ago
    Romans were not killing Christians in Paul's day
    King James Bible book of John 5:16 - And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
    John 7:1 - After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.
    Acts 23:12 - And 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.
    Acts 26:21 - For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
    1 Corinthians 16:22 - If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema (CURSED)
  • Ray321 on Acts 23 - 6 years ago
    Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Paul had the Holy Spirit inside him and had Jesus speaking him. Can we imagine having Jesus speaking to us , thank God for the Holy Spirit.
  • Mike D on Psalms 119:106 - 8 years ago
    Verse 106, What David is doing is serious business with God. When God gives an oath He will most certainly perform it. In Genesis 26:3b we see this truth in action. "I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swear unto Abraham thy father." David beings by saying, "I have sworn". That is saying, I call God in as a witness, I want this done in His sight. Then David says," I will perform it", that is the oath he just proclaimed to God. This is a serious resolve to see it through. I thought of the 40 men in Acts 23:21 who were tying to kill Paul, who bound themselves together with an oath that they would not eat or drink until he was dead. One only wonders if they carried that out. There are numerous occasions recorded in scripture where men failed to kept what they promised in oath to God. Better not to make an oath to God than to make one and not keep it. David finishes this verse declaring what the oath is, " That I will keep Thy righteous judgments". This an amazing oath for a lot of reasons. First he puts no time frame on this oath. This is for life. David had no inclinations of retreating. David was sold out to God. It seems like David no sooner penned these words and verse 106 happens. I am afflicted very much. Trials will certainly rest our resolve.
  • KENNETH on Acts 3:23 - 9 years ago
    Acts 23 verse 3 And it shall come to pass,that every soul,which will not hear that prophet,shall be destroyed from among the people I am having a questions from a Jehovah 's Witness who claims that the soul is not immortal but here it says the every soul shall be destroyed..can you explain thank you!


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