NT 32 Reading

NT Lesson 32

Acts 18v25: "being fervent in the spirit," "taught diligently." These words are used of Apollos when he came in teaching his faith. He was well intentioned and passionate about what he believed, but he was misguided. He was sincere, but he was sincerely wrong. we must be careful to ensure that what we are passionate about is truth -- the whole truth.

Acts 18v26: Aquila and Priscilla are special to me, and a bit unique in scripture. They are the only example I can think of as a missionary couple. The only other couple example i can think of are Ananias and Sapphira -- but they are poster children for what NOT to be! This couple had worked and ministered alongside Paul, so they were experienced and knowledgable. They came alongside Apollos and took him in with them, showing him the full truth. They nurtured him and strengthened his faith in what was right. we are all like this -- each one needs another to be there to come alongside to encourage and correct gently. Proverbs 27:17, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

Acts 19v3: these men in Ephesus had heard of John and his baptism, but not of Jesus. Not all of John's disciples followed Jesus. They even complained to John when Jesus seemed to have a larger following. This didn't bother John, because he understood what had to happen. I'm not sure why he continued to have disciples after Christ started his ministry. I don't know if he hoped they would eventually see the light, or what. But it seems that to some extent it became a stumbling block to the gospel because John's message had been taught to these men and baptized in John's baptism, and not a word of the gospel had reached them. the disciples that had continued to propogate John's message had not the full understanding that John had. they only had part of the truth -- just like Apollos. partial truth can be as dangerous as error!

Acts 19v15: we must know our enemy, and be constantly on guard. he will attack when our guard is down. we cannot prevail without being grounded in the One who can defeat him. imposters cannot stand, because they do not have the authority. they can talk a good talk, they may look like they walk a good walk, but the enemy will not be fooled! Some of the commentary I read included some information from Bruce R. McConkie (they just gave his name, but no credit to where he said this) and I liked how he pointed out that these men did "cast out" the evil spirits, but not in the way they had intended. instead, the spirits had been attracted to them by their wickedness and receptivity to the powers of darkness. this provided the spirits with a more appealing residence than they had.

Acts 19v24-27: opposition to the gospel was made due to greed and not to loyalty to a false doctrine. i could understand the Jews getting up in arms and crying blasphemy. they were wrong, but i could understand them initially believing that. this man was trying to nip Paul's ministry there in the bud because he had heard of the gospel taking over in the places he had been and this threatened his pocketbook. so dangerous, so evil.
Acts 19v30: Paul saw a tremendous witnessing opportunity and had tunnel vision -- not stopping to consider the situation he was about to put himself in prudently and rationally. God used fellow disciples to intervene and keep him safe. How often are we human instruments used as angels on earth to keep ourselves or others from enthusiastic but unwise actions?

Acts 19v35-40: the silversmith had tried to use popular opinion, public pressure to protect his livelihood, but the town clerk put things in perspective. if the silversmith had a legitimate complaint he could have brought it before the law. this showed the weakness and trivialness of the silversmith's gripe.

Acts 20v7-12:  it would be easy to criticize poor Eutychus, but stop a moment and think about the situation.  It says they came together on the first day of the week.  For the Jews, the day started the evening before at about 6pm, so their sabbath day starts Friday evening.  The first Christians were still going to synagogue and having prayer on the Jewish sabbath, so it is very likely that they met together at someone's house to "break bread" after sabbath observances on Saturday evening, which would be considered the start of the first day of the week.  Most likely this is when they met because Paul was leaving the next day and wanted to impart to them as much as he could before he left.  Eutychus could have been a very active, very involved young man in the church.  He might have been very busy about the work of the church that day.  Paul can be very wordy at times, and he evidently went long into the night on this occasion.  We also see Paul showing compassion toward the young man, so who are we to pass judgment on him?

Acts 20v28-30:  Paul warns that people will come, misrepresenting themselves and seeking to prey upon those in the church.  That even their own members will seek develop their own followings within the church.  Pride is the greatest danger to the gospel in our lives.

Acts 20v32-35:  Paul provided for himself with his own hands as not to be a burden on the infant church, and he did not covet anything of any man.  He reminds us that it is better to give than to receive.

Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Mat 6:21

My favorite verse is Acts 20:24: 
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.