Reference: Paul The Apostle
Hastings
PAUL THE APOSTLE
i. The Authorities.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
when a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, who was respected by all the people, rose up in the council, and moved the apostles might withdraw for some time.
then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
and Saul was accessory to his death. At that time the persecution was so violent against the church at Jerusalem, they were all dispers'd through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles,
Saul still breathing out nothing but threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,
As he was on his journey, and near Damascus, on a sudden, a light from heaven surrounded him,
the mean while the men who accompany'd him, remain'd astonish'd, hearing a voice, but seeing no one.
and the Lord said unto him, arise, and go to the street called Straight, and enquire at the house of Judas, for one Saul of Tarsus: for he is there at prayer.
go, said the Lord to him: for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the children of Israel.
thereupon Barnabas took him with him to the apostles, and related to them how the Lord had appear'd to him on his journey, and had spoken to him, and how publickly Saul had preach'd at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.
In the mean time they who were dispers'd upon the persecution that arose after Stephen's time, had travell'd as far as Phenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, without preaching the gospel to any, but Jews only.
where they resided a whole year with that church, and instructed abundance of disciples, and these disciples were the first that were denominated Christians.
and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.
and Saul had executed their commission, they return'd to Jerusalem, and took with them John who was surnam'd Mark.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Now there were several prophets and teachers in the church of Antioch, as Barnabas, Simeon surnam'd Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
being thus appointed missionarys by the holy spirit, they went to Seleucia, where they embark'd for Cyprus.
Having travers'd the isle as far as to Paphos, they found a Jew there nam'd Barjesus, who was a false prophet and magician:
thereupon Paul stood up, and having made sign with his hand for their attention, he said, men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
cry'd out, "sirs, what are you going to do? we are but men as well as you, and we exhort you to renounce these vanities, and turn to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth and the sea, and all that they contain:
from thence they sailed to Antioch, where they had been recommended to the favour of God, for the commission, which they had now discharg'd.
However some that arrived from Judea, told the Gentile converts, unless you are circumcised agreeably to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved. upon which Paul and Barnabas having warmly contested the point with them, it was resolved, that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem to consult the apostles upon this question. read more. so they set out, accompanied part of the way by the church, and pass'd thro' Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles, which gave great joy to all the brethren. and being arrived at Jerusalem, they were receiv'd by the church, by the apostles, and presbyters, to whom they related all that God had done by them. but some of the sect of the Pharisees who had embraced the faith, started up, pretending that the Gentiles ought to be circumcised, and observe the law of Moses. The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair. and after the question had been much canvass'd, Peter rose up, and said, my brethren, you know that a considerable time since God chose me from among you to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and bring them to the faith.
and after the question had been much canvass'd, Peter rose up, and said, my brethren, you know that a considerable time since God chose me from among you to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and bring them to the faith. God who knows their hearts has granted them a testimonial, by giving them the holy spirit, even as he did to us: read more. making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith. why therefore do you tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear? but we believe that it is by the favour of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are to be sav'd, as well as they. The whole assembly were very silent, whilst Barnabas and Paul related what miracles and prodigies God had wrought among the Gentiles by their ministry. After they had done speaking, James assum'd the discourse, and said, my brethren, give me your attention. Simon has related how God began to visit the Gentiles, to chuse from among them a people consecrated to his name. and this is agreeable to the oracles of the prophets: as it is written, "after this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down: I will repair its ruins, and raise it up: that the rest of mankind, even all the nations, that profess my name, may seek the Lord. he that does all these things, is the Lord himself that has said it." for the works of God are all known to him from the beginning of the world. wherefore my opinion is not to disquiet the Gentile converts: but only to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from animals that are strangled, and from their blood. for as to the law of Moses, that has been published in every city a considerable time, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then the apostles, the presbyters, and the whole church thought it proper to select some out of their own body to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch: such as Judas surnam'd Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, whom they charg'd with this letter. The apostles, the presbyters, and the brethren, to the Gentile brethren at Antioch, in Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Whereas we have been appriz'd, that some who went from us, have embarass'd you with their discourse, and unsettled your minds, maintaining, that you ought to be circumcised, and to observe the law, though we gave them no such injunction: after having been assembled, we unanimously judg'd it proper to send particular deputies to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. we therefore send Judas and Silas to inform you in person of this affair. for by the holy spirit it seemed good to us, to lay no greater burthen upon you, than these necessary injunctions; that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the flesh of strangled animals, and from fornication: you will do well to preserve your selves from these practices. farewel.
Some time after, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return to visit all those cities, where we have preach'd the word of the Lord, to see what condition the brethren are in.
there Paul had a vision in the night. a Macedonian appear'd to him, and thus address'd him, "pass on to Macedonia, and come to our relief."
from thence we marched to Philippi, the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. having stopp'd there some days,
but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.
Paul, as was his custom, us'd to go there, and for three sabbath-days discours'd to the Jews from the scriptures,
Then Paul being plac'd in the middle of the Areopagus, said thus, "I observe, O Athenians, that you are in a manner too devout.
Then Paul being plac'd in the middle of the Areopagus, said thus, "I observe, O Athenians, that you are in a manner too devout.
and being of the same trade, he liv'd with them, and follow'd the business of tent-making. every sabbath he disputed in the synagogue,
having sail'd from Ephesus, he went ashore at Cesarea, where he saluted the church, and then proceeded to Antioch.
and now I am persuaded you will none of you see my face any more: whilst I have been among you, I have proclaim'd the kingdom of the Messias:
I have not desir'd to get from any one either silver, or gold, or apparel.
Paul replied, I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of that famous city: and I beg you would give me leave to speak to the people: which being granted, Paul then standing upon the stairs made a sign with his hand to the people, who being very silent, he rais'd his voice, and thus address'd them in the Hebrew tongue:
when they perceiv'd he talk'd Hebrew, they were the more silent. then he said, I am a Jew, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, but had my education in this city: at the feet of Gamaliel I was instructed in the law, and in the exact decisions of our fathers, and was as religiously zealous as you are at this time.
this the high-priest and the senate know too well: from them I receiv'd my warrant directed to the Jews of Damascus, where I went, to bring the converts there in chains to Jerusalem, in order to be punished.
I answered, who art thou, Lord? it answered, "I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou dost persecute." the company actually saw the light, but did not hear the voice of him that spoke to me.
at length being return'd to Jerusalem, one day as I was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance.
but the Lord said to me, "be gone, for I will send you far hence, even to the Gentiles."
as they were tying him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion, does the law allow to scourge a Roman citizen, and without any trial?
he answer'd, yes. the officer rejoin'd, my freedom cost me a considerable sum. but I had it, said Paul, by right of birth.
Then Paul directing himself to the council, thus said, "hitherto I have liv'd strictly conscientious, as God knows."
But as Paul knew that one part of the Sanhedrim were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out, my brethren, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and I am now prosecuted for believing the resurrection of the dead."
But as Paul knew that one part of the Sanhedrim were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out, my brethren, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and I am now prosecuted for believing the resurrection of the dead."
Paul's sister's son hearing of the ambuscade, went to the castle, and being admitted, told Paul;
what course of life I led at Jerusalem, where I was brought up from my youth among those of my own nation, is known to all the Jews.
what course of life I led at Jerusalem, where I was brought up from my youth among those of my own nation, is known to all the Jews. they can testify, if they will, that I early profess'd myself a Pharisee, a member of the most rigorous sect of our religion:
where numbers of converts I threw into jail, by warrant from the high priests: and when they were put to death, I myself was an accomplice.
with such views, authorized by commission from the high priests, I was on the road to Damascus:
by delivering you from this people, and from the Gentiles to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes,
After this, Paul staid two whole years in a house he had hired, and gave access to all that visited him,
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, chosen to declare the gospel dispensation,
by whose favour I have received the office of an apostle to bring the Gentiles every where to the obedience of faith preached in his name:
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is celebrated through the whole world.
How then can we assert, "that Abraham our father obtained this from circumcision?"
for I could wish to be as one anathematiz'd from the christian church for my brethren, who are of the same race as my self,
Brethren, my hearty desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they may be saved.
You will say then, hath God discarded his people? by no means. for I my self am an Israelite, of the posterity of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
You will say then, hath God discarded his people? by no means. for I my self am an Israelite, of the posterity of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
this concerns you Gentiles. for as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I should do honour to my character,
and again the scripture saith, "rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people."
to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, officiating the gospel of God, that the Gentiles might be made an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the holy spirit.
when I take my journey into Spain, I hope to see you in my way, and be forwarded by you to that place, after having for some time enjoy'd the pleasure of your company.
when I have dispatch'd this affair, and have secur'd to them this collection, I will come to you in my way to Spain.
When I formerly writ to you, not to keep company with the vicious:
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour?
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour?
Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you become christians by my labour?
but I have not made use of these advantages. neither have I writ this to obtain such maintenance: for I had rather die for want, than be deprived of such matter of glorying.
and last of all, he was seen by me too, who am as it were an abortive;
and last of all, he was seen by me too, who am as it were an abortive; for I am the meanest of the apostles, not worthy the name of an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
I must acquaint you, brethren, with the contribution which the churches of Macedonia have religiously made,
when I was present among you, and in want, I was chargeable to no man: for the brethren which came from Macedonia, supplied my necessities: and as I have, so I always shall keep myself from being burdensome to you.
from the Jews I have five times received forty stripes save one.
in Damascus the governor for king Aretas, posted guards at the city-gates, with a design to apprehend me:
and lest I should be exalted above measure by the extraordinary revelations I have had, I was afflicted in my person, so that the messenger of satan insulted me; concerning which,
Paul an apostle (not from men, nor by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the father who raised him from the dead) and all the brethren,
for I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
and that I made a greater proficiency in Judaism than many my contemporaries of my own nation, being an extraordinary zealot for the traditions of my forefathers.
neither went I up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me: but I went immediately to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
neither went I up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me: but I went immediately to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
neither went I up to Jerusalem, to those who were apostles before me: but I went immediately to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. After three years, I went up to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days:
Fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me:
on the contrary, when they perceived that I had the province of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter had that of preaching it to the Jews,
But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, for he was to be blamed.
It is not you that have done me any injury: tho' you knew through what infirmity of the flesh I heretofore preached the gospel to you,
Therefore now, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and domesticks of God's family,
upon me, who am the meanest of all christians, is this favour bestowed, that I should proclaim to the Gentiles the undiscoverable advantages by Christ;
I am doubly press'd between my desire to depart, in order to be with Christ, which is by far the best for ME;
only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel,
for the same temper of mind ought to be in you as was in Christ Jesus:
being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.
being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.
being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.
being circumcised the eighth day, of the family of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew by descent, by sect a Pharisee.
and you yourselves know, O Philippians, that when I first preach'd the gospel, at my departure from Macedonia, I receiv'd no manner of assistance from any other church but yours;
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the divine appointment, and Timothy our brother,
in whom are reserv'd all the treasures of wd om and knowledge.
as for you, masters, give to your servants what is just and suitable: considering that you also have a master in heaven.
for the gospel has made so favourable a progress not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every other place, where the reputation of your divine faith has spread, that 'tis needless to mention any thing of it; since they all relate of us, how successful our arrival was among you, and how you renounc'd your idols to serve the living and true God,
for you remember, my brethren, our labour and toil: how we worked day and night, that in preaching the gospel of God, we might not be chargeable to any of you.
for, my brethren, you have followed the example of the christian churches in Judea; by having suffer'd the same persecutions from your own nation, as the churches have suffer'd from the Jews,
this I Paul have frequently attempted, but Satan has been my obstacle.
Being therefore impatient to hear of you, we judg'd it proper to stay at Athens alone, and send you our brother Timothy,
Now I would not have you, my brethren, be mistaken about the state of the dead, lest you should be as greatly afflicted as those, who have no hope. for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we must believe that God by Jesus will raise the dead, and assemble them with him. read more. for one thing I have in charge to tell you from the Lord, that we, who shall be found still alive at the coming of the Lord, shall not get the advance of those that are dead: for the Lord himself will descend from heaven, and by the voice of the archangel, with the trumpet of God, resound the summons: they who died christians shall rise first: then we, who shall be still alive, shall be convey'd together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall ever be with the Lord. therefore comfort one another with this information.
you would not by any pretended revelation, by any discourse or epistle ascrib'd to us, be immediately perplex'd in your minds, or under any concern for the approach of the day of the Lord.
that we did not eat any man's bread for nothing: but with toil and fatigue work'd night and day to avoid being chargeable to any of you:
I Paul salute you, this salutation being my own hand writing, which is the distinguishing mark of all my letters, so I write.
interdicting marriage; and the use of animal food; which God created for the repast of the faithful, who embrace the truth with thankfulness.
I enjoin therefore the young women to marry, to detest abortion, to govern their families, and give our enemies no handle for reproach.
Discontinue the drinking of bare water, take a litle wine out of regard to your weak stomach, and your frequent indispositions.
O Timothy, keep what is deposited in your care, avoiding the prophane empty declamations and objections of a spurious science, which some have profess'd,
When I remember you, as I continually do in my prayers night and day, I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, after the example of my fore-fathers.
especially when I reflect upon the sincerity of your faith, and the attachment your grand-mother Lois first show'd, and then your mother Eunice, examples which I am persuaded you will follow.
be not therefore asham'd of the testimony of the Lord, nor of me who am a prisoner upon his account. but share with me in the afflictions, which attend the gospel, supported as you are by the power of God,
You know that I have been abandon'd by all the Asiatics, by Phygellus and Hermogenes among the rest. the Lord be favourable to the family of Onesiphorus; for he often reliev'd me, and was not asham'd of my chains: read more. but when he was at Rome, he enquired for me very diligently, and found me. the Lord grant he may obtain mercy from him in that day, for you know very well what services de did me at Ephesus.
my persecutions, and the sufferings that befel me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions did I endure? but the Lord deliver'd me out of them all: yes,
and that from your infancy you were acquainted with the sacred writings, which point you the way to salvation, by believing in Christ Jesus:
Endeavour to come to me very soon: for Damas, out of love to this world has abandon'd me, and is gone to Thessalonica: Crescens, to Galatia: and Titus, to Dalmatia. read more. only Luke is with me. take Mark and bring him with you; because he will be useful to me in the ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. when you come, bring the cloke and books, but especially the roll, which I left with Carpus at Troas. Alexander the copper-smith did me many injuries: the Lord may reward him according to his actions. beware of him, for he violently opposed our doctrine. At my first defence, I had no assistance, for every body deserted me. I wish it may never be laid to their charge.
At my first defence, I had no assistance, for every body deserted me. I wish it may never be laid to their charge. however the Lord assisted and strengthen'd me, that the gospel might be confirm'd by my remonstrance, and all the nations might hear it; so that I was deliver'd out of the mouth of the lion: read more. and the Lord will deliver me from every malicious design, and preserve me for his heavenly kingdom. to him be glory to endless ages. amen. Salute Prisca, and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus staid at Corinth: but Trophimus I left sick at Miletum. endeavour to come before winter. Eubulus, Prudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren salute you. the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. grace be with you. AMEN.
who ought to be curb'd, who pervert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for sordid lucre.
not doating on Jewish Fables, and the tenets of men, that deviate from the truth.
In all things show yourself a pattern of virtue: in teaching shewing uncorruptness,
pray at the same time prepare me a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be restored to you.