Thematic Bible: Ac 13-14

And after spending some time, he departed, passing through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, successively, strengthening all the disciples. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by origin, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, being mighty in the scriptures. This was a man who was instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in the Spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about the Lord, knowing only the immersion of John. read more.
And this man began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside, and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. And when he intended to pass through into Achaia, the brothers wrote, having encouraged the disciples to receive him, who, when he arrived, assisted much those who believed through the grace. For he forcibly refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the scriptures Jesus to be the Christ. And it came to pass while Apollos was at Corinth, for Paul, having passed through the upper regions, to come to Ephesus. And having found some disciples, he said to them, Did ye receive Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said to him, But we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit. And he said to them, Into what then were ye immersed? And they said, Into John's immersion. And Paul said, John indeed immersed an immersion of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus, the Christ. And when they heard this, they were immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul having laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. And after entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for three months, discoursing and persuading the things about the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, having withdrawn from them, he separated the disciples, discoursing daily in the school of a certain Tyrannus. And this happened for two years, so as for all those dwelling in Asia to hear the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so as to even bring handkerchiefs or aprons from his skin to those who were incapacitated and to free their infirmities from them, and the evil spirits to go out from them. But some of the wandering Jewish exorcists, attempted to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul proclaims. And there were some sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, seven doing this. And having answered, the evil spirit said, I know Jesus and I recognize Paul, but who are ye? And the man in whom was the evil spirit, leaping on them, and having overpowered them, he prevailed against them, so as for them to flee out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, to those who dwell at Ephesus. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of those who have believed came, confessing, and reporting their practices. And a considerable number of those who practiced magical things, having brought their books together, burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. Thus the word of the Lord was growing mightily and was prevailing. Now when these things were fulfilled, Paul decided in the spirit, after passing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, having said, After becoming there, I must also see Rome. And having sent into Macedonia two of those who help him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. And about that time there developed no small stir about the Way. For a certain silversmith named Demetrius who makes silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little work to the craftsmen, to whom also (having assembled the workmen about such things) he said, Men, ye know that our prosperity is from this work. And ye see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this man Paul, having persuaded them, turned away a considerable multitude, saying that there are no gods made by hands. And not only is this our part liable to come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis is going to be regarded for nothing, and also her magnificence be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship. And when they heard this, having become full of wrath, they cried out, saying, The great Artemis of Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with the confusion. And they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul. And when Paul wanted to enter in to the crowd, the disciples did not let him. And also some of the Asian officers, being their friends, having sent to him, implored him not to give himself into the theatre. Indeed therefore some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was confused, and most had not seen why they had come together. And they urged forward Alexander out of the multitude, having put him forward from the Jews. And Alexander having waved his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But after recognizing that he was a Jew, one voice developed from them all, crying out for about two hours, The great Artemis of Ephesians. And when the town clerk calmed the multitude, he says, Ephesian men, now who is the man who does not know the city of the Ephesians being temple-guardian of the great goddess Artemis, and of what fell from Zeus? Therefore these things being undeniable, ye ought to be restrained, and do nothing rash. For ye brought these men, who are neither sacrilegious nor blaspheming your goddess. Indeed therefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen with him, have a matter against any man, forums are brought, and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse each other. And if ye seek anything about other things, it will be decided in the assembly within law. For we are also in danger to be accused about the uproar today, there being no cause about which we can give account of this commotion. And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly. And after the uproar ceased, Paul having summoned the disciples and having embraced them, he departed to go into Macedonia. And having passed through those parts, and having exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece. And having spent three months there, and a conspiracy having developed against him by Jews, intending to go up into Syria, a decision developed to return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater a Berean, and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius a Derbean, and Timothy, and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. These men, who went ahead, awaited us at Troas. And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them at Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days. And upon the first day of the week, the disciples having come together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow. And he prolonged his speech until midnight. And there were considerable lights in the upper floor where we were gathered together. And a certain young man named Eutychus sitting in the window, being carried away by deep sleep (Paul discoursing on more), being carried away by sleep, he fell down below from the third floor, and was taken up dead. But Paul having come down, he fell on him, and having embraced him he said, Be not troubled, for his life is in him. And after getting up, and having broken bread and eaten, and having conversed for a considerable time, until dawn, thus he departed. And they brought the boy alive, and were not a little comforted. But we, having gone ahead to the ship, went up to Assos, intending from there to take up Paul, for so it was arranged, he himself intending to go on foot. And when he met with us at Assos, having taken him up, we came to Mitylene. And having sailed from there on the next day, we arrived opposite Chios, and the next day we came near to Samos. And having remained in Trogyllium, on the following day we came to Miletus. For Paul determined to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not happen to lose time in Asia. For he was hastening, if it were possible, for him to become at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus having sent to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the congregation. And when they came to him, he said to them, Ye know, from the first day in which I stepped in Asia, how I became with you all the time, serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews. How I kept back nothing of these things that are beneficial, not to inform you, and to teach you in public, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. And now behold, I, bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me in it, except that the Holy Spirit testifies from city to city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I make nothing of the matter, nor do I hold my life precious to myself, so as to fully complete my course with joy, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to solemnly testify the good-news of the grace of God. And now behold, I have seen that ye will no longer see my face, ye all among whom I passed through preaching the kingdom of God. Therefore I solemnly declare to you this day, that I am clean from the blood of all men. For I did not withdraw from declaring to you the whole plan of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit placed you guardians, to tend the church of the Lord and God, which he purchased by his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from you yourselves men will rise up, speaking distorted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore watch ye, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease warning each one with tears. And now brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified. I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands served my needs, and to those who were with me. I gave you a glimpse of all things, that so laboring ye ought to aid the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And having spoken these things, having knelt down, he prayed with them all. And there developed considerable weeping of all. And having fallen on Paul's neck, they kissed him much, sorrowing especially for the word that he had spoken, that they were going to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. And when it came to pass to launch us, after being drawn away from them, after going a straight course, we came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, having gotton on, we launched. And having sighted Cyprus, and having left it behind on the left side, we sailed to Syria and came down to Tyre, for there the ship was unloading the merchandise. And having found disciples (we remained there seven days) who said to Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. And when it came to pass for us to finish the days, having gone forth, we were departing, all accompanying us, with women and children, as far as outside the city. And having knelt on the beach we prayed. And having bid farewell to each other, we went up in the ship, and those men returned to their own things. And when we finished the voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais. And having greeted the brothers, we remained with them one day. And on the morrow, after going forth, those around Paul came to Caesarea. And having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, being of the seven, we dwelt with him. Now four virgin daughters who prophesied were with this man. And as we remained more days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And having come to us, and having taken Paul's belt, having bound both his feet and hands, he said, The Holy Spirit says these things: Thus the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him into the h And when we heard these things, both we and those local men urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. And Paul answered, What are ye doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I fare ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And since he was not persuaded, we were quiet, having said, May the will of the Lord happen. And after these days, having made preparation, we went up to Jerusalem.

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, After returning, surely we could help our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, how they fare. And Barnabas wanted to take along John called Mark. But Paul thought it not worthy to bring along this man who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and not having gone with them to the work. read more.
Therefore a provocation developed, so as for them to separate from each other, and Barnabas to sail for Cyprus, after taking Mark, but Paul, having selected Silas, went forth after being delivered to the grace of God by the brothers. And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the congregations. And he came to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain faithful Jewish woman, but of a Greek father, who was well reported of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go forth with him. And having taken him, he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those regions, for they had all seen that his father was a Greek. And as they were going through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Indeed therefore the congregations were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. But having passed through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, having come toward Mysia, they attempted to go toward Bithynia. And the Spirit did not allow them. And after passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul during the night. A certain Macedonian man was standing, imploring him, and saying, After crossing over into Macedonia, help us. And after he saw the vision, straightaway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord called us to preach the good-news to them. Therefore, having launched from Troas, we took a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a principle city of the district of Macedonia colony. And we were in the same city remaining some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the city beside a river, where it was customary for prayer to be. And having sat down, we spoke to the women who came together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, a woman who worshiped God, was listening, whose heart the Lord opened to heed the things being spoken by Paul. And when she was immersed, and her household, she urged us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, after coming into my house, remain. And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we were going to prayer, for a certain servant girl having a spirit of divination to meet us, who brought her masters much business by soothsaying. This woman having followed Paul and us was crying out, saying, These men are bondmen of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation. And she did this on many days. But Paul, after being exasperated, and having turned, he said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out the same hour. But when her masters saw that the hope of their business was gone, having seized Paul and Silas, they dragged them into the marketplace to the rulers. And after bringing them to the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, disturb our city, and proclaim customs that are not permitted for us to receive nor to do, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them. And the magistrates, having torn off their clothes, commanded to beat them with rods. And having laid many blows upon them, they cast them into prison, having ordered the jailor to guard them securely, who, having received such an order, threw them into the inner prison, and fastened their feet in the stocks. Now toward midnight Paul and Silas, while praying, were singing praises to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. And suddenly a great earthquake occurred, so as for the foundations of the prison to shake. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bonds of all the men were unfastened. And the jailor, who became awake and who saw the prison doors opened, having drawn out a sword was going to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled. But Paul cried out in a great voice, saying, Do nothing harmful to thyself, for we are all here. And having asked for lights, he rushed in, and having become trembling, he fell down before Paul and Silas. And after bringing them outside, he said, Sirs, what must I do so that I may be saved? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou will be saved, thou and thy household. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all those in his house. And having taken them in that hour of the night, he washed from the stripes, and was immersed, he and all those of him, immediately. And having brought them into his house, he set out a table, and rejoiced, having believed in God with all his house. But when it became day, the magistrates sent out the police, saying, Release those men. And the jailor reported these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent out so that ye may be released. Now therefore after coming out, go in peace. But Paul said to them, Having beaten us publicly, uncondemned men, being Romans, they cast us into prison, and now they thrust us out privately? Certainly not, but after coming, they shall lead us out. And the police reported these sayings to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And having come they besought them, and when they brought them out, they asked them to go out of the city. And having departed from the prison, they came in to Lydia. And after seeing the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed. Now after passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went in to them, and for three Sabbaths he discoursed with them from the Scriptures, explaining and pointing out that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and, This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ. And some of them were persuaded, and joined with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great quantity, and of the prominent women not a few. But the disobedient Jews having taken along certain evil men of the marketplaces, and having gathered a mob, were rioting the city. And having stood by the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the populace. And not having found them, they dragged Jason and some brothers to the city rulers, shouting, The men who have agitated the world, these are present here also, whom Jason has received. And all these men are acting against the decrees of Caesar, asserting another man to be king, Jesus. And they disturbed the multitude and the city rulers when they heard these things. And after taking bond from Jason and the other men, they released them. And the brothers straightaway sent both Paul and Silas away through the night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. But these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all willingness, examining the Scriptures daily, if it has these things this way. Indeed therefore many of them believed, also of the prominent Greek women, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica also learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there also, agitating the crowds. But then straightaway the brothers sent Paul away to go as far as to the sea, but both Silas and Timothy remained there. And those who brought Paul led him as far as Athens. And after taking a command for Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him quickly, they departed. But while Paul waited for them in Athens, his spirit was aroused within him, seeing the city being completely idolatrous. Indeed therefore he was discoursing in the synagogue with the Jews, and with those who worship, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened by. And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, Whatever does this babbler want to say? But others, He seems to be a proclaimer of strange deities, because he brought the good-news--Jesus and t And having taken him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, Can we understand what this new doctrine is, being spoken by thee? For thou bring some surprising things to our ears. Therefore, we want to know whatever these things aim to be. Now all the Athenians, and the foreigners who dwell alien there, were at leisure in nothing else, than to tell or to hear something new. And having stood in the middle of the Areopagus, Paul said, Athenian men, I perceive you as deity-fearing in all things. For, passing through and examining your religious objects, I also found an altar on which had been engraved, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye worship unknowingly, him I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands, nor is he served by the hands of men, as needing anything, since he himself gives to all life, and breath, with all things. And he made from one blood every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined prescribed times, and the limits of their occupancy, to search for the Lord, if indeed perhaps they might grope for him and find him, although being not far from each one of us. For in him we live, and move, and exist, as also some of the performers from you have said, For of him we are also offspring. Being therefore offspring of God, we ought not think the Divine to be like gold, or silver, or stone handiwork of the skill and thought of man. Indeed therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God now commands for all men everywhere to repent. Because he appointed a day during which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he appointed, having provided assurance to all men because he raised him from the dead. But when they heard the resurrection of the dead, of course they mocked, but others said, We will hear thee again about this. And so Paul departed from among them. But some men, having joined with him, believed, among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. And after these things Paul having separated from Athens, he came to Corinth. And having found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by origin, who recently came from Italy, and his wife Priscilla, because Claudius arranged for all the Jews to separate from Rome, he came to them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and was working, for they were of the tentmakers craft. And he was discoursing in the synagogue every Sabbath, and was persuading Jews and Greeks. And when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was being held by the Spirit, fully testifying to the Jews, Jesus the Christ. But when they opposed and slandered him, having shaken out his clothes, he said to them, Your blood is upon your heads. I am clean. From henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. And having departed from there, he went into the house of a certain man named Justus, who worships God, whose house was adjoining the synagogue. And Crispus, the synagogue ruler, believed in the Lord with his whole household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed, and were immersed. And the Lord spoke to Paul by a vision at night, Fear not, but speak, and be not silent, because I am with thee, and no man will lay upon thee to harm thee, because many people are for me in this city. And he remained a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. But Gallio being proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord attacked Paul and brought him to the judgment seat, saying, This man is persuading men to worship God against the law. But when Paul was going to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If therefore indeed it were some crime or evil reckless deed, O ye Jews, I would have tolerated you according to the matter. But if it is an issue about a word and names and the law from you, look ye yourselves, for I do not intend to be a judge of these things. And he drove them from the judgment seat. But all the Greeks, having taken Sosthenes the synagogue ruler, were beating him in front of the judgment seat. And Gallio was not going to judge, even of these things. But Paul, who still remained considerable days with the brothers, having separated, sailed away to Syria (and with him Priscilla and Aquila), having shaved his head in Cenchrea, for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus and left behind those there, but having entered into the synagogue himself, he discoursed with the Jews. And when they asked him to remain on more time with them, he did not consent, but separated from them, having said, I must definitely keep the coming feast at Jerusalem, but I will return again to you, God willing. And he launched from Ephesus. And after coming down to Caesarea, having gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch.