Thematic Bible: Ac 13-14

having spent some time, he went from them, traveling consecutively through the Galatian country and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples. And a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came into Ephesus, being mighty in the scriptures. And he was instructed in the way of the Lord, and zealous in spirit, was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John; read more.
and he began to preach boldly in the synagogue. But Priscilla and Aquila, having heard him, took him to themselves, and expounded unto him the way of the Lord more perfectly. And he wishing to go into Achaia, the brethren having sent him forth wrote to the disciples to receive him. Who, being present, conferred much on those having believed through grace. For he vehemently argued down the Jews, publicly, showing through the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul having come through the upper regions came down into Ephesus: and found certain disciples, and said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost, having believed? And they said to him, But we have not heard if the Holy Ghost is (given). And he said, Into what then were you baptized? And they said, Into the baptism of John. And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on the one coming after him, that is Jesus. And they, having heard, were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; and Paul having laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they continued to speak with tongues, and prophesy. And they were all about twelve men. And having come into the synagogue, he preached boldly three months, expounding and persuading them as to the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when some were becoming hardened and disbelieving, speaking evil of the way in the presence of the multitude, departing from them he separated his disciples, daily expounding in the school of Tyrannus. And this took place two years; so that all dwelling in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. And God was working great miracles through the hands of Paul; so that napkins and aprons were carried from his body and placed on the sick, and diseases departed from them, and evil spirits went out of them. And certain ones of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus, over those having evil spirits saying, I adjure you in the name of Jesus whom Paul is preaching. And there were certain seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish high priest, doing this. But the evil spirit responding said to them, I know Jesus, and am acquainted with Paul; but who are you? And the man in whom was the evil spirit, leaping on them, domineering over both of them, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified; and many of those having believed came, confessing, and renouncing their practices. And many of those practicing curious arts, having brought their books, burnt them before all: and they estimated the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver. Thus the word of the Lord increased and accumulated strength according to His power. And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in spirit, having traveled through Macedonia and Achaia, to go on into Jerusalem, saying that, After I am there it behooves me also to see Rome. And having sent two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, himself spent the time in Asia. And at that time there was no small commotion concerning the way. For a certain Demetrius by name, a silversmith, making silver shrines of Diana, was bringing no small gain to the mechanics, whom having assembled and the laborers about such things, he said, Men, you know that it is from this work that prosperity is to us: and you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, that this Paul having persuaded them has turned away a great multitude, saying that there are no gods made with hands. And not only is this interest in danger to us to come into disrepute; but even the temple of the great goddess Diana to be considered for nought, and they are about even to despise the majesty of her, whom all Asia and the world worships. And hearing and being filled with rage, they continued to cry out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the city was filled with commotion: and they rushed of one accord into the theatre, seizing Gaius and Aristarchus, the Macedonians, the companions of Paul. And Paul wishing to go in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not; and certain ones of the Asiatic rulers, also being friends to him, having sent to him, continued to entreat him not to give himself up into the theatre. Then indeed they continued to cry out some one thing, and some another: for the church was confused; and the most of them did not know on account of what they had come together. And some from the crowd forced in Alexander, the Jews precipitating him forward; and Alexander, beckoning with his hand, wished to apologize to the people. But recognizing that he is a Jew, there was one voice from all crying out about two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the city clerk having dismissed the multitudes, said, Ephesian men, for what one of men is there that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the statue having fallen down from Jupiter? Therefore these things being unquestionable, it is necessary that you become calm, and do nothing rashly. For you have led in these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor are they blaspheming your goddess. If indeed therefore Demetrius, and the mechanics along with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are in session, and there are lawyers: let them implead one another. But if you are seeking something concerning other things, it shall be settled in the lawful church. For indeed we are in danger of prosecution for the disturbance this day, there being no cause concerning which we shall be able to give a reason for this uproar. And having said these things, he dismissed the church. After the uproar ceased, Paul, having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, bidding them adieu, departed to go into Macedonia. And having come through those regions, and exhorted them with much speaking, he came into Greece; and having remained three months, a plot rising against him from the Jews, when about to sail for Syria, he was of a mind to return through Macedonia. And Sopater the (son) of Pyrrhus, the Berean, and Aristarchus, the Thessalonian, and Secundus; and Gaius the Derbean, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus the Asiatics, accompanied him; and these having gone in advance, awaited us in Troas; and we, after the days of unleaven bread, sailed from Philippi, and came to them into Troas within five days; where we spent seven days. And on the first of the Sabbaths we being assembled to break bread, Paul spoke to them, being about to depart the following day, and continued his discourse till midnight: and there were many lamps in the upper room, where we were assembled. Paul speaking more prolixly, there was a certain young man, Eutychus by name, sitting in the window, being borne down with deep sleep, completely relaxed by sleep, fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. And Paul, having come down, fell on him, and taking him in his arms said, Fear not; for his soul is in him: and having come up, and broken the bread, and eaten, and talking a long time, until daydawn, thus he departed. And they led up the boy alive, and were comforted exceedingly. But we, having come in advance to the ship, embarked for Assos, thence being about to take up Paul, for he had so commanded us, himself being about to go on foot. And when he met us at Assos, taking him up, we came to Mitylene. And thence having sailed away on the following day we arrived opposite Chios; and on the following day we touched at Samos, and on the next day we came into Miletus. For Paul decided to sail by Ephesus, in order that it might not be necessary for him to spend the time in Asia: for he was hastening, if it might be possible for him to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. And having sent from Miletus into Ephesus, he called for the elders of the church. And when they came to him, he said to them, You know, that from the first day from which I came unto Asia, how I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all humility, and tears, and temptations, which came upon me through the plots of the Jews: how I omitted nothing of those things which are profitable, that I should not declare unto you and teach you publicly and from house to house, witnessing both to Jews, and to Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I go to Jerusalem bound in spirit, not knowing the things which shall come upon me in it: except that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesses to me, saying that bonds and tribulations await me. But I consider my life worthy of no consideration to myself, so as to finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to bear testimony to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I came preaching the gospel of the kingdom, shall see my face no more. Therefore I witness to you this clay, that I am pure from the blood of all men; for I did not shrink to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves, and all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost has placed you shepherds, to shepherdise the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. I know, that after my departure grievous wolves will rise up against you, not sparing the flock; and men from you yourselves will rise up, speaking perverse things, in order to lead away disciples after them. Watch therefore, remembering, that three years night and day I ceased not admonishing you with tears. And now I commend you to God and the word of His grace, who is able to edify you, and give you an inheritance among all the sanctified. I have not sought the silver, or gold, or raiment of any one; you yourselves know, that these hands did minister to my necessities, and those along with me. I have shown you all things, that it so behooveth you laboring to assist the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And having said these things, putting down his knees along with them all, he prayed. And the weeping of all was great, and falling on the neck of Paul, they continued to kiss him copiously, being especially grieved at the word which he had spoken, that they were about to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

And after many days Paul said to Barnabas, Having returned let us now visit the brethren in every city in which we preached the word of the Lord, how they are doing. But Barnabas advised to take with them John, also called Mark. But Paul thought that he would not take with them, him who having departed from them from Pamphylia, and not having gone along with them into the work. read more.
But there was a paroxysm, so that they parted from one another, and Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away into Cyprus. And Paul, having chosen Silas, went out, committed to the grace of the Lord by the brethren; and he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. And he arrived into Derbe and Lystra. And, behold, a certain disciple was there, by name Timothy, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, and a Greek father, who was of good report by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wished him to go out with him; and having taken him circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father that he was a Greek. And while they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees which were adjudicated by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, to keep. Then the churches were indeed strengthened in faith, and abounded in number daily. And they traveled through Phrygia and the Galatian country, being prohibited by the Holy Ghost from speaking the word in Asia. And having come opposite Mysia, they were endeavoring to go on into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and having come through Mysia they descended into Troas. And a vision was seen by Paul during the night: Some Macedonian man was standing and entreating him and saying, Having come over into Macedonia, help us. And when he saw the vision, we immediately sought to depart into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. And having embarked from Troas, we sailed directly to Samothrace, and on the following day into Neapolis, and thence into Philippi, which is the first city of the Macedonian region, a colony. And we were in that city spending some days. And on the Sabbath day we went out from the gate by the river, where we were accustomed that prayer should be, and having sat down, we spoke to the women having assembled. And a certain woman Lydia by name, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was hearing us: whose heart the Lord opened to give attention to the words spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she entreated us, saying, If you have found me to be faithful to the Lord, having come into my house, abide: and she constrained us. And it came to pass, we going to the prayer, a certain damsel having a spirit of divination met us, who brought much gain to her masters telling fortunes. She, following Paul and us, continued to cry out, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation. And she continued to do this many days. And Paul, being worn out, and turning round, said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out from her. And he came out the same hour. And her masters seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, arresting Paul and Silas, dragged them into the forum to the rulers, and leading them to the magistrates, said, These men do exceedingly trouble our city, being Jews, and they proclaimed customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, or to do, being Romans. And the crowd stood up together against them: and the magistrates tearing off their garments, commanded the lictors to beat them with rods. And having laid many stripes on them, they cast them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, cast them into the interior prison, and fastened their feet into the wood. But at midnight Paul and Silas, praying, continued to sing praises to God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and all the doors were immediately opened, and the bonds of all were loosed. And the jailer, being awakened, and seeing the doors of the prison open, seizing a sword, was about to kill himself, thinking that his prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are here. And having asked for a light, he sprang in, and being alarmed, he fell down before Paul and Silas, and leading them out said, Sirs, what does it behoove me to do in order that I may be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou and thy household shall be saved. And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, along with all who were in his house. And taking them that hour of the night, he washed the blood from their stripes; and he and his were baptized immediately: and leading them into his house, he set a table by them, and rejoiced throughout his house, having believed in God. But it being day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying, Send away these men. And the jailer proclaimed these words to Paul, The magistrates have sent word that you may be released: now therefore having gone out, depart in peace. But Paul said to them, Having beaten us publicly uncondemned, being Roman men, they cast us into prison, and now do they cast us out privately? for no; but having come themselves let them lead us out. And the lictors proclaimed these words to the magistrates. And hearing that they are Romans, they were alarmed; and having come they called for them, and leading them out, requested them to go away from their city. And having come out from the prison they came to Lydia, and seeing the brethren, comforted them, and departed. And having traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came into Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to custom to Paul, he came in unto them, and for three Sabbaths he expounded unto them from the scriptures, opening and proving, that it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is the Christ. And certain ones of them were persuaded, and identified themselves with Paul and Silas, and of the pious Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews giving away to jealousy, and receiving to themselves certain wicked men of those around the forum, and raising a mob, continued to put the city in an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they were seeking to lead them out to the people: but not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, roaring that, These who have turned the world upside down are also come hither; whom Jason has received: and all these are doing contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another King, Jesus. And they excited the rabble and the city rulers hearing these things; and having received satisfaction from Jason and the others they sent them away. But the brethren immediately sent away both Paul and Silas to Berea by night, who coming into the synagogue of the Jews departed; but these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all enthusiasm, searching the scriptures daily, if these things are so. Then indeed many of them believed, and of the noble Greek women and men, not a few; but when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul in Berea, they came thither also, agitating and stirring up the rabbles. But immediately at that time the brethren sent away Paul to travel even to the sea: and Silas and Timothy remained there. But having embarked Paul, they led him even to Athens: and receiving commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as quickly as possible, they departed from him. But Paul waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, seeing the city devoted to idolatry. Then indeed he spoke to the Jews, and to the worshipers in the synagogue, and to those incidentally meeting him every day in the forum. And certain ones of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers interviewed him, and some continued to say, What would this babbler wish to say? and others said, He seems to be the propagator of strange divinities: because he was preaching the gospel of Jesus, and the resurrection. And taking him, they led him to the Areopagus, saying; Are we able to know what is this new teaching, spoken by thee? For you bring certain strange things to our hearing: therefore we desire to know what these things wish to be. But all the Athenians and itinerant strangers were accustomed to devote their time to nothing else, than to tell something new, or to hear something. And Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said, Athenian men, I perceive that in all things you are very religious. For going through, and seeing your devotions, I also found an altar on which it was superscribed, To THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore I now preach unto you Him whom you are ignorantly worshiping. God having made the world and all things which are in it, being himself Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; neither is he worshiped by human hands, as if needing something, Himself having given life, and breath, and all things to all; and of (one) man he created every nation of men to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, having determined their predestinated times, and the boundaries of their habitation; that they should seek God, if perhaps indeed they might feel after him, and find him, though not being far from each one of you. For in him we live and move and have our being, as indeed certain ones of your own poets have said, For we are truly his offspring. Then being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that divinity is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, the invention of art and the device of man. Then indeed God winking at the times of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent: as He has appointed a day, in which he is about to judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; giving faith to all, having raised Him from the dead. And having heard the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: others said; We will hear thee concerning this even again. So Paul went out from their midst. But certain men, having adhered to him, believed; among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman Damarias by name, and others along with them. After these things having departed from Athens, he came to Corinth. And having found a certain Jew by name Aquila, a Pontic by race, having recently come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife; because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: he came to them: and because they were of the same craft, abode with them, and they labored: for they were tentmakers by trade. And he spoke in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. And when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was straitened with the word, witnessing to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. And they opposing, and blaspheming, shaking his garments, he said to them, Your blood be upon your own head; I am pure: from now I will go to the Gentiles. And having departed thence, he came into the house of a certain Titus, Justus by name, worshiping God, whose house is joined to the synagogue. But Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. And the Lord spoke to Paul in the night through a vision, Fear not, but speak, and be not silent: because I am with thee, and no man shall assault thee to hurt thee: because there is much people to me in this city. And he spent a year and six months teaching the word of God among them. But Gallio being proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of one accord arose up against Paul, and led him to the tribunal, saying, This one persuades men to worship God contrary to law. And Paul being about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were some injustice or wicked rascality, O Jews, I would bear with you according to reason: but if there are questions about the words and name, and law appertaining to you, yourselves shall see to it; I do not wish to be judge of these things. And he drove them away from the tribunal. And all taking Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, beat him before the tribunal; and nothing of these things was a care to Gallio. And Paul, still remaining some days, having bidden adieu to the brethren, sailed away to Syria, and along with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea; for he had a vow. And they arrived in Ephesus, and he left them there: and himself, having gone into the synagogue, spoke to the Jews. And they asking him to remain a longer time, he did not consent; but having bidden them adieu; and saying, I will return unto you again, God willing; he embarked from Ephesus; and having come into Caesarea, having gone up, and saluted the church, he came down to Antioch;