Thematic Bible: Ac 13-14


Thematic Bible



And after he had spent some time there, he departed, going through the Galatian country and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. And a certain Jew, named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught correctly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John. read more.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But Aquila and Priscilla having heard him, took him to them, and set forth to him the way [of the Lord] more fully. And when he wished to go over into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to give him welcome; and when he was come, he gave much aid to those who had believed through grace. For he publicly confuted the Jews, with power, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper districts, came to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples, he said to them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said to him, No, we did not even hear whether there is a Holy Spirit. And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into Johns baptism. Then said Paul, John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on him that was coming after him; that is, on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul bad laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And the men were about twelve in all. And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for three months, discoursing and persuading concerning the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of the way [of the Lord] before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, discoursing daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul; so that even handkerchiefs, or aprons, were carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out. Then some of the wandering Jewish exorcists undertook to name over those who had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by that Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of Scevas, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. And the evil spirit answering said, Jesus I knew, and Paul I well know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them both, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of the believers came, confessing and declaring their practices. Many also of those who had practised magical arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew and prevailed mightily. And when these things were ended, Paul resolved to pass through Macedonia and Achaia, and to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a season. And about that time there arose no small tumult concerning the faith. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, made silver shrines of Diana, and brought no small gain to the craftsmen. And having called them together, with the workmen of like occupation, he said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth; and ye see and hear, that this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, not only of Ephesus, but of almost all Asia, saying, that those are not gods, which are made with hands. And there is not only danger that this branch of our business will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be despised, and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship. And hearing this they became full of wrath, and kept crying out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! And the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Pauls companions in travel. And when Paul wished to go in to the people, the disciples would not suffer him. And some also of the Asiarchs, who were his friends, sent to him, and entreated him not to venture into the theatre. Some therefore were crying one thing, and some another; for the assembly was in confusion, and the greater part knew not wherefore they had come together. And they brought forward Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward; and Alexander beckoned with his hand, desiring to make his defence to the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice for about two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! But when the Recorder had quieted the multitude, he said, Men of Ephesus, who is there among men that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Since then these things cannot be denied, ye ought to be quiet, and do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess. If then Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against any one, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring their charges against each other. But if ye ask for any thing further, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being called to answer concerning this days riot, there being no ground on which we shall be able to give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. And after the tumult had ceased, Paul called to him the disciples, and having embraced them departed to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone through those regions, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And when he had stayed three months, a plot having been laid for him by the Jews as he was about to sail for Syria, he resolved to return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, a Beroean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. These having gone forward waited for us at Troas. But we set sail from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we abode seven days. And on the first day of the week, when we had assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed to them, being about to depart on the morrow, and continued the discourse until midnight. And there were many lamps in the upper room where we had assembled. And there sat on the window a certain young man named Eutychus, having fallen into a deep sleep; and as Paul was discoursing at great length, he sank down with sleep, and fell from thee third story, and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and fell on him, and having embraced him, said, Make no lamentations; for his life is in him. And having gone up again, and broken the bread and eaten, he talked a long while even till break of day, and so departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. We however, going forward to the ship, put to sea for Assos, intending to take in Paul from that place; for so he had appointed, intending himself to go on foot. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board, and came to Mitylene; and sailing thence, we came the following day over against Chios. And the next day we arrived at Samos; and having tarried at Trogyllium, we came the next day to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not be detained in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have made it known to you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house; testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus. And now behold, I go, bound in my spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will befall me there; save that the Holy Spirit witnesseth to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I count life of no value to me, so that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the glad tidings of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more. Wherefore I testify to you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from among yourselves will men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be watchful, and remember that for the space of three years, night and day, I ceased not to warn every one with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified. I have coveted no mans silver, or gold, or apparel. Ye yourselves know, that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those that were with me. In all ways I showed you that so laboring ye ought to support 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 thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sorely, and fell on Pauls neck, and kissed him; sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they were to see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. And it came to pass, after we had torn ourselves from them, and had put to sea, that we came with a straight course to Cos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara. And finding a ship crossing over to Phenicia, we went aboard, and put to sea. And having come in sight of Cyprus, we passed it on the left, and sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her cargo. And having found out the disciples, we remained there seven days; and they told Paul, through the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem. And when we had completed the days, we departed, and went our way, they all accompanying us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city; and having kneeled down on the shore and prayed, we took leave of each other, and went on board the ship; and they returned home. But we, finishing our voyage, came down from Tyre to Ptolemais; and having embraced the brethren, remained with them one day. And on the morrow we departed, and came to Caesarea; and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. And this man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied. And while we were staying some days longer, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus; and coming to us, he took off Pauls girdle, and bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit: So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and will deliver him into the hands of the gentiles. But when we heard this, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go to Jerusalem. Then answered Paul, What mean ye that ye weep, and break my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased; saying, The Lords will be done. And after those days we got ready our baggage, and went up to Jerusalem.


And some days after, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit the brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, called Mark. But Paul did not think it proper to take with them a man who had left them in Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. read more.
And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted from each other, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. And Paul chose Silas and went forth, having been commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. And he came to Derbe and Lystra; and lo! a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewess, but whose father was a Greek; who was well a spoken of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Him Paul wished to go forth with him, and took and circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they journeyed through the cities, they delivered to them for their observance the decrees which had been ordained by the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. The churches therefore were established in the faith, and increased in number daily. And having gone through Phrygia and the Galatian country, on being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, they came to Mysia, and were attempting to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. And passing by Mysia, they came to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia beseeching him and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us. And when he had seen the vision, we immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to publish the glad tidings to them. And setting sail from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; and thence to Philippi, which is a chief city of the province of Macedonia, a colony. And we remained in the city some days. And on the sabbathday we went forth out of the gate to a riverside, where was wont to be a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had assembled. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, was listening; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she had been baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be a believer in the Lord, come into my house, and abide. And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain bondmaid having a soothsaying spirit met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. This woman followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, who announce to you the way of salvation. And this she did for many days. But Paul, being much displeased, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out immediately. But her masters seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, laid hold of Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace to the rulers; and having brought them before the magistrates, said, These men are grievously disturbing our city, being Jews; and they teach customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to receive or observe. And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates, tearing off their clothes, commanded to beat them with rods; and when they had laid on them many stripes, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely; who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas praying, were singing praises to God; and the prisoners were listening to 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 bands of all were loosed. And the jailer awakening out of sleep, and seeing the prisondoors open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas; and having brought them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou wilt be saved, and thy household. And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them with him at that hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and he was immediately baptized, himself and all that belonged to him. And when he had brought them up into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced with all his house, having become a believer in God. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Release those men. And the jailer reported these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to release you; now therefore come out, and go in peace. But Paul said to them, They have publicly beaten us uncondemned, although we are Romans, and have thrust us into prison; and now do they thrust us out secretly? No; but let them come themselves, and bring us out. And the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates; and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they entreated them to leave the city. And when they had come out of the prison, they went into the house of Lydia; and when they saw the brethren, they exhorted them, and departed. And when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was the synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his custom was, went in among them, and for three sabbaths discoursed to them out of the Scriptures, explaining them, and setting forth that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead, and that "this is the Christ,Jesus whom I am making known to you." And some of them were convinced, and joined themselves to Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the women of high rank not a few. But the unbelieving Jews, taking with them certain bad men of the idlers in the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar; and having come to the house of Jason, they endeavored to bring them out to the people; but not finding them, they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city magistrates, crying out, These men that have turned the world upside down have come hither also; whom Jason hath entertained; and they are all acting in opposition to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. And they alarmed the multitude and the city magistrates when they heard these things. And having taken security of Jason and of the others, they let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea; who, having come there, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed; and of the Grecian women of rank and men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that at Beroea, too, the word of God was preached by Paul, they came hither also, and stirred up the multitudes. And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go to the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there. And they who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and having received a commandment to Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the city full of idols. Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout [Greeks], and in the market daily with those that met him. And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, What doth this babbler mean to say? and others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of foreign gods; because he brought the glad tidings of Jesus and the resurrection. And they took him and brought him to Mars hill, saying, May we know what this new doctrine is, of which thou speakest? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean. Now all the Athenians, and the strangers residing among them, spent their leisure for nothing else but to tell or to hear something new. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said, Men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very devout. For while passing along and observing your objects of worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, "To an unknown God." What therefore ye, without knowledge of it, worship, that do I make known to you. The God who made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; nor doth he receive service at the hands of men, as though he needed anything, since it is he that giveth to all life and breath and all things. And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having fixed appointed times, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as also some of your own poets have said: "For we are also his offspring." Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Deity is like to gold or silver or stone, graven by the art and device of man. The times indeed of ignorance God overlooked; but now commandeth all men every where to repent; inasmuch as he hath fixed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he hath appointed; having given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. And when they heard of a resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but ethers said, We will hear thee again about this matter. Thus Paul departed from among them. But certain men joined themselves to him, and believed; among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite; and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. After these things, Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. And having found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome,) he came to them; and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and worked; for they were tentmakers by trade. And he discoursed in the synagogue every sabbath, and endeavored to persuade both Jews and Greeks. And when both Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was wholly engaged in the word, testifying to the Jews, that Jesus was the Christ. And when they set themselves against him, and reviled, he shook his garments, and said to them, Your blood be upon your own heads! I am clean; from this time I will go to the gentiles. And he departed thence, and went to the house of a certain man, named Justus, a worshipper of God, whose house was very near the synagogue. And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians upon hearing believed, and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul through a vision in the night, Be not afraid, but speak on, and be not silent; for I am with thee, and no one shall lay hands on thee, to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. And when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul, and brought him before the judgmentseat, saying, This man persuadeth people to worship God contrary to the law. And as Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were some act of injustice or wicked misdeed, O Jews, with reason I should bear with you; but if it be questions of doctrine, and names, and your law, look to it yourselves; I will not be a judge of these matters. And he drove them from the judgmentseat. But they all laid hold of Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgmentseat; and Gallio cared for none of these things. And Paul, having stayed many days longer, took leave of the brethren, and sailed thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, after he had shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And when they asked him to stay longer, he consented not; but having taken leave of them, saying, I will return to you, if God will, he set sail from Ephesus. And having landed at Caesarea and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.