Thematic Bible: First - with barnabas and john mark ac 13-14

And having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. And a certain Jew, named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He was instructed in the way of the Lord; and, being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, knowing only the immersion of John. read more.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him, and taught him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to pass into Achaia, the brethren, exhorting him, wrote to the disciples to receive him. And when he had come, he gave much help to the believers, through the grace conferred on him. For, with great strength, he utterly confounded the Jews publicly, showing, by the Scriptures, that the Christ was Jesus. And it came to pass, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, after passing through the upper districts, came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples, said to them: Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? They said to him: We have not only not received it, but we have not even heard whether the Holy Spirit is given. And he said to them: Into what, then, were you immersed? They replied: Into John's immersion. And Paul said: John immersed with the immersion of repentance, saying to the people, that they must believe on him who should come after him, that is, on the Christ, Jesus. And when they heard this, they were immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve. And he entered the synagogue, and spoke boldly, reasoning, and persuading them for three months, with respect to the things of the kingdom of God. But as some were hardened, and did not believe, and spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he withdrew from them, and separated the disciples, and discoursed daily in the school of one Tyrannus. This continued for two years; so that all that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. Mighty deeds, also, that were unusual, did God perform by the hands of Paul; so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried from his body to the sick, and diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits came out of them. And some of the roving Jews, who were exorcists, under took to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying: I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. And there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. But the evil spirit answered and said: Jesus I acknowledge, and Paul I know; but who are you? And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled from that house, naked and wounded. And this became known to all the Greeks and Jews that dwelt in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of those who believed came and confessed, and made known their practices. And many of those who practiced magic, brought together their books, and burned them, in the presence of all. And they computed their value, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily did the word of the Lord grow and prevail. When these things had been accomplished, Paul purposed in spirit to go to Jerusalem, after he should pass through Macedonia and Achaia, saying: After I have been there, I must see Rome also. So, having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he remained for a time in Asia. And at that time there was no little excitement about that way. For a certain man, named Demetrius, a silversmith, by making silver shrines for Diana, furnished no little trade to the artists. These he called together, with the workmen em ployed about such things, and said: Men, you know that our wealth arises from this trade: and you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost the whole of Asia, this Paul, by his persuasions, has drawn away a great multitude, saying, that they which are made with hands are not gods. Now there is danger, not only that this our calling will come into disgrace, but that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be despised, and that the majesty of her whom all Asia and the world worships, will be destroyed. When they heard this, they were full of anger, and cried out, saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians! And the whole city was filled with confusion. And they seized Gains and Aristarchus, who were Macedonians, Paul's fellow-travelers, and, with one consent, rushed into the theater. And when Paul wished to go in among the people, the disciples did not permit him. Some of the Asiarchs also, who were friendly to him, sent to him, and besought him not to trust himself into the theater. Some, therefore, were crying one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not for what they had come together. And some of the multitude put Alexander forward, the Jews urging him on. And Alexander waved his hand, and wished to make a defense to the people. But perceiving that he was a Jew, they all cried out, with one voice, for about two hours: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. But the town-clerk quieted the multitude, and said: Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter? As these things, then, can not be contradicted, you ought to be quiet, and do nothing rashly. For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples, nor revilers of your goddess. Therefore, if Demetrius, and the artists who are with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are in session, and the proconsuls are there; let them accuse each other. But if you have any inquiries to make about other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being called to answer for this day's tumult, since there is no cause by which we shall be able to account for this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. After the tumult had ceased, Paul called the disciples to him, and bade them farewell, and departed, in order to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone through those regions, and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece. And having remained there three months, he determined to return through Macedonia, because a plot had been laid for him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria. And Sopater of Berea, and Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy and Tychicus and Trophimus, who were Asiatics, accompanied him to Asia. These went before, and waited for us at Troas. But we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we remained seven days. And on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul discoursed to them, intending to depart on the morrow; and he continued his speech till mid night. And there were many lamps in the upper room, in which they had met together. And a certain young man, named Eutychus, was sitting in the window, overpowered with deep sleep: and, as Paul was discoursing a long time, being oppressed with sleep, he fell from the third story, and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him, said: Be not troubled, for his life is in him. And he went up again, and broke bread, and ate; and having conversed a long time, till daylight, he thus departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. And we went on before to the ship, and put to sea for Assos, intending to take Paul on board at that place; for he had BO directed, intending to go himself on foot. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board, and came to Mityiene; and sailing from that place, we came, on the following day, opposite to Chios; and, on the next day, we arrived at Samos: and after stopping at Trogyllium, we came, on the next day, to Miletus. For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not spend time in Asia; for he hastened, that, if it were possible for him, he might be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: You know, from the first day on which I came into Asia, how I have been with you during the whole time, serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials, which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; and that I have kept back nothing that was profitable, but have preached to you, and taught you both publicly, and from house to house, bearing full testimony both to Jews and to Greeks, of the repentance that leads to God, and of the faith that leads to our Lord Jesus Christ. And now, behold, I am going, bound in spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing what shall befall me there, except that in every city the Holy Spirit testifies to me, saying, That bonds and afflictions await me. But I esteem this a matter of no importance, nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus, to bear full testimony to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. For this reason I solemnly affirm to you this day, that I am clean from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore, take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, that you be shepherds to the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that, after my departure, rapacious wolves will enter in among you, who will not spare the flock; and men will arise from among yourselves, speaking perverse things, that they may draw off disciples after them. Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, by day and by night, I ceased not to warn every one of you with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace; to Him who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have taught you by ex ample, that by thus laboring, you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus; for he himself said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all. And they all wept much, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, grieving most of all for the word he had spoken, that they would see his face no more. And they conducted him to the ship. And it came to pass that, after we had separated from them, we put to sea, and came by a straight course to Cos, and on the following day, to Rhodes, and thence to Patara. And finding a ship that was going to Phenicia, we embarked, and put to sea. And we came in view of Cyprus; and, leaving it to the left, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to put off her lading. And we remained there seven days, after finding the disciples. These urged Paul, by the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem. And when these days were completed, we went forth, and continued our journey, they all, with their wives and children, conducting us out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. And when we had bid each other farewell, we embarked, and they returned home. And completing the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais: and having saluted the brethren, we remained with them one day. On the following day we departed, and came to Caesarea, and went into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven; and we remained with him. This man had four virgin daughters, who had the gift of prophesy. And as we remained there many days, there came down, from Judea, a certain prophet, named Agabus; and he came to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own hands and feet, and said: Thus says the Holy Spirit; the Jews that are in Jerusalem will so bind the man to whom this girdle belongs; and they will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, we, and those of that place also, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. But Paul answered: What do you effect by weeping, and breaking my heart? For I am ready, not only to be bound, but also to suffer death in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. And as he would not be persuaded, we kept silence, and said: The will of the Lord be done. And after these days we prepared for our journey, and went up to Jerusalem.

And, after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, let us return, and visit our brethren in every city in which we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with him John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul did not think it proper to take with them him who had departed from them from Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work. read more.
There was, therefore, a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other: and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas, and departed, having been commended to the grace of God by the brethren. And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. And he came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess, who was a believer; but his father was a Greek. A good report was given of him by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. This man Paul wished to go with him: and he took him and circumcised him, on account of the Jews that were in those places: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that had been resolved on by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem, that they might keep them. Therefore, the churches were established in the faith, and they increased in number daily. When they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia, and had come to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit did not permit them. But having passed by Mysia, they came down to Troas. And, during the night, a vision appeared to Paul. A certain man of Macedonia stood and besought him, saying: Come over to Macedonia and help us. After he had seen the vision, we immediately endeavored to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Therefore, setting sail from Troas, we came by a straight course to Samothracia, and, on the following day, to Neapolis, and thence to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony. We remained in that city some days: and on the sabbath-day we went out of the city to the side of a river, where, as usual, was the house of prayer; and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things that were spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been immersed, she be sought us, saying: If you judge me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and make it your home. And she con strained us. And it came to pass, that as we were going to the house of prayer, there met us a certain maid-servant that had a spirit of Python, who brought much gain to her masters, by giving responses. She followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most High God, who show us the way of salvation. And this she continued to do for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit: I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out that very hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the market to the rulers. And having brought them to the magistrates, they said: These men, who are Jews, do greatly trouble our city; and they teach customs which it is not lawful for us, who are Romans, to receive or to observe. And the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates stripped off their clothes, and gave command to beat them with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, and charged the jailer to keep them securely. And having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sung a hymn 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 immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bonds were loosed. And the jailer, being aroused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying: Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and trembling, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and, having brought them out, he said: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your house shall be saved. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all that were in his house. And he took them at that hour of the night, and washed the blood from their stripes; and he was immersed, himself and all his, immediately. And he brought them into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced, believing in God, with all his house. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying: Release those men. And the jailer told these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to release you. Now, therefore, come out, and go in peace. But Paul said to them: Having publicly scourged us uncondemned, us who are Romans, they threw us into prison: and do they now put us out secretly? No, verily: but let them come and lead us out. And the lictors told these words to the magistrates: and they were alarmed when they heard that they were Romans; and they came, and entreated them, and led them out,. and requested them to depart from the city. And having come out of the prison, they went into the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. And when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, according to his custom, went in to them, and, for three sabbath-days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and affirming that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead; and that this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ. And some of them believed, and associated themselves with Paul and Silas; of the devout Greeks, a great multitude, and of the chief women, not a few. But the unbelieving Jews, taking with them some evil men, who were loungers about the markets, and collecting a mob, set the city in an uproar; and having assaulted the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. But not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying out: These men, who have thrown the world into confusion, have come hither also; whom Jason has received into his house: and they all act in opposition to the decrees of Caesar, saying, That there is another king, Jesus. And the multitude, and the rulers of the city, were troubled when they heard these things. And they took security of Jason, and of the others, and let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea; and when they had come, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were of a better disposition than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed; both of influential women, who were Greeks, and of men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul in Berea also, they came thither, and excited the multitude. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul away, to go as if to the sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there. And those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens: and having received a commandment for Silas and Timothy, that they should 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. Accordingly, he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and devout persons, and in the market daily, with those who chanced to meet him. And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him; and some said: What can this babbler possibly wish to say? Others said: He seems to be a proclaimer of strange demons: for he preached to them Jesus and the Resurrection. And they took him, and brought him to Mars hill, saying: Are we able to understand what this new teaching is, which is announced by you? For you bring some strange things to our ears: we wish to understand then what these things mean. For all the Athenians and resident strangers have leisure for nothing else than to tell or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars hill, and said: Men of Athens, I perceive that in all respects your reverence for demons excels that of other men. For as I was passing through, and looking attentively at the objects of your worship, I dis covered also an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him I make known to you. God, who made the world, and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; nor is he ministered to by the hands of men, as if he needed any thing: for he himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things: and he has made from one blood every nation of men, that they might dwell on all the face of the earth, having marked out their appointed times, and the bounds of their dwelling: that they might seek for God, if perhaps they would feel after him, and find him, although, indeed, 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 his offspring are. Therefore, being the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhood is like gold, or silver, or stone, sculptured by art and the device of man. Yet the times of this ignorance God overlooked; but now, he commands all men everywhere to repent: because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world, in righteousness, by the man whom he has chosen, giving to all assurance of this, by having raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; others said: We will hear you again concerning this matter. And so Paul departed from among them. But certain men associated with 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 finding a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had lately come from Italy, with Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome, he went to them; and because he was of the same trade, he made his home with them, and worked: for by trade they were tent-makers. But on every sabbath, he reasoned in the synagogue, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul was roused in spirit, and earnestly testified to the Jews, that-the Christ was Jesus. But when they set themselves in opposition, and reviled, he shook his clothing, and said to them: Your blood be upon your own head; I am clean. Henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, who worshiped God, and whose house joined the synagogue. But Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were immersed. And the Lord spoke to Paul by a vision in the night: Fear not; but speak, and be not silent; for I am with you, and no one shall make an assault upon you, to injure you; for I have many people in this city. And he remained there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them But while Gallic was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews, with one mind, suddenly came upon Paul, and brought him to the judgment-seat, saying: This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallic said to the Jews: If it were a matter of in justice, or of wicked mischief, Jews, I would, with reason, bear with you: but if it is a question about a word, and names, and your law, see to it yourselves: for I will not be a judge of these tilings. And he drove them from the judgment-seat. And all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallic cared for none of these things. And Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren, and sailed to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head in Cenchrea; for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he him self went into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And though they besought him to remain with them a longer time, he did not consent, but took leave of them, saying: I must, by all means, keep this coming feast in Jerusalem: but I will return to you, if God be willing. And he sailed from Ephesus, and having landed at Caesarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.