229 - Les Feldick Bible Study Lesson 1 - Part 1 - Book 20 - Last Study in Acts

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 1 * PART 1 * BOOK 20 LAST STUDY IN ACTS Let's turn to Acts Chapter 18. Paul has begun his journeys among the Gentile world of Asia Minor in Western Turkey. I'm quite sure that the primary figure was Paul. He was sharing all of his new revelations with this Jewish couple that had come to Corinth from Rome. Paul had a way of disseminating everything that God had revealed to him to anyone who would listen. Paul goes on his way, then in verse 26 of this same chapter we find that this Jewish couple has also moved on from Corinth over to Ephesus. So what Scripture was Apollos mighty in? The Old Testament. This Jewish fellow comes from the area of Alexandria, Egypt. He was eloquent, what we would call a silver-tongued orator. "This man (Apollos, a Jew) was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. In other words, Apollos knew nothing of believing for salvation in Christ's death, burial, and Resurrection (faith in Christ's work plus nothing else, as taught by Paul). He was still back in Christ's earthly ministry. I always like to compare Scripture with Scripture in order to make my point. So turn to the Book of Galatians. In Chapter 1 verse 11, we find Paul writing by inspiration of the Holy Spirit (as all of his writings are), although it reads like it is coming from his own thinking, but it isn't. It is inspired by the Spirit of God. Galatians 1:11,12 Don't just read to be reading. Paul says that he wasn't taught it, and that's why he's separating himself from the Twelve throughout these first two chapters of Galatians. Apollos was a mighty man in the Scriptures, but he had been instructed. Someone had taught him. Now that should tell us that even though The Lord has ascended back to glory, Paul makes it very plain that he saw Christ face to face. The Lord revealed these things to Paul in such a way that even when you go on into Galatians Chapter 2, Peter and the eleven couldn't comprehend what Paul was talking about. Let's return to Acts Chapter 18. Apollos knew only that which took place under John the Baptist's preaching, which was that Jesus was The Christ, The Messiah, repentance, and baptism. Aquila, and Priscilla had been sitting there with Paul, for we don't know how long, weeks at least, and Paul had been teaching them this tremendous Gospel of Grace. That as Apollos finishes his ministry there at Ephesus he took to heart the things he had learned in turn from this Jewish couple. Aquila and Priscilla. From working with Paul. "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." Now Apollos could go beyond that Christ was the Old Testament Messiah. Remember, it took two common, ordinary people to bring that man to this further revelation. Paul goes to Jerusalem, contrary to a lot of warning, which gives rise to a lot of discussion. Why did the Romans put up with the Jews and their religion even though the Jews gave them a lot of problems? Rome never intercepted a dime of it. So more or less the Romans protected the Jewish religion, but they began to persecute Christianity. Why? Now, in Chapter 28, we find Paul at Rome, under house arrest. Never lose sight what Paul says in Ephesians Chapter 3. Ephesians 3:1 "FOR this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles," But in Acts 28:20 he still has a burden for the Nation of Israel. The reason he was arrested at first was for appealing to the Jews at Jerusalem. Now closing the Book of Acts at verse 23: Acts 28:23 That whole sphere which is under God's Sovereign control. It is within the Kingdom of God. When Paul was in Athens he explained to them that The God they had called "the unknown God," was The God that he was presenting. He was The God that provided all man needs, and The One Who made everything. And it's the same way here when he began to tell these Jewish leaders about the Kingdom of God. "Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house (today we would say rented house), and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." For you and I today, the most inclusive title we can give our Lord is The Lord Jesus Christ. Even the Twelve never referred to Jesus only by His Name Jesus. When we refer to the name of Jesus we should include the word Lord, and if you want to be all inclusive, then call Him The Lord Jesus Christ. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible