Acts of the Apostles – The Mars Hill Institute

Arrival and Ministry at Rome – Acts Chapter 28

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Jonathan Bennett, PE, D.GE in Acts of the Apostles

Join us as we continue studying the history of the early church in the Book of Acts and follow up on the 21 Days to Knowing Jesus Christ Bible Study. I hope that you enjoy this study and that it will be helpful to you in building a daily Bible study habit. Click the appropriate links below to access the content for the day. You can select what version of the Bible you prefer at the top of the page in the link below (King James Version is the default):

Read the Acts of the Apostles, Acts Chapter 28 here

There are two links below to the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 28. There is a Concise version and a Complete version. The Concise version is a short, abbreviated version while the Complete version is typically a lot longer and can sometimes be longer than the Biblical text itself. Choose whichever one you have time for. The Complete version goes further in depth but the Concise version is illuminating while not as lengthy.

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 28 (Concise) here

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary of Acts Chapter 28 (Complete) here

Listen to a personal reading of Acts Chapter 28 here

Observations from the text:

We have arrived at the last chapter in the Book of Acts! Here, Paul arrives and begins his ministry in the City of Rome as he awaits being heard before Caesar Augustus. Join us as we conclude our study in the Book of Acts.
In Verses 1-10 we find that, after running aground, the group came ashore and found out that the name of the island was Malta. The natives of Malta showed the visitors kindness and welcomed them to their fire so that they could warm themselves because of the cold and rain that was present. As Paul gathered some stick to put on the fire, he was bitten by a snake. The locals saw this, took it as a judgment upon Paul and said “No doubt this man is a murderer, who, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” However, Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm from it. The locals watched and expected him to swell up or to suddenly die but when he didn’t, they marveled and considered him to be a god of some kind. The leading citizen of that region, Publius, received the group and entertained them for three days. While they were there, Publius’ father was suffering from a fever and dysentery. Paul prayed over him and laid hands on him and he was healed of his affliction. After this, we are told that the rest of the people on the island who had diseases came to Paul and were likewise healed. They honored the group as they left, continuing on their journey, and provided them with things that they needed.
In Verses 11-16, we find that, after being on the island for three months, they sailed on an Alexandrian vessel, that had wintered on the island, to Syracuse. They stayed at Syracuse for three days and then sailed on to Rhegium. After one day they went on to Puteoli, where they found brethren and were invited to stay for seven days. After that, they went on to Rome. They were met by other believers at Apii Forum and Three Inns. Paul was encouraged and thanked God when he saw the brethren. Upon arrival at Rome, the centurion delivered the other prisoners to the captain of the guard there, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with a soldier as his guard.
In Verses 17-31, Paul called the leaders of the Jews together after three days and said to them “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” Paul is explaining to the Jews that he has been imprisoned for embracing the very hope that the Jewish people profess. The Jews responded to him “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect (the Way, the Christians), we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” After this, they arranged a day when many came to where Paul was staying and listened to him explain the kingdom of God and persuade them concerning Jesus Christ from the Jewish writings (the Law and the Prophets) all day long. We are told that some were persuaded by Paul’s teachings but that some did not believe. Overall the Jews disagreed among themselves regarding the teachings of Paul. They all departed after he said the following to them “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, ‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”’
“Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” The chapter concludes telling us that Paul stayed another two years in his own rented house, and received all that came to him. He confidently preached and taught the things of God and of Jesus Christ with no one preventing him from doing so.
The Book of Acts is extremely important because it demonstrates the certainty with which the eyewitnesses of Jesus’ earthly ministry spread His teachings and were willing to risk life and limb and even to die for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I would challenge you to research these events for yourself because the Bible is not only a book of spiritual guidance but also a reliable historical document. We know of Jesus through the testimony and writings left behind by his followers. There is vastly more historical evidence for the truth and reliability of the Holy Bible than any other writings of antiquity.

Thank you so much for joining us in our ongoing study. I hope that it is as encouraging and enlightening to you as it is to me. Please follow the ministry of the Mars Hill Institute on our Facebook page at HERE. You can go back and visit the daily posts at any time on the website or Facebook page. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to the website by email so that you can be directly notified when new posts or materials become available.

You can go back and listen to the audio readings of our study at any time as well at the following links on Soundcloud, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.

You can also access our YouTube channel HERE to view videos associated with this study and the work of the Mars Hill Institute.

What are some key take-aways for you from the Chapter we reviewed today? Feel free to dig further on your own if you have time. Have a GREAT and Blessed Day!

Support: email themarshillinstitute@gmail.com if you have problems accessing the content.

To Rome – Acts Chapter 27

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Jonathan Bennett, PE, D.GE in Acts of the Apostles

Read the Acts of the Apostles, Acts Chapter 27 here

There are two links below to the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 27. There is a Concise version and a Complete version. The Concise version is a short, abbreviated version while the Complete version is typically a lot longer and can sometimes be longer than the Biblical text itself. Choose whichever one you have time for. The Complete version goes further in depth but the Concise version is illuminating while not as lengthy.

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 27 (Concise) here

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary of Acts Chapter 27 (Complete) here

Listen to a personal reading of Acts Chapter 27 here

Observations from the text:

We find ourselves in the next to last chapter of the Book of Acts. In this chapter, Paul begins his journey to Rome under Roman military supervision as he has appealed his case to Caesar Augustus. Join us as we follow Paul’s journey!
In Verses 1-8, we are told that it was decided that Paul was to sail to Italy on his journey to Rome. He and some other prisoners were given over to the care of a Roman centurion, Julius, of the Augustan Regiment. From the biblical text, it appears that Paul was accompanied by at least two others that we know specifically. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, is specifically mentioned as being on the ship as well as the author of the book of Acts, Luke. We know that Luke was on the trip because he is referring to the group travelling as “we”. We are told that the group departed on a ship belonging to the port city of Adramyttium, an ancient seaport city of Mysia in the Roman Province of Asia (Turkey). It is assumed here that hey departed from Caesarea to begin the trip to Rome since that is where the biblical narrative left off with Paul being heard by Festus and Agrippa in Caesarea in Acts 26. The next day the group landed at Sidon where Julius kindly allowed Paul to have liberty and go to his friends there and receive care. From Sidon, they set sail for Myra, a city of Lycia. At Myra, they changed ships and boarded an Alexandrian vessel en route to Italy. From there, they sailed slowly for many days and the trip is described as being difficult due to the wind. We are told in verse 8 that they came to a place called Fair Havens, which was near the city of Lasea. Fair Havens is situated on the southern coast of Crete, the largest Greek island in the Mediterranean Sea.
In Verses 9-12, we are told that the sailing has become hazardous and that Paul becomes concerned about continuing on from Fair Havens and warned the group of the hazards of the trip they by saying “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” However, the helmsman and owner of the ship convince the centurion to press on. It was determined that where they were was not a suitable place to winter and so the majority agreed to continue on with the goal of reaching Pheonix, a harbor of Crete toward the west, and wintering there.
In Verses 13-38, things started off pretty well with the south winds blowing softly but, not long after, a tempestuous headwind and storm arose and made sailing hazardous again for the group. This caused them to go off their planned course as sailing into the wind was not possible. They had to let the ship go under sail power where it would due to the weather conditions to avoid running aground and had to take great care to secure the ship. They had to lighten the ship due to the storm and after many days saw neither sun nor stars so they had effectively lost their bearings. Paul encouraged the group “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
In Verses 39-44, on the fifteenth day after having been driven around and about in the Adriatic Sea, they ran the ship aground off an island that they did not recognize with the ship being broken up in the process. We are told that the soldiers were planning to kill the prisoners so that none of them would escape but the centurion, wanting to save Paul, commanded them to let those who could swim to be allowed to swim to land and the rest to float on whatever they could to get there. All escaped safely to land.

You can go back and listen to the audio readings of our study at any time as well at the following links on Soundcloud, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.

You can also access our YouTube channel HERE to view videos associated with this study and the work of the Mars Hill Institute.

What are some key take-aways for you from the Chapter we reviewed today? Feel free to dig further on your own if you have time. Have a GREAT and Blessed Day!

Support: email themarshillinstitute@gmail.com if you have problems accessing the content.

Paul Before King Agrippa – Acts Chapter 26

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Jonathan Bennett, PE, D.GE in Acts of the Apostles

Read the Acts of the Apostles, Acts Chapter 26 here

There are two links below to the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 26. There is a Concise version and a Complete version. The Concise version is a short, abbreviated version while the Complete version is typically a lot longer and can sometimes be longer than the Biblical text itself. Choose whichever one you have time for. The Complete version goes further in depth but the Concise version is illuminating while not as lengthy.

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 26 (Concise) here

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary of Acts Chapter 26 (Complete) here

Listen to a personal reading of Acts Chapter 26 here

Observations from the text:

In Verse 1, King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II, Marcus Julius Agrippa) gives Paul permission to speak.
In Verses 2-23, Paul gives his defense of himself before the King:”I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come— that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
In Verses 24-32, we hear the discourse following Paul’s defense. As Paul was concluding his defense, Festus said with a loud voice “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning has made you mad!” Paul responded “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escape his attention, since this thing was not done in secret. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” King Agrippa replies to Paul “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Paul goes on to say “I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become as I am, except for these chains.” After these words, the King, Bernice, the Governor and the others conferred among themselves and concluded “He has done nothing deserving of death or imprisonment.” King Agrippa then commented to Festus that “He might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

You can go back and listen to the audio readings of our study at any time as well at the following links on Soundcloud, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.

You can also access our YouTube channel HERE to view videos associated with this study and the work of the Mars Hill Institute.

What are some key take-aways for you from the Chapter we reviewed today? Feel free to dig further on your own if you have time. Have a GREAT and Blessed Day!

Support: email themarshillinstitute@gmail.com if you have problems accessing the content.

Paul Appeals to Caesar – Acts Chapter 25

Posted on February 12, 2018February 13, 2018 by Jonathan Bennett, PE, D.GE in Acts of the Apostles

Read the Acts of the Apostles, Acts Chapter 25 here

There are two links below to the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 25. There is a Concise version and a Complete version. The Concise version is a short, abbreviated version while the Complete version is typically a lot longer and can sometimes be longer than the Biblical text itself. Choose whichever one you have time for. The Complete version goes further in depth but the Concise version is illuminating while not as lengthy.

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 25 (Concise) here

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary of Acts Chapter 25 (Complete) here

Listen to a personal reading of Acts Chapter 25 here

Observations from the text:

In Verses 1-12, we are told that three days after Festus had come to the province as governor, he traveled from Caesarea to Jerusalem. When he arrived there, the high priest and chief men of the Jews approached him about Paul and requested that Felix summon Paul to Jerusalem (because they desired to ambush him on the way and kill him). Festus replied that Paul should remain at Caesarea and that he (Festus) would be going there shortly. He told the Jews “Let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.” After Festus had stayed in Jerusalem with the Jews for ten days, he traveled back to Caesarea. On the next day he sat at the judgment seat and summoned Paul to be brought before him. When Paul had come, the Jews who had traveled from Jerusalem made serious complaints about him to Festus , which they could not prove. Paul defended himself by saying “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.” Festus, wanting to help the Jews, asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be judged by him for these things. But Paul, knowing of the Jew’s desire to kill him, exercised his rights as a Roman citizen and replied “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Festus was obligated to honor Paul’s appeal to Caesar and, after conferring with the council, said “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”
Verses 13-27 tell us that, after a few days, King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II, Marcus Julius Agrippa) and his sister, Bernice, came to Caesarea to greet Festus. After they had been there many days, Festus mentioned Paul’s case to the King and asked his counsel on the matter. Festus recounts “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.” This aroused Agrippa’s interest and he told Festus that he would like to hear Paul for himself. Festus agreed to have Paul brought before him on the next day. So on the next day, we are told that Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and circumstance to the auditorium with the military leadership and influential men of the city. Festus summoned Paul to be brought in and then addressed the group “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”

You can go back and listen to the audio readings of our study at any time as well at the following links on Soundcloud, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.

You can also access our YouTube channel HERE to view videos associated with this study and the work of the Mars Hill Institute.

What are some key take-aways for you from the Chapter we reviewed today? Feel free to dig further on your own if you have time. Have a GREAT and Blessed Day!

Support: email themarshillinstitute@gmail.com if you have problems accessing the content.

Before Felix – Acts Chapter 24

Posted on February 11, 2018February 11, 2018 by Jonathan Bennett, PE, D.GE in Acts of the Apostles

Read the Acts of the Apostles, Acts Chapter 24 here

There are two links below to the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 24. There is a Concise version and a Complete version. The Concise version is a short, abbreviated version while the Complete version is typically a lot longer and can sometimes be longer than the Biblical text itself. Choose whichever one you have time for. The Complete version goes further in depth but the Concise version is illuminating while not as lengthy.

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary on Acts Chapter 24 (Concise) here

Read the Matthew Henry Commentary of Acts Chapter 24 (Complete) here

Listen to a personal reading of Acts Chapter 24 here

Observations from the text:

In the last chapter, Paul was taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea to be tried by Felix (Marcus Antonius Felix), the Governor of the Province of Judea. The City of Jerusalem is under the jurisdiction of that Roman province. In the last verses of chapter 23, Felix says that he will hear Paul’s defense once his accusers have come.
In Verses 1-9, the Jews present their accusations against Paul through an orator, Turtullus. Ananias (the high priest) and the elders of the temple have been summoned by Felix to make their case against Paul. Five days later, they arrive and Turtullus eloquently states their claims before him:”Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
In Verses 10-21, Paul gives his defense:”Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’”
In Verses 22-27, we are told that Felix adjourned the proceedings and said that he would make a decision once Lysius the commander had come down. It is apparent from verse 22 that Paul’s explanation of the doctrine of “the Way” clarified Felix’s understanding somewhat of what that movement stood for. Felix assigned a centurion to keep Paul and to allow him to be free and he was instructed not prevent any of Paul’s friends to visit or provide for him. After a few days, Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Paul explained about righteousness, self control and the judgement to come. Felix became concerned and sent Paul away saying “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Felix was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe so that he could set him free, so he periodically invited Paul to come and speak with him. After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor of the province. As Felix was leaving office, he wanted to do the Jews a favor so elected to leave Paul in house arrest instead of release him.
It is worth noting that, again and again in the Holy Scriptures, we are told of many historical figures that are attested to in other historical documents. This is further reinforcement of the truth of the Bible. Much historical information is available on the characters in the biblical narrative. I would challenge you to do some research on your own regarding the historical figures in the New Testament to deepen your understanding of the culture of the day and thus improve your understanding of the overall context of the words we read in the Bible.

You can go back and listen to the audio readings of our study at any time as well at the following links on Soundcloud, iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.

You can also access our YouTube channel HERE to view videos associated with this study and the work of the Mars Hill Institute.

What are some key take-aways for you from the Chapter we reviewed today? Feel free to dig further on your own if you have time. Have a GREAT and Blessed Day!

Support: email themarshillinstitute@gmail.com if you have problems accessing the content.