Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Luke – Acts
An Intimate Review
Pt 2
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Apostle Paul’s Story

In [Acts 9:1-31] Apostle Luke writes of the conversion and ministry of Apostle Paul. Jesus Christ advised His servant Ananias that Saul of Tarsus was chosen to bear His Name to both Hebrew and Gentile nations. Christ revealed Himself to Saul in a manner that only He could as He does with all born-again believers. He then healed Saul of natural and spiritual blindness, baptized him with the Holy Ghost and began preparing him for Christian ministry. When his former religious party learned of his conversion, they sought to kill him. Saul’s conversion had to be verified by Apostle Barnabas prior to him being embraced by other Christian leaders and welcomed as a member of The Christian Brotherhood.

The Healing of Aeneas and Tabitha

In [Acts 9:32-43] Apostle Luke writes about miracles that accessorized the preaching of the divine Gospel and was instrumental in leading many to Christ. Aeneas was sick with a long-term illness while Tabitha was literally dead. Just as He said they would, His disciples did the same quality of work as Christ did in His Name. Apostle Peter said to Aeneas, “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole”, and he was healed. In representation of Jesus Christ, he commanded Tabitha to rise from her sleep of death and she did. He did so before those who had already adorned her in tomb clothes. There were many occurrences like these performed by Christian disciples. There was even Apostle Philip’s experience of TIME TRAVEL after leading the Ethiopian Eunuch into Christian conversion. Yahweh granted these events to showcase HIS power in ways the people of that time could best relate to. It is likely that the occurrence of miracles is relevant to the culture and social mindset of the generation wherein they are performed. In [Acts 10; 11:1-18; 15] Apostle Luke discloses that Yahweh is not a respecter of persons. HE makes HIMSELF available to all people, especially those who reverently inquire of HIS favor through prayer and alms giving. [Rm 2:11; I Chr 16:9] In this passage an Italian centurion by the name of Cornelius and his household became beneficiaries of Yahweh’s divine gratuities.
Cornelius and his household were wholeheartedly given to worshipping Yahweh. Before their day of Visitation from THE LORD, Cornelius had a vision wherein he was assured that his prayers and alms giving had come up as a memorial before THE LORD. In response, Yahweh required Apostle Peter to accept Cornelius’s order to come to his house with special instructions, as Hebrews did not interact with Gentiles, especially Romans. But, Peter’s prejudice toward Cornelius and his family was completely dispelled when he arrived at their home. The divine appointment was verified per Cornelius’s explanation to Apostle Peter concerning his divine visitation four days earlier. It was clear that Cornelius was ready and willing to receive what Apostle Peter had to say unto him, his household and friends from THE LORD. [Acts 10:10-23] After they were spiritual renewed and filled with the Holy Ghost, they were baptized with water, which publicly expressed their conversion to The Christian Faith. Apostle Peter was now resolved that Yahweh extends HIS love and favor to all who wholeheartedly reverence HIM and practice righteousness. [Acts 10:34-48].

The Fruits of Persecution

In [Acts 11:19-30; 12; 14:4-7, 19-22; 16:16-40; 17:5-9; Jn 16:33] Apostle Luke references the persecution of Apostle Stephen and how it invoked the fleeing of Christian witnesses into surrounding jurisdictions. This permitted the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed to other Hebrews living in these regions, who received the Word of Salvation. This gave credence to the fulfillment of prophecy that a remnant of Hebrews would be saved despite the catastrophes that would befall Israel by the hand of Roman Rulers like Claudius Caesar and King Herod. [Acts 11:27-30; 12] All are to know that vengeance belongs to Yahweh and HE will repay as promised. [Num 23:19] Not only did the unbelieving Hebrews pay for their crimes against Jesus Christ but many Gentiles suffered per their crimes against Christians. Apostle Luke notes that Apostle Mark is also named, John Mark. [Acts 12:12, 25; T.C. #2253] In [Acts 13] the Holy Ghost designated Barnabas and Saul to different missions with John Mark as their Armor Bearer.
The passage discloses that the power of the Holy Ghost supersedes that of sorcerers. [Acts 13:6-12] In Apostle Paul’s declaration at Antioch, he specifically decrees the Word of Salvation to Hebrews and all who reverenced THE LORD. [Acts 13:16, 26, 42-48] He mentioned that lack of proper knowledge about Christ was why those who persecuted Him did so.
[Acts 13:26, 27; Hos 4:6; Isa 64:6; Mt 15:1-9] Apostle Paul also reiterates prophecy concerning the inability of some to recognize Who Christ really is. [Acts 13:40, 41] It requires divine intervention for anyone to perceive Who Christ really is. However, the possibility of receiving such revelation always begins with reverent acknowledgment of the ancient scriptures concerning Jesus Christ. [II Tim 2:24-26; Rm 10:17; II Cor 4:3; 10:4, 5] In [Acts 14:1-7] Apostle Luke notes unbelieving Hebrews who discouraged and tried to get Gentile converts to renounce The Christian Faith. In [Acts 14:8-18] Apostle Luke notes that Apostles Barnabas and Paul were men of genuine Christian character. True Apostles of GOD are careful to inform their audience that it is Yahweh WHO performs wonders through them. They are diligent to discourage their audiences from perceiving them as being more than what they are. They are careful to admonish their audiences to recognize Yahweh’s presence in their ministry and always place their faith in HIM. THE HOLY GODHEAD is ONE unit of THREE SUPREME INTITIES, WHO demonstrate their power and glory through born-again believers. It is of most importance for the Redeemed to remain clear that they are only vessels for THE HOLY GODHEAD and never usurp praise that only belongs to THEM. Lucifer, son of the Morning was guilty of this and dismissed from his heavenly estate for doing so. [Eze 28:1-19; Isa 14:12-20; Lk 10:18] Yahweh chooses who HE wants to express HIMSELF through and wants no flesh to glory in HIS sight. HE refuses to share HIS glory or praise with another. Therefore, praise for any work HE has done must always be attributed to HIM. [I Cor 1:25-31]

Apostle Paul Circumcises Timothy

In [Acts 16:1-8] Apostle Luke notes that although Apostle Paul clearly understood that salvation is based on one’s faith-filled obedience to Jesus Christ, he circumcised Timothy for the sake of more effective Christian ministry, in a geographical area that was heavily populated by Hebrews. Timothy was bi-racial having a Hebrew mother and a Greek father. This gives credence to the idea that sometimes it is beneficial to suffer certain customs for the sake of more effective ministry. In [Acts 16:14-24] Apostle Luke notes that Christian ministry becomes more effective when demoniacs are delivered from possession. In some areas, people being liberated from demonic possession will cause financial loss for sons of Belial. This is exemplified per the experience of a woman who was delivered from a demon of divination at the hands of Apostles Paul and Silas.
Her experiences disclose how some people appear to have supernatural abilities but are actually vessels of demons working through them. When these demons are cast out of their victims, the alleged abilities they seemed to have cease. As a result of this woman’s supernatural healing, Apostles Paul and Silas suffered imprisonment. However, their imprisonment gave way to more ministry in that a Roman soldier and his entire family received eternal salvation. Immediately following these occurrences, Paul and Silas were released from prison with honorable recognition by those who initially beat and imprisoned them. In [Acts 17:1-4] Apostle Luke writes that it was the sincere intent of early Christian leaders to expound upon Who Jesus Christ was per the ancient scriptures. This was especially so among Hebrews who converted to The Christian Faith. This remains the primary goal of true Christian leaders today. Every lessen they teach should be to help their audience gain clearer insight about Who Christ is as the risen Son of Yahweh and Means of eternal salvation. [Eccl 12:13; St Jn 4:23, 24; Mt 28:18-20; I Jn 5:20] In fact, Christ did the same thing with His initial disciples. [Lk 24:44; Jn 6:39, 45-47] Ultimately, it is Yahweh Who imparts revelation about Christ and does so only to those who are predestined to become HIS spiritual offspring. [II Tim 2:24-26; Jn 6:37-40, 44, 45] No messenger of THE LORD, not even Jesus Christ expects their audience to believe them simply based on their words. They encourage their audience to diligently research the written words that were inspired by the Holy Ghost concerning GOD, Jesus Christ and the fate of world, from Enoch to Jesus Christ and His Original Apostles. Apostle Luke then notes another attempt to defame Apostles Paul and Silas with treason as they ministered in Thessalonica, which was the same tactic to defame with Jesus Christ prior to His Crucifixion. [Acts 17:5-9, 13] While Jason the host of Apostles Paul and Silas was taken into custody, the two Apostles escaped with help from allies, then went to Berea. Here they encountered a group of noble Hebrews who were avid students of the Holy Scriptures. They diligently researched the validity of the Apostle’s teaching by scriptural research. There was also many honorable Gentile Christians who received them and their teaching. This gives credence to the idea of one taking personal responsibility to verify the validity of one’s teaching by self-education and researching the scriptures, especially in regard to Jesus the Christ. [Acts 17:11, 12]




Apostle Paul in Athens on Mars’ Hill

In [Acts 17:16-34] Apostle Luke reports that as Apostle Paul waited in Athens for Timotheus and Silas, his spirit was stirred when he recognized how given the citizens were to idolatry. This moved him to converse with other devout Hebrews in the synagogues and public places where he met with them. However, these discussions invoked inquiries from other local philosophers, which created a platform for Apostle Paul to expound upon Yahweh the TRUE GOD and HIS Christ. Athens was the ideal place for this opportunity as it was the center for introducing new philosophies, idealisms and doctrines. Apostle Paul did not plan to be in Athens at the time, given that he was in ‘IN FLIGHT’ from persecution in Berea. [Acts 17:13] Again, he was simply waiting to meet Silas and Timothy there. [Acts 17:14, 15] However, Yahweh foreplaned this account and used it to administer insight about HIMSELF as THE TRUE GOD and HIS Christ through Paul. HE did so because HE loved the people of Athens as HE does all nations and wanted to offer them invitation to salvation. The Elect of GOD may find themselves in unexpected situation, where HE uses them to speak a rhema word as HE did Apostle Paul at Mars Hill. [Acts 17:21, 22] Apostle Paul began his decree by respectfully suggesting per his observance of the city-wide events, that they were too SUPERSTITIOUS. He didn’t believe in antagonizing people for their personal beliefs. It was clear that these people were looking for something to believe in as are all mortals because they are all created to worship. [Eccl 12:13] It’s just that their minds must now be divinely recalibrated for worship to Yahweh through Christ because of their sin flawed nature. [St Jn 1:12-14; 4:23, 24; Rm 10:14-17; II Tim 2:24-16; I Cor 1:18; Rm 1:16, 17] Thus, Apostle Paul does not downplay their desire to worship but likens their gross idolatry to extreme SUPERSTITION. It was a wise soul-winning tactic, especially with Roman citizens of First Century Rome. [Acts 17:22, 23; Pro 11:30]

*superstitious Gk #1174 deisidaimonesteros (dice-ee-dahee-mon-es-ter-os) it means more religious than others

Apostle Paul tactfully regards that amongst their ‘DEVOTIONS’ was THE DEITY they IGNORANTLY WORSHIPPED and coined THE UNKNOWN GOD.

*devotions Gk #4574 sebasma (seb-as-mas) it is something adored or an object of devotion
*ignorantly Gk #50 agnoeo (ag-no-eh-o) it means to…
1. not to know or understand due to lack of information or intelligence
2. ignore through disinclination

*worship Gk #2151 eusebeo (yoo-seb-eh-o) it means to worship, be pious toward Yahweh and be respectful and supportive towards ones parents

The practice of worshipping multiple deities originated in the most ancient of times, when Lucifer appointed the name and epithet BAALI to Yahweh. [Hos 2:6] From his deception in Eden, Lucifer never discouraged disbelief in Yahweh. His attempt is to seduce mortals into disobeying Yahweh by misinterpreting Yahweh’s directives. [Gen 3:1-6] He and his subjects will continue this practice until their final demise. This is why born-again believers are to continue in effective scriptural study. [Dan 12:10, 13; Ps 1:1-3; Jn 7:37-39; Jn 8:31, 32, 36; I Jn 4:1-3; II Thes 2:3a; II Tim 2:12; 3:16-18] Apostle Paul clarified that THE DEITY they coined THE UNKNOWN GOD does not abide in buildings made with mortal hands nor can be served with mortal hands as if HE needed anything from them. He clarified that Yahweh was indeed THE GOD WHO provides and is THE SOURNCE OF LIFE for all the living. [Acts 17:24, 25] He decreed that Yahweh made of one blood every nation to dwell on earth within appointed times and habitats. HE did so to help them FEEL AFTER and FIND HIM again although HE is not far from any soul. [Acts 17:27-29; Gen 1:26, 27; 2:7; 6:3; Eccl 12:7; Pro 20:27]

*feel after Gk #5584 pselaphao (psay-laf-ah-o) it means to manipulate, search for and verify by contact

*find Gk #2147 heurisko (hyoo-ris-ko) it means to literally or figuratively find, which is to…
1. come upon by chance and meet with
2. locate, attain or obtain by search or effort
3. recover something lost or misplaced
4. discover or perceive after consideration
5. gain or regain the use of
6. ascertain by study and calculation
7. perceive, become aware of or discover oneself as being in a certain condition or location

Every mortal has a personal responsibility to FEEL AFTER and FIND GOD and RE-DISCOVER what HIS purpose is for their being. HE makes this possible through the information HE has provisioned through HIS scribes and prophets, from Enoch to Jesus Christ and His Original Apostles. [Eno 37; Lk 24:44] This opportunity is enhanced with guidance from the Holy Ghost, Who is only imparted to those who believe on Christ as the scriptures have said. [Jn 7:37-39; 14:26; 16:13; Rm 8:14-16] Apostle Paul then explains that in being creations of GOD, mortals innately know, to some degree, that HE is real and that they should be compliant to HIS rule. [Rm 1:18, 19] He notes that Yahweh did for a season, WINK at their IGNORANCE. However, since the time of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, HE has required all mortals to REPENT and become compliant to HIS directives. [Acts 17:30]

*winked Gk #5237 hupereido (hoop-er-i-do) it means to overlook and not punish

*ignorance Gk #52 agnoia (ag-noy-ah) it is the substance and quality of ignorance, which is the state or fact of being ignorant or lacking knowledge, learning and information

*repent Gk #3340 metaneo (met-an-eh-o) it means to think differently or afterwards, reconsider and feel regret for one’s wrong doings

At [Acts 17:31] Apostle Paul concludes his speech with the reason why Yahweh admonishes all mortals to REPENT of their IGNORANCE of HIM as THE TRUE GOD.
It is because HE has established a day wherein, HE will judge them in righteousness by Jesus Christ, Whom HE has ordained and given them assurance by raising Him from the dead. [Eccl 12:13, 14] As it will be in every case of effective preaching, some in the audience failed to believe, some reserved their belief until further investigation and others immediately believed and were converted to the Christian Faith. [Acts 17:32-34]

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