Note for 20250801 - Acts - Part 17 - Acts 17 - In Us and Near
Acts
Seventeen
Part 17 - Acts 17 - In Us and Near
Acts 17:1-34 KJV
[1] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: [2] and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, [3] opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. [4] And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. [5] But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. [6] And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; [7] whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. [8] And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. [9] And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. [10] And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. [11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. [12] Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. [13] But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. [14] And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. [15] And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed. [16] Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. [17] Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. [18] Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. [19] And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? [20] For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. [21] (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) [22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. [23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. [24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. [29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: [31] because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. [32] And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. [33] So Paul departed from among them. [34] Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
https://bible.com/bible/1/act.17.1-34.KJV
Note for 20250801
As I have stated many times and also written here; one of the main reasons for my performing this here that I do, is to read the Word as a whole with you. Today carries a great deal of information, both of the good and the evil of mankind, in part too. Some, of course, record of movement.
Here in the midst of it, we find a section that speaks of a profound understanding of Paul, that is almost worthy of saying it is a pointed "recap" of the faith at large. Almost worthy to give it a "blurb" status of the Word.
Acts 17:24-31 KJV
[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; [26] and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; [27] that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. [29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: [31] because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
https://bible.com/bible/1/act.17.24-31.KJV
What disputes are there, when we consider the truth of these statements? Is it all there is to know, of course not. Of one blood GOD made all the nations, in my words then, one race namely, the Human Race. Not discounting the tares that have been sown among us. Goats and sheep, which will become more clear at separation and judgement. (Understand Matthew 25, friends)
GOD has a heart to save all, and that we should live in peace with all people. That we worship Him, and not give ourselves over to vanities and idols, nor to GOD'S enemy, which is Satan and his angels. If we "zoom in" on this extract of scripture we get to a construct that looks at the basis of the nearness of GOD to each of us, and is in line with the Words of Jesus Christ, who said that the Kingdom of GOD is in us. See:
Acts 17:27-28 KJV
[27] that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: [28] for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
https://bible.com/bible/1/act.17.27-28.KJV
So, we "feel" after GOD, and some have erroneously crafted idols to worship as a representation of that, which is called a sin in the 10 commandments we find in Exodus 20.
Yesterday, as I was doing more research into the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses, I completely broke down in weeping. I wept for the division that seems impossible to mend. Like with so many other factions, the source of the division is ancient, locked up in language that most of us have no understanding in. But, we know this "feeling" after GOD. How do we reconcile with what seems to be a major understanding conflict, when the source of our reference is not even the same in the knowledge base? This is nothing to the ignorant, but everything that stirs lament in understanding. It is like having a twin, and suffering from separation anxiety.
Understanding that Jesus Christ was elected by God the Father to be the Judge to come in the judgement of the world for its iniquity, His Only Begotten Son has received authority to judge the quick and the dead, is at the root of understanding too. And when we read in Revelation, those who fear judgement, shouts to be hidden from the wrath of the Lamb. Let me give you the reference in quote:
Revelation 6:15-17 KJV
[15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [16] and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
https://bible.com/bible/1/rev.6.15-17.KJV
Now, how do we reconcile and unite in Jesus Christ, when our reference has been corrupted by the hands of man, inspired by our old enemy, that old serpent, which is Satan? As I look to the KJV as a source, some look to their own versions they prefer, which runs to the warning of holding onto doctrines that are like honey for the ears. So, I weep bitterly, for those who "feel" after GOD, but have been subverted. More so even, I mourn the divisions, for in remembrance of scripture.
Matthew 12:25 KJV
[25] And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.12.25.KJV
I weep.
Once more, the words of Jesus Christ echoes in me: will the Son of man find faith when He returns?
The core scripture today also brings me comfort though, because, you see, that judgement is not for me to do, and as I trust Jesus Christ for my salvation, I really should leave their salvation in His hands too. What I have to give is my heart in it, that GOD knows my heart, and that the Holy Spirit communicates as much to God, that it is the desire of my heart that we all be One in Christ.
Until we are all reunited in and by Jesus Christ, I may have memories of my fellow believers, brothers and sisters in Christ, and naturally, I will have issues with the separation. For now then, in respect, I stand in the faith that I received, with a mountain standing between us, that will be cast out of the way. For now, I stand on the hilltop where I am, and wave to those standing on the hilltop far from me, in the love of Jesus Christ.
Selah, Shalom.
Verse of The Day
From the YouVersion Bible App
Joshua 1:8 KJV
[8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
https://bible.com/bible/1/jos.1.8.KJV
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