Commuter Bible NT

When we last left Paul, he and his companions had entered the temple in Jerusalem, but when the Jews discovered he was there, they accused him of bringing Gentiles into a space that was not meant for the unclean. Though he was not guilty of their accusations, a riot ensued and they dragged him out of the temple in order to kill him. The Roman authorities intervened and had Paul bound in chains. Today, Paul asks permission to address the Jews. They willingly listen to Paul’s testimony, including his visions of Christ, but when he mentions being sent by Christ to witness to the Gentiles, they erupt with rage and incite violence against him. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Luke begins today’s passage by including a brief log of their journeys, including a prophecy from Agabus, who foretells that Paul will be bound by the Jews and handed over to the Gentiles when he reaches Jerusalem. Undeterred, Paul heads to Jerusalem and meets with the elders of the church. There is a rumor going around that Paul is maligning Jewish customs amongst those Jews who live alongside the Gentiles, when in reality, he’s only teaching that those customs have no saving power. When he enters to the temple, Paul is falsely accused of bringing a Gentile into the temple, and a riot ensues. Our reading ends just four verses shy of the entire chapter simply because those verses are better read as a direct prelude to chapter 22. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Once the riot on behalf of the goddess Artemis calms down, Paul leaves Ephesus and heads for Macedonia, then Greece, where he stays three months. Again, the Jews plot against him, so he changes plans and ends up in Troas. Paul gathers with a group of Christians and talks well into the night. A young man named Eutychus not only falls asleep but falls out of an adjacent third story window. Though dead, Paul is able to revive him, and continues teaching until dawn. Returning to Ephesus, he conducts a farewell speech amongst friends as he is certain that he will not see them again. Amongst other charges, Paul encourages them to be on guard against false teachers who are like wolves amongst sheep. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading opens with an account of Paul finding some former disciples of John the Baptist who have been baptized by John but have not yet been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After a brief conversation with Paul they are baptized into the name of Christ and are immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul continues teaching, and after being rejected in the synagogue he begins speaking to both Jews and Greeks in the hall of Tyrannus. He stays there to teach for two years. Later, some Jewish exorcists try to use Jesus’ name to expel demons, with surprisingly poor results. Finally, when silversmiths begin to lose money, they start a riot, and it turns out that most of the people involved don’t even know what the riot is about. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Paul leaves Athens and ventures on to Corinth where he meets Aquila and his wife Priscilla. It’s noted that they are tent-makers, which brings up an interesting aspect of Paul’s life that we don’t often consider. Paul was a tentmaker by trade, and while he often received financial help and contributions, he had a job by which he made a living. Aquila and Priscilla were also tentmakers, so they became fast friends and began working together. After an initial attempt to witness to the Jews in Corinth, Paul turns away from his fellow Hebrews and instead focuses on preaching to the Gentiles. The Corinthian church multiplies under Paul and he stays in the city for a year and a half. At the end of our reading, Paul and his friends venture to Antioch where they meet Apollos. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading opens with Paul preaching to the Jews on the Sabbath over the course of three weeks in the town Thessalonica. After a bit of unrest, the travel to the town of Berea by night. The Bereans are noted as being of more noble character than the Thessalonians, receiving the word with eagerness and examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul was saying was true. The Thessalonians catch wind of Paul’s location and come to town to start trouble again. He moves on to Athens, where he gives his famous sermon at the Areopagus, a place where the Athenian people discussed new teachings and new ideas. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Paul has left Jerusalem after conferring with other apostles and elders about giving instructions for the new Gentiles believers. Having delivered instructions to them in Antioch, Paul and Silas return to Lystra (where Paul was almost stoned to death) to visit the growing church, and while there, they pick up a young man named Timothy who continues on with them. This is the same Timothy to whom Paul later writes the books of 1 & 2 Timothy. They also pick up Luke, our narrator, along the way, which can be noted when he changes from third person plural to first person plural. Later, a slave girl is delivered from demonic possession, which means her owners can no longer profit from her fortune-telling. They rile up the crowd, beat Paul and Silas with rods, and throw them in jail, but the Lord has other plans for them and for their jailer. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

At this point in our reading of Acts, it has become clear that the Gentiles are welcomed by God Himself into this burgeoning body of Christ followers known as the church. The Gentiles did not have Abraham as their father and were not originally part of the Jewish community, which raises the question: should they be required to abide by the customs of God’s covenant with Israel? The apostles and elders of the early church discuss two important factors: 1) The Spirit has been freely given to the Gentiles without distinction, 2) it was prophesied that David’s fallen tent would be rebuilt so that all humanity may seek the Lord. Their advice includes abstaining from certain freedoms as well as abstaining from the sin of sexual immorality. Later, Paul and Barnabas amiably part ways and continue preaching. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Barnabus and Paul are on a missionary journey together, traveling through towns in the Roman empire to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. They have just left Antioch of Pisidia where they preached Christ in a Jewish synagogue, and while many of the people received them warmly, the Jewish community at large was displeased and expelled them from their district. Today, Barnabus and Paul visit Iconium where the Lord performs signs and wonders through them. When they discover some have plans to stone them, they flee to Lystra. There, a man who is unable stand is healed, and the crowds declare our missionaries to be Greek gods in human form. Jews come from the previous two towns and successfully stone Paul, but escapes death and continues preaching the gospel. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, we concluded midway through Paul’s sermon at a synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia. Attending the synagogue on the Sabbath, the two men sat down only to be addressed by the leaders, asking if they had any word of encouragement. Today, he continues that sermon and at its conclusion it’s clear that his teaching has gained an audience. When he returns to teach on the following Sabbath, the whole town shows up to hear him. The Jews in Antioch are displeased with his popularity and begin to contradict and insult him. When Paul mentions that they are turning to the Gentiles with their message of salvation, the crowd rejoices and the good news continues to spread. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Barnabus and Saul are about to be set apart for the work of spreading the gospel to other lands. If you’ve ever ventured into the back of your printed Bible you’re likely to find a map of Paul’s first missionary journey. That journey begins today. Saul is first called Paul in today’s chapter, and is referred to by that name from here on. Sent by the Holy Spirit, Paul and Barnabus travel to varying cities proclaiming the gospel in Jewish synagogues. At Paphos, they witness to the proconsul, but a Jewish false-prophet who works for the proconsul tries to dissuade him from believing their message. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul rebukes him and the man is miraculously blinded. Our episode concludes midway through one of Paul’s sermons to fellow Israelites in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Our reading today begins with an event that is not described in detail, but which must have been another disheartening blow to the early church. Having recently endured the Sanhedrin’s execution of Stephen, they now find themselves at odds with Herod who has executed James the brother of John. James was not only one of the twelve, but one of three disciples who witnessed the transfiguration of Christ. Seeing that it pleased the Jews, Herod arrests Peter also in order to execute him. Though his power is great, it is no match for the power of God Almighty, who has other plans for Peter. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

In our last episode, Peter received a vision from the Lord in which he was instructed to partake in food that was considered unclean by God’s law. He received this vision three times, thus meaning it was sure, holy, and trustworthy. When he came out of the vision, he was instructed by the Spirit to accompany men from Caesarea. In today’s text, Peter recounts this vision to men from the circumcision party who are upset that he would eat with men who were considered unclean. The good news of gospel continues to spread to the Greeks, and many believe, turning to the Lord for salvation. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Up until this chapter, the gospel has been preached mainly to the nation of Israel. You may recall, also, that Jesus Himself had taught and healed among God’s people, making an exception for the woman who, in response to Christ’s prioritization of Israel, said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table. Today, Peter sees a vision in which the Lord simultaneously declares all foods clean AND extends the good of the gospel to Gentiles as well as Jews. While this may be a small thing on this side of Christian history it was an extraordinary revelation to those disciples of Christ in the early church. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

At the stoning of Stephen and at the beginning of chapter 8, we were introduced to a man named Saul and today we’ll return to his storyline in the book of Acts. In short, Saul is a religious terrorist who gets permission from his elders to capture people who profess Christ and throw them into jail. Jesus, however, as other plans for Saul. Stopping Saul in his tracks, Christ blinds Saul and introduces himself, commanding Saul to visit Ananias in Damascus. His dramatic conversion and profession of Christ is so startling that everyone has trouble believing it be true, including the disciples in Jerusalem. Saul the persecutor becomes Paul the persecuted, preaching Christ to Jews and Gentiles alike. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

As Stephen was being stoned to death, a young man named Saul stood watch over the garments of those who killed him. A great persecution against the early church began that day and Saul was at the heart of it. We learn about the work of the Spirit through Philip in two parts, first in Samaria, and later in the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch. After Philip baptizes this man, it seems that Holy Spirit teleports Philip to Azotus where he continues to preach the gospel. The accounts of Philip are broken up by an account of Peter and his interactions with a sorcerer named Simon. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

A deacon by the name of Stephen has been accused of blasphemy and now stands before the court of the Sanhedrin. False witnesses claimed that he had spoken against the law of God. Today, Stephen turns the tables on his accusers and puts them on trial for refusing to acknowledge Christ. Reciting a brief overview of Israel’s history, he plainly shows them that it is Israel who is guilty of rebelling against God and resisting the Holy Spirit. In a rage, they rush to kill him, and Stephen becomes the first known Christian martyr, and as Tertullian later said, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Today’s episode is going to be incredibly short and tomorrow’s episode is going to be rather long. Chapter 6 is really just a preface leading into chapter 7, in which Stephen speaks to the Sanhedrin concerning the history of Israel and their resistance against God. Instead of breaking up that speech in smaller pieces, I thought it would be best to keep that sermon in one piece. Having said all that, today’s reading includes the introduction of deacons in the life of the church, whose role is to serve the church and to lead in doing so. Because of their faithful service, those who were called to teach are free to fulfill their role. Stephen is among those mentioned as being chosen as a deacon. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

The early church was unique and attractive for a number of reasons, not least of which were the signs and wonders performed by the apostles as they preached the gospel with power and authority. Another unique characteristic of the early church was having all things in common, as they freely used what possessions they had in order to support one another as any had need. This generosity and the afore-mentioned signs and wonders meet when a couple tries to lie to the church about a donation they were making. When they do so, Peter says that they’ve not only lied to the local church, they’ve lied to the Holy Spirit. What happens next would’ve struck fear in the hearts of the church and the watching world. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Peter and John have just preached the gospel in Solomon’s Colonnade after healing a man who was lame from birth. The priests, the captain of the temple police, and the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) were annoyed with their preaching, so they seized Peter and John and jailed them overnight. In today’s episode they will stand before the Sanhedrin, a counsel of Jewish religious leaders who held court concerning religious matters. Seeing the healed man, the simply threaten them not to preach in the name Jesus. After they are let go, they only request to preach Christ with greater boldness. :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org