Introduction:  Good morning brethren or friends should I say.  Scripture says it is good when brethren dwell together in unity. I add it is good even when they come together to study God’s Word.  Rather than be in the world’s religious systems with their traditions and ideologies (or idol ogies) I am glad to have others with whom to share a desire to following Yahweh’s commandments.  It is sometimes not as nice to hold it on your own as probably did Elizah in the cave when Ahab and Jezebel had the congregation following pagan ways. Today's study is the Apostles' Doctrine. 

We are all here to help understand God’s word and live our lives according to Him and I hope the presentation assist you in that desire and bring you closer to God.

It is a story about a kidnapping, about a love of a father for his children and how he searches and searches and searches for them after they were kidnapped.  Firstly the father had these children and he gave them everything they should want or need, a soft green bed to sleep on, clear fresh air to breath and lots of beautiful toys with which to play.  Animals as giraffes, tigers, dogs. The garden they had was the best on the earth. Better than the platinum hotel ones and not even a gold card would give others access.  The garden had butterflies, birds, a variety of juicy fruits.  I cannot give it justice with my description attempts.  All for His children. 

He went away for a very short while leaving them to relax, enjoy and get accustom to their home.  Just like when a mother leaves her child in its cot with a rail of spinning and rattling toys to play with in the cool of the window breeze.  But while He was gone, in the fresh air came a kidnapper and stole his children.  Soon after, when the father returned he didn’t see His children and He called out ADAM, EVE where are you? Fortunately they had not gone too far; but were in fact hiding from daddy.  The kidnapper only had time to steal their hearts.  He asked, why are you hiding from your father? What is it you have done that you think I would stop loving you?  They told him what they had done and it wasn’t pleasant; but He still loved them though the relationship had been tarnished. 

Soon after, they were blessed with children of their own and able to live in another part of the mansion He had created for them.  Not as good as the first; but nice also.  And He left them to raise up these children in the way they knew their father would like; but unfortunately that was not the case for all of the children.  Prowling around was always this opportunist kidnapper looking for who he could steal.  Every time a child was born, he was there to steal them.

So this story is one of how the father is always looking for His children and their offspring to bring them back to the garden he created for them.  He sends prophets, messengers, helpers to search for His children.  Generation after generation after generation.  Frances, Darren, Sarah where are you? Sheila, Marie, Tony where are you?  And this went on for a long time.  Some say 4,000 years.  Sometimes some of the children heard his voice and came back; but as soon as many came back and got comfortable enjoying the garden the kidnapper would return and deceive them away again.  And that has been the battle between father and kidnapper.  However, the loving father has vowed never to forsake or forget His children and never to stop trying to find and save them by sending His messengers.  Eventually He sent His only begotten in the form of a human son.  Patrick, Joanette and everyone I have come for you.  Hear my voice and follow it.  But as you know, the deceiver was always not too far even to today.

I shall go on telling the story through the eyes of those who first saw, heard and echoed the calling voice of the only begotten son.  Their story is called the Acts of the Apostles.  I have called it the Doctrine of the Apostles as taken from chapter 2 verse 42 of their account.    

It is the telling of the gospel, the good news of God’s son Yahshua.  What is the good news?  That the very long expected messiah, saviour promised by our heavenly father has finally come and shined a light on the way back to the Father.  Just like one who plays the lottery week in and out waiting for the day when they win it.  When that day finally comes, it is very good news.

However, on the Messiah’s second promised coming it may not be “good news” for all.  The first good news was proclaimed and preached by eye witnesses, the apostles.  For the second good news no proclamation would be needed as every eye will see Him and it would not be good news for all, only the obedient and formerly repented.  For others it would be very very, bad news as judgement time has arrived.

Part one of three

In order to discern what the apostles’ doctrine was we are going through the book of Acts which covers the bible period of the apostles’ ministry.  We are specifically looking to see what the apostles did, teach, believe and to whom, when and where they shared this belief.  You should read the chapters yourself for a full understanding of them.  I am going to limit my comments and highlight the doctrines not the story to see if there was any change in doctrines taught to those taught in the Old Testament. 

We will start at Acts 3 due to time constraints.  Acts chapters 1 and 2, which deal with the Day of Pentecost and the speaking in tongues, will be sent out in a supporting document.  I urge you to get that study as it would disprove popular misunderstanding.  Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or call 07985 148 018. 

In addition to other observations, I wish you to note how often repentance or forgiveness of sin, do not sin, keep the law or be righteous, resurrection of the dead and belief in God are mentioned.  Briefly here are some verses to note and points to bear in mind before we get into the heart of the study.

Acts 3:1-4  The apostles continued to attend the Jewish temple at the ninth hour, being one of the appointed times of daily prayer as practiced by Daniel 6:10, Psm 55:17.

3:6 In the name of Yahshua of Nazareth they healed the lame man.  (Jesus is Greek name inserted as replacement).

3:12-14 Peter addresses people of Israel (Jews) and begins to tell them about their God, the God of their fathers and how it relates to Yahshua, God’s son who was recently crucified and they witnessed Him being raised from the dead.

3:16 faith in the name of Yahshua is what healed the lame man.  V17 these things were prophesied by the prophets in what we call the Old Testament. V19 taught repentance, conversion so that sins can be blotted out.  Through the prophets of the Old Testament God had showed Christ would suffer.  That has now been accomplished.

V22-24 Yahshua is the prophet of whom Moses and other prophets spoke, who they should obey or be destroyed (Deut 18:15). V26 He came to turn away believers from doing iniquity. 

Acts 4:2 Religious leaders upset people taught about resurrection of the dead. V4 about 5,000 Jews believed the teaching.  V34 they shared assets.

Acts 5:11-12 the group were called the Church.  Continued to meet in the temple (Solomon’s porch) and performed signs and wonders.  V20-21 Angel of God directed them to preach in the temple.

V31 Messiah to repentance to Israel and forgive their sins.  V32 Holy spirit given to those who obey God.  V42 They met daily in the temple and in house teaching about the Messiah.

6:1 They are called “Hebrews” [as was Abraham and former Jews] and the disciples were multiplied to include non-Jews (Grecians or Gentiles).  V7 Priests also became obedient to the faith.

Steven went into many synagogues teaching about the already come expected Messiah.

Chapter 7.  Like Peter in chapters 2 and 4, Stephen speaks to Jews, telling them about their history, fathers and prophets and how it all pointed to the expected Messiah who has now come, died and resurrected.  V34 God calls Israel “my people”.

Verses 37-38  This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

Act 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

The church (which means called out group) started with Moses in the wilderness.  The congregation called out of Egypt by God, given the lively oracles (Law) by which to live and teach the other nations (gentiles) by example.  The “us” means those called to belief after the death of the Messiah.  Therefore what God gave Moses (the complete law) is also for now. 

8:1 there was persecution against this congregation in Jerusalem (church).  Which is not the same as the churches today or since 300 A.D. v5-7 Philip preached Christ, did miracles, cast out unclean spirits and healed.  V12 in the “name of Yahshua….” they were baptised not the words “father son and holy spirit”.   Every Father and son has a name! 

V18 laying of hands by the apostles gave Holy Ghost to some. V22 Simon told to repent of a sin; one not mentioned in what we call the Ten Commandments.  So sins are more than those listed.

8:22, 32 Holy Spirit sends Philip to Eunuch, Jew returning from Feast day in Jerusalem.  Philip does not tell him those holy days are cancelled and he does not have to come again; but instead shows him the Messiah from the book of Isaiah.  V37 Eunuch is baptized believing Yahshua is the son of God.

9:2 Paul got letters from High Priest to enter synagogues where new teaching was taking place by apostles and converts.  Teachings were called “this way”.  Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:   Paul a Jew and expert in the law is chosen to be a vessel of God to teach.  To teach what?  Obviously what he knew, the law, or others not knowing the law could have been chosen.  V18, 20 Paul is baptized and immediately did as the apostles did, teach in the synagogues proving to the Jews Yahshua who was crucified is the “Christ”.  How could he “prove” if not from the Old Testament scriptures which they knew and accepted as truth!  In other words they were working from and using the Old Testament as for their teachings and proof.

V34-35 Peter heals and converts more to believing Yahshua was the promised Messiah. 

10:2 Cornelius, a Roman, feared the God of the Jews and prayed to Him always.  V3 At “ninth hour” (that of prayer) he saw a vision from God.  V9 Peter went to pray at the “sixth hour” (noon) same as Daniel in Old Testament.  V14 Peter still keeping the Laws i.e. of clean and unclean food to eat Lev 11.   10:28 unlawful for Jew to mix with gentile as seen as unclean / uncircumcised; but God told Peter “not to call any man common or unclean”.  V30 Cornelius keeping customs of Jews i.e. fasting at certain hours.  Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons (Jew or Gentile): Act 10:35 But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him. [Doing the works of the law is said to be righteousness].  V39 Peter says they are “witnesses to all things Yahshua did”.  Just as Yahshua said that they would be in Luke 24:28, John 15:27 and Acts 1:8.

**Act 10:42  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

41-43 Christ is of God and came to give remission of sins to those believing in Him.  Thus sin must remain or no remission would be needed.  Sin is defined as transgression of the law (Rom 4:15; 1John 3:4).

V44-48 Cornelius and others get gift of Holy Ghost of speaking in tongues before being baptized as a sign to the Jews with Peter they can be baptized.  i.e. to the unbeliever as spoken by Paul in 1Cor 14:22.   This is confirmed in Acts 10:47.  V48 Again baptized “in the NAME OF Yahshua”.

Summary of Part one.  We have seen the apostles continued being Jews doing and teaching the things of the Old Testament with the addition that the promised Messiah add already come, died and raised from the dead.  Repentance for sin is still taught and through the Messiah is forgiveness achieved to those who believe He can forgive sins just as the blood sacrifice of Lev 16 previously needed belief and woman in Mar 5:34  And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.   !!

APOSTLES DOCTRINE PART 2.  Summary and points to note from ACTS 11 – 22.

Act 11:9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 

Act 11:14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.  Peter the Jew bringing the knowledge of the Messiah to Cornelius.  He was already a keeper of the law (10:2 a devout man) one that feared God and kept Jewish ways, i.e. hours of prayer].

Act 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. [They were not filled with the Holy Ghost; but got one of the numerous gifts of as a sign to the other Jews who were of the belief they should not be baptised.  In other words they were unbelieving Jews, not in the Messiah; but of the gentiles acceptance (see 1Cor 14:22 tongues are sign for unbelievers).  Note v17, the gift came AFTER they were taught and accepted the repentance through the Messiah, son of God.]

Act 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.  [repentance is for sins, which is transgression of the law.  The previously critical other apostles were convinced by the gift of the Holy spirit on Cornelius.  The same recognisable sign that fell on them].

Act 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. [Jews in gentile nations].

Act 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto Yahweh God (bible says “the Lord”).   There are numerous scriptures that show the whole reason of the coming of the Messiah and apostles teachings is to turn people back to Yahweh God their creator.  Here are three; but see also 9:35.  Act 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

We MUST remember when translated scripture uses the word “church” or “the Lord” it is talking of the assembly or congregation of believers in the Messiah who feared Yahweh God and kept His commandments.  “The Lord” does not necessarily mean the son; but also refers to the Father!

Act 11:26  ..And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. [One is NOT necessarily what they are called; dog, stupid, lazy etc. The apostles NEVER referred to themselves as Christians; but Jews. They were called another sect of Nazareth to add to the sects of the Pharisees and Sadducees (see Act 5:17 Act 15:5, 24:5, 28:22). Christ is from a Greek word for anointed.  Gentiles thought all holy like people were anointed of one god or other i.e. Acts 14:12.  Yahshua said they would be people falsely claiming to be “Christ”, anointed.  So the term is not only used for the real Messiah or his followers Mar 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (See concordance of “Christ” at end of part 2).

Act 11:29  Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: [this ties in with] 1Co 16:1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. 1Co 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

This was not a weekly common collection; but one special for the relief of the poor in Jerusalem.  Nor was there a common first day of the week gathering.  One must put in context knowledge and customs of the times and believers.  If it was a pre-existed weekly gathering Paul would not have had to mention “as I have given order to those in Galatia”. They were Jews who gave of their first fruits at specific harvest times of the year not weekly collections as today.  In addition they may give a freewill offering as and when they chose or offered a sacrifice through the priests.  Exo 23:15  Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou came out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) Exo 34:20 But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty. 

Chapter 12:   Act 12:3   (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) [Shows feast days (annual holy / Sabbath days) of Lev 23 were still being kept by the early church.]. v4 in some bibles says “after Easter”; but it was really as in some other translations “Passover”.  Still it shows by the waiting for “after” Passover, that it was being kept.

Act 12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. [As said above with “the Lord”, it is about bringing people back to God the Father.]

Chapter 13:   2-3 The Holy spirit instructs Paul and Barnabas to be separated for a called work.  The disciples fast, lay hands on them in preparation for the calling. The following scriptures show God wants the world to be saved.  For that purpose He sent His son.  The apostles mainly teach the Jews in Jerusalem and Paul mainly to those living in gentile nations.  Jews and non-Jews.  All are called to be Rom 15:18  ... obedient, by word and deed.  With this thought in mind and knowledge of the prophecies in the Old Testament one should see them being fulfilled (coming true or being established) in the birth, death, resurrection of the promised Messiah and teaching of the eye witness apostles to the rest of the world as Paul tries to explain in Romans 11.

Rom 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God [His Torah, Old Testament].

Eph 3:7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 1Ti 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 2Ti 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Heb 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron]. 

Act 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

13:6 It is commonly taught that Paul meant he was going onto the Gentile people; but this is not so.  See “Who is a Gentile” at end of part 2

Act 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. Act 13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, You men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. 

Act 13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. Act 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of...

Act 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fear God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. Act 13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. Act 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. Act 13:32  And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, Act 13:33  God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Yahshua again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.   [Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose].  It was ordained that the Messiah must be killed in order to bring about the purpose of God.  Just as why Joseph was thrown into the pit].

Act 13:38  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: Act 13:42  And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Act 13:43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. Act 13:47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Acts 14 Act 14:1  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. Act 14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles,.. [So when bible says “Jews” did this or that we need to know there are two groups, believers and non believers and it was the non believing individuals who stirred up trouble.

Act 14:15  And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We ...preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God (not the son), which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

Act 14:16  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 

Acts 15:  In summary this chapter is purely about if Act 15:1 “Except you be circumcised … you cannot be saved”.  Note Paul and others went up to Jerusalem about “this” singular matter verses 2 and 6. To keep reading to minimum I shall simply quote a few verses of importance.

Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith (Remember Rom 10:17  faith comes by word of God.  See also Rom 3:31  Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.. Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Act 15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written... [see Amos 9:11,12, Isiah 49:6, Luke 2:32, Act 26:23 referring to calling of gentiles].

Act 15:20  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. [quotes from O.Test of the same sins they committed i.e. Eze 33:25,.  The reason only these 4 things are mentioned and not murder etc. is Act 15:21 BECAUSE Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.  [In other words every Sabbath day the believing gentiles (those who fear God as in 13:16, 26) are in the congregation of the Jews reading the laws where they will get the rest of the necessary teachings!!]

Acts 16  v3 Paul circumcised Timothy, probably because he had Jewish blood by one parent. However, with the gentiles Paul taught they did not have to be circumcised to be saved.  That was a covenant to Abraham’s descendants NOT A LAW.  Therefore not obligatory for gentiles unless they wanted to keep the Passover (Exodus 12:43, 48, Numbers 9:14). V14 However, they were taught to keep decrees as ordained in Jerusalem i.e. Acts 15:20-21.

Act 16:13  And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted. [Because that city did not have a synagogue, they kept the Sabbath by teaching at the river bank]. 

Act 16:21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

Act 16:25     This midnight was not an arbitrary chosen time of coincidence; but a time of the Old Testament see Psalm 119:62 and Acts 20:7.

Act 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Act 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [This is not an intellectual head belief; but one of action i.e. obedience to the laws and repentance route if break any.  Gal 2:17  But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.   If broken, once repaired i.e. truly repented, it is forgiven and nolonger broken].

Act 16:32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. Act 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Act 16:34 believing in God with all his house.   [Again see teaching, acceptance and belief, baptism].

Acts 17 Act 17:1 Now ... they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures (being the Old Testament as there was no New Testament scriptures), Act 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Yahshu, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. Act 17:4 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. But the Jews which believed not [2 types of Jews, believers and non-believers.  Today we call them Orthodox and Messianic for believing in the Messiah].

Act 17:10  ... unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. (It should be noted wherever they went they went into the synagogue of the Jews, practicing the same Jewish faith except for the addition of now believing in the Messiah).

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily [Old Test...], whether those things were so.

Act 17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. Act 17:13 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. (These Jews being the un-believing ones).

Act 17:16   Paul waited for them at Athens, they did idolatry Act 17:17 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. Act 17:18  ... He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.  Paul also taught v27 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: Act 17:29  ... we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Act 17:31 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. Act 17:34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 

Act 18:1  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

Act 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Act 18:5 Paul ... testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. [The promised and expected Messiah]. Act 18:6 It is commonly taught that Paul meant he was going onto the Gentile people; but this is not so.  See “Who is a Gentile” at end of part 2.

Act 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Act 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Act 18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Act 18:20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; Act 18:21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. [Unable to get away from the scriptural fact Yahshua, the apostles and Paul were always in the synagogue on the Sabbath days, foolish (I should apologise for using that word; but God himself uses it for similar people) pastors have come up with the excuse that Paul did it not to keep the Sabbath but go and teach the Jews because that is where and when he would find them (Acts 24:11 & 17 and confirms this was not the purpose  Act 24:11  Because that thou may understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. )!  Funny how that is not the excuse used for Yahshua or His apostles. For them it is accepted they “kept” the Sabbath; but because they were Jews!  Paul was also a Jew!  The Sabbath was always used for teaching in the synagogues so it is no surprise Paul kept the custom.  Yahshua did it often i.e. Luk 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. Luk 4:16+ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. ....  See also Acts 15:21. 

Here in Acts 18:21 we see Paul is with a group of Jews in the synagogue to whom he is explaining the Messiah from the scriptures.  They want him to stay and continue to teach yet he says he must go to keep the feast in Jerusalem; but will return ...  Ofcourse he is going to keep the feast and not to teach.  He already has an eager group willing to learn with him. He would not leave them to go and teach in Jerusalem when there are the apostles and many others of the elders already there to teach.  Is he going to teach his own message different to theirs?  Of course not.  So it is foolish to think and teach he was going for any other purpose than as scripture says to “keep” the feast. See also 20:16 and 27:9; the “fast” being the Day of Atonement.

Act 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.  Act 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures (Old Testament) that Jesus was Christ. 

Acts 19    Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.  They had the belief through John the Baptist teachings.  It must be the same belief in the Messiah as the man in 18:25.  Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Paul baptizes some of John the Baptist disciples in the NAME (not title) of Yahshua (see Acts 8:16).  The Holy Spirit coming on them by the laying of an apostle hand was confirmation to them they had done the right thing and the Messiah of whom Paul spoke was the same as their teacher John the Baptist spoke. 

Act 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. Act 19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Act 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds [sin, transgression of the law, still exist]. Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. Act 19:23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. (See v9 it was not called Christianity.)

Act 19:26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: ... but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships. 

Christ: I am told in the Hindu religion some think Jesus Christ is the reincarnation of Hari Krishna (not sure if spelt right).  I have photos of their holy men that look like Hindu Christians, I.e. with the apparent halo’s but which are really sun disc.  Due to limited time, those will have to wait for another presentation.

The following numerical references 2962, 2424, and 5547 are given to the original word in the language from where the English translation was taken.  An example from the Greek (New T.) would be Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord2962 by the prophet, saying, Except the Torah and Old T. did not speak of a "Lord" as the coming messiah nor a Greek named person.    Mat 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus2424 Christ, 5547 the son of David, the son of Abraham.

(In the following, for those of you not familiar with a concordance, the G in front of the number stands for “Greek” and the H for “Hebrew”. This enables the identification of the original language word from which the English translation came).

G2424 via Strong's = Ἰησοῦς  Iēsous   ee-ay-sooce'  Of Hebrew origin [H3091]; Jesus (that is, Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites: - Jesus.

G5547  Χριστός  Christos  khris-tos'  From G5548; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: - Christ.

H3091  יהושׁע    יהושׁוּע   yehôshûa‛  yehôshûa‛   yeh-ho-shoo'-ah, yeh-ho-shoo'-ah

From H3068 Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (that is, Joshua), the Jewish leader: - Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954, H3442.  [Yahoshua or Yahshua commonly spelt Yeshua]. 

Who is a Gentile?

The New Testament is the fulfilment of God’s prophecies of the Old i.e. the birth, death and resurrection of the Messiah, the saving of Israel the nation and how they would be a light to the gentile nations so the whole world has a chance to be saved.

In the bible, the word Gentile is first used in Genesis 10:5 after Noah and family came from the ark, began to multiply and separate; “by these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; everyone after his tongue, families, in their nation”.  The Hebrew word being pronounced “goy” or “goee” is used 559 times and translated to mean nation 109 times, nations 266, heathen 143, gentile 30, people 11.  Just like Gen 10:5 elaborates, it describes a foreign nation, heathen, and people.  Thus there were always only two types of people, God’s, who followed His commandments and the rest otherwise known as, heathens, who did not.  To properly understand the New Testament’s use we must transfer its Old Testament Hebrew meaning to the New Greek translation from where the English comes.  It is clear from the Old that 375 of the 559 uses it means “nation(s)” i.e. foreign countries not the people within the country. 

It is commonly taught the New Testament use of “Gentile” means the people; but this is wrong.  In many cases it means foreign nations though at times it also refers to the inhabitants or an inhabitant and their family.  So to get the real understanding of to whom Paul went we must bear in mind the Old Testament common use of nations.  In fact when we examine to whom Paul mostly spoke we see it was Jews in foreign nations not the inhabitants directly unless they were part of the Jewish audience.  Paul never went to the gentile people and the only two times Paul had an exclusive non Jewish (gentile) audience was in Acts 17:23 while strolling in Athens and 13:42-4 when the gentiles who were in the Jewish synagogue asked him to visit the next Sabbath.  So Act 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teaches all the Jews which are among the Gentiles (nations) to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to … 

So when Paul said in Acts 13:46 and 18:6 he would go onto the “gentiles” we see he did not go to the “gentile” people of the “gentile” nations; but the Jewish people in the “gentile” nations.  We must also remember that Paul was talking to two separate and individual Jewish groups in Antioch and Corinth.  Some of whom believed his teachings about the messiah and some did not.  The unbelievers cannot speak for the whole of the Israelites throughout the world, only themselves.  Neither would Paul take their rejection to represent that of all Jews.  As can be seen when he left those 2 groups he went onto other Jewish groups in other areas and synagogues.  This was because that was his calling, to convert the Jews in the foreign nations while the other apostles converted those in Jerusalem and those who came to Jerusalem Act 8:1  And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

The gentile people themselves, if they wanted to hear of the God of the Israelites they went to where He is taught, in the Jewish synagogues on the Sabbath and feast days as confirmed in Act 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: Act 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Act 15:21 “BECAUSE the laws of God (the Torah) as passed on through Moses are always taught by those who preach him being read in every city in the synagogues every Sabbath day”.  [In other words, there the gentiles will receive the other teachings].

As you should see by the completion of the book of Acts study, Paul always went into the synagogue when he came to a city (except in 16:13 where there was not a synagogue in Philippi).  In the synagogues he preached about the Messiah to those Jews scattered to foreign nations who would not have known what happened in Jerusalem.  In the synagogues were also Greeks known as gentiles who feared the God of the Jews and came to learn about him.  In Acts 2:10 and 13:43 they are called proselytes.  Going through each of the New Testament epistles in which the word “gentiles” occur, we see in reference to Paul, he wrote to congregations that had Jews with a mixture of gentiles.  This coincides with the book of Acts where it can be seen he taught mainly Jews to the end of his ministry.  Remember each epistle was one letter to the same audience.  I shall pick a few verse of each to demonstrate the letter was written to a Jewish congregation with teachings also for the gentiles who had turned to the God of Israel (Act 14:15, Act 26:18, Act 26:20).    

Remember the gentile people would not know about the Jewish history, teachings of Moses etc so when the letters refer to such things, it is to a reader who knows of them.  The Jews were the minority in the gentile nations so that once the conversion of unbelievers grew (Jew and those gentiles who feared God) they became outnumbered by pagan converts.  So in places like Corinth, their pagan customs crept into the congregation, caused division and concern, which Paul addressed in his letters.

Romans:  In Romans, Paul uses the words we, brethren, it is written etc to show he is speaking to Jews as him, those who should know what the scriptures and their history say.  Brethren is used in terms of descendant as in Deu 18:18, Acts 6:3, 7:37, 13:26 not fellow believer.

Rom 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he lives? Rom 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture says of Elias? Then Paul also addresses the gentile believers Rom 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 

1Corinthians:  (See Acts 18:4).  1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.  1Co 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  1Co 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:

1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.   [Leaven is reference to days of Unleaven Bread which is known by Jews].  1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 

Galatians:  [see Acts 16:6, 18:23] Gal 2:15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  [It is not clear if this is part of Paul’s words to Peter or he is now talking to the Galatians.]

Paul makes a few quotes from the Old Testament of which the Jews would know Gal 3:10  … for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them (Deu 27:26, Jer 11:3). Gal 3:11 … The just shall live by faith (Hab 2:4).  Gal 3:12 … The man that doeth them shall live in them (Lev 18:5, Neh 9:29, Ezek 20:11).  Gal 3:13 … Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree: (Deut 21:23). 

Ephesians:  (See Acts 18:18). Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at

Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:  “at Ephesus” is not found in several important Greek manuscripts.  Consequently, many belief it was not originally sent to the congregation at Ephesus; but a letter meant to be circulated to gentile believers. Eph 1:1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: “the saints” are Jewish ancestry.  See Old Testament references and Eph 2:19..   

This epistle seem particularly to address gentile believers.  However, it confirms there is one teaching for all Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism, Eph 4:6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Colossians:  Paul never visited there.  Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Thessalonians:  (See Acts 17:1-2, 4) 1Th 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 

Summary of part two:  We should see that there was no introduction of any new teaching except that the promised Messiah had arrived.  Sin still existed.  It was still wrong to sin.  Repentance for sins still advocated.  Teaching still took place among the Jews to try and get them to accept Yahshua was the promised Messiah.   Elaboration of the Old Testament scriptures was used to convince those who believed.  The weekly seventh day Sabbath was kept as was the annual Sabbaths (feast days of Lev 23).  Attendance to and teaching in the synagogues continued and these were attended by Jews and non-Jews who had come to accept the God of the Jews, i.e. of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).  

APOSTLES DOCTRINE PART 3 (Acts 20-28)

So far we have seen the doctrine, teachings and living remains that as practiced by the Jews except with the addition that the expected promised Messiah had come in Yahshua.  This doctrine was taught wherever the apostles travelled, to both Jew and Gentile, commonly in one audience on the Sabbath day.  The law, sin, repentance remained; but forgiveness was now in the belief in the blood of the Messiah, God’s son.  Circumcision was not needed by the gentiles to be saved.  That was a covenant given to the birth right descendants of Abraham and does not form part of the law given at Mount Sanai. 

Psa 78:19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Psa 78:20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? Can he provide flesh for his people? Psa 78:21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: … Psa 78:22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

This is the same type of belief we are called to have in His son Yahshua.  That he is the route to forgiveness of our sins as is said in Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.   1Jn 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 

Acts 20.6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.  Again shows the feast days were being kept.  Otherwise there would be no need to mention it. 

Act 20:7  And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, (have meal NOT to worship) Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. [Taken from King James Version NOT New KJ. This is commonly cited as proof of a “Sunday” gathering.  The original text does not say “first day” but “first” with “day” inserted by Christian translators apparently to assist the reader (in the KJV additions are shown in italics font).  But it infact causes confusion.  Genesis 1:4-5 says Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Here we see there are two types of days; a light part and a combination of day and night part.  So by inserting “day” the translators have left room for misinterpretation as a twenty four hour period.  The “first” actually starts with the evening, at sunset, say 6pm.  Sunday starts six hours later at 12:00 a.m. or midnight!  Gen 1:16 and Psalm 136:8 says the sun rules the day not the “first” or whole 24 hour period.  Lastly, there is a difference between the “speech until midnight” of v7 and “talking until the break of day” in v11. The former was the preaching part and midnight is one of the pray times of the Old Testament (see Psalm 119:62 and Acts 16:25).  Verse 11 is the after preaching social part of eating and talking which went on until Paul was read to leave in the morning. 

I know some people may say Paul could have started speaking the latter part of the first day i.e. before its end at 6pm our Sunday.  Then go onto midnight of the second day i.e. midnight Sunday and leave Monday morning.  But if one takes into account the ninth hour of prayer i.e. 3pm, Paul would have been at synagogue prayer 3pm our Sunday.  Yes he may have started his speech after, i.e. 4-5pm which would biblically be just before the “first” ended; but I think my former Saturday evening, after 7th day closes would be more probable.   Pauls manner was to be in the synagogue on the 7^th day Sabbath day. The writer has given a lot of information and three times periods of the event.  First (day), midnight, morning.  All presumably happening in the same day and in sequence.  Biblically the same sequence as the day; midnight comes before morning.  There is no mention of a second day which the informative writer would have inserted were that the case. I.e. first (day) (our Sunday afternoon, second day (our Sunday evening), midnight second day (our Sunday midnight and lastly morning of biblical second day.  And the evening and the morning were the first day and in between was midnight!!! The same as in Exodus 12 when they ate the Passover in the evening, then came midnight and by the following morning they were on their way out of Egypt.

So biblically the meeting started anytime one minute after sunset of the seventh day, the Sabbath.  This is because the apostles were keeping the Sabbath and in the synagogues on that day.  Second thing to note is the reason for the meeting, Paul’s departure the next day (see v11 and 13.  Paul goes for a long walk to another city.  Not a distance he would do on a Sabbath, see “Sabbath’s day journey” in Acts 1:12. Other scriptures confirm Paul kept and taught nothing against the law).  

Third, the meeting lasted until midnight i.e. maximum of six hours from 6:01 p.m (what we call Saturday) to 12.00 a.m what we call midnight Saturday transferring to Sunday.  If it had started 6.01 p.m. what we call Sunday, biblically that would be the second “day” of the week and it would have continued until midnight, being the transfer onto the third day! So this was not a weekly Sunday gathering or service.

Act 20:16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. [Years on from Acts 2, we still have the feast day of Pesach (Pentecost) being kept (see 18:21, 19:21, 21:4, 24:17; 1Cor 16:8).  If it was cancelled the apostles would have told people in Acts 2 not to come back following years. 

***Act 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. [From start to finish this is the two criteria’s for being saved Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.  See also Rev 12:17 … which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.    

Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel]. What is the Gospel, the good news?  Well you may say 2Pe 3:4 … Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. The good news is the promise has been fulfilled.  He has arrived.  I have seen him and am here to share this good news with you.

Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Remember Acts 7:38, this is the church that was in the wilderness with Moses.  And Exodus 4:22 God saying Israel the nation was His first born.  They are all one and the same.

Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.  [Do not rely on hand outs even from the church, unless your work does not provide.  Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat]. 

Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: Act 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. [Jews who keep the law also believe.  Keeping the law and belief in the Messiah do not conflict.  Neither is Paul accused of teaching breach of the law; but of customs.  Remember in Acts 6:13 this was false witness accusations.  Yahshua taught the same against traditions of men in Mat 15:3, 6; Mark 7:8, 13).

Act 21:24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walk orderly, and keep the law. … to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. [To prove to the Jews in Jerusalem the accusations of him was false, Paul follows the apostles’ advice and follows what is required in the law.] [At a bible study I heard it explained that Paul was asked to “pay” for the sacrifices of the other men.  This was either in some translations or commentary on the verse. It is infact another attempt of non law keepers to try and claim Paul was not keeping the law.  The meaning of the verse is clearly Paul being asked to join himself with the other men and purify himself according to the law with them so the assembly will see with their own eyes Paul walks orderly and keeps the law!  No money is mentioned in the verse.  In today’s society one cannot go to prison for another’s crime.  Spiritually one cannot pay for another’s sin or sacrifice.  It has to come from the giver. Also there is a clear difference between “with” and “for”.  The verse says Paul is to do things “with” others not “for” them!

Act 21:27  And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, [the kept feast lasted seven days]. 

Act 21:29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) [Paul had not brought the Greeks / gentiles into the temple.  We have seen those who had turned to God customarily went to the synagogues and kept the feast.  See “proselytes” in Acts 2:10, 6:5, 13:43.  In fact the Jews were known to convert gentiles to follow Yahweh God, (see Matt 23:15). 

Acts 22:12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,  [Paul says Ananias, a believer in the Messiah, to whom he was directed by Yahshua to get healed of his blindness, was a devout keeper of the law of God.  If we want to call Ananias a “Christian” we must realise he was a keeper of the law].

Act 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou should know his will, and see that Just One, and should hear the voice of his mouth. [God’s will and voice of his son is mentioned.  As two criteria mentioned above in Act 20:21].

Act 22:16 And now why tarry thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Yahweh according to Strong’s concordance). [Sin still exist, repentance and forgiveness still necessary; but rather than through the high priest it is on the name of Yahweh.

Act 22:17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; [Paul went to Jerusalem and temple to pray. In this chapter he calls himself a Jew and a Roman, never anything else nor a change of title i.e. to Christian.  See 23:6.. of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.].

Act 22:19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: [believers were also in temple and synagogues].

Acts 23:5 Paul quotes and shows he keeps the law. V6 He is a Pharisee, believer in the resurrection.  Maybe that is why he was chosen rather than a Sadducee expert in the law. V11 He is to be witness of Yahshua’s resurrection in Jerusalem and in Rome.

Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: [Paul seen as part of a new Jewish sect, of the Nazarenes from where Yahshua came. So now there is a third sect in addition to Pharisee and Sadducee.  The reason why both Jewish sect leaders were upset with Paul is that he was calling Jews to accept Yahshua as the promised Messiah, thereby threatening their leadership position as with Joh 11:48 “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation”].

Act 24:11 Because that thou may understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. [Here is the confirmation of Paul’s reason for going to Jerusalem, to worship on the feast day according to the law, not to teach]

Act 24:12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Act 24:13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. Act 24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: Act 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Act 24:21  Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.  [Not against the law or teaching against the law because he did not.  He taught the law in its entirety should be kept; but Yahshua’s sacrifice now forgives sins].

Act 24:24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Act 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way... [All spoken of and relating to sin and the law].

Act 25:8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all. Act 25:19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Acts 26:4  My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Act 26:5  Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straightest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Act 26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

Act 26:7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Act 26:8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

Act 26:11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

Act 26:17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Act 26:19 … I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: Act 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Act 26:22  … saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: Act 26:23  That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. [This is the “fulfil” spoken of in Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.] 

Act 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuade me to be a Christian. [Paul and other apostles never referred to themselves as Christian; but Jews.  Agrippa was using the term used by other heathen “Christian” follower of god or anointed one. But of which god or anointed by who?  We read elsewhere the heathen had numerous gods and in Acts 14:12-13 they thought Paul and Barnabas were gods of Jupiter and Mercury.  Jesus said there shall be false Christ (anointed ones).  The Greek word Christos is associated with Krishna the Hindu god. In reply Paul did not say yes, similar or accepted the name.  Rather than get distracted off the topic, he tactfully said he wished they were as he is.  If he taught himself a Christian he would simply have said yes v29. Instead elsewhere he affirms he is a Jew Act 21:39, 22:3 sect of].

Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, [“fast” another name for the Day of Atonement as that is the only one of the feast days (appointed times) on which everyone should fast; Lev 23:27-29).

Acts 28:6  Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. [Again we see the thought pattern of another superstitious heathen group in their thinking Paul was a god].

Act 28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou think: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against. [Paul and the apostles were known as teachers of a new Jewish sect originating in Nazareth].

Act 28:23  And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Act 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. [As a result of expounding Old Testament, believers in the Messiah are born.  It is always from the Old Testament NOT the new as taught today].

Act 28:25 …Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers… [The Holy Ghost is not a mere New Testament appearance.  It was Him speaking through the prophets to Old Testament Israel.  The Old Testament is a record of the Holy Spirit’s and Yahweh’s teachings]. 

Act 28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: Act 28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

The same problem the Holy Spirit and God had with the former generations who thought they were following Yahweh, is the same with the present.  They read their bible, go to church, sow their financial seeds etc but yet do not understand.  Their eyes have been closed by preachers of what they want to hear with their hearts. The joyous dancing music, gifts claim to have, a sense of belonging to a church or the miraculous healing received.  The verse says lest they should see, hear, understand and be converted then He will heal them.  If they have not done these things, are they really healed and if so by whom.  

The bible is the account of a God who rescued His chosen people, literally from Egypt so Exo 7:16  And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness:…. It also concludes with a similar rescuing from the world.  A spiritual one so in the new heaven and earth they do as they should have done in the old; but this time serve him in a new heaven and earth Psa 105:43 And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness: Psa 105:44 And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people; Psa 105:45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise you the LORD.

We are called to be righteous.  To assist in achieving that I will end with some psalms which should not need any elaboration.  They direct the way back to God.

Psa 119:172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Psa 128:1 Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walks in his ways. Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  Come and claim your right to your inheritance.  Keep the commandments of God as given through Moses and these are more than the so called 10. 

Hopefully we have seen Paul did not start a new church with the Gentiles people.  First God calls His children, then His children’s children i.e. children being the Jews and the children’s children the other nations (gentiles). Same calling, same voice, same route.  One baptism, one faith in one God, Yahweh.  A political party that changes its leader or a policy does not become a new party neither does a congregation (denomination) that takes on a new pastor or teaching when they realise what the scriptures actually means.  This is the same with Yahweh’s church that started in the wilderness with Moses (Acts 7:42).  That congregation were told they would get a new leader (Deu 18:15) who they were to follow.  The same as prophesised by John the Baptist.  That did not turn the Hebrew Jews into Greek Christians!!  They remained Israelites, Jews and simply became believers in the Messiah of their prophecies.   A new Jewish belief that differed from that of the Pharisees and Sadducee sects. 

The Christian division was an anti-Jew concoction by the Church of Rome who hijacked the apostles’ church by killing them and taking over.  Then introducing their pagan holidays and beliefs with camouflage reasoning as Passover becoming Ishtar (Easter) and other things too many to go into here.  Luke 21:8 do not be deceived, many shall come teaching Christ; but it would contain poisonous theology.  2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

2Ti 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures ( OLD TESTAMENT as no new at that time) , which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Shalom.