Who was Paul?

Monday, Feb.27, 2012: Acts 21:39 – 40 (NKJV)            Where was Paul from?

But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”

So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Where was Paul from? Paul was from the seaside town of Tarsus and spoke Greek and Hebrew.

Tuesday, Feb.28, 2012: Acts 22:3 (NKJV)             Where did Paul learn?

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

Where did Paul learn? Paul learnd the Jewish faith in Jerusalem as a disciple of Gameliel. He tells his conversion on the road to Damascus

Wednesday, Feb.29, 2012: Acts 22:4 – 5            What did Paul do to Christians?

I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

What did Paul do to Christians? Paul persecuted Christians to death.

Thursday, March 1, 2012: Acts 22:19 – 21            What Was Paul’s commission?

So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”

What was Paul’s commission? God sent Paul to preach to the gentiles.

Friday, March 2, 2012: Acts 22:23 – 25 (NKJV)            Where was Paul born?

Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

Where was Paul born? Born in Rome, Paul was a Roman citizen by birth.

Paul's Farewell to The Ephesian Elders

Monday, Feb. 20, 2012: Acts 20:17 – 18a, 26 – 27 (NKJV)            Why was Paul innocent?

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you.

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Why was Paul innocent? Some groups keep secrets for the select few. But Paul declares that he openly preached the entire counsel of God.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012: Acts 20:28 (NKJV)             Who appointed the elders?

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Who appointed the elders? The Holy Spirit (not man, nor degree) made the elders overseers to shepherd the flock.

Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012: Acts 20:29 –30 (NKJV)            Is the flock endangered?

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

Is the flock endangered? Yes, it is, from internal and external threats.

Thursday, February 23, 2012: Acts 20:32 (NKJV)            What is the flock’s defense?

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

What is the flock’s defense? The Word of God builds up.

Friday, February 24, 2012: Acts 20:33 –35 (NKJV)             What was Paul’s example?

I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

What was Paul’s example? Paul worked to provide for himself and his companions.

Branches of an Olive Tree

Monday, February 13, 2012: Romans 11:17 – 18 (ESV)                  Can a Christian have arrogance?

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.

Can a Christian have arrogance? In spite of this clear warning in God’s word, it is common for preachers to do so from the pulpit!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012: Romans 11:19 – 20 (ESV)                  What outlook should we have?

Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe.

What outlook should we have? Remember the difference: sinners vs. sinners saved by grace.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012: Romans 11:21 – 22 (ESV)                  Can God be kind and severe?

For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Can God be kind and severe? Yes. The Jews endured the holocaust. Visit the museum.

Thursday, February 16, 2012: Romans 11:23 – 24 (ESV)                  What is the antonym of unbelief?

And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

What is the antonym of unbelief? Faith, in Jesus as Christ (anointed) the Savior and Lord.

Friday, February 17, 2012: Romans 11:25, 28 – 29 (ESV)                  What is the fullness of the Gentiles?

Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

What is the fullness of the Gentiles? The fullness of the Gentiles is this present era. It will end.

Earning or Gift?

Monday, February 6, 2012: Romans 6:3 – 4 (NKJV)            Is this baptism in water?

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Is this baptism in water? No, it is the icon of ‘born again.’

Tuesday, February 7, 2012: Romans 6:7 – 8 (NKJV)            Are we slaves any more?

For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him

Are we slaves any more? No, we are dead to that slavery. We are engaged to Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012: Romans 6:10 – 11 (NKJV)            Is reckoning an accounting term?

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Is reckoning an accounting term? Yes, it is. Count yourself alive and engaged to Jesus Christ.

Thursday, February 9, 2012: Romans 6:12 – 13 (NKJV)            What is presenting?

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

What is presenting? Presenting is offering a gift, in this case, your day and your services to Jesus Christ.

Friday, February 10, 2012: Romans 6:14, 23 (NKJV)            How is a salary different from a gift?

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How is a salary different from a gift? The former is earned and deserver, the latter is God’s grace for life during our engagement and eternal life as the bride of Christ.