Paul makes contact with the Roman Jews [ Paul wants to establish good relations with the Jews of Rome as soon as possible. He gives a brief account of his trail, and for the last time protests his loyalty to Judaism.]
After three days he called together the leading Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, 'Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and would have set me free, since they found me guilty of nothing involving the death penalty; but the Jews lodged an objection, and I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation to make against my own nation. [ Western Text add. 'but merely wished to escape death'.] That is why I asked to see you and talk to you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear this chain.'
They answered, [ The reply is cautious.] We have received no letters from Judaea about you, nor has any countryman of yours arrived here with any report or story of anything to your discredit. We think it would be as well to hear your own account of your position; all we know about this sect is that opinion everywhere condemns it.' - Acts 28:17-22 -
Paul's declaration to the Roman Jews [ In Rome also Paul preaches the gospel first to the Jews, cf. 13:5+. The summary of this preaching should be compared with the opening discourse in Pisidian Antioch, 13:15-41.]
So they arranged a day with him and a large number of them visited him at his lodgings. He put his case to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them about Jesus, arguing from the Law of Moses and the prophets. This went on from early morning until evening, and some were convinced by what he said, while the rest were sceptical. So they disagreed among themselves and, as they went away, Paul had one last thing to say to them, [ Paul's words are reminiscent of those following his discourse at Antioch, 13:46-47. They constitute the finale of Acts, and sound its dominant note, cf. 13:41+. They recall the vision of the future offered by Jesus at the end of his discourse in Nazareth, Luke 4:23-27, and in his last words to the apostles, Luke 24:47. The text from Is. 6:9-10 (LXX), is also used in Matt. 13:14-15 (cf. Mark 4:12p) and in part, in John 12:40. Both theme and text are common places of early Christianity.]
How aptly the Holy Spirit spoke when he told your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah:
Go to this nation and say:
You will hear and hear again but not understand,
see and see again, bot not perceive.
For the heart of this nation has grown coarse,
their ears are dull of hearing and they have shut their eyes,
for fear they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and be converted
and be healed by me.
'Understand, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the pagans; they will listen to it.' [ The Western Text (followed by the Antiochene recension) adds v. 29 'And when he had said this, the Jews left, arguing hotly between themselves'.]
Epilogue [ Thus Paul arrived in Rome which brings one period of evangelisation to a close, cf. Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8+, and is presented as the starting point for a further advance of Christianity. Before Luke had finished his gospel he had opened up wide horizons to the apostolic mission; his Book of Acts ends with the same prospect for the future.]
Paul spent the whole of the two years [ The same technical term as in 24:27. Paul, therefore, has been under the custodia militaris for the legal period during which his case should have been tried. This suggests that the trail did not in fact take place, probably because there was no one to accuse him. The legal period over, Paul must have been released; Phm 22 looks forward to his approaching liberation. During these two years Paul wrote his letters to the Colossians and to the Ephesians as well as his note to Philemon.] in his own rented lodging.
Paul welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone. [ Western Text add. 'saying that this is he, Jesus, the son of God, by whom the whole world is destined to be judged', cf. 17:31. On Paul's ministry after his discharge, his second imprisonment, and his death see the Introduction to the Letters of Saint/Apostle Paul.]
WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY. Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, and the fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear Him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. - Matthew 10:28 -
'Fear God and praise Him because the time has come for Him to sit in judgement; worship the maker of heaven and earth and sea and every water-spring.' - Revelation 14:7 -
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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
After three days he called together the leading Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, 'Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and would have set me free, since they found me guilty of nothing involving the death penalty; but the Jews lodged an objection, and I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation to make against my own nation. [ Western Text add. 'but merely wished to escape death'.] That is why I asked to see you and talk to you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear this chain.'
They answered, [ The reply is cautious.] We have received no letters from Judaea about you, nor has any countryman of yours arrived here with any report or story of anything to your discredit. We think it would be as well to hear your own account of your position; all we know about this sect is that opinion everywhere condemns it.' - Acts 28:17-22 -
Paul's declaration to the Roman Jews [ In Rome also Paul preaches the gospel first to the Jews, cf. 13:5+. The summary of this preaching should be compared with the opening discourse in Pisidian Antioch, 13:15-41.]
So they arranged a day with him and a large number of them visited him at his lodgings. He put his case to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them about Jesus, arguing from the Law of Moses and the prophets. This went on from early morning until evening, and some were convinced by what he said, while the rest were sceptical. So they disagreed among themselves and, as they went away, Paul had one last thing to say to them, [ Paul's words are reminiscent of those following his discourse at Antioch, 13:46-47. They constitute the finale of Acts, and sound its dominant note, cf. 13:41+. They recall the vision of the future offered by Jesus at the end of his discourse in Nazareth, Luke 4:23-27, and in his last words to the apostles, Luke 24:47. The text from Is. 6:9-10 (LXX), is also used in Matt. 13:14-15 (cf. Mark 4:12p) and in part, in John 12:40. Both theme and text are common places of early Christianity.]
How aptly the Holy Spirit spoke when he told your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah:
Go to this nation and say:
You will hear and hear again but not understand,
see and see again, bot not perceive.
For the heart of this nation has grown coarse,
their ears are dull of hearing and they have shut their eyes,
for fear they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and be converted
and be healed by me.
'Understand, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the pagans; they will listen to it.' [ The Western Text (followed by the Antiochene recension) adds v. 29 'And when he had said this, the Jews left, arguing hotly between themselves'.]
Epilogue [ Thus Paul arrived in Rome which brings one period of evangelisation to a close, cf. Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8+, and is presented as the starting point for a further advance of Christianity. Before Luke had finished his gospel he had opened up wide horizons to the apostolic mission; his Book of Acts ends with the same prospect for the future.]
Paul spent the whole of the two years [ The same technical term as in 24:27. Paul, therefore, has been under the custodia militaris for the legal period during which his case should have been tried. This suggests that the trail did not in fact take place, probably because there was no one to accuse him. The legal period over, Paul must have been released; Phm 22 looks forward to his approaching liberation. During these two years Paul wrote his letters to the Colossians and to the Ephesians as well as his note to Philemon.] in his own rented lodging.
Paul welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone. [ Western Text add. 'saying that this is he, Jesus, the son of God, by whom the whole world is destined to be judged', cf. 17:31. On Paul's ministry after his discharge, his second imprisonment, and his death see the Introduction to the Letters of Saint/Apostle Paul.]
WELCOME TO SACRED SCRIPTURE / WORD OF GOD / HOLY BIBLE READER'S COMMUNITY. Wishing you, 'Happy Reading', and may God, the Father, the Son of the living God, Jesus Christ, fills your heart, mind, thoughts, and grants you: The Holy Spirit, that is, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, and the fear of the Lord, and also His fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Trustfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Amen! God blessing be upon you!
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; fear Him rather who can destroy both body and soul in hell. - Matthew 10:28 -
To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after can do no more. I will tell you whom to fear: fear Him who after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. - Luke 12:4-5 -
I shall not call you servants anymore,
because a servant does not know
his/her master's business;
I call you friends,
because I have made known to you
everything I have learnt from my Father. - John 15:15 -
"I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time, in the world to come, Eternal Life." - Luke 18:28-30 -
"I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time, in the world to come, Eternal Life." - Luke 18:28-30 -
We are all aware who it was that said: Vengeance is mine; I will repay. And again: The Lord will judge his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. - Hebrews 10:31 -
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Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I still have many things to say to you but they would be too much for you now. But when the spirit of truth comes, He will lead you to the complete truth, since he will not be speaking as from himself, but will say only what he has learnt; and he will tell you of the things to come.
He will glorify Me, since all he tells you will be taken from what is Mine. Everything the Father has is Mine; that is why I said: all he tells you will be taken from what is Mine. - John 16:12-15 -
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