Warning: session_start(): open(/var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80/sess_iv0rom6b26sdivhdl7ek8hisk0, O_RDWR) failed: No space left on device (28) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Book-Discussion/bookdiscuss.php on line 2
Warning: session_start(): Failed to read session data: files (path: /var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Book-Discussion/bookdiscuss.php on line 2 Acts Chapter 10 Discussion
May we be able to discern the mind of the LORD JESUS CHRIST as we go about our daily lives. Doors to be opened for us as it was for Peter and Cornelius. So much to do before I go into eternity or others to pass on without knowing the peace of GOD through the salvation of the LORD.
Let us increase our prayer time, our reading of the Bible, and witnessing to the lost.
Thank you brethren for your faithfulness on this forum. GOD to shine HIS wonderful face on all the saints. Let us pray faithfully and diligently for the "apple of GOD'S eye", the peace in Jerusalem as well as in other war torn areas. The saints in Armenia and the LORD'S mission fields.
Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year every one. May the peace of GOD be upon you and your family.
Isaiah 9:
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Acts 10 has nothing to do with food, God was using it as example to teach Peter that the common/unclean/Ethnos people are not so common/unclean after all.
Peter knew the food laws.
Cornelius/an Ethnos, a captain over a hundred men/ethnos of the cohort called the Italian band, was a pious/devout man
He was told in a vision to send men to Joppa and send for one Simon, who is surnamed Peter.
The Angel of God came to Peter three times and told him to eat of the creatures in the vessel,,, while he was in a trance.
Peter knew the food laws
While Peter was Now while Peter was perplexed in himself what this vision which he had seen should be, behold, the men/ethnos
which were sent from Cornelius/devout man having inquired carefully for Simon's house, and stood at the gate,asking for Peter.
While Peter turned over in his mind the vision, the angel of God said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee.
Now fast forwarding to verse 28 And he said unto them, "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto aliens; but Me God shewed that I should call no man common or unclean.
Have you noticed we can do, eat, act, drink, anything, anyway we want but there's long-term consequences, sometimes immediate consequences. Many of the foods GOD's law given to Moses for Israel are found to be linked to disease, obesity, diabetes, etc, etc. Pork & strong alcohol drinks related to dementia. Even in patience in their 30's.
It seems that you have asked two different questions in your post.
For the first, In Acts 10, God shows Peter that all foods are made clean for our consumption with the vision of a sheet with all kinds of unclean foods according to the Torah Law. God told Peter to take and eat. Peter objected since he had never eaten any unclean foods before. But God insisted. This vision came to him three times in one night while he was on the rooftop praying.
In this passage not only does God make all foods clean for eating, but He used this to demonstrate that He also has made Gentiles clean by the saving work of Jesus. Jews were not ever to touch Gentiles. So, God said, what I have made clean do not consider common or unclean. The next morning a mand came to the door asking for Peter, just as God had said would happen. The man took Peter to the house of Cornelius (a Gentile) whereby Peter spoke the Gospel to Cornelius and the other Gentiles . there. These people immediately believed the Gospel message and were saved. Peter then understood the deeper meaning of the vision.
As to your second question. In John 8:2-11 you will find the account of a woman caught in the very act of adultery. The leaders drag her out to be stoned to death as was the legal penalty for such a sin. Jesus goes on to forgive the woman and tells her to go and sin no more. So, yes, adultery is forgiven through Jesus and His work of salvation.
Tongues simply means languages ,.. an only God can make that happen,.. it means the people listening, will understand it by there own language, the person that God will speak threw , will say every word clearly, understandably , as to the language that each person hearing has grown up to ,.. only God has this ability.
1 Cor 12 is the chapter you need to read concerning spiritual gifts. The Book of Acts records the acts of the disciples in obedience to Jesus great commission to go into all the world carrying the message of repentence, baptism in His Name and the receiving of the Holy Ghost they had experienced. I cannot give you all you need to know in this format, but Jesus said, "If you seek, you shall find." First, repent, be baptized into the new covenant , in Jesus Name, then you shall receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Acts 2:38 This is the new birth and essential to be a disciple of Jesus and do what the original disciples did. Be careful that you believe God's Word and not allow, as Eve, the voice of the deceiver, satan to cause you to question God's Word, for the Word of God will be the judge of our lives, whether we have obeyed it. Rev. 19:11-21. The very fact that you are seeking understanding is a sign that the Spirit of God wants to lead you into all that Jesus died to give humanity. Except the Spirit of God draws man to Him, they cannot be saved from His wrath and many have hardened their hearts and are refusing to believe that God is the only God, who made a fleshly body for Himself and lived, taught, suffered Calvary, was buried and rose again to leave us the example and the plan of redemption from our state of sin into which all are born. God chooses to use people to speak His words because He is God and we must obey Him even though we will never understand His ways, nor His thoughts, for that is why we must know Him, love Him and trust Him in faith that He will do what His Word has said. Luke 4:4 Jesus said,"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Jesus is the answer to all your questions, so seek Him and His presence and study His Word, for He is the Word made flesh.
I will pray that God lead you into greater revelation of Him and the relationship He desires to have with humanity.
If I may ask a few questions. You speak of the events that took place in Acts Chapter 2 which I would be the first to say that what took place there was something very powerful and awesome. I can only imagine what those people there were thinking when they heard those who were there speaking in tongues (their own native languages).
How would you compare that with what is taking place in our churches today as far as "tongues" are concerned? You mention "cloven tongues of fire was manifested." Can you tell me what that means? You mention an initial sign of a new birth and that once we are born-again, we are enabled to pray in the Spirit in this heavenly language that Satan cannot understand. What does it mean to pray in a heavenly language? What is a heavenly language?
You mention a "gift of tongues," but no place in scripture does it say this is given to any believer. A gift is something that is given to someone, but where in scripture does it say the gift of tongues is given to anyone? There is only one place I know of in the original text that the word gift is used as in reference to a gift that is given, and it is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
You mention that we can receive the gift of tongues when we have been born again of the water and the Spirit, which is for the edifying of the body of Christ. Can you explain how speaking in tongues edifies the body of Christ? If the body of Christ is gathered together in fellowship, and everyone knows English, why would God use a language that no one understands to get His message across to them?
Lastly, what is this "Initial tongue when we receive the Holy Ghost as a sign of our new birth?" What would you say to those who claim to be born of God's Spirit but have never received an initial tongue as evidence or a "sign" that they have been born of God's Spirit?
I'm sorry if I'm asking too many questions. It is not my intent to offend you or anyone else who speaks in tongues. Thank you so much for your time!
As the disciples and women gathered in the upper room after Jesus ascended, tarried in prayer and expectation, the Holy Ghost, the comforter Jesus had told them would come and be in them, who is Jesus, for He told them He would be in them, cloven tongues of fire was manifested as the Holy Ghost filled each human body with power and they spoke with tongues as the Holy Ghost gave the utterance. They were born again as Jesus had told Nicodemus is essential to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This was the initial sign of the new birth. Once we are born again, Jesus lives inside us and we are enabled to pray in the Spirit in this heavenly language that Satan cannot understand. Yes, we can receive the gift of tongues, which is given to those who have been born again of the water and the Spirit, which is for the edifying of the body of Christ and also the interpretation of those tongues when the Spirit uses humans to speak to His people.
There is an initial tongue when we receive the Holy Ghost as a sign of our new birth. Paul said "I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all." He referred to praying in the Spirit, which is praying in an unknown language that can only take place by the Spirit of God. Then there is the gift of tongues given to some by God, which are messages from God to His people and the interpretation of these tongues also comes from the Holy Ghost, indwelling our human bodies. Yes, those who are filled with the Holy Ghost as the scripture says the disciples were speak with tongues today. I received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in a heavenly language as the Spirit gave me the utterance. As I continued in prayer and obedience to His Word, I prayed "in the Spirit" as Paul, for Jesus, who lives in me makes intercession for what I do not know to pray, for the Spirit of God knows everything. I have also been used by the Spirit of God to give messages in tongues and interpetation for the edifying and encouraging of the body of Christ.
There is only one gift that a person is given when they receive Christ. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit. There is no other "gift" that is given to a believer. Tongues was never given as a gift in the early church and it is not given as a gift today. There are many today who speak in "tongues" but how do we know if it's from God? Personally, what I see taking place in the church today is not the tongues that the bible speaks of.
As to the second part of your question, "how does one know that the person who has the gift of translation is actually translating the true message spoken by the person with the gift of tongues?"
That is a great question. How can we know? Also, there is no such thing as the gift of translation. No place in scripture says that anyone needs to translate tongues. In Acts Chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit fell on those who spoke in tongues, no one needed to translate. Those who heard them speak in tongues knew what was being spoken because it was in their own native languages and dialect. They did not need a translator.
In 1 Corinthians 14:27 where it says let one interpret, the word interpret does not mean to translate. It mean to explain. And that's what took place in Acts Chapter 2. There was no need to translate what was being said, but they did give an explanation!
One night while laying bed and praying I was overcome by the Spirit, and I started speaking rather praying in tongues the next thing I know is that it was morning and I had prayed in tongues the whole night. So, I know they do exist are a sign of having the Holy Ghost, Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Now as far as interpretations and Prophesying I'm sure it exists but knowing whether the person is really doing it I don't know if you can tell. I've attended Churches that do it speak and interpret it felt strange. I can tell you this that all gifts and answers to prayers depend on our righteousness, James 5:16
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
King James Version (KJV)
I suggest you do a word search on tongues and study it, comparing all the verses which pertain to it and pray because many times when I have a question on scripture it's revealed at a later time while I'm reading or sometime while praying. But the most important thing is obeying God's word, but one must know it to obey. Here are some verses to help you in understanding God's word: 2 Timothy 2:15, John 14:26, 1 John 2:27, Romans 12:1 I'm not sure why or how I begun speaking in tongues, but I do know it's a sign of having the Holy ghost as we see happen in ACTS, In ACTS there is a verse that says in reference to it that says they only yet believe and have not received the Holy ghost as we. I believe that if you are truly saved the baptism of the Holy Ghost happens so the believing in Jesus is emphasized by believing it in your heart, like it's real, knowing it with doubt. John 5:39
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
faith without works is dead, read, study, pray, and serve God, faithfulness in whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord not man. Obedience.
Do people still have the gift of tongues today? Also, how does one know that the person who has the gift of translation is actually translating the true message spoken by the person with the gift of tongues?
Each of us walk as Christ calls us to walk. We are individuals, and God is able to work individually in the billions of people in existence on earth today.
2Corinthians:4:6-7
"For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
May we let His light shine out of each of us so those in darkness can see the desirableness of Christ in us.
I've read that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin when persecution broke out against the early church, and one of the requirements for being in the Sanhedrin is that the person be married. GiGi, I also believe that either Paul's wife had either passed away or she divorced him because of his conversion. Whatever the case may be, we don't know. But he says I'm single, and I wished, not commanding, but I wished that everybody was as I myself.
Brothers Chris and David, you make some excellent points. Paul spoke about how a married man or married woman might be distracted because their focus would be on how they might please one another instead of on Christ. It seems as though this would be a natural thing for one who's married. So Paul may have experienced this both ways, being married, and then later on being single.
Paul says in Acts 26:10 "Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison." He goes on to say that many of the saints that believed in Jesus of Nazareth, I shut them up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
And then it's interesting where he says that when they were put to death, "I gave my voice against them." This means that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. He voted for the death penalty against Christians. Only the Sanhedrin could cast a vote for the death penalty.
We know back in Acts Chapter 7, especially with Stephen, that Paul was there to oversee it. And what the witnesses would do, the witnesses had to do the stoning, but they would take their overcoats off and lay them at the feet of the man that is in charge of overseeing the execution, and so they laid them at the feet of a man named Saul.
And here he's telling them "I was active in shutting them up in prison having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I was voting, I gave my voice against them.
Amen Sister. As the apostle said of the Lord, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Sufficient Grace for every need, even a life of singleness; finding even greater delight in the Lord's closeness, comfort & counsel.
Brother Jesse. I have heard of this too: that Paul was a married man before his conversion & call. Not from historical records, but appealing to the nature of the position of the Pharisee. Paul spoke of himself as once being "a Hebrew of the Hebrews" ( Philippians 3:5) & 'extremely zealous of his ancestral traditions' ( Galatians 1:14; Acts 22:3). Marriage was the norm for Pharisees & it was also required to hold a rabbinical position. The thought is: "Paul could hardly have set himself forth as an exemplar of Pharisaical piety had he not been married."
So, indeed, Paul did "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" ( Philippians 3:8). Obviously, he was referring to the wealth of knowledge & interpretation of the Scriptures that had to be cast aside so that Christ might be fully apprehended, but I wonder whether he included, in his 'new' single state, that this had to be his lot for the furtherance of this newly acquired powerful Gospel that he had received & which filled him?
This has for sure been an interesting thread on marriage and divorce. I do agree with you that Paul being single allowed him to completely focus on what the Lord would have him to do without distraction. He mentions that all would be like him, single ( 1 Corinthians 7:7). But I believe that Paul was at one time married before his conversion and then divorced at the time he wrote 1 Corinthians. There is evidence that causes me to believe he was married at one time. Have you ever heard this before?
One thing, I know that thinking that divorced people are to remain single is sad to think about in some ways, but it is also sad to think about single people who have never married and really want to be married. I have a brother wo is my age who as never married. He probably once wanted to find someone to love all his life, but didn't find that one person. I have another brother who is divorced and has been single for over 20 years now. Being single in either situation is not a bad thing. God can use people in this situation and fulfill them as well. It is not any more burdensome for divorced people to remain single as it is for someone who never married as far as singleness goes. (If children were born of the marriage, that is its own heartache). God is able to be with single adults in wonderful ways just as with married adults.
Being single allowed Paul to fulfill his call to bring the to so many different parts of the known world at that time. If he was married, he would be divided between his obligation to his family and is obligation to is calling.
Let us increase our prayer time, our reading of the Bible, and witnessing to the lost.
Thank you brethren for your faithfulness on this forum. GOD to shine HIS wonderful face on all the saints. Let us pray faithfully and diligently for the "apple of GOD'S eye", the peace in Jerusalem as well as in other war torn areas. The saints in Armenia and the LORD'S mission fields.
Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year every one. May the peace of GOD be upon you and your family.
Isaiah 9:
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Acts 10 has nothing to do with food, God was using it as example to teach Peter that the common/unclean/Ethnos people are not so common/unclean after all.
Peter knew the food laws.
Cornelius/an Ethnos, a captain over a hundred men/ethnos of the cohort called the Italian band, was a pious/devout man
He was told in a vision to send men to Joppa and send for one Simon, who is surnamed Peter.
The Angel of God came to Peter three times and told him to eat of the creatures in the vessel,,, while he was in a trance.
Peter knew the food laws
While Peter was Now while Peter was perplexed in himself what this vision which he had seen should be, behold, the men/ethnos
which were sent from Cornelius/devout man having inquired carefully for Simon's house, and stood at the gate,asking for Peter.
While Peter turned over in his mind the vision, the angel of God said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee.
Now fast forwarding to verse 28 And he said unto them, "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto aliens; but Me God shewed that I should call no man common or unclean.
Leviticus 11, Isaiah 66:17,
Have you noticed we can do, eat, act, drink, anything, anyway we want but there's long-term consequences, sometimes immediate consequences. Many of the foods GOD's law given to Moses for Israel are found to be linked to disease, obesity, diabetes, etc, etc. Pork & strong alcohol drinks related to dementia. Even in patience in their 30's.
So, as Paul said, above._._
Hopefully these are helpful
It seems that you have asked two different questions in your post.
For the first, In Acts 10, God shows Peter that all foods are made clean for our consumption with the vision of a sheet with all kinds of unclean foods according to the Torah Law. God told Peter to take and eat. Peter objected since he had never eaten any unclean foods before. But God insisted. This vision came to him three times in one night while he was on the rooftop praying.
In this passage not only does God make all foods clean for eating, but He used this to demonstrate that He also has made Gentiles clean by the saving work of Jesus. Jews were not ever to touch Gentiles. So, God said, what I have made clean do not consider common or unclean. The next morning a mand came to the door asking for Peter, just as God had said would happen. The man took Peter to the house of Cornelius (a Gentile) whereby Peter spoke the Gospel to Cornelius and the other Gentiles . there. These people immediately believed the Gospel message and were saved. Peter then understood the deeper meaning of the vision.
As to your second question. In John 8:2-11 you will find the account of a woman caught in the very act of adultery. The leaders drag her out to be stoned to death as was the legal penalty for such a sin. Jesus goes on to forgive the woman and tells her to go and sin no more. So, yes, adultery is forgiven through Jesus and His work of salvation.
I will pray that God lead you into greater revelation of Him and the relationship He desires to have with humanity.
In Jesus Name.
If I may ask a few questions. You speak of the events that took place in Acts Chapter 2 which I would be the first to say that what took place there was something very powerful and awesome. I can only imagine what those people there were thinking when they heard those who were there speaking in tongues (their own native languages).
How would you compare that with what is taking place in our churches today as far as "tongues" are concerned? You mention "cloven tongues of fire was manifested." Can you tell me what that means? You mention an initial sign of a new birth and that once we are born-again, we are enabled to pray in the Spirit in this heavenly language that Satan cannot understand. What does it mean to pray in a heavenly language? What is a heavenly language?
You mention a "gift of tongues," but no place in scripture does it say this is given to any believer. A gift is something that is given to someone, but where in scripture does it say the gift of tongues is given to anyone? There is only one place I know of in the original text that the word gift is used as in reference to a gift that is given, and it is the gift of the Holy Spirit.
You mention that we can receive the gift of tongues when we have been born again of the water and the Spirit, which is for the edifying of the body of Christ. Can you explain how speaking in tongues edifies the body of Christ? If the body of Christ is gathered together in fellowship, and everyone knows English, why would God use a language that no one understands to get His message across to them?
Lastly, what is this "Initial tongue when we receive the Holy Ghost as a sign of our new birth?" What would you say to those who claim to be born of God's Spirit but have never received an initial tongue as evidence or a "sign" that they have been born of God's Spirit?
I'm sorry if I'm asking too many questions. It is not my intent to offend you or anyone else who speaks in tongues. Thank you so much for your time!
There is an initial tongue when we receive the Holy Ghost as a sign of our new birth. Paul said "I thank God I speak in tongues more than you all." He referred to praying in the Spirit, which is praying in an unknown language that can only take place by the Spirit of God. Then there is the gift of tongues given to some by God, which are messages from God to His people and the interpretation of these tongues also comes from the Holy Ghost, indwelling our human bodies. Yes, those who are filled with the Holy Ghost as the scripture says the disciples were speak with tongues today. I received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in a heavenly language as the Spirit gave me the utterance. As I continued in prayer and obedience to His Word, I prayed "in the Spirit" as Paul, for Jesus, who lives in me makes intercession for what I do not know to pray, for the Spirit of God knows everything. I have also been used by the Spirit of God to give messages in tongues and interpetation for the edifying and encouraging of the body of Christ.
Romans 11:29, Romans 12:5-21, Acts 2, Acts 10:46, Acts 19:6,
* 1 Corinthians 12, whole chapter speaks of Spiritual gifts. Ephesians 4:4-25, these chapters: 1 Corinthians 13, 1Corinthians 14, also covers 'Speaking in tongues '
Hopefully these are helpful in your searching for true understanding
There is only one gift that a person is given when they receive Christ. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit. There is no other "gift" that is given to a believer. Tongues was never given as a gift in the early church and it is not given as a gift today. There are many today who speak in "tongues" but how do we know if it's from God? Personally, what I see taking place in the church today is not the tongues that the bible speaks of.
As to the second part of your question, "how does one know that the person who has the gift of translation is actually translating the true message spoken by the person with the gift of tongues?"
That is a great question. How can we know? Also, there is no such thing as the gift of translation. No place in scripture says that anyone needs to translate tongues. In Acts Chapter 2, when the Holy Spirit fell on those who spoke in tongues, no one needed to translate. Those who heard them speak in tongues knew what was being spoken because it was in their own native languages and dialect. They did not need a translator.
In 1 Corinthians 14:27 where it says let one interpret, the word interpret does not mean to translate. It mean to explain. And that's what took place in Acts Chapter 2. There was no need to translate what was being said, but they did give an explanation!
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
King James Version (KJV)
I suggest you do a word search on tongues and study it, comparing all the verses which pertain to it and pray because many times when I have a question on scripture it's revealed at a later time while I'm reading or sometime while praying. But the most important thing is obeying God's word, but one must know it to obey. Here are some verses to help you in understanding God's word: 2 Timothy 2:15, John 14:26, 1 John 2:27, Romans 12:1 I'm not sure why or how I begun speaking in tongues, but I do know it's a sign of having the Holy ghost as we see happen in ACTS, In ACTS there is a verse that says in reference to it that says they only yet believe and have not received the Holy ghost as we. I believe that if you are truly saved the baptism of the Holy Ghost happens so the believing in Jesus is emphasized by believing it in your heart, like it's real, knowing it with doubt. John 5:39
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
faith without works is dead, read, study, pray, and serve God, faithfulness in whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord not man. Obedience.
best and that is why Jesus Christ hand picked Him so to speak because He knew his heart was right just
he just needed a Holy Adjustment figuratively speaking.
That is interesting information.
Each of us walk as Christ calls us to walk. We are individuals, and God is able to work individually in the billions of people in existence on earth today.
2Corinthians:4:6-7
"For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."
May we let His light shine out of each of us so those in darkness can see the desirableness of Christ in us.
I've read that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin when persecution broke out against the early church, and one of the requirements for being in the Sanhedrin is that the person be married. GiGi, I also believe that either Paul's wife had either passed away or she divorced him because of his conversion. Whatever the case may be, we don't know. But he says I'm single, and I wished, not commanding, but I wished that everybody was as I myself.
Brothers Chris and David, you make some excellent points. Paul spoke about how a married man or married woman might be distracted because their focus would be on how they might please one another instead of on Christ. It seems as though this would be a natural thing for one who's married. So Paul may have experienced this both ways, being married, and then later on being single.
Paul says in Acts 26:10 "Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison." He goes on to say that many of the saints that believed in Jesus of Nazareth, I shut them up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;
And then it's interesting where he says that when they were put to death, "I gave my voice against them." This means that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. He voted for the death penalty against Christians. Only the Sanhedrin could cast a vote for the death penalty.
We know back in Acts Chapter 7, especially with Stephen, that Paul was there to oversee it. And what the witnesses would do, the witnesses had to do the stoning, but they would take their overcoats off and lay them at the feet of the man that is in charge of overseeing the execution, and so they laid them at the feet of a man named Saul.
And here he's telling them "I was active in shutting them up in prison having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I was voting, I gave my voice against them.
the gospel, I.E. giving His credentials according to the flesh under the law Philippians 3:1-15 and in Galatians
all of Chapter one because of how many believers were walking away from what he taught.
a child. Got to look onto that one again, by the way Hi.
So, indeed, Paul did "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" ( Philippians 3:8). Obviously, he was referring to the wealth of knowledge & interpretation of the Scriptures that had to be cast aside so that Christ might be fully apprehended, but I wonder whether he included, in his 'new' single state, that this had to be his lot for the furtherance of this newly acquired powerful Gospel that he had received & which filled him?
"He (Paul) mentions that (He wished) all would be like him, single!"
I'm losing my marbles!
This has for sure been an interesting thread on marriage and divorce. I do agree with you that Paul being single allowed him to completely focus on what the Lord would have him to do without distraction. He mentions that all would be like him, single ( 1 Corinthians 7:7). But I believe that Paul was at one time married before his conversion and then divorced at the time he wrote 1 Corinthians. There is evidence that causes me to believe he was married at one time. Have you ever heard this before?
One thing, I know that thinking that divorced people are to remain single is sad to think about in some ways, but it is also sad to think about single people who have never married and really want to be married. I have a brother wo is my age who as never married. He probably once wanted to find someone to love all his life, but didn't find that one person. I have another brother who is divorced and has been single for over 20 years now. Being single in either situation is not a bad thing. God can use people in this situation and fulfill them as well. It is not any more burdensome for divorced people to remain single as it is for someone who never married as far as singleness goes. (If children were born of the marriage, that is its own heartache). God is able to be with single adults in wonderful ways just as with married adults.
Being single allowed Paul to fulfill his call to bring the to so many different parts of the known world at that time. If he was married, he would be divided between his obligation to his family and is obligation to is calling.