Acts
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What is an evangelist?
Ephesians 4:11-12
"11 - And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 - For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:'
The Evangelists mentioned in the above verses are persons that God uses to preach His Word to people.
Philip was an evangelist.
Acts 21:8
"And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of PHILIP THE EVAGELIST which was one of the seven; and abode with him."
We know the story how he went to Samaria and preached the Gospel to Samaritans.
Acts 8:5-8 & Acts 8:40
"5. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8. And there was great joy in that city.
40. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea."
That is how an evangelist works in God's work.
This ministry involves specific persons (male) that God uses to bring His word to masses of people. And how it is proved that they have the specific spiritual gift? Mainly from the results their ministry has. It is Important that God testifies their word. In the case of Philip the whole city believed his preaching and got baptised.
That is completely different from what we use to call an evangelist nowadays. We simply call evangelist someone who talks to people, usually one at a time,, about Jesus Christ. Those, men and women, are actually evangelists since they bring the Good News of God's salvation to people. But they are not the specific ministry that God uses in His church to evangelize whole towns.
GBU
As far as Mose's law is concerned please read in the book of Acts when apostle Paul went to Jerusalem, before being imprisoned there, what apostle James said to him: ( Acts 21:17-20)
v17-And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
v18-And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
v19-And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
v20-And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
Pay attention to "Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law." What this shows? I don't think those Jews were not saved. Now whether this is true only for Jews and not for gentiles, I can not answer.
Now if you want to ask what happens in churches that preach that salvation must be accompanied by good works to get saved, my opinion is that as long as people there are reborn again and get baptised (the two necessary conditions for salvation) no matter what else they practise they still get saved (since they do those for God - Romans 14:6-10). God does not held one account for what one does not know but for what one chooses to do against His will. And some more. In my life I have met christians from those churches that surprise me with the good works they do and have met christians from reborn churches that have no interest at all in doing any good thing to help others. God wants us to become good Samaritans. And lets not forget that in the final judgement that is described in Matthew 25:31-45 people will not be sent to hell according to their faith but according to their works, not for what they had done, but for what they had NOT done.
Gob Bless you.
But the term 'Nazarite', denoted those of Israel who took on a special vow as prescribed in Numbers 6:2-21. The word means generally a person who is separated from others and consecrated to God. The vow of a Nazarite involved three things: abstinence from wine and strong drink, refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the vow, & the avoidance of contact with a dead body.
When the duration of the vow came to an end, the Nazarite had to present himself at the door of the sanctuary with a "he lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering", "a ewe lamb of the first year for a sin-offering, & "a ram for a peace-offering" (all blemish-free). After these sacrifices were offered by the priest, the Nazarite cut off his hair at the door and threw it into the fire which was under the peace-offerings. In the New Testament, we see the Apostle Paul being under this Nazarite vow ( Acts 18:18) & then again in Acts 21:23-26. This last one was done because of a matter with the Jews under the vow, but it was clearly stated that this Nazarite vow, or any Jewish custom, was not required of Gentiles.
John 3:15-21, Matthew 25:31-46,
It's not so big a deal to go to church on Sunday as it is to neglect to worship on the Sabbath Saturday, as God Commanded those who love Him in the 4th Commandment.
And the 10 Commandments are not at all difficult to keep, as many Christians have been brainwashed to believe.
The biggest issue they have is with the 4th Commandment - The Sabbath. Which is also very easy to keep once you make up your mind to follow God and His Ways. Jesus kept all the Commandments. John 15:10 We are to walk (live) as Jesus walked (lived.) 1 John 2:6. Even Paul is recorded in scripture as keeping all the 10 Commandments. Acts 21:24 All of Jesus' disciples kept the Sabbath Commandment immediately after His crucifixion - which speaks volumes. Luke 23:54-56
The 10 Commandments
1. Only worship God
2. Don't worship demons (idols)
3. Don't take God's Name in vain
4. Observe the 7th Day Sabbath
5. Honor parents
6. Don't murder
7. No adultery
8. Don't steal
9. Don't lie
10. Don't covet
Where exactly is the difficulty in keeping those? The first 4 teach us exactly how to love God. The last 6 teach us how to love mankind.
The Sabbath, as well as the 10 Commandments, were given to everybody.
Read the dramatic account in Exodus of God speaking the 10 Commandments ALOUD to the world in the presence of the Israelites and you will be convinced of their significance to all who worship God Almighty. His voice was so booming and terrifying that the people begged Moses to ask God not to speak aloud anymore. God SPOKE our world into existence; God SPOKE the Commandments into existence. Exodus chapter 19 through 20.
"My covenant will I NOT BREAK, nor ALTER the thing that has come out of My lips."
Psalm 89:34
1. Yes I believe in some ways our faith may be considered more complicated because they being with Jesus " physically " John 3:12, John 14:11, yet scripture says : 2 Chronicles 20:20, we have so many accumulated testimonies, prophecy fulfilled, the written WORD of GOD from many generations past in many ways we have all that to help build upon our faith. Then we have personal experiences & witness of miraculous events in our present days & years. I believe it's powerful to see the biblical text, New & Old Tstm & imagine the future with the stacked testimonies & understanding time accumulates more information. When the days of tribulation come the stacked accounts with all scripture will be that much bigger. GOD is amazing. I realized the other day the wealth of faith building information at our reach. I told a young man, "Yes, these days are difficult but we have so much to draw from". & GOD in HIS infinite wisdom gives each generation what they need. Romans 10:17, John 20:29,
2. Luke 23:43, I guess it applies to today to yes prove "nothing is impossible with GOD" Luke 1:37, & possibly to encourage us that it's not too late to repent, in dying moment.
Next. (?) Interesting observation. Matthew 4:12, Matthew 23:37, GOD gives people many chances to do good. Mark 6:20, Mark 6:19-31, read though, Mark 6:32-46, did Jesus even take time to mourn? It seems HE went to take a moment, yet compassion moved HIM to minister.
At 1st read I had thought you asked about Peter & Paul comparison of Peter released & Paul was not, also same "(charges) Acts 12:5-17, Acts 21:30-40, - Acts 22, - Acts 23, - Acts 24, - Acts 25, - Acts 26, - Acts 27,-, Acts 28,
My emotion would want to say "all chains are evil" however Mark 5:3-20, Jude 1:6, 2 Peter 2:4,
GOD uses all for good , Psalms 105:17-25, Romans 8:28-30, while Paul was in prison he wrote letters that became an important part of our HOLY Bible today.
3. James 1:5-8,
Hope this helps
but that was not what the spirit was saying because he almost lost His life there. Look at Acts 21:4 and Pauls
still headed there and again Agabus who was point blank then Paul says he's ready to die at Jerusalem sounds
good but not the will of God that's why the believers around stopped in verse 14 saying do the will of the lord
the will of the lord was NOT TO GOD TO JERUSALEM. He had to escape with the help of other believers to save
his life. A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
Commentary
"I go bound in the spirit. Urged by a sense of duty, yet knowing from the premonitions of the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions awaited him at Jerusalem."
Acts 21:12-14
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13
Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man [Paul] that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
Verse 30: Paul is kicked out of Church and later beaten by the Jews.
Acts 21:22 Jesus sends Paul to the Gentiles.
Acts 26:17 Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles
Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
God bless u in Jesus Christ.
This was revolutionary learning! No one had heard this before. Acts 10:28 and 36-37. Peter and the rest of the apostles had that task and preach this precisely not only to the Jews, but also to those who did not have God's law and 10 commandments, that is, preach to the Gentiles. Can we believe they had Resistance? oh Yes.
But thank God and Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. No one can resist it for as long as they want! All who hear will come to the realization of Truth, sooner or later.
You understand that the Law no longer applies, be it circumcision or sacrifice. Everything we do now is because the Holy Spirit works in us to do what we must do. For example, pray, go preach, guide also further. The Holy Spirit can also specifically ask us to do something we do not want to do.
These days I have something very special and uncertain for me. So you can pray for me if you are led to it. I have to get an alternative in a way. We need to get certainty, put things to the test. So we not do headless things.
The Holy Spirit now lives in our hearts we who believe in Jesus Christ - Has the same meaning as the repeal of the law.
Hope this was an explanation for what you were thinking. God bless you with all the spiritual blessing in the Heavenly world in Christ.
If women feel the call to minister in Jesus Name; then these men pull out a 20 lb Scoffield Reference Bible and hit them with the LAW.
Keep scripture in context !! They were sitting behind a screen or across the aisle, leaning over to ask their husbands " (Loud) what does that mean sweetie?
Paul was a Pharisee before he got saved. Just like US, it takes the Lord a while to work that stuff out of us. Joel 3:28-29, Acts 21:9. 1 Corinthians 12:23, Galatians 3:28__says the ladies may preach and prophesy. Deborah was a judge!
And DONT write me a rebuke ok, thanks.
There some anointed (by the Holy Spirit) women in these rooms. My Bible says, "touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm."
Just now on YouTube I saw a guy saying Pastor Greg Laurie is Apostate because he evangelized rock stars!! The key word here is ACCUSER. Satan is the Father of Lies, and THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHERN AND THE SISTERS.
I took lots of women to the streets of Roswell New Mexico to learn cold contact street evangelism. Never once did they discuss hair or nails.
They had their Bibles, they knew where all the key passages were. When we did courthouse lawn Rapture Movies Night, they ministered the Word. People got saved. They bought their own tracts to hand out too. Those were the days.
If I've said it 50 times :D everybody will take a comic book tract. They like comics! Go to CHICK TRACTS online. You can read what you're buying. Write your church name on the back. Always sit with your "lambs" and introduce them around at church.
You may receive the SOUL WINNERS CROWN at the Bema Seat of Christ :O
I wrapped gifts for people all afternoon. No one likes to do it anymore.
Guys, Jesus is coming back very soon. The Pope is pushing Israel to give up the West Bank totally.
It is another key sign. Land for freedom to get the 3rd Temple built. Pray for Israel every day.
Mishael
And in the NT (post-Cross), we have Agabus ( Acts 11:27,28; Acts 21:10,11), Philip's four daughters, Judas Barsabas & Silas, & of course, the Apostle John. We don't know what some of them proclaimed, but if true to their calling as prophets, their forthtelling & words of guidance would not only be Spirit-breathed but would not fail. It would be interesting if present-day prophets were checked for their annunciations & if found wanting, how would the Church deal with them. I fear, not well. But the Church would be blessed if there were those who truly brought out the Mind of God, as also the teachers of the Word, that God's people might be enriched & prepared. Or else, many will be left disillusioned.
From my observation when in ministry in Pakistan, most Christians (like many of us in the West: some strong, some nominal in faith), will almost never share the Gospel with their Muslim neighbours or consider going into public places to reach them. With the nature of Islam, & specifically govts. which are increasingly adhering to Sharia Law or aspects of it, reaching out to Muslims or even making ill-considered references to Allah, their prophet, or the Quran, may get them into very hot water. So when we foreigners went into the marketplace (or the girls, door-to-door) to sell/give out literature & share the Gospel, the indigenous Church began to tremble. We were always warned, as the apostle was in Acts 21:10-14, to be very careful or better, to spend more time with 'us' to teach 'us', but it was for that purpose that we were there: to bring Light & Hope to many living in darkness & hopelessness.
As you correctly stated, there are many believers "seeded" within those communities, yet the very poor amongst them already suffer under the Islamic ruling, by not receiving electricity or water for their homes, kept segregated, & being held back from higher education. If we showed the "Life of Jesus" film to them followed by a message, we had to take our own electricity generator & lighting, for they could only depend on sunlight or moonlight to do their work, or homework for the kids. We had a special leading to such folk who always hungered to learn more of the Bible, but we knew that the Church at large also needed feeding. Pastors were present, but often they too needed teaching. So, I relate this to share with you that the Church (in Pakistan at least) needs to be more than just a visible entity but to be "the hands, feet & mouth of Jesus". We were trying to meet that need, D.V.
Re: observance of the Law. Matthew 23:1-3, "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." The Scribes & Pharisees who "sat in Moses' seat" were certainly not representative of Moses' giving of the Law nor of its proper application, but the Lord spoke of obedience to it in respect to the Law that was given & not with the pharisaical 'heavy burdens' they placed on the people. And to this, the Lord attested in Matthew 15:1-9, that they transgressed God's Command by their traditions. So, I believe that the Commands of Christ were none of these, but the True Law of God & that which Jesus gave to His disciples: that of love, humility, sacrifice, service, etc. The things which the religious leaders knew little or nothing about.
Then, was the accusation against Paul correct (in Acts 21:18-21)? We're not told, nor does Paul refute it. But as far as Paul's consideration of the Law in the Light of the Cross, we can understand that he believed that under the New Covenant, the Old was abrogated ( Romans 7:4-6), as maybe seen in Acts 21:21, in the accusation of him forsaking "Moses'" (Law). Whether the Jew as under the Law & the Gentile was not, once both came INTO Christ (that mystery), they were released from the law & dead works by faith in Jesus & water baptism was the declaration of that breaking away & cleaving to the Risen One. Water baptism was the ultimate defining witness of a hell-bound soul now entering into a life with Christ. Why should this apply to a Jewish convert & not a Gentile, I cannot find in the Scriptures; considering that Gentiles were also baptised in water in the NT. May the Lord guide us in this matter.
I believe Paul "did baptize some" during God's Transition from Law (with water) to HIS PURE GRACE (Without water!). Most think that the great commission to the Twelve apostles of Israel, is 'exactly the same' as the commission to Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles. This does not make sense since CHRIST told the Twelve THEY "WERE SENT"
to baptize, while CHRIST told Paul he "WAS NOT SENT to baptize." {the same thing?}
I cannot reconcile that for today, because God Gave Paul A 'Different' Program, The Revelation Of The MYSTERY, With The Gospel Of GRACE, And the "commission of Reconciliation" Because of CHRIST's Finished Work on The Cross!
( Romans 16:25) ( Colossians 1:20) ( 2 Corinthians 5:17-21) + ( 2 Corinthians 6:2)
Thus, I believe This "Hid In God" Revelation ( Ephesians 3:9) Must Be:
Rightly Divided ( 2 Timothy 2:15) From "Things That DIFFER!":
Many 'assume' The Gospel Of GRACE was Immediately preached after the cross, but
closer Prayerful/Careful examination reveals:
1) LAW was preached, obeyed, and taught to "thousand of Jewish believers"
( Matthew 28:19-20) Notice: Christ Specifically Said "teaching them TO OBSERVE ALL things I HAVE COMMANDED you" - one of them was Matthew 23:1-3, Correct?
2) Water baptized Jewish believers OBEYED ALL CHRIST's Commands, SOLD EVERYTHING, And were "zealous of The LAW," even as late as Acts 21:20!
3) IF the great commission IS FOR US today, then I see NO ONE "obeying it as these were!"
Thus, Chris, I just cannot reconcile LAW "being Exactly THE SAME as" GRACE ( Romans 11:6)
More 'available' on church birthday, and The ONE Baptism {a 'verse for annulment of water'?} "study" of today, IF you wish... Thanks Again, and Be Well, Precious brother!
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an EVANGELIST, make full proof of thy ministry.
John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, My Father works, and I work.
Mark 6:5
And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
Acts 21:8
...and we entered into the house of Philip the EVANGELIST, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
A "publisher of glad tidings;" a missionary preacher of the" "gospel ( Eph. 4:11). This title is applied to Philip ( Acts 21:8)," who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word "(8:4, 40). Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists had" "neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy," nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of "the flock. They were itinerant preachers, having it as their" special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. The writers of the four Gospels are known as the Evangelists.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains are the FEET of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; see Rom. 10:15
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and BE READY always to GIVE AN ANSWER to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is IN YOU...
John Chapter 15
18 If the world hate you, ye know it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I HAVE CHOSEN YOU out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 ...If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
Matthew 9:37
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
And then in Acts 20:16, Paul wanted to bypass Asia in his travels, so as to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost. But Paul knew beforehand what lay ahead of him there: Acts 20:22-25. And then we get to Acts 21:4 & then to Acts 21:10-12. So Paul already knew that something might happen at Jerusalem, yet he was "bound in the spirit" to go there, that "bounds & afflictions" were his lot wherever he went. So then in verse 4, could this be a further Word from the Spirit that sufferings lay before him at Jerusalem, even as Agabus had also declared? That this wasn't a direct command from God not to go but another message of warning of what lay ahead for him if he should go? Paul knew that he was close to "finishing his course" & felt the need to complete the ministry in Jerusalem. If the Lord wanted anything different for him, it would be certain that obstructions would have been placed before him or he would have received God's Word directly about his disobedience.
So, even without a full certainty, we should be assured that Paul was led of the Spirit & all that befell him throughout his ministry was not of his doing, but in line with the Plan & Purposes of God to reach those in Israel, Asia Minor & Greece. And of course, Paul eventually was taken prisoner to Rome - so he got to 'visit' that city after all & "received all that came unto him", albeit as a prisoner.
As for the rest of these comments, I will take each of D.J.'s answers in stride as I can see this person is upset and making this comment thread a spectacle. Though I do believe my first comment should suffice, (especially if the references were checked) perhaps some of the words I used need to be defined for a better understanding. Reading Paul's letters to Timothy, Titus, the Corinthians, and Ephesians; Peter's epistle, and Proverbs and you will get a good idea of the New Testament church's views on female leadership.
D.J. do you know what God has in store for Judy May? No, as she has yet to give any information concerning the specific ministry. Hence the reason why I am offering the basic information to make a decision. Ministry= service or aid. Is not specific to one particular "job."
Am I confident in the understanding God has given of the word? Yes. Am I judging Judy May? No. Jude= distinguish truth from falsehood.
Nothing I said was a judgment, as you can clearly see.
Deborah, who was set in her office (Judge) because "all the men did what was right in their own eyes" was put in that position because no other man in the land was capable. Furthermore, Jews and Christians are dealt with differently. This concept, for lack of space, can be summed up with, God's methods of dealing with His people change in the dispensations. More on that another time.
Today prophesy= to speak. Yes one who prophesies can teach. As said before the Bible has restrictions on whom a woman may have dominion over when teaching: doctrine, 1 Tim. 2:12; authority in church, Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim 3:1-7. It is a shame for woman to be a PREACHER in church, 1 Cor 14:35. A "prophet[ess]" (seer) is an OT/Jewish concept.
Your cherry picked verses:
Acts 2:17, end time prophecy. Acts 21:8-9, good for them. Luke 2:36, read the verse and above sentence. 1 Cor 11:5 read the epistles and you'll understand.
Do you know what God has in store for Judy May?
Are you telling Judy May to keep silent concerning the word of God and not offer help or understanding to those that are confused or have never heard?
Are you really that confident in your understanding of the word of God to be the judge of Judy?
Why would it matter that Deborah was a Jew?
Does a prophet not teach?
Therefore, does a prophetess not have the same ability to teach?
If a woman does not have a husband and lives alone, who is the head of her household?
If you are only speaking "expressly of Christian matters," then what do you do with Acts 2:17 or Acts 21:8-9?
How do you explain Luke 2:36 or 1 Corinthians 11:5?
Do "sons AND daughters" not prophesy in the end times?
Do what God has called you to do.
Do not worry about what man thinks.
Follow God's example.
Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Acts 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
In Context | Full Chapter | Other Translations
Acts 21:8-9
And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
The conclusion to the matter is this, EVERY nation of people, yes, including the Amalekites living in Israel today, have had The Most High's Chosen ppl, as slaves ..in Captivity all over the world..Egypt, Persia, Rome, Babylon, USA, the Caribbean, etc. So, What a man sow, that shall he ALSO reap. Revelation 13:10 and Isaiah 14 sums up what goin to happen soon