Book of Acts

[a.baker]

I don't think I have ever read Acts before so I will be popping in from time to time with questions or comments. Heres a comment; the first time I have seen the word Christian used was Acts11:26. I just thought that was interesting. I have never even thought about that before, a little history for myself. A question I have is in Acts 12:21-23 when Herod was struck down by God (angel of the Lord) how did that come about. It says he was eaten by worms than died. Did the worms eat him alive since it says first worms than second death? Acts16:3 it says that Timothy was circumcised before their journey because his father was Greek and they did this because of the Jews. Now is that because the Jews wouldn't listen to him unless he was circumcised because of the law of Moses? So is circumcision now a choice since Jesus? I have seen it in the bible many times but I never held it as a religious idea. Also why would circumcision even matter in the old testament? Acts 16:16 talks of a slave girl who has a spirit in which she could predict the future. Does that mean all fortune tellers who can "predict" the future have spirits dwelling within them? Another question just from my own personal if someone craves negative attitudes and craves them does that mean a spirit dwells within them? Who would choose to be angry and everything else negative on purpose as if that makes them happy? Another thing is in the beginning in Acts it talks of a man named Stephen. I never even knew that Stephen was a name in the bible. I found that interesting that name has been around for so long... my brothers name.

[CoreIssue]

I don't think I have ever read Acts before so I will be popping in from time to time with questions or comments. Heres a comment; the first time I have seen the word Christian used was Acts11:26. I just thought that was interesting. I have never even thought about that before, a little history for myself.
It was an invented. Means 'Follower of Christ."
A question I have is in Acts 12:21-23 when Herod was struck down by God (angel of the Lord) how did that come about. It says he was eaten by worms than died. Did the worms eat him alive since it says first worms than second death?
Two different issues.

Yes, he was infested with worms that killed him.
Acts16:3 it says that Timothy was circumcised before their journey because his father was Greek and they did this because of the Jews. Now is that because the Jews wouldn't listen to him unless he was circumcised because of the law of Moses? So is circumcision now a choice since Jesus? I have seen it in the bible many times but I never held it as a religious idea.
It was done because to be able to witness to the Jews they expected certain things.

Remember, this was a time of transition. So a lot of confusion, even for those who followed Christ, as to how the Law applied.
Also why would circumcision even matter in the old testament?
For Jews you bet. It was the sign of the Covenant and required by God and Law.

Not for Gentile saints.
Acts 16:16 talks of a slave girl who has a spirit in which she could predict the future. Does that mean all fortune tellers who can "predict" the future have spirits dwelling within them?
No. Some have familiar spirits, meaning those who work with them but do not possess them.
Another question just from my own personal if someone craves negative attitudes and craves them does that mean a spirit dwells within them? Who would choose to be angry and everything else negative on purpose as if that makes them happy?
Corrupted human nature passed along by what is called herent traits or be simply by corrupted human desires.

We are so good at messing thing up.
Another thing is in the beginning in Acts it talks of a man named Stephen. I never even knew that Stephen was a name in the bible. I found that interesting that name has been around for so long... my brothers name.
:p Well, ancient varients of many names have been around for a long time.

Stephanos is an old Greek name.

But many names don't bear any resemblance to the real Greek or Hebrew, having gone through Latin and other translations along the way.

Like Jesus. Yeshua directly translates as Joshua, not Jesus.

[a.baker]

Thank-x I will be back with more questions as I read on.

[kay-gee]

Only now discovering Acts? hmmm interesting. Pay close attention to the development of the first century church and it tenets.
allthe best...

[a.baker]

Why is it interesting? I never opened my bible until I came here. Either you guys here were the first Christians to see through me or had enough guts telling me to open my bible not knowing how I would react . And that right there shows true biblical love for a lost sheep. So did all the effort that went into trying to set me strait ( I was a # and can still be). Remind you I grew up in a family that believed that you only had to believe in Jesus and thats it. We all know the false in that. ( just wanted to state why I was only now starting to look at Acts. Bible will take me years to go through) But moving on to Acts...

[kay-gee]

What do you mean, you are a #?

all the best...

[a.baker]

I have many things to work on. We all do but I think part of it is my energy from being young if that makes sense... With time ..

[kay-gee]

Be careful. Sometimes the brightest stars burn out the fastest.
all the best...

[CoreIssue]

Be careful. Sometimes the brightest stars burn out the fastest.
all the best...
:not: What is with all this cold water about study?

I have been like that for 46 years of study.

Go for it a.baker.

[a.baker]

Yes I feel very moved to study every day. I crave to learn and to grow. Much later tonight I will have more time.

[Jessie]

its wonderful to see you learning and growing!

[roman8]

Be careful. Sometimes the brightest stars burn out the fastest.
all the best...


Where does it say that in the bible?

Its the way we get to know God , through his word . The more time we spend in it the better we know him.

[kay-gee]

Whoa! The operative word being "sometimes". Yes by all means go for it.

all the best...

[CoreIssue]

Whoa! The operative word being "sometimes". Yes by all means go for it.

all the best...
But it came across as very discouraging.

You may not see it, but you have done that a lot. :tiphat:

[a.baker]

I do agree a little discouraging.

[a.baker]

Greeks are mentioned much in Acts what were they about?

[a.baker]

It also talks a lot about stoning. How horrible; definitely an old testament thing and how in the world did some survive this?

[CoreIssue]

Greeks are mentioned much in Acts what were they about?
Not sure in which way you mean.

Greeks were some of the people in Jerusalem and at Pentecost. They were among the first Christians.

If that isn't what you meant, please ask again.

[CoreIssue]

It also talks a lot about stoning. How horrible; definitely an old testament thing and how in the world did some survive this?
Like any kind of wounds. Some are fatal, some are disabling and some can be recovered from.

Nasty way to die.

[a.baker]

Wow this is a good example of some who tried to drive out an evil spirit but was never given the gift from God to do so. Acts 19:13-16.
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, " In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Also do all Jews not believe in Jesus? That would than explain it as well.

[a.baker]

Nope my Greek questioned was answered and thank you. It just compares Jews and Greeks a lot but they also seem to live together in some cities like Ephesus. So that makes sense. Also with the demon possessed man attacking the men who tried to drive out the evil spirit it only made more people believe in Jesus in Ephesus. God always wins.

[kay-gee]

I did not mean to be discouraging to you. Please realize though that I speak from experience. I am guilty of losing zeal. On fire sometimes, dead as a door nail other times. All I meant was pace yourself. You don't have to learn the whole Bible in one week. Let me
just say this. Your zeal for God inspires me. Keep it up.
all the best...

[CoreIssue]

Wow this is a good example of some who tried to drive out an evil spirit but was never given the gift from God to do so. Acts 19:13-16.
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, " In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

Also do all Jews not believe in Jesus? That would than explain it as well.
A warning againts Pentecostalism and WoF, since they believe in the power of the words, not actually God doing it through them.

Jewish Gnosticism and Mysticism was alive and well at that time.

They were trying to use power by saying words as if they were magic incantations or tapping into hidden powers.

Jesus warned there would be those who would preach, cast out demons, heal and such by evoking the power of Jesus. But they would be sent to the Lake of Fire.

Even in them abusing the name of Jesus, God does not turn his back on the earnest who believe in his name.

He will honor their faith and act, but not the faith of the frauds abusing his name.

No. That does not mean WoF works. It means the innocents who get deceived by these people are not abandoned by God.

[roman8]

I did not mean to be discouraging to you. Please realize though that I speak from experience. I am guilty of losing zeal. On fire sometimes, dead as a door nail other times. All I meant was pace yourself. You don't have to learn the whole Bible in one week. Let me
just say this. Your zeal for God inspires me. Keep it up.
all the best...


Sorry kay-gee , you came accross that way to me also, I should not jump to conclusions. Its hard to tell sometimes on here what is really being said , when you cant hear tone of voice or see the face. :hug:

abaker , your zeal inspires me also:nod:, I learn from your questions as well

[a.baker]

Core abusing Jesus' name makes sense. I see how they were trying to use His name as a magic spell. So by doing this they were encouraging the demon spirit but yet annoying it at the same time.

[a.baker]

A little off topic but what do you think when people speak of Gods grace as a river flowing? Is that biblical or just a man made vision trying to visualize? That was the main topic in the adult bible study yesterday and everyone was trying to look at it as a negative wrong direction thing if you go down stream. If that makes sense. Something about that yesterday really bothered me. My own personal is, if Gods grace is a river flowing than what happens is if you jump into the river and go with the current God will carry you and you will trust where the current (God) is taking you. If you jump into the river and try to walk up stream against the current than you will eventually become weak and tired and fall (which is going against God). Everyone in Sunday school was trying to say if you go with the current its going with the flow of evil and blah blah and it seemed to me that they just didn't get it. So for me to even think about this imagery any furtherer, my question is, is it biblical? If not than I can toss it out and stop thinking about it. O.k. back to Acts...

[kay-gee]

The river of life flows out Gods throne and through heaven. All are invited to come and freely drink. Thats all I know. River has often been used in imagery in the Church. Think of the great hymns such as "Shall we gather at the river?" " On Jordans Stormy Banks I Stand", etc... a poetry such as we shall meet on the other shore. I think in some way they are alluding back to the river of life of revelation.
all the best...

[CoreIssue]

Core abusing Jesus' name makes sense. I see how they were trying to use His name as a magic spell. So by doing this they were encouraging the demon spirit but yet annoying it at the same time.
:nod: