7. Debate in Jerusalem Over Acceptance of the Gentiles (15:1–35) Acts 15:1–35 stands at the very center of the book. Not only is this true of its position halfway through the text, but it is also central in the development of the total plot of the book. The first half of Acts has focused on … More Acts 15: New American Commentary
4. Acceptance and Rejection at Iconium (14:1–7) 1At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3So Paul and Barnabas … More Acts 14: New American Commentary
Abraham’s Offering Up His Son Isaac Genesis 22:12 “And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him, for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy Son, thine only Son from me.” FULL TEXT: Genesis 22:1-12 The great Apostle Paul, in … More Abraham’s Offering Up His Son Isaac: Rev. George Whitefield
1. Paul and Barnabas Commissioned (13:1–3) 1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for … More Acts 13: New American Commentary
Walking With God Genesis 5:24, “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Various are the pleas and arguments which men of corrupt minds frequently urge against yielding obedience to the just and holy commands of God. But, perhaps, one of the most common objections that they make is this, … More Walking with God: Rev. George Whitefield
Chapter 11 Ver. 1.—Now for and, A.V.; the brethren for brethren, A.V.; also had for had also, A.V. We can imagine how rapidly the news of the great revolution would travel to the metropolis of Jewish Christianity, and what a stir it would make in that community. It does not appear what view James and … More Acts 11: Pulpit Commentary
Chapter 12 Ver. 1.—Put for stretched, A. V.; afflict for vex, A. V. The phrase, About that time, as in ch. 19:23, points to what had just before been related (Meyer). The interposition of the narrative in this chapter between ch. 11:20 and 12:25 evidently implies that the bulk or rather the chief of the … More Acts 12: Pulpit Commentary
5. Persecution Again in Jerusalem (12:1–25) After the glimpse at the Antioch church, attention focused once more on Jerusalem in chap. 12. If the apostles had remained largely untouched by the persecution that followed Stephen’s death, the situation radically changed when Herod Agrippa assumed rule over Judea. The apostles then became the specific target of … More Acts 12: New American Commentary
(7) Endorsement of the Witness to the Gentiles (11:1–18) 1The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4Peter began … More Acts 11: New American Commentary
Cornelius’s Vision (10:1–8) Are genuine seekers after God saved, if they have responded to the light they have but have never heard the gospel? The experience of Cornelius begins to answer this question. Fearing God and Helping the Needy (10:1–2) At Caesarea, a mainly Gentile city, residence of the Roman proconsul (from A.D. 6 onward), … More Acts 10: IVP New Testament Commentary Series
