Questions tagged [acts]
The second half of Luke's history of the church, which was commissioned by Theophilus. It covers the actions of the Apostles from Christ's ascension to heaven to Paul's imprisonment in Rome.
216 questions
0
votes
2answers
87 views
Does Paul contradict what he said in Acts 17:29-30 in Romans 1:18-25?
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God ...
1
vote
0answers
15 views
Did Aeneas turn to the Lord with all the others in Lydda and Sharon?
In Acts 9:32-35
32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was ...
2
votes
1answer
59 views
Into how many parts is the cloven tongue parted in Acts 2:3?
Acts 2:3 KJV
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
The word DIAMERIZO is interpreted as "cloven" or split in the KJV. I had always "assumed" that ...
2
votes
3answers
75 views
How possible is it that the Gospel of Luke and Acts were written for Paul’s defense?
The abrupt stop of the historic information in the book of Acts leads to the conclusion that the history stops because that was when Luke wrote Acts and his Gospel. Note where the history stops:
...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Why were Peter and John needed to lay hands on Samaritans when Philip was there?
Acts 8 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
81 views
Is Acts 1:8 a promise or command?
The render of the famous Acts 1:8:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and
to the ends of the ...
1
vote
1answer
18 views
What is the force of the optative ἔχοι in Acts 17:11?
In the Greek, Acts 17:11 reads:
οὗτοι δὲ ἦσαν εὐγενέστεροι τῶν ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ, οἵτινες ἐδέξαντο τὸν
λόγον μετὰ πάσης προθυμίας, τὸ καθ’ ἡμέραν ἀνακρίνοντες τὰς γραφὰς εἰ
ἔχοι ταῦτα οὕτως.
The ...
1
vote
1answer
57 views
How long was the ark at Kirjath Jearim in 1 Samuel 7:2?
In the text its clear that the ark was captured & then kept afterwards at Kirjath Jearim before Saul had been anointed king & Saul went on to rule for about forty years.David came into power ...
1
vote
3answers
105 views
In Romans 1:16 why does Paul say “to the Jew first”?
KJV Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is
the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the
Jew first, and also to the Greek.
I am looking for a very ...
1
vote
1answer
29 views
Is Luke's mention of “the hour of prayer” in Acts 3:1 intended to establish that time as the time for Christians to pray?
Does the mention of "the hour of prayer" in Acts 3:1 suggest that Christians are to pray at a specific time?:
Act 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the
hour of prayer, ...
0
votes
3answers
71 views
In Acts 5:9-11 why does Peter dispense immediate judgment?
In Matthew 13:30 Jesus taught a parable about not pulling up weeds until the harvest:
NIV Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that
time I will tell the harvesters: First ...
-2
votes
2answers
43 views
In Acts 4:13 how did Peter and John's ignorance indicate that they had been with Jesus?
KJV Act_4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and
perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled;
and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with ...
-1
votes
1answer
62 views
Are Christ’s words to Ananias in Acts 9:12 and 15 an approval of Paul’s message of grace?
Acts 9:11-18 (KJV)
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is
called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called
Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he ...
1
vote
3answers
188 views
+100
In Galatians 2:11-13 why does Peter fear the Jewish believers?
KJV Gal 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to
the face, because he was to be blamed. Gal 2:12 For before that
certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but ...
1
vote
2answers
61 views
What does “polluted” (ἀλισγημάτων) mean in Acts 15:20?
In Acts 15:19-20, James renders his judgment on the matter of the Gentiles that Peter has brought before the Jerusalem council:
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
In Acts 15:17 what specifically does it entail to “seek the Lord”?
In Acts 15:17 James finds confirmation of Peter's assessment that "God has granted repentance to the gentiles" in Amos' prophesy:
NIV Acts 15:17 that the rest of mankind may seek [out] [ἐκζητήσωσιν]...
3
votes
1answer
168 views
Why is Acts 8:37 omitted in some Bibles?
And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
-- Acts 8:37 (KJV)
Why don't some versions of Bible ...
1
vote
1answer
114 views
Acts 12:19 Who are Herod's prison guards with Peter?
In Acts 12:19, Herod gives order to kill prison guards:
Act 12:19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers (φύλαξ), and commanded that they should be put to ...
7
votes
3answers
841 views
Why does Paul say that God doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands?
If the God that made the world and everything in it, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, then who dwelt in the tabernacle? What God dwelt in Solomon’s temple? Paul’s statement sounds like a ...
2
votes
1answer
105 views
Was Paul being sarcastic when he claimed that he didn't recognize Ananias?
Related: Was Paul literally predicting that God would strike Ananias?
From Acts 23:1-5 (NIV):
1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in ...
1
vote
1answer
33 views
Was Paul literally predicting that God would strike Ananias?
Related: Was Paul being sarcastic when he claimed that he didn't recognize Ananias?
From Acts 23:1-3 (NIV):
1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my ...
1
vote
1answer
104 views
Who or what is the captain of the temple mentioned in acts 4:& 5
Acts 4:1 (KJV)
And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through ...
4
votes
2answers
56 views
Who are “the rest” in Acts 5:13?
Acts 5:12-14 reads:
12 At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking
place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s
portico. 13 But none of the rest ...
3
votes
1answer
46 views
Who put forward, prayed, and drew lots in order to choose the twelfth apostle?
Acts 1:23-26 23 So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas
(who was also called Justus), and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and
said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Does Peter's Vision in Acts 10 Imply Blood Consumption?
A general but off-topic question was posed related to this thought. See here:
What is the significance of Acts 10:13, 11:7 "make sacrificial slaughter"
Acts 10:10-16 describes Peter's ...
1
vote
3answers
220 views
Is the 480 years mentioned in 1 Kings 6 accurate?
1 Kings 6:1 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
Why does the Greek translation read in Acts (Luke-Acts) that Jesus was killed by “hanging him on a tree?”
The question is NOT supposed to discredit or undermine the significance of Jesus’ crucifixion, but rather to understand the reasons for primitive and/or differentiated terminology that we see in Acts ...
1
vote
1answer
441 views
Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews in Acts 6:1
In Acts 6:1 what were the distinguishing differences between the Hellenistic Jews and Hebraic Jews?
The related questions to this passage are:
1) How unfamiliar were the Hellenistic Jews to ...
1
vote
1answer
38 views
Is there any difference between the chains in Acts 26:29 and 28:20?
In Acts 26:29, Paul, pleading his case before Agrippa says: "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains....
2
votes
1answer
50 views
Acts 17:28 translation
I have in my mind a verse/phrase made by Paul "in him we live and breathe and have our being", which is from Acts 17:28.
Looking at a broad representation of translations (http://biblehub.com/acts/17-...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
In Acts 19:14 - How else could “Seven sons of Skeva” be translated?
In Acts 19:14, Is "Seven Sons of Skeva" a valid translation? Are there any other plausible interpretations?
Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] ἦσαν δέ τινος Σκευᾶ Ἰουδαίου
ἀρχιερέως ἑπτὰ υἱοὶ ...
4
votes
3answers
97 views
How could a diaspora Jew be considered a “high priest” at Acts 19:14?
Acts 19:14 (ESV) refers to "Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva" who were practicing exorcism at Ephesus. While some translations refer to Sceva as a "chief priest," the Greek word ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Who did God's will in Acts 4:27, 28
The NKJV reads:
For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever ...
3
votes
1answer
90 views
Is it Paul or Luke that is speaking in Acts 19:5?
Is it Paul or Luke that is speaking in Acts 19:5?
ἀκούσαντες δὲ ἐβαπτίσθησαν εἰς τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ. [Acts 19:5, SBL Edition]
John Gill would say it's Paul:
these are the words of the ...
0
votes
3answers
54 views
bible ownership [closed]
Apart from the Ethiopian, whom Philip meets Acts 8;29, is there any evidence for the private ownership of any works of Scripture before about 400 A.D.? Otherwise, what is the earliest evidence that ...
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Why does the ethos of David's Psalms not reflect the Royal Law?
In Acts 13:22 David is said to be a man who's heart accords with God's own heart:
Berean Literal Bible And having removed him, He raised up David to
them as king, to whom also He said, having ...
2
votes
1answer
75 views
How Should “keep” be defined in Acts 15:5
I have a source (author) that says the word "keep" in Acts 15:5 should be defined as "to guard" or "to put a fence around" to which the logic of defining the term as such is based on the context. I ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
How far was a “Sabbath's Day Journey”?
From the information in Acts, what is the least amount of distance the disciples might have traveled, in order to get an idea of what they thought a "Sabbath's Day Journey" was?
NKJV, Acts 1:12 - ...
4
votes
3answers
91 views
In Acts 2:6, does αὐτῶν refer to the disciples or to the hearers?
I am trying to resolve an issue regarding Acts 2:6. Someone with whom I am engaging is claiming that the devout Jews from every nation miraculously understood what was being said to them, as if the ...
2
votes
2answers
100 views
Is Acts 18:8 & 17 referring to the same synagogue?
(KJV) Acts 18:8
8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
(KJV) Acts 18:17
17 ...
6
votes
1answer
828 views
In Acts 7:43, what are “the tabernacle of Moloch” and “the star of Remphan”?
What does the tabernacle of Moloch represent in Acts 7:43? What is the star of Remphan? Some say that's the same with the Star of David. Is that true?
“Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, ...
4
votes
4answers
953 views
Rebaptism in Acts 19
In Acts 19, we read:
19:1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul went through the inland regions and came to Ephesus. He found some disciples there 19:2 and said to them, “Did you receive the Holy ...
2
votes
3answers
207 views
Was Matthew 16:28 referring to Transfiguration or the many events in the Book of Acts?
Matthew 16:28 (NASB)
Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
Is Jesus Christ referring to
a)...
0
votes
2answers
468 views
Did Abraham receive a call to leave Ur as alluded to in Acts 7:2-4?
Acts 7:2-4 (KJV)
2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 3 And said unto him, ...
5
votes
2answers
125 views
Did the church break the bread with Paul in Acts 20:11 or was he alone?
11 When he had gone back up and had broken the bread and eaten, he
talked with them a long while until daybreak, and then left. - Acts
20:11
There is no consensus among scholars since 2000 years ...
5
votes
6answers
952 views
In Acts 20:7, why is the phrase τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων translated “the first day of the week” when it could mean “the first Sabbath”?
I noticed that the Greek phrase τῇ μιᾷ τῶν σαββάτων in Acts 20:7 is often translated “the first day of the week.” However, I assert that it could also mean “the first Sabbath” because the noun ...
1
vote
1answer
133 views
Did Acts 20:7 take place on Sunday midnight or Monday midnight?
How can we know for sure if Luke is talking about Saturday or Sunday midnight?
7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending ...
2
votes
1answer
72 views
In Acts, is it possible that the jailer could as equally have been asking “what must I do to be healed?” [duplicate]
Taking the passage in Acts 16 where the Jailer asks “what must I do to be saved?” I have a number of questions regarding the semantics of the Greek word as it is translated into English.
We get the “...
4
votes
3answers
73 views
Can “believe” be used as an synecdoche in Acts 13:12?
My question concerns the use of a figure of speech known as a synecdoche. That is a figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa.
In the scripture I have referenced ...
6
votes
3answers
7k views
In Acts 15:20 why does James prohibit the gentiles to eat strangled animals?
I don't see anything in the Torah that says an animal must be slaughtered before eating it instead of strangled to death.
Acts 15:20 (KJV) But that we write unto them, that they abstain from ...
