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.
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Were Jewish, Greek, and Gentile converts adults only?
When Luke speaks of Jews', Greeks', and Gentiles' conversions, does he refer to men and women only (an adult population), or could his words also include children?
Conversion of Jews and Greeks
1 In ...
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Reading from the book of the Acts of the Apostles (3,13-15.17-19)
In those days, Peter told the people: “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, when he had ...
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3answers
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With what writings was Apollos mighty?
Acts 18:24
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man,
and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
The word usually rendered here as "scriptures" is γραφαῖς (...
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The Holy Spirit [closed]
If the Holy Spirit is in us does that mean that when we breath out those around us are anointed/baptized/affected by/with the Holy Spirit?
It is a known fact that the breath of a person contains their ...
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22 views
What Was the Messenger of Satan That Tormented Paul? [duplicate]
The apostle Paul describes being tormented by a "messenger of Satan":
2 Corinthians 12:7: “Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting ...
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1answer
354 views
In Christ - believers remain One (εἷς) non-ethnic genderless body [Galatians 3:27-28], unless it helps to be Jewish [Acts 21] or Roman [Acts 22]?
In Galatians 3:27-28 [NASB], Paul claims all baptized in Christ lose ethnicity and gender.
[27] For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [28] There is ...
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0answers
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Does Jesus sit or stand at the right hand of God? [duplicate]
Psalm 110:1
A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Luke 22:69
But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right ...
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1answer
27 views
Why was James the son of Zebedee beheaded rather than crucified or stoned?
Acts 12 reports that James the son of Zebedee was put to death by Herod Agrippa I:
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex
certain of the church.
2 And he killed James ...
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3answers
92 views
Why is theon translated as 'God' usually for John 10:33 and 'a god' for Acts 28:6?
The consensus among ancient Greek language experts seems to be that the term 'theon' in John 10:33 should be translated as 'God'. For example
"“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said ...
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3answers
591 views
Why didn't the Jewish leaders try one more time to have Jesus stoned to death?
They tried to stone Jesus in John 8:
57 “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”
58“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” ...
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Jesus' yoke (Matt 11:28-30) vs the Law's yoke (Acts 15:10): Why is Jesus' yoke easier?
Jesus promises that his yoke is easy:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and ...
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1answer
76 views
Why did God approve of animal-based diets if Adam and Eve were originally vegan?
Genesis tells us that Adam, Eve and all animals had originally plant-based diets, as God provided them with every plant and tree for food:
29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant ...
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2answers
140 views
Which Mary is which?
Inspired by this question: I thought a question directly focused on Mary-disambiguation would be helpful.
There are lots of Mary's in the New Testament. Here's a sampling:
In the end of the sabbath, ...
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2answers
50 views
How did the Jewish exorcists of Acts 19:13 cast out demons before they undertook to invoke the name of Jesus?
Acts 19:13 informs us about the existence of iterant Jewish exorcists who, inspired by Paul, decided to undertake the practice of invoking Jesus' name to cast out demons, probably because they wanted ...
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1answer
20 views
Based on Acts 6:15, What type of Angel (ἀγγέλου) did Stephen's face look like?
Does the term "Angel" or "Angelou" (ἀγγέλου) used in Acts 6:15 mean Stephen's face looked like a כְּר֨וּב Keruv, or one of the שְׂרָפִ֨ים Serafim?
Acts 6:8-15 [NASB]
"[8] And ...
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When did Abraham go away from Haran?
I am trying to make a list of all persons in the Bible with all dates, but I struggled with one thing. What is Abraham's birthday? There are two versions I found out:
Version A (According to Genesis ...
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1answer
33 views
Are the multiple mentions of Gentiles attending synagogues on Sabbath in Acts evidence that the Gentiles are to keep the Sabbath?
Acts 13:42-48 (ESV)
42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to ...
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1answer
23 views
Who was attending the synagogues in Jesus times?
Were there only Jewish men, or women as well?
Were there children? If so, of what age?
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people repeatedly begged
to have these things spoken to them the ...
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2answers
79 views
How long did Saul reign?
In 1 Samuel 13:1 (BPT09)
Saul era de meia-idade, quando se tornou rei de Israel e reinou cerca de vinte anos.
which translates to
Saul was middle-aged when he became king of Israel and reigned for ...
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1answer
24 views
The use of the word “exposed” in acts 7:19 and Hebrews 4:13
Is the use of the word “exposed” in Acts 7:19 the same as the one used in Hebrews 4:13, when referencing the word of God?
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2answers
35 views
What does “not abandon” mean in Acts 2:27?
Acts 2:27 "For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption". ESV
Commenting on this verse Ellicott says that Jesus went "to Hades to carry on the ...
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1answer
42 views
How do we make sense of 'Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven' in Acts 2:5?
Acts 2:5 says
"Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every
nation under heaven."
The straightforward English reading of this makes it sound false - there were no Jews ...
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4answers
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Why does King James Bible Acts 12:4 say “Easter”?
King James Bible Acts 12:4
And when he [Herod] had apprehended him [Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him ...
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1answer
42 views
What happened to the fasting conspirators who sought to kill Paul?
When Paul traveled to Jerusalem after his 3rd missionary journey there was quite a commotion and multiple attempts were made on his life.
After he was arrested, 40 men took an oath to eat nothing ...
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2answers
39 views
Acts 9 19b vs Galatians 1 16b
So I don't have any issue reconciling Acts 9 with Galatians one with regards to timelines or accuracy. The only thing I still struggle with that I'm hoping to get an answer on is the second part of ...
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4answers
212 views
Is Acts 15:28 evidence that the Holy Spirit is a personal being capable of having opinions about things?
Acts 15:28 (ESV):
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
Since the pronoun "us" clearly points to the people at the ...
3
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3answers
230 views
What exactly is the “Apostles' Doctrine”?
Acts 2:42 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."
My question is what exactly was the "Apostles' Doctrine&...
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1answer
45 views
Exactly how did the Holy Spirit intervene at the Jerusalem Council to settle the doctrinal debates concerning the Law and the Gentiles (Acts 15)?
Acts 15 is a popular chapter for those who have delved into the topic of the Mosaic Law and its applicability to the Christian Church. The chapter tell us about the Jerusalem Council and the heated ...
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1answer
36 views
What does fire mean in the context of “divided tongues, as it were of fire” (Acts 2:3)?
Acts 2:3 (YLT):
3 and there appeared to them divided tongues, as it were of fire; it sat also upon each one of them,
What does fire mean in this context? And how is the fire related to the divided ...
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6answers
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When was Jesus made both Lord and Christ?
Acts 2:36 (ESV):
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. When ...
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3answers
119 views
Why is God referred to as “Lord” and Jesus as His “holy servant” in Acts 4:23-31, in contrast to what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 8:6?
Acts 4:23-31 (NASB):
23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, ...
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4answers
540 views
What did Stephen mean when he said “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” in Acts 7:59?
Acts 7:54-60 (NASB):
54 Now when they heard this, they were infuriated, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the ...
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Why did some of the witnesses at Pentecost react with mockery in Acts 2:13?
Acts 2:12-13 (ESV):
12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Why did some of the witnesses ...
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In light of Acts 10:44-48, were the disciples in Acts 2 praising/exalting God in tongues (contrary to the view that they were “preaching” in tongues)?
Disclaimer: this is going to be a bit of a long question, so bear with me.
I've heard people claim that the purpose of the gift of tongues is to preach the gospel to foreigners in their own native ...
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3answers
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Did Stephen see the Father?
Acts 7:54-58 (NRSV):
54 When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. 55 But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and ...
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1answer
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Does Matthew 28:19 involve a spoken baptismal formula?
Is there anything in the text of Matthew 28:19 that teaches we should speak a baptismal formula before baptizing someone? While I think it's good practice, is a spoken formula taught anywhere in the ...
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2answers
108 views
Why did Peter say that Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit?
In Acts 5:3
Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
...
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Did Peter converse with (pray to) the Holy Spirit in Acts 10:9-19?
Acts 10:9-19 (NIV):
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and ...
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3answers
109 views
Is Acts 26:14 testifying Jesus spoke : Hebrew or Aramaic?
Is Acts 26:14 testifying ישׁוּעָ Jesus ( Ἰησοῦς) spoke עִבְרִי Hebrew (Ἑβραΐδι) or ܐܪܡܝܐ Aramaic?
When studying Acts 26:14 from the [ESV] translation, we read :
" And when we had all fallen to ...
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Acts 26:24 What did Festus mean when he said to Paul “Too much learning is driving you insane!”
In the following passage: What was Paul's "learning" and how do we know? We can say that he had a "classical education", but that is basically a cheat. There was no single meaning ...
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Why had Paul earned a reputation for being against Moses in Acts 21?
Acts 21:17-26 (NIV):
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul ...
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3answers
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Acts 19:14 Is that refer to the high priest who executed Jesus?
Acts 19:11-14 says this
11 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their ...
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What is the significance of pointing out the fact that the man who was healed of lameness was 40 years old?
Act 4:16-22
“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from ...
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95 views
What is the Spirit of Jesus?
Acts 16:7
When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
5
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2answers
55 views
difference between a trance and a vision?
Acts 10:9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was ...
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2answers
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What are the different languages represented in Acts 2:9-11a?
v9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those dwelling in Mesopotamia, both in Judea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia,
v10 Both in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya around ...
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5answers
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Does God show favoritism?
Acts 10:34
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
Genesis 18
1The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was ...
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2answers
102 views
Which Caesar did Paul see?
Acts 27:24a
and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar.'
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66 views
What exactly were the formal charges against Paul?
Acts 25:27
For I [Festus] think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him [Paul]."
What was the nature of these charges? Religious? Seditious? ...
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Was being baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus not enough in order to receive the Holy Spirit?
Acts 8:14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they ...
