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.
267
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Divided house of Israel united in Acts 8?
Acts 8, when the apostles come from Jerusalem and lay hands on the Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit; I can’t shake the thought that this is connected to the division of the Kingdom in ...
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1answer
42 views
In Acts 1:25, what is an apostle?
[Act 1:25 NLT] (25) as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs."
What is an apostle?
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3answers
771 views
In Acts 2:6, was the miracle in the speaking or the hearing at Pentecost?
I have a few questions about tongues during the Pentecost event in acts. Here is the main verse :
And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every ...
3
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3answers
83 views
Was it Peter or Paul who first revealed that the gospel would be announced to the gentiles?
Paul is preaching to the gentiles in Acts 9 and Peter has his vision in Acts 10. So why does Peter say that the Lord chose him to preach to the gentiles and that Cornelius was the first of the ...
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2answers
426 views
“We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” Why then, was Stephen stoned to death? Acts 7:59-60 [duplicate]
When the Jews delivered Jesus to Pontius Pilate , Pilate said to them:
John 18:31 (NASB)
31" So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him
according to your law.” The Jews said to ...
4
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1answer
65 views
Why did Moses claim he was not eloquent when the Lord called him?
Ex 4:10: And Moses said unto the Lord, o my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue
This was Moses ...
2
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2answers
111 views
Question regarding “baptism for the remission of sins” in Acts 2:38
The Nicene Creed declares: “We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.” However, while doing research into this subject, I found this quote from the Lion Book of Christianity regarding ...
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29 views
Why/How Peter and James didn't know about Paul but Barnabas knew it?
From this link
Who are those apostles in Jerusalem? Paul himself states that during
his visit to Jerusalem, he saw only Peter and James, the Lord’s
brother, but none of the other apostles (Gal. ...
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2answers
51 views
Would men include boys in the New Testament?
"Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation
under heaven"
- Acts 2:5, NASB
Men translates Aner (Strong G435) which means Male according to Greek lexicons.
"So then, ...
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2answers
56 views
Should οἰκοδομέω be interpreted literally or metaphorically?
οἰκοδομέω (oikodomeō), with the lexical entry STRONG NT 3618, is the Greek verb for "edify." In the gospels it often has the normal meaning of building a physical structure.
But in Acts and the rest ...
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1answer
85 views
Why has μετανοήσατε been translated as “repent” in Acts 2:38?
So far as I can tell, this Greek word means something like a change of mind, or a change of heart.
Then the Vulgate says "pœnitentiam agite" which seems to mean do penance, something like a punitive ...
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1answer
58 views
In Galatians 2:11 what is meant by “I opposed him to his face”?
[Gal 2:11 NASB] (11) But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
[Gal 2:11 MGNT] (11) ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν Κηφᾶς εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῷ ...
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1answer
59 views
In Galatians 2:11 what does Paul mean when he says that Peter “stood condemned”?
[Gal 2:11 NASB] (11) But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
[Gal 2:11 MGNT] (11) ὅτε δὲ ἦλθεν Κηφᾶς εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῷ ...
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1answer
99 views
According to Acts 21:17-26 are the Jews who are under the New Covenant bound to keep the law of Moses for any reason?
1. According to Acts 21:17-26 are the Jews who are under the New Covenant bound to keep the law of Moses for any reason?
2. Did this incident in verse 26 happen before or after writing the epistles ...
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3answers
235 views
In Acts 15:13-21 who is James and why does he seem to be the one who needs to be convinced about the gentiles?
Who is James in Acts 15? What authority if any did he have in this ad hoc consultation with the apostles?
[Act 15:13 NASB] (13) After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Brethren, ...
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2answers
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What does the anointing with power mean in Acts 10:38?
δύναμις (from 1410 /dýnamai, "able, having ability") – properly, "ability to perform" (source).
In the New Testament, Jesus is shown to have His own divine power (δύναμις) (2 Peter 1:2-3, 16, ...
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3answers
122 views
In Acts 15:12-19 what in Amos convinces James about the gentiles not needing Torah?
[Act 15:12-19 CSB] (12) The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. (13) After they stopped ...
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2answers
53 views
In Acts 15:17 are the “remnant of men” and the “gentiles who are called by name” identical?
In the CSB it appears that they are:
[Act 15:17 CSB] (17) "so the rest of humanity may seek the Lord -- even all the Gentiles who are called by my name -- declares the Lord who makes these things
...
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1answer
50 views
What are the interpretive options for Acts 15 and Galatians 1-2?
In Acts 15 a dispute between Paul and Peter is described. Here are the details, as I understand them:
Peter was denying table fellowship to new Christian converts who were not circumcised and who did ...
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3answers
91 views
In Acts 26:23 what does it mean that the Messiah will “proclaim light”?
[Act 26:23 ASV] (23) how that the Christ must suffer, and how that he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.
[Act 26:23 MGNT] (23) εἰ ...
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0answers
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Does Acts 2:7 suggest that all of the 120 of Pentecost were part of the lost sheep of the northern kingdom of Israel?
Galilee was "the northern kingdom" of Israel though that kingdom was no longer God's people. The scattered sheep were referred to as "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" aka "Ephraim".
[Acts 2:7 ...
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1answer
96 views
Who are “them” and “the brothers” in Acts 22:5?
In Acts, Paul is giving a defense before the people of Jerusalem. In verse 5 Paul says "from them I received letters to the brothers" (ESV). I've seen two understandings of this.
The first is that "...
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1answer
94 views
Why does Jesus say Judas had perished when he was still alive?
It seems that Jesus is suggesting that Judas had already died before he commits suicide, which we know happens after the betrayal.
For some context let me start the quotation from John 17:6.
“I ...
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2answers
119 views
Did Paul quote Habakkuk 1:5 out of context in Acts 13:41?
Acts 13:40 - 41 (NKJV)
"Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the
prophets come upon you: "Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days, A work which you ...
1
vote
2answers
63 views
Why do some translations of the Bible say 'Spirit of Jesus' in Acts 16:7?
Whilst comparing a number of different versions I noticed that in Acts 16:7, some translations like the NIV, NLT, ESV say 'Spirit of Jesus', where as Young's Literal and the KJV just say 'Spirit'.
...
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2answers
214 views
How does the author of Acts say Moses was a man of power in words and deeds in Acts 7:22?
Acts 7
[22]Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds.
But when had been called upon to go to Egypt to proclaim God's message Moses ...
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2answers
83 views
I know that you acted in ignorance. Acts 3:17
Whilst giving a sermon in the temple, Peter said to people:
Acts 3:17 NASB
“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your
rulers did also."
Why did the Jews act in ...
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2answers
795 views
How did authorities know that Paul was really a Roman citizen?
A previous answer to a different question ventured into the territory of my question here, quoting from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (which in turn, cited from some commentaries) that ...
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4answers
469 views
How does Acts 15:21 link to Acts 15:20?
Acts 15:19-21 (NIV) “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food ...
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1answer
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Translating & interpreting the text of Acts 2:41
The text of Acts 2.41. The verse has two independent statements: They were baptized ... and Souls were added. Seems to me that this verse says nothing about how many actually received Peter's message ...
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2answers
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In Acts 11:17 is Peter referencing when he and the 120 believed or Cornelius?
I'm confused about how to interpret Acts 11:17, especially because of Bible translation differences.
The Bible in Basic English (translation)
If then God gave them, when they had faith in the Lord ...
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645 views
Acts 18:17: Why did the Greeks start beating the ruler of the synagogue?
Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue,
and beat him before the judgment seat (Acts 18:17, KJV)
Why did the Greeks start beating the ruler of the synagogue? Does the ...
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1answer
254 views
In Acts 13:22, does “a man after my own heart” refer to David or Jesse?
After comparing 1 Samuel 13:14 with Acts 13:22, I have often wondered if Acts 13:22 means that Jesse rather than David was a man after God’s own heart.
1 Samuel 13:14
14 But now thy kingdom shall ...
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2answers
492 views
In Acts 26:1 why does Paul stretch out his hand before beginning his defense?
In a courtroom setting and facing serious charges before King
Agrippa II Paul is permitted by the king to make his defense. Luke says "Paul stretched out his hand" and began his defense:
[Act 26:1-...
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1answer
28 views
In Acts 1:6, what is the significance of the particle εἰ?
In Acts 1:6, it is written,
Ϛʹ Οἱ μὲν οὖν συνελθόντες ἠρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες· κύριε, εἰ ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τούτῳ ἀποκαθιστάνεις τὴν βασιλείαν τῷ Ἰσραήλ; NA28, ©2012
What is the function/meaning of εἰ in ...
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3answers
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Is it a written law or an oral law that Peter says is violated when a Jew associates with a non-Jew?
"You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, (Acts 10:28 ESV)
Can someone offer a citation from Torah or other Jewish works that may have ...
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1answer
440 views
Was the power they received in Matthew 10 different from the one they received in Acts 2?
Christ gives power to the disciples to cast out demons and heal the sick which was prior to the giving of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 10:1 KJV
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, ...
2
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1answer
129 views
Who is this “Unknown god” that Paul talked about in Acts 17:23?
What was the Unknown God did Greeks had and if it is unknown God, why it is written in Capitel Letters in the Acts?(Acts. 17.23) "I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you ...
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2answers
95 views
Could the symbolic gesture of shaking off dust in Matthew 10 and Acts 13 have been steeped in some Jewish culture?
Matthew 10:14 NASB
14 Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
Acts 13:51 NASB
51 But they shook off the dust ...
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3answers
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In Acts 11:26 what were the disciples called in Antioch?
Acts 11:26 - It was in Antioch that the disciples were first given the name of “Christians”.
Disciples and Christians are both accusative masculine plural. If the disciples are the subject of the ...
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2answers
221 views
What does it mean that “the Lord stood near Paul” in Acts 23:11?
Acts 23:11 (NIV) says the following:
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”
What does ...
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What tone was Paul intending to convey in Acts 23:5?
In Acts 23:3-5 (NIV):
2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You ...
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5answers
827 views
Per Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3 why did John the Baptist preach the “baptism of repentance” and not “repent” for the forgivness of sin?
John the Baptist never told any one to directly repent of their sin. He preached the "baptism of repentance" for the forgiveness of sin. Is there a significant difference in the two concepts?
...
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6answers
185 views
Per Acts 3:19, to whom or to what does Peter say to “return”?
Acts 3:19 (ESV)
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted
out...
According to Dr. Charles P. Bayliss of Dallas Theological Seminary in an article published in the ...
2
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2answers
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Per Acts 5, Acts 11 and 2 Timothy 2, is repentance a gift?
Acts 5:31 (KJV)
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a
Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 11:18 (KJV)
When they heard these ...
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5answers
524 views
Is the anointing of Jesus mentioned in Acts 10:38 an anointing as king, priest or what?
When I think of an "anointing" I primarily think of a prophet marking a person off as king in the same way that Samuel anointed David:
KJV 1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and ...
9
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2answers
1k views
Why did the apostles not adhere strictly to the instructions of the Lord concerning water baptism?
In Matt 28:19, Jesus commanded the apostles to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, but we see in Acts of the Apostles that they baptized in the name of Jesus ...
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5answers
330 views
Is Jesus’ response to worship in John 9:38 only consistent with him being God?
ὁ δὲ ἔφη· πιστεύω, κύριε· καὶ προσεκύνησεν αὐτῷ.(John 9:38, NA27)
He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. (John 9:38, ESV).
The apostle Peter in Acts (10:26-27), similar incident with ...
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1answer
65 views
Can Luke's use of κράτιστε be taken as his way of acknowledging someone who held the office of High Priest?
1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of ...
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2answers
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The time of restoration of the Kingdom asked in Acts 1:6? Why didn't Jesus answer plainly?
It does not seem that Jesus gave a direct answer when the disciples asked him about the Kingdom in Acts 1:6.
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at
this time restore ...
