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.
420
questions
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2answers
24 views
How do we reconcile John 5:28-29 (“all who are in the tombs”) with Luke 20:38 (“God of the living”)?
Christ states the following, recorded in John's Gospel:
John 5:28-29: “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, 29and will come forth; ...
2
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1answer
29 views
“Is Acts 4:23-27 [NASB] previewing in a small way Rev 16:13,14, in that kings and rulers are gathered together against God and His Christ?”
In Acts 4:25,26, the apostles, after being confronted by 'underhanded' chief priests and elders, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, are heard to be quoting David Thy servant, who, having been ...
2
votes
4answers
60 views
What is the meaning of the author of life?
Acts 3:15 (NIV)
You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.
What is the meaning of the author of life? How can the author of life be killed? Isn't that a ...
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vote
2answers
43 views
What is the lesson in the story of Eutychus?
Acts 20:
7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.
8Now there were many lamps ...
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3answers
53 views
How does the Holy Spirit speak in Acts 13:2?
Acts 13:1 Now in 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
54 views
Why didn't Paul and Silas declare their citizenship before they were punished in Act 16:23?
In Acts 16, the Philippi magistrates sided with the local fortune-telling businessmen to punish Paul and Silas:
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered ...
2
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3answers
42 views
Acts 10:3 Is the angel that Cornelius saw Jesus?
Acts 10
1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and ...
4
votes
2answers
58 views
Acts 15:19 turned or turning?
In Acts 15:20 there are four things a Gentile immediately shall stop do when entering discipleship.
1: Abstain from food polluted by idols.
2: Abstain from sexual immorality.
3: Abstain from meat of ...
2
votes
1answer
33 views
Why is Xenoglossy being mocked as Glossolalia? (Acts 2:15)
In Acts 2:6-8, the apostles perform xenoglossia, the ability to speak in a foreign language that the speaker has not learned. "And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?&...
2
votes
2answers
47 views
Why didn't Gamaliel defend Jesus before the Sanhedrin?
Acts 5
33When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the ...
6
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7answers
596 views
When did the apostles clearly see themselves separate from the OT Jewish faith?
Acts 6:5
This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full
of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor,
Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to ...
4
votes
1answer
218 views
Why is there a separation between Luke and Acts?
Even though there are still some discussions on that, Luke is widely recognized as the author of the book of Acts. Wikenhauser-Schmid (Einleitung, 376) list the following modern interpreters who ...
3
votes
3answers
87 views
Is Paul suggesting that our next breath and heartbeat depends on God (Acts 17:28)?
As the apostle Paul delivers his sermon at the Areopagus (Mars Hill), he declares:
Acts 17:28, NAS: "for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also ...
3
votes
2answers
183 views
Is Paul encouraging Christians to pursue an Acts 4:29-31 type of experience in Ephesians 5:18?
In Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV), Paul encourages Christians to seek to be filled with the Spirit:
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing ...
4
votes
2answers
120 views
Was Jesus anointed upon His baptism (Matt. 3:16-17)?
Here is the passage in question:
Matthew 3:16-17: "After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as ...
3
votes
2answers
92 views
Could Paul's stoning (Acts 14:19) have anything to do with his being “caught up to the 3rd heaven”? (2 Cor. 12:2-4)
This question concerns a timeline. I have often wondered if two experiences Paul describes might be connected:
2 Corinthians 12:2-4: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the ...
2
votes
2answers
49 views
Can non-disciples of Jesus cast out demons in Jesus' name or not? Mark 9:38-40 vs. Acts 19:11-16
Mark 9:38-40 (ESV):
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for ...
3
votes
1answer
30 views
Acts 2:27 - Did Jesus’ body not experience decay while it lie in the sepulcher?
In Acts 2:27, it is written,
Acts 2:27
27 For You will not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor will You [a]allow Your [b]Holy One to [c]undergo decay.New American Standard Bible. La Habra: Foundation ...
3
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2answers
55 views
Time span between Acts 18:2 till Acts 21:17
Is it possible to know how much time passed between Acts 18:2 and Acts 21:17, that is, till Paul's last visit to Jerusalem?
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth
(Acts 18:...
0
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1answer
35 views
Did the Holy Spirit start to dwell in the believers in Act 2?
English Standard Version Acts 2:1-4:
1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled ...
1
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2answers
52 views
Paul’s relationship with Barnabas
Acts 15:39a
And the contention was so sharp between them [Paul & Barnabas], that
they departed asunder one from the other
“Paul did not forgive Barnabas but rejected his companionship?” The ...
2
votes
1answer
28 views
Significance of Paul's conversation with the Tribune in Acts 22:26-28
In Acts 22, Paul is about to be flogged, but mentions to a centurion that he is a Roman citizen. The centurion gets the tribune in charge of the situation and brings him to Paul, and this conversation ...
9
votes
2answers
383 views
Where does Moses say the things which Paul attributes to him in Acts 26:22-23?
In Acts 26:22-23, Paul says that
I stand here...saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
What is the significance of persecuting me instead of persecuting the church?
Acts 9:4
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
What is the significance of persecuting me instead of persecuting the church?
1
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4answers
133 views
Was the gift of the Holy Spirit promised only for the first-century Church, according to Acts 2:38-39?
Acts 2:37-39 (ESV):
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be ...
3
votes
4answers
205 views
What is the logic behind the Jews' reasoning which led them to spontaneously stone Stephen to death?
Acts 7:51-60 (ESV):
51 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not ...
2
votes
1answer
29 views
What was the purpose of fasting in Acts 13:1-3?
Acts 13:1-3 (ESV):
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ...
2
votes
2answers
61 views
Did Jesus or G-d come in a vision to Ananias?
I am curious to know if there is a contradiction here?
In Acts 9
Ananias is a Disciple of Jesus.
There is no mention of him being a devout Jew
Lord[Jesus] talks to Ananias in a vision
Lord[Jesus] has ...
1
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0answers
29 views
Could Acts 12:22 be translated “of God” instead of “of a god”?
Acts 12:22 is usually translated something like
"And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!”"
Can the word translated 'of a god' (Θεοῦ, theou) instead be translated ...
2
votes
2answers
39 views
Does Acts 12:21-23 prohibit worship of Kings?
Acts 12:21-23 says
"Now on an appointed day Herod clothed himself in royal apparel, and
sat on the judgment seat, and began addressing them. 22 But the
people began to cry out, “It is the voice ...
6
votes
10answers
1k views
Why does Paul go to the Synagogues when he was supposed to go to the gentiles
In Acts, you see a consistent pattern in Paul's travels and ministry where he enters a city, on Shabbat he goes to the Synagogue, shares the gospel, ends up with the jews being upset and fighting with ...
2
votes
1answer
16 views
Was Luke with Paul when he travelled from Troas to Samothrace
I am just curious about this text in Acts.
Seems like Luke was with Paul on this trip. Is this true?
Please see the highlighted word we
Acts 16:10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once ...
2
votes
3answers
86 views
How & why did the the spirit of Jesus stop Paul from entering Bithynia to preach
I am just curious about this verse.
There is a similar event in Number 22 where Balak Summons Balaam to Curse Israel. Tanakh says an Angel tried to stop Balaam.
The word spirit of Jesus comes in the ...
5
votes
3answers
261 views
Did Saul see Jesus or a bright light?
I ask this question based on the below points and below verses.
Acts 9:1 says that Saul saw a bright light from heaven and Saul became blind(at least temporarily)
Others did not see anything by just ...
2
votes
1answer
35 views
What's the difference between these verses regarding “God was with him”?
And the patriarchs, having envied Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him. Acts 7:9
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good ...
0
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2answers
64 views
Why was Stephen performing great wonders and signs among the people when he was selected to handle the distribution of Food?
We read in Acts 6:5 that Stephen was one of the 7 that was selected to handle the food distribution so the 12 disciples could preach.
In Acts 6:8 we read that Stephen performed great wonders and signs
...
1
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1answer
51 views
Acts 1:12 ~ Shabbat days walk
The passages that come after Jesus ascended into heaven in acts 1 talks about the disciples coming down from the mount of olives
Acts says that the mount of olives is a Shabbat days walk === .62 Miles ...
2
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2answers
268 views
In what language did Peter most likely preach his sermon at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41)? [closed]
We all know that the apostles and disciples miraculously spoke different tongues at Pentecost, that the foreigners around who were native speakers of those languages could understand:
5 Now there ...
1
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3answers
120 views
What is the difference between speaking with the mind and speaking in a tongue (with the spirit)? 1 Corinthians 14
In 1 Cor 14:2, the act of speaking in a tongue is described as a process in which a person utters mysteries under the influence of the Holy Spirit:
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men ...
1
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3answers
74 views
Why was there no need for the gift of interpretation of tongues (1 Cor 14) at Pentecost (Acts 2)?
The gift of interpretation of tongues is a very important gift according to 1 Corinthians 14. It enables the person with the gift to understand and interpret what someone with the gift of tongues is ...
3
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6answers
367 views
Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a chance to repent? Acts 5:1-11
Acts 5:1-11 (ESV):
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of ...
1
vote
1answer
41 views
Is Acts 15:20 a summary of Leviticus 17 & 18?
Acts 15:19-20 read (KJV):
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to
God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, ...
2
votes
4answers
189 views
Whom did Ananias lie to? The Holy Spirit, God or both? Acts 5:3-4
Acts 5:3-4 (ESV):
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did ...
1
vote
1answer
210 views
What does the phrase “in His own authority” mean in Acts 1:7?
Acts 1:7 YLT and he said unto them, 'It is not yours to know times or seasons that the Father did appoint in His own authority.
What does "in His own authority" mean in this verse?
2
votes
2answers
93 views
How can the Holy Spirit be a person if He (or it) can be 'poured out' according to Acts 2:17?
Acts 2:17 (ESV):
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, ...
1
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1answer
29 views
Simon Peter vs. Simeon Peter - is there significance/context to using one vs. the other
Peter is regularly referred to as "Simon Peter". But in two places in the New Testament he is called "Simeon Peter".
At the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15:
13 and after they are ...
2
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2answers
65 views
How does Judas hang himself and then fall headlong? [duplicate]
Matthew 27:5
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away
and hanged himself.
Acts 1:18
With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;
there he fell ...
2
votes
2answers
68 views
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 ...
2
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1answer
54 views
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 ...
3
votes
3answers
69 views
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 (...
