Discuss Acts 24 Page 2

Hello Adam. I have been reading all the comments on this thread (& others). And I don't want to 'clutter' this thread with further similar comments. But looking for that 'common denominator' that brings about this great division in understanding, I feel that it boils down to our perception of "who is a Christian?".

It seems clear that folk like Jesse, myself & others have a very 'narrow' understanding of the word "Christian", whereas yours & others, have a much broader understanding. The disciples were never 'Christians' during Jesus' days on Earth. They were simply Christ's disciples (as those under instruction by a Rabbi/teacher) & they followed Christ in His ministry. It was only after the Church was established that these followers of Jesus were referred to by other terms. One term was, "The Way" Sect, probably as seen by its use in Acts 9:2; 19:9,23; 24:14,22. Another term was, "The Sect of the Nazarenes" ( Acts 24:5). And yes, they were also called "Christians" first in Antioch ( Acts 11:26) & was used as a derogatory word ('Followers of the Anointed").

But if we take that name given to Christians as valid for us today (as it is), then we must know what that name implies. Can it just be applied, as the world & Christendom generally does, to any who profess to follow Christ, goes to Church, prays to God, reads from the Bible, etc.? Or, should the word apply to those who have been brought under conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit, born again, infilled & in constant communion with the Spirit? I think you will agree to the latter which is in stark contrast to the other.

Then you gave an example:"I know a Christian right now who has premarital sex, watches porn, and does drugs" & say that we believe that this is a Christian, then I (& we) would disagree with you. Ultimately, God is the only judge of our hearts, not us. All I know is the one who is a true Christian lives a different life, follows different Laws (of the Spirit) & cannot live in unrestrained sin.

Hi Richard,

I agree there is a hell. I believe it because the bible says it!

To teach otherwise can be dangerous, It sounds similar to Satan discrediting Gods word when Satan deceived Eve.

"And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:" Genesis 3:4.

And here's scriptural proof they don't just cease from existing.

1st of all the resurrection, and the term we know as the 2nd death.

Acts 24:15. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a RESURRECTION of the dead, ( both of the just and UNJUST. )

What's the point in raising the unjust just to send them right back to the grave?

Matthew 25:41, 46 (KJV) Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:...42..43..44..

...And these shall go away into EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT:

but the righteous into life eternal.

Hell was created for the devil and his angels but his children will go there also, and to take note,

YOU CAN'T WEEP AND NASH TEETH IF YOU NO LONGER EXIST, NEITHER CAN YOU ENDURE EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT.

Matthew 13:42-43. AND SHALL CAST THEM INTO A FURNACE OF FIRE: ""THERE SHALL BE WAILING AND GNASHING OF TEETH.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Revelation 20:14-15. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the Second death.

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE.

HERE IT SEEMS TO BE A RELOCATION, AND DEATH ( AND HELL IS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE!! )

When the restrainer is taken out of the way

( Thes 2:7 )

you see how evil men really is. War against God ect.

Revelation 16:9. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

They'll be just like their father the Devil.

No repentance. Forever tormented.

The scripture is clear.

GB.

Questions: "What happens at the end times? The end times is the final events of world history as we know it and is foretold by prophecy.

The end times is the final events of world history as we know it, punctuated by the rapture - tribulation - Battle of Armageddon - Christ returning - Satan being put into the pit - the 1,000 year millennium - Satan's release - Satan's final defeat - and mankind's final judgment, as expanded below. While many believe that these end time events are about to start, the truth is, we can only guess.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits [from the cross]; then, when he comes [the rapture], those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power [after the 1,000 year millennium] ( 1 Cor. 15: 22-24).

The Rapture

The word "Rapture" does not appear in the Bible but is used by Christians to describe an end time event. Rapture comes from the Latin word raptus which means "seize," "snatch" or "take away." It refers to those who obey and follow Jesus being taken up to meet Christ in the air.

This is the first rapture. The time when all the saints through out history will rise to receive new eternal bodies combined with their souls.

For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

The exact details of the rapture remain a mystery; however, we know that we will be physically resurrected at the Rapture ( John 5:29; Acts 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

There's much more info at this website you can visit also. 'GetBibleAnswers dot org'. It's a lot to process.

M

1. I now address you, Jezebel in the spiritual realm, and I declare that I recognize that cord of occultic powers between you and your seat in (person's name)

I now take the Sword of the Spirit and I sever this cord of OCCULTIC POWERS in the Almighty name of Jesus Christ!

It is written in 2 Sam 22:32-37: "For Who is God but the Lord? And Who is a Rock except our God? God is my strong Fortress; He guides the blameless in His way and sets him free. He makes my feet like the hinds'; He sets me secure and confident upon the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; and Your condescension and gentleness have made me great. You have enlarged my steps under me, so that my feet have not slipped."

I now take the Sword of the Spirit and I sever this cord of COMPROMISE in the Almighty name of Jesus!

It is written in Acts 24:14: "But this I confess to you, however, that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, still persuaded of the truth of and believing in and placing full confidence in everything laid down in the Law of Moses or written in the prophets."

"And He replied to him, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." ( Matt. 22:37)

3. I now address you, Jezebel in the spiritual realm, and I declare that I recognize that cord of IMMORALITY - IDOLATRY - between you and your seat in (person's name)

I now take the Sword of the Spirit and I sever this cord of immorality in the Almighty name of Jesus! It is written in:

Rev.19:7: "Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honour, for the marriage of the Lamb at last has come, and His bride has prepared herself."

4. I now address you, Jezebel in the spiritual realm, and I declare that I recognize that cord of DOMINATION, INTIMIDATION and MANIPULATION between >

names and titles used. Its important to see man work in the changes in the scriptures.

I agree with your explaination of letter J. When I found out it was more serious than that.

Christianity started in a gentile area called Antioch. what scripture say this.....

"And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch."

now who started christianity... from much praying.. and then searching i came to

Acts 6:5

"And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:"

stephen was killed and believers were scattered and Nicolas returned to Antioch and that when the first christians started.. Nicolas.. st Nicolas.. ..Santa claws. brings in christmasn xmas tree ( Jeremiah 10:1-9), easter replaces passover feast of the unleaven bread. easter and xmas are paigans.

this I now know Paul

didn't identify himself as a christian be was a believer and follower of the WAY.

Acts 24:14

"But this I confess unto thee, that after the WAY which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:"

John 1:1 and 14

John 1:1

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

John 14:6

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

The disciples were believers who followed the WAY. the WORD that became flesh is the truth Messias.

Revelation 19:13

"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

To CARLETON

The messages we post each are indeed according to the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him ( John 14:17). Please note the word 'cannot'.

We speak with a clear conscience towards God and toward men ( Acts 24:16), and we say the truth in Christ, we lie not, our conscience also bearing us witness in the Holy Ghost ( Romans 9:1).

The time has come when it must be said: You are a follower of an image of a false god and a false Christ and if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect ( Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Gal. 4:8; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; Rev. 12:9).

The comments you post are misleading, empty and without basis or spiritual wisdom and knowledge. With great swelling words you speak of God's love, but we know you, that ye have not the love of God in you ( John 5:42). When we say we know you, it means 'spiritually'. The believers judge after the spirit of man ( John 8:15).

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of the Spirit ( John 3:8).

Only through 'True Repentance' will God be able to reveal Himself, and adopt you as His sons and daughters ( Rom. 8:15,23; 2 Cor.6:18; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5; Hebr. 12:5; 1 John 3:1).

The word 'Repent' means a lot more than what people by nature have been conditioned to believe. It is the key principle of all the teachings of Jesus Christ and the axiom (basis) of the Word of God and a prerequisite and primary requirement for the salvation of mankind. It actually means the changing of spirits - to turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God ( Acts 26:18).

You are of the world: therefore do you speak of the world and the world hears you ( John 4:4).

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error ( 1 John 4:6; Isaiah 8:20).

not afraid of the road, only afraid of short.

It's good with me!

Dear Rod, it was in the book of Acts. Paul was warned multiple times notto go back to Jerusalem, but instead to go to Rome, but he disobeyed. Acts 20:22-23, again in Acts 21:10-12. Paul ended up losing two years of his ministry because of this, as shown in Acts 24:27, when he could have been out preaching, he was locked up. But the Lord still got Paul to Rome anyway, in the end, Acts 27:23-24.

Not so, my friend, as a man dies as a Christian, He is asleep in CHRIST,,,, not so for the one who dies with out a Saviour.

Verse 15~there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and unrighteous. Many will have a chance to build a relationship with Jehovah God under perfect conditions.

April,1Timothy2:9 "modest apparel". Modest=not showing too much of the body (skin),decent. V.10 But which becometh women professing godliness with good works" (A woman professing godliness would discern if her clothing would cause a man to look at her and lust, she would not want to cause someone to stumble. A "good conscience" would be careful not to "offend" as in Acts 24:16.

Acts 24-31, scripture to learn from. Leviticus 18.
All people are from the blood line of Adam and Eve. I want to correct something I wrote earlier; I wrote that Cain would have married his sister. But scripture does not tell us who Cain married. So, I repent of that comment.

Felix; for at least 2 YEARS he heard the truth of God's word. He well KNEW the way of salvation - from Paul. The Bible is silent on how he turned out, but even after 2 yrs. of hearing about the sin of the love of money, covetousness - he still was hoping for money from Paul. He hadn't learned by then, so ............only God knows.

"But this I confess unto thee, that after the way they call HERESY, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things written in the Law and the Prophets."

Verse 26 shows that Felix had ulterior motives.

Verse 14-16 sums up this chapter to me, the Christian should strive to duplicate what is written in scripture not what is misinterpreted over the pulpit and pews. so I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. Bless His name.

I read what they said will happen to A person when He or she die. but I had the opportunity to go to the other side. and be here to talk about it.I was in A turkey accident and it look like no way out I was in A truck that was on fire and I couldn 't excape. my soul left my body and the fire that was around the truck wasn 't going to harm me I was going into A world of fire. that was Hell at that time God put my soul back in my body and give me the courage to put my hand in the fire and exit that truck. answer to the question Hell was their plain is can be. when A person Die they aren 't no pain ounce my soul left my bad I could have burn to crust in that and feel nothing.

This makes a person stop and think. What 's going through my mind. Is it void of offense?

Hello Grant No, Paul did not make a mistake. The Bible states in Hebrews 9 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment . If a person, now under the grace age, dies without following Acts 2 38 they are lost. Yes, they go to hell. If a person dies having put on the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ name then that person sleeps waiting the great day of the rapture. When those people in hell are called to stand before the Great White Throne Judgment this is the final judgment. The will find themselves going into the lake of fire which is the second death, Revelation 20 11 thru 15.

Catholics think that when a person dies they go to heaven or hell. I say to these unbelievers what about the resurrection? If souls are in heaven, did Paul get it wrong? He said there is going to be a resurrection for EVERYONE. In their reasoning they catholics think that the souls in heaven will have to go back to earth and be judged again!!! Not a bible teaching!

This is one of my most favorite scriptures in the Bible. Not only that but this is a great scripture to comfort those who believe that death will always be. I can understand why many would feel this way but this scripture and others like 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26 and Revelations 21:4 to name a couple to a few more prove and offer hope that death will be a thing of the past. To back up what I'm speaking from Jehovah God's (his name according to Psalm 83:18) word ( 2 Timothy 3:16), Psalm 37:29, another one of my favorite scriptures, shows that the "righteous will possess the earth" and "reside forever upon it." (New World Translation Bible, other scriptures I quote will come from this but I strongly encourage all reading this to read this in your copy of the Bible) and John 5:28, 29 and Acts 24:15 talk about the resurrection hope and promises that you will see your dead loved ones again.

This is I'll leave you with.

No, We are not going to heaven. According to this: Matthew 5:5 — Meek Inherit the Earth.

Adam and Eve was supposed to live forgive on this Earth in Pardise and be fruit and have a children but they failed and disobey in the name of God.

He said he promised for righteous and unrighteous to live here forever and removed the wick of the system of things. Wait a minute.. Unrighteous too ? Yes.. Here: The book goes on to say—“But why will Jesus permit a man who was a criminal to live in Paradise?

Acts 24:15: I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Luke 23:42 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Other criminal insulted Jesus will not come with him in Paradise at all.

So that the unrighteous will have an opportunity to prove that he love God in new Earth right here. Yes, for one thousand years.

God has a name. Jesus said: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified” Matthew 6:9.

The father has a name. Go to your bible and you will be shock even your churches a false churches do not taught God's name. God and Lord is the subjects! PSALM 83:18 -- His name is what ? Yes, JEHOVAH!

Felix had a demon of procastination, very dangerous. Drusilla was not his wife but were in adulterous living. Today u need not linger any longer to make a decision. It must be today.

@Brian,
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 is for those who willfully refuse to accept the truth, and obey God. It is not for those who actually have not been preached to, as Romans 10:13-21.
One has to be taught and refuse to obey, just like those mentioned Romans 10:21.
God is just, and He has prepared a resurrection for the just and another resurrection for the unjust. But the dead in Christ come ahead of both resurrections, Acts 24:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16.
And there will be a time, when those who have not heard the gospel during their lifetime will be taught, and given choice to make for themselves, sometime during the apocalypse.
So let’s trust God’s love and mercy shall also prevail with her.
God bless you.

I really love this chapter of The trial before Felix. The Jews from the province of Asia had accusation on Paul, and had plot to kill him for his believe. They lie on him and said that he had stirr up riots and was a ringleader,and a troublemaker.Paul told Felix,governor,and the commander that he was just doing his father business,that there was not no crowd around him to be stirr for a riot,but he testify about the goodness of JESUS, Felix saw what was in Paul and wanted to use that for his own benefits by keeping him lock up in prison to find him a bribe.That makes me think of when GOD use you to do the work of GOD,people look at it as what can I get out of that person. So they will call you when they sick,need money,food,job problems,and etc.for prayer like GOD only save certain people.( John 14:6)I am the way,the truth,and the life,no man cometh unto the father,but by me.(Matt20:16)Many are call,but few few are choosen(Rom10:13)For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.So it is for all to recieve the HOLY SPIRIT and be save.Now this is the day of salvation; tommrrow may be to late.

Babylon the Great as stated here is not the U.S, neither the ancient City of Babylon.BABYLON THE GREAT HERE IN REVELATION IS SYMBOLICALLY USE TO THE EMPIRE OF FALSE RELIGION.

Revelation was written at the end of the first century C.E and describes events that would reach down to our day. The city of Babylon was taken by the Persians under Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C. Later Alexander the Great planned to make Babylon the capital of his eastern empire, but after his death Babylon gradually lost importance. Today the city (near Baghdad Iraq, is an uninhabited ruin.

In the symbolism of Revelation, Babylon the Great is referred to as a "great city", a "kingdom" that rules other kings.(Rev.17:18) Like city, it would have many organizations within it: and like a kingdom that includes other kings in its domain, it would be in international in scope. It is described as having relations with political rulers and contributing much to the wealth of men in commerce, while itself being a third element that "has become a dwelling place of demons" and a persecutor of "prophets and of holy ones".- Rev.18:2,9-17,24

History of ancient Babylon was outstanding noted for its religion and its defiance of Jehovah God- the God of Hebrew.(see Exodus 6:3 and Psalms 83:18)

At Gen.10:8-10, " Nimrod...displayed himself a mighty hunter in opposition to Jehovah...And the beginning of his kingdom came to Babel [later known as Babylon].

At Daniel 5:22,23- Belshazzar-Babylonian king exalted himself against the Lord of heavens and 'have praised mere gods of silver and of gold," etc...."that are beholding nothing or hearing nothing". but the God who gave breath and everything to Belshazzar , he have not glorified.

Ancient cuneiform inscription reads; "there are Babylon 53 temples of the chief gods,55 chapels of Marduk,300 chapels for the earthly deities, 600 for the heavenly deities, 180 altars for the goddess Ishtar, 180 for the gods Nergal and Adad and 12 other altars for different gods"- Quoted in THE BIBLE AS HISTORY (New York, 1964), W. Keller,p,301.

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA COMMENTS: "Sumerian civilization [which was part of Babylonia] was dominated by priests; at the head of the state was the "LUGAL"(literally 'great man'), the representative of the gods."-(1977).Vol.3,p.9.

REASONABLY, therefore, BABYLON THE GREAT as referred to in REVELATION is RELIGIOUS.Being like a city and an empire, it is not limited to one religious group but includes ALL RELIGIONS that are in OPPOSITION to Jehovah, the true God.

ANCIENT BABYLONIAN RELIGIOUS CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES ARE FOUND IN RELIGIONS WORLDWIDE.

"Egypt, Persia, and Greece felt the influence of the Babylonian religion...The strong admixture of Semitic elements both in early Greek mythology and in Grecian cults is now so generally admitted by scholars as to require no further comments. These Semitic elements are to a large extent more specifically Babylonian."- THE RELIGION OF BABYLONIA AND ASSYRIA (Boston, 1898) M. Jastrow, Jr.pp699,700.

THEIR GODS: There were triads of gods, and among their divinities were those representing various forces of nature and ones that exercised special influence in certain activities of mankind. (Babylonian and Assyrian Religion, Norman, Okla.; 1963, S.H.Hooke,pp.14-40).

" The PLATONIC TRINITY, itself merley a rearrangement of older trinities dating back to earlier peoples, appears to be the rational philosophic trinity of attributes that gave birth to the three hypostases or divine persons taught by the Christian Churches... This Greek philosopher's [PLATO] conception of trinity...can be found in all the ancients [pagan] religions."- Nouvea Dictionnaire Universe (Paris, 1865-1870), edited by M.Lachatre, Vol 2,p.1467

USE OF IMAGES: [In Mesopotamian religion} the role of the image was central in the cult as well as in private worship, as the wide distribution of cheap replicas of such images shows. Fundamentally, the deity was considered present in its image if it showed certain specific features and paraphernalia and was cared for in the appropriate manner."- Ancient Mesopotamia-Portrait of a Dead Civilization ( Chicago, 1964), A.L. Oppenheim,p.184

POSITION OF THE PRIESTHOOD; "The distinction between priest and layman is characteristic of this [Bayblonian} religion."- Encyclopedia Britannica (1948),Vol 2,p.861

BELIEF REGARDING DEATH; "Neither the people nor the leaders of religious thought [in Babylon] ever faced the possibility of the total annihilation of what once was called into existence. Death was a passage to another kind of life."- The Religion of babylonia and Assyria,p.556.

PRACTICE OF ASTROLOGY,DIVINATION,MAGIC,AND SORCERY: Historian A.H. Sayce writes: " In the religion of ancient Babylonnia...every objecy of force of nature was supposed to have its "zi" or spirit, who could be controlled by the magical exorcisms of the Shaman, or sorcere-priest." "The Chaldeans{Babylonians} made great progress in the study of astrology through an effort to discover the future in the stars. This art we call 'astrology."-says The Dawn of Civilization and Life in the Ancient East.

BABYLON THE GREAT IS LIKE AN IMMORTAL HARLOT, ONE LIVING IN SHAMELESS LUXURY;
Rev.17:1-5 says, "Come hither; "I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters[means PEOPLES]:With whom the kings [means political leaders] of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. ...And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Rev. 18:7 adds that "she glorified herself and lived in shameless luxury."

*It is true that the dominant religious organizations have made it a practice to consort with political rulers for power and material gain, though this has resulted in suffering for the common people? Is it not also true that their higher clergy live in luxury, even though many of the people to whom they should minister may be impoverished?

WHY CAN RELIGIONS THAT PROFESS TO BE CHRISTIAN PROPERLY BE VIEWED AS A PART OF BABYLONIAN THE GREAT HARLOT, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO KNOW NOTHING OF THE GOD OF THE BIBLE?

JAMES 4:4 (please read the verse in your copy). So though they know what the Bible says about God, they make themselves enemies of God if they CHOOSE friendship with the world by imitating its ways.)

Also at 2 Corinthians 4:4; 11:14,15 (read in your copy) The god of this world is Satan and "Satan keeps on transforming himself into an angel of light" and so Satan's ministers also transforming themselves as ministers of righteousness... THUS< JEHOVAH"S chief adversary, Satan the Devil himself, is really being honored by all who do not worship the true God in the manner that He has appointed, even though they may claim to be Christian. See also 1 Cor.10:20 and Matthew 7:21-23

THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO GET OUT OF BABYLON THE GREAT WITHOUT DELAY:

Just as Rev.18:4,21 then compare Luke 21:36, (anyone serious of worshiping God of the Bible in spirit and truth) or people of God must get out of Babylonian type worship as NOT to receive the PLAGUES for her.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE BIBLE TRUTH BUT LIVED AND DIED IN THE PAST AS PART OF BABYLON THE GREAT?

ACTS 17:30 SAYS: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

Also read Acts 24:15 and Job 34:12.