“I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.” “So a time was set, and on that …
Bible Gem 1886 – Paul Calls the Jewish Leaders Together Again (Acts 28:17-23)
Paul Calls the Jewish Leaders to His Home Detention When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to …
Bible Gem 1338 – A Significant Turning Point in the Story (Acts 23:12-22)
Connection from the previous portion As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress. That night the Lord appeared to …
Bible Gem 412 – The natural order of things (1 Cor 11:8-12)
For the first man didn’t come from woman, but the first woman came from man. And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man. For this reason, and because the angels are watching, a woman should wear a covering on her …
Bible Gem 381 – Having all the answers (1 Cor 8:1-3)
Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers …
Bible Gem 1327 – FINALLY, Luke Wraps it all up; or Does He? (Luke 24:50-53)
What an interesting place to leave Luke’s Gospel. Notice this is listed as yet another appearance followed by the Ascension. During the previous appearances, Jesus has been appearing and disappearing; after all that is what appearances are. But with this appearance and disappearance, Luke’s Gospel …
Bible Gem 1326 – You are witnesses; so be witnesses; to love or to be loved – that is the question (Luke 24:47-49; Acts 1:4,5,8)
Notice the way Luke writes his Gospel emphasising what it was each of these people have seen in the appearances that he lists. Everything is on the basis of what they have heard and seen related to Jesus and His resurrection. Not only the physical …
Bible Gem 1325 – Is the Great Commission Really an After-Thought in Matthew and Omitted by the Other Writers? (Luke 24:47-49)
I think you will see there are enough common elements in these segments to suggest we are dealing with the same intent. But as I said in an earlier Gem there is more variation than we have had in earlier pericopes. Post resurrection, the accounts …
Bible Gem 1324 – Two Commissions or One? Why Doesn’t Luke’s Gospel Include a Great Commission (Luke 24:44-49)
I imagine pondering on this material has sparked many questions in your mind. I did not mean to infer the questions I left you with in the last Gem are the only questions you can ask. Some of you have responded with other questions that …
Bible Gem 1323 – For Something so Important the Explanation is Worth Repeating (Luke 24:44-49)
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds so that …