Still playing catch up today. Conversion #3 was the conversion of Cornelius - a prominent soldier and citizen. The story is also about the conversion of Peter. Peter's dream of the sail cloth filled with every kind of animal in was puzzling to him at first. Then Peter is called to the house of Cornelius, a gentile. Before Peter has a chance to finish his speech to Cornelius and his household, the Holy Spirit came upon ALL who were listening. Oooh - this is what God means by saying "it is not for you to call profane what God counts clean". "The men of Jewish birth that had accompanied Peter are amazed and return as witnesses for Peter when he heads back to Jerusalem, where he is questioned by more of those "of Jewish birth".
"Table fellowship" is the big problem. In the Middle East there are obligations still today for hosts and guests when a meal is shared.
Chapter 12 highlights:
1) Disciples take up a contribution for fellow Christians who are experiencing a famine in Judea. (maps and atlases are fun to follow when you see these kinds of tid-bits).
2) They entrust the delivery of the contribution to Barnabus and Saul.
3) There are several King Herod's in the New Testament and they are all pretty much bad guys.
4) Peter is arrested and put in prison by King Herod.
5) Peter escapes thanks to an angel (of light!).
6) Herod is struck dead because he does not give glory to God (it looks to me like he wants to be the hero).
Chapter 13:
1) Barnabas and Saul head out with 4 others and are still going to the synagogues to make their first contacts.
2) Verse 9 - Saul is now referred to as Paul. Maybe to cover for his widespread reputation of a Christian antagonist and murderer.
3) Here is more parallelism - Paul encounters a devilish type of character: Barjesus, "Son of Joshua" (Yeshua), or Elymas (false prophet). The "seer" is blinded.
4) Paul goes to Perga. (I have actually been to Perga. Waddy and I went on a trip called "the Journeys of Paul" with Jim Fleming and that was one of our fascinating stops).
How are you doing with keeping up? It is definitely a challenge! Hang in there.
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