In this chapter we are told the story of Paul's third missionary journey, his time in Ephesus, and the riots in Ephesus caused by Demetrius and his monetary concerns over his manufacturing of idols for Artimus.! Great Episode!🤠✝

Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos are introduced in this chapter!!! Plus, another 'uprising' is thwarted by the Governor of Corinth! 😎✝

In this episode Paul and Silas preach to the Athenians, and debates with Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers. It's kind of fun! Great Episode!  🤠✝

Acts Chapter 16 introduces "Timothy," who will later become Paul's right-hand man. They meet Lydia, who works with purple cloth and after her conversion she invites them to stay for awhile. Paul and Silas are illegally beaten and jailed. ✝

Acts Chapter 15 is Awesome! 😎 Luke introduces the concept of "Judaizers," or basically new Jewish converts to "The Way" (or Christianity) near the time of Christ. Judaizers believed that to be a disciple of Christ, one must follow the Laws of Moses (Jewish Law) as well, including circumcision which Gentiles found repulsive. So a meeting of the Elders was convened in Jerusalem, and established the new Gentile converts need follow only four requirements, here is a quote from the NLT (Acts 15:28-29): "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell."

I explain each of these in great detail for you, and remember, Jews for generations had to learn and obey many laws, so having the new Gentiles file no laws "seemed unfair" to them. 🤠✝

Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium, Lystra and Derbe, Paul is stoned by rebellious Jews and believed to be dead (though of course he was not, as his time had not yet come), then Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch of Syria to let the believers know of their good news. 🤠✝

Chapter 13 is a transition in Acts, where the first 12 chapters focus on Simon Peter, and the balance Saul who is Paul. Here Dr. Luke transitions Saul's name (his Jewish name) to Paul his Gentile name), as his ministry transitions to the Gentile world. In this chapter we meet the sorcerer who is punished by God, and we see Paul and Barnabus convert many Jews, who are then chased away to begin their Gentile ministry. Paul gives a great oratory on the history of our faith, and tying it together with how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah. Great chapter!. 🤠✝

In Acts Chapter: 12 King Agrippa I (Grandson of Herod the Great) makes a brief appearance as he has James killed with a sword, and incarcerates Simon Peter. We then have an Angel of the Lord Rescue Simon Peter, and the death of Agrippa as he accepts worship from his people instead of extending that worship to God. Great Episode! 🤠✝

In Acts Chapter 11 we have one of the most shocking admissions in Jewish history, that Gentiles can now enter the eternal kingdom quote (verse 18): "We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life." Simon Peter relates the story of Cornelius and their respective visions, and Barnabas goes to Tarsus to find Saul (Paul) (who had been disinherited by his family for believing in Christ). Excellent Episode! 🤠✝

Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, receives a visit from an Angel, and Simon Peter is given a vision from Heaven that is a transitional period in our Faith from Judaism through the New Covenant in The Way.... It's a great story! 🤠✝