This is the final episode of the Luke-Acts series, focusing on Paul’s journey to Rome at the end of the book of Acts. While imprisoned by Roman governors, Paul is repeatedly put on trial before he is finally sent to Rome to face Caesar himself. This move thrusts our wandering Jewish preacher into the very heart of the empire to represent Messiah’s kingdom before the most powerful man on earth at that time. Along the way, we encounter several questions worth highlighting as we wrap up this epic journey: How does Paul respond to the allegations brought against him? Does the end of Acts imply that the capital for Messiah’s people has moved from Jerusalem to Rome? Is Acts 28 God’s final rejection of the Jewish people? Why does the ending of Acts seem so anticlimactic, and what does this tell us about Luke’s purpose in writing this two-volume work? As we will see, these chapters reverberate with themes of Israel’s restoration and the Torah’s ongoing validity. This demonstrates that Luke-Acts stands in continuity with the rest of the Scriptures in affirming God’s people, God’s plan, and God’s precepts.

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For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Luke-Acts session 23: From Jerusalem to the Ends of the Earth (Acts 24–28) appeared first on Segullah.

This episode of the Luke-Acts series focuses on Paul’s final journey up to Jerusalem. In a striking parallel to his Master, Yeshua, Paul proceeds knowing that imprisonment and betrayal await him. Also like Yeshua, Paul intends to arrive in Jerusalem in time to celebrate a biblical festival, this time Shavuot (Pentecost). These chapters raise several questions: Why did the believers in Troas meet on the first day of the week? What is behind our English word “church,” and how does it relate to the assembly of Israel in the days of Moses? Why does Paul offer sacrifices in the Temple? How does Paul demonstrate that he is more Torah observant than the high priest? As we near the end of the book of Acts, the importance of Jerusalem and Torah become increasingly evident for both Paul and his chronicler, Luke.

Watch a video of this session below, or use the player at the top of this page to listen to just the audio.

For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Luke-Acts session 22: Back to Jerusalem (Acts 20–23) appeared first on Segullah.

This session focuses on Paul’s second and third missionary journeys. Along the way, we attempt to address some persistent questions that arise from these chapters of Acts. Why do Paul and Barnabas get into such a fierce disagreement? Why does Paul circumcise Timothy right after the Jerusalem Council said circumcision is unnecessary? What does it mean when the narrative switches from “they” to “we,” and why does it do so at Troas? Why does Paul seldom preach to pagans? Join us as we embark on this geographical whirlwind tour of Paul’s world and his amazing adventures as an ambassador for the Jewish Messiah.

Watch a video of this session below, or use the player at the top of this page to listen to just the audio.

For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Luke-Acts session 21: The Amazing Adventures of Paul (Acts 16–20) appeared first on Segullah.

This episode is the second of a two-part discussion on Acts 15. This chapter of Acts is the centrepiece on which any interpretation of the book hinges. While Acts 15 is traditionally understood as a rejection of Torah, recent scholarship has decisively challenged this view. In part one, we examined the role of circumcision and attempted to unravel the debate over the rationale behind the apostles’ choice of four prohibitions. This episode continues the discussion by unpacking the so-called Noahide laws and comparing them with Acts 15 and other early Jewish expectations for non-Jews. We also look at the purpose of the apostles’ four prohibitions and their ramifications for non-Jews seeking to following the God of Israel and his Messiah, Yeshua. To understand the message of Acts, it is essential to understand this pivotal chapter.

Watch a video of this session below, or use the player at the top of this page to listen to just the audio.

For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Luke-Acts session 20: The Jerusalem Council—Part 2 (Acts 15) appeared first on Segullah.

The Jerusalem Council has been described as the heart of the book of Acts. It was this meeting of the apostles and elders in Jerusalem that determined the fate of the Gentile mission. Yet the nature of this meeting and its ramifications are subjects of much debate. Who were the “circumcisers”? Why was circumcision such a big deal? Why did the apostles choose four prohibitions for non-Jewish believers? Where did they get these prohibitions from and what was their purpose? While previous generations of interpreters assumed that Acts 15 represents the Christian rejection of Torah, this session taps into cutting-edge scholarship to demonstrate that Luke upholds the value of Torah—including circumcision. Join us for the first of a two-part study that offers a Messianic Torah perspective on this pivotal chapter.

Watch a video of this session below, or use the player at the top of this page to listen to just the audio.

For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Luke-Acts session 19: The Jerusalem Council—Part 1 (Acts 15) appeared first on Segullah.

Outside of Jerusalem, Antioch was one of the most important centres for the early movement of Yeshua-followers. It is in Antioch that the message begins to spread not only to Jews, but also to non-Jews. Antioch would also become a sort of headquarters for Saul of Tarsus (Paul), as it is from there that he embarks on his main missionary journeys. In other words, Antioch becomes the headquarters of the Gentile mission. As we will see in a future episode, it also becomes the flashpoint for the first major controversy to rock the early Yeshua movement, and again the issue concerns Gentiles.

In this session, we look at the significance of Antioch in the book of Acts. We also take note of the subtle change in leadership of the Jerusalem community that Luke communicates in chapter 12. Finally, we take a whirlwind tour through the geography of Paul’s first mission in Acts 13-14. Along the way, we tackle several important questions: Why was it so controversial to share the gospel with Gentiles? Why does Barnabas think Saul/Paul needs to be in Antioch? Why does Saul’s name change to Paul? Does Paul give up on preaching the gospel to Jews?

Watch a video of this session below, or use the player at the top of this page to listen to just the audio.

For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Luke-Acts session 18: The Gentile Mission (Acts 11–14) appeared first on Segullah.

Stephen’s martyrdom had a significant effect on the early community of Yeshua-followers. Up until this point, the followers of Yeshua have been flocking to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is like a magnet. The movement had been centripetal. The death of Stephen sparked an abrupt change to a centrifugal (outward) movement. Now the good news is going out from Jerusalem. Remember in Acts 1:8, Yeshua told his apostles “You will be my witnesses in (1) Jerusalem and Judea, (2) Samaria, and (3) to the ends of the earth.” God took this terrible event of Stephen’s death and used it to accomplish great good and to further his mission.

In this session we look at the Samaritans. Are they Jewish or Gentile? What is Luke’s attitude towards them?

Next there is the Ethiopian Eunuch. How does he connect with a passage in Isaiah?

Finally, we tackle Peter’s vision and the conversion of Cornelius. The narrative of Peter’s vision is repeated three times in Acts. There is so much to unpack in here.

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For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Session 17: Samaritans and Gentiles (Acts 8-11) appeared first on Segullah.

In this session, we discuss Luke’s eschatology. What was Luke’s perspective of the end times?

Luke gives us a portrayal of the early community of the followers of Yeshua in the book of Acts. Notice how much the early believers met in the Temple.  Outside of the land of Israel, the believers continue to gather in synagogues. In Jerusalem, the believers are continually gathering in the Temple.

We read about Stephen, the first martyr for Yeshua. What charges were brought against Stephen? How do they foreshadow the accusations against Paul that will come up later in the book of Acts? We discuss Stephen’s speech, which contains many Hebraic elements.

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For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Session 16: Continually in the Temple (Acts 4–7) appeared first on Segullah.

In this session we will look at Peter’s sermons in Acts 2 and 3.

The speeches in Acts are important. Luke imbeds his theology in the words of his protagonists.

In Peter’s first speech, there is a Davidic emphasis; Yeshua is the promised heir to David’s throne.

Luke describes the four devotions: Believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. What does this show us about their way of worship?

Peter says a second and third speech with important Messianic elements in them.

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For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Session 15: Peter Announces the King (Acts 2–5) appeared first on Segullah.

This week we are starting into the book of Acts. First we lay some groundwork and discuss the audience and purpose of Luke-Acts.

Next, we talk about Yeshua’s Commission and Ascension: How do we interpret what Yeshua said to the disciples about his Kingdom?

Why did the disciples need to choose another apostle?

When looking at Acts chapter 2, we discuss the significance of Shavuot (Pentecost) in the book of Acts.

We also look at Peter’s speech in this chapter. Luke conveys his theology through speeches. Is Acts 2 really the ultimate fulfillment of Joel 2?

Watch a video of this session below, or use the player at the top of this page to listen to just the audio.

For a list of all the sessions in this series, click here. You can also check out our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Segullah audio teachings podcast.

The post Session 14: Power from on High (Acts 1–2) appeared first on Segullah.