Paul and Acts12

8/14/2019 Paul and Acts12

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PACTS 12 is OUT of ORDER

..from the free commentary which you can download athttp://sites.google.com/site/freecommentary

Summary:Acts chapter 12 is aflash-forwardto the famine predicted from Antioch at the end of Acts11. It records the fulfilment of a prophecy and so interrupts the smooth chronology of thestory. The story of Paul and Barnabas going to Jerusalem to deliver famine relief beginsafresh at Acts 15, which records the secondreason for Paul and Barnabas going toJerusalem.

Four important upshots are:One: James is killed and Peter is beheaded afterthe conference in Acts 15, and probably

because of speaking against the Judaising Circumcision Party during the conference.Two: The 'James' killed in Acts 12 may possibly be the same 'James' who is talking in Acts

15, but the 'James' in Acts 21:18 is probably different.Three: Mark accompanies Paul and Barnabas to Antioch afteralready having been on theFirst missionary journey to Asia Minor.Four: With James killed, with Peter departed for 'somewhere else', and Paul avoidingJerusalem, there is no-one left in Jerusalem to stand against the Pharisaic circumcisionparty who were within the church of believers, and so the church in Jerusalem succumbs tothat pressure, and consists of Jews 'very zealous to keep the Law', and also careful not toincite the Jews.

(Many more instances of confusing Bible chronology are listed in the full commentaryunder "Topic Notes\ Revelation and Prophecy\ Structure and Chronology". Understanding

such structures is a great help in Bible interpretation.)

The CHRONOLOGY of ACTS and PAUL

The basic facts about Paul's missionary life are clear enough -- that he had threemissionary journeys when he took the gospel to the Gentiles in Asia and Greece. In the firstone he travelled to Asia Minor, in the second one through Asia Minor and on to Greece,and in the third one through Greece and back to Ephesus where he spent a considerabletime teaching.But the details as they appear in the books ofActs and Galatians, are confusing,

particularly about his first missionary journey. The time afterwards which he spent inAntioch and Jerusalem attending the Council over the issue of circumcision, is similarlyconfused.

The point here is to clarify some otherwise puzzling sequences in Galatians and Acts,specificallyGal_2:11, which is a flashback, andActs 12, which is a flashforward -- out ofchronological sequence.

It's also a ripper of a read, once you grasp the gripping drama.

Luke, who wrote Acts, follows,in several stages, the riot-ridden spread of the Gospel

to the non-Hebrew Jews:

~ Stephen, spoke to the Greek-speaking Jews (foreign Jews visiting Israel), and he was
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~ Paul and Barnabas, taught the Gentiles in AntiochAct_11:26.

Act 13:1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophetsand teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius ofCyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

~ The Holy Spirit then officially appoints Paul and Barnabas for ministry to the Gentiles --First Missionary journeyAct_13:2-3. They were opposed by the JewsAct_13:45,Act_14:2,

Act_14:19.

Act 13:2 And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spiritsaid, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have calledthem.Act 13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands onthem, they sent them away.Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with

jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, andblasphemed.Act 14:2 But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of theGentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.Act 14:19 But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: andhaving persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out ofthe city, supposing that he was dead.

~ The Council at Jerusalem hears of the Holy Spirit given to the Gentiles in Asia, andofficially drops any demands for circumcision, Law-keeping or proselytising from the

Judaising party Act 15.

Act 15:1 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught thebrethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, yecannot be saved.Act 15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension andquestioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, andcertain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles andelders about this question.Act 15:3 They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed

through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of theGentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

~ Paul spreads that council decisionAct_15:22to the Gentiles abroad -- 2nd and thirdmissionary journeys, and was opposed by the Jews and idolatersAct_16:23,Act_17:5,

Act_17:13,Act_18:5,Act_18:12,Act_19:26.

Act 15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with thewhole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them toAntioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas,chief men among the brethren:

Act 15:29 that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood,and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep


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yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.Act 15:30 So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; andhaving gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.Act 15:31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.Act 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhortedthe brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Act 16:4 And as they went on their way through the cities, they deliveredthem the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles andelders that were at Jerusalem.

~ Paul is arrested and preaches to the Jewish Sanhedrin, who opposed him, and to theGentile Kings in Israel Act 23-26, who didn't release him.

Eph 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speakboldly, as I ought to speak.Act 26:32 And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at

liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

~ Paul preaches to Caesar in Rome (Act_27:24,Act_28:19, 2Ti_4:16, Eph_6:20,Php_1:13, Php_4:22).

Act 27:24 saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar: and lo,God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee.

One of the reasons for pointing this out is that the Acts 12 story of James and Peter facingdeath is only incidental to the theme ofPaul's spreading the Gospel, and of the resolving ofthe Judaising dispute during the prophesied famine. Acts 12 is out of sequence, belonging

after Acts 15, throwing doubt on the identity of 'James, who was reputed to be a pillar, tobe someone' in the Jerusalem Council Gal_2:6-9.

Paul's Chronology:

~ Paulpersecutes StephenAct_8:1

Act 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on thatday a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; andthey were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and

Samaria, except the apostles.

~ hepersecutes the saintsAct_9:1,Act_22:4, Gal_1:13

Act 22:4 and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and deliveringinto prisons both men and women.Gal 1:13 For ye have heard of my manner of life in time past in the Jews'religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, andmade havoc of it:

~ isconverted on the road to DamascusAct_9:2-3

Act 9:1 But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against thedisciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,


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Act 9:2 and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that ifhe found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bringthem bound to Jerusalem.Act 9:3 And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh untoDamascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out ofheaven:

~ goes to Arabia (the Arabah) Gal_1:16-17

Gal 1:16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among theGentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:Gal 1:17 neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles beforeme: but I went away into Arabia; and again I returned unto Damascus.

~ stays preaching in Damascus 3 yearsAct_9:22, Gal_1:17

Act 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jewsthat dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

~ leaves Damascus via a basketAct_9:25, 2Co_11:31-33

Act 9:25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through thewall, lowering him in a basket.2Co 11:31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forevermore knoweth that I lie not.2Co 11:32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded thecity of the Damascenes in order to take me:

2Co 11:33 and through a window was I let down in a basket by the wall,and escaped his hands.

~ spendsa fortnight in Jerusalem, with Barnabas, Peter and James (brother of Jesus),debating with Grecian JewsAct_9:27-28, Gal_1:18

Act 9:27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, anddeclared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he hadspoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the nameof Jesus.Act 9:28 And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,

Gal 1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas, andtarried with him fifteen days.Gal 1:20 Now touching the things which I write unto you, behold, beforeGod, I lie not.

~ leaves via Caesarea for Tarsus, Syria and CiliciaAct_9:30, Gal_1:20-21, because ofanother plot against his life.

Act 9:30 And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down toCaesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.Gal 1:21 Then I came unto the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

~ (Meanwhile the church in Antioch is established. Since it is full ofGentiles, and sincePaul's mission is to the Gentiles, Barnabas getsPaulto helpAct_11:25)


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Act 11:25 And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;

~ Paul preaches in Antioch with Barnabas for 1 yearAct_11:26

Act 11:26 and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it

came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together withthe church, and taught much people, and that the disciples were calledChristians first in Antioch.

-------------------Act_11:27 -Act_12:25belongs to later -- it is taken up here merely to complete the story ofthe church in Antioch being thoroughly established. You need to skip to chapters 13-14 tomaintain chronology.Act_13:1 is taking up whereAct_11:26 left off -- 'the church in

Antioch' occurs in both verses, indicating that there is a follow-on. Acts 12 talks of ashortage of food in its second half, and it seems that Paul was also there delivering faminerelief. In other words, the prediction of famine in Acts 11 is followed immediately in Acts 12

by the story of its fulfilment, before reverting to the main story-line in Acts 13.-------------------

~ Paul leaves Antioch on the 1st missionary journeyAct_13:1-3. The Jewspersecute Paul.

~ Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas and returns to JerusalemAct_13:13

~ Paul returns to Antioch for 'no little time'Act_14:26-28. He proclaims grace to theGentilesAct_14:27.

Act 14:26 and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had beencommitted to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.Act 14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the churchtogether, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and thathe had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.Act 14:28 And they tarried no little time with the disciples.

~ Judaisers come from Jerusalem without instructions, saying 'Proselytise the Gentileconverts'

There is a big argument against the Judaisers, and Peter and Barnabas withdraw from the

Gentiles, but Paul opposes Peter in public. Gal_2:3-4, Gal_2:12. I.e. Gal 2:12, where Paulopposes Peter in public, is a flashback.

Gal 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face,because he stood condemned.Gal 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he ate with theGentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearingthem that were of the circumcision.

At the same time Agabus comes to Antioch and warns of a famineAct_11:27-30 =Act_15:1-3 = Gal_2:12, Gal_2:2. Paul wants to take money to Jerusalem Gal_2:10,

Act_11:30.

Act 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by


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the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: whichcame to pass in the days of Claudius.Act 11:29 And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determinedto send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea:Act 11:30 which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand ofBarnabas and Saul.

Gal 2:1 Then after the space of fourteen years I went up again toJerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.Gal 2:2 And I went up by revelation; and I laid before them the gospelwhich I preach among the Gentiles but privately before them who were ofrepute, lest by any means I should be running, or had run, in vain.Gal 2:3 But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelledto be circumcised:Gal 2:4 and that because of the false brethren privily brought in, who camein privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they

might bring us into bondage:Gal 2:6 But from those who were reputed to be somewhat (whatsoeverthey were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth not man's person) -they, I say, who were of repute imparted nothing to me:Gal 2:7 but contrariwise, when they saw that I had been intrusted with thegospel of the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the gospelof thecircumcisionGal 2:8 (for he that wrought for Peter unto the apostleship of thecircumcision wrought for me also unto the Gentiles);Gal 2:9 and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James

and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me andBarnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles,and they unto the circumcision;Gal 2:10 only they wouldthat we should remember the poor; which verything I was also zealous to do.

------------------In other words, the end of Acts chapter 11, predicting the famine, is anticipating chapter 15,

when Paul and Barnabas take the famine-money to Jerusalem, and also attend the churchcouncil; and all of chapter 12 is running ahead to events afterchapter 15. 'About that time'inAct_12:1 refers to the same time as the previous verseAct_11:30, and both refer to Acts

15, as an anticipated event.------------------

~ There is a Passover coming upAct_12:3-4. I.e. The Jews are arriving in Jerusalem withstories of Paul preaching to the Gentiles.Paul wants to send money to the elders, and to settle the Judaising dispute Gal_2:2.Barnabas and Titus are with him.

~ The Council at Jerusalem is held (There are 14 years between Paul's visits toJerusalemAct_15:1-2,Gal_2:1).Peter stands up for the Gentiles, Paul describes the miracles, and Titus is not forced to be

circumcised. Gal_2:3.Paul and Barnabas are welcomed and sent to the Gentiles and asked to remember the poorGal_2:9-10, which suggests that the famine predicted by Agabus was already at hand, and


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that it coincided with the trip to settle the Judaising dispute.

Act_11:28 almost says as much 'the famine came to pass', and so the verse has runahead to the fulfilment of the prophecy, which explainswhy the chronology isdisturbed.

---------------------Act 12, Peter's Passover in prison, fits in betweenAct_15:29 andAct_15:30.Peter and James have just been addressing the church council.

Act 15:30 So they [Paul etc], when they were dismissed, came down toAntioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered theepistle.

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~ Herod persecutes the Christians and beheads James the brother of John, which pleasesthe Jews.

The disgruntled Judaisers are probably responsible.Peter is arrested, and Paul and Barnabas are staying with Mark. Paul is in Jerusalempraying for Peter.Act_12:12,Act_12:25

Act 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflictcertain of the church.Act 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.Act 12:3 And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seizePeter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread.Act 12:4 And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and deliveredhim to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the

Passover to bring him forth to the people.

~ Peter escapes from prison.

Act 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house ofMary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many weregathered together and were praying.

Act 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace,declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison.

And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And hedeparted, and went to another place.

Of the three who spoke harshly against the circumcision party during the council on thatquestion (James, Peter and Paul), soon none remains in Jerusalem to resist the pressure ofthe Jewish legalists -- the ones who insisted on circumcision and law-keeping for Jewsconverting to Christianity. When Paul returns to Jerusalem, it is a very different 'James'

who advises him to 'walk orderly according to the Mosaic Law'.

------------------------Act 11, 12, and 15 all finish with Paul accomplishing his work in Jerusalem.Act_12:25 and

Act_15:37-39 both finish with 'taking Mark with them to Antioch', which marks the end ofPaul's second trip to Jerusalem.---------------------


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~ Paul returns to Antioch, with Barnabas, Barsabbas, Silas, Judas and MarkAct_15:30-32

Act 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they hadfulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

~ preaches thereAct_15:35

Act 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preachingthe word of the Lord, with many others also.

~ 2nd missionary journey-- Paul with Silas go to Cilicia (Galatia) and Syria, Barnabaswith Mark go to CyprusAct_12:25,Act_15:36-40

Act 15:36 And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return nowand visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of theLord, and see how they fare.

Act 15:37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who wascalled Mark.Act 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrewfrom them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.Act 15:39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunderone from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away untoCyprus;Act 15:40 but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by thebrethren to the grace of the Lord.

-------------------Act_12:12 andAct_12:25mention John Mark for the first time, but the chronologicallyfirst occurrence is inAct_13:5 andAct_13:13, thenAct_15:37-39 is last of all. Readingfrom chapter 12 to 13 gives the misleading impression that John Mark was going off on hisfirst missionary journey, when in fact it was his second journey.

Act 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of Godin the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant.Act 13:13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came toPerga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned toJerusalem.

-------------------~ The Jews persecute Paulagain

Act 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast theminto prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:Act 17:5 But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certainvile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar;and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to thepeople.Act 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the wordof God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise,

stirring up and troubling the multitudes.Act 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul wasconstrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.


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Act 18:12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with oneaccord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat,

~ The Jews persecute Paulagain on his third journey

Act 19:26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost

throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people,saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:

~ Paulwrites the letter to Romans just before returning to Jerusalem Rom_15:23-25

Rom 15:23 but now, having no more any place in these regions, andhaving these many years a longing to come unto you,Rom 15:24 whensoever I go unto Spain (for I hope to see you in myjourney, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first in somemeasure I shall have been satisfied with your company) -Rom 15:25 but now, I say, I go unto Jerusalem, ministering unto the

saints.

~ arrested in JerusalemAct_21:31-32

Act 21:31 And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to thechief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion.Act 21:32 And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran downupon them: and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, leftoff beating Paul.

~ testifies to JewsAct_23:1;

Act 23:1 And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I havelived before God in all good conscience until this day.

to FelixAct_24:3;

Act 24:3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, withall thankfulness.

FestusAct_25:1-2;

Act 25:1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three dayswent up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.Act 25:2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informedhim against Paul; and they besought him,

Agrippa and BerniceAct_25:23;

Act 25:23 So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, withgreat pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chiefcaptains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul wasbrought in.

~ to CaesarAct_26:32


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Act 28:19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appealunto Caesar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my nation.

2Ti 4:16 At my first defence no one took my part, but all forsook me: mayit not be laid to their account.

Php 1:13 so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout thewhole praetorian guard, and to all the rest;

Php 4:22 All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar'shousehold.

~ the story finishes with Paul still alive in Rome.

Act 28:30-31 And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, andreceived all that went in unto him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, andteaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none

forbidding him.

And so Paul has fulfilled the mission to the Jews, Gentiles and kings, given him after hisvision on the road to Damascus.

Act 9:15-16 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosenvessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and thechildren of Israel: 16 for I will show him how many things he must sufferfor my name's sake.

Documents

Paul and Acts12