BJ McConnell
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Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5
Posts: 246 Amens: 13
Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
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Post by BJ McConnell on Jan 18, 2020 4:24:51 GMT -5
The Book of Acts Chapters 21-22 Read It OnlinePaul's Arrest and Testimony to the Jews This study is now closed.
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BJ McConnell
Forum Owner
Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5
Posts: 246 Amens: 13
Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
Bible Study Member?: Yes
Born Again Christian?: Yes
User Offline
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Post by BJ McConnell on Apr 1, 2020 19:36:21 GMT -5
Happy week 14 my dear brothers and sisters! The readings this week are basically a lead up to Paul's imprisonment in Rome so there's really no outstanding events to cover in these two chapters. However, as I was reading there was one thing that stood out to me and I'm curious to hear what others may think about it.
Chapter 21 gives us a travel account of Paul and his companions making their way to Jerusalem. And then, in chapter 22, the Jews take hold of Paul and he addresses the crowds by conveying the story of his conversion and his appointment by Jesus to take the gospel message to the Gentiles.
But here is what caught my attention. During these two chapters I counted five separate times where Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem; four out of five times the Bible says that it was through the Holy Spirit that Paul was being warned. I don't think I've ever heard anyone bring this up before so I'm wondering what everyone else thinks about this question: Do you think Paul was in disobedience by continuing on to Jerusalem against the many warnings of the Holy Spirit? And if so, do you think it played any part in how things turned out for him in being imprisoned in Rome, as well as his execution?
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Post by lorikay on Apr 2, 2020 9:08:51 GMT -5
You brought up a good point that I have often wondered myself in regards to not listening to the “nudges “ In my life I have felt the Holy Spirit was telling me to do or not do something and when I disregarded its nudging, things often turned out worse then it should have so yes I do believe he disregarded what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell him and because of it, things worsened for him. Our father gives us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and lead us in to the path we should be going. When we take steps that we feel is right then we go against what God wants us to do. We as Christians, above anyone else, need to follow the Holy Spirit even when it’s something we don’t want to do because in the end we will see his glory but that’s only my opinion.
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BJ McConnell
Forum Owner
Sept 28, 2019 2:32:20 GMT -5
Posts: 246 Amens: 13
Favorite Verse: 2 Cor 5:17
Bible Study Member?: Yes
Born Again Christian?: Yes
User Offline
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Post by BJ McConnell on Apr 3, 2020 1:02:33 GMT -5
You brought up a good point that I have often wondered myself in regards to not listening to the “nudges “ In my life I have felt the Holy Spirit was telling me to do or not do something and when I disregarded its nudging, things often turned out worse then it should have so yes I do believe he disregarded what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell him and because of it, things worsened for him. Our father gives us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and lead us in to the path we should be going. When we take steps that we feel is right then we go against what God wants us to do. We as Christians, above anyone else, need to follow the Holy Spirit even when it’s something we don’t want to do because in the end we will see his glory but that’s only my opinion. After thinking about it this afternoon, I believe that Paul's disregard of the Spirit's many warnings did play a part in his later sufferings too. And I relate to what you say here about doing what we think is right but ending up going against what the Holy Spirit wanted, making things turn out worse for us. I can think of many times I've been guilty of trying to do things my way instead of His way. Sometimes I know I'm doing it and sometimes I don't, but it never fails that if it's not His will it just doesn't go well for me. I think the only way we can successfully walk out a Christian life on a daily basis, we have to learn how to discern the will of the Holy Ghost and where He is leading us at all times. As I was studying it out today I found so many scriptures on the subject, and these are just a few of which I'm sure there are so many more in the Bible: “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” (Psalm 143:10) “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) “But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” (Isaiah 63:10) “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13) “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:13-14) “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) “Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thessalonians 5:19)
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