 I Corinthians - Lesson 07 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: Last week in Chapter 6, Paul explained how we should not go to court against other Christians in the church, but should work out our problems without any outside influence. Harmony and the ability to get along one with another should be the trademark of Christians. It is evident from the first verse that the Corinthians had inquired of Paul about marriage and the relationship of man and woman. He answers their question, but does not discuss the complete doctrine of marriage. This was an important question in the immoral city of Corinth, as it still is in our day. I. Responsibilities of Marriage 1 Cor 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 1 Cor 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Paul’s comments to the Corinthian’s concerning marriage need to be understood in the proper context. He was dealing with the issue of marriage as it had been addressed directly to him. Paul did not mean that for a person to remain unmarried that it made them of a “higher status” than a married person, but he was commending those who had totally dedicated themselves to the ministry and the Lord’s work. In verse 2, he clearly states “let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband” that they might avoid fornication. So the state of marriage is not something Paul was against. As a matter of fact, he told young Timothy that if you teach someone not to marry, it is a “doctrine of the devil.” Continue reading in PDF: 
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 I Corinthians Chapter 1 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: We begin a new study on the book of I Corinthians this week. This is a great book containing the first of the two letters Paul wrote to the church there in Corinth. This church was known for some good traits but overall was a carnal church. This letter was written to encourage the church to correct the problems and to move forward for the Lord. Paul had begun this work (see Acts 18) and preached and taught there for 1 ½ years. Corinth was one of the largest cities in the ancient world. During this time, Corinth’s population exceeded 700,000 people and was known for the people worshipping the goddess Aphrodite. Aphrodite was the Greek name for the same god Venus that the Romans worshipped. In about the year 54 A.D. Paul arrived in this wicked city. If a church could be established in this vile city, then surely one could be established anywhere else. We need to remember the Scripture which says, Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Genesis 18:14) Corinth devoted itself to commerce, so that they were sometimes criticized for worshiping the almighty dollar. When Sparta and Athens fell before Phillip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, Corinth came to the front, and was the chief city of Greece under both Phillip and Alexander, his son. It was a city of great importance until the Roman general captured and destroyed it. It lay desolated for over a hundred years. Julius Caesar, the Roman Emperor, rebuilt it a short time before he died. Rome conferred great privileges on it, by making it a free city. At the time of Christ it was one of the most important cities in the world. The Jews, of course, came to Corinth because of its commercial advantages. About the time that Paul got there, there was an unusual number of Jews in Corinth, because the Roman emperor had just banished them from Rome. Aquila and Priscilla, a noted Christian couple, had just come from Rome to Corinth under that decree. The Greeks and Romans were also there in great numbers. There were more slaves than in any other place in proportion to the population. Many slaves were among Paul's converts. I. The Believers Position in Grace 1 Cor 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, In the letter to Thessalonica, Paul just identified himself and says he is writing unto the church. Here, he first identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. Someone had thought to undermine Paul’s influence by denouncing his apostleship. 1 Cor 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! Continue reading in pdf:
 Acts Lesson 28 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: In Chapter 27, Paul and his fellow crew members faced the horrible storm Euroclydon which threatened the lives of every one aboard the ship. But the angel of the Lord came to Paul, and he told the captain and the men that all of them would be delivered if they all stayed in the ship. They did so, and the ship ran aground and came apart as we closed last week. Those that could swim swam to shore, while those who could not got on boards of the ship and floated in. All 276 men escaped to the island of Melita. That is where we pick up this week as we conclude our study on the book of Acts. The final chapter of Acts details the remaining portion of Paul’s journey to Rome. Included is a brief description of Paul’s ministry in Rome while he awaited his hearing before the emperor. I. Landing on Melita Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. Acts 28:2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. The island upon which the ship ran to ground and began to break up is noted here as Melita. Geographically, Malta, a small island between Sicily and north Africa. The reference “barbarous people” is an expression of that era in which all non-Greek speaking cultures were referred to. The were no doubt secluded and may have seemed strange to the ship’s crew and passengers. It is thought the Maltese people were originally Phoenicians whose native language was Punic (North African). In any event, they were hospitable to the survivors of the ship that wrecked on their island. It obviously was still winter. The persistent rain and northerly winds made the damp conditions quite miserable. The islanders helped the survivors simply by building a fire allowing them to warm themselves and dry out. After Paul and the shipmen get safe to land, they discover that they are on the island of Melita. The natives of the island were very kind, both to Paul and all those who came ashore. It says they received every one of them, meaning no distinction was made between the crew, the soldiers, or the prisoners. We as Christians are commanded to accept all kinds of men and women into the church and to treat each one with respect. Continue Reading in PDF:
 ACTS – Chapter 23 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: In Chapter 22, we saw Paul giving his defense to the Jews there in Jerusalem. He told of his conversion when Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Many listened until he spoke of being called to preach unto the Gentiles, and at that point they went into a rage. We closed with Paul being taken in to be scourged, but due to being a Roman citizen, they did not beat him. The captain called the religious leaders in to find out what evil Paul had done, and we pick up with that meeting in Chapter 23. I. Paul Before the Sanhedrin Acts 23:1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. Acts 23:2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. The chief priest and the seventy elders of Israel made up the council whom Paul stood before. We see that he immediately points out how that he had lived in all good conscience before God until this day. We all need to do our best to live worthy of our calling. Paul did not say he had lived with a good conscience since he was saved, but all of his life. Even when he was binding the Christians and bringing them to Jerusalem, he truly thought he was serving God. We should learn from Paul that even our conscience can fail us when we look to it for our guide. The only true and reliable point of reference is using God’s Word with the leadership of the Holy Spirit to direct our daily actions. 1 Cor 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. We see the conscience is truly not reliable, whereas the Holy Spirit will never lead us to do things contrary to the Word of God. We see in verse 2 that Ananias commands them to smite Paul on the mouth. He was the leader of the people, and he should have show responsibility and upheld the law in the high court of the Jews. Download PDF to continue:
 Acts Chapter 21 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: In Chapter 20, Paul went to Greece, Macedonia, and later talked with the leaders at the church in Ephesus. He declared how that he had held nothing back from them, but had declared the whole word of the Lord. It ended on a sad note as he prophetically told them that they would see him no more. In Chapter 21, Paul continues his journey back to Jerusalem. Though he is warned of trouble ahead, he proceeds. Upon arriving in Jerusalem and meeting with the leadership of the church, he learns how enemies have slandered him, alleging he had taught the scattered Jews across the land to reject their Jewish heritage and turn from the Law of Moses. Paul is then counselled by the church to prove his Jewish loyalty to his adversaries so as to remove the slander and stumbling block which was placed before many Jews in the area.
Acts 21:2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. Acts 21:3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. Paul and his party continued to sail down the western coast of Asia Minor. It appears that he was upon a small coastal vessel, possibly one which he had chartered. Such a vessel typically would sail only by day and would find a port of refuge each night. They sailed to Coos which was an island not far offshore the first day and evidently anchored there for the night. They sailed the next day to Rhodes, another noted island off the southwest point of Asia Minor. From there they sailed to Patara, a port on the mainland, on the southwest coast of Asia Minor. At Patara, they evidently purchased passage on a larger merchant vessel bound for Tyre. That ship sailed directly out onto the open Mediterranean skirting by Cyrus on their port side as they continued their southeastward voyage to Tyre. Tyre was a considerable port of Phoenicia which would be in present day Lebanon. There, the ship evidently was to unload its cargo and take on new cargo for its continued voyage, keeping it in port for seven days. We see after Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, he sailed to Tyre through the cities of Rhodes, Patara, Phenicia, Cyprus, and Syria. In Tyre, they stopped to unload some of the cargo of the ship. Continue reading in PDF:
 Acts Chapter 17 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: In Chapter 16, we saw Timothy being called into the ministry and joining with Paul, Silas, and Luke in Paul’s missionary journey that took them into Macedonia. The chapter closed with the Philippian jailer being saved after Paul and Silas were put in prison for removing the demon that possessed the young lady there in Philippi. These men were not concerned for the stripes they took for the cause of Christ, but sang praises to the Lord there at midnight in the jail. We commented about how our circumstances are never as important as how we respond to those circumstances. Paul had learned to look to God for his strength and could rejoice in both need and abundance. 1. Paul and Company in Thessalonica Acts 17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: Upon being expelled from Philippi; Paul, Silas, and Timothy journeyed further south down the Greek peninsula in the province of Macedonia. They likely used the Egnatian Way, a major Roman road which had been built through the region extending over 500 miles from Byzantium to Dyrrachium on the Adriatic Sea. They traveled approximately 32 miles and “passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia.” Amphipolis was a significant free city adjacent to the Aegean Sea. The fact Paul only ‘passed through’ would indicates he had no business there. Luke’s comments would seem to indicate that Paul had no specific ministry in this city. In like fashion, he passed through Apollonia, another 30 or so miles further down the Egnatian Way. Why he did not stop and seek to develop a ministry in these two large coastal cities is not mentioned by Luke. It may be there were no Jewish synagogues in either place and Paul sought to put distance between himself and the Roman authorities at Philippi. It may be the Holy Spirit was leading him to an open door in the coming cities. In any event, Paul journeyed through both. They arrived at Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews.” Thessalonica was a great commercial city at the head of the Thermaic Gulf on the Aegean Sea. It was the capital of the second of the four divisions of Macedonia and was the capital of the entire province of Macedonia. Along with Corinth and Ephesus, it was one of the major cities of commerce on the Aegean. As a political seat, it ranked with Antioch of Syria and Caesarea in Palestine. Continue Reading in PDF:
 ACTS LESSON 9 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: In Chapter 8, we saw the intense persecution come down on the church as members were scattered into many remote areas. This was all in God’s plan to see the Gospel expand to the ‘outer regions’ beyond Jerusalem and Judea. We saw Simon, the sorcerer, make a profession of faith in Christ, but the apostles knew he was still lost when he tried to pay them money to have the power to give out the Holy Ghost by the laying on the hands. Most of Chapter 9 details the conversion and early ministry of Saul of Tarsus. The middle of the chapter presents the events following Saul’s conversion prior to his formal entrance into the ministry in Acts 13. For the first time since Acts 5, the focus returns to Peter. From the last quarter of chapter nine to first part of chapter ten, Peter is involved in events at three towns along the coastal area of Sharon at Lydda, Joppa, and Caesarea. I. The Conversion of Saul Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. The narrative left off at Stephen’s death is revisited. We are not told in any exact terms of the passage of time since Stephen’s martyrdom, however, evidently some time had indeed passed. The word translated as yet (eti eti) implies a span of time had passed. Saul continued “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” His vehemence against the early church was likened unto the snorts of a war horse impatient to charge into battle. Jacob had prophesied that “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf” (Genesis 49:27). This greatest son of Benjamin now was fulfilling that prophecy as he snarled in hatred against the disciples of the Lord. In Acts 26:11, Luke recorded later that Paul had said, “he was exceedingly mad against them.” Saul requested letters (literally epistles) from the high priest at Jerusalem for the synagogues at Damascus. Julius Caesar had granted jurisdiction to the high priest and Sanhedrin at Jerusalem over Jews in foreign cities. Saul sought these letters of introduction to these Jewish leaders in Damascus, authorizing him to arrest any Christian Jews he might find there. The authority for such action had already been granted by Rome. Saul sought these letters to validate his personal authority in the matter abroad. In short, Saul, with a deep-rooted hatred in his heart, obtained a warrant with the intent to hunt these early Christians down in order to disband and destroy them by all means available with extreme prejudice. Continue reading in PDF:
 Acts Chapter 7 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: In Chapter 6, we saw Satan attacking the first church in Jerusalem from both outside persecution, and from the inside as some were upset with how the widows of the Grecians were being treated. The Apostles showed great wisdom as they chose out certain men to put in charge of this task (the first deacons of the church we believe), and they stopped the problem before it began. At the end of the chapter, we saw Stephen being questioned by the Sanhedrin, and a man named Saul watched as Stephen put forth the Gospel. We continue with his defense in the meeting in Chapter 7. I. Stephen Addresses the Council Acts 7:1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? Acts 7:2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, Acts 7:3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. Acts 7:4 Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell. The high priest asked Stephen to address the two charges placed against him. The charges were speaking against the Temple and changing the customs given by Moses. The high priest asked “Are these things so?” Stephen did not give a simple guilty or not guilty answer to these charges for there was a grain of truth in each charge. What Stephen did was present a historical context of how God worked apart from the Temple in ages gone by. To the second charge, Stephen replied that God had many dealings with their forefathers prior to Moses and that Moses had foretold the coming of the Messiah, who is Jesus. Continue Reading PDF:
 Acts Chapter 4 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: In Chapter 3, we studied the story concerning the lame man being healed in the front of the temple. Peter and John took no credit for what was done, but gave all the credit and honor to Jesus Christ. When the people came marveling at the feat, Peter took the opportunity to preach the Gospel to them. In this week’s lesson, we see the beginning of the persecution of the church as Peter and John are brought before the religious leaders to explain how this man was healed. Acts chapter 4 details theafter-effects of the healing of the lame man at the Temple. Severe persecution of the early church commences, and powerful witness of the resurrection is further preached as a result. The last half of this chapter describes how the church responded to the persecution and opposition they faced. They prayed fervently. The result was a further manifestation of the power of God upon them. I. The Persecution of the Early Church As has been the case the case many times in history, the Christians were not persecuted by the lost, but by the religious leaders. God had set up the religious order, but through the years, it had become greatly corrupted from the original Judaism taught by Moses and the prophets. While in Dallas last year, I acquired some books on Acts, and in Warren Wiersbe’s book “Be Dynamic”, he stated “The Jewish religious system had become so corrupt that the offices were passed from one relative to another without regard for the Word of God. When Annas was deposed from the priesthood, Caiaphas (his son-in-law) was appointed. In fact, five of Annas’ sons held the office at one time or another.” This is a sad state of affairs. Jesus was not pleased with all the new rules that the Pharisees had come up with which were not rules of God, but commands of man to keep the traditions in tact. Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. In verse 6 of the same chapter, Jesus said: Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Acts 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Acts 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. Acts 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. These events are a continuation of what took place in chapter 3. The healing and subsequent preaching by Peter happened within the Temple complex. The Jewish authorities (the priest, the captain of the Temple, and the Sadducees) confronted them. The captain of the Temple oversaw the Temple police which were the Levitical gatekeepers of the Temple. These authorities were upset that the disciples of Jesus Christ were still witnessing. The fact that the message Peter preached was about “the resurrection from the dead” seemed to be more than they could bare. The Sadducees were especially angry because they taught there was no resurrection. As a reprisal, Peter and John were put in jail for the night. It appears from Verse 1 that the Sadducee party was in power at this time. We know that they and the Pharisees were the two largest religious groups or sects during this time. One of the major differences in the two was that the Sadducees did not believe in any resurrection. They also did not believe in angels or that man had a personal spirit. Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. From verse 2, it is apparent that the Sadducees were upset with what Peter and John were preaching, because they were definitely preaching about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Continue Reading in PDF:
 ACTS LESSON 1 Acts Chapter 1 Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net e-mail: mail@KjvBibleStudies.net Introduction: We begin a new study on the book of Acts this week. This is a great book as it shows some of the trials and accomplishments in the early days of the church age. The Acts of the Apostles is a unique book when compared to the other books in the new testament. In the gospels we see a difficult time period, particularly among the Jewish believers. These matters were due to the persecution they encountered. Many were reverting to their former selves concerning the interpretation of the purpose of the Law. I. Luke Identified as Writer of Acts Acts 1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Acts 1:2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: The former treatise referred to is the Gospel of Luke which detailed “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” Little is known of the Theophilus mentioned. However, both the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were addressed to him. The word Theophilus literally means ‘a friend of God.’ In any event, ‘The Acts of the Apostles’ was written directly to him. In verse 2. Luke, in referring to the writing of the Gospel of Luke, notes that it presented the ministry of our Lord up to the time of His ascension. The “commandment unto the apostles whom he had chosen,” in this context, clearly is a reference to the Great Commission which our Lord commanded at the end of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It will occur again in Acts 1:8. It should be noted that the Great Commission of our Lord is described as a commandment. Further, it was given “through the Holy Ghost.” Continue Reading in PDF:
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