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Tag: messiah

šā’ûl servant of the living Yeshua
Saul’s defense of himself and the Gospel

ἀπολογέομαι – apologeomai

To the Greeks the Apostle to the gentiles is Παῦλος – Paulos or Paul. And to Romans encountering this fellow Roman citizen from Tarsus certainly fluent in the Latin of their heritage, the Apostle would be called Paulus.

But to the Aramaic Jews of Jerusalem and Judea this illusive convert to Jesus of Nazareth is well-known as Sha’ul, the same name as Saul, Israel’s first king.

It is now about A.D. 59 or 60. Some thirty years ago JESUS had fore-warned the Twelve:

“Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say..

Gospel of Luke 12:11 LSB

Two years later the Jews had stoned Stephen to death for proclaiming the risen Christ Jesus. Saul had been a young witness to this unjust execution and a leading authority in bringing many followers of The Way to justice for five years – that is, until the Lord met him on a road to Damascus.

Saul disappears for a time and then makes his own defense to Peter and those in Jerusalem.

And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews, but they were attempting to put him to death.

Acts 9:29 LSB
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All this prior to the Apostle being sent out to all the world of the gentiles on three missionary journeys for ten years. 
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So now back in Jerusalem by intention, the Apostle has already been detained by the Jews and held by the Romans.

Most Excellent Felix – Tertullus for the Prosecution

And when the governor [Felix] had nodded for him to speak, Paul answered:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make G626 [apologeomai] my defense G626

Acts of the Apostles 24

Two more years and another administration – Porcius Festus

“.. while Paul said G626 in G626 his own defense G626 [to Festus {who is also present here}], “I have committed no sin either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

Acts of the Apostles 25

Saul’s third apologeomai before Herod Agrippa

Agrippa said to Sha’ul,
“You may speak for yourself.”

Then Sha’ul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.
Acts of the Apostles 26:1 Hebrew Names Bible

Saul addressing King Herod Agrippa –

Jew to fellow Jew
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continuing in his complimentary introduction: 
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Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

Acts 26:3 KJV
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Remember, Paul is speaking of events beginning some twenty years ago. 
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My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Acts 26:4-7 KJV
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Paul addresses the "Jewish" king caught in the middle of controversaries between the Saduccees, Pharasees and pagan Romans not part of the promise of the One God to Abraham. 
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Testimony of the Resurrection

The Apostle now confronts Herod Agrippa with the politically divisive question concerning the Messiah Jesus.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
Acts of the Apostles 26:8 KJV

“Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Acts 26:9-11 NKJV

What’s Paul doing here?

The Apostle is confessing that as a leading Pharisee he was one of them – agreed with them – as zealous to put to death these blasphemers of Yahweh as now they seek to have Paul killed for his witness of the risen Messiah Yeshua.

Herod Agrippa knows the Jesus controversy well. And Paul’s defense now presents evidence of why he has turned from his former disbelief (in the resurrection of the Messiah Jesus of Nazareth). So šā’ûl of Tarsus recounts his journey to Damascus and life-changing encounter with the risen Lord Jesus, the crucified Messiah.

Saul sent out as the Apostle Paul
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Luke has previously recorded Paul's account (Acts 9:1–19; 22:6–16).
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- I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
- At midday I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun,
- We all fell to the ground
- I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew dialect:
‘Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

Acts 26:14b Hebrew Names Version

Herod Agrippa would understand the significance of the Voice from heaven Who communicates with Paul in Hebrew. Sha’ul asks what any man might ask of an unknown person speaking:

Τίς εἶ κύριε

(tis ei Kyrios) Who are you, Lord?

And He said (in the Greek of Luke’s account of Acts of the Apostles)

egō eimi iēsous
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Or in the Hebrew šā'ûl likely heard from the Lord: 
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ănî yᵊhôšûaʿ

“He said,

‘I am Yeshua, whom you are persecuting.

Acts 26:15 b Hebrew Names Version

Yeshua, the risen Son of God, commissions Paul
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As Paul knows, Herod Agrippa II, with his Roman and Jewish cultural upbringing, will full-well know and understand the implication of what he is about to say. (And note that this Voice from heaven commands Saul as a King (like Herod Agrippa) would command any subject. 
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And He said,

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

But rise and stand on your feet;

for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

Acts 26:14-15 NKJV
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Remember, Paul has already been witnessing Christ crucified and risen on three missionary journeys since about AD 47 (more than ten years after Christ's crucifixion in Jerusaalem) until now (~AD 59) for some twelve years.
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‘I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Acts 26:17-18 NKJV – account to Agrippa of the commissioning of Paul by the risen Christ Jesus

It is significant that in sending Saul to the Gentiles that the Lord mentions their redemption – Gospel Good News!

The Lord Jesus also points to our deliverance from original sin and Satan.

And do not overlook His mention of holiness and how Jew and Gentile will now receive sanctification.

Sanctification
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Just a reminder of God's HOLINESS and that of CHRIST JESUS
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ἁγιάζω – hagiazō –
- to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
- to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
  - consecrate things to God
  - dedicate people to God
- to purify
From hagos G40 (an awful thing) – sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):—(most) holy (one, thing), saint.

Source: Lexicon :: Strong’s G37 – hagiazō – BlueLetterBible.org

21st century Common Era christians tend to overlook Jesus’ role in sanctification of the redeemed saints of Christ, therefore missing the mark of showing ourselves saved from the sin so common in all of us.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

OPEN YOUR EYES – SEE the implication of what the Lord says to Saul of Tarsus that changed him for all eternity:

to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God,

that they may receive forgiveness of sins

and a place among

those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Acts 26:18 RSV

Are YOU, like Saul, a SAINT — a most HOLY thing —

by FAITH in the LORD CHRIST JESUS?

Paul asks the Lord’s question of Agrippa and of Portus Festus.

The Apostle asks JESUS’ question of you who seek forgiveness of your sins somewhere else than by faith in the Person of Him – the risen Christ Jesus.

Next: Agrippa and Festus reject Christ

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
July 24, 2025
Jesus Christ 2 the Person and His Roles
Who is this Jesus? Has God sent us the Christ – the anointed Messiah?

God and The Person of JESUS

“JESUS IS and was and will be.

Talk of JESUS .com Jesus Christ IS Lord – 1

JESUS IS God! just as we introduced last time through the beginning in John’s Gospel — “..and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God..”

“No one has ever yet seen God..”

John 1:18a Berean Standard Bible

If the Person of Jesus IS GOD, then how was God revealed in HIM? If no one has seen God then how IS Jesus (who the world has seen born, died and risen) the Very Person of the unseen God?

Begotten, NOT made

John continues [John 1:18 BLB].

“.. the only begotten God who is in the bosom G2859 of the Father, He has explained Him.

Gospel of John 1:18 LSB – Strong’s G2859 – kolpos – ‘the front of the body between the arms

Look closely at John’s Gospel and understand that GOD IS ONE, yet God is a God of relationship – THREE PERSONS with very personal roles and relationships to created men and women.

Jesus, himself, confessed:

“I and the Father are one.”

John 10:30

the Personality of JESUS the Son
- Can you attach a Personality to the Face of God who you cannot see?
- Will you relate to a PILLAR OF FIRE or the unseen Hand of the whirlwind?
Even so, the LORD GOD relates to those He loves even as a Father guides and provides for his own.

God the Father of our Lord JESUS Christ reveals from His unseen ever-existence, two Personalities, a loving Father and His only Son, to which created mankind can relate in addition to His unseen Spirit-to-spirit power, Holy and separated from that which He has created.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

Personality of sons and daughters of man

per·son·al·i·ty (pûr′sə-nălĭ-tē) DEFINITION

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.

Body, mind and spirit born of a woman
1. The totality of qualities and traits, as of character or behavior, that are peculiar to a specific person.
2. The collection of distinctive qualities of a person, especially those distinguishing personal characteristics that make one socially appealing
3. The quality or condition of being a person.
WE cannot comprehend the TOTALITY of the Personality of JESUS the SON of GOD any more than that of God the FATHER.

Never-the-less the Bible reveals the Face of God in the Persons of the Father and the Son – it is, in part, a relationship to which even sinful man may relate.

Jesus IS God from God

The PERSON of JESUS — perhaps a little difficult to understand, but we can relate to HIS relationship as SON of the One Father of all, even Almighty God.

And as mysterious and illusive is God’s power, so we must hear from what God has said through Scripture about the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Our basic CHRISTIAN teaching and belief, including study of GOD [theology] as THE TRINITY is outlined in several creeds of the church, including the NICENE CREED written by our Church fathers in A.D. 325.

JESUS Christ explained by the Nicene Creed

We believe in one God..

And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

Begotten from the Father, only begotten,

that is, from the substance of the Father,

God from God, light from light, true God from true God,

begotten not made,

of one substance with the Father,

through Whom all things came into being,

things in heaven and things on earth…
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THINK about these TEACHINGS of our Church Fathers living just a few generations after the incarnate JESUS, Son of Man.

Consider in your heart for a moment of our mortal time: 
WHY would GOD show His Face to mankind as a Son, our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST?
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- We cannot be like GOD; but why would GOD want to become as one of us?
Why not consider JESUS in your heart rather than dismissing the God you cannot see simply in your self-created thoughts?

JESUS the Person of relationship with our personality

JESUS did this for ME?
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Hear the theology of our our Church fathers as you embrace the mystery of God in more of the Nicene Creed:
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Jesus Christ..

Who because of us men and because of our salvation came down, and became incarnate

[Embodied in human form; personified – American Heritage Dictionary]

and became man,

and suffered,

and rose again on the third day, and ascended to the heavens,

and will come to judge the living and dead…

JESUS.. the GOD-MAN!

Returning to the unseen.. in the heavens..

Christ ascended

AND WILL COME AGAIN TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD..

which is of course the ROLE and right of GOD ALMIGHTY, Creator of all men and Maker all things.

the Role of Christ Jesus

Even though we cannot fully understand incarnation, that is, GOD becoming a MAN — let’s not confuse the PERSON of JESUS (of one substance with the Father and the Holy Spirit) with the ROLES of JESUS.

Χριστὸν – Christ

And He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Gospel of Luke 9:20 LSB [vs. 18-20]

Χριστὸν θεοῦ – christos theos

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter replied, “You are the Messiah [Or the Christ. Messiah (a Hebrew term) and Christ (a Greek term) both mean “the anointed one.”] sent from God!”

Gospel of Luke 9:20 New Living Translation
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MORE about JESUS the Messiah or Christ of God NEXT time, God-willing.
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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
September 14, 2024
From now on I will go ethnos
ACTS 18 continued..

ἔθνη – ethnos
“Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
ACTS of the Apostles 18:6b ESV – Paul’s curse toward the Jews rejecting the Gospel in Corinth

Paul’s persistence in ACHIA for 18 months

Our 2nd mission to Jews and the ethnos so far..

As we near the end of Paul’s second missionary journey the author of Acts who is also witness to this part of it shows his readers how the ethnos (gentiles) continue to be a challenge to the Jews.

Once again Paul began this second mission from Antioch Syria where the apostles’ depart with an epistle to all the churches from church leaders in Jerusalem.

Previously:

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
ACTS of the Apostles 15:1 ESV

Even an epistle from Jerusalem from leaders of the church did not solve this issue of the ethnos joining the Jews in worship.

[In Derbe] Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.
Acts of the Apostles 16:3-4 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia..
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By the way, as all this has happened Paul writes a letter back to the Galatians addressing some of these same issues of ethnos.
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“This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”

.. they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagog ESVue of the Jews.. he reasoned with them from the Scriptures..

4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks.. 5 But the Jews were jealous..

.. the Jews from Thessalonica.. came [to Berea], agitating and stirring up the crowds. ¹⁴Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.
excerpts from ACTS 17 ESV

more about the resurrection?

with the Jews of Corinth
- Paul waits in Athens for Silas and Timothy to return by separate sailing from Macedonia.
- 17:34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
- 18 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ²And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla..
- 18:5 ..Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia..
- (Most Biblical scholars believe that Luke, author of LUKE-ACTS, arrived with them.)
Luke – an ethnos physician from Antioch Syria

Luke was a frequent companion of the Apostle Paul, at least from the time of Paul’s Macedonian vision (Acts 16:9, 10) right up to the time of Paul’s martyrdom (2 Tim. 4:11).
BlueLetterBible.org commentary of John MacArthur

When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus.
ACTS of the Apostles 18:5 ESV

6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

We will go to the ethnos!

Some Jews chained to the cultural teachings of first century synagogues believed that having been chosen by God then the ONLY way to please God was to stick together.

AND leaders of synagogues (NOT places of worship, but of teaching) stuck to select old testaments of certain ancient Scriptures.

The Jews had updated their LAW with rules replacing a broken OLD Covenant which God’s chosen had abandoned long-ago.

SO HOW DOES THIS LOOK TO A GENTILE like Luke REDEEMED BY and worshiping Jesus, THE JEWISH MESSIAH?

HOW DID GENTILES (ETHNOS) like LUKE view THE CHRIST (Greek for Messiah) OF THE JEWS?

We CONTINUE with LUKE’s 2nd account from this juncture between the FIRST TWO MISSIONARY JOURNEYS OF PAUL and a THIRD MISSIONARY JOURNEY with the Apostle’s focus into all the world directly pointed to the ethnos – the gentiles of the Roman Empire even beyond Greece.

From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

⁷And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue.

The Gentiles (ethnos) ἔθνος
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Lexicon :: Strong's G1484 - ethnos

Before we conclude our 2nd Missionary Journey with Paul let's look at what the Apostle's gentile physician meant in his 1st century account of the early church.
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The KJV translates Strong’s G1484 in the following manner: Gentiles (93x), nation (64x), heathen (5x), people (2x).
- a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together
  - a company, troop, swarm
- a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus
  - the human family
- a tribe, nation, people group
- in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles
- Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians
LUKE’s NEW TESTAMENT ACCOUNT:
- ethnos – 13x in his Gospel
- Greek ἔθνος (ethnos) – 43x in ACTS of the Apostles
Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation^G1484 under heaven. – ACTS 2:5

And all the circumcised believers who came with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles G1484 also. – ACTS 10:45

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles G1484. – ACTS 13:46 [from Paul’s 1st missionary journey]

“Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

To be continued…

NEXT: more from Corinth & the conclusion of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey to the ethnos
June 22, 2023