Bible Study - The Journey - June 14, 2026

 

Bible Study - The Journey - June 14, 2026

We considered the Apostle Paul and his testimony in our last study.

Paul’s arrest gave him opportunity to share his salvation experience with both the Romans and the Jewish Sanhedrin.

Our encounter with JESUS along life’s journey and our conversion experience gives each Holy Spirit born person their personal witness of his/her journey to salvation; GOD provides the opportunity.

Who is GOD?

Moses wanted to know GOD and in doing so, Moses learned that GOD had to set boundaries for Moses to interact with HIM.

Exodus 33:18-23 - Amplified Bible

¹⁸ Then Moses said (to GOD), “Please, show me Your glory!” ¹⁹ And God said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the Name of the Lord before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion (lovingkindness) on whom I will show compassion.” ²⁰ But He said, “You cannot see My face, for no man shall see Me and live!” ²¹ Then the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place beside Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; ²² and while My glory is passing by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and protectively cover you with My hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will take away My hand and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

WOW!!! Precious!!! When we seek GOD, HE does HIS part in accommodating our desire to know HIM! But truth prevails.

James 4:8

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded.

Be honest with GOD.

GOD sent JESUS to be the intercessor and personnel representative of GOD, without the restrictions GOD requires.

We are all sinners and need salvation through faith in JESUS. Placing our faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, results in a miracle taking place in the human body – those who place their faith in JESUS are “born again.”

The first birth of all people is physical and the physical will die but the GOOD NEWS is those who place their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion will be “born again”, and the physical becomes eternal when the divine sperm of GOD, the Holy Spirit, unites with the human spirit, eternal conception takes place quicker than the twinkle of the eye.

This union results in a person being “Spirit born” or “Born again.”

Since the Passion of JESUS, the Good News is as published in Bible Hub:

1.    Jesus as Mediator: According to 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." This verse highlights that Jesus is the sole mediator who enables believers to approach God directly without the need for human intermediaries, such as priests Bible Hub+1.

2.    The Role of the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:15-16 explains that believers receive the Spirit of sonship, allowing them to call God "Abba, Father." This relationship signifies a personal connection with God, affirming that Christians can communicate with Him directly Bible Hub+1.

3.    Confidence in Prayer: Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to "approach God’s throne of grace with confidence," indicating that they can seek God's guidance and support without barriers Bible Hub+1.

What was the major boundary for Moses? Moses wanted to see GOD face to face. Let’s explore!

God told Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20), He was saying that truly seeing God as He is, in the fullness of His glory, is more than mortal man can tolerate (Isaiah 6:5). Therefore, to protect Moses, God was only going to reveal that portion of His majesty and power that was humanly possible to absorb. God communicated this plan to Moses in a way we can all understand: “You cannot look ME full in the face [it is impossible for you to know everything about ME], but I will allow you to see my back [I will reveal to you a small portion of My nature so as not to overwhelm you].”
In essence, GOD was allowing Moses to encounter HIS reality without that reality killing Moses. GOD’S desire was to communicate and reveal truth.

Simply, if GOD had not revealed this boundary to Moses, we would not know this truth about GOD. It also, reveals why GOD sent JESUS to earth.

Truth is WHO JESUS is. JESUS came to fulfill GOD’S creative mission of providing a planet that is fully equipped to sustain the plant, animal and human lives which sustains all that GOD created, which includes nature.

It is amazing as we read in Romans 8:19

For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed.

I recall hiking in the woods, pausing to speak to nature that redemption is coming. The original sin of Adam and Eve not only results in the death of humans but also all nature. All people need to be redeemed from eternal death and so does all nature.

The sinless life of JESUS and HIS shed blood redeem, not only all who place their faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, but all of nature waits eagerly to be redeemed. The best is yet to come for those who are redeemed, both humans and all nature!!!

Let’s consider - John 14 - Christian Standard Bible

The Way to the Father

14 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe^[a] in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. ⁴ You know the way to where I am going.”^[b]

⁵ “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”

Good Question. Thomas was looking forward to the redemption plan, and we look back at GOD’S redemptive plan through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion.

⁶ Jesus told him (Thomas), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you know me, you will also know^[c] my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

We know the rest of GOD’S redemptive plan -----

Faith in JESUS and HIS passion, HIS death, resurrection from the dead, witnessed by HIS disciples, select followers, over 400 people, HIS bodily ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD to intercede for all “Spirit-born” people.

As Philip seeks, so do we ----

Jesus Reveals the Father

⁸ “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe^[d] because of the works themselves.

Praying in Jesus’s Name

¹² “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me^[e] anything in my name, I will do it.^[f]

Another Counselor Promised

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep^[g] my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor^[h] to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be^[i] in you.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – THE TRINITY

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. ¹⁹ In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. ²⁰ On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴ The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. ²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

THE HOLY SPIRIT makes up the third member of the Trinity – FATHER, SON and THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Where does THE HOLY SPIRIT reside in the “Born Again Christian?”

1 Corinthians 6:19

Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought at a price. So, glorify God with your body.^[b]

Our redemption required a perfect acceptable sacrifice, GOD’S only SON, JESUS. JESUS willingly came to earth to be GOD’S perfect acceptable sacrifice to GOD for all sin. GOD sent THE HOLY SPIRIT, into the hearts of all who place their faith in JESUS to not only confirm their faith but as their guarantee as recorded in 2 Corinthians 1:22:

It is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].

JESUS places HIS redemptive seal upon all who place their faith in HIM; THE HOLY SPIRIT!!!

JESUS’S Gift of Peace (JESUS knew WHO HE WAS. HE WAS SECURE even when HE faced physical death upon the cross. Those who have been “Born again” have THE HOLY SPIRIT within them and is the Spirit born believer’s security and assurance.)

²⁷ “Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. ²⁸ You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. ³⁰ I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He (Satan) has no power over me.^[j] 31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.

All of this makes Jesus’ words to Philip all the more amazing: “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). When Jesus walked this earth, His glory veiled, so we could look Him in the face. “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Colossians 2:9). On one brief occasion, Jesus’ glory was revealed in this world, at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:2). Interestingly, Moses was there, speaking to the glorified Lord, face to face (Matthew 17:3).

Let’s consider John 3:1-21:

John 3 - Christian Standard Bible - Jesus and Nicodemus

3 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

Who was Nicodemus? We know he was a Rabbi and a teacher. He searched for truth. He went to JESUS, at night because of who he was. The key is that he had the courage to go. He went seeking truth.

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

⁴ “How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”

Great question!!!

⁵ Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷ Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. ⁸ The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Human birth is the only way any person has the opportunity to be “born again” Spiritually. What about children or the aborted fetus?

Here is an “I think based upon scripture”----

Isaiah 7:16 (Wycliff translation)

For why before the child knows how to reprove evil, and choose good, the land, which thou loathes (loathest), shall be forsaken of the face of their two kings. (And before that the child knows how to rebuke, or to reject, evil, and to choose good, the lands of these two kings, whom thou fearest (fears), shall be deserted.)

(Another, I think – I contend that knowing varies with each individual. GOD judges the human heart. Again, this is an, I think. My basis is that GOD goes to the fullest to save ----- It vital when you hear the knock on your heart’s door, it is JESUS – Answer and let HIM into your life as written in Revelation 3:20: See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. JESUS seeks you and when HE knocks – answer by opening your hearts door and letting HIM into your life.

Your response may be simple. I have heard of fellow Christian’s, simply saying LORD, I give up – Please come into my life and save my soul.

GOD seeks and HIS desire is that NO ONE IS LOST TO SPEND ETERNITY IN HELL, but the decision is yours to make ---)

GOD’S desire is for all to “born again” but the choice is ours to make. All humans have every opportunity to be “Born Again”.

It the meantime, we are to share the truth of salvation, as GOD gives us opportunity.  Back to Nicodemus and his search for truth -----

JESUS had just told Nicodemus about the need for a person to be “Born Again!”

⁹ “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.

An excellent question Nicodemus asked JESUS ----

¹⁰ “Are you a teacher^[b] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. ¹¹ “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. ¹² If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven —the Son of Man.^[c]

¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him may^[d] have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way: ^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. ¹⁹ This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it,^[g] so that his deeds may not be exposed. ²¹ But anyone who lives by^[h] the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

The sad thing, even today, humans still love the dark and think they can hide. But light dispels evil. The truth in Ephesians 5:8

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—

What impact did JESUS have on Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea?

Let’s read John 19:38-42:

And after this (the crucifixion of JESUS), Joseph of Arimathea—a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews—asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate granted him permission. So, he came and took away His body. And Nicodemus also, who first had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, [weighing] about a hundred pounds. So, they took Jesus’ body and bound it in linen cloths with the spices (aromatics), as is the Jews’ customary way to prepare for burial. ...

There are some writings about Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus after the burial of JESUS and HIS resurrection, but I choose not to go there. I am not sure of their authenticity.

However, it seems that both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus continued to be faithful “born again” Christians and obedient disciples of JESUS.

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Saul to Paul - JESUS Made the Difference - Acts 21-36 - May 31, 2006

 

Bible Study - Saul to Paul- JESUS Made The Difference - May 31, 2026

Let’s read Acts 21:26-36:

The Riot in the Temple

²⁶ So the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing the completion of the purification days when the offering would be made for each of them.

The Apostle Paul takes a group of men who had made Nazirite vows and participated with them at the temple in Jerusalem. The purpose was not for salvation but likely to show respect for the Jewish law and show unity through faith in JESUS. JESUS fulfilled the Law and paid, in full, the penalty for sin for those who place their faith in HIM.

The Nazirite vow (Hebrew: נָזִיר nāzīr, meaning “consecrated” or “separated”) was a voluntary religious commitment in the Hebrew Bible where an individual dedicated themselves to God for a set period, often for special service or devotion.

Acts 21:26 seems to encourage us to understand that diversity within the body of Christ is something to be celebrated, not feared. Paul’s actions show that unity can exist in diversity; we can come together in the pursuit of a common mission despite our differences i.e., Catholics, various Christian denominations, Messianic Jews.

Yet, the battle between works and faith continues today.

Salvation, via the forgiveness of a person’s sins, is only possible through faith in JESUS and HIS Passion, which includes HIS resurrection and HIS resurrected bodily ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the righthand of GOD HIS FATHER.

Why? JESUS intercedes for all “born again” Christians when Satan accuses them in the presence of GOD, when they sin.

Back to Paul and the men completing their Nazarite vows.

²⁷ When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw him (Paul) in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him, ²⁸ shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place. What’s more, he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” ²⁹ For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

³⁰ The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.

³¹ As they were trying to kill him, word went up to the commander of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in chaos. ³² Taking along soldiers and centurions, he immediately ran down to them. Seeing the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the commander approached, took him into custody, and ordered him to be bound with two chains.

Why two chains?

According to Bible Hub:

Why was Paul bound with two chains in Acts 22?

Paul was bound by two chains because he was a Roman citizen, and the act of binding him was a violation of Roman law. The chains were used to secure him, and the binding was a sign of his Roman citizenship. This act was a significant point in Paul’s defense, as it demonstrated his legal rights and the respect due a Roman Citizen. The binding was a heinous crime to a Roman, and it was a violation of the Lex Porcia, which protected citizens from such actions. Paul’s ability to plead his Roman citizenship saved him from a brutal scourging and set up his appearance before the Sanhedrin. (Bible Hub)

He (The Commander) asked who he (Paul) was and what he had done. ³⁴ Some in the crowd were shouting one thing and some another. Since he was not able to get reliable information because of the uproar, he ordered him to be taken into the barracks. ³⁵ When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, ³⁶ for the mass of people followed, yelling, “Get rid of him!”

Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Mob

As we have already read, the Apostle Paul was in Rome under arrest. Paul asked the Commander to let him speak to the crowd.

Let’s consider Paul’s audience – So Paul, the “born again” believer and follower of JESUS, THE CHRIST,” was speaking to in Acts 21:37:

Paul Speaks to the Crowd

Acts 21:37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he (Paul) asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”

“Do you speak Greek?” he (the commander) replied. 

It is a good thing Paul spoke to the commander and asked the question. Why? We see the why in the commander’s next statement.

38: “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?”

This is an interesting statement coming from the Roman Commander, who according to the background study was Claudius Lysias, ““Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?”

The Apostle Paul did not respond immediately to the commander’s question, but he did answer the commander’s question when he gave his testimony. Paul likely saw the question as a deviation and a tool Satan uses to lead those called by JESUS to, “chase a rabbit” and miss the purpose of the opportunity GOD has provided.

Paul was focused on his call as a Christian and he likely knew that he did not have much time to address the crowd. So, he was focused on the opportunity of the moment and on the purpose of his calling.

Satan uses many tactics to get those who know the truth of salvation to chase unproductive issues. Paul only had a brief moment, and he had to use that moment to speak GOD’S message to the Jewish people and others present in the crowd, including the Roman guards.

Paul spoke to the people and, in essence, answered the commander’s question in the next verse ---- he was not an Egyptian, without having to saying it ------

39: Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

40: After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic.

Let’s read Acts 22:1-30:

Christian Standard Bible

22:1: “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” ² When they heard that he was addressing them in Aramaic,^[a] they became even quieter. ³ He continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. ⁴ I persecuted this Way (The name of the early Christian church) to the death, arresting and putting both men and women in jail, ⁵ as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to arrest those (Christians) who were there and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

Paul’s Testimony

⁶ “As I was traveling and approaching Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

⁸ “I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the one you are persecuting.’ ⁹ Now those who were with me saw the light,^[b] but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

¹⁰ “I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

“The Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that you have been assigned to do.’

¹¹ “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of the light,^[c] I was led by the hand by those who were with me and went into Damascus. ¹² Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good reputation with all the Jews living there, ¹³ came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. ¹⁴ And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth, ¹⁵ since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now, why are you delaying? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

¹⁷ “After I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance ¹⁸ and saw him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’

¹⁹ “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in you imprisoned and beaten. ²⁰ And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval^[d] and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’

²¹ “He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

The mention of Gentiles seems to have triggered the crowd’s reaction.

Paul’s Roman Protection

²² They listened to him up to this point. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this man off the face of the earth! He should not be allowed to live!”

²³ As they were yelling and flinging aside their garments and throwing dust into the air, ²⁴ the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be interrogated with the scourge to discover the reason they were shouting against him like this. ²⁵ As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondoned?”

²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

²⁷ The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes,” he said.

²⁸ The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul said.

²⁹ So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately. The commander too was alarmed when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.

Guess what? When we ask JESUS to forgive us for our sins and ask JESUS to come into our heart or being, not only are we Spirit born or “Born again” but we are, as written in:

Philippians 3:20 - Christian Standard Bible

²⁰ Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Paul’s day citizenship was important. Since the Passion of JESUS and HIS resurrection and ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD, HIS FATHER, our faith in JESUS results in all “born again” people eternal citizens of Heaven.

Continue with Acts 22:30:

Paul before the Sanhedrin

³⁰ The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him^[e] and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene. He brought Paul down and placed him before them.

Acts 22:30 highlights GOD’S providence in orchestrating events, as the Roman Commander releases Paul to stand before the Jewish Council which would allow Paul an opportunity to defend his faith in JESUS and advance the Gospel.

I sense that the Commander wanted to hear more from Paul. So far, in the Commander’s dealing with Paul, apparently, he saw that Paul was true to his faith in JESUS. Just maybe the Commander wanted to witness and evaluate the Jewish Law versus what Paul revealed about his experience on the road to Damascus regarding JESUS. I speculate!!!

I fully believe, the Commander had a desire to witness a debate between the long-established Jewish religion, and this new religion Paul was espousing. It is likely the Commander knew about the crucifixion of JESUS. But again, that is speculation, but the commander did hear about Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus, which made the commander aware of JESUS and HIS Passion.

 

Acts 22:30 highlights GOD’S providence in orchestrating events, as the Roman commander released Paul to stand before the Jewish council, allowing him to defend his faith and advance the gospel.

The same is true for those who seek to do the will of GOD today, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Christian life is a dynamic relationship with GOD, JESUS, and THE HOLY SPIRIT.

What is your on-the-road experience? We are all traveling and my prayer is that all will arrive safely in the loving arms of GOD and JESUS.

Blessings!!!

 

 

 

Bible Study - The Road to Salvation through Jars of Clay - May 24, 2026

 

Bible Study - The Road to Salvation Though Jars of Clay - May 24, 2026

Where were you before you were born physically?

I contend all humans were and are in the heart and mind of GOD. Once in GOD’S mind, each of us were created and chosen to serve GOD according to HIS will and purpose, with the freedom to either choose or not choose JESUS, GOD’S only SON. JESUS came in the flesh upon earth, as our Savior or to reject HIM.

All are chosen to be in a personal relationship with GOD through the miracle of Spiritual birth through faith in JESUS, the promised Messiah. JESUS confirmed by HIS physical life, physical death, physical bodily resurrection, ascension into Heaven to take HIS seat at the right hand of GOD, HIS FATHER to intercede for all who are born again Spiritually by the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 1:5

I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.

Yes, this was GOD’S message to the Prophet Jeremiah, but it gives us insight into the mind of GOD.

I contend that we came from the heart and mind of GOD. GOD chose us to serve HIM, as a person free to either choose to be in right relationship with HIM or to ignore or reject GOD.

Since GOD chose us and formed us, it gives HIM the right to reveal truth to us.

HIS desire is for all to choose HIM before JESUS and JESUS after JESUS came to earth and fulfilled GOD’S purpose for HIM.

GOD’S desire is to have all humans recognize their need for HIM and come to HIM through faith. First through the Law and the Prophets and final through JESUS knocking on the heart’s door of all humans.

Revelation 3:20 Christian Standard Bible

²⁰ See! I (JESUS/THE HOLY SPIRIT) stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him/her and eat with him/her, and he/she with me.

JESUS willingly came to earth to live a sinless life and give HIS life for all people who place their faith in HIM.

If you had been the only person in all of history to place your faith in JESUS, HE would have come to earth to live and die for your salvation.

Now that is personal and that is the love that GOD and JESUS have for you.

What did JESUS tell HIS disciples?

John 14:1-31: Christian Standard Bible

The Way to the Father

14 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe^[a] in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. ⁴ You know the way to where I am going.”^[b]

⁵ “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you know me, you will also know^[c] my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus Reveals the Father

⁸ “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe^[d] because of the works themselves.

Praying in Jesus’s Name

¹² “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me^[e] anything in my name, I will do it.^[f]

Another Counselor Promised

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep^[g] my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor^[h] to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be^[i] in you.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. ¹⁹ In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. ²⁰ On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴ The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. ²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Jesus’s Gift of Peace

²⁷ “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. ²⁸ You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. ³⁰ I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me.^[j] 31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.

When did GOD send THE HOLY SPIRIT to indwell the human body of all who place their faith in JESUS? At Pentecost as revealed in Acts 2.

John 14

Christian Standard Bible

The Way to the Father

14 “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe^[a] in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. ⁴ You know the way to where I am going.”^[b]

⁵ “Lord,” Thomas said, “we don’t know where you’re going. How can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you know me, you will also know^[c] my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Jesus Reveals the Father

⁸ “Lord,” said Philip, “show us the Father, and that’s enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been among you all this time and you do not know me, Philip? The one who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who lives in me does his works. ¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Otherwise, believe^[d] because of the works themselves.

Praying in Jesus’s Name

¹² “Truly I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask me^[e] anything in my name, I will do it.^[f]

Another Counselor Promised

¹⁵ “If you love me, you will keep^[g] my commands. ¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor^[h] to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be^[i] in you.

The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. ¹⁹ In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. ²⁰ On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. ²¹ The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.”

²² Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?”

²³ Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴ The one who doesn’t love me will not keep my words. The word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. ²⁶ But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.

Jesus’s Gift of Peace

²⁷ “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. ²⁸ You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. ³⁰ I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me.^[j] 31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.

The coming of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2 - Christian Standard Bible

Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. ³ They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. ⁴ Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

⁵ Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. ⁷ They were astounded and amazed, saying,^[b] “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), ¹¹ Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” ¹² They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

Peter’s Sermon

¹⁴ Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.^[c] 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all people;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
¹⁸ I will even pour out my Spirit
on my servants in those days, both men and women
and they will prophesy.
¹⁹ I will display wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below:
blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
²⁰ The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
²¹ Then everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.^[d]

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. ²³ Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used^[e] lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. ²⁴ God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. ²⁵ For David says of him:

I saw the Lord ever before me;
because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
²⁶ Therefore my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices.
Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope,
²⁷ because you will not abandon me in Hades
or allow your holy one to see decay.
²⁸ You have revealed the paths of life to me;
you will fill me with gladness
in your presence.^[f]

²⁹ “Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. ³⁰ Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants^[g] on his throne. ³¹ Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He^[h] was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay.^[i]

³² “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. ³³ Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear. ³⁴ For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:

The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at my right hand
³⁵ until I make your enemies your footstool.’^[j]

³⁶ “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

Call to Repentance

³⁷ When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” ⁴⁰ With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt^[k] generation!” ⁴¹ So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

A Generous and Growing Church

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. ⁴⁴ Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. ⁴⁵ They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number^[l] those who were being saved.

Being together, as a group, is good but there comes a time when the Good News needed to be shared with others, as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

So, the diaspora or scattering of those who knew the truth of the Good News of salvation and Spiritual Birth through faith in JESUS took place for the purpose of sharing and spreading the Good News with people beyond Jerusalem.

We who know the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS, need to share it with others as led by THE HOLY SPIRIT.

I recall the first time I witnessed to a fellow passenger on a plane. He was a burley guy. I gave him my testimony and when I finished, I didn’t know what reaction he would have. He said, “I have been thinking about things like that lately.” I was relieved!

The Good News is contained in jars of clay, the human body, and we are commissioned to share it. Blessings!!!