Tag Archives: Acts 26

Looking in Luke – Paul, Silas, and Timothy

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My objective for this edition of Looking in Luke was to comment on the training and mentorship of Paul, Silas, and Timothy. But; I quickly found legend, tradition, and objective observers. From my prospective the Bible is not legend or tradition. However, many legends and traditions have been started from things in the Bible; some are useful. An objective observer is an interesting classification, that deserves a moment (some of this is meant to be amusing).

To call yourself an objective observer probably means you are not. It would make sense that one person from each side of the argument has to call you that. (To shorten this, I will call objective observers: Double O or OO.) Double Os are rare, like four-leaf clovers. I am sure they exist because I googled them. The most common colloquialism for OO’s are spies who can legally kill. I associated Double Os with four-leaf clovers because four-leaf clovers, from my years of hunting them, can be increased by adding fertilizer, especially the organic animal type, all over the field.

Luke

The third Gospel and Acts have been attributed to Luke since the 2nd to the 4th century and beyond. No one challenged that or claimed it as their own, even though there is no identified author for the books. Actually, Luke is only mentioned three times in the New Testament and they all come from Paul – Colossians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:11, and Philemon 1:24. Ignoring the OO’s, can you imagine sharing the triumphs and tragedies of the Apostle Paul. I know experts want to attribute Luke’s knowledge to Documents Q and L, but what if he actually talked to Mary, Matthew, Mark, John, and the other Apostles, and some of those 500 witnesses. Yes, I have heard the tradition that puts him in the 70/72 that Jesus sent out to preach and prepare for His trip to Jerusalem.

I am thankful the Holy Spirit directed what was included in the Bible. My terms of teaching and mentorship, I could include OJT, are diluted forms of the 24/7 traveling, living, and serving these men were trained with. Timothy’s “training” lasted for years and Paul still thought it necessary to write two epistles to him. My “comments” are a “know in Part” highlight-reel of what these men lived.

Paul

Paul was a student of the respected Pharisee Rabbi Gamaliel. Gamaliel’s inspired instructions in Acts 5 were forgotten by Chapter 8. The questions a student ask are important. What did it take to get Saul to ask the right questions? A bright light knocked him off his high horse and blinded him for several days. Acts 9 tells some of what happened.

In Galatians 1, Paul adds to his story; Acts 26 is the third version. Galatians 1:16-19 tells an important part of Paul’s educational journey; he went into Arabia. About three years, possibly by himself and alone with God, he then returns to do mission. 2 Corinthians 12:2 is another verse on Paul’s education, he is “caught up to the third heaven”; that is quite an educational fieldtrip.

This learning experience is mentioned in Galatians 2:1 and is part of the reason for this post. Acts 11:30 and 12:25 are timestamps that frame a living-faith lesson for Paul and Barnabas before their mission trip in Chapter 13. The narrative’s setting is Passover, and the story is Peter’s arrest by Herod and release by Jesus; that lesson plan certainly covered the objective of divine purpose and intervention.  

A verse to highlight my “know in part” comment is Titus 3:12. Paul was going to winter in Nicopolis; it took me a while to find Nicopolis on the internet. It is not on any of the helpful lines on my map for Paul’s missions’ trips (I use those all the time:). I found a city on the Ionian Sea in the region of Epirus, which is near Macedonia and Achaia. (Just to the left of my page crease.)

Know in Part

The last two people I want to comment on is Silas and Timothy, or is that Silvanus and Timotheus. I do wish I could be a Double O, but instead I will say I am confused. (God bless translators:)

The Holy Spirit may not be the source for my questions; my lack of knowledge in Greek, the original writers, translator choices, and footnotes carry the questions of Mark. Bible Gateway has many translations and paraphrases and with the click of the mouse you can have chapters, verses, and list of target words in verses. You might choose to believe there are four different people, or three, or two, or become a post-modernist and just invalidate the Book because of the variations in spelling.

Since I am Looking in Luke, I compared the entries in Acts to the other Letters. Silvanus is preferred over Silas and Timothy over Timotheus. Because so many reference works key off of the KJV, I focused on it – Timotheus is preferred, but in critical places, there was Timothy. Me? I will stick with Silas and Timothy and read the footnotes. After all, we know there was one man named Saul/Paul and another named Simon/Cephas/Peter. FYI Saul became Paul in Acts 13:9 while confronting Elymas on the first mission trip. Yes, there is a lot of I did not go into.

Silas

  • A leader of the church in Jerusalem.
  • A faithful witness.
  • Prophet who would encourage.
  • Fellow worker with Paul who was beaten for Christ.
  • A Roman citizen! Why/how he was in Jerusalem; he may have had a backstory like Paul.
  • He could sing.
  • A friend, co-worker, and example for Timothy.
  • Was with Paul when several Epistles were written. Did he help with the content?
  • Possibly helped Peter.

BibleGateway – Keyword Search: Silas   or use Silvanus and change the translation.

I did not do a search on Silas, so I do not know any legends or traditions about him. His time with Paul speaks for itself and I think the world is better for what he did.

Timothy

Timothy, like Paul, was a product of the Diaspora; he was a half-Jew who lived outside of Israel. The most important thing for me is the prophecy that was spoke over him, that called him to the ministry. He had a godly legacy and influence in his mother and grandmother. It is even possible that he/they had heard Paul speak before; this was at least the second time Paul was in Lystra. The area they lived in (Phrygia) is one that is mentioned in Acts 2. Because of his parents he should have known at least two languages: Greek and Hebrew/Aramaic. Was he a Roman citizen? We do not know but he was “good ground” and was primed to produce a “bumper crop”.

Luke writes Timothy into his story in the 16th Chapter of Acts, and then mentions him again in 17,18,19, and 20. Timothy’s educational foundation had already been laid when Paul became his rabbi. Paul then spent the rest of his life building on that foundation.

Timothy’s first lesson in 16:3-5 was painful and a real test of his commitment to this life. It is a little ironic considering the initial message Paul and Silas were spreading.

The curriculum, lessons, hands on experience, and homework for Timothy is best read starting in Acts 16:6 and going through Hebrews and his release from jail.  His resume, assignments, and monikers from Paul can be seen in following these verses: BibleGateway – Keyword Search: Timothy

Phrygia – Encyclopedia of The Bible – Bible Gateway  This article contains some on the Jews of the Diaspora.

Bible 911 – Acts

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Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. (KJV)

This is a true 911 call. Saul of Tarsus was calling for help and Jesus sent Ananias from the Eternal Miracle Saints. Ananias had training in the things of the Lord, because even though he was reluctant, he went and preformed emergency laying-on-of-hands and spoke the word-of-faith. The sortie was successful and Ananias helped more by washing the patient. Saul told and retold of his miracle service for many years.

I believe that this event and the one in 1 Samuel 16 share some common elements and are course-setters for the people of God. Once these two events were accomplished the path and direction God wanted His people to follow came into view. Here are some commonalities.

  • A zealous but “blind” man named Saul from Benjamin are in both of the stories.
  • Both events have a servant following the leading of God to anoint the “shepherd” with a call from the Father.
  • Neither servant is happy about going; they had to overcome their paradigms to do the right thing.
  • David and Saul/Paul set a “new” direction. Both influence the written Word.

There are times that Judah and Benjamin are paired together:

  • Judah and Benjamin in the second trip to Egypt for food
  • David, King Saul, and Jonthan
  • David and Mephibosheth
  • David and Benjamin at the time of Absalom. This one is complex with many people from Benjamin involved.  
  • At the time of Rehoboam when the kingdom split
  • This one with Jesus and Paul    

Through the centuries this pairing took many forms depending on the individual players. If I was writing a drama Saul/Paul would be a descendent of Mordecai through Mephibosheth. He would be attempting to reclaim King Saul’s stolen kingdom, and then come to the Light.

Damascus and Saul’s mission were two things that caught my attention. The one clear fact that my study left me with is Damascus is a long way from Jerusalem.

Was it in a different political jurisdiction? How did Saul and the High Priest have authority to make those arrest? Was Saul a member of Herod’s household? My internet search produced some facts and many highly charged opinions. It was interesting and it reminded me that our God will use who is available to produce Their results.   

When did Paul start praying? Was it before the vision of Ananias or after? I rest in the fact that he was praying. I would be pretty sure that the topics and request of his prays and fasting changed over those three days.

What happened with the company of soldiers? Okay, they are never called that, but Saul was going to make arrests. They saw the light but not Jesus and heard sounds. A blind and reformed Saul must have affected them somehow.  

A disciple?! Paul expounds on Ananias’ story in Acts 22. I want to put aside how to pronounce his name and the legends that now surround him and ask a question. What has happened to us? Jesus spoke to him, in a vision. Ananias, spoke back. He accepted what was said and proceeded in obedience and changed a man’s life. Lord, may we all be used like that. He is described as in the Bible by Luke is a disciple; not a leader, not a super-saint who was lost in pray, and not someone with a lot of credentials other than having studied the Bible. Father, forgive me and make me/us more open like Ananias.

Vision – Visions drive this story. True to form English translators use one word for three different Greek words. In Acts 26 Paul/Luke uses a different word for vision than in our 9:11 verses; I will focus on our 9:11. (Another study may happen on vision.) Strong’s Greek: 3705. ὅραμα (horama) — Vision To my surprise the first use of this word is in Matthew about the transfiguration. My limited paradigm of a vision has been expanded. The different context that comes under this word covers all sorts of supernatural occurrences.

The two men in our story, one a devout man and the other an enraged zealot, got clear messages to direct them and build their faith. God visiting both of those men changed them and our world.

Well, this is my final Bible 911 post. I have grown and learned many things as I did this study.