In Acts 21–23, Paul concluded his third missionary journey and made his way to Jerusalem despite the caution of his fellow believers and knowing the danger he would face. Once in the city, he underwent a ritual purification in an attempt to unify the believers. Jews from Asia stirred up the crowd and nearly beat him to death but he was saved by the Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, and arrested. Paul gave his testimony to the Sanhedrin but they could not bear his talk of going to the Gentiles. He was almost flogged and a plot on his life was discovered. But God assured him he would testify in Rome. Paul was transferred to Governor Felix in Caesarea but the Roman ruler could find no legal charge against him.
Apostle Paul
Exploring Acts 18-20: Paul in Corinth and Ephesus
In Acts 18–20, Paul concluded his second missionary journey in Corinth where he met Priscilla and Aquila and stayed 1.5 years. Due to the ongoing opposition of the Jews, Paul pivoted and turned to preaching to Gentiles exclusively. "Some time" later, he set out on his third and final journey spending 2 years in Ephesus. There he did "extraordinary miracles" and confronted idol worship. Even though the townspeople rioted against "the Way," the number of believers increased. Paul then continued throughout Macedonia and Greece to encourage the believers there. This section ends with his farewell address to the Ephesian elders and a tearful goodbye.
Advent 2025 Third Sunday: JOY
This year, I'm pondering the traditional Advent themes—HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE—found in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians (my recent Bible study). We've examined HOPE and PEACE. Today we look at JOY.
Advent 2025 Second Sunday: PEACE
This year, I'm pondering the traditional Advent themes—HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE—found in the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians (my recent Bible study). Last week we examined the "hope of righteousness." Today we look at PEACE.
Advent 2025 First Sunday: HOPE
This year, I’m still pondering my recent study of Galatians. While we celebrate Jesus’s birth at Christmas, we cannot separate it from the reason he came nor his promises for the future. Join me here as I look at each of the traditional Advent themes—HOPE, PEACE, JOY, and LOVE—found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Today we start with HOPE.
Galatians 6:1–18: New Creation Living
Paul begins the last chapter in his letter to the Galatians (Galatians 6:1–18) with more instructions on how to live out their freedom in Christ, especially in regard to relationship. He's already directed them to walk by the Spirit, but what happens when someone is overcome by wrongdoing? Paul calls for gentle restoration and then concludes his letter back on the topic he started with—circumcision doesn't matter. What counts is living as a new creation.
Gal 5:13–26: Walk By the Spirit, Not the Flesh
Having established that we are justified by faith in Christ and not by obeying the requirements of the law, Paul now teaches us in Galatians 5:13–26 how to live out this new freedom we have in Christ. It's not freedom to indulge the flesh, but rather freedom to walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 4:8–5:12: We Are Free in Christ
In Galatians 4:8–5:12, the apostle Paul continues his defense against the Judaizers who claim that believers in Christ must also follow the law in order to be right with God. Paul pleads with the Galatians to not return to the yoke of slavery, but to live free and express their faith through love.
