Churches established by A.D. 40 – Part 4

Church History: Tarsus – A large city of Cilicia, in Asia Minor, the birthplace of Saul; Acts 9:11
The name of a celebrated city, the metropolis of Cilicia, in the southeastern part of Asia Minor; situated six miles from the Mediterranean, on the banks of the river Cydnus, which flowed through and divided it into two parts. Tarsus was distinguished for the culture of Greek literature and philosophy, so that at one time, in its schools and in the number of its learned men, it was the rival of Athens and Alexandria. In reward for its exertions and sacrifices during the civil wars of Rome, Tarsus was made a free city of Augustus. It was the privilege of such cities that they were governed by their own laws and magistrates, and were not subjected to tribute, to the jurisdiction of a Roman governor, nor to the power of a Roman garrison, although they acknowledged the supremacy of the Roman people, and were bound to aid them against their enemies. That the freedom of Tarsus, however, was not equivalent to being a Roman citizen, appears from this, that the tribune, although he knew Paul to be a citizen of Tarsus, Acts 21:39, yet ordered him to be scourged, Acts 22:24, but desisted from his purpose when he learned that Paul was a Roman citizen, Acts 22:27. It is therefore probable that the ancestors of Paul had obtained the privilege of Roman citizenship in some other way, Acts 9:30; 11:25; 22:3. It is now called Tarsous; and though much decayed and full of ruins, is estimated to contain a population in summer of 7,000, and in winter of 30,000, chiefly Turks. During the excessive heat of summer, a large part of the people repair to the high lands of the interior.

Establishment of Churches - Churches established by A.D. 40 – Part 2

Church History: Paphos– A city on the Isle of Cyprus established after the stoning of Stephen; Acts 11:19
It is a maritime city on the western extremity of the isle of Cyprus. It had a tolerable harbor, and was the station of a Roman proconsul. About sixty furlongs from the city was the celebrated temple of Venus, who was hence often called the "Paphian goddess." The infamous rites in honor of this goddess continued to be practiced hundreds of years after Paul and Barnabas introduced the gospel here, though their labors were blessed with some fruits, Acts 13:6-13.10

Salamis – A city on the Isle of Cyprus established after the stoning of Stephen; Acts 11:19
This is the chief city of the isle of Cyprus, visited by Paul and Barnabas, A. D. 48. This was the native isle of Barnabas, and many Jews resided there to whom the gospel had already been carried, Acts 4:36; 11:19-20; 21:16. Paul's visit was signalized by the miracle wrought on Elymas, and by the conversion of the governor, Sergius Paulus, Acts 13:5-12. Sakanus was a large city, situated on the east side of the island, and was afterwards called Constantia.

Sidon – Established after the stoning of Stephen; Acts 11:19
In the Old Testament ZIDON, now called Saida, was celebrated city of Phoenicia, on the Mediterranean Sea, twenty miles north of Tyre and as many south of Beirut. It is one of the most ancient cities in the world, Genesis 49:13, and is believed to have been founded by Zidon, the eldest son of Canaan, Genesis 10:15; 49:13. In the time of Homer, the Zidonians were eminent for their trade and commerce, their wealth and prosperity, their skill in navigation, astronomy, architecture, and for their manufactures of glass, etc. They had then a commodious harbor, now choked with sand and inaccessible to any but the smallest vessels. Upon the division of Canaan among the tribes by Joshua, Great Zidon fell to the lot of Asher, Joshua 11:8; 19:28; but that tribe never succeeded in obtaining possession, Judges 1:31; 3:3; 10:12. The Zidonians continued long under their own government and kings, though sometimes tributary to the kings of Tyre. They were subdued successively by the Babylonians, Egyptians, Seleucidae, and Romans the latter of whom deprived them of their freedom. Many of the inhabitants of Sidon became followers of our Savior, Mark 3:8, and he himself visited their freedom. Many of them also resorted to him in Galilee, Luke 6:17. The gospel was proclaimed to the Jews at Sidon after the martyrdom of Stephen, Acts 11:19, and there was a Christian church there, when Paul visited it on his voyage to Rome, Acts 27:3. It is at present, like most of the other Turkish towns in Syria, dirty and full of ruins, thought it still retains a little coasting trade, and has five thousand inhabitants. It incurred the judgments of God for its sins, Ezekiel 28:21-24, though less ruinously than Tyre. Our Savior refers to both cities, in reproaching the Jews as more highly favored and less excusable than they, Matthew 11:22. Saida occupies an elevated promontory, projecting into the sea, and defended by walls. Its environs watered by a stream from their beautiful gardens, and fruit trees of every kind.

Churches established by A.D. 40 – Part 1

Church History: Antioch – Established after the stoning of Stephen; Acts 11:19
The name of two cities mentioned in the New Testament. The first was situated on the river Orontes, twenty miles from its mouth, and was the metropolis of all Syria. It was founded by Seleucus Nicator, and called by him after the name of his father Antiochus. This city is celebrated by Cicero, as being opulent and abounding in men of taste and letters. It was at one time a place of great wealth and refinement, and ranked as the third city in the Roman Empire. Its situation, amid innumerable groves and small streams, midway between Alexandria and Constantinople, rendered it a place of great beauty and celebrity, as well as commercial importance. It was also a place of great resort for the Jews, and afterwards for Christians, to all of whom invitations and encouragements were held by Seleucus Nicator. The distinctive name of "Christians" was here first applied to the followers of Jesus, Acts 11:19,26; 13:1; Galatians 2:11. Antioch was highly favored by Vespasian and Titus, and became celebrated for luxury and vice. Few cities have suffered greater disasters. Many times it has been nearly ruined by earthquakes, one of which, in 1822, destroyed one-fourth of its population, then about twenty thousand. It is now called Antakia.
The other city, also found by Seleucus Nicator, was called Antioch of Pisidia, because it was attached to that province, although situated in Phrygia, Acts 13:14; 14:19,21; 2Titus 3:11.

Cilicia – Established after the stoning of Stephen; Acts 6:9
A maritime province in the south-east of Asia Minor. Tarsus, the birth-place of Paul, was one of its chief towns, and the seat of a celebrated school of philosophy. Its luxurious climate attracted to it many Greek residents after its incorporation with the Macedonian empire. It was formed into a Roman province, B.C. 67. The Jews of Cilicia had a synagogue at Jerusalem. Paul visited it soon after his conversion (Galatians 1:21; Acts 9:30), and again, on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:41), "he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches." It was famous for its goat's-hair cloth, called cilicium. Paul learned in his youth the trade of making tents of this cloth

Establishment of Churches - Churches established by A.D. 35 – Part 4

Church History: Lydda– Established during Philips Second Journey; Acts 8:26 – 40
This town was situated on the road from Jerusalem to Caesarea Philippi. It was about fifteen miles east of Joppa, and belonged to the tribe of Ephraim. It was called by the Greeks Diospolis, or city of Jupiter, probably because a temple was at some period erected to Jupiter in that city. It is now so entirely ruined as to be a miserable village. Since the crusades, it has been called by the Christians St. George, on account of its having been the scene of the martyrdom of a saint of that name. Tradition says, that in this city the emperor Justinian erected a church.2

Samaria – Established during Philips First Journey; Acts 8:5 – 13
One of the three divisions of the Holy Land in the time of our Savior, having Galilee on the north and Judea on the south, the Jordan on the east and the Mediterranean on the west, and occupying parts of the territory assigned at first to Ephraim, Mahasseh, and Issachar, Luke 17:11; John 4:4. It is described as having its hills less bare than those of Judea, and its valleys and plains more cultivated and fruitful.

Establishment of Churches - Churches established by A.D. 35 – Part 3

Church History: Joppa– Established during Philips Second Journey; Acts 8:26 – 40
JOPPA, (Hebrew JAPHO), is one of the most ancient seaports in the world. It was a border town of the tribe of Dan, Joshua 19:46, on the coast of the Mediterranean sea, thirty miles south of Caesarea, and about thirty-five north-west of Jerusalem. Its harbor is shoal and unprotected from the winds; but on account of its convenience to Jerusalem, it became the principal port of Judea, and is still the great landing-place of pilgrims. Here the materials for building both the first and the second temple, sent from Lebanon and Tyre, were landed, 2Chronicles 3:16; Ezra 3:7. Here Jonah embarked for Tarshish. Here, too, Peter raised Dorcas from the dead; and in the house of Simon the tanner, by the seaside, was taught by a heavenly vision that salvation was for Gentiles as well as Jews, Acts 9:1-11:30. Joppa was twice destroyed by the Romans. It was the seat of a Christian church for some centuries after Constantine. During the crusades it several times changed hands; and in modern times, 1799, it was stormed and sacked by the French, and twelve hundred Turkish prisoners, said to have broken their parole, were put to death.
The present town of Jaffa, or Yafa, is situated on a promontory jutting out into the sea, rising to the height of about one hundred and fifty feet, crowned with a fortress, and offering on all sides picturesque and varied prospects. Towards the west is extended the open sea; towards the south are spread the fertile plains of Philistia, reaching as far as Gaza; towards the north, as far as Carmel, the flowery meads of Sharon present themselves; and to the east, the hills of Ephraim and Judah raise their towering heads. The town is walled round on the south and east, towards the land, and partially so on the north and west, towards the sea. Its environs, away from the sand-hills of the shore, are full of gardens and orchards. From the sea, the town looks like a heap of buildings, crowded as closely as possible into a given space; and from the steepness of its site, they appear in some places to stand one on the other. The streets are very narrow, uneven, and dirty, and might rather be called alleys. The inhabitants are estimated at about fifteen thousand, of whom more than half are Turks and Arabs. There are several mosques; and the Latins, Greeks, and Armenians have each a church, and a small convent for the reception of pilgrims.

Establishment of Churches - Churches established by A.D. 35 – Part 2

Church History: Jerusalem – The Original Church established at Pentecost; Acts 2:1
It is the chief city of the Holy Land, and to the Christian the most illustrious in the world. It is situated in 31 degrees 46'43" N. lat., and 35 degrees 13' E. long. It is located on elevated ground south of the center of the country, about thirty-seven miles from the Mediterranean, and about twenty-four from the Jordan. Its site was early hallowed by God's trial of Abraham's faith, Genesis 22:1-24; 2Chronicles 3:1. It was on the border of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, mostly within the limits of the former, but reckoned as belonging to the latter, because conquered by it, Joshua 15:8; 18:16,28; Judges 1:1-8. The most ancient name of the city was Salem, Genesis 14:18; Ps 76:2; and it afterwards was called Jebus, as belonging to the Jebusites, Judges 19:10-11. Being a very strong position, it resisted the attempts of the Israelites to become the sole masters of it, until at length its fortress was stormed by David, 2Samuel 5:6,9; after which it received its present name, and was also called "the city of David." It now became the religious and political center of the kingdom, and was greatly enlarged, adorned, and fortified. But its chief glory was, that in its magnificent temple the ONE LIVING AND TRUE GOD dwelt, and revealed himself.
After the division of the tribes, it continued the capital of the kingdom of Judah, was several times taken and plundered, and at length was destroyed at the Babylonian captivity, 2Kings 14:13; 2Chronicles 12:9; 21:16; 24:23; 25:23; 36:3,10; 17:1-20:37. After seventy years, it was rebuilt by the Jews on their return from captivity about 536 B. C., who did much to restore it to its former splendor. About 332 B. C., the city yielded to Alexander of Macedon; and not long after his death, Ptolemy of Egypt took it by an assault on the Sabbath, when it is said the Jews scrupled to fight. In 170 B. C., Jerusalem fell under the tyranny of Antiochus Epiphanies, who raised its walls, set up an image of Jupiter in the temple, and used every means to force the people into idolatry. Under the Maccabeus, however, the Jews, in 163 B. C., recovered their independence. Just a century later, it was conquered by the Romans. Herod the Great expended vast sums in its embellishment. To the city and temple thus renovated the ever-blessed Messiah came, in the fullness of time, and made the place of his feet glorious.
By his rejection and crucifixion Jerusalem filled up the cup of her guilt; the Jewish nation perished from off the land of their fathers, and the city and temple were taken by Titus and totally destroyed, A. D. 70-71. Of all the structures of Jerusalem, only three towers and a part of the western wall were left standing

Establishment of Churches - Churches established by A.D. 35 – Part 1

Church History: Caesarea – Established during Philips Second Journey; Acts 8:26 – 40
A city three or four miles east of Dan, near the eastern source of the Jordan; anciently called Paneas, now Banias, from an adjacent grotto dedicated to Pan, from which one of the sources of the Jordan flowed. It stood where the mountains south-west of Hermon join the plain above lake Huleh, on an elevated plateau surrounded by ravines and water-courses; and its walls were thick and strong. It was enlarged and embellished by Philip the tetrarch of Trachonitis, and called Caesarea in honor of Tiberius Caesar; and the name Philippi was added to distinguish it from Caesarea on the Mediterranean. Our Savior visited this place shortly before his transfiguration, Matthew 16:13-28; Marr 8:27-38; Luke 9:18,27. After the destruction of Jerusalem, Titus here made the captive Jews fight and kill each other in gladiatorial shows. In the time of the crusades it underwent many changes, and is not a paltry village amid extensive ruins.10

Capernaum – An early Church often visited during Christ’s Ministry; Luke 4:31
This was a city on the north-west corner of the sea of Tiberias. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament, but is repeatedly in the Gospels. Though it was once a city of renown, and the metropolis of all Galilee, the site it occupied is now uncertain. When Mr. Fisk, an American missionary, travelled in Syria in 1823, he found twenty or thirty uninhabited Arab huts, occupying what are supposed to be the ruins of the once exalted city of Capernaum.2

King Herod’s Death; Acts 12:19 – 25

Church History: 19After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. 21On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." 23Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 25When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
Herod stayed in Caesarea until his death, which occurred shortly after. We do not learn that he made any further inquiry after Peter, or that he attempted any further persecutions of the Christians. The guard was undoubtedly put to death; and thus Herod used all his power to create the impression that Peter had escaped by their negligence; and this would undoubtedly be believed by the Jews. He might himself perhaps be convinced, however, that the escape was by miracle, and be afraid to attempt any further persecutions; or the affairs of his government might have called off his attention to other things; and thus, as in the case of the "persecution that arose about Stephen," the political changes and dangers might divert the attention from putting Christians to death.2
An angel had delivered Peter, and here an angel destroys Herod: all that heavenly host fulfill God's will for the deliverance of his church, and the destruction of his enemies. He was eaten by worms; either breeding in his bowels, or in his flesh, after a more unusual manner; as it is recorded of Herod the Great that he was eaten up of lice. No creature so little or contemptible, but it can execute God's judgments on whom he please.

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 5

Church History: They were now convinced that it was Peter, and they were amazed that he had been rescued. As yet they were of course ignorant of the manner in which it was done. Peter gave them an account of his deliverance. Having found them praying for his deliverance, he did not leave them until he and they had together solemnly given thanks to God for his deliverance; for what is won by prayer must be worn with praise; and God must always have the glory of that which we have the comfort of. Peter sent the account to others of his friends: Go, show these things to James, and to the brethren with him, who perhaps were meeting together in another place at the same time.
Having seen the triumph of Peter's friends in his deliverance, let us next turn our attention to the consequences and confusion of his enemies as the result of Peter’s escape The guards were in the utmost consternation upon it, for they knew how highly penal it was to them to let a prisoner escape that they had charge of. As soon as it was day, and they found the prisoner gone, there was a large stir among the soldiers, what had become of Peter; he is gone, and nobody knows how or which way. They thought themselves as sure as could be of him last night; yet now the bird had flown, and they had no idea where he was. This set them together by the ears; one says, "It was your fault;" the other, "Oh No! it was yours;" having no other way to clear themselves, but by accusing one another. Houses were searched in vain for the rescued prisoner: Herod sought for him, to no avail. Who can find someone God has hidden?
The keepers were questioned and dealt with for a permissive escape: Herod examined the keepers, and after finding that they could give no satisfactory account of how Peter got away, he commanded that they should be put to death, according to the Roman law. It is probable that these keepers had been more severe with Peter than they needed to be (Acts 16:24), and had been abusive to him, and to others that had been their prisoners in similar circumstances; and now they are being put to death for something which was not their fault, and by a man who had inspired them to work to plague the church. When the wicked are thus snared in the work of their own hands, the Lord is known by the judgments which he executes. Herod retired: He went down from Judea to Cesarea, to live. His heart was troubled, as a lion disappointed of his prey; mostly because he had raised the expectation of the people of the Jews concerning Peter, he had told them how he would very shortly gratify them with the sight of Peter's head in a charger, which would oblige them as much as John Baptist's did Herodias; it made him ashamed to be robbed of this boasting, and to see himself, notwithstanding his confidence, disabled to make his words good. This is such a mortification to his proud spirit that he cannot bear to stay in Judea, but away he goes to Cesarea.

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 4

Church History: Suddenly and unexpectedly, a light shined in the prison; whether this light was from the bright body the angel assumed, or from some other cause, we are not told, and therefore it is not necessary for us to know; but it was a light only to Peter, but darkness to his keepers; as the pillar of fire enlightened only the Israelites; which made it more strange and miraculous. The angel smote Peter (as one jogs, or gently strikes another) to awaken him; thus God was waking, though Peter slept; and by his providence watches over all his people for their preservation. His chains fell off from his hands; chains could not hold any whom God will have free; everything loses its force when God suspends or withdraws his concurrence.3
The greatness and suddenness of the deliverance was such, as it amazed him, it seemed incredible to him: not that he questioned God's power or godliness; but knowing that he was to suffer for Christ's name's sake, he might not look for such a deliverance, and when it came, it seemed like a dreams. (Psalms 126:1)3
The soldiers were stationed at intervals in the entrance into the prison and were passed silently. They were probably placed in a deep sleep to facilitate the escape of Peter. The outer gate was secured with iron, as the doors of prisons are now. Jerusalem was surrounded by three walls. The prison was supposed to have been situated between two of these walls. And it is probable that the entrance to the prison was adjacent to the inner wall, so that this gate opened directly into the city. It opened spontaneously, without the application of any force, or key, thus showing conclusively that Peter was delivered by miraculous interposition. When Peter was entirely safe from any danger of pursuit the angel left him. God had affected his complete rescue, and now left him to his own efforts as usual.2 It is not at all strange that Peter thought, at first, that he was dreaming; for the deliverance was entirely unexpected, and was effected in the most wonderful manner, and amid the bewilderment usual upon being suddenly aroused from deep sleep. When he found himself alone in the street, and had collected his senses, he knew that it was a reality, and felt like one waking from a singular dream.8
When the angel departed, he stood in the street for a while, reflecting upon the incident, and considering what he should do. In the house of Mary the sister of Barnabas, a number of disciples were at that very hour engaged in prayer in his behalf. He knew nothing of this, but, guided either by the proximity of the house, or the well-known character of its inmates, he turned in that direction. Although the condition of Peter was the burden of the prayers of these disciples, they were by no means expecting his deliverance, and were most likely praying that he might be enabled to endure with fortitude a death which they regarded as inevitable.
When Peter knocked on the door, a young lady named Rhoda came to inquire who was there. She did not open the gate. At this time of night, and in these circumstances, the door would be fastened. Christians were doubtless alarmed by the death of James, and the imprisonment of Peter, and they would take all possible precautions for their own safety. In her joy, she hurried to inform those who were assembled of the safety of Peter. When Rhoda insisted that it was Peter at the gate, and the disciples said, It is his angel, they undoubtedly had allusion to the popular superstition of their day that a man's guardian angel sometimes assumed his form. Before this, the twelve had twice imagined that they saw a disembodied spirit; once when they saw Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:26), and once when he miraculously entered a closed room where they were sitting (Luke 24:37). These facts show how strong a hold the popular superstitions had upon their minds.

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 3

Church History: When he had arrested and, it is likely, examined him, he put him in prison, into the inner prison; some say, into the same prison into which he and the other apostles were cast some years before, and were rescued out of it by an angel. He was in the custody of four quaternions of soldiers, that is, to sixteen, who were to guard him, four at a time, that he should not make his escape, nor be rescued by his friends. Thus they thought they had him under control.
Herod's intention was, after Easter, to bring him to the people. He would make a spectacle of him. Probably he had put James to death privately, which the people had complained about, not because it was an unjust thing to put a man to death without giving him a public hearing, but because it deprived them of the satisfaction of seeing him executed; and therefore Herod, knowing their minds, planned to gratify them with the sight of Peter in bonds, of Peter upon the block, that they may feed their eyes with such a pleasing spectacle. He was very ambitious to please the people. He would do this after Easter, after the Passover. Herod would not condemn him till the Passover was over. He would entertain them with Peter's public trial and execution. The plot was laid, and both Herod and the people long to have the feast over, that they may gratify themselves with this barbarous entertainment.7 Peter therefore was kept in prison, till a fit time to offer him up as a sacrifice unto the people: so basely do wicked men stoop for their ends. The Christians prayed for Peter, without ceasing; continued, long prayers, without intermission; but also fervent and earnest prayers, with all the might of their souls; remembering the apostle now in bonds, as bound with him, (Hebrews 13:3).3
Time passed by in painful suspense until the Passover was gone by. He was securely kept, according to the most ingenious method of the Roman army. Besides the prison-doors, and the guards outside, his arms were pinioned by two chains, each to the arm of a soldier on the right and left, so that he could not move without disturbing one or both. If Herod was intent, in carrying out these precautions, by a desire to prevent a rescue, he ought to have known that Peter's brethren never fought with carnal weapons, even to save the life of a brother. Or if he feared a miraculous escape of his prisoner, and intended that the guards should kill him upon the first movement of that kind, he ought to have remembered that all the twelve had once walked out of a prison in that city without hindrance either from the iron doors or the armed soldiers (Acts 5:19). But wicked men are prone to forget the warnings of the past, and continue to repeat, in endless succession, the blunders of their
predecessors.

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 2

Church History: The persecutions which we have hitherto noticed were conducted by religious partisans in Jerusalem, without any active assistance on the part of the civil authorities. We are now introduced to one in which the reigning prince is the leader, while the old enemies of the truth are working behind the curtain, if at all. This Herod was a grandson of that Herod by whom the
infants of Bethlehem were slaughtered (Matthew 2:16), and a nephew of "Herod the Tetrarch," by whom John the Baptist was beheaded, (Matthew 14:10). He grew up in Rome, where he wasted what fortune he had inherited in princely extravagance; but while doing so he acquired an intimacy with Caius Caesar, afterward the famous Caligula of history. When the latter ascended the throne, at the death of Tiberius, he elevated his friend Agrippa, as this Herod was most usually called, to a kingdom, which was subsequently enlarged by Claudius until it embraced all the territory ruled by his grandfather Herod the Great. He was now in the zenith of his power, and living in the utmost magnificence. Why he undertook this persecution it is difficult to tell, unless he was instigated to it by the old enemies of the Church. This appears most probable from Luke's statement, that he seized Peter because he saw that the death of James pleased the Jews.8
He imprisoned Peter, of whom he had heard the most, as making the greatest figure among the apostles and whom therefore he would be proud of the honor of removing. When he had beheaded James, he proceeded further to take Peter also. He did this because he saw it pleased the Jews. The Jews made themselves guilty of the blood of James by showing that they were well pleased with it afterwards, though they had not prodded Herod to do it. The time when Herod arrested Peter were the days of unleavened bread. It was at the feast of the Passover, when their celebrating the memorial of their typical deliverance should have led them to the acceptance of their spiritual deliverance; instead of this, they, under pretence of zeal for the law, were most violently fighting against it, and, in the days of unleavened bread, were most soured and embittered with the old leaven of malice and wickedness. At the Passover, when the Jews came from all parts to Jerusalem to keep the feast, they irritated one another against the Christians and Christianity, and were violent than at other times.

Death of James (Brother of John), Peter imprisoned and delivered. He leaves Palestine; Acts 12:1 – 19. Part 1

Church History: 1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." 12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" 15 "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place. 18In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

The historian does not follow Barnabas and Saul in their tour through the districts in Judea, but, leaving them for awhile, introduces a very interesting episode concerning events that were then transpiring in Jerusalem.

Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 3

Church History: Barnabas was sent to Antioch when news of these conversions reached Jerusalem. It seems, then, that the Church collectively had power to commission and send forth any of its own members, whom it saw God had qualified for a particular work. There must have been, even at that time, an acknowledged superiority of some members of the Church beyond others. The apostles held the first rank; the deacons (probably the same as those called prophets, as being next chosen) the second; and perhaps those called evangelists, simply preachers of the truth, the third rank. Those who knew most of God and sacred things, who were most zealous, most holy, and most useful, undoubtedly had the pre-eminence. Barnabas saw that these people were objects of the Divine approbation; that they were abundantly blessed and edified together as a Christian Church; and that they had received especial influences from God, by his indwelling Spirit, which were to them incentives to faith, hope, and love, and also principles of conduct.1
Barnabas having a great zeal and fervent desire that the gospel might be better explained, he went to Tarsus to seek out Saul, that they might join together in the work of Christ; and having found him, he brought him to Antioch: where, for a whole year, they instructed the church in that city, and taught many people.5
Several prophets made visits to Antioch during that year that Barnabas and Saul lived at Antioch. We are not told how many, nor is it certain whether these were any of those prophets that we afterwards find in the church at Antioch, (Acts 13:1). They came from Jerusalem, probably because they were not as highly regarded there as they had been; they felt their work was finished there and therefore thought it was time leave. Jerusalem had been infamous for killing the prophets and abusing them, and know they sought a safer haven. They came to Antioch, because they heard of the flourishing state of that church, and there they hoped they might be of some service.
A particular prediction of a famine approaching, delivered by one of these prophets, his name Agabus; we read of him again prophesying Paul's imprisonment, (Acts 21:10-11). Here he stood up, probably in one of their public assemblies, and prophesied about the famine.
When they were told of a famine at hand, they did not do as the Egyptians did They did not hoard up corn for themselves; but, as became Christians, laid by for charity to relieve others, which is the best preparative for our own sufferings and want.
They determined, that every man, according to his ability, should send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea. What may be said to be according to our ability we must judge for ourselves, but must be careful that we judge righteous judgment.

Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 2

Church History: The metropolis of the Cyrenaica was a country of Africa, bounded on the east by Marmarica, on the west by the Regio Syrtica, on the north by the Mediterranean, and on the south by the Sahara. Cyrene is now called Cairoan. This city, according to Eusebius, was built in the 37th Olympiad, about 630 years before Christ. In consequence of a revolt of its inhabitants, it was destroyed by the Romans; but they afterwards rebuilt it. It was for a long time subject to the Arabs, but is now in the hands of the Turks.
Paul spoke to the Grecians, ie: The Hellenists. Who these were, we have already seen in Acts 6:1-15 and Acts 9:29. They were Jews living in Greek cities and speaking the Greek language. It is believed that besides preaching the Gospel to the Hellenistic Jews, some of them preached it to heathen Greeks It is certain that the Hellenistic Jews had already received the Gospel. See Acts 6:1. And it is likely that these Cyprians and Cyrenians had heard of Peter's mission to Caesarea, and they followed his example by offering the Christian faith to the heathen. It is worthy of remark that the Jews generally called all nations of the world Greeks; as the Asiatics, to the present day, call all the nations of Europe Franks.1
A great number of those receiving the message believed that Jesus was the Christ; and that he had died for their offenses, and risen again for their justification. Because the apostles preached the truth, and the hand of God was with them, therefore, a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord, becoming his disciples, and taking him for their portion.
The original Church was in Jerusalem, the mother Church of Christianity; not the Church of Rome; there were Christian Churches founded in many places, which exist to the present day, before Rome heard the Gospel of the kingdom. A Christian Church means a company of believers in Christ Jesus, united for the purposes of Christian fellowship, and edification in righteousness.

Paul's Second Visit to Jerusalem Acts 11:19 – 30 – Part 1

Church History: 19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. 25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 27During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
The scene of the narrative is now about to change to another Roman province, and to the city of Antioch. Preparatory to this transition, the historian glances back over a period of several years, to the dispersion of the Jerusalem Church. He had made that event his point of departure in rehearsing the labors of Philip and the early history of Saul, and now, with a degree of system in his arrangement which should not be overlooked, he starts again at the same point to sweep over another part of the wide field before him. Those who were scattered abroad from the persecution which arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one but Jews. From this we learn that while Philip was preaching in Samaria, and Saul in Damascus and Arabia, others of the brethren were spreading the truth into Phoenicia, the island of Cyprus, and Antioch in Syria. Thus the knowledge of salvation was sounded out from Jerusalem simultaneously into all the surrounding provinces.

Peter’s Vindication; Acts 11: 1 – 18 – Part 2

Church History: Word soon reached the church in Jerusalem, and surrounding areas; for Cesarea was not far from Jerusalem. Some reports were good, and some negative. So before Peter himself had returned to Jerusalem the apostles and the brethren there and in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God, that is, the gospel of Christ, which is not only a word of God, but the word of God; for it is the summary and center of all divine revelation. Not only the Jews who were dispersed into the Gentile countries, and the Gentiles who were proselyte to the Jewish religion, but also the Gentiles themselves, who until know, it had been thought unlawful to hold common conversation, were taken into church communion. They had received the word of God. That is, the word of God was preached to them, which was a greater honor put upon them than they expected. It was entertained and submitted to by them, which was a better work wrought upon them than they expected. It is likely they had gotten an idea, that if the gospel were preached to the Gentiles, it would have no purpose. The proofs of the gospel were mostly from the Old Testament, which the Gentiles did not receive: They didn’t seem inclined to accept religion, nor likely to understand the impressions of it; and therefore were surprised to hear that they had received the word of the Lord.
When Peter came to Jerusalem, those that were of the circumcision, those Jewish converts that still retained a veneration for circumcision, were contentious with him. They said it was a crime that he went in to men uncircumcised, and ate with them; and thereby they think he has stained, if not forfeited, the honor of his apostleship, and ought to come under the censure of the church: They did not look upon him as infallible, or as the supreme head of the church that they were accountable to, and he to no one.
Peter gave a full and fair account of the matter of fact which was sufficient, without any further argument or apology, both to justify him, and to satisfy them: He rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and laid it before them in order, and then could appeal to themselves whether he had done amiss; for it appeared all along God's own work, and not his. The account which Peter gave of the matter satisfied them, and all was well. Thus, when the two tribes and a half gave an account to Phinehas and the princes of Israel of the true intent and meaning of their building themselves an altar on the banks of Jordan, the controversy was dropped, and it pleased them that it was so.

Peter’s Vindication; Acts 11: 1 – 18 – Part 1

Church History: 1The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them." 4Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8"I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9"The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' 10This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11"Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' 15"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?" 18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."

The preaching of the gospel to Cornelius was a thing which we poor sinners of the Gentiles have reason to reflect upon with a great deal of joy and thankfulness; for it was the bringing of light to us who sat in darkness. Now it being so great a surprise to the believing as well as the unbelieving Jews, it is worthwhile to enquire how it was received, and what comments were made upon it.

Peter At Cornelius’s House; Acts 10:24 – 48 – Part 3

Church History: Cornelius declares the directions God gave to him to send for Peter, and that it was purely in obedience to those directions that he had sent for him. Cornelius gives an account of the angel's appearing to him, and ordering him to send for Peter; not making light of it, but he wanted to know what his expectation should be, having received a message from heaven. He tells how this vision found him engaged: Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, this hour of the day that it is now when Peter came, about the middle of the afternoon. He describes the messenger that brought him this message from heaven: There stood a man before me in bright clothing, as Christ's was when he was transfigured, and that of the two angels who appeared at Christ's resurrection (Luke 24:4), and at his ascension (Acts 1:10), showing their relation to the world of light. He repeats the message that was sent to him just as we had it. Only here it is said, thy prayer is heard. We are not told what his prayer was; but if this message was an answer to it, and it should seem it was, we may suppose that finding the deficiency of natural light, and that it left him at a loss how to obtain the pardon of his sin and the favor of God, he prayed that God would make some further discoveries of himself and of the way of salvation to him. "Well," said the angel, "send for Peter, and he will give you such a discovery." He declares his own and his friends' readiness to receive the message Peter had to deliver: I sent for you immediately as I was directed, and you have come to us, though we are Gentiles.
Because they were Gentiles to whom Peter preached. He shows that, notwithstanding this, they were interested in the gospel of Christ, which he had to preach, and they were entitled to the benefit of it, upon an equal footing with the Jews. God never did, nor ever will, justify and save a wicked Jew that lived and died impenitent, though he was of the seed of Abraham, and a Hebrew of the Hebrews, and had all the honor and advantages that attended circumcision. He does and will render indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that does evil; and of the Jew first, whose privileges and professions, instead of screening him from the judgment of God, will but aggravate his guilt and condemnation. See (Romans 2:3,8-9,17). Though God had previously favored the Jews, above other nations, with the dignities of visible church-membership, yet he will not accept any particular persons of that dignity, if they allow themselves in immoralities contradictory to their profession; and particularly in persecution, which was now, more than any other, the national sin of the Jews. He never did, nor ever will, reject or refuse an honest Gentile, who, though he did not have the privileges and advantages that the Jews had, yet, like Cornelius, feared God, and worshiped him, and worked righteousness, that is, is just and charitable towards all men, who lives up to the light he has, both in a sincere devotion and in a regular conversation. No matter what nationality he is, or how far remote he is from the kindred seed of Abraham. God judges men by their hearts, not by their country or parentage; and, wherever he finds an upright man, he will be found an upright God, (Psalms 18:25).
God confirmed Peter's word, by bestowing the Holy Spirit upon the hearers of it, and immediately upon the hearing of it. While Peter was yet speaking these words, and perhaps designed to say more, he was happily superseded by visible indications that the Holy Spirit, even in his miraculous gifts and powers, fell on all those who heard the word, even as he did on the apostles at first. The Holy Spirit fell upon others after they were baptized, for their confirmation; but upon these Gentiles before they were baptized: as Abraham was justified by faith, being yet in uncircumcision, to show that God is not tied to a method, nor confines himself to external signs. The Holy Spirit fell upon those that were neither circumcised nor baptized; for it is the Spirit that quickens, the flesh profits nothing. They spoke with tongues which they never learned, praising God.
Desiring both Peter's word and God's work for further advantage, they prayed for him to stay with them several days. They could not press him to reside constantly among them, they knew that he had work to do in other places, and that for the present he was expected at Jerusalem; yet they were not willing for him to go away immediately, but earnestly begged he would stay for some time among them, that they might be further instructed by him in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Peter At Cornelius’s House; Acts 10:24 – 48 – Part 2

Church History: This is the first interview between Peter and Cornelius, in which he gave profound and indeed undue respect and honor to Peter: He met him as he was coming in, and instead of taking him in his arms, and embracing him as a friend, which would have been very acceptable to Peter, he fell down at his feet, and worshipped him; some think, as a prince and a great man, according to the usage of the eastern countries; others think, as an incarnate deity, or as if he took him to be the Messiah himself. His worshipping a man was indeed culpable; but, considering his present ignorance, it was excusable. It was an evidence of something in him that was very commendable. Peter's was modest and indeed just and pious in his refusal of this honor that was given him. He took him up into his arms, with his own hands, saying, "Stand up, I myself also am a man, and therefore not to be worshipped this way." How careful was Paul that no man should think of him above what he saw in him!
Peter declares the direction God gave to him to come to the Gentiles. They knew it had never been allowed by the Jews, but always looked upon as an unlawful thing, an abomination, for a man that is a Jew, a native Jew as I am, to keep company or come unto one of another nation, a stranger, an uncircumcised Gentile. It was not made so by the law of God, but by the decree of their wise men, which they looked upon to be no less binding. They did not forbid them to converse or traffic with Gentiles in the street or shop, or upon the exchange, but to eat with them. Even in Joseph's time, the Egyptians and Hebrews could not eat together, (Genesis 43:32). They might not come into the house of a Gentile, for they looked upon it to be ceremonially polluted. The Jews looked scornfully upon the Gentiles, who were not backhanded with them in contempt, as appears by many passages in the Latin poets. "But now," saith Peter, "God has shown me, by a vision, that I should not call any man common or unclean, nor refuse to converse with any man for the sake of his country." Peter, who had taught his new converts to save themselves from the previous generation of wicked men, is now himself taught to join himself with the future generation of devout Gentiles. Ceremonial characters were abolished, that more regard might be had to moral ones. Peter thought it necessary to let them know how he came to change his mind in this matter, and that it was by a divine revelation. God has taken down the partition-wall. He assures them of his readiness to provide all the help he could; that, when he kept at a distance, it was not out of any personal disgust to them, but only because he wanted instruction from heaven, and, having now received permission, he was at their service: "Therefore I came to you without hesitation, as soon as I was sent for, ready to preach the same gospel to you that I have preached to the Jews." The disciples of Christ had some notion of the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles, but they imagined it must be only to those Gentiles that were first converted to the Jewish religion, which mistake Peter acknowledges was not rectified. He enquired as to where he might be of service to them: "I ask, for what intent have you sent for me? What do you expect from me, or what business have you with me.

Peter At Cornelius’s House; Acts 10:24 – 48 – Part 1

Church History: 24The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself." 27Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?" 30Cornelius answered: "Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31and said, 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.' 33So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us." 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen--by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

He went with them to Cornelius, who was ready and waiting to receive and entertain him. Peter was accompanied by certain brethren from Joppa, where he now was. Six of them went along with him. Either Peter desired their company, that they might be witnesses of his proceeding cautiously with reference to the Gentiles, and of the good ground on which he went, and therefore he invited them, or they offered their service to attend him, and desired they might have the honor and happiness of being his fellow travelers. This was one way in which the primitive Christians showed their respect to their ministers: they accompanied them in their journeys, to show their approval, to be their guard, to minister to them and with a further prospect not only of doing them service, but of being edified by their conversation. It is a pity that those who have skill and will to do good to others by their discourse should want an opportunity for it by travelling alone. Cornelius, when he was ready to receive him, had gotten some friends together from Cesarea. It was more than a day's journey, nearly two, from Joppa to Cesarea; for it was in the afternoon of the day after they set out that they entered into. It is probable that they travelled on foot; the apostles generally did so. Now when they came into the house of Cornelius Peter found that he was expected, and this was an encouragement to him. Cornelius waited for them, and such a guest was worth waiting for. He cannot be blamed if he became impatience, longing to know what that mighty thing was which an angel bade him expect to hear from Peter. As Peter brought some with him to partake of the spiritual gift he had now to dispense, so Cornelius had called together, not only his own family, but kinsmen and near friends, to partake with him of the heavenly instructions he expected from Peter, which would give Peter a larger opportunity of doing good.