THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ACTS ~ Chapters 16

I was not able to post last week’s Scripture reading because I was at the hospital on death watch as my husband’s body began to shut down following a malicious confrontation at our home as well as from hospital ‘health’ ministrations that did more damage to him than good – when his heart and lungs went into failure in ICU, I had all drips, IV’s, and monitors turned off and called our children and grandchildren to come see him before he passed. BUT Elohei intervened and my husband recovered and is safely at home recuperating.

He will NEVER go back to doctors for anything ever again! They almost killed him with aimless ministrations and misdiagnoses by too eager ‘doctors’. We are thankful that nightmare is over!

But it did move my husband to trust 100% IN Elohei as I walked with him through the shadow of the valley of death during an entire terrible week. And we found out who our friends are, and who are loving family members are, when they dropped everything and came immediately to be by our sides … and we learned that enemies are in the family camp – and their welcome cards have been indefinitely pulled for the stunts they tried to pull that disregarded Bob’s wishes, and disrespected both of us.

All we can say now is, “GOD IS FAITHFUL, His mercies to rain down on us”. He hears AND ANSWERS prayers, and restores health to the dying. One night of fervent prayers from here at home to all over the world … and Bob is back among the living! Praise Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach! The doctors cannot deny that a miracle happened overnight – we went from mourning to praising literally overnight ;-)

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Acts ~ Chapter 16

Saul (Paul) came to Derbe and then to Lystra. There was a disciple there named Timothy, whose mother was a Christian Jewess, but his father was a Greek. The brethren at Lystra and Iconium held in him high esteem. Saul wanted him to be his companion, but first he had him circumcised because of the Jews that lived in those parts, all of whom knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way from town to town, they encouraged the keeping of the rules adopted by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. And the churches were thereby also strengthened in the faith and daily increased in membership. In this way they journeyed through Phrygia and the Galatian countryside, but they were forbidden by the Ruach Ha’Kodesh to preach the Word in the district called Asia. When they came to Mysia they tried to go on to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Yeshua would not let them.

Then they went right on through Mysia till they came down to Troas. That night Saul has a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia standing there, pleading with him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’ After he had seen this vision, we concluded that Adonai had thereby called us to preach the Gospel to them, and we tried at once to get over to Macedonia. So we left Troas, sailing straight across to Samothracia, and the following day we went on to Neapolis. From there we went on to Philippi. This was the chief city in that part of Macedonia, and a Roman colony. We stopped here in this city a number of days. On the Sabbath day, we went outside the city down to the river, where there was a meeting place for prayer. Some women had already come together there and we sat down and talked to them. One of the women who were listening was a seller of purple fabric, from the city of Thyatira. Her name was Lydia, and she was already a worshipper of God. Adonai now opened her heart so that she could pay attention to everything that Saul was saying. When she and her family had been baptized, she said to us urgently, ‘If you are convinced that I am faithful to Adonai, come to my house and stay’. She induced them to do so.

Then, one day as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a girl who was possessed by a fortune-telling demon. Her masters made much money by her predictions. She followed after Saul and the rest of us and kept on crying, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God and preach the way of salvation’. She kept this up for many days. It bothered Saul considerably. At last he turned around and said to the demon, “In the Name of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach, I command you to come out of her!” And the demon came out at once. When her masters saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Saul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the city officials. They placed them before the authorities and said, ‘These men, who are Jews, are stirring up a lot of trouble in our city. They are advocating the customs which we, as Romans citizens, cannot legally accept or follow.’ A mob that had gathered rose up against them, and the court officials ordered them stripped of their clothing and beaten with rods. Then, when they had beaten them with many blows, they cast them into prison and gave the jailer orders to keep them safely. Thus instructed, he put them in the inner dungeon and fastened their feet in stocks. Towards midnight, Saul and Silas were engaged in praying and singing praises to Elohei, while the other prisoners were listening to them. Then, suddenly, there was a great earthquake, so violent as to shake the prison foundations, and immediately every door was thrown wide open and everyone’s chains were loosened. The jailer, as he was roused from sleep, and saw the prison doors wide open, thought that the prisoners had escaped and so drew his sword, intent on committing suicide. But Saul shouted at him, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!” The jailer called for a light, rushed in and fell trembling at the feet of Saul and Silas. Then, as he led them out, he asked, ‘Sirs, what must I be to be saved?’

“Believe on Yeshua Ha’Mashiach,” they answered him, “and you will be saved, you and your family.

Saul then spoke the Word of God to him and to all those in his house. Then, tough it was the dead of night, he took them in and washed their wounds, after which he and his household were all baptized without delay.  He brought them into his house and set food before them, while he with all his family rejoiced at having become believers in Elohei.

When it was day, the police magistrates sent an officer to say, ‘Release these men.’ The jailer reported this order to Saul. ‘The magistrates have sent word that you may be discharged’, he said. ‘So you may now come out and go your way in peace.’

“No,” said Saul, “we are Roman citizens and you have given us a public flogging without trial, after which you cast us into prison, and now you want to thrust us out again, but secretly. No, indeed! But let them come themselves and conduct us out!” The officers them went and reported this demand to the magistrates. And they became alarmed when they learned that they were Roman citizens. But they came, duly apologetic, and brought them out, also begging them to depart from their city. When they left the prison they went to Lydia’s home, after which they met with the brethren and comforted them, and then left town.

**ACTS 15: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapters-15.html

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ACTS ~ Chapters 15

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Acts ~ Chapter 15

Certain men came down from Judea and told the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved.’ Naturally, Paul and Barabas took a leading part in the discussion and disagreement that arose, and so they and some others from among them were chosen to go up to the apostles at Jerusalem to settle the question. It was, in fact, the congregation that was sending them. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, and as they went along they told about the conversion of the Gentiles. This made all the brethren happy. When they arrived at Jerusalem they were given a welcome by the congregation and the apostles and elders there, and they related to them, too, what Elohei had done through them.

Some of the believers there had been Pharisees, and they rose up and said, ‘Circumcision and keeping the Law of Moshe are 2 essentials.’ The apostles and elders therefore called a council to look into the matter. The discussion was carried on at great length. Finally, Peter rose up and said, “Friends, you know already a good while ago it was Elohim’s good pleasure to use me to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles so that they might believe. And Elohei, Who knows the heart, bore them clear witness when He gave them the Ruach Ha’Kodesh even as He had done to us. That is, He has made no distinction between them and us. They too had their hearts purified by faith. I therefore ask you: why do you want Elohim to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, one that neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to bear? No; we believe that it is by the grace of Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach that we are to be saved, and they also will be saved in the same manner.” The whole assembly remained silent, listening to Paul and Barabas as they told what signs and wonders Elohim had worked among the Gentiles through them.

When they were through talking, James answered them, “Men and brethren, hear what I have to say: Simon has now told us how Elohim made his 1^st visit to the Gentiles so as to win from the nations a People to bear His Name. And this agrees with the words of the prophet, when he says, ‘There will come a time when I shall return to build the fallen tabernacle of David. Yes, I shall build it again out of its ruins; I shall restore it. And so the rest of mankind may seek Adonai, even all the Gentiles who have been called by My Name. So says Adonai Who is the doer of all this. Elohei has made known all His works from eternity.” (Amos 9:11 & 12)

“I am therefore convinced that we should not trouble those gentiles who have turned to Elohei. In this case we could write to them to avoid everything that has been sacrificed to idols, also to avoid unlawful sexual intercourse, and not to eat anything strangled, or blood. From ancient times the Law of Moshe has been read and expounded every Sabbath and in every city.”

Then it seemed good to the apostles, the elders and the whole congregation to choose some men from their midst and to send them with Paul and Barabas. They chose Judas Barsabas and Silas, both leaders among the brethren, and they sent along with them this letter: “The apostles, elders and brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, greeting! We have learned that some from our group have gone out and have caused you trouble by their claims, and have upset your minds. They have said that you must be circumcised and that you must keep the Law. We gave them no such commission. It has therefore seemed good to us to come together and to agree on choosing men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. These men have hazarded their very lives for the name of our Adonai Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. The men we are sending are Judas and Silas, who will themselves confirm this message by word of mouth. It has seemed good to the Ruach Ha’Kodesh and to us not to lay on you any other burden except what is necessary. You are to avoid what has been sacrificed to idols, the eating of blood, meat from animals strangled to death, and sexual impurity. If you will keep yourselves free from these things, you will do well. Farewell!”

So, when they were dismissed they set out for Antioch, and as soon as they had gathered the people there they gave them the letter. When the letter was read it gave them both comfort and joy. The Judas and Silas, who themselves were also prophets, preached to the brethren and strengthened their faith.

After they had been there for a time, the brethren dismissed the in peace, to go back to the apostles. But Silas felt that he should remain there. Also Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch. Together with many others, they taught and preached the glad tidings in the Word of God.

Some days later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit the brethren in every town where we have preached the Word of Adonai, and find out how they are getting along.” Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. But Paul did not think it wise to take him with them, for he had left them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

So sharp was the dispute between them that they parted company, and Barnabas, taking Mark with him, set sail for Cyprus. Then Paul chose Silas and, after the brethren had commended him to the grace of Elohim, he also set out. His trip took him through Syria and Cilicia, where he established congregations.

**ACTS 14: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapters-14.html

ENTHUSIASTIC DAY

Feeling full of vim and vigor yesterday afternoon, I enthusiastically got busy making our Sabbath Bread and decided to double the recipe (http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/07/low-cholesterol-challah-shabbat-bread.html) leaving out the raisins, and add some Dinner Rolls & Cinnamon Rolls to the itinerary ;-)

I used 2/3's dough to make Challah in loaf pans today & I made Dinner Rolls, Cinnamon Rolls made with the last 1/3 dough.

I braid my Challah to represent threefold Elohei (Godhead): Elohim (Father)-Yeshua (Son/Jesus)-Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Holy Spirit).

Bread and rolls baked at same oven temperature for the same amount of time. Worked out very nice - everything was baked in 25 minutes!

Cinnamon Rolls glazed.

We will eat the Braided Challah for Sabbath meals (Friday night to Saturday night) and eat the Dinner Rolls & other Challah loaf for weekdays, starting Sunday.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ACTS ~ Chapters 14

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Acts ~ Chapter 14

At Iconium they went together into a Jewish synagogue and preached in such a way that a large number believed, both Jews and Greeks. At this, the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the disciples. Nevertheless, they remained there quite a while and preached with boldness, trusting in Adonai Yeshua. He gave His approval to the preaching of His grace by letting both signs and miracles be done by them. The people of the city were divided in opinion, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles. Finally, there was an attempt on the part of both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with the authorities, to insult and stone them.

When they became aware of this danger, they fled to Lystra and Derbe, also towns of Lycaonia, and to the neighboring countryside. And there, too, they preached the Gospel. In Lystra there sat a lame man, a cripple from birth, who had never walked. This man listened to Paul speaking. Paul was watching him and saw that he believed that he could be healed. So Paul spoke to him in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And he sprung up and walked. When the crowds saw what Paul did, they shouted in their Lycaonian dialect, ‘It is the gods! They have come down to us in the likeness of men.’ And Barnabas they called Zeus (Jupiter), while Paul was named Hermes (Mercury) because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple stood at the entrance of the city, came together with crowds of people bringing oxen and wreaths, wishing to sacrifice them. When Paul and Barnabas – the Apostles – discovered what was going on, they rushed into the crowd, tearing their clothes and crying out, “Why are you doing this? We are simply men with the same kind of feelings as you have. We preach the glad tidings that you should turn away from such superstitions to the living God, Who made the heavens and the earth; the sea and all that is in them. In bygone ages He permitted the Gentiles to walk in their own ways. Yet, even so, He has not left them without any witness. He has showered blessings, sending rains u us from the skies and giving fruitful seasons, supplying us with food in plenty and our hearts with gladness.’ Even with such arguments they could hardly stop the crowds from sacrificing to them. In the meantime, however, some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and influenced the mob, so they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, leaving him here for dead.

Paul revived and got up just as many of the disciples had gathered around him. He went back to the city, and the next day he set out with Barnabas for Derbe. In that city, too, they preached the Gospel and won many disciples, after which they returned by way of Lystra and Iconium and Antioch. In each place they strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to be true to The Faith, and reminded them that to enter the kingdom of Elohei we must suffer many hardships. In every congregation they had elders appointed for them, and, with prayer and fasting, these were dedicated to Adonai on Whom they believed. Then they went on farther and, passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphilia. After that, they preached the Word in Perga and came down to Attalia. Next, they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been commissioned by the grace of Elohei to do the work they now had completed.

On their arrival, they called the congregation together and gave a report of everything that Elohim had done for them on the trip, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. Then, for quite a long time they stayed there with the disciples.

**ACTS 13: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapters-13.html

GARDEN SURPRISES

I love spending time in my gardens :-D However, since the air has been filled with smoky haze due to the wildfire smoke blowing in from calimexarabia, canada, and the various wildfires from east and south of us, I haven’t been able to get outside. But today I absolutely HAD to get outside to water with the temperatures in the 90’s and soaring; burning lungs will just have to be dealt with later tonight …

And I really like it when I have surprise visitors that spend time there too ;-) I saw 2 new creatures today … a beige frog while watering my geraniums; and a black and black and white striped bee, called a ‘sweet bee’ that I never even knew existed in these parts (I have lived in this region for 52 years and have gardened for 40 of those years). These are nice surprises:

Halictus farinosus - aka SWEET BEE of the PNW region; at first I thought it was a type of hornet. Today is the first time I have ever seen one. https://www.westernexterminator.com/blog/most-common-pacific-northwest-bees/

A BEIGE FROG! Apparently this little tree frog is THE SAME GREEN tree frog that is hanging out at our pad – and in its ‘beige color stage’ ;-) From what I have just read, the pacific green tree frog will change its skin color to blend with its environment … and right now the environment around here is dry and a brownish haze due to the wildfires surrounding our region.

The pink, white, and variegated leafed Geraniums are 12 years old ... the red ones are 25 and 20 years old. 

What I don’t like are the visitors that damage my garden plants … like whatever is eating my corn and causing growth damage >:-( It’s not raccoons – though we do have raccoons that waddle through here; my bet is on an insect. Possibly earwigs. I did hear and see a flying grasshopper around my corn when I stepped out to water, so it is quite possible that the grasshopper is the culprit. But whatever {it} is, I do not want it chomping on my corn! This is NOT a nice surprise …

SOMETHING IS EATING MY CORN! I hand-pollinated the ears as soon as they sprouted sufficient silk, so I am hoping that the corn cobs will survive and plump up with tasty kernels despite the missing silks. https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/795/

Grasshoppers, too, can feed on aboveground tissues of a corn plant, including leaves, tassels, green silks, and ears. ... In severe infestations, the entire corn stand is stripped of leaves leaving only bare stalks. Damage can be severe in dry years when natural vegetation is limited and grasshoppers migrate to corn fields.

I was excited to see my Roma tomatoes and Cucumber vine ripening; the Ruby Chard perking up, and my miniature Yellow Rose bush putting out new growth/flowers following the drastic pruning I gave it a few weeks ago. I planted a small planter at the base of the cuke planter box with lettuce seed for fresh salads – by the time it is ready to pick, the Romaine will be ready to be harvested; the Romas will be ripening by the handful by then, and with a hope and a prayer, perhaps the carrots & scallions will be mature enough too to add them to the salad bowl:

I think I will pull the celery this week – it’s quite tall and looks to be more than ready to be harvested …

MOD KNIT FALL KITCHEN TOWEL/DISHCLOTH SET

I designed this kitchen set 2 days ago and finished it up it morning – I worked straight through the night on the dishtowel design on the 17^th, finished the topper last night, and made the towel’s spider “button” and dishcloth tonight.

MOD Knit cotton kitchen Fall Towel/Dishcloth Set. $10/set

Tomorrow this set will be tagged for $10: $8/towel & $2/dishcloth. That is a fair price considering that it took 14 hours spread out over 3 days to complete the entire set. A $8 store bought towel is made of recycled plastic materials and doesn’t soak up water like my cotton towel will. The stamped design also wears off and fades with the 1^st washing: my set will last quite a long time, remaining bright and colorful for an extended period of time.

I also removed the dried dillweed from the dying rack and snipped it for storage. I love the smell of dill … and dill is good for upset stomachs, which I seem to have quite often now. It may not look like much, but it is enough for what I use it for ;-)

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ACTS ~ Chapters 13

Again, I want to stress that when this passage mentions {the Jews} in a derogatory manner, religiosity is what is meant, NOT true Jews! Remember that Yeshua WAS SENT TO the JEWISH PEOPLE as THEIR SAVATION – He was born a Jew, raised a Jew, lived a Jewish lifestyle, and MANY Jews BELIEVED IN the message/ministry of YESHUA. The 1^st Church was 95% JEWS.

Elohim does not hate the Jews as a whole … He only hates religious hypocrites and religiosity that keeps people from Him and His Salvation. A strict religious code CANNOT SAVE! ONLY FAITH IN Yeshua can save. I get so tired of hearing arrogantly ignorant Christians say ‘Jews killed Jesus’ as if they are somehow innocent of His blood. Here’s a clue for the dimwitted: Yeshua came to Earth TO DIE for the SINS OF ALL MANKIND; but specifically for the Jews’ redemption; it is TO THE JEWS Yeshua WILL RETURN and it is FOR THE JEWS that He will fight during the Battle of Armageddon. Christians, by Elohei’s grace, are spliced into that salvation – Christians are NOT above Jews. Christians are as guilty of His blood as the Jews are. The Church of today is especially guilty as they are following in the footsteps of the Jews mentioned in this passage.

((((WAKE UP!)))) people and get wise.

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO Acts ~ Chapter 13

In the assembly at Antioch there were a number of prophets and teachers, such as Barnabas, Simeon Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaean (a foster brother of Herod the governor), and Saul. While they were worshipping Adonai Yeshua and fasting, the Ruach Ha’Kodesh said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work which I have called them.”

So, after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them out. Indeed, it was really the Ruach Ha’Kodesh Who had sent them. They went first to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they landed at Salamis they preached the Word of Elohei in the Jewish synagogues there. They had taken John Mark along as their helper.

They crossed the island as far as Paphos. There they met Barjesus, a Jewish magician and false prophet. At the time he was with the governor, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence who had asked Barnabas and Saul to come to him, for he wished to hear the Word of Elohei. But this Elymas the magician (as he called himself) – the word Elymas means magician – opposed them. He tried to keep the governor from accepting The Faith. Saul – hereafter called Paul – filled with the Ruach Ha’Kodesh, looked squarely at him and said, “You professional deceiver and mischief maker, you son of Lucifer, you enemy of all that is right – will you never stop perverting the straight ways of Adonai? Now, look here, the hand of Adonai will descend on you, and you will become blind, so that for a time you will be unable to see even the sun.” And immediately mist and darkness came upon him and he had to ask people to lead him by the hand as he went from place to place.

But the governor believed, for he had witnessed what had happened, and he was greatly interested in the teaching of Adonai Yeshua.

Paul and his companions then set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John Mark left them there, returning to Jerusalem.

From Perga they continued on until they came to Antioch in Pisidia. When the Sabbath came around they went into a synagogue and sat down. After the rulers had read from the Law and the prophets, they stepped down to them, saying, ‘Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation to give The People, say it now’. Accordingly, Paul stood up, motioned with his hand and addressed them: “Men of Israel, and you God-fearing people, listen to me: The God of this People Israel chose our fathers and made them a great people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and then with uplifted hand He led them out f it. For about 40 years He put up with their ways in the desert. Then, after he had overthrown 7 nations in the land of Canaan, He divided the land to them by lot. After that, for about 450 years, He let them have judges up to the time of the prophet Samuel. Next, they wanted a king … and Elohei gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned 40 years. When He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, to whom He gave this testimonial, “I have found in David, a son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all that I want him to.” It is from this man’s posterity that Elohei has, as he promised, given Israel a savior, Yeshua. Before He came, John had prepared the way by proclaiming to all the people of Israel a baptism of repentance. When John himself was about finished with his work, he asked, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the One, but He will come after me. And I am not worthy even to untie the shoes on His feet.’ Men and brethren, sons of the race of Abraham, and you others that fear Elohei, this message of salvation has been sent to you. For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, because of their ignorance of Him and the prophesies read to them every Sabbath, fulfilled those prophecies by condemning Him. They demanded of Pilate that he be put to death, although they could find no charge against Him deserving of death. Then, when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. But Elohim raised Him from the dead. And for many days he appeared to those who had come up with Him from galilee to Jerusalem, and who are now His witnesses to The People. And so we bring you the Gospel (Good News) of the promise made to the fathers. And Elohei has fulfilled this promise to us, their children, by raising up Yeshua. This is so stated also in the 2^nd Psalm, ‘You are My Son; I have begotten You today.’ And in proof of that, He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay. He has said, ‘I will fulfill to you the faithful promises made to David.’ And in another Psalm He says, ‘You will not permit your Holy One to undergo decay.’ David truly served his own generation by Elohei’s counseling, then died and was laid to rest beside his fathers and underwent decay. But He, Whom Elohim raised again did not undergo decay. Men and brethren, listen to the Good News: you may have forgiveness of sins through this One.  Everyone who believes in Him will be justified in all things, even those from which the Law of Moshe cannot set you free. Look out, therefore, that the judgment of the prophets may not come upon you! ‘Listen you scoffers! You will wonder, but you will perish. I will do a work in your days, something that you will not believe at all, even if one should make it plain to you.’”

Then, when the Jews had left the synagogue, the Gentiles requested that he return on the following Sabbath and speak again on the subject. When the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes (a person who has converted from one opinion, religion, or party to another, especially recently) followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them about the importance of continuing in the grace of Elohim.

On the following Sabbath, almost the whole town came out to hear the Word of Elohei. The Jews were filled with envy when they saw the immense crowd that came to the meeting, and they interrupted Paul’s address with contradictions and blasphemies. Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly, “We had to preach the Word of Elohei to you first, but you thrust it away from you, thus declaring yourselves unworthy of everlasting life; hence, we turn to the Gentiles. Adonai Yeshua gave us a commission. It is this: ‘You are to be a light to the Gentiles and to bring salvation to the furthest parts of the Earth’.” (Isaiah 49:6)

The Gentiles, on hearing this, were very glad and praised the Word of Adonai, and as many as were ordained (intended, meant, designed, predestined, appointed, predetermined) to everlasting life believed. And the Word of Adonai spread throughout that region.

The Jews, however, by stirring up the principal men and the most religious and respected women of the city, started persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of town. After having shaken the dust off their feet in protest against them, they came to Iconium. The Apostles were in joyful spirit and filled with the Ruach Ha’Kodesh.

**ACTS 12: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-gospel-according-to-acts-chapters-12.html