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ThisVerseFitz 4 – Acts 1 – 2, 6 – 8

by f ziamond | Jan 25, 2025

#ThisVerseFitz relating to modern time, modern concerns, dreams (Acts 2:17) and Saul vs Paul:

See last link below for a special Biblical video we created at the end – The Parable of the Artist & the Drawing.

On this fourth Sunday of 2025, January 26, we enter the book of Acts (also known as Acts of the Apostles)! This is the longest book of the ones we’ve reviewed up to now. This book explains how the Apostles spread the word about Jesus leading through the Spirit of the Lord to invite all nations under his reign. Importantly they are not only seeking Jews to share the word with. They are bringing all people together including the Gentiles, which is mentioned frequently (Gentiles refers to any “non Jew” it stems from the Hebrew “goy” which means “a nation”).  They are welcomed in many places and unwelcome in others. They are assaulted and arrested in many of the stories. A very important statement is made that these men are not a military threat, they come in peace, sharing the good news and bringing all nations together. However, they are treated worse than any military threat. This also “fitz” in with modern times.

Acts 1 is an introduction and mentions each Apostle. It has a short mention of Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Acts 1:16 – 19 “Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, (Field of Blood).”

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. We thought this would be a good place to include two previous cartoons.

Judas – Akeldama

30 Pieces of Silver

Acts 2 contains one of my all time favorite verses spoken through Peter – Acts 2:17 – “And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” this is a verse that “fitz” personally due to the dreams. I, along with others, have had wild experiences with dreams and recently they have multiplied. Twice within recent days, I have been involved in discussions and realized they were dreams from the night before. There have been many examples and they lead to anxiety wondering if they are dreams or past reality.

Stephen 6 – 7

A very important Biblical character is Stephen. In Acts 6 – Seven disciples are chosen and Stephen is one of them – Acts 6:5-6 – “And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and the chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of teh Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

Stephen spoke with and Spirit, full of grace and power. Those of the “Synagogue of Freedmen” rose up and disputed Stephen. They had no defense since Stephen had wisdom on his side. Their only option was to gain support by using the term of their time, “Blasphemy”. This was their term to remove the attention from the subject matter and draw anger towards the person, in this simpleton’s opinion. It “Fitz” well in today’s modern time as they use terms for the same purpose now, “Racist”, “Sexist”, etc. This is how Stephen was seized. Their only response was to turn to violence, just like certain organizations of today.

Acts 7:54-60  – “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named SAUL. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he said this, he fell asleep.

Saul to Paul 8 – 13

Acts 8:1 – “And SAUL approved of his execution”

The mentioning of “Saul to Paul” in the previous two entries ironically, very much “Fitz” in this story. Starting in verse 8, we see how horrible “Saul” was to the followers of Jesus, beginning with the stoning of “Stephen”. This is where “Saul ravages the church”. At the start of 9, we begin to see the conversion of Saul. Saul’s encounter with Jesus on his way to Damascus is when we first see the transition taking place. Acts 9:3-4 “Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

In Chapter 11, Barnabas is introduced, a good man full of the Holy Spirit and faith. He was sent o Tarsus to find “Saul” and bring him to the church in Antioch. Acts 11:26 – “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

Chapters 17 through 28 are page turners, as if reading a movie. We are taken through all of the smearing of Paul. When he was evil and violent as Saul, it seems like none of the “law makers” had any issues with him. As Paul, we see his countless trials in court, the same government corruption as current day, witch hunts, accusations of terrorist rioting and much more similarities to current day. It is mentioned many times how the disciples follow the “SAME GOD” as Isaac, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Mary, David. Not only are we still worshiping the “SAME GOD”, the criminals are still worshiping the “SAME GOVERNMENT”. On that note, we have another song recommendation, “SAME GOD” by Elevation Worship.

Chapter 28 brings us to the end of the page turner where Paul ends up at the island of Malta where Paul is known for fending off a viper bite and healing the father of the welcoming chief man of the island, Publius. After healing the father of Publius, all of the other people of the island with diseases also approached Paul to be healed.

In the last chapter of Acts, Paul returns to Rome. The leaders appointed a day for him to speak. Acts 28:23-31 – “When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement.  “The Holy Spirt was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: ‘Go to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn and I would heal them.’ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, they will listed. He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Saul to Paul

ACTS 1

ACTS 2

ACTS 6 -7

ACTS 7 – 8

This “Print N Play” search comes from NAMES OF THE APOSTLES

“God Search in Words” works exactly as a normal “Word Search” with a somewhat higher level of difficulty given the Biblical terms. Once all the words are found, the leftover letters repeat a phrase 5.12 times (meaning the phrase is present 10 times and 12 letters of the phrase are left over).

PrintNPlay

God Search in Words – Print N Play

Print N Play, Have some fun and Read your scriptures… For the ultimate Bible experience, visit New Wine: NEW WINE – from our PHP family, Justin & Wendy Leoni. They can also be found on the Patriots Helping Patriots rumble channel on their hit show “Under The Oak Tree”! FZIAMOND.COM:

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