Gregory L. Jackson's Blog, page 2

September 2, 2025

Reformation Seminary Lecture Revelation 3

  


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3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Great eruption, AD 17. Rome gave large amounts of money - never recovered. Halley's.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

γινου γρηγορων -Jesus and disciples. Matthew 24. Greg means "watchful" or "awake."

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.


4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

Popular religious song https://www.life1025.com/songs/is-he-worthy/

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Confessing the Name of the Savior - entering individual's name from the Book of Life.

6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Luther said Christianity is a speaking church and a listening church.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The keys represent forgiving and condemning. Not the pope's.

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.


9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.


10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.


11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Stephen reference.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.


13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;


15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.


16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.


17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:


18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.


19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.


20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.


21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.


22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

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Published on September 02, 2025 08:40

August 28, 2025

Reformation Seminar Lecture - Revelation 2 Part 2

 

 


16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Part 2

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.


18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;




19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.


20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.


21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.


22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.


23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.


24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.


25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.


26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:


27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.


28 And I will give him the morning star.

Matthew 13.43.

2 Peter 1:19

Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.


29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Lenski - Pergamum bad; Thyatira worse; Sardis worst.
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Published on August 28, 2025 08:33

August 26, 2025

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Revelation 2 - Part 1.

  


2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Paul in Ephesus, Acts 19.

I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:


3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.


4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.


5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.


6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.


7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.


8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;


I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Today's Synagogue of Satan - Wealthy and highly regarded church leaders - yet mock and twist the Scriptures. Half of all the English Bibles are corrupted. The other half - the KJV - are faithful to the original. Have you seen a district president promoting rabbits on Easter Sunday? Yet!

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. [Stephanos, Acts]


11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.


12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;


13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.


14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.


15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.


16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Part 2

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.


18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;


19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.


20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.


21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.


22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.


23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.


24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.


25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.


26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:


27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.


28 And I will give him the morning star.

Matthew 13.43.

2 Peter 1:19

Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.


29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.



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Published on August 26, 2025 08:50

August 21, 2025

Reformation Seminar Lecture - Revelation 1 - Part 2.

 



Second Part - Chapter 1

The Address, verses 4-8

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Earthly leader - John. Grace is the result of faith in Him (Romans 5:1-2) peace is forgiveness of sin.

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ - The connection - faithful witness - first born of the dead - prince - what Jesus died for all of them - kings and priests and washed in blood.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

The future.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Two Natures of Christ - beginning and ending of all time.

Vision 9-20

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in (3) tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were  a flame of fire;


15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.


16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.



17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:


18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.


19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;


20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

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Published on August 21, 2025 08:44

August 19, 2025

Reformation Seminary - Revelation 1

  






KJV 1

Heading or Caption

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

God gave the Revelation of Jesus Christ. b. God gave the revelation to Jesus, c. from Jesus to His servants soon to come. The lid...

2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

martyr, witness, record, John 1. - witnessed twice

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

The Address verses 4-8

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were R a flame of fire;


15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.


16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.


17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:


18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.


19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;


20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

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Published on August 19, 2025 08:45

August 14, 2025

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Rauschenbusch Part 2

  


BornJohann Friedrich Oberlin, Lutheran Pastor
31 August 1740
StrasbourgFranceDied1 June 1826 (aged 85)
WaldersbachBas-Rhin, France


Part 2 - Social Gospel Movement


A. The Revised Version - a flop and utter Bible failure. 1881 - Westcott and Hort Greek NT version - Mark 1:1 - Son of God erased from the Greek.

B. Unitarian Universalist. "The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a religious organization that combines two traditions: the Universalists, who organized in 1793 and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. They consolidated into the UUA in 1961."

C. The mainline Protestant churches tended toward UUA - Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Methodist, Presbyterian, Disciples of Christ, ELCA, Northern Baptist (Rauschenbusch). Harvard, Princeton, and Yale were mainline and repudiated basic Scriptural doctrine. A YDS fellow alumnus said, "You were lucky Greg. The great Biblical scholars you had are gone now, except for..."

D. Rauschenbusch - A Theology for the Social Gospel -1917. Note what this really means - using the Gospel words to cover for politics.

Earlier -  French Pastor Oberlin, later Oberlin College. I bought the cookies.

E. Professor A. D. Mattson - Christian Social Consciousness, 1950s.

+++

The Quest of the Historical Jesus (GermanVon Reimarus zu Wrede: eine Geschichte der Leben-Jesu-Forschung. Albert Schweizer.

The Mainline Denominations Now

The mainlines today are extreme Leftists who use a bit of theological language to cover for their activism. Rauschenbusch majored in that kind of thinking.

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Published on August 14, 2025 10:02

August 12, 2025

Reformation Seminary Lecture - Rauschenbusch Social Gospel Movement

  

Walter Rauschenbusch, liberal Baptist minister, was the most famous Social Gospel advocate. He gave the 1917 Yale Divinity lectures, and died soon after. The Social Gospel Movement dropped the name, but lives on in the mainline denominations, like ELCA. The Kingdom of God  of the Bible was altered to be used as the Brotherhood of the Kingdom, a favorite alternative (double-talk).

Rauschenbusch studied in Europe, which Americans considered the higher level of learning. Europe was also more involved with Socialism. 

Rauschenbusch graduated from Rochester Seminary, which was merged into Colgate Rochester Crozer. Martin Luther King Jr graduated from the seminary. The school and Rauschenbusch were considered liberal because they rejected the miracles of Jesus and His Atonement.His was not the first or the only re-imagining of the Bible. He became famous in Hell's Kitchen and famous for his activism. The Social Gospel Movement faded but that remains the backbone of the mainline denominations today.When A. D. Mattson attended Yale Divinity, he was influenced by a number of sainted Rauschenbusch fans on the faculty. Mattson in turn influenced Augustana Lutheran Seminary with A. D. teaching the required seminary students for decades.Augustana College and Waterloo Lutheran Seminary were aligned with the liberal rationalism and social radicalism in the 1960s. Yale Divinity had the best Biblical scholars in the 1970s, but that only lasted a short time.  Gladden was a Congregationalist and union activist.


Washington Gladden (died 1918) was a Congregationalist minister and a labor organizer. [famous in Columbus, Ohio] Leader of the Progressives.
Our two political parties are mixed up, but the Democrats are definitely the Progressives with the Republicans leaning to Conservatives. 
The mainline Protestant denominations have had mixed results in their advocacy, downplaying the Two Natures of Christ and using Biblical words without their actual meaning. The LCA was saturated with double-talk in their periodical ( The Lutheran , started by Passavant the conservative. The magazine was almost dead and is  now called  Living Lutheran ). I knew the last two editors of The Lutheran and wrote for them. The last one was supported by Lutherans out East.
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Published on August 12, 2025 08:48

August 7, 2025

Reformation Seminary Lecture - KJV Acts 28

  



28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.


2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.


3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.


4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.


5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.


6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.


7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.


8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.


9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:


10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.


11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.


12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.


13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:


14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.


15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.


16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.


17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.


18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.


19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.


20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.


21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.


22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.


23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.


24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.


25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,


26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:


27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.


28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.


29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.


30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,


31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.



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Published on August 07, 2025 08:43

August 6, 2025

Reformation Seminary Lecture - KJV Acts 27

  

Acts 27:9


KJV Acts 27

27:1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.


2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.


3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.


4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.


5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.


6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.


7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;


8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.


9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,


10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.


11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.


12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.


13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.


14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.


15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.


16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:


17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.


18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;


19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.


20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.


21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.


22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.


23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,


24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.


25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.


26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.


27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;


28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.


29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.


30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,


31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.


32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.


33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.


34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.


35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.


36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.


37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.


38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.


39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.


40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.


41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.


42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.


43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:


44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

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Published on August 06, 2025 08:39

July 31, 2025

Reformation Seminar - KJV Acts 26

  





Acts 26:1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:


2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:


3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.


4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;


5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.


6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers:


7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.


8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?


9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.


10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.


11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.


12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,


13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.


14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.


15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.


16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;


17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,


18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.


19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:


20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.


21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.


22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:


23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.


24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.


25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.


26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.


27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.


28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.


29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.


30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:


31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.


32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

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Published on July 31, 2025 08:45