Category: Pauline Dispensationalism / Dispensational Bible Study

Paul in the Synagogues #7

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

Now, Paul and Barnabas move to another synagogue, with more Jewish resistance in store: “And it came to pass in Iconium [central Turkey], that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:…” (Acts 14:1-6).

Jewish hostility toward Paul continues: “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica [northern Greece], where was a synagogue of the Jews: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people” (Acts 17:1-5).

There is yet more antagonism for Paul to face in synagogues….

Paul in the Synagogues #6

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

The climax of Paul’s sermon in the synagogue of Antioch of Pisidia in Acts chapter 13 is: “[38] Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [Jesus Christ, verse 23] is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: [39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. [40] Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; [41] Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. [42] And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. [43] Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

“[44] And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. [45] But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. [46] Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. [47] For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth…. [50] But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.”

Jewish opposition against Paul in the synagogues intensifies again….

Paul in the Synagogues #5

Monday, March 10, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

Almost immediately after his justification and commissioning outside of Damascus, Saul/Paul entered the city’s synagogues to preach (Acts chapter 9, including today’s Scripture). Twice fleeing for his life from the lost Jews who conspired to kill him, he departs both Damascus and Jerusalem. By chapter 13, he launches his first apostolic journey with Barnabas—not missionary journey, but apostolic journey! “And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister” (Acts 13:5).

Paul’s first recorded sermon is in Acts chapter 13, delivered in a synagogue of central Turkey. Read verses 14-16: “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience….” He proceeds to briefly review Israel’s history, from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob up until David (verses 17-23).

“Of this man’s [that is, David’s] seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:…. Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead:…” (verses 23,26-30).

Keep reading Paul’s sermon here….

Paul in the Synagogues #4

Sunday, March 9, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

By heading the persecution of Israel’s believing remnant (the Little Flock of Luke 12:32, the Messianic Church of Matthew 16:18) in Jerusalem or Damascus or anywhere else, Saul of Tarsus (Acts chapters 7 and 8, and even partly into chapter 9) demonstrated how he regarded Jesus of Nazareth as an imposter or false messiah/christ—certainly not “the Son of God.” Now, in today’s Scripture and beyond, he has since been transformed into the Apostle Paul. He preaches the very truths he formerly detested and resisted so mightily. Having abandoned Satan’s “synagogue ministry,” he is now in God’s “synagogue ministry.” Moreover, he is afforded the chance to see just what his victims endured when he was mercilessly hounding them. Apostate Israel turns on him and seeks to take his life on more than one occasion! The same old unbelief from Christ’s earthly ministry (Matthew through John) has spilled over into Christ’s heavenly ministry (Paul’s “Acts” ministry).

Keep reading in Acts chapter 9: “[23] And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: [24] But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. [25] Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. [26] And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. [27] But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. [28] And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. [29] And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians [Greek-speaking Jews]: but they went about to slay him.”

Paul has many more unsettling synagogue visits ahead….

Paul in the Synagogues #3

Saturday, March 8, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

The Lord Jesus Himself foretold how synagogues—so-called “houses of worship of JEHOVAH God”—would be where His Jewish believers would face extreme persecution (Matthew 10:17; Matthew 23:34; John 16:2). Also see Mark 13:9, Luke 12:11, and Luke 21:12, which are still future from us. Working with that evil world system of Satan, Saul of Tarsus engaged in “synagogue ministry” during the early Acts period.

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1,2). “And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:…” (Acts 22:19). “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. 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. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,…” (Acts 26:10-12).

In early Acts chapter 9, Saul of Tarsus had been en route to the Damascus synagogues to punish Jewish believers in the Gospel of the Kingdom (Jesus is Israel’s Messiah/Christ, ready to bring in God’s literal, physical, visible, earthly, Davidic, Israeli kingdom). By chapter’s middle (see today’s Scripture), however, Saul is in those very synagogues preaching for Jesus Christ instead of against Him! “But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ” (Acts 9:21,22; cf. Galatians 1:22-24).

Yes, Paul is now in the synagogues, for God’s glory….

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

Paul in the Synagogues #2

Friday, March 7, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

The Lord Jesus Christ’s principal objective during His earthly ministry was to lead the Jewish people back to the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob. He achieved this by preaching sound Bible doctrine, whether teaching Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) verses, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, or performing miracles to illustrate and validate who He was and what He was doing.

See Matthew chapter 4, verses 13-17: “And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” There was such spiritual “darkness” in the land of Palestine, but Messiah’s arrival and ministry would expel that Bible ignorance (see Isaiah 8:22–9:8). In His first recorded sermon of Luke 4:16-21, Jesus Himself used the text of Isaiah 61:1,2 to outline what He had come to do for and with Israel. He was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy right there in that synagogue of Nazareth, and would keep fulfilling it every place He went!

Alas, in spite of Jesus’ influence for three years, unbelief and hypocrisy were rampant in these synagogues (for example, Matthew 6:2,5; Matthew 10:17; Matthew 12:9-14; Matthew 13:54-58; Matthew 23:6,34; Mark 3:1-6; Mark 6:1-6; Mark 12:39; Mark 13:9; Luke 4:22-30 [attempted murder!!]; Luke 6:6-11; Luke 11:43; Luke 12:11; Luke 13:10-17; Luke 20:46; Luke 21:12; John 6:25-71, noting especially verses 26-30,41-43,60-66; John 9:22; John 12:42,43; John 16:2). They had works-religion, human “goodness,” but no faith in God’s words to them, and that led to Christ’s crucifixion on Calvary’s cruel cross….

Paul in the Synagogues #1

Thursday, March 6, 2025

“…Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19b,20 KJV).

What are the three reasons the Apostle Paul went to the synagogues?

“Synagogue” is from Greek, and it means “lead together, collect, convene, assemble.” As far back as the destruction of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem circa 587/586 B.C., synagogues were places of worship where Jews gathered to pray, read, teach, and hear Old Testament Scriptures every Saturday Sabbath. We can look to Christ’s earthly ministry for some clues. “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23; cf. Matthew 9:35).

Read Luke 4:14-21 now: “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”

By looking at and considering what Christ Himself was doing in synagogues, we can more fully understand what Christ in Paul was doing in synagogues during the Acts period….

333’s 5000th – Awake or Asleep?

Thursday, February 6, 2025

“And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together” (Acts 20:8 KJV).

Only by God’s grace, “333 Words of Grace” marks a special ministry milestone!

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[7] And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. [8] And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. [9] And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. [10] And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. [11] When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. [12] And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.”

Dear Christian friends, for 5,000 consecutive days (!) we have gathered here around the Word of God rightly divided. In a sense that is “long preaching.” Being situated in a place of “many lights,” we are reminded of Psalm 119:105,130: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path…. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” It is our hope and prayer that we have not been like Eutychus (or the Corinthians [1 Corinthians 15:33,34], or the Ephesians [Ephesians 5:14-18], or the Romans [Romans 13:11-14]), paying more attention to the darkness of the evil world system “outside” instead of the sound Bible doctrine “inside,” reaching the point of a “deep sleep” (Christian inattentiveness) and subsequent death (the Christian mind and life separated from their function). After all, we have known many who have already departed from the faith—and they cannot rightly say they did not have a chance to know it with us.

Perhaps God in His grace will equip us for another 5,000 studies?! Onward we go in our Lord Jesus Christ!

Remember, all 5,000 devotionals are archived here.

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #32

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

According to the Bible rightly divided, it is not God’s current will to directly intervene in the affairs of man to punish evil, deliver the righteous, and remove the curse of sin from creation. He is neither apathetic, nor cruel, nor nonexistent: instead, He is gracious, merciful, and peaceful toward our human species that has rejected His dear Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) for almost 20 centuries. We should not despise His goodness and/or moan about His plan simply because we do not understand what we ought and have not gotten our way. Far better if we considered the Holy Scriptures dispensationally, find out what He is doing today, by faith do that, and thereby do His will.

Jesus Christ is not where He should be, Satan is not where he should be, the Church the Body of Christ is not where it should be, and the nation Israel is not where it should be. In God’s due time, all will be set right. If we could say it as succinctly as possible: God’s purpose and plan in creation will truly be brought to pass one day, but that cannot happen until redeemed Israel (Earth) and the Church the Body of Christ (Heaven) rule in their respective realms, and this cannot happen until Christ Jesus Himself reigns, which cannot occur until Satan is removed, which cannot happen until Israel is complete, which cannot occur until prophecy resumes, which cannot occur until mystery ends, which cannot transpire until the Body of Christ is closed, which cannot happen until the Dispensation of Grace is rescinded, which cannot be until the Apostle Paul’s ministry is terminated.

“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…” (2 Timothy 2:12a). We members of the Church the Body of Christ—who have trusted the Lord’s finished crosswork alone as sufficient payment for our sins—understand that this world is not our home. Though this life is rough and tough, God’s grace is sufficient for us to handle all of its problems… all the way up to our departure to be glorified in, and govern, the heavenly places with Christ Himself.

-FINIS!-

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #31

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

Victorious Christian living requires a proper, mature understanding of suffering. Therefore, the subject was covered in the most basic Pauline book. Sadly, since precious few ever learn Romans (and this ignorance is courtesy of denominationalism [manmade church tradition] and a pitiful failure to “rightly divide the word of truth” [2 Timothy 2:15]), many spend much of their time struggling (!!) so (!!) needlessly (!!) attempting to reconcile “loving God” with “suffering world.”

Observe Romans chapter 8: “[17] And if children [of God], then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. [19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. [20] For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, [21] Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. [23] And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. [24] For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? [25] But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

In light of 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:8, we know this painful world is but temporary—something that will not last forever. As believers in Christ, we have been saved from hopelessness, and foresee a restored, everlasting creation (and a resurrected, glorified body to function in the heavenly places).

Let us (finally!) summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….