Definition: So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse! It’s a really important part of the story of early Christians. Here's what it means in simple terms: “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” “So they” : This refers to a group of people who were following Jesus. “being sent forth by the Holy Ghost” : This means that Jesus sent these people on a journey – perhaps to spread his message or to help others. “The Holy Ghost” is a reference to the spirit of God, and it’s often seen as a guiding force. “departed unto Seleucia” : Seleucia was a city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). They left the group and went to this specific place. “and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” : They then continued their journey, sailing across the sea to Cyprus. In short, it’s about a group of believers traveling to a new city – Seleucia – and then continuing their journey by sea to Cyprus. What's the significance? This is a key part of how the early Christians spread their message throughout the region. It shows that they weren’t just staying in one place, but were actively seeking out new opportunities to share their faith with others. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you some context about the time period this verse came from?

Definition: Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 13:40. It's a really important and often-quoted passage about anticipating future events. Here’s what it means in plain terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is warning us to be prepared for something that’s coming, even though we don’t know exactly what it is. It’s like saying, “Stay alert and watch out for potential problems.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Beware therefore…” : This isn't a command to be scared or worried. It's a gentle warning – "Pay attention." “…lest that come upon you…” : "That" refers to something future . “Come upon” means to happen, to affect us. So it’s saying “Beware of [something] that is about to happen.” “…which is spoken of in the prophets” : This is the crucial part. The "prophets" were people who spoke words of warning and prediction – like biblical figures who told the future. This verse says these prophecies weren't just random guesses; they were actual predictions about something significant to come. What does it mean in a broader sense? Essentially, this verse encourages us to: Be mindful: To be aware of potential dangers or challenges ahead. Pray and seek guidance: To ask God for wisdom and understanding so we can see what's coming. Don’t ignore warnings: It’s a reminder that the Bible often gives us signs and warnings about things to come – even if we don’t fully understand them yet. Why is this verse important? It speaks to a sense of spiritual preparedness . The Bible constantly talks about the future, and it's important to be ready for what might happen. It reminds us that God is working all things before his return. In short: "Beware," means pay attention and prepare for something that’s coming! --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Give you some examples of prophecies mentioned in Acts 13? Discuss how this verse relates to other parts of the Bible?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 13:41. It's a really important passage about God's plan and how He works things. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, this verse is saying: “You people who are being disrespectful and confused, you’re going to find out that God is actively working something amazing in your lives – something you can’t even imagine – and it will be a really significant change for you.” Let's unpack the parts: “Behold, ye despisers…” - This means “you people who are being disrespectful” or "you who are skeptical." It’s pointing out that they’re resisting God’s plan. “…and wonder, and perish:” – This is a dramatic phrase. "Perish" means to be lost or destroyed. “Wonder” means being puzzled and confused. So, it's saying you are perplexed and starting to question why God wants something to happen. “For I work a work in your days…” - This is the core of the verse. “Work” here doesn’t mean just physical labor. It refers to God’s divine plan – His purpose for things to happen. He's actively doing something. “…a work which ye shall in no wise believe:” – This emphasizes that it's a secret or hidden thing. “In no wise believe” means you can't truly understand it, you can’t grasp it completely. It's beyond your normal understanding. “Though a man declare it unto you:” - This is a crucial part. "A man declare it" means someone – perhaps a leader or influential person – is telling others about this secret work. So, put it all together: God is actively working something incredibly significant in your life. He’s not just planning; He's doing it. And you, as individuals, can’t possibly understand the full extent of what’s happening until it happens. It’s a powerful message about God’s sovereignty and His plan for us. The Context: This verse is often interpreted as relating to the early church in Jerusalem, where they were facing opposition from Jewish leaders who were trying to discredit Paul's ministry. It highlights that God’s work isn't just happening "behind the scenes"; it's being revealed and impacting people's lives. Does this make sense? Do you have any specific questions about any part of this verse, or would you like me to explain it further with a different example?

Definition: And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 13:42. It's a really important and somewhat surprising passage about how early Christianity started spreading its message. Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, they were trying to get the message of Jesus to reach people outside of Jewish communities. Let’s unpack that a little: “Acts 13:42” : This is a specific moment in time – after the Jewish leaders left the synagogue. “The Jews were gone out…” - This means the Jewish people had left the meeting place, which was a crucial step for spreading the word. “…the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.” – “Gentiles” is a fancy way of saying "non-Jewish people." “Besought” means they asked or demanded . "The next sabbath" means the following day. So, they were asking for the message to be shared on the following day. What’s the big idea? This verse tells us that Christianity wasn't initially just for Jewish people. Jesus started by inviting everyone – including Gentiles (non-Jews) – to join him. It was a very deliberate move to reach out and share his message with the world, even those who weren’t part of the Jewish community. Why is this significant? It shows that Jesus' teachings were inclusive from the beginning. It’s a foundational moment in the history of Christianity – it demonstrates that God’s love wasn’t limited to just one group of people. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss what this passage reveals about early Christianity?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 13:43. It's a really important passage about how Paul and Barnas were welcomed into a group of people – Jews and Christians – and how they encouraged them to stay faithful to God. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Paul was trying to get a group of people to stick with their faith. “When the congregation was broken up…” - This means that the original group of people had been divided or separated. It wasn't a smooth, unified community. “…many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnas:” – This describes the people who came along with Paul and Barnas. “Jewish proselytes” are Christians (people who believe in Jesus). “who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” - This is the key part. Paul was talking to these people, and he persuaded them. He wasn't trying to force anyone to change their beliefs; instead, he offered encouragement and reminded them of what it meant to be faithful to God. “Grace of God” means being loved and accepted by God without earning it. So, the whole thing is about Paul trying to help a group of people stay committed to their faith. It’s a message of encouragement and reminding believers to keep going in the right direction – towards God. In short, it's about encouraging people to remain faithful to their belief system. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you more context about what this passage might have been about at the time?

Definition: And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Acts 13:44. It’s a really significant and important part of the story of early Christianity! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it describes a huge crowd gathering to listen to Jesus Christ. Let's unpack it a little further: “And the next sabbath day” : This is a bit tricky. “Sabbath” was a holy day of rest and worship in Jewish tradition. The word "sabbath" means “rest.” So, this refers to the seventh day of the week – the day God rested after creation. “came almost the whole city together” : This isn’t just a small group; it was almost every single person in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas. It emphasizes that the message of Jesus was being widely proclaimed. “to hear the word of God” : This is the core of what's happening. The verse means people were gathered to listen intently to Jesus’ teachings, sermons, or whatever he was saying. What does this tell us about early Christianity? This event is a really important sign that Jesus was becoming very popular and influential. It shows that his message was resonating deeply with the people of Jerusalem, and it’s believed to have been a crucial moment in the beginning of the Christian movement. It's a powerful illustration of how God’s word could draw people together. In short, this verse describes a massive gathering where people were eager to hear Jesus speak. --- Would you like me to: Explain another Bible verse? Give you more context about the time period?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Acts 13:45. It’s a really important part of understanding how early Christianity started to grow. Here's the explanation in simpler terms: What happened? When the Jewish people – the followers of Judaism – saw the large crowd of people gathered, they felt angry and upset. They started to disagree with what Paul was saying, and they even began to say things that were hurtful or disrespectful. Why did they feel this way? They were feeling envious – jealous – of Paul’s message and his teachings. They also started to argue against Paul's words, essentially challenging them. It felt like Paul was trying to upset them! What did they do? They became hostile and started to contradict him. They said things that weren’t helpful or respectful towards him. In short: The Jewish people were reacting negatively to Paul’s message with arguments and disagreements. The key takeaway: This is a crucial moment because it shows how early Christians needed to be careful about how they communicated their beliefs – to avoid causing conflict and maintain harmony within the community. It also highlights that even when people disagree, respectful discussion is important for growing faith. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you a more detailed explanation of a specific part of this passage?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 13:46. It’s a really important passage about Paul and Barnabas’s actions and their perspective. Here's a simplified explanation: What’s Happening? Paul and Barnas were arguing about how to spread the message of God – the word of God – throughout the whole world. They felt like it was too difficult, maybe even dangerous, to do that directly with everyone. Let’s unpack the words: “Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnas waxed bold…” - This means they became very confident and outspoken. They were taking a strong stand for what they believed in. “…and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you:” – They were suggesting that God needed to speak to everyone directly. Basically, they thought it was important for God’s message to be revealed to everyone, and they felt like they weren't doing that. “but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life…” – This is where it gets a little tricky. They were saying that because they weren’t sharing the word with others, they weren’t worthy of living forever in God’s kingdom. It's a bit like saying, "If we don’t share this message, we aren’t good enough to reach God.” “lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” – This is the crucial part! They decided to focus on sharing the word of God with people outside of Israel , specifically the Gentiles – meaning non-Jewish people. What does it mean? Essentially, Paul and Barnas were suggesting that they needed to shift their focus from directly reaching Jewish people to spreading the message to everyone else. They believed that if they didn’t do that, they wouldn’t be worthy of eternal life in God's kingdom. The big takeaway: This verse is about responsibility and how we should share our beliefs with others. It highlights a shift in focus and a recognition that spreading the Gospel (the message of Jesus) requires reaching beyond just Jewish people. In short, it’s a moment where Paul and Barnas recognized that they needed to be more open and focused on sharing God's message with the whole world. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific aspect of Christian faith (e.g., mission, evangelism)?

Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 13:47. It’s a really important and powerful statement about God's plan for the future! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus is telling us that we are called to be a beacon of hope and salvation for everyone on Earth. Let’s unpack it further: “For so hath the Lord commanded us…” : This means God has given us a specific task – to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s not just about him personally, but about making the world a better place through his message. “[saying] I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles…” : Jesus is telling us that we are uniquely called to be a shining example of God's love and goodness. "Gentiles" refers to non-Jews – people who aren’t Jewish – and it means we need to show them the way to salvation through Jesus. "...that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." : This is the big part! “The end of the earth” is a very long time in the future, but it represents everyone on Earth. It means we are meant to be a constant source of hope and guidance for people all over the world, until God’s plan is fully realized. In short, Jesus is saying that we have a special responsibility – to share the good news of salvation with everyone, everywhere. Why is this important? It shows that God doesn't just want us to be happy here on Earth. He wants us to bless and guide people throughout history, leading them towards a future where they are saved from sin and can have eternal life with him. Does this mean we’re obligated to do everything? No! It means we're called to be focused on spreading the message of Jesus Christ. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail, perhaps focusing on its significance or historical context?

Definition: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Acts 13:48. It's a really important part of understanding how Christianity spread! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, this verse says: “When the Gentiles heard this…” – “Gentiles” refers to people outside of Jewish tradition – meaning non-Jews, like those from other countries or cultures. It's a key point because the Bible started with a focus on Jewish people. “…they were glad…” – This shows that the message, the good news, was exciting and joyful for them! They weren’t just hearing it passively; they felt happy about it. “and glorified the word of the Lord…” – “Glorified” means to make something extra special or important. So, they were celebrating God's word (the Bible). “and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.” - This is the really significant part! "Ordained" means chosen or destined. The verse says that those who were chosen for everlasting life – meaning a special connection with God – believed . It's like a blessing given to those who are truly saved. So, putting it all together: The message of Jesus and the Christian faith was spreading to non-Jewish people, and they reacted positively by being happy and celebrating God’s word. And importantly, those who were chosen for eternal life – that special relationship with God – believed in Jesus! Why is this important? It shows that God's message wasn’t just for Jewish people; it was meant to reach everyone, regardless of their background. It highlights the importance of faith and acceptance of God’s love. --- Would you like me to: Explain a different part of this verse? Give you some context about why this verse is significant in early Christian history?