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Acts volumes 1 and 2: from Jerusalem to Rome

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

Amazon ranking No 1 in Life Application Christian Bibles.

Description:

Acts is a sequel to the gospel of Luke, written by Luke between 70-90 AD, in Rome. This is a historical narrative of the first-century Christian church from 33 to 60 AD. It is an action-packed, fast-moving, Hollywood-style narrative on the adventures of Peter, Paul and others.

Reviews:

This is an educational journey in the Book of Acts as only Dr. Koh can so brilliantly explain. A good book

R E Creech, Bookbub, Goodraesd, 5 stars

A very informative read about the travels of Peter and Paul, two Apostles who greatly influenced Christian teachings. Those amazing miracles and sermons help us to think differently about our lives. Very inspiring book. Beautiful prayers accompany each chapter. I am on the ARC team. I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers

J Sharmani, Amazon, 5 Stars

What an excellent novel to use as a guide for a weekly Bible Study Group. Many of us do not know that Acts is a sequel to the gospel of Luke. It is written by Luke somewhere between 70-90 AD. Luke looks back on the world of the first-century Christian church. Take a chance to step out of our tightly conservative view of the church and follow along with Luke, Peter, Paul, and others as they journey through the world of the first Jewish Christian believers. We travel with the first believers from Jerusalem to Samaria all the way to Rome. This book will introduce the reader to the sermons and testimonies of Peter and Paul. You will come across many “firsts” in Acts, e.g., the birth of the first-century Christian church, the first miracle, the first sermon, the first Christian martyr, the first Christian burial, the first Gentile convert, the first European Christian convert, etc. This is the time of the first hundred years of our heritage. What a joy for the reader. I received this novel from StoryOrigin. This is my true and honest review

P A Reinert, Bookbub, 5 stars

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bible study devotion

My God shall supply: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

photo of 2 rainbows
2 rainbows

Philippians 4: 17-20

Introduction

Paul, the author of Philippians, wrote this thank you letter to the Philippians Christians between AD 60-62 in the Roman prison, chained to a Roman Pretorian guard, According to church tradition, Emperor Nero released Paul in AD 62, but rearrested and beheaded him in AD 66 at the Mamertine prison in Rome. 

This is one of the 4 Pauline prison epistles,. Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. 

The theme of Philippians is “joy and rejoice in Christ”. 

Passage

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 1:17-20

Reflection

Paul was not greedy for money. He encouraged the Philippians Christians, and us, to give generously out of a grateful heart, to receive God’s blessings in return. Paul was in chains, hungry, secluded, and needy, but his spirit soars like an eagle. He was contented, at peace, and grateful. He thanked his supporters  for their timely and generous support. God will supply all that he needed out of the abundant riches of Christ. God is no debtor to anyone. He owned every cattle on a thousand hills.  

 

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”

1 Corinthians 9:6

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” 

Luke 6:38

Memory verse

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

Philippians 4:19

Application

What have you got to worry about? God knows all your needs and all your problems. He will supply all that you need. Surrender your life to Him. Let Him take over the driver’s seat of your life. God will replenish the things that Covid pandemic took away. and eaten Do not throw in the towel. Trust Him. Do nor fear, just believe.

Prayer

Heaven Father, thank You for abundant provisions. Help us to sow generously to the work of Your kingdom. Help us to store up treasures in heaven that lasts into eternity, in Jesus’ name, Amen

Categories
bible study devotion

Philemon 1

Introduction

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

a photo showing opened bible
bible

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we acknowledged that You are the only true God, the Trinitarian God of the Holy Bible, the God of creation, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. We thank You for all that You have done for us in our lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Introduction

Authorship

Philemon is one of the four prison epistles written during his first imprisonment in Rome between AD 60-62. The other three are Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Paul was under house arrest in Rome while awaiting trial under Caesar Nero. Although he was allowed to live by himself in a house, he was chained to a Roman Pretorian guard 24 hours a day, seven days a week, who rotated through shift duties. Epaphras visited Paul and brought him a financial love gift from the Colossian church. Paul sent the epistle of Colossians and Philemon back to the house church in Colossae through Epaphras.

Colossae

Colossae was an ancient Roman province along the Lycus River valley in Asia Minor, now in western Turkey. In its heyday, Colossae was famous for the manufacturing of a dark red wool cloth called colossinum.

Purpose and historical setting

The epistle of Philemon was Paul’s letter to Philemon, a wealthy leader of the Colossian house church. Paul shared the gospel with Philemon when he was in Ephesus, converted, discipled, and mentored him in the faith. Philemon returned to Colossae and planted the Colossian house church. Onesimus was one of Philemon’s slaves who ran away from his master and secretly found his way to Rome. Through providence at work, Onesimus met the apostle Paul in Rome who shared the gospel with him, converted, discipled, and mentored him in the faith. When Paul realized that Philemon was a runaway slave of Philemon, he sent Onesimus back to Philemon with a personal letter. Paul entrusted Tychicus to accompany Onesimus to his master Philemon with this personal epistle called Philemon, Colossians 4:7-9.

Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him

Acts 28:16

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here

Colossians 4:7-9

Application

Onesimus was a runaway slave. Onesimus had committed a very serious offense. In first-century Israel, the consequence of a slave running away from a master was capital punishment. Onesimus confessed his situation to Paul who sent him back to his master. Before we came to know Christ, we too had run away from our Lord and Master but when we confessed our sins, believed, and returned to Christ, He forgave us and gave us eternal life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for this small book of Philemon. We pray that You will speak to us through the pages of Your inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word, in Jesus’ name, Amen.