Acts15,
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”
37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.
38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
39 And there arose a sharp disagreement,

so that they separated from each other.

Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed,

having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Interesting, that i read this here and now. After yesterday and this week!

I think this 'commended by the brothers' is in contrast to this 'away to Cyprus'.

>>>>>>at least it sound like!

Am i commended by the brother. Still i guess ... As long as i am, i will do it.

Good that i have nothing to fear and i can just trust in God - he is with me, even i would do the stupidest mistake ... i am forgiven.

I am broken - THIS IS ALL - He is for me

S U R R E N D E R

Acts15,22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, > leading, interesting word for Acts
23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. > they write a letter  - with this letter they go there - this is how they communicate.
24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us
and troubled you with words,
unsettling your minds,
although we gave them no instructions, > the came independently 
25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. > the description of Paul and Barnabas - this is their description in one sentence > WHAT WOULD BE MY DESCRIPTION?
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.  > two other men as witnesses come with Paul and Barnabas
28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:  > seemed good to the Holy Spirit & us
29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols,
and from blood,
and from what has been strangled,
and from sexual immorality.
If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. > It is so simple! - how do we well? away from blood, strangled, immorality: funny  - no more words needed”
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.  > they all came 
31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.  > Everybody understands this joy - 
32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.  > Judas and Silas preached encouraging - WITH MANY WORDS!
33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.  > Paul and Barnabas remained - what are they doing? TEACHING AND PREACHING - Is this what describes my life: AM I TEACHING AND PREACHING?

acts15,7 After much discussion, > Not a easy question - salvation-issue

Peter got up and addressed them:

Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. > this is surprising: that he said that - why?
8 God, who knows the heart,

showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 
9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 
11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are. 
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 
13 When they finished, James spoke up:

Brothers, listen to me. 
14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. 
15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 
16 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 
17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things' 
18 that have been known for ages. 
19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 
20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food

polluted by idols,

from sexual immorality,

from the meat of strangled animals

and from blood. 
21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.

Peter works with the deeds of God through Paul&Barnabas in connection with James. James is making it real practical.

It all came together fine!

Acts15,1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved. > They did that just out of what ever motivation - Like Paul and Barnabas ...
2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. > OK now - it is getting serious  - They want to know what the Apostle think!

They appoint Paul and Barnabas.

{This other brothers could just walk in and teach something.}
3 The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.
4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question.
7 After much discussion, > Not a easy question - salvation-issue

Peter got up and addressed them:

Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.
9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13 When they finished, James spoke up: Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.
15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'
18 that have been known for ages.
19 It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.

GREA SPEACH FROM PETER

Acts14,21 They preached the good news in that city{Derbe} and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

22 strengthening the disciples

and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.

We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, they said.

23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch,

where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

{Derbe}, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch, Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia.

 ( )            1.           2.              3.             4.          5.                 6.         7. 

8town in 7 verses. They travels so fast and long:

This is how he traveled

Very effective - making disciples in al this towns in such a short time and immediately moving on to the next town. Why do we not do the same?

What kind of goodnews would that be - if we would do that!!!AND it would work!?Because we do it!!>::::<

v22 is interesting:

they strengthen the disciple > HOW DID THEY DO IT?

encouraged them - not just somehow, but specifically - TO REMAIN TRU IN THE FAITH > WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Talked about the hardships to be able to enter the Kingdom of God > WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT HARDSHIPS?

Elders appointed in every town, with prayer and fasting > WHAT DO I DECIDE WITH PRAYER AND FASTING

IT IS SO DIFFERENT - I DO NOT KNOW WHY!?

Acts14, 8 In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, Stand up on your feet! At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, The gods have come down to us in human form! 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15
Men, why are you doing this? > I am just not close to God
We too are only men, > Paul, said he is a normal men - compared to him, what am i then?
human like you. > He is like me - Am i in any sense like him? Don't think so!
We are bringing you good news, > What do i bring to the people?  Sadness, confusion, ...
telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, > Do i tell this to the people, that they should turn away? Ore do i just make nice words? ... entertain them
who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. > This being who made heaven and earth is waiting for us - close - near - WHAT AM I DOING THEN!!!
16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. > Interesting ... 
17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: > GOD HAS A TESTIMONY - WHAT IS MY TESTIMONY?
He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; > KINDNESS, GIVING LIFE TO THE PLANET
he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy > We can eat and be joyful!
unexpected lesson by Paul about God, what his testimony is... Paul's description of God.
*How would i describe God to People?
*How did Paul describe God to unbeliever? -> Rom1+2 maybe
18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over.
They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
20 But after the disciples had gathered round him, he got up and went back into the city.
The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

This is maybe to most moving thing since i am reading acts.
They stoned Paul - dragged him out of the city - thinking he is dead. - How long went the stoning on? - How could Paul survive the stoning?
Paul get up - went into the city and then to Derbe.

Before everyone tried to make them GOD. Few hours later - everyone tried to kill him.

To be stoned!
For Christ!
I would like to life a live worthy being persecuted! I am living like a human never heard about resurrection!

What is resurrection! Why do i life like it never happened ore it is the most normal thing on earth?

Acts14,1 At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to ill-treat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the good news.

*They Went as usual > What am i doing as usual?

*They spoke so effectively > I NEED TO GROW HOW I SPEAK:

a great number started to believe - because of how they spoke! WHAT CAN I DO BETTER SPEAKING?

*They refused to believe > Believe is a discussion / i can believe ore decide not to believe: What am i doing today? Do I believe, that i can be healed? Pray to God, please heal me now!

*They poisoned their mind against the brothers > Is my mind poisoned, by why? I think the thought: "I can not do it!"-Yes it is true BUT GOD CAN - BELIEVE - LIFE IS BETTER BELIEVING GOD!

*They speak boldly FOR the Lord > Maybe one hint for the reason of their effectiveness: They spoke boldly FOR the Lord, not about the Lord but FOR the Lord. When i go up, do i speak about me, ore about the Lord. Ore do i speak FOR the Lord? And also for the LORD. Not for God ore Jesus but for what they also are: They are my LORD! I PROCLAIM THE HEART OF THE LORD!

THE LORD!

*He confirmed > What is God's confirmation for me in my life? What should i expect?????????????

Miracles and wonders happened

*They wanted ill-treat and sone them > What would i do if this would happen to me? Would i go and continue? What would be different in how i continue?

*They went to Lyztra, Derbe, ... > Many places, they went to preach! TO PREACH! Still with al the power given from God - not just sharing...

*They continued to preach > They did not give up! DO I GIVE UP? What is making me giving up?

Paul preaching

Apg13,13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. <They just were part of the synagog-tradition = they just fellowshiped and loved: but they were different, not because they had a title but because they lived differently. They stud out of the group as loving and Godseeing people ... how ever i can describe it: WHAT ABOUT ME? HOW LOVING AND GOD-SEEING AM I?>
15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak.
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said:
Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, 18 he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, 19 he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled for forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' <I wish God would say that about me>23 From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' 26 Brothers, children of Abraham, and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognise Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had travelled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. 32 We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:'You are my Son; today I have become your Father.' 34 The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words:'I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.' 35 So it is stated elsewhere:'You will not let your Holy One see decay.' 36 For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38 Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41 'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.' <THIS IS HOW PAUL IS LEAVING THEM - HOW HE MOTIVATES>
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
50 But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Paul confronts the sorcerer

~Acts13,4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6 They travelled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun. Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

descriptions:

* a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, a attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus / tried to turn the proconsul from the faith / "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?"

* The proconsul, an intelligent man, [he wanted to hear the word of God] he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord

* Saul / Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit

3 people : who am i?

Paul is so powerful - interesting how silent Barnabas is, even he is a older disciple and the Mentor so far of Paul. But Paul just jumps ahead and confronts this evel person! - 

The sorcerer - he tries to turn the consul away from faith. I guess, because then the consul is no more dependent on the sorcerer, which he did not like. Do i turn people away from faith - some how - in a little way - because i want to have influence ore the control? DO I BIND PEOPLE TO ME, SO I HAVE CONTROL, INFLUENCE, IMPORTANTS..

Te proconsul - he is intelligent. It certainly helped him to see, that Paul was very effective in dealing with the sorcerer. But in the end he is listening to the teaching!

It helped me as well to see, this guys do not just talk about the Bible but life the Bible AND the Bible is effective in very different areas in their lives.

DO PEOPLE SEE, THAT THE BIBLE IS EFFECITVE IN MY LIFE?

~ Am i waiting till someone else is making a strong point about something, just because i am the youngest ore am i filled with the holy spirit - and i speak fearless?

~ Am i controlling people?

~ Am i living a life which makes visible how effective the Bible is - can people see?

Act13,1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

~The Holly Spirit is talking to 3prophets in Antioch about Barnabas&Saul.
~The Holly Spirit is not talking directly to Barnabas&Saul.
~The Holly Spirit knew before, that Barnabas&Saul will end up in strong dispute and part form each other.
~Even the Holly Spirit selected them together - later on they will still depart from each other. They will not stay faithful to this Plan.

~But three guys had the same vision about Barnabas&Paul > So it was true.
~Then they send them off - GO! - And they GO!
~>Am i doing, what i know i am supposed to do?

Herodes eaten by Worms

Acts12,19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. 20 He had been quarrelling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, This is the voice of a god, not of a man. 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread. 25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.
He is seeking Peter and can not find him!
He killed all the 16guards, who could not do anything against the angle!
He is angry with some people but they come and are nice to him. Even they say you are God. Herod is not saying NO!
An Angle is striking him/worms are eating him alive/Herod died on the spot/
BECAUSE HE DID NOT GIVE PRAISE TO GOD! > Herod can arrest disciples. Herod can kill James, Herod can take Peter: Nothing happens. But then he is accepting, that the people call out he is God - and then God strikes him down! > This is quiet something. Never append again. Even the Emperors can just proclaim, that they are God-Son - nothing happens. But Herod dies right here. I do not understand!
V24 The Word speeds
HOW IS THAT TODAY IN BERLIN! AM I PART OF THE WORD SPREDING PHENOMENA? I WANT TO!!!
V25Barnabas,Saul and John Mark are coming back to Jerusalem after finishing their mission.
How long did they work in Antiochia? The news about their service went surely ahead. How did the image of Paul slowly change? Who did he feel coming home to Jerusalem? Did they come under cover? 

Barnabas find Paul

Acts10,25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. Stand up, he said, I am only a man 

Cornelius and the Engle

Peters Vision in Joppe

Acts12,1 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. Quick, get up! he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, Put on your clothes and sandals. And Peter did so. Wrap your cloak around you and follow me, the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating. 12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognised Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, Peter is at the door! 15 You're out of your mind, they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, It must be his angel. 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. Tell James and the brothers about this, he said, and then he left for another place. 18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, > how am i connected to the church in my heart? Do i belong to the church ore is the church something about me, part of all the other things i do? When i see ones how Jesus will come again for his church - will i feel then the same as i feel now about the church?
intending to persecute them. > Herod intended to persecute the church! What ever we people do it is intention - nothing more. If God does not let it happen it will never happen.
What is my intention for today?
He killed James the Brother of John - one of the three who could see all the most intimate moments Jesus had. James was dead - he was no more.
When he saw > Herod saw how the Jews liked it. Even he did things during a festival. Killing was fine for the Jews but not healing. How hypocritical am i, was i yesterday?
Herod takes Peter in > Maybe he really had a plan to go after the leaders. Maybe he went for the biggest spectacle. Interesting how unprotected this disciples were. Just living openly in Jerusalem. NO FEAR. Do i life openly ore in fear, hided somehow?
by four squads of four soldiers each > The protection of Peter was so high and strong. Only a miracle can help him. What is imprisoning me? IT IS NOT STRONG ENAUGH FOR GOD! the story of B. really moved me. He prayed earnestly for God. HIM. God set him free! JUST LIKE THIS!
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. > The world is aggressive but we CAN PRAY - how beautiful. The violent world doing all kind of things but we are just praying. DID I PRAY TODAY?
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. > Peter was sleeping. He was not even praying. No fear. Maybe he was kind of looking forward that it will end now for him. Heaven. No more street preaching. No more loving difficult peoples. No more sweat. No more tiredness. Peter really surrendered. Am i surrendered for today? 
Suddenly > If God is coming - it will always be suddenly. We will not see him coming from far. being able to prepare our self. He will just be here in a instant.
1. God so will never be to late. because he can just be here right now.
2. God will never be hindered by the physics of the world
3. God will never sleep like as and realize things to late
A) GOD IS HERE - am i aware of HIM?
an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. > God appears powerful. The disciple are praying somewhere. If we would have a split screen. 2 pictures at the same time in a Cinema. One side the world: soldiers, angry, mean, powerful King, chains, iron doors, walls in big heavy stones... other side. People in a candle room, dark. tears, questions running through their heart, hurts but on their knees praying, talking to someone, but he is not visible. Which group looks more powerful? To which group would you go for protection?
BUT GOD MOVES POWERFUL FOR THE PRAYER.
Today: It is not my strength and my wisdom. It is God talking to someone. IF GOD IS NOT TALKING - what should we do? Am i desperate? Am i really realizing that every thing we do here in every moment it is only possible because God gave as the strength. ONLY
I AM NOT DESPERATE ENAUGH!
GOD HELP ME!
OPEN MY EYES!
no excuse anymore!
He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. > An Angle lights up the hole prison. But everybody is not realizing it. THEY ALL SLEEP! Even Peter, the Apostle who walked on water. He does not see the light.
GOD HELP ME TO SEE THE LIGHT!
Quick, get up! he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, Put on your clothes and sandals. And Peter did so. Wrap your cloak around you and follow me, the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison > The Angel talks to Peter like he is a little child. The angle is not talking to Peter like is the mature wise and great leader of the church in Jerusalem who just helped 3000 at ones to become disciple - world record till this day - now like to child. "Get up - Quick. Now put your clothes on and your sandals. Now wrap your cloak around you. Now follow me" Step by step!
If i want to experience a miracle with God, i do not believe, that i will experience on my way. I will experience it on GOD's way only. To experience miracles i need to became a child again. The kingdom of heaven is only for children not for adults. To become like children is as important, that i forgive ore that i am baptized... otherwise i am not be able to be saved.
Wisdom does not make me a great disciple. Wise people are all over the world. But where are the people who believe and love?
but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. > Peter was not excepting to be saved. He's faith did not make the difference. It was God and God's plan. But Peter was surrendered to God's plan.
Am i surrendered to what God has in mind for my life? For today?
They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. > This is clearly something impossible. No human can do that. No one excepted it. BUT GOD CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE - what would be the impossible today he should do for me?
When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. > What a walk - a length of a street walking side by side with an Angle. Then he is away. I can do it now without visible contact. 
Today i do not see an angle. So i can do it. If it becomes very hard and difficult. God provides help. Is that my faith!
Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating. > If God would let me today to come to myself - what would i realize about my life?
12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognised Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, Peter is at the door! 15 You're out of your mind, they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, It must be his angel. 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. Tell James and the brothers about this, he said, and then he left for another place. 18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. > I can see, that they prayed but they did NOT EXPECT, that Peter would come free. Their faith was different ore not their.
HOW AMAZING.
I DO NOT NEED TO BE PERFECT IN MY PRAYER AND MY FAITH. GOD IS PERFECT> WILL I PRAY THEN TODAY?

Acts11,19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem toAntioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

They who were scattered shared faith every where but only to Jews BUT then it happened that some start sharing also with the Greeks. This happened HOWEVER. > We do not know how they came to the conclusion, that the pagans are allowed to hear the Gospel as well. No Vision is recorded.

And the Lord's hand was with them - many became Christians.

<> Out of my control great things will happen - GOD WILL MAKS GREAT THINGS HAPPEN!

And then people in Jerusalem heard about and they send Barnabas to encourage them.

He says:"remain true to the Lord with your their hearts." 

<> Am I true to the Lord with all my heart?

Barnabas: A good man, full of the Holly Spirit and faith.

<> A description of Barnabas - [compared to Paul?]: What would be the description of me? 

Barnabas is looking for Paul.

<> He is looking for Paul, almost forgotten person in Tarsus - living somewhere. What has he done in all this month? Barnabas saw a need in Antioch but also he had Paul still on his heart and went looking for him because he maybe remembered his ability to teach and prove Christ form the Scripture... Barnabas loved people. Barnabas thought not, that he can do the things alone. Barnabas was used by God to help Paul grow into what God wanted do through him.

Barnabas becomes small - Paul becomes all known. How did Barnabas feel about it?

Would i be fine with a development like this?

They went together to Antioch and teach a great number of disciples.

Then Agabus is coming: famine predicting

The disciples from Antioch start to contribute for the disciples in JERUSALEM!!!

<> The mother church of all needs help. The pagen Christian from Antioch help. the youngest help the oldest.

Acts11,1 The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticised him 3 and said, You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them. 4 Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8 I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.' 10 This happened three times, and then it was pulled up to heaven again. 11 Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptised with water, but you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God? 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.

V5 in a trance = und ich sah in einer Verzückung /// This is the prayerlife of Peter: It really was something else then what i so often do. In trance: i think i never even was there. I had great moments of closeness while i prayed but trance ... I think i take this for today out of this passage: In my prayer life, is God even 'able' to say anything to me?
>>I can pray and be completely in Gods presents - flying - experiencing him -!

Acts10,34 Then Peter began to speak: I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism
35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen- by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. 48 So he ordered that they be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

What i see:

>God accepts who fears him and does right[Paul?] ... Do i fear God more then man? Am i doing right?

>Telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, Lord of all : PEACE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST ::: Do i have peace now?

>V37 Peter tells them:"You know what has happened .... after the baptism of John[its is maybe 3years ago - but they knew!!!]" ::: How does my knowledge about the life of Jesus from Nazareth effect my life?

>God anointed Jesus >>? With holy Spirit AND POWER ::: I miss power so often!

>healing all...because God was with him ::: GOD IS WITH ME/GOD BE WITH ME! 

>We are witnesses of everything he did >> It is history not myth - 'of every thing he did!!!'Miracles ::: God do miracles in this days!

>killed, dead, God raised him - seen by witnesses ::: History not myth!!!Miracles ::: God do miracles in this days!

>HE commanded us ::: Do i know the command of Jesus? Do i love God with all my heart, soul mind strength? Do i love my neighbor  as my self?

>Preach the gospel/testify ::: i thought love my neighbor is the command of Jesus. BUT Peter is more specific about how to love. How do effectively love my neighbor! PREACH THE GOSPEL!

>They received the holy spirit/they were baptized! Even they had the holy spirit already. Peter just did every thing Jesus commanded and did not think it is fine just like this.... Do i every thing i know i have to do in order to do the commandments of Jesus?