1 Samuel 24

Theme of chapter: Saul catches up to David and his men at Engedi. Saul rests in a cave, where David lays in wait. God delivers Saul into David's hand be he doesn't kill him for respect of his office.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

Most prominent word: Engedi (spring of young goat)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord sets the basest of men up to rule over us.

Command to obey: Respect the office if not the person who rules over you.

Promise to claim: Christ is the great deliverer as well as judge.

New truth learned: David had his chance to kill Saul once and for all, but he doesn't. Out of respect for the office of King, that God has anointed he refrains from killing him. He allows God to exact judgement on Saul.

1 Samuel 23

Theme of chapter: Saul continues to pursue David in attempt to destroy him. David and his men stay one step ahead of him.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 23:13 Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

Most prominent word: haunt (foot; by extension)

Teaching about Christ: Christ protects David from Saul and from the Philistines.

Command to obey: Seek the Lords counsel on all matters.

Promise to claim: In the will of God is a safe place to be.

New truth learned: Saul just keeps on and on, he is obsessed with killing David and continues to hunt him down like a dog.

1 Samuel 22

Theme of chapter: David flees from town to town. Doeg the Edomite, a type of Judas, tells Saul that Ahimelech the high priest helped David giving him food and a sword. Saul in more jealous rage has Doeg to kill Ahimelech and all his family.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

Most prominent word: Doeg (anxious)

Teaching about Christ: As in the verse above talking about David. This is a picture of Christ drawing the oppressed, debtors in sin, and the discontented unto himself. Christ draws out a people for himself in this day, and is rejected by the world as David was in his day.

Command to obey: lay the problems and debts of this life on the blood of Jesus Christ.

Promise to claim: Christ calls out a people, it's up to us to answer the call.

New truth learned: David caused Ahimelech and his families death by lying to him about being on official business when in fact he was fleeing. This shows how are sin can affect other people not just ourselves.

1 Samuel 21

Theme of chapter: David flees to Nob in fear of Saul

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 21:6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

Most prominent word: hallowed(holy or sacred thing)

Teaching about Christ: Christ is holy.

Command to obey: Do what is right in God's eyes, not mans.

Promise to claim: The Lord protects his children.

New truth learned: David ate the show bread even though it was sacred bread dedicated to God. It was needed so it was used. The lesson is to be practical about giving and helping someone in need.

1 Samuel 20

Theme of chapter: Jonathan has a covenant with David to protect him against his father. Saul continues to try to kill David, and ultimately David has to flee.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 20:3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Most prominent word: confusion(shame; disgrace; humiliation)

Teaching about Christ: God shows kindness to us, not because there is any good in us, but because of what Christ did for us.

Command to obey: Seek the Lord today. Stay far from jealousy as it can ruin a man.

Promise to claim: Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, we are one step or one heartbeat away from eternity.

New truth learned: Saul knows that David is anointed to be king, and is doing everything he can to kill him. Jonathan's loyalty is to David, not to his father Saul, even though it means he will not succeed Saul to be king.

1 Samuel 19

Theme of chapter: Jonathan sticks up for David, and talks to Saul about him, getting him to agree to not kill him. David returns only to have Saul make another attempt on his life, whereby he flees to Samuel.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 19:9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.

Most prominent word: Michal (who is like God?)

Teaching about Christ: Christ protects David during this time against the attempts of Saul to slay him.

Command to obey: Seek refuge in the Lord, not man.

Promise to claim: There is always a price to pay when following the Lord.

New truth learned: Saul, filled with jealousy, just can't help himself trying to kill David. He's consumed by this and seems to try to kill him openly. He certainly is no king, and is what you usually get when man chooses a leader.

1 Samuel 18

Theme of chapter: Jonathan and David become best friends. David has become a might warrior and the people of Israel love him more than Saul. Saul becomes very jealous and tries to kill him. He can't so he gets David to marry his daughter to keep him close by.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

11And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

Most prominent word: tabrets (tamboriene)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord was with David, and thus he became very mighty and well known. He is anointed of Christ to be the king. Saul was the people's choice.

Command to obey: do not be jealous or envious, accept and appreciate your lot in life.

Promise to claim: The Lord protects his children.

New truth learned: Saul was very jealous of David and tried to kill him. He got David to marry one of his daughters. I guess that was the original adage, keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

1 Samuel 17

Theme of chapter: David kills Goliath with a sling and a stone.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

Most prominent word: stripling (boy; young man)

Teaching about Christ: If the Lord be with you, who can stand against you.

Command to obey: Don't keep your eye's on your problems, keep them on Christ.

Promise to claim: Christ came from the line of Jesse through David.

New truth learned: David had a lot of faith in God, and the power of God. He stepped out to fight this giant when no one else in Israel would. He didn't rely on his own abilities, but relied on God to give him the victory.

1 Samuel 16

Theme of chapter: God chooses David, the son of Jesse, to succeed Saul as king.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Most prominent word: David(beloved one)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord is concerned about our heart, not our outward appearance.

Command to obey: Don't judge yourself by your physical attributes, but by your heart.

Promise to claim: The Lords will is always done. He wants a people after his own heart.

New truth learned: Saul is on the way out now. Samuel goes and anoints David as king, and David is sent to Saul to play music for him and they become friends. David is a short man with red hair the opposite of the tall stature of Saul.

1 Samuel 15

Theme of chapter: Through Samuel God commands Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, not leaving anything or anyone alive. Saul disobeys and leaves the king alive and the best animals. Samuel rebukes him and tells him that because of his disobedience he is finished as king.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 15:28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

Most prominent word: Amalekites (a nation of idolators who were bitter foes of Israel)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord is holy. He can love you and still discipline you.

Command to obey: Do not rebel against the Lord or be stubborn in your ways.

Promise to claim: Judgement always comes to unrepentant sin.

New truth learned: Saul just can't help himself. He just keeps on and on disobeying God and making up all kinds of excuses and pious reasoning to try to cover his tracks. Unfortunately for him, Samuel is in direct communication with God and sees through all these politician-like maneuvers. Saul is finally given the boot.

1 Samuel 14

Theme of chapter: God is with Jonathon as he goes on his own to attack the Philistines. A great earthquake and commotion comes over the Philistines, in their confusion they are attacking themselves and fleeing. Saul grows more jealous of his son Jonathon and tries to kill him.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 14:15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

16And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went on beating down one another.

Most prominent word: Jonathan (gift of Yahweh)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord protects his children

Command to obey: Do not be jealous or proud. Be humble.

Promise to claim: God places the basest of men into power.

New truth learned: Saul really shows his character here. Trying to kill his own son out of jealousy. He is a real piece of work.

1 Samuel 13

Theme of chapter: Saul begins his reign as king. Jonathon his son wins a battle against the Philistines, which Saul takes the credit for. The Philistines now are angry and raise up a huge army to go against Israel.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 13:3 And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

4And all Israel heard say that Saul had smitten a garrison of the Philistines, and that Israel also was had in abomination with the Philistines. And the people were called together after Saul to Gilgal.

Most prominent word: garrison (outpost)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord would've set Saul's kingdom up forever, but he would not obey the Lord, and he gives it to another.

Command to obey: Obey the commandments of the Lord

Promise to claim: Despite sinful man, God's plans are fulfilled.

New truth learned: At best, Saul was a sinful selfish worldly man who only cared about himself. At worst he was a child of the devil doing his work. Saul had a lot of false modesty and was just slimy acting at times. He would've made a great politician in our time.

1 Samuel 12

Theme of chapter: Samuel is getting old, he gives his swan song speech to Israel

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 12:20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

Most prominent word: sin (do wrong; miss the way)

Teaching about Christ: The Lord will not forsake his people.

Command to obey: Pray for each other. Fear the Lord and server him with all your heart.

Promise to claim: Unrepentant sin will be judged. The Lord is quick to forgive and slow to anger.

New truth learned: The people of Israel are told by Samuel to not let past sin affect their walk with the Lord. What is done, is done, move forward.

1 Samuel 11

Theme of chapter: The Ammonites come against Jabeshgilead and threaten them with poking their eyes out for Israel to see and to make them servants. God works thru Saul, and Saul comes up and defeats the Ammonites, destroying nearly all of them.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 11:6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

Most prominent word: Ammonite (my people)

Teaching about Christ: Christ uses one nation to judge another.

Command to obey: Seek the filling of the holy spirit daily through prayer and study of the Word.

Promise to claim: If God is with you, you are the majority.

New truth learned: Even though it was a great sin that these people of Israel chose to have a king, God uses Saul in mighty ways.

1 Samuel 10

Theme of chapter: Saul is anointed king by Samuel and presented to the people of Israel as the king that wanted as they turned their backs on God.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 10:19 And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.

Most prominent word: psaltery (water jar; jug; pot)

Teaching about Christ: Christ forgives all the sins of his children.

Command to obey: Don't let past sins affect how you live your life now, or what you can accomplish now.

Promise to claim: God can turn something meant for evil to something good.

New truth learned: Israel is getting their wish now, Saul is presented as their king.

1 Samuel 9

Theme of chapter: Saul is sent by God to Samuel to become king of Israel.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 9:17 And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

Most prominent word: Saul (asked, dedicated to God)

Teaching about Christ: Something meant for evil, Christ can make for good.

Command to obey: Trust in Christ, not on man.

Promise to claim: Watch what you pray for, you just might get it.

New truth learned: The people of Israel are going to get their first king, Saul. God speaks to Samuel informing him that Saul is the man for the job..

1 Samuel 8

Theme of chapter: Samuel was getting old, and he made his sons Judges over Israel. His sons were heathens and cheats. The people of Israel wanted a king like the other nations and demanded of Samuel to get them one. This was Israel's rejection of God as their king.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

Most prominent word: king (royal ruler)

Teaching about Christ: Christ is king, high priest, and prophet.

Command to obey: Seek Christ to be the Lord over your everyday life.

Promise to claim: man's heart is infinitely wicked. God sometimes has to take his children to the woodshed for teaching.

New truth learned: The people of Israel now want a king, just because everybody around them has one. They have the one true God, but that isn't what they want, they want a man to rule over them. That is exactly what they are going to get, and that isn't a good thing, as they have rejected God.

1 Samuel 7

Theme of chapter: The Ark was back in Israel's hands 20 years, before they repented to the Lord for their idolatry. During this time the Philistines beat them repeatedly in battles and were set to destroy them. Only when they turn back to God, does God save them. He hears the prayers and sacrifice of Samuel and answers them.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 7:3 And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

Most prominent word: Ebenezer (stone of help)

Teaching about Christ: God is a jealous God.

Command to obey: do not trust in the things of this world, trust in Christ.

Promise to claim: There is safety in the will of God.

New truth learned: The people of Israel continue their vicious cycle of idolatry, judgement with defeat and destruction, and then finally coming back to God. They seem to repeat this all through the old testament.

1 Samuel 6

Theme of chapter: The Philistines hastily get the Ark back to Israel as it has brought nothing but pain and suffering to them. Levites receive it but sin against the Lord and look into the Ark. As a result 50,070 people of Israel are killed.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

Most prominent word: milch kine (nursing heifer; cow )

Teaching about Christ: Christ is holy.

Command to obey: Fear the Lord, and obey his word.

Promise to claim: Certain judgement comes to unrepentant sin.

New truth learned: The Philistines were glad to get rid of this once prized possession of Israel. It had given them hemorrhoids and killed off a bunch of them. The Levites receive the Ark, but they are obviously still in idolatry as they look into the Ark, I guess out of curiosity sake. This was a direct disobedience of his law, the result is thousands slaughtered. God is to be feared, and out of his will is a bad place to be.

1 Samuel 5

Theme of chapter: The Philistines had the Ark of the Covenant, but it was a curse to them causing great sickness and death, and they began to pass the Ark from city to city. Nobody wanted it.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 5:6 But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.

Most prominent word: emerods (tumor; hemorrhoids)

Teaching about Christ: Christ is the one true God, all others are nothing but idols.

Command to obey: Fear the Lord. Do not worship idols.

Promise to claim: Judgement comes upon the wicked.

New truth learned: I think God shows his sense of humor here, as when the Ark is left in the room with an Idol of Dagon, the next few mornings the statue of Dagon is on the floor broken to pieces. A great plague is upon these people who possess the Ark, they pass it around like a hot potato.

1 Samuel 4

Theme of chapter: The Philistines defeat Israel handily. The people of Israel were out of the will of God and were idol worshipping thinking the Ark of the Covenant itself on the battle field would bring them victory. They were very wrong.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 4:3 And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.

Most prominent word: Philistines (a powerful sea people who settled in the coastal strip in SW Palestine)

Teaching about Christ: Christ cannot be put in a box, cannot be compartmentalized. He is the almighty.

Command to obey: Do not trust in idols. Money, power, etc. are all given by God and can be taken away.

Promise to claim: Out of the will of God was and is a dangerous place for a child of God.

New truth learned: The people of Israel were steeped in idolatry and God moves in and judges them by the hand of the Philistines. Samuel is a known prophet in the land, and no mention is given here that anyone consulted him before going into battle. The lesson here is, before you do anything make sure you are in the will of God. It's not, is God with you, it's more , are you with God.

1 Samuel 3

Theme of chapter: The Lord comes and speaks to Samuel

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Most prominent word: Shiloh (the site of Israel's early sanctuary)

Teaching about Christ: Christ calls for each one of us, it's up to us to answer him.

Command to obey: Answer the Lord's calling, be saved, and serve him. Discipline your children, bring them up rightly to fear God.

Promise to claim: Unrepentant sin is always judged.

New truth learned: Samuel has the same vision about Eli's sons being judged. It would've been a good idea to put a life insurance policy out on those two. It is now widely known all over that land that Samuel is a prophet of the Lord.

1 Samuel 2

Theme of chapter: Hannah begins with a prayer of praise to God and how mighty he is. Samuel grows up in the house of Eli, the high priest. His children are son's of the devil and do much evil, but Samuel isn't influenced. A prophet comes to tell Eli both of his sons will die on the same day.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 2:3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

Most prominent word: fleshhook (meat fork)

Teaching about Christ: Christ would put down the proud, and raise up the meek.

Command to obey: Do not be arrogant or proud. What you have, God gave you.

Promise to claim: There is none holy or righteous except Jesus Christ. Nothing is done in secret, God sees/knows all things. Judgement comes to the unrepentant sinner.

New truth learned: This brought an end to the priest age and a beginning of the king age, as the high priests were replaced by prophets and the people formerly ruled by theocracy begin to be ruled by monarchy.

1 Samuel 1

Theme of chapter: Hannah, childless, prays to the Lord for a son, and vows if she receives one she would dedicate his life to the Lord's work.

Most important verse: 1 Samuel 1:11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Most prominent word: Samuel (heard of God)

Teaching about Christ: Animal sacrifices take place here, pointing to the Christ that was to come.

Command to obey: Pray for everything and often.

Promise to claim: The Lord answers the prayers of his children.

New truth learned: Hannah prayed to God with desperation and brokeness. This seems the way of the lost unto salvation.

Acts 28

Theme of chapter: Paul makes it to Rome, and ends up preaching the gospel there for two years.

Most important verse: Acts 28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

Most prominent word: waxed gross (become calloused of heart; unable to understand )

Teaching about Christ: Paul's prayer was answered as way back in this book he prayed that he would go to Rome, and he made it there by the grace of God.

Command to obey: Receive the good news of Christ with gladness, and accept this free gift.

Promise to claim: God's promises are dependable.

New truth learned: Paul possessed the sign gifts of the apostles. To heal and here in this chapter, he was bitten by a venomous snake and it had no ill effect on him. He made it to Rome where he preached the gospel for two years. As always is the case, some believed and some didn't.

Acts 27

Theme of chapter: Paul begins his sea journey to Rome to appear before Caesar. A great storm threatens to kill them all, but God intervenes and saves them all, to an island.

Most important verse: Acts 27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Most prominent word: Euroclydon (southeast wind)

Teaching about Christ: Christ will bring his flock through to the end.

Command to obey: trust Christ no matter what your circumstance.

Promise to claim: God's way is unto salvation, man's way is to destruction

New truth learned: Paul warns them not to sail, but they did anyway, and a great storm came up that threatened to kill them all. They didn't listen to Paul then, but when all heck was breaking loose they warmed right up to him. He told the men that God told him that no one would perish, if they just stay on the boat. Some were tempted to go, but they all stayed and all were saved.

Acts 26

Theme of chapter: Paul gives his testimony of Christ to King Agrippa and his subjects.

Most important verse: Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Most prominent word: Agrippa (wild horse)

Teaching about Christ: Christ is the first to be and is the resurrection.

Command to obey: Accept Christ. Turn from darkness to light, and receive forgiveness of sins unto eternity.

Promise to claim: The gospel is foolishness to the carnal man. He runs from and reviles God.

New truth learned: Paul gives his testimony and Agrippa says that Paul almost convinces him to become a Christian. Well, almost doesn't get it. It's black and white. You either accept Christ as your savior or you don't. Paul is fulfilling Jesus' prophecy here by preaching to kings.

Acts 25

Theme of chapter: Festus becomes governor after Felix. The Jews still seek to kill Paul, but he appeals to Caesar. King Agrippa comes to town to greet the new governor, while there he asks for an audience to hear Paul.

Most important verse: Acts 25:11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

Most prominent word: superstition (religion)

Teaching about Christ: Jesus died on the cross, and was resurrected by the Father.

Command to obey: Respect the offices of the government that rule over you.

Promise to claim: God's promises are iron clad.

New truth learned: Jesus had told Paul he would present the gospel before kings, and he is now doing that. Given an audience with King Agrippa and his subjects, Paul is given a great platform to deliver the gospel message.

Acts 24

Theme of chapter: Paul is on trial before the governor of Rome. The religious rulers come down to accuse him of breaking the laws of Moses. Felix being a politician wants a bribe that Paul doesn't offer, and Paul is left in prison.

Most important verse: Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Most prominent word: Tertullus (prosecuting attorney for the religious leaders accusing Paul of heresy)

Teaching about Christ: We are acceptable to the Father only by the righteousness of the Son.

Command to obey: Accept the gift of salvation. Either your sins are on Christ or they are on your own head.

Promise to claim: Judgement will come to the unrepentant sinner.

New truth learned: Even in Paul's day there were people like Felix who waited for a so called 'convenient season' to accept Christ. They didn't and don't realize there isn't one. Tomorrow is promised to no one, and that 'urgent season' is today.

Acts 23

Theme of chapter: Paul appears before the religious rulers for questioning. They plot to kill him, so the Romans ban together an army to take Paul over to Felix the Roman governor for what to do with him.

Most important verse: Acts 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Most prominent word: Felix (fortunate; lucky)

Teaching about Christ: Christ protected Paul, although he was continually in great peril through these times, he was kept safe.

Command to obey: Lok to the Lord and his Word for guidance and protection

Promise to claim: God has a purpose and protects his children.

New truth learned: The Pharises believed in the resurrection and the Sadducees did not. Paul played one against the other to take the focus off of him. These religious people started going at each others throats and Paul was then sent out of their hands on to Felix a Roman governer.

The form of government a country has isn't all that important. What is important is that god fearing men are in authority. Without that, any form of government can and is perverted.

Acts 22

Theme of chapter: Paul, in Jerusalem, is grabbed and beaten by the Jews. A Roman guard intervenes, and allows Paul to address the mob. That didn't go over well with the blood thirsty Jewish leaders.

Most important verse: Acts 22:18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Most prominent word: Just One (right; righteous; )

Teaching about Christ: Christ is the only just one there ever was.

Command to obey: believe on Christ and be baptized

Promise to claim: God has a plan and purpose for all his children.

New truth learned: Paul was bilingual. He could speak Greek to the Romans and Hebrew to the Jews. This astonished the chief captain that he could speak in his language. Paul gave his testimony of Christ to the Jews and they sought to kill him, just as they did Christ.

Acts 21

Theme of chapter: Paul continues his journey to Jerusalem where he knows he will be bound and mistreated. He stops a few times along the way to greet and check up on places he has had ministry work in.

Most important verse: Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Most prominent word: chief captain (military officer; commander)

Teaching about Christ: Christ directs the lives and leads those who follow him.

Command to obey: whether you circumcise or don't, eat something or don't, doesn't count you more worthy unto God, only faith in Jesus Christ.

Promise to claim: It will always cost you something to follow Christ.

New truth learned: Paul, through the Holy Spirit, knows what awaits him in Jerusalem, and yet him being obedient to Christ journeys on to Jerusalem. An angry mob who'd like to kill him awaits him there.

Acts 20

Theme of chapter: Paul continuing his journey through Greece and back to Ephesus, where he bid his brothers and sisters in Christ farewell, as he would not ever come back, as he would go to Jerusalem.

Most important verse: Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Most prominent word: repentance (changing of mind)

Teaching about Christ: The sign gifts of the Apostles is demonstrated here, as the power of bringing back the dead is given to Paul as he brings back this boy who fell and died.

Command to obey: give with a glad heart. it is much better to give than to receive.

Promise to claim: Christ is in heaven, but the Holy Spirit is here and dwells in the believer to comfort and help.

New truth learned: Paul knows he won't be returning back to Ephesus, making his journey to Jerusalem. He preaches all night and into the early morning to the church and bids them farewell.

Acts 19

Theme of chapter: Paul continues his missionary journey to the west. Many are saved and baptized, and he gains many more Jewish enemies.

Most important verse: Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

Most prominent word: divers (someone; any; certain)

Teaching about Christ: John the Baptist had a baptism of repentance for the one coming. Jesus Christ's baptism is one of salvation that brings on the holy spirit.

Command to obey: do not believe on Gods made of hands(money, power, possessions, etc.), but on the true living God, Jesus Christ.

Promise to claim: Attack a mans person, religion or reputation, you might not get a response, but if you attack a mans wallet you'll get a retaliation.

New truth learned: The Jewish leaders dogged after Paul everywhere he went. Preaching about Christ and the gospel brought the ire out of them and they sought to destroy him and any others like him.