Part 18

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The Acts of the Hebrews – Part 18

1. Pricilla and Aquilla
2. power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 
3. Repentance brings forth remedy.
4. יהוה turned clay into men, while the despots turn men into clay – Dan. 2 the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: it’s a bio weapon that divides the seed of men…before the return of the Son of Man. 
5. Living contrary to the law…which law?

18:1 After these things Shaul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; because Claudius had commanded all Yahudim to depart from Romiyah and they came to them. 3 And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together: for by their occupation they were makers of prayer shawls. 

1. Pricella and Aquilla

1. Devout, Spirit filled women and their role within the assembly…we meet Priscilla. 

1. Cor 14:34 Let your women (the woman) keep silent in the congregations: for it is not permitted for them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the Torah.

Translators assume “women” in the text is a singular class noun relating to all women whereas the text doesn’t say that, it could just as well mean a particular woman, which would be more in line with Torah.

An example: Phoebe a diakonos 

This role doesn’t appear to be held by any males.

Later in Romans Priscilla is mentioned before her husband Aquila, she’s a fellow worker.

Rom 16:I commend to you Phoebe our Yisraelite sister, who is an diakonos of the congregation that is at Cenchrea: 2 That you receive her in vuvh, as becomes Yisraelite kidushim, and that you assist her in whatever business she has need of: for she has been a great help to many, and to myself also. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aqulas my helpers in Moshiach gauvh: 4 Who have for my chayim laid down their own necks: for whom not only I give hodu, but also all the congregations of the Yisraelite nations. 5 Likewise greet the congregation that is in their bayit. Greet my well beloved Epainetos, who is the bikkurim of Achayah to the Moshiach. 6 Greet Miryam, who worked very hard for us. 7 Greet Andronikos and Junia, my relatives, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles.

Junia/Iounia a woman not Junias a man! Outstanding among the apostles, i.e. she was an apostle.

2. power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. 

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Shabbat, and persuaded the Yahudim and the Greeks. 5 And when Sila and Timtheous were come from Makedonia, Shaul was pressed in the Ruach, because the Yahudim opposed and blasphemed as he testified that gauvh was the Moshiach. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook off his garment, and said to them, Your dahm be upon your own heads; I am clean: from now on I will go to the nations.

As always the Synagogue of S.a.tan erupts and becomes vicious and abusive with libelous attacks. 

Here’s where we stand in the same frame as Paul, Silas and Timothy: those who seek absolute power, even though they may have started out seeking it to do what they regarded as good, are now simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth. 

Therefore: Absolute power attracts the corruptible. 

Thus: If absolute power corrupts absolutely, absolute powerlessness makes us pure! 

3. Repentance brings forth remedy.

Therefore: It’s better to accept and humble ourselves, the greedy and corrupt will naturally interpret it as powerlessness, yet we can be absolved and vindicated free to live a pure life before our Elohim. 

When the Holy Spirits reveals that to us…then our deliverance is nigh at the very door, it’s truly remarkable…and much to the consternation of our enemies, we have the ability to emerge from the heat unscathed – all glory to יהוה. Equity rather than arguments! V.15. 

We don’t need to defend ourselves when יהוה is our shield and banner and Equity is our remedy just waiting for us to step into it! 

4. יהוה turned clay into men, while the despots turn men into clay

יהוה turned clay into men, while the despots turn men into clay. 

7 And he departed there, and entered into a certain man’s bayit, named Justus, one that worshipped vuvh, whose bayit was next to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the rabbi of the synagogue, believed on gauvh with all his bayit; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were immersed.

It’s not too late for those in power to repent and come to the knowledge of the Living יהוה. 

The Jews lost the president of their synagogue, Crispus, his entire household came to faith, it’s so dramatic that we find it written of here again in: 1 Cor 1:14 I thank יהוה that I Mikvaed none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had Micvaed in mine own name.

v.6 he shook off his garment, and said to them, Your dahm be upon your own heads; I am clean: from now on I will go to the nations.

Paul of course referring to: Neh 5:13 I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised יהוה . And the people did according to this promise. 

9 Then spoke the Master vuvh to Shaul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent: 10 For I am with you, and no man shall attack you to hurt nations with you: for I have many people in this city. 11 And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching the word of vuvh among them.

In 1 Cor 2:3 he says: “I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling” 

יהוה in his mercy sends Paul an encouraging vision, “do not be afraid; keep speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you.” 

We can face tremendous pressured be under serious threats, but with יהוה on our side there is no need to fear…châzaq-’âmats; strong & courageous! 

חזק châzaq –

to seize strength for support. To harden yourself – to become stiff hearted when sore, to become louder and stronger, enabling a repair to the breaches of your weaknesses and mistakes. 

אמץ’âmats –

Mem –  water representing might or mental strength of courage and determination, to be mentally strong, firm, obstinate in the face of attack. By withstanding you will be able to squeeze something out of its hidden place, delivering your enemies to judgment…just as when a seed of grain is squeezed the chaff is removed for burning

Châzaq-’âmats; Be strong & courageous! 

12 And when Gallio was the proconsul of Achayah, the unbelieving Yahudim made insurrection with one accord against Shaul, and brought him to the mishpat bema, 13 Saying, This fellow persuades men to worship tvkt contrary to the law. 14 And when Shaul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Yahudim, If it were a matter of criminal wrong, or wicked lewdness, O you Yahudim, there would be a reason that I should listen to you: 15 But if it is a question of words and names, and of your law, you can settle it; for I do not wish to be a judge of such matters.

Again we find the devils employ a legal attack, not a physical riot! They brought Paul before the bema, or place of judgment. This was an actual judicial bench in city forum where cases were held. 

We often go back to the Council of Nicea and blame all the confusion and development of compromised Christianity there