Conrad Gempf
@conradgempf.bsky.social
Author of *How to Like Paul Again*, *Jesus Asked*, and other books & articles. Consultant for: NIV Translation Committee (Acts), BBC Bible dramatisation, Siku's Manga Bible, & Rob Lacey's paraphrases. Retired lecturer in New Testament, LST.
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:7-11 — A minor (but to a historian, significant) shift. Look how vv 7-8 talk about Paul’s party as “they”. In 16:10-11, for the first time, the narrative shifts to “we”. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 16:7-11 NIV
Acts 16:7-11 NIV 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During ...
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February 18, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:7-11 — A minor (but to a historian, significant) shift. Look how vv 7-8 talk about Paul’s party as “they”. In 16:10-11, for the first time, the narrative shifts to “we”. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:6-10 — Probably Paul’s journeys weren’t as carefully planned as most missionary voyages today. But THIS level of volatility was likely an exception. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 16:6-10 NIV
Acts 16:6-10 NIV 6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they...
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February 17, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:6-10 — Probably Paul’s journeys weren’t as carefully planned as most missionary voyages today. But THIS level of volatility was likely an exception. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:4 — This again reinforces the earlier reference to Paul as someone who took the Jerusalem Council decision rules around to the congregations. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 16:4 NIV
Acts 16:4 NIV 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. - Bible study, meaning, images, commentarie...
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February 16, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:4 — This again reinforces the earlier reference to Paul as someone who took the Jerusalem Council decision rules around to the congregations. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:3 — You’d think Luke would have written that Timothy had to be circumcised because everyone knew his MOTHER was Jewish. Maybe it’s this way because people would accuse. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 16:3 NIV
Acts 16:3 NIV 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. - Bible study, meaning, i...
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February 13, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:3 — You’d think Luke would have written that Timothy had to be circumcised because everyone knew his MOTHER was Jewish. Maybe it’s this way because people would accuse. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:1 — Both this verse & 2 Tim 1:5 mention Timothy’s mother was a believer. This overlap doesn’t bother those scholars who think both documents are fiction. Maybe it should. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 16:1 NIV
Acts 16:1 NIV 1 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. - Bible study, meaning, images, ...
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February 12, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 16:1 — Both this verse & 2 Tim 1:5 mention Timothy’s mother was a believer. This overlap doesn’t bother those scholars who think both documents are fiction. Maybe it should. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:37-40 — Barnabas, who’d brought unwanted Paul into the fold (9:26-27) is unable to reconcile John Mark & Paul. How ornery to have a fight with ‘the son of encouragement’! | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:37-40 NIV
Acts 15:37-40 NIV 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with ...
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February 11, 2026 at 7:32 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:37-40 — Barnabas, who’d brought unwanted Paul into the fold (9:26-27) is unable to reconcile John Mark & Paul. How ornery to have a fight with ‘the son of encouragement’! | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:37-41 — Completely unnecessary to his story except to exemplify that, as with the widows back in ch 6, even among those who believed, things there was friction. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:37-41 NIV
Acts 15:37-41 NIV 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with ...
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February 10, 2026 at 8:14 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:37-41 — Completely unnecessary to his story except to exemplify that, as with the widows back in ch 6, even among those who believed, things there was friction. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:36 — This is how the “mission journeys” of Paul tend to start—not as mission journeys, but visits which turn into mission journeys (16:6-10). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:36 NIV
Acts 15:36 NIV 36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” - Bible study,...
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February 9, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:36 — This is how the “mission journeys” of Paul tend to start—not as mission journeys, but visits which turn into mission journeys (16:6-10). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:22 — Paul is one of those who’ll carry the letter (16:4). Later, he’ll write 1 Cor. which, in part, explains this stance on idol meat—it’s not the stuff, but the paganism. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:22 NIV
Acts 15:22 NIV 22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) ...
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February 6, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:22 — Paul is one of those who’ll carry the letter (16:4). Later, he’ll write 1 Cor. which, in part, explains this stance on idol meat—it’s not the stuff, but the paganism. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:28-29 — These prohibitions are not for us; they concern markers of first-century paganism. WE need to steer clear of whatever are the markers of 21st-century paganism. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:28-29 NIV
Acts 15:28-29 NIV 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, f...
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February 5, 2026 at 7:15 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:28-29 — These prohibitions are not for us; they concern markers of first-century paganism. WE need to steer clear of whatever are the markers of 21st-century paganism. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:28-29 — Adherents of mystery religions would bathe in & consume ox blood, use the meat for sacrifices & banquets with cultic prostitutes. None of those vibes, please! | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:28-29 NIV
Acts 15:28-29 NIV 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, f...
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February 4, 2026 at 7:45 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:28-29 — Adherents of mystery religions would bathe in & consume ox blood, use the meat for sacrifices & banquets with cultic prostitutes. None of those vibes, please! | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:28-29 — This is not a case of “not ALL of it, but you must keep THIS MUCH of the Jewish Law.” If it were, we’d have the 10 commandments here. This prohibits pagan practices. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:28-29 NIV
Acts 15:28-29 NIV 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, f...
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February 3, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:28-29 — This is not a case of “not ALL of it, but you must keep THIS MUCH of the Jewish Law.” If it were, we’d have the 10 commandments here. This prohibits pagan practices. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:19-29 — This compromise is genius: Gentiles do not need to act like Jews, but they may not continue to act like pagans. The points in 15:29 are not pro-law, but anti-pagan. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:19-29 NIV
Acts 15:19-29 NIV 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 ...
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February 2, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:19-29 — This compromise is genius: Gentiles do not need to act like Jews, but they may not continue to act like pagans. The points in 15:29 are not pro-law, but anti-pagan. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:9-11 — As a result of his experiences with Samaritans & Cornelius in chs 8 & 10-11, Peter comes to a conclusion that very neatly anticipates the first half of Paul’s Romans. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:9-11 NIV
Acts 15:9-11 NIV 9 He did not discriminate 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 Gentiles a yoke that n...
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January 30, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:9-11 — As a result of his experiences with Samaritans & Cornelius in chs 8 & 10-11, Peter comes to a conclusion that very neatly anticipates the first half of Paul’s Romans. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:7-11 — Peter here reminds everyone of their negative reaction to Cornelius in ch 11. He goes further, though: not only can non-Jews enter, but they can stay, AS non-Jews. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:7-11 NIV
Acts 15:7-11 NIV 7 After much discussion, 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 t...
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January 29, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:7-11 — Peter here reminds everyone of their negative reaction to Cornelius in ch 11. He goes further, though: not only can non-Jews enter, but they can stay, AS non-Jews. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:6-13 — Luke knows that Paul spoke at this meeting, but he only gives us speeches from Peter & James. Luke wants us to know that this is a Church decision, not a Paul thing. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
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January 28, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:6-13 — Luke knows that Paul spoke at this meeting, but he only gives us speeches from Peter & James. Luke wants us to know that this is a Church decision, not a Paul thing. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:1-5 — There is much dispute about this event & Galatians. I think it most likely that the Galatian dispute is part of the problem the Council was convened to consider. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 15:1-5 NIV
Acts 15:1-5 NIV 1 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 ...
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January 27, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Morning #Bible — Acts 15:1-5 — There is much dispute about this event & Galatians. I think it most likely that the Galatian dispute is part of the problem the Council was convened to consider. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:26-28 — The team made it back to Antioch and stayed there for a while. But, as we’ll see, despite going first to the Jews, Paul’s success among Gentiles brings controversy. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 14:26-28 NIV
Acts 14:26-28 NIV 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 chur...
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January 26, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:26-28 — The team made it back to Antioch and stayed there for a while. But, as we’ll see, despite going first to the Jews, Paul’s success among Gentiles brings controversy. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:18-19 — The turn from worship to attack makes sense in ancient shame culture; these strangers “tricked” them, dissed their beliefs & refused their hospitality. So insulting! | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 14:18-19 NIV
Acts 14:18-19 NIV 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...
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January 23, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:18-19 — The turn from worship to attack makes sense in ancient shame culture; these strangers “tricked” them, dissed their beliefs & refused their hospitality. So insulting! | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:19-20 — Luke’s choice of story makes the trip to Lystra look a failure. But there was a church planted there & Paul’s helper Timothy is from there (16:1-2). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 14:19-20 NIV
Acts 14:19-20 NIV 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 ha...
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January 22, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:19-20 — Luke’s choice of story makes the trip to Lystra look a failure. But there was a church planted there & Paul’s helper Timothy is from there (16:1-2). | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:15-18 — This short speech is all about monotheism and the error of worshipping multiple gods & of thinking Paul and Barnabas are Zeus & Hermes. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 14:15-18 NIV
Acts 14:15-18 NIV 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who ma...
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January 21, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:15-18 — This short speech is all about monotheism and the error of worshipping multiple gods & of thinking Paul and Barnabas are Zeus & Hermes. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:11-14 — In the ancient world, Jews (& Christians) were often called atheists—they denied the existence of the gods. Luke loves the irony of god-deniers mistaken for gods. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 14:11-14 NIV
Acts 14:11-14 NIV 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 ...
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January 20, 2026 at 8:32 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:11-14 — In the ancient world, Jews (& Christians) were often called atheists—they denied the existence of the gods. Luke loves the irony of god-deniers mistaken for gods. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:11-14 — Comedic: The Lystrans totally miss the point, probably because of language difference. Just like anyone having language problems, Paul & Barnabas gesture & shout. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 14:11-14 NIV
Acts 14:11-14 NIV 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 ...
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January 19, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:11-14 — Comedic: The Lystrans totally miss the point, probably because of language difference. Just like anyone having language problems, Paul & Barnabas gesture & shout. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:5 — Ironically, Christianity helps unite Jews & Gentiles not only as reconciled in Christ, but also unites them as enemies of the church. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 14:5 NIV
Acts 14:5 NIV 5 There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. - Bible study, meaning, images, commentaries, devotionals, and more...
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January 16, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 14:5 — Ironically, Christianity helps unite Jews & Gentiles not only as reconciled in Christ, but also unites them as enemies of the church. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Morning #Bible — Acts 13:46 — Community focus, not race. “we turn now to the Gentiles” in THIS city. When they reach a new city in 14:1, they again go to the synagogue first. See also 18:9 & 18:19. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...
Acts 13:46 NIV
Acts 13:46 NIV 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 t...
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January 15, 2026 at 10:23 AM
Morning #Bible — Acts 13:46 — Community focus, not race. “we turn now to the Gentiles” in THIS city. When they reach a new city in 14:1, they again go to the synagogue first. See also 18:9 & 18:19. | www.bibleportal.com/verse-topic?...