Either that or Stam simply once more unwittingly departed from one of the core Acts 9 MAD study principles, here and there, that he himself helped re-emerge.
The principle about Paul's at times seemingly odd words and actions when dealing with Jews, that the following sheds light on.
Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 16:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Why this "because of the Jews..." focus of his?
1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
There is also this principle...
Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 15:21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.
In other words, in Acts 19, he is simply respecting another man's foundation and its members.
Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Put it this way, you're Paul.
Those 12 (Israel's number) are not your ministry.
What do you do?
You do what he chewed out Peter per later in Galatians for - for Peter's having failed to behave towards those Grace Believing Gentiles as Paul would have behaved towards them.
In other words, in Acts 18, Paul, aware they are of "another man's foundation" deals with them as Peter would have; as Peter did with Israelites under his jurisdiction in Acts 2.
Note that they were already disciples, v. 1, and that it is he who brings up both the Holy Ghost and water baptism.
And how does he know that they were water baptized? It appears he assumes they have been water baptized, being that they are already disciples.
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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.
19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Verse 6 flows from verse 5...
19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 19:7 And all the men were about twelve. 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
It appears he ran into these people, began to preach that Jesus had been the Christ, they informed him they were already disciples; he asked them if they had received the gift of the Spirit, and so on.
The whole episode smacks of Kingdom Saints.
Obviously, he was dealing with Kingdom saints, accordingly.
Just as the Apostles at Jerusalem sent for Paul in Acts 13, and so on - because it was not their ministry.
It is ever fascinating just how much is there about all these things to dig out into the light of one's understanding.
Rom. 5:6-8.
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