Study #42: Survey of the Golden Ratio design of the Book of Acts, Part 2

Book 4.5: The Apostles preached the Gospel of Christ to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts)

Complement Part 1: The Apostles and leaders of the Assembly in Jerusalem were persecuted by the Jews

Unique Chapter 1.1: Many Jews of the Diaspora believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Complement Chapter 1.2: The Sanhedrin rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the Apostles

Complement Chapter 1.3: The Sanhedrin rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ from Stephen

Opposite Chapter 1.4: God elected special Jews to hear the Gospel and be saved

Opposite Chapter 1.5: God elected special Gentiles to hear the Gospel and be saved

Complement Part 2: The missionaries from the Assembly in Antioch were persecuted by the Jews and Gentiles

Unique Chapter 2.1: The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the church-planting efforts of Paul and Barnabas among them

Complement Chapter 2.2: The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches among them

Complement Chapter 2.3: The Gentiles of Greece violently opposed the teachings of Paul against idolatry

Opposite Chapter 2.4: Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews

Opposite Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome

The Bible text quotes and the arrangement are from the Kingdom Study Bible, published by this ministry at https://https://www.phibible.org/.

The Kingdom Study Bible is currently being printed, and will be available for purchase from my store in my Facebook ministry page by sometime in June 2021.

Comment: The Golden Ratio design of the Chapters of Part 2 of Acts is “UCC-OO”: one Unique, two Complements, and two Opposites.

Complement Part 2: The missionaries from the Assembly in Antioch were persecuted by the Jews and Gentiles

Unique Chapter 2.1: The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the church-planting efforts of Paul and Barnabas among them

Complement Chapter 2.2: The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches among them

Complement Chapter 2.3: The Gentiles of Greece violently opposed the teachings of Paul against idolatry

Opposite Chapter 2.4: Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews

Opposite Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome

Part 2: The missionaries from the Assembly in Antioch were persecuted by the Jews and Gentiles (12:25 - 28:31)

Comment: The theme of Part 2 of the Book of Acts is persecution from the Jews and Gentiles against Paul and his co-laborers in his missionary work, no matter where they went.

The Jews, in particular, often followed Paul from city to city and stir up opposition to him among the Roman authorities. The Romans themselves generally did not see Paul and Christianity as a threat (at that time), and often helped Paul get out of bad situations, because he was a Roman citizen. Even when the idol-makers of Ephesus (Chapter 2.3) tried to riot against Paul and kill him, God used the Roman authorities to deliver him from them.

The Jews saw Paul as a great threat, because he used to be one of them: a powerful persecutor of Christians, who went about in Judea, imprisoning and beating Christians, possibly even killing them. Now Paul was on the opposite side, and testifying against them! The Jews could not allow Paul to do this, and they wanted him dead, yesterday.

Unique Chapter 2.1: “The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the church-planting efforts of Paul and Barnabas among them.”

Paul and Barnabas traveled through the island of Cyprus; and then the text focuses on their encounter with an evil man who seemed to be a counselor of the Roman deputy of the country: Elymas the sorcerer.

“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by translation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the Faith.” Acts 13:8

While the opposition in this instance cannot be called physically violent, it was certainly powerful (as in Satanic), and Paul dealt decisively with him, using his spiritual authority as an Apostle of Jesus Christ (13:6 - 12). This is the Introduction Section.

In the Body Section, in 13:13 - 52, Paul preached a sermon in a synagogue of the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia, and many of the Jews and Gentile converts believed in Christ, but afterward were chased out of the area.

“But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city; and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their region; but they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.” Acts 13:50-51

Then in Iconium, they preached the Gospel, but after some time, they were finally chased out of that city as well (14:5-6).

In this region, Paul was stoned by the Jews, and assumed to be dead. It seems that the Lord raised him from death, but the text is not clear on this. Nevertheless, Paul and Barnabas certainly received a violent reception from the people of this region of Asia Minor.

The Conclusion Section details the first Council of Jerusalem, which is the tail end of this Chapter, and not the main theme. The Chapter ends with Paul and Barnabas teaching and preaching the Word of the Lord in the Assembly (or church) in Antioch (15:1-35).

Complement Chapter 2.2: “The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches among them.”

This Chapter is the second Missionary Journey of the Apostle Paul, which begins with conflict between Paul and Barnabas over whether they should bring Mark with them or not. It ends with Paul taking Silas instead of Barnabas and traveling through Asia Minor, confirming the new Assemblies (or churches) that he had planted in the previous journey. This is the Introduction Section.

In the Body Section, Paul encounters a troublesome demon-possessed girl in Philippi of Greece, who followed them around. Paul was finally forced to command the demon to depart out of her (16:16-18). This action led to their imprisonment overnight, but this led to the salvation of the warden of the prison and his entire household (16:19-34)

“And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl having a soothsaying demon met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune-telling. The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, “These men are the servants of the most high God, who show to us the way of salvation!” And she did this many days.” Acts 16:16-18

Then, in Thessalonica, the Jews gathered a mob and attempted to arrest Paul and his assistants; but they escaped to Berea (17:1-8).

In Berea, the Jews of Thessalonica came there and stirred up trouble again for Paul, so the Christians sent Paul away, who went to Athens, and preached the Gospel on Mars Hill, where some were saved, and some mocked him (17:10-34).

In the Conclusion Section, Paul went to Corinth, where many were saved, but eventually the Jews once again made insurrection against Paul and dragged him before the judgment seat of Gallio the Roman governor, but Gallio let Paul go (18:10-22):

“And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O you Jews, reason would that I should bear with you. But if it is a question of words and names, and of your Law, you see to it: for I will be no judge of such matters.” And he drove them from the judgment seat.” Acts 18:14-16

And the Chapter ends with Paul returning to Antioch (18:22).

Complement Chapter 2.3: “The Gentiles of Greece violently opposed the teachings of Paul against idolatry.”

In the Introduction Section, there are two encounters with disciples of John the Baptist, who knew nothing of Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit (18:23 - 19:7).

In the Body Section, Paul preaches for two years in the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor, training disciples in his own Bible school (19:8 - 20). Then, some unbelieving Jews attempted to cast out a demon “by Jesus whom Paul preaches”, and the demon chased them out of that house “naked and wounded”, resulting in a great revival in that city.

While Paul was there, a group of silversmiths who made idols raised up a riot in the city against Paul, because of his preaching against idolatry which had endangered their careers (19:21 - 20:1).

“And the whole city was filled with confusion; and, having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the city theater. And when Paul would have entered in to the people, the disciples did not allow him; and certain of the leaders of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him, asking him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.” Acts 19:29 -31

After this, while he was returning to Jerusalem, he raised a young man from the dead who had fallen down from a high loft in the church in Troas (20:2 - 12).

In the Conclusion Section, Paul ended his third missionary journey by preaching a farewell sermon to the elders of the church in Ephesus (20:13-37).

The Chapter ends with the elders of the church accompanying him to the ship.

Opposite Chapter 2.4: “Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews.”

Chapter 2.4 begins a separate group of Chapters within Part 2, because from this point onward, Paul is no longer planting churches as a free missionary, but he becomes a prisoner of the Roman government of Judea.

In the Introduction Section, Paul travels toward Jerusalem, being warned repeatedly that chains and imprisonment await him, which he already knows and has accepted.

“And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean to weep and break my heart? For I am ready, not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 21:12-13

In the Body Section, Paul attempts to appease the church leadership in Jerusalem by joining a group of men with a Nazarite vow upon them; but instead the Jews in the Temple recognize him and try to kill him; but under the providence of God, the Roman army rescues him, and he is allowed to give his testimony of salvation to the same people who had just tried to kill him (21:27 - 22:21).

In the Conclusion Section, the previous event led to Paul being hauled before the Jewish Council of the Sanhedrin, which he managed to divide and cause them to fight among themselves by identifying as a Pharisee in his basic belief system of the resurrection, which was true.

“On the next day, because he was willing to know the real reason that he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds. And he commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.” Acts 22:30

The Chapter ends with the Lord Jesus commending Paul, and telling him that he must also witness at Rome in the same way that he had witnessed to the Jews.

Opposite Chapter 2.5: “Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome.”

In the Introduction Section, Paul is transported from Jerusalem to Caesarea under heavy guard, because of information that a group of Jewish fanatics were planning to kill him (23:12 - 35).

“Then the tribune took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, “What is that you have to tell me?” And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you that you would bring down Paul into the council tomorrow, as though they would inquire something of him more perfectly. But do not yield to them! For there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them; who have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. And now they are ready, looking for a promise from you.” Acts 23:19-21

In the Body Section, Paul first defended himself before Felix, and also preached the Gospel to him (24:1 -27).

Then, Paul defends himself and preaches the Gospel to king Agrippa and Festus (25:1 - 26:32).

The final paragraph of the Body Section details the trip by sea as a prisoner of Rome to the island of Malta, where their ship was wrecked (27:1 - 44).

The Conclusion Section covers their trip from Malta to Rome, and then his sermon to the Jews of Rome and their reaction to it (28:17 - 28:31).

So the UCC-OO design of Part 2 of the Book of Acts is crystal clear: one Unique, two Complements, and two Opposites:

Complement Part 2: The missionaries from the Assembly in Antioch were persecuted by the Jews and Gentiles

Unique Chapter 2.1: The Jews of Asia Minor violently opposed the church-planting efforts of Paul and Barnabas among them

Complement Chapter 2.2: The Gentiles and Jews of Greece violently opposed the efforts of Paul and Silas to plant churches among them

Complement Chapter 2.3: The Gentiles of Greece violently opposed the teachings of Paul against idolatry

Opposite Chapter 2.4: Paul the free man traveled to Jerusalem to witness to the Jews

Opposite Chapter 2.5: Paul the prisoner witnessed to the Gentile Roman government in Caesarea before traveling to Rome

Each Chapter (2.1-2.3) has a clear beginning and an end: Paul goes on a missionary journey, and returns to Antioch. The design is “UCC”.

Each Chapter 2.4 & 2.5 has a clear and opposite theme: Paul went to Jerusalem a free man, and was carried to Rome as a prisoner. The design if “OO”.

The Golden Ratio design of the Chapters of Part 2 of Acts is “UCC-OO”: one Unique, two Complements, and two Opposites. The overall Golden Ratio design of Acts on the Chapter levels is two complements Parts (CC), with 5 Chapters each of “UCC-OO”, “UCC-OO”. This is the same basic design that is found in every Book in the Bible in Division 1.

Notice the break in the content between Chapters 2.3 and 2.4: there is always a break like that between the “UCC” and “OO” groups: that is the Golden Ratio design.

What does the Golden Ratio Design of the Bible tell us? It tells us that God is the true Author of the Holy Scriptures. The Bible was designed, written, and settled in Heaven long before it was ever recorded by the inspired hand of man on the Earth.

That inspired Word of God has been preserved by God for the blessing and benefit of mankind today, and I believe that the Received Text in Greek and the Bomberg Hebrew Massoretic text is the preserved Word of God. In over 37 years of intensive Bible study, I’ve never seen any reason to doubt that.

“But continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them; and that from a child you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed; and is beneficial for doctrine, for rebuke, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be complete, and thoroughly equipped for all good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

“The words of Jehovah are pure words; as silver tested in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O Jehovah; you shall preserve them from this generation forever” (Psalm 12:6-7)

I will begin the detailed study of the Part 2 of Acts in the next study.

My friend, Jesus Christ is the answer to all sins, no matter how vile or how numerous! Jesus died on the cross for your sins and mine almost 2,000 years ago, so that we might be freely justified before God from all sins, and free from the guilt of those sins, once and for all time! Then He rose again from the dead on the third day in triumph over sin, Hell, and the grave!

Do you want to be free from your sins, so that you might have a home in Heaven when you die? There is only one Way to do that: you must repent of your sins, which means that you must understand how much God HATES sin, even the tiniest and smallest sins in our sight, and agree with God that you have sinned and done wrong in his sight.

Tell God that you are a sinner; tell Jesus Christ that you believe that He is the Son of God, and ask Him to save you because you believe that He died on the cross for your sins and rose again from the dead on the third day. This is the Way to Eternal Life! May the Holy Spirit help you to do it right now.

Here is a prayer that you may use. Find a place to pray where you are alone with God, and pray these words with all of your heart:

“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against YOU. I am no good, and you are righteous! I believe that you died on the cross for my sins, were buried, and rose again from the dead on the third day. I want you to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Please come into my heart right now. Forgive me for all my sins, and save my soul. In the mighty Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen!”

If you have turned from your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and only Savior from sin, please message me through Facebook or email me at editor@phibible.org and let me know that you have done that, so that I can pray for you and rejoice with you in what God has done in your life. Amen.