The three temptations of Christ, plus the beginning of Christ's ministry in Matthew's Gospel (but there is a year missing, that is covered in John).

John the Baptist is introduced in this chapter, and he baptizes Jesus marking the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry. Great little chapter! 🤠✝

In Chapter 02 of the Gospel of Matthew, Levi tells the "famous" story of the three wise men (magi -- probably Zoroastrians from Persia). Great little Chapter! 🤠✝

Chapter 01 of the Gospel of Matthew introduces us to the supernatural nature of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the conflict that presented to Joseph, and outlines the royal lineage of Christ (as compared to the natural lineage we covered in the Gospel of Luke). ✝️😊

In this episode Paul and Silas preach to the Athenians, and debates with Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers. It's kind of fun! Great Episode!  🤠✝

Acts Chapter 16 introduces "Timothy," who will later become Paul's right-hand man. They meet Lydia, who works with purple cloth and after her conversion she invites them to stay for awhile. Paul and Silas are illegally beaten and jailed. ✝

Acts Chapter 15 is Awesome! 😎 Luke introduces the concept of "Judaizers," or basically new Jewish converts to "The Way" (or Christianity) near the time of Christ. Judaizers believed that to be a disciple of Christ, one must follow the Laws of Moses (Jewish Law) as well, including circumcision which Gentiles found repulsive. So a meeting of the Elders was convened in Jerusalem, and established the new Gentile converts need follow only four requirements, here is a quote from the NLT (Acts 15:28-29): "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell."</p> <p>I explain each of these in great detail for you, and remember, Jews for generations had to learn and obey many laws, so having the new Gentiles file no laws "seemed unfair" to them. 🤠✝

Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium, Lystra and Derbe, Paul is stoned by rebellious Jews and believed to be dead (though of course he was not, as his time had not yet come), then Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch of Syria to let the believers know of their good news. 🤠✝

Chapter 13 is a transition in Acts, where the first 12 chapters focus on Simon Peter, and the balance Saul who is Paul. Here Dr. Luke transitions Saul's name (his Jewish name) to Paul his Gentile name), as his ministry transitions to the Gentile world. In this chapter we meet the sorcerer who is punished by God, and we see Paul and Barnabus convert many Jews, who are then chased away to begin their Gentile ministry. Paul gives a great oratory on the history of our faith, and tying it together with how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah. Great chapter!. 🤠✝

In Acts Chapter: 12 King Agrippa I (Grandson of Herod the Great) makes a brief appearance as he has James killed with a sword, and incarcerates Simon Peter. We then have an Angel of the Lord Rescue Simon Peter, and the death of Agrippa as he accepts worship from his people instead of extending that worship to God. Great Episode! 🤠✝