River Valley Torah Assembly

Paul struggled with those Jews who accused him of profaning the Temple (which is similar to the claim made against Yeshua). He was placed in Roman custody in Ceasarea for two years.

In this section, Paul has charges brought against him that are very serious. They are not unlike the false charges brought up against Yeshua when they accused Him of blasphemy. They say that Paul brought a Gentile into the sanctuary of the Temple. They also accuse Paul of being a "kook."

(Acts 18:4 NASB) And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Paul made it a point to honor the gathering on the Sabbath. He would go to the synagogues to persuade both Jews and Greeks every Sabbath. Yeshua did the same thing. This fact is one of the main themes in the historical Book of Acts, but it is seldom mentioned in Christianity. In chapter 19, Paul runs into some men who were disciples of John the Baptist. They were wanting to know what was the meaning of the "Holy Spirit (or "Breath"). Paul knew that this was explained in Ezekiel 36:25-27. Testimony that one received the Breath of the Father is with baptism.

In chapter 16 we start with the interesting event of the circumcision of Timothy. Why did Paul circumcise him? Christianity has some fanciful answers to this question, but remember Occam's Razor. The simplest and most direct answer is likely the answer. "It's still required..." Chapter 17 brings the spreading of the Good News to the world. Where does it start? With the Jews first naturally. Then the Gentiles...

In Chapter 14, Paul continues his missionary journey. He encounters a slew of problems and even gets stoned (and not in a good way). Chapter 15 has another passage that has caused controversy for many years. It has been classically misinterpreted by antinomians to say obedience to the Father by the Gentiles only consists of four things outlined by the Jerusalem Council. This brings up a number of questions: Is Elohim a respecter of persons? Does Elohim apply different standards of righteousness and judgment to people depending on their bloodline? Did Elohim change or change His mind? Why aren't those four "laws for the Gentiles" specifically listed in the Torah? Or could it be that this passage (like so many others) has just been totally misinterpreted by those who promote lawlessness? We think you will agree when you watch and see!

Pardon the issues we had with the broadcasting software. There are some "ghosts" that appear. These chapters lead us into the heart of the matter when it comes to the Jewish people in the day of Paul and their attitude toward the Gentiles. Peter's Dream in chapter 10 told us that Peter did not like Gentiles and he considered them "unclean." This section of Acts expounds upon that fact. Paul teaches the Jews in the synagogue about how Yeshua is the Messiah spoken of in Scripture. The reception he received was "superb!" The Jewish people encouraged him to continue and to teach them more the next Sabbath! But something happened the next week that changed the minds of the Jewish people toward Paul and the message of Yeshua as Messiah. It affected the Jews then and affects their attitude toward Yeshua to this day. What was it? Tune in and find out!

Chapter 9 brings us to the account of Sha-ul's (Paul's) introduction to Yeshua Messiah on the road to Damascus. Keep in mind that this man was filled with rage toward those who followed Yeshua. Sha-ul was a bitter and hate filled man toward those of "The Way," but the Father changed his heart in a direct and physical manner! Chapter 10 tells us of the bitterness Peter had toward the Gentiles and how the Heavenly Father changed his attitude toward them. For Peter, He did it with a vision of unclean creatures. In the vision Peter was told to "kill and eat" apparitions of unclean creatures on a sheet. While Peter knew this vision was some kind of rebuke, he did not realize its meaning until some time later in the chapter. Join us and learn how The Father changed the hearts of these two men in order to help form Israel and the New Covenant!

Acts 7:59 And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!" Acts 7:60 And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" And having said this, he fell asleep. This is similar to the words of Yeshua while He was dying during His crucifixion Luke 23:34). Stephen truly imitated Messiah and walked in His footsteps in the way he lived his life to the very end. Chapter 7 brings us to the account of the stoning of Stephen. Just before his death, Stephen recounts a quick history of Israel just before giving a stiff rebuke of the Pharisees. That sealed his fate. Chapter 8 introduces a pharisee named Saul who hated the followers of Yeshua. We are then told of Philip proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of Elohim and the name of Yeshua Messiah. The chapter concludes with the amazing meeting Philip has with an Ethiopian eunuch. Come join us as we journey through the book of Acts!

Acts 6:1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. It doesn't take long for complaints to start. But they were correct. The numbers were growing. The news of Yeshua as Messiah was spreading quickly and being embraced by many. But there was one group that was being neglected. The Hellenists were those who spoke Greek and had accepted Greek culture. They were among this new body of believers. Just because they were Hellenized does not mean they did not obey the Laws of Elohim. On the contrary, they were complaining because the Law of Elohim was NOT being followed (Deut. 24:19-21, 26:12-13). They thought it was great that everyone was sharing and all the poor were being taken care of, but they forgot a certain segment of widows within their gates. Chapter 5 is a continuation of chapter 4, but it brings us to the sad account of Ananias and Sapphirra. In Chapter 6, we see that while we all are a part of Israel through Messiah, we are all still different kinds of folks. Problems start. Complaints are common. These things happen in assemblies and we see how they chose to handle them in that day. Perhaps things haven't changed much?

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak the word of God with boldness. The people were filled with the Set-apart Spirit and spoke the Word of Elohim with boldness. It does not say they spoke in tongues or that this was a "second blessing." We can all ask the Father to fill us with His Set-apart Spirit and to use us in a mighty way. We have lots of "stuff" happening in these two chapters. To begin with, Peter and John participate in the evening sacrifices. What's THAT all about? Maybe that's not prohibited even after the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Messiah? Peter gives a great message to the people about and how He fits with Israel and their history, Yeshua is that long awaited "Prophet like Moses!" The Sadducees hated that message! They also hated the confidence with which Peter and John spoke. Come join us and learn of the miracles and struggles of these followers of Yeshua.

Acts 2:21 'AND IT SHALL BE, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.' Whoever calls upon the name (character) of Yahweh shall be saved. The terms for "calls upon the name" can also mean "appeals to the character" or "proclaims the character" of Yahweh shall be saved. This fits perfectly with the words of Yeshua. Matt. 5:48 “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. At the time of the beginning of this chapter, we are fifty-three days after the death of Messiah. Messiah died on Passover and the Feast of Weeks (seven sevens) starts fifty days after the Sabbath after the day of Passover. The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost - which is Greek for 50) came after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Yeshua and Yahweh's people were still celebrating this Feast. Notice that they were all assembled in accordance with the Torah (Ex. 23:15-17). Why were the people assembled to celebrate the Feast if it is no longer to be celebrated? There is no reference in all of Scripture that says we are not to celebrate the Feast days. The following passages show the tremendous blessings that were bestowed to the people who honored Elohim through this Feast at this time.

Acts 1:20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO MAN DWELL IN IT'; and, 'HIS OFFICE LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE.' These are quotes from Psalm 69:25, 109:9-15. The disciples interpreted those two passages to mean that they should find a replacement for Judas. Acts 1:21 "It is therefore necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us-- Acts 1:22 beginning with the baptism of John, until the day that He was taken up from us-- one of these should become a witness with us of His resurrection." They wanted the replacement to be one who witnessed the ministry and resurrection of Yeshua. Acts 1:23 And they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. Acts 1:24 And they prayed, and said, "Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show which one of these two Thou hast chosen Acts 1:25 to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." Acts 1:26 And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. Many say that this selection does not count and that the selection of the twelfth Apostle was made by the Holy Spirit as being Paul. That is entirely possible. We never hear the mention of Matthias again. The book of Acts does not have a declared author. However, it is rather obvious that the author is Luke since the "former account" is referred to by the author (meaning the book of Luke) and the intended recipient is again Theophilus. This is the same recipient of the book of Luke (Luke 1:3). The book of Acts is a continuation of the book of Luke. Join us as we study the history of the beginning of the expansion of Israel in the Book of 2 Luke!