Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | January 28, 2016
Acts 1:1-11 (NASB) A – RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION (1) The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach (2) until the day when He was taken up (analambanō) to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. (3) To these […]
PHall | January 26, 2016
Paul called Elymas the “son of the Devil.” No doubt he deserved this new name because he was a sorcerer, full of all deceit and all fraud, and an enemy of righteousness who perverted the straight paths of Jesus. And maybe because Elymas wasn’t living worthy of his other name – Barjesus. That means “Son […]
PHall | January 16, 2016
The gospel progresses in Acts in succession to Jews (Hebraic, Hellenistic, Proselytes), Samaritans, and finally to Gentiles (Acts 1:8). This is more than just geographic advances; this shows an advance spiritually with whom they were willing to fellowship in Christ – those far off (Acts 2:39-40). From the comfortable and religiously righteous (Hebraic Jews); to […]
PHall | January 8, 2016
The sermon begins in chapter 7, but the set up begins in chapter 6. One point to emphasize is that the detractors could not “compete” with Stephen’s wisdom, and the Spirit by which he spoke (6.10). Looking at the text, we have combined together the wisdom of a good and godly man with the inspiration […]
PHall | January 8, 2016
Believers are responsible for God’s reputation (Rom.2:24). Because of us unbelievers will want to know Jesus; won’t want to truly know; or won’t even know who He is. Before Paul witnessed Stephen stoned, he thought he knew. After the stoning Paul became more zealous against Jesus. Sometimes people don’t want to know more because of […]
PHall | August 13, 2015
Did Peter and John lie? A good argument that the church treasury is for saints only might come from a passage that isn’t normally used. In Acts 2 and 4, even 5, we have several scriptures detailing the treasury being used for saints. In Acts 3 when a poor person, an unbeliever, asks for alms, […]
PHall | August 8, 2015
If baptism is just a public demonstration of faith, just an outward sign of an inward grace, then why was the Ethiopian eunuch baptized in a deserted area with no other believers than Philip? Why not go back to Jerusalem to be public before 5000 plus disciples? Why was the Philippian jailer baptized in the […]
PHall | January 28, 2015
Some believe “obedience to the truth” (1 Peter 1:22) refers to baptism. Although the word “baptism” is not mentioned in 1:22, why might such be true? One reason is the connections between this passage and 1 Peter 3. A second reason is it is also believed most of 1 Peter is a baptismal sermon. And […]
PHall | December 7, 2014
A strong argument against “faith only” is the same argument against “repentance only” which no one would make. Both faith and repentance are “mind” actions by definition, but not just taking place in the mind when Biblically lived out. Compare Luke 3 and Acts 2 with James 2. We are all familiar with the inspired […]
PHall | November 14, 2014
Acts 2:40-47 (HCSB) (40) And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation!” (41) So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. (42) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the […]