The Significance of Certain Numbers Within the Bible

The Significance of the Numbers 3 and 7 In the Bible

(Acts chapter 20 part one, verses 1–12)

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You are about to read a brief excerpt from my Christian nonfiction book, “The Social Gospel Teaching Series Vol. 2: the Acts of the Apostles” by Rev. Paul J. Bern © copyright 2022 by Rev. Paul J. Bern, all rights reserved; available from this link

This week, in our ongoing series on the writings of the apostle Luke, we will be moving on to part one of Acts chapter twenty. As we do so, the apostle Paul is leaving Ephesus, and is on a journey through Macedonia and Greece, with his ultimate destination being Jerusalem. Macedonia remained as it was until the mid-fourteenth century, when it became a part of the Ottoman Empire. It remained that way until the end of World War 1, when it became a part of Yugoslavia. It remained that way until the Balkan Wars of the 1990’s, the outcome of which was to have Yugoslavia broken up into four countries, one of which was Macedonia. So it took a total of 600 years for the country of Macedonia, together with its people, to come full circle and regain its original identity. Having explained Macedonia’s background and history from a Biblical perspective, let’s begin this week’s lesson at verse one of Acts 20:

Part One of This Week’s Verses for Study and Memorization

“1) When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2) He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3) where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4) He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5) These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. 6) But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven…