From Old Testament times, the Jewish people knew that only God and his Messiah could open the eyes of the blind. However, over their long history, it had never happened. Therefore, when Jesus healed the eyes of a man born blind in John 9:1-41, he caused quite a stir. Some rejected the miracle as spurious, but the healed man held firm to what he knew to be true: "I was blind, and now I see." This is the same testimony of the simplest Christian whose spiritual eyes Jesus has opened to the truth. (sermon notes)
A small “chance” occurrence that turned out for Paul’s protection reminds us of God’s providential care for his children.
New life in Christ includes submission to governmental authorities, love for the other, and putting on Christ for all to see him.
With the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, we arrive at the end of Old Testament history with the Jews back in their land after...