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OK, gang – it seems some of my study topics have been real duds (not generated a lot of interest) but let me try another one:

Acts 8:28-30
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.
 
We know from a little earlier in the Chapter (8:26) that the Lord led Philip south on the road to Gaza.  Exactly how far south it doesn’t really tell us, although the same verse tells us it was in the desert, (and obviously by a body of water since he baptized the eunuch). Azotus, the Greek name for the city of Ashdod was a Philistine city (Josh. 15:47), and is about midway between Gaza and Joppa (or Jaffa), and 3 miles from the Mediterranean.  Taking this into account, Philip may have been fairly close by Azotus.  

In verse 29; “…the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away”.   Do you think this means Philip was ‘divinely transported’ to Azotus, or did he simply leave the water without the eunuch noticing and walk a short distance to the city? If he was 'divinely transported' it is quite a miracle! Other than Elijah, Enoch and of course Christ Himself, is there any biblical evidence of others being ‘divinely transported’?  

Judge  



 Beam me up

John 6:21-25

21 Then they willingly received him into the ship: and was at the land whither they went.

22 The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but immediately the ship that his disciples were gone away alone;

23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
KJV

Ah, Reba, dear Reba;
How dost thou try to annoy me?
Let me count the ways;

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ....

















247, 248, 249, 250, 251....
















663, 664, 665, 666

Yes, we are aware that Jesus "beamed" around...

But - do you think Philip was "beamed" from the Gaza Road to Azotus.  ???

Judge  the Words of Christ to Saul/Paul where.....

Acts 9:4-5

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
KJV


 Was it Jesus Saul was throwing rocks at? Or was it Stephen Etc?  

Could it be  Phil and who ever wrote the book of Acts ( that is a can of worms hehe and i aint fishing) understood the true meaning what it is to truly be ONE WITH HIM?  John climbed out of a pot of boiling oil... and  if  Scotty can do it  Jesus surly can...

Dear Reba, you tickle me to death.

FYI - Acts was written by Luke - prior to the writing of the Gospel of Luke.  At least that is the popular "Protestant" opinion, (sorry - I am unqualified to give you the Catholic opinion) and if you read them consecutively you will find the writing style supports that opinion.

I attribute the basic "yes" and "no" answers on this forum to you, and I ain't got one yet.  ;D

 I have been around forums for about 4 years now and have learned that everything is can of worms.  It is interesting how much infulence the Greek Doctor has on the church.

Matt 5:37

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
KJV
 :P

lol...you guys kill me!   :D

You dont think i REALLY made him mad ya  Tim?

Reba I think our new job description is “entertain Tim”.

Perhaps a key to understanding here is the word caught.

It is the same word used in Thessalonians for what many refer to as the rapture.

Strong's Number: 726
Transliterated: harpazo
Phonetic: har-pad'-zo

Text:  from a derivative of 138; to sieze (in various applications): --catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

The Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away. It does not say the Spirit put him in Azotus, but that Philip was found there.

Off hand with out much research can not think of any other instances like this other than the ones already mentioned.



Ollie

Your still posting... 8)

LOL...yes and doing a great job!  I'm lovin it...<cue mcdonalds music> da da da da da!

Bro. Ollie:

You are quite right in focusing on the words "caught up". This supernatural catching away or snatching up was true for Philip and will be true for us at the Rapture.  In the meantime are we preaching the Gospel as diligently as the evangleist Philip, or are we caught up in the things of this world and trivial pursuits.  May we all remember daily that the Rapture is followed by the Judgement Seat of Christ, at which each one of us who trusted in Him will give account.

Acts 5:19-23

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
KJV


Trekkie

Good one Reba!  I had forgotten about that scripture!  (Obviously.)

Trekkie!!!!  You kill me Reba.  Pleas help me off the floor now...


PS - I note it only took you A MONTH to find that scripture!  ;D

It might have seemed like somebody beamed them up (to the guards, at least) but an angel opening the doors of the prison and being caught up by the Lord are not exactly the same thing.

When it says "brought them forth", does that mean they just walked out of the prison? Or that the angel "transported" them out? If the angel transported them out, why did he need to open the doors?

Just a thought.

Gracey  :)

 Hey Judge,


 Scotty is now beaming Gracey up   ;D

 8)

uhhh, Scotty has been beaming Gracey up for a long time now  ;D

Gen 19:16

16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
KJV

Gen 19:29

29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
KJV