In Hebrew, “Beit” means house. “Midrash” comes from the word root that means to seek, to search out, to dig for meaning. A Beit Midrash is a House of Study or a House of Interpretation.
It can be traced back to early Rabbinic literature as a type of study hall filled with the Torah and other popular books of study to learn and examine God’s word. Today, it’s a place where groups of people come together around tables to examine and interpret God’s word.
Oh to have a Beit Midrash near!
I remember the first church we attended as new believers. I was definitely one of those who questioned everything! I’ve often wondered if my old pastor saw me coming from across the room and wanted to duck behind the sound booth!
Unsuspectingly I’d walk up with a smile of good morning, and pounce on him with a question like… If God knows everything, then why do I have to pray? or If drinking is a sin, then why did they drink wine at the last supper, and why would Jesus turn water to wine?
My pastor would graciously answer the questions, and then after my rebuttal, which usually began with a yeah but…, he’d say Don’t take my word for it, get in your own Bible and see what God says to you.
Little did my pastor know that his directive stirred in me the desire to hunt out the truth in scripture! Now, I must confess, I’d usually be searching out scripture to prove someone wrong, but nonetheless I was hungry for the knowledge of God and the truth of His word!
How about you? What’s your question? Are you hunting for answers?
Do you have questions you’d wish you could ask? Maybe ones that you think are foolish but just wish you could toss it out to someone? Me too! So, this morning it’s my prayer to create an atmosphere of learning God’s Word together!
So often we go to church, listen to podcasts, and read devotional only to become receivers of the Word, never getting in our own Bible and seeing what God says to us!
Could we create our own Beit Midrash? Could we ask questions and come together and share our answer? We may not be scholoars or theologians, but we are lovers of the Word, and seekers of His truth.
Maybe you don’t consider yourself one who hungers after His word, then I pray you ask God for an appetite!
So, who will be the first brave one to step out and ask their pressing question? Who knows you just might ask the question that someone else has been dying to ask!
Let’s seek out scripture together! If you ask the question, I promise to create a space for the questions to be answered, blog about what is asked, and facilitate conversation. We can use social media to create our own borderless Beit Midrash! We may not have a table but we have laptops!
“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him,
proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” Acts 28:30
Here is my question from my journal concerning this two verses. How did Paul do this while under house arrest? My understanding from earlier in Acts, not to far back though, Paul is a prisoner.
Thank you Dawn for the question. I will research the scripture, and put together some information for us to talk about it. Hopefully others will chime in as well.
Hi Dawn, I read the scripture, and I thought you might find some answers here: Acts 28:16,18,23.
It is my understanding that Paul was not a prisoner of Rome, for Rome did not find him guilty,(Acts 25:25, 28:18) but when the Jewish leaders protested Paul chose to appeal to Caesar (Acts 28:19). Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, and so he had the rights of a Roman. (Acts 22:24-29)(Acts 21:39) Jewish citizens of Tarsus were granted Roman citizenship, and Paul was a Jew, but born in Roman territory. (Acts 22:3)
Could it be argued that Paul was placed under house arrest for his protection and not his punishment? (Acts 28:16, Acts 23:10) In Acts 24:23, he was given freedoms and the privilege to see his friends while in custody. The scripture doesn’t really say he was in prison, but that he was allowed to have his own private living quarters with a guard posted in front of the door. That doesn’t really prove he was in a prison so to speak like we would think prison such as the one with him and Silas.
The Pharisees feared Paul because of Paul’s influence, and there was a conspiracy to kill him. (Acts 23:12-15) The high priest and the council of elders loved Paul when he was persecuting the Christians, because of Paul’s zeal. Remember him at Steven’s death? However, when he changed the Pharisees turned on him. (Acts 22:5,26:4). Paul had the influence to persuade both Jew and Gentile. He was a well educated man, and a Pharisee from the school of Bet Hillel. He studied under Gamaliel, Hillel’s grandson. (Acts 22:3, 26:4). Paul also had a very powerful reputation. He knew the Law, and he understood the teachings of Christ, and how they applied to the Law. He threatened the Pharisee’s way of manipulation and control, and Paul was bringing change, which the Pharisees sorely opposed, because the core of their order was to preserve the Jewish heritage, culture, and Laws.
One could argue that Paul had favor with those who heard his trial. So they never really found him an actual threat, but more the Jewish leaders a threat to Paul. More than once Paul says to the judge hearing the accusations against him that he’s glad it’s that particular judge hearing the case, because the judge knew the Jewish laws and customs.
Additionally, one could prove that God honored Paul, by allowing him the freedom under the house arrest, because Paul honored authority. (Rom 13:3) Even when Paul spoke disrespectfully to the high priest, he apologized. (Acts 23:5). God’s blessing on Paul’s obedience, integrity, and life of submission to God can easily be seen in Paul’s position as God strategically gave him favor with Rome so that both Gentile and Jew could hear the message of the Gospel. (Acts 28:21-23)
Some things I found interesting was how Paul addressed the leaders in Acts 23:1-10.
And, also, You might want to do further research on how Roman law applied to Jewish/Roman citizens.
This was fun for me, I hope it helps stir you into further discoveries!
Beth,
Wow that was good. It will take a little time for it all to sink in. I know that Paul was in a unique position being a Jewish/Roman citizen. I went through Acts for a period of months and just finished a couple weeks ago but did walk away with questions unanswered.
Paul probably had certain privileges under house arrest because of his status. I just don’t understand how he would make money and pay his own way. Maybe some more investigating is needed.
Thanks for coming around the virtual table and discussing the Bible with me.
You are so welcome. If you read in some of the epistle is talks about how he was sent money from other churches. I know he was supported by Macedonia, Ephesus, Philippi, and I do believe Corinth. I know Dorcus, Pricilla, and Aquila did as well. There are many mentions of his financial and physical needs met. That is all I could come up with off the top of my head without researching it out.
Beth,
That would make sense if during that time it was the monies coming from the other supporters. My mind was trying to figure out how he was supporting himself as a tentmaker when he was under house arrest. I totally forgot about how the others were supporting him too.