December 6-13, 2010

And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

If there is one thing I can relate to, it’s going home. Few things thrill me more than to see the lights of Phoenix after a very long trip. There are multitudes of cities with beautiful lights, but none have the same affect on me as the ones I see from the window of an aircraft as we approach Phoenix. What makes Phoenix lights more beautiful? I know what, or should I say who, is waiting for me when I get there!!!

For the past two years we have been on a beautiful journey together through the pages of The Book. We’ve been on mountaintops and trudged through valleys. We’ve cheered on the sidelines of victory marches, and cried in the ash heaps with those who’ve known defeat. We’ve walked with old friends that we’ve visited before, and gotten acquainted with some new faces that had previously gotten lost in the crowd. As we near the end of our trek through the Bible, once again I see the lights of the city that will someday be my eternal home. It’s the city Abraham longed to see. It’s the city where God promised David his eternal throne would be established. It’s the city that God said would be the joy of the whole earth.

As we fly through the darkness of the book of Revelation, we can sometimes lose the focus of its message. Yes, those will be dark and difficult days, filled with the wrath of God, but we have a promise that will keep us focused on the Light.

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (I Thessalonians 5:8-11)

On our journey through the Revelation, let’s be sure to breathe in the fresh air each time we come to another worship service! When chaos is thrown to the earth, it causes the people of this world to groan and cry out. But angels see it from a different perspective; they see the fulfillment of what God spoke before creation ever began. As a result, their response is one of giving glory to God. The twenty-four elders and the multitude of saints quickly join the heavenly beings and recognize the Lamb who was slain, their Savior and Redeemer. In truth, even today, this is the only way to get through this kind of pain and sorrow. Within the past week I’ve watched a dear husband and wife lose their second child to a rare genetic disease. Their firstborn died when he was 5, their second son was 13. How does this mother who now faces the rest of her life childless cope with such pain? Let me give you a glimpse into her source of strength.

Today finds us a bit happy sad.... Peter went home this morning about 9:30. There were some hard moments yesterday and at one point last night he cried out, I just want to go home! (note – Peter died at home) And this morning God granted his request in a very peaceful way. We are rejoicing in Peter's freedom and know he's already getting reacquainted with Andrew and probably either shooting hoops or running bases. Yes, we now have to figure out the hard job of living without him, but we are amazed at the peace God's given us - as the Word says - it truly is a peace that passes all understanding.

Because He is Worthy....
Juli

GOD never said life would be easy.
He just promised it would be worth it.

But this story doesn’t end there. Let me give you a glimpse into the difficult nights this mother and grandmother face. These words are those of Marge Lubelczyk, one of Carpenter Ministries’ board members and Peter’s grandmother.

As I think over this past week, and it has only been a little more than a week since I came out (to help with Peter), I stand in awe of our God. His fingerprints have been everywhere. His grace has been more than enough. We are enveloped, or as one friend wrote, shrink-wrapped in his love. There have been difficult times of course, but there have been such wonderful times of glory. Last night I could not sleep. Around 2 am Juli knocked on my door. We spent a half hour just worshipping Jesus. Singing our hearts out until sleep became necessary. Much better than a sleeping pill. It has been such a privilege to be here during this most intimate time. Peter is a very special young man whose life has touched many and he in not through touching more.

Today Juli and I went to church to worship. (3 days after Peter’s death) We left after the worship service. It was truly wonderful to be in the body singing and praising our God.

My prayer for each of you is that, as you think about Peter, you will rejoice with him as he worships his God.

Juli and Marge have found the truth of what the book of Revelation is all about – In the midst of our greatest times of darkness, the Light of the World gives encouragement, peace, and salvation. Focus on the darkness and it will consume you. Focus on the Light and He will fill you!!!

As many of you know, I love the book of Revelation and I love teaching it. There are so many facets of it’s mystery that we could dwell on, but what I want to leave with you is the excitement of “going home!” As much as I look forward to the day I will see my dad again, to the time I will meet and get acquainted with my grandson Samuel Jade Gillette, and as eager as I am to spend time with Judson Cornwall, Truman Kelly, Fred Sperber, Frank Prainito and so many other good friends to whom I’ve had to say goodbye, there is only one Face that will make it heaven to me!!! I see His face in each page of the Word, which is why I will travel through it as along as I live. In this life I see through a glass darkly, but one day I will see Him face to face. The New Jerusalem is His city. He is the one who warms its streets and gives it life and light, and every part of my weary soul cries out, “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!!!

November 29 - December 3, 2010

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

I John 1:5

Have you ever stopped to consider God’s timing? Today we go through our emails and delete half of them before we ever open them. Communication is merely a text or an instant message away. If we do happen to keep the communiqué, it is often buried under a mountain of megabytes that may never get opened again. This was certainly not the case when the fullness of God’s time came and the message of the Good News was being spread through the world. Letters were cherished! There was no such thing as a postage stamp. They were hand-carried across the miles and delivered by someone you really trusted. They were passed around and shared as though they were precious treasures. As we continue to go through these priceless letters we realize that one of the reasons they have been preserved is because people in that day valued the price of a handwritten correspondence.

This week our mailbag contains letters from three fathers of the faith - Peter, John, and Jude. This is our second correspondence from Peter. Peter’s letters deal with such practical living. It is truly a handbook for relationships on all levels. Marriage, work, the church, young, old – there is something for everyone! Peter constantly encourages us to lead by example and not merely by words.

Peter speaks to the leaders in the church and addresses them as shepherds.

Shepherd the flock of God among you, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; (I Peter 5:2)

You can hear the heart of the Great Shepherd as Peter goes on to say,

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)

You may recall when Jesus spoke to Peter after His resurrection and told him to “tend My lambs,” “shepherd My sheep,” and “tend My sheep.” Even today Peter’s written words continue to minister as a shepherd to Jesus’ flock.

The salutation of Peter’s first letter causes me to consider without drawing a conclusion. Peter expresses greetings from the church where he is, but he also expresses the greetings of a young man named Mark. Peter also calls this individual his son. I haven’t found any evidence to suggest that this Mark is John Mark, the relative of Barnabas and the one that had been with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. I know Paul referred to Timothy as being “like” a son to him, but in this passage Peter says Mark is his son. We know that Peter was married when he followed Jesus. We also know that Peter was married during the time of his ministry after Jesus’ ascension. I can’t imagine that Peter didn’t have children. Could it be that this one who stands alongside him at this crucial time in his life is truly his own flesh and blood. I’d like to think it is!

In Peter’s second letter you can hear his patient endurance. Along with many others, Peter has been unwearyingly waiting for Christ’s return. Obviously, when Jesus told them He would come back again, none of them were expecting that it would take two thousand years. You may recall quite some time ago, when we were looking at the lives of King Saul and King David. They both were put through test. One test was go and do, and the other was go and wait! We see that the early saints were also put through the same character-proving tests. In the midst of the waiting period, false teachers began to preach heresies that were birthed out of false dreams and visions, and self-ambitions. The test of “wait” continues to reveal the true hearts of men. In spite of the years that have passed, Peter stands assured that the day of the Lord will come and encourages others to stand firm, no matter how long it takes!!!!!

Our letters from John confirm the character of the man. Remember when John wrote his testimony of Jesus’ life, which we refer to as the Gospel of John? John’s reference to himself was always, “The disciple whom Jesus loved.” Love was always at the core of John’s being, and so it is his very nature to write about the love of God. Leave it to John to say, “God is love!” When Jesus commanded the apostles at the Passover before He was crucified to “love one another,” John embraced that command. This mandate is the very heart and soul of his letters.

If some one says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also. (I John 4:20-21)

John echoes the words of Jesus as he continues to declare Christ’s command to us in our generation.

Our last letter this week is from Jude, who is the brother of James. He is believed by most scholars to be one of Jesus’ half-brothers referred to in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. What a precious thought that is when you stop and remember that while Jesus walked this earth, His brothers refused to believe in Him. Obviously, that all changed when He rose from the dead!!!!!! Jude’s letter is small but powerful! His context spans from Enoch, the seventh generation from Adam, to Judgment Day. It is quite apparent that Jude knew the Scriptures and, by the Spirit, was able to weave the threads of their prophetic meaning into current events. His understanding of the power and authority of the unseen world is a topic that the church at large would do well to listen to today.

In my files I have letters from precious loved-ones that, every now and then, I will take out and read. Their messages never fail to touch my heart. This week, as we finish reading the epistles of the New Testament, I pray that their words find greater expression in our hearts and that we are drawn to consider them over and over again. May each reading reveal greater insight and spur us on to a purer walk of holiness.

November 22-24, 2010

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)

Have you ever been to a major sports event? Did you notice that the best seats are always reserved for the most distinguished spectators? Well this week the writer of Hebrews gets us into the elite section of the stadium, which is normally reserved for the chosen few. Our author is well aware of the struggles the Jews have endured because of their monotheistic faith. Now these outcasts are not only forsaken by the world; their own people reject them because they believed the promises of God. They have been willing to let go of tradition for truth. We may think that this is a simple task, but let me assure you, I’m confident that most of the church world would struggle with their faith if they were asked to forsake many of our pagan-founded traditions. These believers were not just giving up worldly customs; they were forsaking a life’s system of beliefs that was the anchor of their religion. Circumcision, sacrifices, obedience to the Law to gain righteousness, all these were now obsolete. The only thing that remained was faith in God and His promises.

As we enter into the Hall of Faith, we gaze with respect and admiration at the men and women who trusted God through amazing circumstances. Each one would be worthy of our time and contemplation. We could stop and consider Abel’s better sacrifice. Not better because it was a sheep, but because it was offered by faith. Cain’s sacrifice of the fruit of the land would have been quite acceptable if it was presented out of his trust in God. God had not demanded any certain kind of sacrifices, and even the Law, which came later, not only recognized blood sacrifices, but produce as well. How could a man who walked so close to God that he was taken from this earth without dying not impress one? Enoch’s belief in the coming judgment at the end of time is spoken of thousands of years later and his prophecies give us insight into God’s plan for him in the last days. But we’ll look more at that later. And what a contrast is seen between Noah, whose faith condemned the world and Abraham, whose faith brought the Seed of Salvation into the world.

Of all the faithful heroes, the Holy Spirit lingers a bit longer when He speaks of Abraham. We know Abraham believed God’s word that promised him an inheritance and an heir, but have you ever considered the depth of Abraham’s faith? Why did God wait so long to give him the promised seed? We are clearly told that Abraham was old and as good as dead!!! I’m sure I don’t have to give a biology lesson for you to understand what that means. And Sarah was well past menopause; so all hope was also gone in that department. What kind of faith did Abraham need in order to believe God would give him offspring through Sarah? The answer is quite profound – he needed faith in the resurrection power of God! I have no doubt that this experience was the catalyst that encouraged Abraham to obediently place Isaac, his son of promise, on the altar when God required it of him. Once again Abraham was confronted with the test of his faith. And what did that faith require? Once again, it required Abraham to trust God for resurrection power! When you boil Abraham’s faith down, Abraham believed IN THE RESURRECTION!!!

Unlike some of the teachings of today that tell us true faith will make everything turn out happy and positive, we find that many of our role models died having never received what they hoped for. True faith has the ability to look beyond this world into the realm of eternity. Godly faith understands that there are times when letting go of freedom, life, prosperity, and things that we think will give us happiness requires greater trust in God than obtaining our desires.

As we run our race on this earth, the grandstands are filled with people who are cheering us on. They are not just observers of the race, they are ones who have run it and know what it takes to win! They understand the necessity of fixing your eyes on the goal and not losing precious time looking at your opponent. That’s what makes our “Journeys Through the Word” so special. With each chapter and each new character, we hear the encouragement of those who have stripped away the things of this world so they could run the race. These victorious spectators are now cheering us on and calling out to us to never give up or give in. Hopefully we are hearing their voices.

As you complete your walk through the pages of Hebrews and begin to read Peter’s letter, I hope you hear his shouts of encouragement to finish your course. Peter’s words are so much more powerful when you put them in light of his life. It was to Peter Jesus said,

Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. (Matthew 16:17-18)

I have no doubt that Peter understood the play on his name and the comparison Jesus was using. The word “rock” spoke of massive bedrock. The name “Peter” signified a small stone that helped to make up the bedrock. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians puts this all in perspective for us.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being guilt together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Remembering and understanding these things cause Peter’s words to take on even great significance when he writes

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture; “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and He who believes in Him will not be disappointed. This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,” And “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense”; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. (I Peter 2:4-8)

If anyone can preach to us about stones, certainly Peter can!!! God give us the ears to not only hear his word, but to discern the heart of the Spirit by which he spoke them. Open the eyes of our heart Lord!

November 15-19, 2010

Coming Soon!

November 8-12, 2010

Coming Soon!

November 1-5, 2001

Coming Soon!

October 25-29, 2010

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. (Acts 20:17)

And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. (Acts 20:36)

We begin our week with Paul closing his letter to the believers in Rome. As per Paul’s normal mode of operation, he is mindful of those that mean so much to him. It is an interesting list of friends that Paul greets in this letter. Pay special attention to how many of those mentioned by name are women. It is also interesting to see the variety of ministries that are represented among them. Paul introduces Phoebe and informs them that she is a “minister” in the church. He uses the same word to describe Phoebe’s ministry that he used when speaking of Jesus, Apollos, Epaphras, Tychicus, Timothy, himself, and others. He sends greetings to Priscilla and Aquila. Obviously they returned to Rome to help the believers they had left behind. I’m sure their time with Paul brought greater depth to their understanding of The Way and they were eager to return and share with those they loved. Whenever Paul speaks of this couple as husband and wife he refers to them as Aquila and Priscilla, but when he speaks of them in ministry he calls them Priscilla and Aquila. Hmmmm! Why do you think that might be?!? Since the two of them returned to Rome, they had begun pastoring a church together. It is quite obvious that Paul recognizes them both in this work. Paul also recognizes Mary’s “hard work.” He uses this word continuously when he refers to his labor for the Lord. Paul said that he didn’t want to find he had labored in vain, and he wanted to be sure the people in Rome knew that Mary was laboring to the point of exhaustion for them as well. Junias was a fellow prisoner with Paul and he says SHE is outstanding among the apostles. Yes, SHE! Junias is a female name!!! And the list goes on. How many other women are found in this list of beloved friends and co-workers of Paul?

At some point in this part of Paul’s ministry he had gotten a response from his letter to the Corinthians and Paul makes sure he answers them before he begins his journey to Jerusalem. His letter is a rich correspondence of joy, heaviness, concern, encouragement and personal weariness. Although Paul has needs of his own, his heart is still weighed down with concern for those struggling in Jerusalem. The collection Paul speaks of is not for him, but for those to whom he will take their gift.

This week we also join Paul in his journey back to Jerusalem. More than just his travel itinerary is given! This meaningful trip is filled with insights concerning believers’ reactions to the prophetic word of God. At what point and how God revealed to Paul that he was headed for prison and would be going to Rome, we are not told. We have already seen by Paul’s letter to the Romans that God had worked a desire in Paul to go to Rome. I don’t get the sense that Paul knew before he began his trip that his journey to Rome was going to be paid for at the expense of the Roman government because he was going to be shipped there as a prisoner. But by the time Paul got to Miletus he already knew what was ahead for him.

Some of Paul’s friends accepted the word with grief, believing they would never see Paul again. Although they were heartbroken, they never questioned whether Paul should be going. Other tried to rescue him from his fate, begging him not to set foot in Jerusalem. What is confusing about this group is that it says “they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem.” So was God warning Paul not to go, and did Paul disregard God’s warning? Or were their words meant to test Paul, like the words Elijah spoke to Elisha when he told him to “stay here please, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” And then you have Agabus! You may remember him. He was the prophet from Jerusalem who went to Antioch and prophesied of the great famine that was coming, telling them to make provisions for those who would be in great need. Agabus’ words were direct and to the point, without commentary and personal thought. This is what God said and that’s the way it will be! End of story!!! Spoken like a true prophet!!!!! But the most important acceptance of God’s word is Paul‘s attitude towards it! He knew what God had spoken to him and was prepared for what he would face. He knew how to grieve with those who grieved, encourage those who didn’t understand, and accept the difficult prophecy that merely confirmed what he already knew. He did not become confused or shaken when others didn’t agree with the determinations of his heart. He did not allow the grief of others to deter him from pouring out his life as a sacrifice to God, nor was he unmoved by their tears. Paul displays a beautiful blend of compassion and resolution. He shows us how to love and lead with a tender heart and a steadfast spirit. Yes, I truly love this servant of God and always enjoy the times I spend walking with him through the pages of the Book. I trust his words are teaching and encouraging you as well.

October 18-22, 2010

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. (Romans 1:8)

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of traveling to Germany with Dr. Robert Cornwall and a couple of other Bible teachers and scholars. Our mission was to teach and encourage pastors and full-time ministers. While we were there, we were given the rare privilege of touring the courtroom where the Nuremberg trials were conducted, and then taken to the prison cells where those who were convicted awaited their sentences. A wing of the prison in operation at that time is still used today, and so we walked in the midst of convicted criminals. Few Germans, let alone Americans, ever get to see these places. We only had the occasion because one of the ministers who sponsored the conference was a chaplain in the prison and had connections that opened this door of opportunity. But in a couple of weeks Paul, our special tour guide, is about to afford us the rare opportunity of standing in Rome’s highest courtroom in Israel, and give us a jailbird’s eye view of life in a Roman prison.

But before we go there, let’s take some time to consider Paul’s last days as a free man. One of the first things we notice is that Paul, even though he knew salvation through Christ, still held to and encouraged the Gentiles to commemorate the appointed festivals instituted by God under the Old Covenant. Although Paul had people waiting for him in Troas, Paul did not sail from Philippi until after Passover and the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also, Paul carefully planned his traveling itinerary to do his best to be in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. Over and over again, Paul taught the Gentiles that salvation did not come through the keeping of the Law, nor through the rite of circumcision. But Paul understood the importance of understanding the reality of those things he had once only known as shadows. He understood that Jesus left this earth looking forward to the day when He would return and sit at the Passover meal with His followers. I’m sure Paul approached the seder meal with greater reverence than ever before, and also taught the significance to those he was with.

Many church traditions have incorporated communion every Sunday using Luke’s passage in his writings of the book of Acts as their Scriptural foundation.

And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. (Acts 20:7)

They have interpreted the words “break bread” as relating to the time Jesus “broke bread” on the night He was celebrating Passover with His disciples. But a simple word study will quickly reveal that this phrase not only refers to the breaking of bread at Passover, but is also used to express sharing a common meal together. My Aussie and Kiwi friends could easily explain this one. If they tell you that they had someone over for “tea,” they’ve just informed you that they had company for dinner. Likewise, in Hebrew and Greek, the word for bread does not merely refer to the substance used to enclose ham and cheese with a little mayo, but for food in general. Like several of the churches where I have the privilege of speaking, this group of believers met on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) to share the Word and a meal.

This week Paul introduces us to several more of his friends. Over the next couple of weeks we will find that some of them remained close companions throughout Paul’s life, while others deserted him in his hours of deepest need. It is obvious that Paul valued friendship and agonized when these relationships failed and was deeply grateful when they didn’t. You may want to keep track of those he mentions by name. Alexander is definitely one to follow! Some people he only speaks about once, while others he has a considerable amount to share.

As we walk with Paul, we enter his world about thirty years after the crucifixion. It’s been close to ten years since Paul began his missionary outreach and was sent by the church in Antioch. Paul has covered many miles, but he still has not been to Rome. How did Christianity spread to Rome? We know for certain that it wasn’t a result of Paul’s ministry. We know that when Paul was in Corinth, he had met the devoted Christian couple of Aquila and Priscilla who had been expelled from Rome because of their beliefs. You can be sure that Aquila and Priscilla told Paul about the believers they had left behind. We also know that there were Jews from Rome who were in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers after Christ’s resurrection. You may recall their amazement when they heard the Gospel spoken in their own language. Obviously, there were those who heard, believed, and went back to Rome eagerly sharing what they had experienced. The only names that receive credit for founding the church in Rome is Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit!

As Paul begins to wrap up his current ministry trip and prepares to head back to Jerusalem, his thoughts are drawn to the Christians in Rome. The Holy Spirit continually brings them to Paul’s attention, and he finds himself continually remembering to pray for them. It is obvious that God is placing a deep desire in his heart to meet these brothers and sisters, and Paul feels compelled to send them a letter. As much as Paul’s suffering and difficulties have deepened his faith in the work of Christ, he recognizes that their experiences also have accomplished a commendable quality of faith in them and he desires to mutually share the good things of God.

For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11-12)

Unlike Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, Paul is not dealing with issues in the church. His words are written to strengthen their faith in the Son of God, and to bring greater understanding of grace and the work of the cross. Remembering that it was Jews who brought back the message of Christ the Messiah after they had been in Jerusalem for Pentecost, Paul is careful to address the areas of misunderstanding that are running rampant in the early church. Sin, Abraham and the promise of inheritance, the Law, the cross, the reality of who Jesus really is and was before He became man, the continual fight between conflicting natures, the role of Jews in the past, present, and future, and the hope of the Gentiles are all topics Paul touches upon. This letter is heralded as the most comprehensive of all of Paul’s writings and is revered for “its wonderful combination of doctrinal, ethical and administrative wisdom and power.” Hopefully you are savoring Paul’s words and allowing this correspondence to the Romans to deepen your roots as well.

October 11-15, 2010

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Acts. 2:9

Mail call!!! Don’t you just love those days when your mailbox is filled with letters from people you love? This week we have the opportunity to watch as Paul writes yet another “love letter” to one of the churches. Last week we observed as the Spirit led him to write to the Galatians; this week it is to the church in Corinth. Once again he is writing to a church that is in a major city, but this city was quite different from Galatia. Corinth’s reputation was not found in its refinement or education; Corinth was known for its debasement! People throughout the Roman Empire who were as unscrupulous and sexually immoral as you could get were spoken of as having been “Corinthinanized.” It was the melting pot for sailors and soldiers. Since both of these groups were often deprived of women for long periods of time, prostitutes and loose women earned substantial livings and found shelter in the streets of Corinth. Parties, drunken orgies, and nightly gluttonous banquets filled with every manner of debauchery were the norm in this city of sin. Therefore it is not surprising to read some of the problems Paul addresses in his heartfelt letter.

Paul’s letter takes on even deeper relevance after we’ve read his communication with the Galatians. As you recall (or may still be in the process of reading), Paul was quite concerned that the Galatians were being sucked into trusting the keeping of the rite of circumcision and the observance of the Law to earn their righteousness. Many in the church world today have used these verses to preach the abolishment of the Law! Nothing could be farther from the truth!!! Paul’s letter made it clear that the only way we can know righteousness is through the sacrifice of Christ. The blood of sacrifices cannot eradicate sin!!!!!! Circumcision of the flesh does not make you a beneficiary of Abraham’s blessings!!!!!! BUT does this mean that the Law no longer has any rule in a believer’s life? Paul’s letter to the Corinthians puts this in clear perspective.

Issue by issue, point by point, Paul addresses some major problems in the Corinthian church. In his instructions, Paul keeps coming back to the source of his authority for his directives. Let’s take a moment to listen to his thoughts.

GROSS SIN IN THE CHURCH

One of the first issues Paul is confronted with is gross immorality in the church; a man is having sexual relations with his stepmother. What’s worse is the church’s nonchalant attitude towards it! You will learn as you continue to read on, Paul treats sexual misconduct between two who are engaged to marry differently than he does blatant immorality. His word is quite simple to those who have committed themselves to each other: If you are struggling, then get married! But his word to the perverted sinner is much harsher. His instruction to the church is to put the man out of the fellowship of the church and not to associate with him. Paul goes so far as to say that he has already judged the man and has turned him over to Satan so that his flesh might be destroyed, but in hopes that his soul will be save. On what grounds does Paul give his counsel? The answer is Exodus 12 – straight from the LAW! As I considered Paul’s words from the Law, I realized that putting people out of the camp in Moses’ time was understood quite clearly. You may recall when Miriam had come against Moses. She bore the brunt of the whole episode because she was the ringleader. We already learned from the making of the golden calf that Aaron was more of a follower. And what was God’s command to Moses? Put her outside the camp until her leprosy is removed, then have her go through the proper steps of cleansing to be reinstated into the camp. Paul recognized the principal and spirit of the Law, but he didn’t give the church of Corinth the letter of the Law.

PAUL’S RIGHT TO BE SUPORTTED AND SUSTAINED BY THOSE HE MINISTERED TO

It is easy to hear the pain in Paul’s heart as he deals with the sense of rejection by those he had brought to Christ. He had paid a great price to bring them the Gospel, and now others were coming and receiving glory and honor, while Paul was being chewed up and spit out. Because Paul had a trade as a tentmaker and was able to provide for himself, he was able to minister without the necessity of their support. We know that Paul did receive support from other churches at various times, but when he was in Corinth he was able to hook up with Aquila and Priscilla who were also tentmakers. Paul gives a clear teaching on a teacher’s right to live by the offerings of the people, but reminds them that he chose to give up his right for their sakes. As Paul makes his case for the ministerial support of teachers and preachers, what source does he use? The answer is Deuteronomy 25:4 – THE LAW!

PROHIBITION OF IDOL WORSHIP, PUTTING GOD TO THE TEST, AND GRUMBLING

Paul goes on to build his case against the worship of idols, and the attitudes and actions associated with it. Paul’s remarks are not based on his own opinions, but once again we find his source of authority in the LAW! He alludes to, or quotes from Exodus chapters 12, 13, 16, 17, 32, Deuteronomy 8:3, 32:17, Numbers 20, 21, and 25, and many more!!!!! But wait!!!!!! There’s more!!!!!!!

UNITY OF THE BELIEVERS

Paul’s teaching and concepts of the unity of the believers as a result of sitting together at the Lord’s Table are amazing!!!!! There is not another writer in the Bible who gives better clarity and greater significance to this sacred meal. Paul’s question, “Weren’t they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar?” encompasses the complete gamut of understanding the spiritual significance of the sacrificial system prescribed in the LAW. Paul had taught in their midst for a couple of years. I’m sure these few statements he made were backed by countless hours of previously studying Torah with them! Hang on, I’m not finished yet!

HUSBAND AND WIFE RELATIONSHIPS

In the middle of Paul’s correction regarding the misuse of spiritual gifts, Paul addresses another area of disorder in their services. Unfortunately, today’s Bible translators have often brought more confusion than understanding. In the middle of Paul’s instructions for properly using the gifts in an orderly fashion Paul says, “Wives should be silent in the church.” I am aware that most translations read “women” rather than “wives,” BUT 85 times in the NASB this Greek word was translated in reference to a wife (i.e. “bride,” “wife,” or “wives”). It is obvious from the context that Paul is speaking to wives. It goes on to say that if a wife has a question she should “ask her own HUSBAND at home.” (Emphasis is mine) I’m sure most of you are already aware that, just as it is in orthodox synagogues today, women sat in their own section and not with their husbands. Unfortunately, too many of them were calling out, “Hey Rufus, is that true? I thought you said…” Paul was simply telling them that they were to wait until they got home to ask their questions. We know for a fact that Paul recognized Priscilla, Aquila’s wife, as a teacher in the church. And I’m sure she spoke when Paul gave her the authority. Paul instructs wives to be submissive to their husbands. And what does Paul base his instruction on? The LAW!!!

Let wives keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. (Acts 14:34)

I hope you will become aware of Paul’s teachings from the Law as you continue to read his letters. Paul understood what Jesus meant when He said, “I did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Paul said it this way:

When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. (I Corinthians 9:20-21)

Paul said that he did not ignore the law of God. I pray that we will come to a greater understanding of what it means to be free from the Law, but not to ignore it. May we find ourselves obeying the spirit of the Law because we are learning what it is to love and thus obey the command of the Lord, “This is my commandment that you love one another.”

A Quick Note

Well dear traveling companions, I think I've finally gotten the blog caught up. I hope I haven't missed responding to any of your comments. If I've missed any, please let me know and I will address it right away. Frequently I am asked questions personally when you see me face to face, but I would encourage you to post those questions on the site. I know that many would be blessed to benefit from your inquiries. Often I'm asked the same question by several of you. If we post it on the blog, then you can print out the information and keep it to study or review. Thanks for trekking with me. It's a joy to have you along.

October 4-8 2010

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Acts 15:36

I hope you are a good map-reader. You may want to keep your atlas handy! For those who aren’t familiar with downloading a picture from the Internet, simply RIGHT click on the map or picture you want to download. In this case, it would be the map above. A dropdown menu will appear. Highlight “Save image as..” then LEFT click, and it will then allow you to determine where you want to save the image. The image will be stored on your computer as a jpg (or picture) file. Once it is downloaded onto your computer, you can either open it by itself as a picture, or copy it into a word document and then print it out. You would do well to have a copy of it to follow as we continue our journey with Paul.

As I mentioned before, Paul was from Tarsus in Cilicia. This is interesting as we read Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Paul tells of his personal journey after he came to know Jesus Christ. For most of the fourteen years after his encounter with the Messiah, Paul was in Syria and Cilicia. A quick look at your trail map and you will see why that is so significant. There are two cities in these provinces that played a major part in Paul’s life. The first one is obviously his hometown in Cilicia. The second is a city called Antioch. As you can quickly see, these two cities were in reasonably close proximity to one another.

Antioch not only played an important part in Paul’s life, it was a key city in the furtherance of the gospel. Antioch lay in the province of Syria and was a city of major importance. It was the capital of the Seleucid Empire that ruled the region before being seized by Pompey the Great in 64 B.C. and brought under Roman rule. It played a major role in Mark Antony’s life. Caesar Augustus stationed a legion there to keep the peace and to act as a reserve troop if any problems should arise. Emperor Tiberius enhanced the city with theaters and temples. Because of its strategic location on the Eastern trade route, Antioch grew economically, as well as in strategic importance. The Roman legions considered it the easiest and most pleasant tour of duty in the Empire.

Because of its richness and prominence, Antioch became a desirable place for migration and education. Diversity of cultures encouraged intellectual achievement, but it was also coupled with strife. Antioch, like all of Syria, became a mixture of many religions and philosophies. Clashes between the Jews and the Greeks began to surface in both Egypt and Antioch around 40 B.C. This was also the same time that the Gospel was beginning to spread like a brushfire.

It was because of the death of Stephen and the persecution of the church in Jerusalem that the believers began to scatter throughout the Roman Empire. Some of them fled to Antioch, but had only shared the Good New of Jesus Christ with the Jews. It was some men from Cyprus and Cyrene, that brought the message to the Gentiles in Antioch. We are not even told their names, but they obviously made an impact on the Greek-speaking Gentiles and large numbers of them turned to the Lord. The news of this influential work traveled quickly and it wasn’t long before the leaders in Jerusalem sent a man named Barnabas to check it out. You may recall that it was Barnabas that eased the disciples’ fear of Paul when he was first converted. When Barnabas saw the magnitude of what was taking place, there was only one name that came to mind that was right for helping in this work. Paul would certainly have understood the culture and climate of this thriving metropolis; he’d lived in it for years!!!

The church of Antioch became a unique body that is rare, even in the church world today. You would find it IMPOSSIBLE to name the one man who was “pastor” of the church. We are given the names of five men who were prophets and teachers in this body of believers.

Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1)

The men who served the congregation in Antioch must have had a unique understanding of team ministry! They understood the concept of sending ministry out from among them, and also what to do with them when they returned. Although Paul and Barnabas were gone for lengthy periods of time, they were still received as leaders in the church when they returned. Those who remained in Antioch were as eager to hear about their journeys as if they themselves had gone. When questions arose concerning the truth of the gospel, they sent Barnabas and Paul as a delegation to make sure they had it right. Once they returned, Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch preaching and teaching for a period of time before they were sent out again.

We also discover that the leaders of this church were equipped to deal with difficulty, even among themselves. We may find it disconcerting that Paul and Barnabas could not quietly come to an agreement in the decision concerning taking Mark on their second missionary journey. It was Paul who felt the desire to return to the churches they had planted on their first journey. As we listen to their discussion, we find that it was no small rift.

And there arose such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. (Acts 15:39-40)

A quick study of the words “sharp disagreement” reveals that this became a rather heated discussion. It is understandable that Barnabas wanted to take Mark since John Mark was his nephew. We have a tendency to be more forgiving of our own “flesh and blood.” On the other hand, I’m sure Paul was aware that their second journey would be no easier than their first! They would face enough difficulty from those that opposed them; they didn’t need to deal with problems within their ranks. John Mark had already deserted them once. Obviously, the other three leaders mention in Antioch let these two men work out their own problems and didn’t become a factor in their decision making process. It is interesting to see that “Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,” but “Paul chose Silas and departed, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.” Although they both left, it only says that Paul and Silas were “committed to the grace of the Lord.” Obviously Paul understood the strength that comes when you’ve got a body of committed believers standing behind you! Antioch continued to be the home church Paul returned to after each trip. Upon his return, Paul would find himself a leader among equals. He knew how to be a leader, without having to be “the” leader. Although Paul was an apostle and father to many churches which he planted, he knew how to come back to Antioch and be a teacher and prophet among other teachers and prophets. He was recognized as leadership when he returned, and knew how to function as leadership in that place until God sent him out again.

It was Antioch that laid hands on Paul and sent him out on his journeys. It was Antioch that was there for him when he returned. It was the leaders of Antioch that understood that each of them had a portion in the ministry of the church, as well as a part in the sending out of the Gospel to unreached areas. It was this group of leaders who saw that the church was not an organization that belonged to them personally, but was the body of Christ, which they were called to minister to. It’s no wonder that it was in this place believers were first called “Christians!” The church of Antioch, founded on Jesus Christ and no other! May it continue to serve as an example to us in this present age!!!

But whatever happened to Barnabas? History tells us that he went on to Cyprus and preached all over the country, bringing many people into a relationship with Jesus Christ the Messiah. As he was preaching in a synagogue in Salamis, some Jews from Syria came, as they had done before, and stirred up the people against him. Knowing that his days were numbered, Barnabas instructed John Mark to go to Paul after he was deceased. The death of Barnabas caused the believers to scatter once again. And as we will later see, John Mark did search out Paul and became a beloved companion. It is no wonder that Paul tells us not to judge one’s life while they still have breath in them. The person whose failure had become the center of Paul’s strong contention, ends up becoming a dear son in the Lord. And Barnabas’ life and death brought many into the Kingdom. God always has a way of working all things out for our good!!! What an amazing God we serve!!!

September 27-Octobe 1, 2010

But Saul, who was also known as Paul,

filled with the Holy Spirit,

fixed his gaze upon him,

Acts 13:9

It’s always a joy to meet up with my old friend Paul. We will be walking with him for most of the journey that remains in our trek through the Word. When I recall his early beginnings and then think of the man he became, I clearly see what it is to be a “new creature in Christ!”

Although we often refer to him as Paul, Jesus called him Saul when met him on the road to Damascus. When and how was Saul’s name changed? I know some of you have already looked at this with me when we journey together on our last trip through the Word. But for the sake of those who were not with us, and also for those who may have missed the information in that blog, I am sharing it with you again. I enjoyed reading it again and I’m sure those who heard it before won’t mind hearing it again.

A NEW NAME

Throughout the Bible we find places where God changes people’s names. A while ago we were with Abram and Sarai when God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. Jacob’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord resulted in being called Israel. Jesus nicknamed Simon, Peter. But when was Saul’s named converted to Paul?

We are often under the assumption that it was during some divine encounter with God that Saul found himself called by a new name. Can you recall any time that God ever spoke to Saul and changed his name? Search as you may, you won’t find it anywhere in Acts, or any other book for that matter. Why – because it just isn’t there! So how did Saul become Paul?

To understand this, we must understand who Paul is. In Paul’s address to the multitude in Jerusalem, his defense before King Agrippa, and also his letter to the Philippians, Paul gives us great insight to his background and upbringing. He was raised in a strong Jewish home, upholding the Law with great zeal. But Paul also made it clear, when he was about to be beaten by the Roman captain, that he was a born Roman citizen. Although Paul was in Jerusalem when we met him, the place of his birth and his hometown were in Tarsus, a chief town in Cilicia. Back then, just as it is today, a Jew who was from another area would most often have two names, a Hebrew name and a name common to the region he was from.

A number of years ago, when I was in the Midrasha College of Jewish Studies in Southfield, Michigan, I was the only Gentile in my class. On our first day of class, we were asked to give our names and then to give our Hebrew name. For some time, my class thought I did not have a Jewish name because I was a liberal Jew. We all developed a good relationship over the next few weeks. One day the question came up as to why we were all attending the language class. When I confessed that I was a Christian and a Bible teacher, once they got over the shock, they said, “So that’s why you don’t have a Hebrew name.” Because they had become my friends, they felt it was extremely important that I be given a new name. With the help of my teacher, they decided that my name should be Shir-le, which means “sing to me.”

Paul would also have had two names; one representing his Roman heritage and also a Hebrew name. When we first meet the religiously zealous Saul, he was going by his Hebrew name. Once Saul had been converted, he tried to persuade the Jews to embrace the truth of their Messiah. Each time he began to influence his people to accept Christ, Jewish teachers and leaders came to turn the hearts of the people against him. Over and over again, the Jews rejected Paul, while the Gentiles embraced him. Paul was aware of his call to the Gentiles, but he always honored the fact that the gospel was to the Jew first and then to the Gentile.

I personally believe the reason for Paul’s name change is found in the last chapter of the book of Acts.

After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel."

They said to him, "We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."

When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, "The Holy Spirit rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, saying, `Go to this people and say, "You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes; Otherwise they might see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return, And I would heal them." "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."

When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves. And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.

At this point in Paul’s ministry, he knew he had fulfilled the need to bring the message to the Jews first. He purposed from this time forth, that he would freely go to the Gentiles without further obligation to the Jews. When Paul writes to the Philippians, he describes every aspect of his Judaism. When he is done proving that he truly had been a Jew of Jews, he goes on to say that he counted all those things as rubbish so that he may gain Christ and his righteousness. I am persuaded that Paul was determined to demonstrate it was not Judaism and the Law that caused a man to be right with God, but it was only relationship with the crucified One that mattered. So strong were his convictions, that “Saul” did the unthinkable! He gave up his Hebrew name and only went by his Roman one. This would speak volumes to the Gentiles, as well as the Jews!

So in conclusion, why is there no account of God changing Saul’s name? Because He didn’t! Saul laid down every aspect of his Judaism for the sake of the gospel, including his coveted Hebrew name! The question is. what are we willing to lie down for the sake of the Gospel?

4th Quarter Reading Schedule

We've gotten word that some of you do not have the 4th quarter reading schedule. I will post the list for those who are using the Chronological Bible and at the end I will post the chart for those who are using other Bibles. We're almost there, so don't give up now!!!!!

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE
Date Pages Read up to, but not including

Fri 1 1487-1491 The Law and Faith in Christ

Mon 4 1491-1494 Living by the Spirit’s Power

Tue 5 1494-1498 Paul and Silas in Prison

Wed 6 1498-1502 Paul Remembers His Visit

Thu 7 1502-1506 Believers Should Stand

Fri 8 1506-1509 Read to end of page

Mon 11 1510-1513 Paul Condemns Spiritual

Tue 12 1513-1517 Food Sacrificed to Idols

Wed 13 1517-1520 Order at the Lord’s Supper

Thu 14 1520-1524 A Call to Orderly Worship

Fri 15 1524-1528 The Riot in Ephesus

Mon 18 1528-1532 God Remains Faithful

Tue 19 1532-1536 Sin’s Power is Broken

Wed 20 1536-1539 God’s Selection of Israel

Thu 21 1539-1542 Read to end of page

Fri 22 1543-1546 The Danger of Criticism

Mon 25 1546-1550 Paul’s Final Instructions

Tue 26 1550-1554 New Bodies

Wed 27 1554-1558 Titus and His Companions

Thu 28 1558-1562 Paul’s vision and His Thorn

Fri 29 1562-1566 Paul Arrives at Jerusalem

NOVEMBER 2010

Date Pages Read up to, but not including

Mon 1 1566-1570 Paul Appears before Felix

Tue 2 1570-1574 Paul Sails for Rome

Wed 3 1574-1577 Greetings from Paul

Thu 4 1577-1581 Living as Children of Light

Fri 5 1581-1584 Christ is Supreme

Mon 8 1584-1588 Greetings from Paul

Tue 9 1588-1592 Paul Commends Timothy

Wed 10 1592-1595 Listening and Doing

Thu 11 1595-1599 The Power of Prayer

Fri 12 1599-1602 A Good Servant of Christ

Mon 15 1602-1605 Promote Right Teaching

Tue 16 1605-1609 The Dangers of the Last

Wed 17 1609-1612 Jesus the Man

Thu 18 1612-1616 God’s Promises Bring Hope

Fri 19 1616-1618 Read to the end of page

Mon 22 1619-1622 Great Examples of Faith

Tue 23 1622-1625 Concluding Words

Wed 24 1625-1629 Respecting People in

Thu 25 Happy Thanksgiving!

Fri 26 No Reading

Mon 29 1629-1633 Peter’s Final Greeting

Tue 30 1633-1636 Introduction

DECEMBER 2010

Date Pages Read up, but not including

Wed 1 1636-1639 Read to end of page

Thu 2 1640-1642 Read to end of page

Fri 3 1643-1646 The Message to Pergamum

Mon 6 1646-1650 The Lamb Breaks First Six

Tue 7 1650-1654 The Two Witnesses

Wed 8 1654-1658 The Lamb and the 144,000

Thu 9 1658-1660 Read to end of page

Fri 10 1661-1663 Read to end of page

Mon 13 1664-1668 Read to end of page

Tue 14 No Reading

Wed 15 No Reading

Thu 16 No Reading

Fri 17 No Reading

Mon 22 No Reading

Tue 21 No Reading

Wed 22 No Reading

Thu 23 No Reading

Fri 24 Merry Christmas

Mon 27 No Reading

Tue 28 No Reading

Wed 29 No Reading

Thu 30 No Reading

Fri 31 No Reading

OTHER BIBLES

September 20-24, 2010

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. And it came about that while He was blessings them, He parted from them. (Luke 24:50-51)

We began our journey this week in one of the places Jesus held dear, Bethany. At the end of last week, we had breakfast on the beach of the Sea of Galilee and was touched by Jesus’ words to Peter as He restored him to Himself and His call on Peter’s life. On the day Jesus resurrected from the dead, He had sent a message by the women and Mary Magdalene that He would meet them in Galilee, but it took a little convincing to get them to get up and move from their hiding place in Jerusalem. Their time in Galilee was short; Pentecost was fifty days after Passover and it would have been normal for them to return to Jerusalem for this special celebration. This time when they left the Galilee, they would never return to normalcy.

Ten days before Pentecost Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, and the disciples began to prepare for what was ahead. Judas’ replacement was chosen bringing them, once again, to the governmental number of twelve. One of Jesus’ last instructions to them was that they were to “wait!” “Wait” is one of the most difficult instructions we ever receive. You may recall that it was the instruction King Saul miserably failed to follow. But a remnant of one hundred and twenty disciples remained faithful. They were waiting for the promise of the Father, but how would it come? How would they know when it came? Jesus didn’t tell them how many days it would be before it came. Did they suspect that it would probably come at Pentecost? They certainly were well aware that Passover and Pentecost were linked together by the counting of the omer, and must have been looking forward to the arrival of Shavuot with great anticipation. They knew that this event was to take place in Jerusalem, because Jesus had told them to stay there until it arrived. I have a feeling they sensed what was about to happen was in direct relation with what had already happened.

Jerusalem would have been filled with Jews from all over the Roman Empire, just as Passover had been. People who had come exceptionally long distances would have arrived for Passover and remained until after Pentecost. When God accepted the Tabernacle as His dwelling place, He revealed His presence through the fire that consumed the sacrifice. When God moved into the Temple Solomon had built, God manifested His presence by sending fire to consume the sacrifice. For the past fifty days, the followers of Jesus were being built into a new Temple. Each one of them had prepared their hearts and lives and presented themselves as living sacrifices. Once again, God revealed His acceptance of His new dwelling place. No longer would He live in a tent in the wilderness, or in a magnificent stone structure made by human hands; God was taking up His abode in the hearts of men who loved Him and followed His will. God’s signature of approval had always been seen in His fire that consumed the sacrifice; this time it would be no different. God placed His fire of approval on each living sacrifice that had waited for His promise!

It’s not long before we hear Annas, Caiaphas the high priest, and the other members of the council asking the apostles the same question they confronted Jesus with, “By whose authority are you teaching and doing miracles?” Peter and John had learned well from their Great Rabbi and answered them with words that carried even greater impact than their face value. With all that we’ve seen in the last few weeks, listen to Peter and John’s response.

1. His name is Jesus Christ the Nazarene.

2. You crucified Him, God raised Him up.

3. He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED BY YOU, THE BUILDERS, BUT WHICH BECAME THE VERY CORNERSTONE.

4. There is no other name under heaven by which a person can be saved.

We looked into the remez Jesus used when He was before Annas, Caiaphas, and the council when they condemned Him to death. Because of their thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, they would have been well aware of Jesus’ words in their context. It would obviously have been the same for the words Peter and John quoted out of Psalm 118. I’m sure they didn’t miss the connection in verses 8 and 9 that says,

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes.

And, no doubt, they connected the words,

You pushed me violently so that I was falling, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. (vs. 13-14)

I’m sure if you take time to read Psalm 118, you will delight in the greater message Peter and John spoke to the council.

You would think that with all the miracles Annas, Caiaphas, and the members of the council had witnessed firsthand, that they would have been the first ones to admit their failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, but jealousy never thinks rationally! And in truth, we are told that a number of priests believed in Jesus as the Christ. It is in the midst of all the chaos in the Sanhedrin that a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood and spoke in an effort to bring some sanity to the situation. Gamaliel was one of the most honored and respected rabbis of that day. This is the man Paul says that he had studied under when he was younger. Obviously, in Paul’s zealousness, he failed to hold the same thoughts as Gamaliel, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves.

As we watch the birth of the church unfold, we quickly discover that many of the same problems that are in the church today, were also found in the believers of that day. Prejudice and contention are two that raised their heads pretty quickly. But these were quickly squelched when godly leadership was put in its proper place. Out of the seven deacons that were put in place, two of them give us greater insight into their character. Much to our surprise, the first man to die for Christ was not an apostle - He wasn’t even a Jewish Jew. He was a Hellenistic Jew! You can be sure that by Jewish standards, these men were thought to be less than their Jewish counterpart, but we quickly learn that their knowledge of the word and their commitment to Christ was not second rate!!!!

As we follow the footsteps of the saints who have gone before us, may we endeavor to recognize the high standards they have given us. May their knowledge of the Word, their total commitment to Christ, and their desire to tell others of their experience with the Messiah be an encouragement to each of us, and as a result, may we change our world.