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